Your votes are in. Congratulations to all of the RICtoday’s Best nominees. We’re excited to announce our roundup of local winners who truly shine and make Richmond a better place to live.

From high-level dining experiences and accommodations to places to hang with your friends — here are your top choices in each of our categories.

🏠 Apartment Complexes

From resort-style amenities to sleek modern designs, these communities make Richmond feel like home.
First place: Malvern Manor Apartments
Runners Up: Hydro + The Locks Apartments
Honorees:

East 51
Ashton Creek Apartments

📚 Book Store

Nothing beats a cozy bookstore. Whether you’re into fiction, memoirs, or local zines, these spots have your next great read.
First place: Fountain Bookstore Inc
Runners Up: ILYSM Books + Shelf Life Books
Honorees:

Abi's Books & Brews
BBGB Books
Book People
Small Friend Records and Books
Agony Books

🍺 Breweries and Distilleries

Pour decisions encouraged. These local spots wowed you with their craft brews, inventive cocktails, and chill vibes.
First place: Hardywood Park Craft Brewery - Richmond
Runners Up: Triple Crossing Beer - Fulton + Fine Creek Brewing Company
Honorees:

Väsen Brewing Company
Final Gravity Brewing Co.
Ardent Craft Ales
Starr Hill Beer Hall & Rooftop
Bingo Beer Co
Strangeways Brewing RVA-Scott's Addition
Reservoir Distillery

🥞 Brunch

From classic comfort food to new twists on the brunch game, these picks are your go-to weekend hangouts.
First place: SB's Lakeside Love Shack
Runners Up: Moore Street Cafe + Lulu's
Honorees:

Can Can Brasserie
Toast, New American Gastropub at The Village
Eat 33
New York Deli
Gold Lion Community Cafe
Tiny Vegan

☕ Coffee Shop

The bean scene is strong in Richmond — and these cafes delivered top-tier coffee, atmosphere, and community.
First place: Blanchard's Coffee
Runners Up: Stir Crazy Cafe RVA + Sugar & Twine
Honorees:

Ironclad Coffee Roasters & Baking Co.
Afterglow Coffee Cooperative
Riverbend Roastery
Lamplighter Coffee Roasters - Addison St
Sefton Coffee
Grit Coffee - Scott's Addition
Fuel Pump

🧑‍💻 Coworking Location

Remote work never looked so good. These coworking spaces are where productivity meets cool Richmond vibes.
First place: Main Library - Richmond Public Library
Runners Up: Capital One Café + Common House Richmond
Honorees:

Gather Arts District
Gather Scott's Addition
Gather Midlothian
headquarters (hq)
Gather Short Pump
Office Alternatives
Ours

🍽️ Fine Dining

These restaurants took upscale cuisine to the next level with refined flavors, ambiance, and top-notch service.
First place: Edo's Squid
Runners Up: L'Opossum + Lillie Pearl
Honorees:

Buckheads
Blue Atlas Restaurant and Market
The Roosevelt
Grisette
Lost Letter
Shagbark
Restaurant Adarra
Beaucoup

🚚 Food Trucks

RIC eats on wheels — these food trucks served up bold flavors and earned your votes.
First place: 1115 Mobile Kitchen
Runners Up: Fireside Pizza + TBT El Gallo
Honorees:

TAQUERIA Y ANTOJITOS EL CHIDO #2
Auntie Ning's
Curry in a Hurry (Food Truck)
Hibachi Mobile
Latin Quarter
JC Desserts

⛳ Golf Course

Fore. These golf courses are the ones you ranked best for beauty, challenge, and playability.
First place: Willow Oaks Country Club
Runners Up: The Country Club of Virginia - Westhampton + Lakeside Park Club
Honorees:

Hanover Golf CLUB
Richmond Country Club
Magnolia Green Golf Club

💪 Gym and Fitness Centers

Whether you’re lifting, spinning, or stretching — these gyms stood out for empowering our community to stay active.
First place: ACAC Fitness & Wellness Short Pump
Runners Up: SoulShine Studios + Peak Experiences - Richmond
Honorees:

