The best restaurants in Richmond

“Peg & Awl Public House keeps it simple in the best way, with thoughtfully sourced food, drinks, and a steady calendar of Monday trivia, 2nd Tuesday open mic, and weekend live music. It’s tucked inside Rebel Rebel Studio & Lounge, so expect a cozy, social hub energy locals actually return to.”

“Apollo Pizza Old Town Taproom - Berea keeps weeknights feeling like Fridays with reliably great pies and an easygoing taproom vibe. Order your go-to or try something new, then settle in with a cold beer and neighbors you actually enjoy bumping into.”

From the Berea newsletter, September 21, 2026

“Native Bagel Company does mornings with fresh bagels, Little Waves coffee, and avocado toast, then evenings with smash burgers, hand-cut fries, cocktails, and local draft beer, all built on ingredients from Berea College Farms and other local producers. Food & Wine even lists them among America’s best bagels.”

“Casual counter-serve chain for build-your-own sandwiches & salads, with health-conscious options.”

“Popular delivery, carry-out & dine-in chain known for pizza, wings & pasta, plus sides & desserts.”

“Pizza take-out & delivery chain offering classic & specialty pizzas, plus wings, sides & desserts.”

“Fast-food chain serving Mexican-inspired fare such as tacos, quesadillas & nachos.”

“Delivery, carryout & dine-in chain offering a wide range of pizzas, plus a variety of other dishes & sides.”

“Convenience store-based pizza chain doling out create-your-own pies along with wings.”

“Casual counter-serve chain for build-your-own sandwiches & salads, with health-conscious options.”

“Casual counter-serve chain for build-your-own sandwiches & salads, with health-conscious options.”

“Carry-out chain featuring chicken wings, signature breadsticks & pizza tossed from housemade dough.”

“Well-known fast-food chain serving grilled burgers, fries & shakes, plus breakfast.”

“Fast-food burger & fries joint with an old-school feel, including retro drive-in service.”

“Easygoing chain pizzeria supplying custom pies, plus pastas, sandwiches & sides.”

“Locally owned and Kentucky Proud, Cattleman’s Roadhouse ages hand-selected, USDA graded upper 2/3 Choice or higher Angus Beef for at least 21 days, then hand-cuts and grills it to your doneness. Ribeye or NY strip, plus chicken tenders, pork chops, burgers, and grilled salmon keep everyone happy.”

From the Richmond newsletter, September 7, 2026

“Easygoing chain pizzeria supplying custom pies, plus pastas, sandwiches & sides.”

“Kitto Yokatta is the nearby sushi spot doing creative baked rolls alongside crisp hosomaki, soy-paper mamenori, and the usual uramaki suspects. Low-key vibe, solid execution, and bubble tea to seal the deal, which makes it an easy weeknight fix when your Richmond sushi craving won’t wait.”

From the Richmond newsletter, September 12, 2026

“Whether you're craving sizzling fajitas, street-style tacos, and Mexican street corn or a hand-shaken top shelf margarita with fresh squeezed citrus, Peppers Mexican Grill Nicholasville nails the classics with bold, honest flavors.”

From the Richmond newsletter, September 17, 2026

“Pizza take-out & delivery chain offering classic & specialty pizzas, plus wings, sides & desserts.”

“Fast-food chain specializing in fried chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries & Texas toast.”

“When the fajita craving hits, Agaves Grill brings the sizzle and keeps it interesting with handmade tacos, zesty salsas, and handcrafted margaritas or mojitos. Nab a lunch special, let the kids pick from their own menu, or call them when a backyard party needs legit catering.”

From the Richmond newsletter, September 13, 2026

“When a smoked-meat craving hits, Smokin J's BBQ brings real pit flavor over wood smoke, serving brisket, ribs, pork chops, shoulder steak, and catfish with homestyle sides like mac and cheese, baked beans, and smoked broccoli. Good for a no-fuss dinner, and they cater when your backyard party needs an upgrade.”

