For richer or pour over, Richmond’s coffee shops are what keep us going in the morning. The River City has no shortage of masterful baristas, aromatic roasts, and foamy lattes. But if you’re having trouble deciding on a spot, gather some brews clues with our guide to some of the best coffee shops in Richmond.
Senior City Editor Robin here — I’ll be popping in throughout the guide to add some notes and recommendations. Call me Ro-bean, I guess.
Espresso yourself
Sefton Coffee Company, 24 N. 8th St. | Trust the experts at this Downtown shop — your morning latte will thank you.
A note from Robin — Sefton is such a gem for meeting friends who may work downtown for a quick cup. Plus, there could be a listening event or pop-up happening at Sefton Supply next door.
The Smoky Mug, 15 E. Brookland Park Blvd. | Latte lovers will adore this Northside gem which also serves bagels and breakfast burritos.
Ironclad Coffee Roasters, multiple locations | If you want your latte down to a science, this shop’s flavor concoctions will have you covered.
Paix Espresso, 407 Cleveland St. | The espresso experts at Paix will set you up with specialty drinks and baked goods.
Lift Coffee Shop & Cafe, 218 W. Broad St. | Try a specialty drink like the Banana Bread Latte, Mayan Mocha, or Jane Eyre — that’s a lavender white mocha latte.
Fuel Pump, 3200 W. Cary St. | You can count on specialty seasonal flavors at this Carytown coffee station, which also doubles as a wine bar.
Pro tip: Fuel Pump is smack dab in the middle of Carytown, just west of Cary Court.
Grant Coffee Company, 11884 Chester Village Dr. | This Chester shop offers a selection of coffee drinks including espresso, blended drinks, and affogato.
Roasts to boast
Rostov’s Coffee and Tea, 1618 W. Main St. | These quintessential Richmond roasters got started in 1979 and haven’t slowed down since.
Robin here. I can always count on Rostov’s for a fun seasonal flavor, and I can never resist looking through the variety of gifts and accessories at the Fan location.
Blanchard’s Coffee, multiple locations | Grab a drink and a bag of beans.
Try this: The Black Dog blend has a fruit-forward flavor and citrus-y aroma.
Afterglow Coffee Cooperative, 1719 Summit Ave. | Richmond’s first worker-owned coffee roaster offers bags of beans, specialty drinks, and community events.
Riverbend Roastery, 2623 E. Broad St. | Swing by this Church Hill roastery for a fresh brew and a breakfast sandwich.
Me again. If the weather’s nice, take your coffee on the road, snag a book from the Little Free Library around the corner, and head to Libby Hill Park for a picturesque Richmond afternoon.
Grit Coffee Roasting Co., multiple locations | Based in Charlottesville, this shop has two Richmond locations and offers a coffee subscription club.
Reviresco Coffee Co., 710 Lafayette St. | This cafe and micro-roastery opened near Malvern Gardens in July 2023.
Fun fact: Steven and Melissa Dalton chose the name of their shop from the Latin word meaning “to flourish again.”
Best bites
Stir Crazy Café, 4015 MacArthur Ave. | Hungry? Try a bagel sandwich at this Northside cafe.
Fun fact: Stir Crazy celebrated 20 years in business in May 2024.
Buna Kurs Ethiopian Cafe, 402 1/2 N. 2nd St., Ste. A | In addition to coffee, frappes, smoothies, and tea, this cafe has all-day breakfast and Ethiopian favorites like ertib.
Cafe Synai, 416 N. 1st St. | Coffee is just the start at this fresh-baked oasis which offers sandwiches, smoothies, and desserts.
Front Porch Cafe, 2600 Nine Mile Rd. | Get a classic breakfast sandwich, sample a parfait, or try the beef brisket hash with your coffee.
Café Zata, 700 Bainbridge St. | Enjoy a sandwich, soup, or salad with your joe at the Manchester spot. Bonus: The bagels are from Cupertino’s — the real deal.
Crossroads Coffee & Ice Cream, 3600 Forest Hill Ave. | This Forest Hill spot has coffee, smoothies, bagels, sandwiches, and sweet treats.
Perk! Coffee & Lunchbox, 2620 Buford Rd. | Coffee, baked goods, bagels, biscuits, and sandwiches are all on the menu at this Bon Air favorite.
Caffespresso, 1127 Gaskins Rd. | Try the caprese panini with your drink or pick up a bottle of wine from this Italian cafe in the West End.
