Ten of 2012’s best new restaurants
46 restaurants opened in Richmond in 2012. Here’s 10 that we think are tops.
This year, we saw 44 46 restaurants open in Richmond. Below are 10 we think you most definitely should not miss. If you’ve got a little holiday vacation time on your hands, why not make a reservation? You may also want to print this list to keep on your fridge so the next time you say “what new place should we try!?” BOOM, your problem is solved! Now onto the list, conveniently presented in alphabetical order:
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1. Belmont Food Shop
A back to basics approach to food with a chalkboard menu. An intimate setting for a long and relaxed dinner.
- 27 N. Belmont Avenue
- 804.358.7467
- Sunday – Thursday • 5:00 – 11:00 PM
- Friday & Saturday • 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM
2. Burger Bach
New Zealand style inspired gastropub with gourmet burgers and fries. The best burger place in town if you ask us.
- 10 S. Thompson Street
- 804.359.1305
- Monday – Thursday & Sunday • 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Friday & Saturday • 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
3. The Dixie Chicken
Delicious takeout fried chicken–once you start you just can’t stop.
- 1203 Westover Hills Boulevard
- 804.837.0935
- Tuesday – Friday • 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Saturday • 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
4. Fat Dragon Chinese Kitchen and Bar
An urban Asian restaurant with a focus on fresh ingredients and an impressive craft beer menu.
- 1200 N. Boulevard
- 804.354.9888
- Tuesday & Wednesday • 4:30 PM – 12:00 AM
- Thursday, Friday, & Saturday • 4:30 PM – 1:00 AM
- Sunday • 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM
5. Heritage
Contemporary American cuisine with a standout cocktail program. Small, medium, and large plates available on the menu with plenty of gluten free and vegetarian options.
- 1627 W. Main Street
- 804.353.4060
- Tuesday – Thursday • 5:00 – 10:00 PM
- Friday & Saturday • 5:00 – 11:00 PM
- Sunday 10:30 AM – 3:30 PM
6. Mint New Casual Cuisine
Sister restaurant to Julep’s. Casual southern fare in a neighborhood restaurant environment.
- 2501 W. Main Street
- 804.359.9690
- Monday – Saturday • 11:30 – 12:00 AM
- Sunday • 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM
7. Peter Chang China Cafe
Features the unique Szechuan-style cuisine from world-famous chef Peter Chang.
- 11424 W. Broad Street
- 804.364.1688
- Monday – Thursday • 11:00 AM – 3:00pm & 5:00 – 9:30 PM
- Friday • 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM & 5:00 – 10:00 PM
- Saturday • 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Sunday • 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
8. Proper Pie Company
New Zealand style savory pies with a few sweet pies available as well.
- 2505 E. Broad Street Suite 100
- 804.343.7437
- Wednesday – Sunday • 12:00 – 6:00 PM
9. Rappahannock Restaurant
Brought to you by the guys who own Rappahannock River Oyster Company and Merroir. Upscale menu in a relaxed environment. Focus on seasonal seafood dishes with a huge raw bar dedicated to serving up their own oysters.
- 320 E. Grace Street
- 804.545.0565
- Tuesday – Thursday • 5:00 – 10:00 PM
- Friday & Saturday • 5:00 – 11:00 PM
- Sunday • 10:30 AM – 9:00 PM
10. Saison
A restaurant melding Southern food and Central American influences, with a craft cocktail menu and 24 beers served by a certified Cicerone.
- 23 W. Marshall Street
- 804.269.3689
- Tuesday – Sunday • 5:00 PM – 2:00 AM
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Pasture
Oops! Turns out Pasture, while wonderfully delicious, opened early December of 2011 (it’s still worth the trip though).
Southern cuisine with a farm-to-table approach and grazing menu. Variety of small plates and entrees to share.
- 416 E. Grace Street
- 804.780.0416
- Lunch • Monday – Friday • 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM
- Dinner • Monday – Thursday • 5:00 to 10:00 PM
- Dinner • Friday & Saturday • 5:00 – 11:00 PM
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Notice: Comments that are not conducive to an interesting and thoughtful conversation may be removed at the editor’s discretion.
40 some closed too unfortunately (for some)
Of the restaurants that closed, are any missed?
I miss Blow Toad :(
None that closed are missed. They go to the bad or badly managed restaurant graveyard. We are incredibly blessed in RVA with some amazing restaurants! To stay in business you have to have food people like and be managed well. This is an excellent environment!
You left off 525 at the Berry Burke.
Accanto should be on the list!
Some of the 46 restaurants that are listed (including one of your top ten) are actually located in Henrico County and not Richmond. Accanto, Peter Chang, Buz and Ned’s West End and Miso Asian Grill are in Henrico. Although I am sure Pasture is a fine restaurant, it seems to be poor form to give it an honorable mention since it did not meet the criteria for the article. Perhaps that special acknowledgement should have been directed at the restaurant that was in 11th place.
I forgot to include Q Barbeque VCC, which is also in Henrico County.
I can’t wait to try Proper Pie!!
Fairly certain that RVA refers to the Richmond region and not the City of Richmond specifically; and, since this article is coming out prior to the end of 2012, then it’s certanly okay to include a restaurant that opened at the end of 2011. Otherwise, any place opening at the end of the year would never fit the criteria. Geez.
Who chooses this list? I mean I know this isn’t a credible restaurant source, and no offense to Saison cause they might but great, but how can they win Best New Restaurant after less than a week open??? And Pasture???
@lou- I would think rva means richmond exclusively and wouldn’t include the counties.
Are we certain only 40 closed? How many private vs chains?
@Scott – Really? You think the Richmond list should only be restaurants with an address within the city limits? Gimme a break. Such a technicality. I’ve lived in Henrico and Chesterfield and consider myself part of the Richmond area (as do most). Such a snooty point of view.
Pasture charges $10 for rice with a little salty gravy on top. Cuisine means baffling, right?
Belmont Food Shop is fantastic. Their menu currently has a Chestnut soup with brandy infused cherries. Wonderful!