From the Richmond newsletter, September 11, 2026

“Grill offering steaks & seafood, classic American fare & cocktails in a casual setting.”

“Carry-out chain featuring chicken wings, signature breadsticks & pizza tossed from housemade dough.”

“Simple chain spot offering American diner fare & all-day breakfast, including signature waffles.”

“When you want no-fuss hibachi and sushi made with fresh ingredients, Tokyo Express Hibachi and Sushi - Nicholasville keeps it simple and tasty. Order online for quick carry-out, settle in for dine-in, or call them for catering when your crew gets hangry.”

From the Richmond newsletter, September 20, 2026

“Fast-food chain serving fried chicken, big burgers & made-from-scratch breakfast biscuits.”

“Craving a legit slice without crossing state lines? Big City Pizza Nicholasville serves foldable New York style and true Chicago stuffed, family-crafted with homemade dough, plus the award-winning Tipsy Chicken built on beer cheese with a bourbon glaze.”

From the Richmond newsletter, September 19, 2026

“Long-standing barbecue restaurant chain specializing in meats smoked over oak, plus sides & salads.”

“Fast-food chain specializing in frozen custard & signature burgers made with Midwest beef & dairy.”

“Penn Station Sandwiches nails the trifecta... grilled subs on hearth-baked bread with USDA Choice Steak, fresh-cut fries flash-fried in peanut oil, and hand-squeezed lemonade made from scratch. Perfect for a quick lunch around town that still tastes like someone actually cooked, not just assembled.”

From the Richmond newsletter, September 18, 2026

“Casa Fiesta Mexican Grill nails the “I need flavor now” vibe this week with sizzling fajitas, flavorful tacos, and shareable plates made with authentic ingredients and bold spices.”

From the Richmond newsletter, September 6, 2026

“Locally owned and proudly fresh, Brady's Sushi and Hibachi hand-rolls sushi, builds poke bowls, and cooks hibachi to order so you get it just how you like it. Friendly vibes, consistent flavors, zero fuss... your midweek pick-me-up or easy win when no one wants to cook.”

From the Richmond newsletter, September 4, 2026

“Casual Italian eatery with a menu of pizzas, pastas, calzones & sandwiches, plus a buffet.”

“Family-owned and proudly sauced, Smitty's Southern Style BBQ keeps things simple and satisfying with smoked ribs, pulled pork, and wings that mean business, backed by classic sides and pies. When the craving hits, this is the kind of neighborhood comfort that just feels right.”

From the Richmond newsletter, August 31, 2026

“Need a little island detour between errands, Islands in the Stream is serving legit Caribbean comfort like jerk chicken, coconut shrimp, and conch fritters, plus crafted cocktails that feel like sunshine. Owners are on-site daily, so the vibe is friendly, the flavors big, and the downtown vibes real.”

From the Richmond newsletter, August 27, 2026

“Cafe chain for health-minded breakfast, brunch & lunch options such as omelets, salads & soups.”

“Long-standing chain serving a wide variety of pancakes & other American breakfast & diner fare.”

“Fast-food chain doling out baked pastas, subs, pizza & other casual Italian fare plus custom combos.”

“Street tacos with cilantro and onion, sizzling fajitas, legit guac, and burritos that mean business. La Cocinita leans into the classics you actually want on a weeknight, from tamales to tortas to nachos, so you can skip the kitchen and still eat like you meant to plan ahead.”

From the Richmond newsletter, August 29, 2026

“Purdy’s Coffee Co. (Big Hill) is a Richmond staple for handcrafted lattes and scratch-made bites that actually taste like someone cared. Slide in this week for a signature latte and the kind of hospitality-first vibes that make errands, emails, and EKU days feel a whole lot friendlier.”