Robin here. You can usually find local art adorning the walls at Caffespresso, some of which is for purchase. Just in case you want to take the vibe to-go along with your coffee.
Surrounding Counties, 8801-A Three Chopt Rd., Apt. L | Enjoy your coffee with a bagel, bowl, or fancy toast.
On-the-go joe
Greenbriar Cafe and Coffeehouse, 1211 W. Main St. | This VCU-area shop is well-designed for busy students. Walk up or call ahead for takeout.
It’s me, and I’m hungry. The Huge Breakfast Burrito with homemade sausage is really calling my name.
Alchemy Coffee, 814 W. Broad St. | Stop by The Lab for a cup from a guest roaster and a quick bite in the middle of VCU.
Sugar & Twine, 2928 W. Cary St. | Cap off your Carytown shopping spree with an espresso beverage and a pastry.
Pro tip: Indoor seating is coming back to the shop this summer. The shop is expanding into the adjacent storefront, the former Bits & Pixels location.
Brookfield, 301 W. Franklin St. | Get a drink or a quick lunch at this cafe located in the lobby of the Graduate hotel.
Can Can Café, 800 E. Broad St. | Swing into the Library of Virginia for a cold brew on your way to work, or grab a to-go salad or sandwich.
Quirk Coffee Bar, 201 W. Broad St. | Fuel your Arts District afternoon with a cup of local coffee and a snack.
Perfect for a date
Lamplighter Coffee Roasters, 116 S. Addison St. | Convenient mobile ordering and plenty of outdoor seating make for an ideal date setup.
It’s Robin. Lamplighter also has a penchant for attracting pups, which can be a great conversation starter.
Urban Hang Suite, 304 E. Broad St. | This social cafe offers great coffee and the opportunity for great conversation.
The Urban Farmhouse Market & Cafe, multiple locations | Meet up for a drink or make it a meal at this relaxing eatery.
Black Hand Coffee Company, 3101 Patterson Ave. | The patio area next to this Museum District shop is great for conversation.
Birdie’s, 305 W. Broad St. | This cafe becomes an oyster bar and wine cellar in the evenings.
If you’re already counting down to December, make sure to keep Birdie’s on your radar. The shop hosts one of the top holiday pop-ups in the area.
ICA Café, 601 W. Broad St. | Make a date to explore the galleries and enjoy coffee, tea, and eats.
Best Café, 200 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd. | Add an iced coffee to your obligatory first date at the VMFA.
Find in the wild
Parousia Coffee | This truck is a common find at the RVA Big Market at Bryan Park on Saturdays.
Coalesce Coffee Co. | Find this mobile barista at Kickers games, Virginia Credit Union Live! concerts, and festivals around Richmond.
Espresso A Go Go | Look for the Rosie the Riveter-inspired logo at the next festival or farmers market you stop by.
Daily Coffee Co. | This 1960s yellow bread truck is home to a variety of specialty coffee drinks, plus treats from Shyndigz, Up All Night Bakery, and Montana Gold Bread Co.
Maharajah Coffee | Find this mobile cafe most Saturdays at the RVA Big Market or Sundays at South of the James farmers market.
Purpose Espresso | This mobile espresso trailer hails from Midlothian and has been known to appear at PopUp RVA and Carytown Farmers Market.
It’s me, hi. A local farmers market could very well be where you find your next great Richmond roast. Consult our guide to see where you should be shopping.
Be the barista
Shop our favorite coffee essentials to turn your house into our city’s next great coffee destination.
- It all starts with the beans — for the best coffee (and tea), skip the big brands and shop this collection of coffee from local roasters. For a whole bean coffee, try Methodical Coffee’s Pink Lady, while these Loveland Coffee K-Cups are a great Keurig option.
- For a French Press that lasts, avoid breakable glass options and opt for stainless steel — this Secura French Press is highly rated and comes in multiple colors.
- Bloom pourovers like a pro with elegant gooseneck design of the COSORI Electric Gooseneck Kettle.
- These double walled glass espresso cups or these handmade ceramic espresso cups will set your home cafe apart.
- Hide coffee stains under espresso makers with this absorbent drying mat that sucks up coffee drops like magic.
- For the sleekest coffee accessories imaginable, shop the Fellow collection for coffee bean grinders, kettles, and carafes.
- Ready to go all in? The Breville Barista Espresso Machine is a best-selling espresso machine that makes coffee shop-worthy lattes, cappuccinos, and espresso at home.
Check out our map of coffee shops in Richmond and let us know what places we need to add.
