Looking for a change in your boring food routine? Want to know why Richmond is a city of dedicated foodies? These are just a fraction of the local cafés and restaurants you can visit, so make sure you take the time to explore!

1. Greenbriar Café and Coffeehouse (1211 West Main St.)

I first went to this adorable Main Street café during finals week for studying. It’s an adorable and bookish spot with WiFi (great for writers!). I ordered a rose tea for a modest price and was not disappointed. They have a variety of coffee, teas, and snacks all made from scratch, so you can be sure your order was thoughtfully made.

2. 821 Café (825 West Cary St.)

A mixture of artsy and punk-rock, 821 reflects how dedicated Richmond is to local artists and craft beers. I typically go here for just about everything. My second semester of freshman year I took a required math course and made a few friends. One of them introduced us to 821 by enticing us with their Nutella French toast. I ordered it and the waitress brought me French toast lightly powdered with sugar and slices of bananas. The Nutella is stuffed in the middle of the French toast in the perfect amount.

When I was an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, we all got together at the end of the year to celebrate. It’s the perfect spot for it with large tables for groups, but the downside is they don’t take reservations, so if you have a bigger party, plan to go at a time when it’s not too crowded.

3. Lamplighter Roasting Company (1719 Summit Avenue)

Voted Best Independent Coffee House by Style Weekly, Lamplighter tends to stay very busy. They serve everything from coffee to sandwiches. I personally order a plain grilled cheese and sometimes a lavender iced latte (both really delicious choices, in case you needed a recommendation). Meals tend to come with kettle chips and a pickle slice in a paper bag stamped with the bicycle logo. If there’s no seating inside, don’t let it stop you from ordering a to-go meal. You won’t be disappointed.

4. Village Café (1001 West Grace St.)

Opened in 1956, the Village Café is known for their amazing milkshakes. It’s located on the intersection of West Grace and Harrison near the Siegel Center. They’ve adapted to the ever-growing campus scene with historical Richmond photos and hosting viewing parties for the basketball games. Village has also become a destination spot for tourists after being featured in “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” on Food Network.

5. Mojo’s (733 West Cary St.)

My boyfriend introduced me to Mojo’s one day after discovering I’d never ventured into the little blue building sitting on Cary. I’d always seen it and was curious, but never went inside. My boyfriend is exceptionally picky about his Philly cheese steaks and claims that Mojo’s has one of the best. They serve just about every American staple you could imagine including burgers, tater tots, soups, salads, and more. There’s also the option to get your order to go (hence the “Mojo’s to Go” painted on the side).