Midtown Yoga
Tequila & Deadlifts
TAOU Studio
BOHO Cycle Studio
Niche Pilates Studio
Humble Haven Yoga
RVA Iron Gym
Body Arc

🍹 Happy Hour

Cheers to these local faves that made post-work hangouts memorable with great deals and even better vibes.
First place: The Jasper
Runners Up: Fat Dragon Chinese Kitchen and Bar + Liberty Public House
Honorees:

The Emerald Lounge
Hogsheads Cafe
Social52 Kitchen & Craft Bar
Revel Market and Bar
Fighting Fish Scott’s Addition
Main St. Dragon
Goldwing

🔧 Home Service Providers

Reliable, trustworthy, and highly recommended — these pros helped keep your home running smoothly.
First place: Tredegar Construction
Runners Up: Junk Shot Junk Removal + AKB Kitchen, Bath & More
Honorees:

Karnage Construction LLC
Stable Foundations

📸 Local Influencer + Celebrities

These local personalities made an impact — both online and IRL — and you crowned them your favorites.
First place: @miss_elaine_neous
Runners Up: The Byrd Theatre + NBC12 Richmond
Honorees:

The VA Foodies
Venture Richmond
Black Rabbit Tattoo - Carytown
@kittspata Youphoria Studios
Floricane LLC

💚 Local Nonprofit

Organizations that make a difference — these nonprofits inspired you with their mission and impact.
First place: Henrico CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates)
Runners Up: Richmond Animal Care & Control + Diversity Thrift
Honorees:

Feed More
International Rescue Committee in Richmond
MaymontJames River Association
Little Hands Virginia
Health Brigade
CancerLINC
Art Works Inc

🥗 Lunch Spot

Midday eats done right — these lunch spots became your go-to for quick bites, client meetings, and casual hangs.
First place: Joe's Inn the Fan
Runners Up: Stella's Grocery - Scott's Addition + Union Market
Honorees:

Garnett'sKuba Kuba
Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint Richmond
Beauvine Burger Concept
821 Cafe
City Dogs
Charlotte’s Southern Deli

🏥 Medical Center

When care matters most, these medical centers deliver excellence, compassion, and trust.
First place: Virginia Women's Center
Runners Up: VCU Health Adult Outpatient Pavilion + Glen Forest Dental Co
Honorees:

Commonwealth Primary Care - Ridgefield
Virginia Eye Institute - Huguenot Bridge
Seven Hills Family Medicine
Resolve Bodyworks
HeartMind Resiliency Psychotherapy & Wellness
Rêvée Aesthetics
Center for Neurorehabilitation Services
Reddy Plastic Surgery

🖼️ Museum

Richmond’s creative and cultural pulse is alive in these institutions filled with history, art, and innovation.
First place: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Runners Up: Maymont + Science Museum of Virginia
Honorees:

Virginia Museum of History & Culture
Poe Museum
Crossroads Art Center
Maggie L Walker National Historic Site
Agecroft Hall
Amuse Restaurant VMFA

🎶 Music Venue

Whether you’re catching live bands or big names, these venues rocked your world — literally.
First place: The National
Runners Up: Brown’s Island + Reveler
Honorees:

The Broadberry
Beacon Theatre
The Camel
Friday Cheers
Get Tight Lounge
Cobra Cabana
Richmond Music Hall

🍴 Outdoor Dining

Richmond’s food scene is unmatched. These patios and rooftops made your meals extra memorable.
First place: Blue Atlas Restaurant and Market
Runners Up: The Lilly Pad + Portico Restaurant
Honorees:

Island Shrimp Co. Rocketts Landing
Legend Brewing Co
Casa Del Barco - Canal Walk
Sen Organic Small Plate
The Patio Thai Restaurant

