Richmond, VA has one of the best brunch scenes in the South. Whether you’re looking for the best brunch in Richmond VA, searching for the best breakfast in Richmond VA, or planning a Richmond Sunday brunch with friends, this guide covers the city’s standout spots. If you’re still deciding where to stay, be sure to check out my guide to the best hotels in Richmond VA.
Finding the city’s best brunch spots was one of my top priorities. I asked locals for their recommendations, wandered through different neighborhoods, and ate my way across Richmond to separate the tourist favorites from the places locals love.
Most of these brunch spots in Richmond VA serve both breakfast and brunch every day they’re open, not just on weekends. Whether you’re stopping by for breakfast in Richmond VA before a day of sightseeing or settling in for a long weekend brunch, these are the places that are genuinely worth seeking out.
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Where to Find the Best Brunch in Richmond, VA
These are the Richmond breakfast spots and brunch places that kept coming up, whether I was asking locals, chatting with servers, or simply following the lines out the door. If you’re looking for the best breakfast places in Richmond or planning a weekend brunch, these are the restaurants that make Richmond’s food scene worth waking up for.
Richmond’s best breakfast and brunch spots are spread across a handful of neighborhoods, each with its own personality. Downtown and Shockoe Bottom are the easiest places to start if you want something walkable, with a mix of longtime favorites and newer brunch spots. Lakeside, just north of downtown, is home to several locally loved breakfast places in Richmond that are well worth the short drive. Scott’s Addition offers a more casual, brewery-adjacent brunch scene with plenty of places to linger, while Church Hill is known for its neighborhood cafés, bakeries, and relaxed atmosphere.
Best Breakfast in Richmond, VA
If you’re searching for the best breakfast in Richmond VA, you’ll find everything from classic diners and neighborhood cafés to Jewish delis and creative brunch restaurants. These breakfast places in Richmond are the ones I’d recommend getting out of bed for, whether you’re after a quick bite before sightseeing or a leisurely weekend meal.
Perly's
I’ve lived in New York City long enough that bagels and Jewish deli food are basically staples for me. So finding a great Jewish deli in Richmond wasn’t something I expected, but Perly’s absolutely delivers. They describe themselves as a Jewish restaurant and deli with a modern spin, and it’s one of the most unique breakfast places in Richmond because of it.
The deli side covers the classics: corned beef, pastrami sandwiches, and everything else you’d expect from a great Jewish deli. But the breakfast menu is where I’d steer you. The Cinnamon Babka French Toast is outstanding, the eggs Benedict swaps the traditional English muffin for smoked salmon over crispy potato latkes, and the cheese blintzes with blueberry sauce are the kind of dish you’ll still be thinking about on the drive home.
Perly’s opens at 9 a.m., and a line usually starts forming before the doors unlock, so it’s worth arriving early. They also serve breakfast well past the usual morning cutoff, making it one of the best options for all day breakfast in Richmond if you’re not looking to be seated by 10 a.m.
JEWISH DELI | BREAKFAST | LOX | PASTRAMI | BABKA FRENCH TOAST | DOWNTOWN RICHMOND
SB's Lake Side Love Shack
Before arriving in Richmond, I asked a local Facebook group where they would send someone looking for the best breakfast and brunch. SB’s Lakeside Love Shack came up more than any other restaurant, so I made the drive. It’s about 15 minutes north of downtown, and after one meal, it was easy to see why so many locals recommended it.
SB’s is named after owner Sarabeth Hagen, and the menu is small, focused, and just quirky enough to be memorable. If you grew up in the ’80s, you’ll recognize the B-52’s references woven throughout the menu:
- “Tin Roof Rusted” Hash – Sweet potato hash topped with sunny-side-up eggs
- “Bang Bang on the Door” Benny – Virginia ham served on a grilled croissant
- “I Can’t Hear You” Over This Pile of Pork – Scallion and cheddar pancakes topped with braised pork
There’s also a rotating specials menu that’s well worth asking about, especially if it’s your first visit.