From the Richmond newsletter, August 27, 2026

“When the week’s dragging and you want something reliably tasty, Nuevo Vallarta Mexican Restaurant brings the sizzle with fajitas, loaded nachos, big burritos, and other crowd-pleasers, plus a proper cocktail from the bar. Comfort food, Richmond style, without overthinking dinner.”

From the Richmond newsletter, September 21, 2026

“Down-to-earth chain offering American standards like burgers & ribs, plus signature cocktails.”

“When the craving hits for sizzling hibachi with mushroom soup, salad, shrimp, veggies and fried rice, or a solid sushi lineup from classic maki to chef's special rolls, Koto Japanese Bistro keeps dinner easy and tasty. Treat yourself this week, maybe start with takoyaki or rock shrimp.”

From the Richmond newsletter, August 26, 2026

“Chain dishing up wings, tenders & burgers, plus sauces ranging from sweet to very spicy.”

“Chain known for steakburgers & milkshakes offering a dinerlike space with retro flair.”

“Long-standing barbecue restaurant chain specializing in meats smoked over oak, plus sides & salads.”

“Winkler’s Stockyards Restaurant leans into premium cuts and seasonal specials with masterful prep, then backs it up with the kind of hospitality that makes dinner feel easy. When you want a locally loved spot that nails the details without the fuss, this is your move.”

From the Richmond newsletter, August 27, 2026

“When you want a legit pie without overthinking dinner, Apollo Pizza & Beer Emporium serves handmade pizzas, Italian comfort favorites, and a tap list that leans Kentucky. Grab a friend, split a specialty, and let the local brews handle the small talk.”

From the Richmond newsletter, August 25, 2026

“Big City Pizza Richmond brings thin, foldable New York slices and true Chicago stuffed pies, all made on homemade dough with fresh ingredients. Try the award-winning Tipsy Chicken with a beer cheese base and bourbon glaze, then pretend you’ll share but we both know how that ends.”

From the Richmond newsletter, August 19, 2026

“Popular delivery, carry-out & dine-in chain known for pizza, wings & pasta, plus sides & desserts.”

“Boisterous Australian-themed chain serving steaks, seafood & other hearty steakhouse fare.”

“When the week calls for comfort with a kick, Tabla Indian Restaurant Richmond comes through with North Indian classics, South Indian staples, and craveable Indo-Chinese plates, all cooked with real-deal flavor. Consistent, family-friendly, and downright delicious, it’s the easy win your dinner rotation secretly wants.”

From the Richmond newsletter, September 14, 2026

“Simple chain spot offering American diner fare & all-day breakfast, including signature waffles.”

“Pizza take-out & delivery chain offering classic & specialty pizzas, plus wings, sides & desserts.”

“Simple chain spot offering American diner fare & all-day breakfast, including signature waffles.”

“Jackson's Restaurant is Richmond’s go-to for a Meat and 3 style hot bar stacked with meatloaf, pork chops, and all the cozy sides. Craving chaos, try The Big Hoss Challenge, then recover with homemade beer cheese and a slice of pecan pie that absolutely counts as a vegetable.”

From the Richmond newsletter, August 24, 2026

“Standard pizza chain offering a variety of eats such as pasta, subs & wings for delivery or dine-in.”

“Viva Mexico is the move when your week needs color, serving steak fajitas, tacos de birria, cochinita pibil, chile verde pork, and the very Kentucky Burrito. It’s lively, reliable, and delicious... the kind of spot you suggest first then pretend was someone else’s idea.”

From the Richmond newsletter, August 30, 2026

“Branch of a fast-food chain known for its drive-thru BBQ, burgers & more than 40 milkshake flavors.”

“Craving an easy win this week? Parlour Pizza + Pints keeps it simple with crowd-pleasing pizzas, hefty grinders, and calzones, plus a legit craft beer and cocktail lineup. Perfect for a casual night when you want good food, good times, and zero kitchen cleanup.”

From the Richmond newsletter, August 21, 2026