A false spring and summer, snow in March and tornado warnings. A 2.4 magnitude earthquake. This spring weather has been mercurial, to say the least, but we’re cautiously, optimistically, that warmer temps are here to stay.
Here’s where you’ll catch us outside this spring and summer (Style Weekly Food Editor Mary Scott Hardaway also contributed to this article).
On the ground
3200 Rockbridge St.
Open Tuesday-Saturday, 5-10 p.m. and Sunday, noon-8 p.m.
Brittanny Anderson’s love letter to the Virginia coast, Bar Buoy, boasts a 5-7 p.m. patio happy hour every Tuesday-Thursday. Imagine you’re sitting on the dock of the bay with $1 oysters, $2 off snacks (like ham biscuits and ahi tuna nachos) and more specials. Pair your eats with a cocktail from the Boat Vibes section of the libations menu and slip into a summer haze.
5811 Grove Ave.
Open Tuesday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday 11:30 a.m.-midnight, Saturday 10 a.m.-midnight and Sunday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Head to the scenic (and walkable) Libbie Grove neighborhood for patios aplenty, including Bar West, which boasts weekly specials, seasonal cocktails and an uber dog-friendly environment.
Blue Atlas Restaurant and Market
1000 Carlisle Ave. Suite 200
Market open Wednesday-Sunday, 9 a.m.- 2:30p.m.; breakfast and lunch Wednesday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; dinner Wednesday-Saturday 5-9 p.m. and Sunday, 5-8 p.m. Happy hour is Wednesday-Sunday, 3-6 p.m.
This restaurant and market in a renovated, historic schoolhouse has a globally-inspired, seasonally-changing menu, including pastries baked daily. The only thing better than the sunset views are the string-light vibes at dusk.
700 Bainbridge St.
Open Tuesday-Friday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
Stop into this Manchester café for breakfast and lunch. You’ll find local culinary companies including Ironclad Coffee, Carytown Teas and Cupertino’s bagels to enjoy under the shop’s red patio umbrellas.
The Ballast Development: Cirrus Vodka, Slack Tide, Fish Camp and Yellow Umbrella
1320 Summit Ave.
Hours vary
The year-old Scott’s Addition Ballast Development is a European, garden-esque venue featuring four local businesses and ample outdoor dining. Need we say more? We will. Head to Slack Tide for a seat at the raw bar overlooking the courtyard (garage doors open when the weather is nice); pop into Yellow Umbrella for a canned cocktail or cold brew and freshly packaged to-go meal, then enjoy your picnic right outside; or slide over to Cirrus Vodka’s chic tasting room for a briny martini and order a fried cod sandwich or lobster BLT from Fish Camp’s catch counter. It’s a one stop shop for plein air dining.
901 W Marshall St.
Open Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-2 a.m. and Sunday, noon-2 a.m.
For punk rock vibes and a mammoth burger, head to Cobra Cabana’s intimate back patio. They’re open late, so you can pair your eats with some stargazing, too. [Great music, food, cool owners, and they have great summer drinks too, like one of our faves, the Paloma that you see before you. Stick around for a show].
1104 W Main St.
Open daily, 11 a.m.- 2 a.m.
Get Tight is a popular music venue near VCU that also happens to serve tasty fare and fun cocktails (they just updated their food and drink menu, too). Baltimore hons will feel right at home with Pit Beef and Berger cookies (keep an eye out for the occasional Chesapeake crab feast). Or don your best cowgirl boots and order up Get Tight’s frozen Oaxacan coffee, spicy marg or bottled ranch water.
217 W Clay St.
Open daily 4p.m.-2 a.m.
Sit under the stars while paying homage to the metal/punk 1984 musical phenomenon Gwar. GWARbar’s menu (and decor) is inspired by fake blood, satanic panic and big-sword fantasy. The surprisingly elaborate and vegan-friendly menu includes a meatless burger called We Don’t Kill Everything. [Lot of famous bands and other notorious celebs, like Sarah Squirm, always want to go to this spot when performing in RVA].
1520 W Main St.
Open Tuesday-Sunday, noon-close
Jardin is the place for oenophiles. People watch on the corner of Lombardy and Main or ignore everyone in favor of a new read (or listen) from Small Friends Records and Books next door. A seasonal menu complements the wine experience. The wine bar also recently announced that they’ll be adding new hours for their breads, pastry and coffee concept, Petit Four. Starting this spring, Jardin will be open at 8 a.m. Tuesday-Sunday with sweet and savory treats, Afterglow coffee and espresso drinks, N/A beverages and a more “thorough menu of breakfast and lunch foods.” And vino! Always vino.
1601 Park Ave.
Open Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Tucked into a cozy corner of The Fan, Kuba Kuba has been serving Cuban lunches, dinners and all-day breakfasts for nearly three decades. It’s impossible to go wrong with their menu, except by not ordering the coconut risotto cakes (with pineapple, black beans and corn salsa) as an appetizer.
116 S Addison St.
Open daily, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
In a converted filling station on a quiet intersection in The Fan, Lamplighter features creative coffee confections (like grapefruit rosemary espresso soda) with beans roasted by Afterglow Coffee Cooperative, as well as teas, pastries and a breakfast and lunch menu including vegan options.
3410 Semmes Ave.
Open for dinner Sunday-Thursday, 5-9:30 p.m. and Friday & Saturday 5-10 p.m. and for brunch Saturday & Sunday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Laura Lee’s patio is downright lush when it’s in full bloom. In addition to having a pretty face, the restaurant also offers meatless Mondays, a killer Wednesday date night wine and pasta deal and a hefty spirit-free beverage menu.