Pro tip: If you’re finishing brunch on the later side, head a few minutes down the road to Final Gravity Brewing Co., one of Richmond’s best craft breweries.
BREAKFAST | BRUNCH | LAKESIDE | HASH | EGGS BENEDICT | PANCAKES | NORTH RICHMOND
Moore Street Cafe
Moore Street Cafe doesn’t look like much from the outside. If you didn’t know it was there, you’d probably drive right past it. That would be a mistake. Inside, you’ll find one of the best breakfast places in Richmond VA, with an old-school diner atmosphere that’s relaxed, unpretentious, and comfortable.
The signature dish is the Breakfast Club sandwich, and it earns every bit of its reputation. Bacon, sausage, ham, eggs, lettuce, and tomato are piled onto one sandwich that sounds excessive on paper but somehow comes together perfectly. At around $13, it’s also one of the better values you’ll find for breakfast in Richmond.
The mimosas here are called Moore-mosas and are served in 32-ounce personal pitchers starting at just $10. If you’re looking for an affordable brunch in Richmond VA, this is about as close as you’ll get to a bottomless brunch without it actually being one. With several flavors to choose from, they’re a good excuse to linger a little longer.
The pancakes are worth ordering even if you’re already planning on the Breakfast Club. They’re in the running for the best pancakes in Richmond VA, and their thin, almost crêpe-like style immediately reminded me of the pancakes my grandfather used to make. If you’re used to thick, fluffy diner pancakes, these are something completely different, and they’re excellent.
Moore Street Cafe sits on the edge of Scott’s Addition, making it an easy stop before or after exploring the neighborhood’s breweries. Just keep in mind that it’s closed on Tuesdays.
DINER | BREAKFAST SANDWICH | MIMOSAS | SCOTT’S ADDITION | BUDGET FRIENDLY
Millie's Diner
Millie’s Diner has a backstory worth knowing. Owner Paul Keevil grew up in the UK, worked in the music business, and eventually landed in Los Angeles, where he opened a restaurant he named Millie’s after the previous owner. In 1989, he moved the entire operation to Richmond, and it’s been a neighborhood fixture ever since.
Paul’s British roots still influence the menu in an unexpected way. Growing up, grabbing a curry after the pubs closed was a tradition, and that inspiration carries over into the food here. The Devil’s Mess is the breakfast dish to order: an open-faced omelet with sausage, peppers, onions, tomatoes, and mild curry, finished with melted cheddar and avocado. It sounds like a combination that shouldn’t work, but it absolutely does. The curry adds a subtle warmth that sets it apart from a typical breakfast, and even the home fries have a little kick.
Millie’s sits just outside downtown Richmond, far enough away to feel like a true neighborhood breakfast and brunch spot rather than a tourist destination, but close enough that it’s easy to work into your morning.
BREAKFAST | BRUNCH | DINER | CURRY | EGGS | NEIGHBORHOOD GEM | CHURCH HILL
Dot's Back Inn
I almost skipped Dot’s Back Inn the first time I visited Richmond. It was my last stop before heading out of town, and I’m glad I squeezed it in. The menu covers all the breakfast classics—omelets, breakfast platters, and pancakes—but the rotating specials are what make it worth paying attention to. There’s usually something a little more creative that keeps locals coming back.
What makes Dot’s stand out is that it’s just as good for dinner as it is for breakfast. The dinner menu includes burgers, wings, fried oysters, and seasonal soft-shell crabs, all at prices that are surprisingly reasonable. It’s the kind of neighborhood restaurant that locals rely on, which is usually a pretty good sign.
Bonus tip: Demi’s Mediterranean Kitchen sits directly across the street and is run by the same owner, Chef Jimmy Tsamouras. If you’re spending the day in the neighborhood, it’s an easy choice for dinner after breakfast.
BREAKFAST | BRUNCH | OMELETS | DINNER | WINGS | SEAFOOD | NORTH RICHMOND
LuLu's
LuLu’s is one of my favorite Richmond brunch places, especially if you find yourself in Shockoe Bottom.
The chicken and red velvet waffle gets most of the attention, and for good reason. But the seafood omelets and shrimp and grits are just as worthy of an order. Pair your meal with one of their Bloody Marys, and you’ll have a hard time finding a reason to leave.
It’s also one of the best brunch spots in Shockoe Bottom if you want to spend the rest of the morning exploring one of Richmond’s most historic neighborhoods. LuLu’s serves brunch Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., making it a reliable option whether you’re planning ahead or deciding where to eat that morning.
BREAKFAST | BRUNCH | SHOCKOE BOTTOM | CHICKEN & WAFFLES | SHRIMP & GRITS | BLOODY MARY
Best Sunday Brunch in Richmond, VA
While many of Richmond’s best brunch restaurants serve brunch throughout the week, a few experiences are worth saving specifically for Sunday. Whether you’re looking for a relaxed neighborhood meal or an upscale champagne brunch, these are my favorite places for Sunday brunch in Richmond VA.
Hobnob
If I haven’t already given you enough reasons to venture north of downtown Richmond, to visit SB’s Lakeside Love Shack or grab a beer at Final Gravity Brewing, then let Hobnob be one more. This small, neighborhood restaurant is well worth seeking out.
The menu changes with the seasons and might feature dishes like steak Benedict, zucchini pancakes, or a Lowcountry scramble with shrimp and andouille sausage. Everything feels thoughtfully prepared, making it just as good a choice for dinner as it is for brunch.
Hobnob serves brunch on Sundays only, making it one of my favorite spots for Sunday brunch in Richmond if you’re looking for something a little more local than the downtown options.
SUNDAY BRUNCH | LAKESIDE | SEASONAL MENU | NORTH RICHMOND
Champagne Brunch at the Jefferson Hotel
The Champagne Brunch at The Jefferson Hotel is the grandest Sunday brunch in Richmond and one of the city’s signature dining experiences. The lavish buffet features everything from made-to-order omelets and a carving station to fresh pastries, salads, and desserts. The seafood display—typically piled high with shrimp cocktail, oysters, mussels, and other seasonal selections—is usually the first stop for many diners.
Reservations are essential, as tables often book weeks in advance. At $75 per person for the regular Sunday brunch, it’s not an everyday meal, but it’s absolutely worth considering for a birthday, anniversary, holiday gathering, or any special occasion.
If you’re visiting during the week, don’t overlook Lemaire, the hotel’s acclaimed restaurant. It serves one of the best hotel breakfasts in Richmond, with a more traditional à la carte menu available Monday through Saturday from 7–11 a.m. and Sundays from 7 a.m.–noon.
SUNDAY BRUNCH | BRUNCH BUFFET | CHAMPAGNE BRUNCH | SEAFOOD | UPSCALE | DOWNTOWN RICHMOND
Best Bakeries in Richmond
If you’re looking for a lighter breakfast in Richmond or just want coffee and a pastry before exploring the city, these are two of the best bakeries in Richmond. Both are destination-worthy in their own right, with exceptional breads, pastries, and baked goods that are worth planning your morning around.
Up All Night Bakery
Up All Night Bakery bakes all of its bread in a hand-built masonry oven mounted on a trailer behind the bakery. Each night, the oven is loaded with firewood and burned until only glowing embers remain. By morning, the fire is gone, but the heat stored in the masonry is what bakes the day’s bread, with fresh loaves coming out around 9 a.m.
The croissants take three days to make, and they’re well worth the wait. While the cinnamon buns are a customer favorite, the orange Morning Bun was the standout for me. If you’re stopping by for a quick breakfast, pair one with a coffee and you’ll understand why this bakery has developed such a loyal following.
