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2025 RICtoday’s Best Awards
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.
Categories
Food & Beverage
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Community
Apartment Complex
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
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
Gym + Fitness Center
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
Home Service Provider
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
Local Influencer + Celebrity
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
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
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
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
Real Estate Agent or 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
Spas + 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
Entertainment & Retail
Bookstore
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
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
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
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
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
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!
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

See the winners
City Guides

Our editors’ recommendations for things to eat, drink, and do around town.

Read More

      

FAQs

My business is listed as a winner or runner-up. Who should I contact?

Congratulations. Please reach out to us at todaysbest@6amcity.com, and we’ll connect you with our exclusive partner, EVG Media Group, to guide you through the next steps.

How do I vote for a business or venue for RICtoday’s Best?
  1. Use your desktop or mobile device to begin voting.
  2. Click on our map, and select “Verify Email To Vote.”
  3. Enter your email address and click the voting acknowledgement box to let us know you’re cool with receiving additional emails from us. After you hit the “Get Started” button to begin, an access code will be sent to your email.
  4. Input the six-digit code onto the prompt; then select the “Start Voting” button to continue.
  5. Select from one of the listed categories that you’d like to vote on.
  6. You may skip at any time on categories you do not want to vote on. Once you’ve completed each category prompt, submit your ballot to wrap up.

When do the nomination and voting periods happen?

Nominations for RICtoday’s Best open February 3, 2025 and will close February 21, 2025.

Voting for each category’s top nominations will begin March 17, 2025 and end on April 25, 2025.

Which businesses or venues are eligible for nominations?

Any business or venue that is located in and around Richmond is eligible for nomination.

I’m having trouble submitting my votes. Who should I contact for help?

For support with RICtoday’s Best, please contact todaysbest@6amcity.com.

Don’t see a category that you would like featured?

Check in for next year’s campaign for added categories and continued expansion of RICtoday’s Best.

What are your Terms and Conditions?

You can find our full Terms and Conditions by following this link.

How will you decide which nominees go on to the final voting round?

Nominees with the most number of upvotes will move on to the the final round.

Do you have a Media Kit that my business could use to promote ourselves?

You can download our RICtoday’s Best media kit here.