RVA, home to the Flying Squirrels, an amazing brunch scene, and Insta-worthy scenery, has lots of cool cafes and coffee places that you must visit if you want to capture the essence of Richmond.

If you live in Richmond or are just passing through reflect on these questions:

Why go to Starbucks when you can get freshly roasted coffee from Shockoe Espresso or Lift coffee?

Why go to Panera when you can get bread straight from a wood-fired oven at Sub Rosa?

Sure Panera and Starbucks are more accessible but if you want to experience true quality baked goods and coffee why not go to a place that can guarantee you just that?

Here's a list of cafes, bakeries, and coffee shops you must visit in RVA:

Whisk

2100 E Main St, Richmond, VA 23223

Ever wanted to try one of those cute pastel macarons (mah-kah-rohn) you've seen as you scrolled through Pinterest? At Whisk, you have the opportunity to try the French cookie first hand. Whisk, opened in 2015 by pastry chef Morgan Botwinick, offers a variety of Parisian and American treats that you have to try. If you have a sweet tooth and are in the mood for a sweet delicate treat, this is the place for you.

Sub Rosa

620 N 25th St, Richmond, VA 23223

If you want to channel your inner Parisian or you are simply in the mood for quality bread then Sub Rosa is the place to go. Here, you can eat fresh bread that had been baked in a wood-fired oven earlier that day. Another great thing about this bakery is the mellow atmosphere! If you stop by Sub Rosa anytime soon, I highly recommend one of the perfectly flaky croissants, especially the pain-au-chocolat (photographed above).

Lift Coffee Shop & Cafe

218 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23220

Need a lift? If So then definitely stop by this cafe located right in the middle of Richmond's Art District ( it's not hard to miss!). This is a great place to go with friends, colleagues or by yourself for coffee with a light breakfast or lunch. Lift has such a relaxed and artsy vibe that will keep drawing you back. During the First Fridays Art Walk, you must stop by Lift for a quick bite and to view the murals on the back patio or share your story with the I AM MY LIFE project.

Richmond on Broad

626 E Broad St, Richmond, VA 23219

Breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day, so why not eat it at Richmond on Broad. Although this cafe isn't solely based around breakfast food, it is recommended that you stop by before ten to taste good food which is a given here considering the cafe is operated by Chef Matt Lee, who has an impressive background as an executive chef. One tip about this place is to try to get in as early as possible if you want to have lunch because it can get pretty busy a little after 11.

Shockoe Espresso and Roastery

104 Shockoe Slip, Richmond, VA 23219

Tucked away on a cute little side street in Shockoe Slip is this cozy roastery. Shockoe Espresso is part of Mill Mountain, a Virginia native franchise that prides itself on freshly roasted coffee. When you walk through the doors, you are immediately welcomed with the smell of coffee beans (lots of them). If anyone of you reading this article is a coffee connoisseur, Shockoe Espresso is a great place to get your coffee fix.