BAKERY | BREAD | CROISSANTS | MORNING BUN | BELLEVUE | BREAKFAST
Sub Rosa Bakery
Sub Rosa Bakery is back. After a fire forced the Church Hill bakery to close in late 2024, it reopened in December 2025 with a beautifully restored space and a new oven. Fortunately, everything that made it one of Richmond’s best bakeries is still intact.
Sub Rosa stone-mills its own flour, and the difference comes through in everything it bakes. Arrive between 8 and 10 a.m. for the best selection of pastries, including buttery croissants and whatever seasonal specialties are coming out of the oven that day. Fresh bread is usually more plentiful after 10 a.m., but many items sell out by early afternoon, so an earlier visit is still your best bet.
The bakery is owned by Turkish siblings, and alongside the breads and pastries you’ll find traditional specialties like lamb börek and poğaça that help set it apart from other bakeries in Richmond.
Sub Rosa is open Tuesday through Friday beginning at 7 a.m. and Saturdays and Sundays beginning at 8 a.m. It’s closed on Mondays.
BAKERY | BREAD | CROISSANTS | WOOD FIRED | STONE MILLED | CHURCH HILL | TURKISH PASTRIES
More Great Brunch Spots in Richmond
Richmond has plenty of other brunch places that deserve a mention. While these weren’t quite enough to crack my top picks, they’re all solid options depending on the neighborhood you’re exploring or the kind of brunch you’re after.
The Sidewalk Cafe
The Sidewalk Cafe has been a Fan District favorite for years. It’s a little divey, a little quirky, and exactly the kind of neighborhood restaurant that’s easy to love. If you’re looking for a laid-back weekend brunch without the long waits, this is a great choice. Weekend brunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays. 2101 W Main St
The Hill Cafe
The Hill Cafe is one of those neighborhood spots that locals actually eat at rather than just recommend to visitors. Located in Church Hill, it serves a no-frills Sunday brunch with generous portions, reasonable prices, and a relaxed atmosphere that fits the neighborhood perfectly. 2800 E Broad St
Alewife
Alewife is one of Richmond’s best seafood restaurants, and its Sunday brunch menu reflects that. Instead of the usual breakfast staples, expect rotating dishes like quiche, short rib hash, frittatas, Arctic char, or tartare depending on the season. Even the burger makes the brunch menu and is well worth considering. 3120 E Marshall St
Pinky’s
Pinky’s brings Mediterranean flavors to Scott’s Addition with a creative Saturday and Sunday brunch menu. French omelets, zeppole, and seasonal specials all make appearances, but the lamb papas topped with a sunny-side-up egg is the dish I’d order. 3015 Norfolk St
Whether you’re looking for a quick breakfast before sightseeing or planning a leisurely Sunday brunch in Richmond, these restaurants showcase some of the very best food the city has to offer.
Richmond’s breakfast and brunch scene is better than most people realize, and that’s part of what makes it so much fun to explore. From Jewish deli classics at Perly’s and wood-fired pastries at Sub Rosa to the Champagne Brunch at The Jefferson Hotel and longtime neighborhood favorites like Moore Street Cafe, there’s far more variety here than most visitors expect.
If you’re planning a trip, I’d start with the Lakeside neighborhood. You can pair breakfast at SB’s Lakeside Love Shack with Sunday brunch at Hobnob, then finish the afternoon with a beer at Final Gravity Brewing. Scott’s Addition is another great area to explore, with Moore Street Cafe, Pinky’s, and plenty of breweries all within a short walk or drive.
After eating my way across the city, these are the places I’d recommend to anyone looking for the best brunch Richmond has to offer or the best breakfast. If you have another favorite that deserves a spot on this list, let me know in the comments, as I’m always looking for an excuse to come back and try somewhere new.
If you’re building out a full food-focused itinerary, Richmond has plenty more to offer beyond breakfast and brunch. The barbecue scene is especially strong, and I put together a guide to the best BBQ in Richmond VA if you’re looking for another great meal while you’re in town.
