Richmond, Virginia is on the rise as one of the biggest foodie cities in the U.S. Therefore, trying to find the best first date spots can be difficult. There are so many options and not enough time to try all of them. After almost a year of exploring Richmond's dining scene, I have found some of the best first date spots that are a short Uber or campus shuttle away. No matter what you like, there is a perfect restaurant for you!
Greek On Cary
Greek on Cary is located in the heart of Carytown. The restaurant has a clean, classic ambiance and offers a variety of options, including vegan and vegetarian. When I brought my boyfriend here, I got the Flaming Saganaki Burger, which was very tasty. The restaurant is open till 10 p.m. from Thursday to Saturday and gets pretty crowded during these hours, so make sure to show up a little earlier so your first date can run as smoothly as possible.
Mom's Siam
This restaurant is known for some of the best Thai food in Richmond! There is seating both inside and outside, so it is a great option for a first date during the day or night (they turn on cute string lights). After 6 p.m., Mom's Siam is buzzing with people, but it wasn't hard for me to find a table for two. I would definitely suggest Mom's Siam for any adventurous eaters!
Crossroads Coffee & Ice Cream
Whoever thought a diner isn't a good first date spot definitely has never been to Crossroads. This is a cute, casual spot with an impressive variety of foods and drinks, including an espresso Oreo milkshake, a turkey Reuben, and a veggie pesto wrap. They also offer live music events almost everyday and free WiFi. Here is your not-so-average coffee date!
CanCan Brasserie
Want to impress your date? Take them to some fine French cuisine at CanCan Brasserie located in Carytown. With traditional French breakfast, lunch and dinner options, along with desserts and specialty cocktails, CanCan is a sure fire way to land a second date. Their onion soup gratinée and streak frites are amazing and under $40 per person! For dessert, split the mouther crème brûlée. It is always busy here no matter the time, so make a reservation if you do not want to wait for a table.
Pasture
The first time I went to Pasture, I got the Frito Pie with vegetarian chili, cheddar cheese, and onions, and since then, I have been obsessed! Pasture focuses on the concept of farm to table food, using products from Virginia's best farmers and producers. The restaurant offers a lot of smaller portions to share as they want to steer away from traditional larger plates - which gives you and your date the opportunity to try all the unique dishes Pasture offers.
The small plates and snacks (appetizers) are reasonably priced, and vegetarian options are available as well. They do stay true to their southern roots with spicy BBQ pork rinds and grilled pork chops with South Carolina BBQ sauce. Located in downtown Richmond, Pasture is a great place to head after a day of exploring the city.
So next time you are looking for a first date spot...
I highly recommend any of these places! There is a great variety of cuisine, ambiance, and location, so you're sure to find at least one great fit. Thanks so much for reading. If you want to follow more of Richmond's food adventures be sure to follow our Instagram too.
Until next time!