Richmond Arts District Food Tour: Local Eats & Stories

4.85

(146 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

“You’ve gotta try this one with the hot sauce — trust me,” our guide said, sliding a plate across the table at Mama J’s. I hesitated (I’m not great with spicy), but everyone else dove in, so I just went for it. The tangy heat hit first, then this smoky sweetness that made me grin like an idiot. That was maybe stop three? Honestly lost count after all the snacks and laughs. We’d started in Jackson Ward, right where the murals spill onto the sidewalk and old brick buildings lean into each other.

I liked how our guide — Marcus, born-and-raised here — didn’t rush us. He pointed out little things I’d never notice on my own: a weather indicator poking above Grace Street (“used to be Richmond’s highest point!”), the way some windows curve on corners because of old city codes. At one café, the owner came out to talk about her grandma’s biscuit recipe. She had flour on her hands and this huge smile; you could smell butter in the air. I tried to ask about the secret ingredient but she just winked.

The food tour felt more like wandering with friends than anything formal. Some places were tiny (one spot barely had room for us all), others had art everywhere — even in the bathrooms. It drizzled off and on, but nobody cared; we ducked inside for coffee or snacks whenever we needed. By the last stop, I was full but still found room for dessert (citrusy, creamy, can’t remember what it was called). Walking back through Richmond’s Arts District as dusk settled, I kept thinking about those stories and flavors mixing together — you know when a place just kind of lingers with you?