🎊 Party Venue

Whether it’s a birthday, wedding, or just because — these venues brought the celebration energy.
First place: Common House Richmond
Runners Up: The Brickhouse RVA + Gather & Hem Lounge and Eatery
Honorees:

Bangers and Dinks Indoor Pickleball
Dinner Party
Copper Hall RVA
Creatives Playground RVA |Event & Content Studio
The Hidden Oaks
3030 the Venue
The Bold Host

🐶 Pet-Friendly Venue

Your furry friends gave two paws up to these pet-welcoming favorites around the city.
First place: Brambly Park
Runners Up: Hardywood Park Craft Brewery - West Creek + LUNCH.SUPPER!
Honorees:

Ruff Canine Club
The Smoky Mug
Basic City Beer Co. Southside RVA
Casa Del Barco - Canal Walk
Chester Dog Park
Bar Solita
Riverside Tavern
Amelia B. Photography Studio

📸 Photographer

Capturing Richmond, one frame at a time. These photographers stood out for their creativity and skill.
First place: Nick Davis Corporate & Commercial Photography
Runners Up: By Jacqui Photography + EmmiClaire Photography
Honorees:

Amelia B. Photography Studio
Dwayne Morris Photography
J. Cameron Photography
Photography by Anne Weston
Truxton.Made
Logan Peregoy Photography
Absolute Photographs
Photography by Nicole Johnson

🏡 Real Estate Agent + Group

You trusted them with your home search — and these local experts delivered big time.
First place: Call Carly Real Estate
Runners Up: Shaheen, Ruth, Martin & Fonville + River Fox Realty, Alexandria Troupe
Honorees:

Nest Realty Richmond
Shana Bloom
Rock Realty RVA at Providence Hill Real Estate
River Fox Realty, Nafis Narsinghani
CapCenter Realty

💅 Spas and Salons

Self-care starts here. These salons and spas helped Richmond unwind and refresh.
First place: Cassie Lane Aesthetics
Runners Up: ATiR Natural Nail Care Clinic + Resolve Bodyworks
Honorees:

Luminary Hair Co.
Skin. by HC
Habit Med Spa + Facial Bar
ANABELLE NAIL CAFÉ
Hungry Heart
Bondi Blonde Hair Studio & Spa
Melt Parlor

🍻 Sports Bar

Big screens, big games, and bigger energy — these bars were the MVPs of game day.
First place: Wood & Iron Gameday Restaurant and Bar
Runners Up: Sports Page Bar & Grill + Home Team Grill
Honorees:

Buddy's Place
Uptown Alley Richmond
Ram's House
Buffalo Wild Wings

🍺 Tap Rooms

Flavor, flight, and friends — these taprooms turned beer tasting into a top-tier experience.
First place: Hardywood Park Craft Brewery - West Creek
Runners Up: The Veil Brewing Co. - Scott’s Addition + Starr Hill Beer Hall & Rooftop
Honorees:

Stone Brewing Tap Room - Richmond
Crazy Rooster Brewing Company
Richbrau Brewing
Garden Grove Brewing and Urban Winery
Southern Railway Taphouse
Benchtop Brewing
Anytime Beer Company
Three Leg Run

🎭 Theater + Performance Venue

Drama, comedy, music, and more — these venues made every night out unforgettable.
First place: Altria Theater
Runners Up: Brown’s Island + Virginia Repertory Theatre
Honorees:

Dominion Energy Center
Richmond Triangle Players
Agecroft Hall
5th Wall Theatre
Firehouse Theatre
Coalition Theater
Swift Creek Mill Theatre

🍷 Winery or Wine Bar

Sip happens — and these wine bars proved they’re the best place to unwind with a glass in hand.
First place: James River Cellars Winery
Runners Up: Penny's Wine Shop + Jardin
Honorees:

Brambly Park
Upper Shirley Vineyards
NAPA Kitchen and Wine
Ashton Creek Vineyard
The Wine Whisperer
Celladora Wines
OXFORD CELLARS