At RICtoday, we share hyper-local and need-to-know information about your Richmond faves. Meet: RICtoday’s Best. From restaurants to salons, we’re asking for your insight on the top-tier spots Richmond has to offer. Nominations are open until Friday, February 21.
Spread the local love with RICtoday’s Best
At RICtoday, we bring you the best of Richmond—now it’s your turn to highlight the city’s top spots.
Introducing: RICtoday’s Best
From coffee shops to event venues, we want your input on Richmond’s top businesses.
Categories:
We’re celebrating local talent across various categories, including:
Food & Drink: Happy Hour, Tap Rooms, Breweries, Brunch, Fine Dining, Food Trucks, Coffee Shops
Lifestyle & Services: Spas, Gyms, Medical Centers, Home Services, Real Estate Agents
Entertainment & Culture: Music Venues, Theaters, Party Venues, Museums, Local Influencers
More: Coworking Spaces, Pet-Friendly Venues, Apartment Complexes, and more
How to Nominate:
Nominations open Monday, Feb. 3 – Friday, Feb. 21. Use your desktop or mobile to submit your nominations.
Select a category
Enter the business name or address and choose from the drop-down
Business owners can provide an email for updates
Click “Add nomination”
Already nominated? Click the thumbs-up to upvote.
For help, email todaysbest@6amcity.com.
What’s Next?
Final nominees announced: Monday, March 10
Voting opens: Monday, March 17 – Friday, April 25
Winners revealed: Monday, May 5
Let’s celebrate Richmond’s best—nominate now: by mobile or by desktop.
Thursday, Feb. 6 Richmond Short Story Tour | 6:30 p.m. | The Valentine | Free | Join Valentine staff for a quick tour of the gallery, looking at objects which tell a story of Richmond’s history.
Evening of Magic RVA | 7:30-8:30 p.m. | TheLAB | $25 | Spend the evening at this intimate, close-up magic show.*
Friday, Feb. 7 Get Crafty Together: Identity and Belonging | 4:30-6 p.m. | Main Library, Richmond | Free | Teenage creatives can come together for an afternoon of artistic expression on the theme of Black identity and belonging.
“The Diary of Anne Frank” | Friday, Feb. 7-Sunday, Feb. 9 | Times vary | Swift Creek Mill Theatre, Chesterfield | $25+ | The harrowing true tale of a Jewish family hiding from the Nazis during WWII comes to life on-stage.
Good Kid, M.A.A.D. Party: A Kendrick Lamar Night | 7 p.m. | The Broadberry | $15 | Fresh off a few more Grammy wins, and ahead of his Super Bowl LIX halftime show, get ready to party to Kendrick’s best tunes — 18+ only.
Azalea Flea Market is closing its doors this weekend. After 20 years of operation, the market’s final day of sales is Sunday, Feb. 9. The future of the 30-acre lot remains unclear, but info from a proposal made in 2024 suggests it may be used to build a 70,000-sqft data center. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Number
30,300. That’s roughly how many people moved to Chesterfield County between 2020 and 2024, per University of Virginia research. No county across Virginia saw a greater increase in residents during that time. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Outdoors
Remember to leave bear dens alone during winter. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources is offering tips for avoiding dens while animals hibernate, such as taking care in brushy ground, keeping dogs on leashes in wooded areas, and listening for certain noises. (WRIC)
Seasonal
If you’ve been craving more sunshine, we have good news. According to Accuweather, Richmond can expect up to 60 additional minutes of daylight in February. Grab your shades and celebrate in one of our parks.
Watch
Girls just want to have fun. Cyndi Lauper’s immortal words definitely apply to Poppy, Metro Richmond Zoo’s baby pygmy hippo. She was recently caught playing with her mom in the water.
Stat
20%. That’s how much you can save on a bathroom renovation with Remodel Your Home. You deserve a bathroom that’s just as functional as it is beautiful. Request your free quote.*
Finance
Tackling debt is crucial for many Americans in 2025. This trending card — “worth its weight in gold,” according to experts — offers 0% intro APR on balance transfers into 2026. (Read: More than a year of interest-free payments.) Apply.*
Category
Culture
Books, glorious books
Shelf Life has two levels, with new and old titles on its shelves. | Photo by RICtoday
Reading is on the rise across the United States. Just ask Barnes & Noble, which plans to open 60 new stores across the country in 2025.
Bookstores are seeing a bump in popularity thanks to the reading community on TikTok (known as #BookTok), while factors like digital fatigue and the rise of third places are also contributing.
For those after some more local flair, here are a handful of Richmond bookstores to find your next page-turner:
Fountain Bookstore | 1312 E. Cary St., Downtown Richmond
This storied indie spot opened in 1978, known today for its constant stream of panel talks, author discussions, and community events. Fountain also has six virtual book clubs. It’s easy to sign up and find a book bestie.
Shelf Life | 2913 W. Cary St., Carytown
Formerly known as Chop Suey, Shelf Life has called Carytown home for over 20 years. You’ll need some time to check out both floors here — there are 45,000+ used titles to peruse.
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