Highest-rated cafes in Richmond, according to Yelp
From the first coffee houses in the Ottoman Empire to Boston's London Coffee House, cafes have always been an egalitarian place to gather, sip, and share ideas, many of which have changed the world.
During the Enlightenment, cafes would regularly entertain the likes of Voltaire, Rousseau, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and Isaac Newton. Later, Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre would spend hours in cafes, pondering their works and holding court alongside other intellectuals.
Needless to say, coffee and cafes beget some revolutionary ideas; sipping a cup may even be a political act. When settlers dumped tea into the Boston Harbor to send a message to the British empire, tea became a British loyalist's drink, and coffee became a popular substitute. Unsurprisingly, Boston's London Coffee House opened in 1689, was soon renamed the American Coffee House. Later on in Philadelphia, Merchant Coffee House, also known as the City Tavern, would host the likes of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Paul Revere, as well as witness an early reading of the Declaration of Independence.
Many other coffee shops steeped in history abound in the United States, including New York City's Caffe Reggio. Founded in 1927, it was the first to serve cappuccino in the country, as well as one of the first to use a La Pavoni espresso machine. New Orleans' Cafe du Monde, founded in 1862, is a fixture in the French Quarter for its coffee and beignets.
Whether it's for a cup of Joe, a heady conversation, or simply a place to start the day, cafes have become part of our personal landmarks, so where have others gone to find their refuge or perhaps their perfect dose of caffeine? Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated cafes in Richmond using data from Yelp. Rankings factor in the average rating and number of reviews. Keep reading to see if your favorite spot made the list.
#16. Sahara Cafe and Grill
- Rating: 3.0/5 (40 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Address: 319 East Broad St Richmond, VA 23219
- Categories: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp
#15. TASTE
- Rating: 3.0/5 (74 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Address: 5706 Grove Ave Ste 100 Richmond, VA 23226
- Categories: Cafes
- Read more on Yelp
#14. NuVegan Cafe
- Rating: 3.5/5 (227 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Address: 417 W Grace St Richmond, VA 23220
- Categories: Vegan, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp
#13. First Watch
- Rating: 4.0/5 (124 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Address: 5310 W Broad St Ste 100 Richmond, VA 23230
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Cafes, American (Traditional)
- Read more on Yelp
#12. Bateau
- Rating: 4.0/5 (37 reviews)
- Address: 301 Virginia St Richmond, VA 23219
- Categories: Wine Bars, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp
#11. Cafe Rustika
- Rating: 4.0/5 (236 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Address: 414 E Main St Richmond, VA 23219
- Categories: German, Cafes, Diners
- Read more on Yelp
#10. The Cask Cafe
- Rating: 4.0/5 (67 reviews)
- Price: $
- Address: 206 S Robinson St Richmond, VA 23220
- Categories: Cafes, Pubs
- Read more on Yelp
#9. Buttermilk and Honey
- Rating: 4.5/5 (37 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Address: 415 E Grace St Richmond, VA 23219
- Categories: Cafes, Delis
- Read more on Yelp
#8. Stir Crazy Cafe RVA
- Rating: 4.5/5 (140 reviews)
- Price: $
- Address: 4015 MacArthur Ave Richmond, VA 23227
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp
#7. Greenbriar Cafe & Coffeehouse
- Rating: 4.5/5 (98 reviews)
- Price: $
- Address: 1211 W Main St Richmond, VA 23220
- Categories: Cafes, Sandwiches, Coffee & Tea
- Read more on Yelp
#6. Sub Rosa Bakery
- Rating: 4.5/5 (500 reviews)
- Price: $
- Address: 620 N 25th St Richmond, VA 23223
- Categories: Bakeries, Coffee & Tea, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Moore Street Café
- Rating: 4.5/5 (268 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Address: 2904 W Moore St Richmond, VA 23230
- Categories: Cafes, Breakfast & Brunch, Burgers
- Read more on Yelp
#4. North End Juice
- Rating: 4.5/5 (188 reviews)
- Price: $
- Address: 718 N Cleveland St Richmond, VA 23221
- Categories: Juice Bars & Smoothies, Cafes, Vegan
- Read more on Yelp
#3. Lulabelles Cafe
- Rating: 4.5/5 (44 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Address: 2012 Staples MIll Rd Richmond, VA 23230
- Categories: Sandwiches, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp
#2. Blue Atlas
- Rating: 4.5/5 (91 reviews)
- Price: $$$
- Address: 1000 Carlisle Ave Ste 200 Richmond, VA 23231
- Categories: Tapas/Small Plates, Venues & Event Spaces, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp
#1. The Smoky Mug
- Rating: 5.0/5 (68 reviews)
- Address: 15 E Brookland Park Blvd Richmond, VA 23222
- Categories: Barbeque, Breakfast & Brunch, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp
