EBF Guide to Richmond

    WHERE TO SHOP FOR HEALTHY FOOD

    Ellwood Thompson’s | Carytown

    A local, organic market with a large hot bar/salad bar, a fresh juice bar, cafe, a large bulk bin section and a prepared foods counter.

    Good Foods Grocery |  Bon Air

    A local, organic grocery store with a huge bulk bin selection.

    Trader Joe’s | Short Pump + Bon Air

    I like TJ’s for buying staples like almond milk, nuts, dried fruit, cereal, oats, yogurt, cheese, hummus and frozen fruits and veggies. I find their produce section to be a bit scant and overpriced but there are some items that are good buys like bagged greens and salad mixes and avocados, limes, lemons and onions. They also have ridiculously good deals on wine.

    Whole Foods | Short Pump + Downtown

    Whole Foods is my favorite store! They carry almost any organic product you can think of as well as obscure health food items like chia seeds and wheat grass. Think Whole Foods is too expensive? Check out my post about how to save money at Whole Foods here! I like to make a stop at Whole Foods in all the cities I visit because they’re all set-up differently and have a variety of products based on the region and location. I’m pretty sure this makes me a health food nerd.

    LOCAL MARKETS

    HEALTHY SPOTS

    See my guide for where to get a healthy lunch in Richmond here. 

    The Daily Kitchen & Bar | Carytown
    This is one of my favorite restaurants for healthy food in Richmond. Check out my review.

    Seared Salmon Salad from The Daily Kitchen and Bar in Richmond, VA

    EBF picks:

    • Seared salmon salad with romaine, quinoa tabouleh, feta, almonds and chipotle lemon vinaigrette.
    • Curried Lentil Bowl with quinoa, sweet potatoes, zucchini, spinach, tamarind samal sauce and mint chutney.
    • Sweet potato fries. Probably not the healthiest option, but so good and good for the soul.
    • Ginger kombucha on tap.

    Fresca on Addison | The Fan

    My favorite vegetarian restaurant in Richmond. They serve the same types of meals I would make for myself at home, which I love. The sushi sandwich on their homemade whole wheat pita bread is to die for.

    EBF picks:

    • Fresca cobb with blanched broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, avocado, cucumbers, cheese, fakin’ bacon bits and olives.
    • Curried butternut squash soup with coconut milk and toasted almonds.

    Cava Grill | The Fan, Short Pump

    Like a Mediterranean Chipotle, this fast casual spot is perfect for a quick and healthy lunch or dinner.

    EBF picks:

    • Greens and Grains Bowl

    Goatocado | The Fan

    An awesome food truck that serves up epic quinoa bowls. Vegetarian friendly and absolutely delicious. Catch the truck at the South of the James Farmers Market for a breakfast quinoa bowl, which has an egg on top, or hit up their brick and mortar location in the Fan.

    Two Goatocado quinoa bowls on a table.

    EBF picks:

    • Mountain tropp quinoa bowl with apple corn pico de gallo and gouda cheese.
    • Haberdash quinoa bowl with sautéed mushrooms and a thai peanut sauce

    Mediterranean Bakery & Deli | West End

    EBF Picks:

    • Mujadara with rice, lentils and sauteed onions

    Ipanema Cafe | VCU

    Vegetarian/Vegan restaurant with delicious dishes and amazing desserts. The menu changes pretty often and is written on a chalkboard when you walk in.

    Union Market | Church Hill 

    Meal from Union Market in Richmond, VA. Three plates, one with sandwich, one with green chopped salad and one with white bean salad

    EBF Picks:

    • Chopped salad with chickpeas, avocado, house-made giardinera, cucumber, radish, romaine and feta cheese with house vinaigrette,

    DATE NIGHT / DINNER OUT SPOTS

    Lehja | Short Pump

    I’ve never been to India, but this place has the best Indian food I’ve ever had. It’s authentic, fresh and so delicious.

    EBF Picks:

    • Chaat du jour. Chef’s daily selection inspired by street food stalls in India.
    • Konkoni prawns with tellicherry peppercorns-konkani masala sauce.
    • House kabab medley with shrimp, salmon, chicken and lamb kababs and sauce of the day.
    • Shrimp and chicken zafrani with a hung yogurt-saffron marinade. Tandoor grilled and served with local greens.

    Mekong | West End

    Great Vietnamese food and an extensive beer list.

    EBF Picks:

    • Make your own spring rolls with fresh rice paper wraps. I get mine with grilled shrimp and a side of steamed veggies.
    • Spicy Green Beans. 

    Heritage | The Fan

    EBF Picks:

    • Fish special 
    • Chocolate Candy Bar. Save room for this.

    The Roosevelt | Church Hill 

    Cute and quaint restaurant in Church Hill with great drinks.

    Saison | Jackson Ward

    One of our go-to spots for dinner out.

    EBF Picks: 

    • Crispy Carolina Gold Rice Bowl with picked and preserved veggies. So good.
    • Rundown with seasonal seafood, sweet potato, coconut-habanero broth.

    Stella’s | Near West End

    Authentic Greek restaurant serving up rustic and modern Greek cuisine that’s consistently delicious. Great for lunch, brunch or dinner.

    EBF Picks:

    • Kale Salad
    • Greek Salad
    • Minestrone Soup

    Lemaire | Inside The Jefferson Hotel

    EBF Picks:

    • Salad or fish special 

    Brenner Pass | Scott’s Addition

    Open, modern vibe with seasonal European-inspired menu, bringing flavors of the alps to the plate with a mix of classic and modern technique.

    Lalo’s Cocina | Downtown

    My favorite spot for Mexican food.

    EBF Picks:

    • Shrimp and Avocado Salad

    Sabai | Downtown

    Hip spot for Thai food with a fun cocktail menu.

    EBF Picks:

    • Gang Massaman Curry or Green Curry

    COFFEE SHOPS

    Blanchards | Scotts Addition, VCU

    Our go-to spot for bags of coffee beans for home consumption and the occasional oat milk latte. They also offer large bags of cold brew that we live on during the summer months! I’m hooked. We like the Blanchard’s blend, as well as, thier single origin beans.

    Lamplighter | Scotts Addition, The Fan, VCU

    Cute, hipster spot to grab coffee. They roast their own beans and have three full coffee bar locations serving espresso, pour overs and various other brew methods. We stop by the Addison location often (we even took some of our engagement photos there). My husband and I always get the cold-brew iced coffee in the summer and when the days get cool we switch over to hot options. An almond milk café au lait for her and a dry cappuccino for him. I love the fruit and yogurt parfait with granola, but if you’re in the mood for a treat, grab one of the house-made sweet potato chai muffins. They’re Isaac’s favorite. They also serve made-to-order sandwiches and sides at some locations.

    TREATS

    Gelati Celesti | West End, Bon Air, Scotts Addition

    Delicious homemade ice cream! The Cinnamon Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Dough flavor is my favorite and is usually available in November.

    Charm School | Downtown/VCU

    Homemade ice cream with fun flavors like toast and jam, cinnamon toast crunch cereal milk, and golden milk. They also always have 2-3 vegan flavors. I love the vegan peanut butter fudge. Insider tip: get the toasted fluff!!

    BREWERIES

    The Veil Brewing Co. | Scotts Addition

    Ardent Craft Ales | Scotts Addition

    Hardywood | Northside

    Blue Bee Cider | Scotts Addition – Virginia’s first urban cidery

    FARMERS MARKETS

    Saint Stephen’s Farmers Market

    South of the James Farmers Market

    Carytown Farmers Market

    For an up-to-date list of Richmond area farmers markets, check out Back to the Market.

    DELICIOUS LOCALLY MADE PRODUCTS

    • Blanchard’s Coffee
    • Bombolini Pasta: delicious, fresh pasta that comes in a ton of different flavors from whole wheat, tomato basil to cinnamon and chocolate. They even have black bean and gluten-free pastas.
    • No Bull Burger: the best veggie burgers, locally made in Charlottesville, Va.
    • Reginalds Homemade: a Richmond based company that makes peanut butter (and cashew butter)! The peanut butters are made with Virginia peanuts  and other all-natural ingredients. Some of the  flavors include: Coconut Sour Cheery, Nana Honey, Apple Sin and CashewNilla.
    • Twin Oaks Tofu: best tofu ever!
    • Gratisfied Bars: Delicious whole food bars for on-the-go snacking.

    WHERE TO WORK OUT

    Yoga

    Group Fitness

    Cycling

    Barre

    Parchment paper lined with protein balls.

    5 SECRETS TO
    HEALTHY SNACKING

    Eating healthy doesn’t have to be boring!

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