4702 Forest Hill Ave.
Open Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. and Sunday noon-9:30 p.m.
This Forest Hill mainstay offers both open air patio dining plus a spacious, temperature-controlled porch (a real gem if you have small, roaming diners in tow). Order a tropical drink and then go visit the baby goats at Maymont.
21 N 17th St.
Open Tuesday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Sup on Southern comfort brunch in Shockoe Bottom with a side of coffee, cocktails, beer and cider.
2603 E Main St.
Open Wednesday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Go all in on your egg consumption at the legendary Millie’s. Might we recommend the “mess,” a three-egg frittata with white cheddar and a variety of veggie and meat combinations? Also available are sandwiches, egg-heavy entrees, beer and cocktails. [The table jukeboxes always have killer tunes, as well].
2300 E Broad St.
Open daily, 4 p.m.-2 a.m.
Give us liberty, but first give us a heaping plate of bacon cheese fries on the back patio of this historic Church Hill pub. With ivy-covered brick walls and overhanging trees, the patio beckons for at least a couple of cold ones.
3015 Norfolk St.
Open Wednesday-Sunday, 11 a.m. – 10 pm
Enjoy brunch, lunch and dinner on the garden patio of this coastal/ Mediterranean restaurant in Scott’s Addition. They boast truly gluten-free options, including a 100% gluten-free fryer, from a chef sensitive to allergies.
2314 Jefferson Ave.
Open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 4-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday noon-10 p.m. and Sunday noon-9 p.m.
Grabbing a pie, a bottle of wine and a picnic table in front of Pizza Bones needs to be on your summer RVA bucket list. Kid-friendly, pup-friendly and simply, friendly.
2901 W Cary St.
Open Monday and Thursday 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday-Sunday 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. and Wednesday 3:30 -9:30 p.m.
At Sen Organic you’ll find Vietnamese and French cuisine made in-house from organic ingredients, beautifully prepared and presented. Take the tastes home with a visit to Sen Organic Farmers Market across the street.
2930 North Ave.
Open Monday and Tuesday, 7 a.m.-noon, Wednesday and Thursday, 7 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday 7 a.m.-midnight, Saturday 8 a.m.-midnight and Sunday, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
For occasions calling not only for coffee but also stellar craft barbecue — plus tacos, nachos and cocktails — head to The Smoky Mug’s new, expanded space on the North Side. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available.
1012 Lafayette St.
Open for lunch Monday-Friday, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and for dinner Monday-Saturday, 4-10 p.m.
If you can manage to get a reservation, enjoy Greek cuisine in the sylvan streets of Malvern Gardens. The menu highlights abound, but always expect fresh, seasonal veggies and as much pasta as you could possibly want.
1600 W Cary St.
Open Tuesday-Thursday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and Friday-Sunday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Head to Susie’s for breakfast, lunch and linner. The spacious patio leaves room aplenty to enjoy the deli’s delectable shakshuka and lox bagels in the morning and sandwiches, skinny fries and fresh salads later in the day.
2614 W Cary St.
Open Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday 11 a.m.-midnight and Saturday 9 a.m.-midnight
TBT means tacos, burritos, tortas and also — totally badass taqueria. Grab a marg and some tacos as you overlook Carytown in the spring.
2097 New Market Road
Open Friday-Sunday, noon-7 p.m. or until sold out
Enjoy the Logan family’s much-praised barbecue on the weekends at roadside picnic tables, and get ready for summer.
3730 Winterfield Road Ste. 100
Open Tuesday and Wednesday, 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m., Thursday and Friday 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Saturday 9:30 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday 9:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
We love all three Toast locations, but the Winterfield Place spot has our hearts with both a restaurant patio and a “garden” area with a variety of seating options, from picnic tables with umbrellas to Adirondack chairs.
In the sky
20 West Rooftop Lounge at Hotel Petersburg
20 W Tabb St. (Petersburg)
Open weekends starting at 6 p.m.
The year-old Hotel Petersburg is replete with dining options, including a swanky rooftop bar. Right now, it looks like weekend reservations area available starting late April. Don’t let the address dissuade you — it’s only 30 minutes away, and the views from 20 West are outstanding.
Bolo’s Eatery + Brainstorm Brewhouse
1209 Hull St.
Open Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-11 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
The newest addition to the Lindsey Food Group family serves up “fried chicken, oysters and beer — amen!” Enjoy one of Brainstorm’s thoughtfully made beers on the rooftop this spring, with sunset views, string lights and live music.
2920 W Cary St.
Open Monday-Wednesday 11 a.m.-midnight, Thursday & Friday, 11 a.m.-2 a.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-2 a.m. and Sunday 9 a.m.-midnight
New York Deli is the oldest continually operating restaurant in Richmond (open since 1929, in its current location since 1934). The rooftop bar, Rockaway Beach Rooftop Tiki Bar, is a 2022 addition, available for event rentals and open every day for visits from anyone wanting a new perspective on the roofs of Carytown. [And the Byrd Theatre is next door].
201 W Broad St.
Open daily, 5-11 p.m.
The rooftop bar at Quirk Hotel (with its own, new Instagram page to give you the latest) is now open for the season. Enjoy a variety of snacks and specialty cocktails while surveying the goings on of downtown from your perch.
3406 West Leigh St.
Open Monday-Wednesday, 4-9 p.m., Thursday 4-10 p.m., Friday & Saturday noon-11 p.m. and Sunday noon-8 p.m.
Also offering non-alcoholic options, Starr Hill hosts running clubs, trivia, drag brunch, drag bingo, open mic nights and live music. Ample seating inside and on the shaded rooftop.
