Richmond is Virginia’s state capital and oldest city. While this might evoke ideas of a traditional Southern city with a deep history, it’s an exciting, modern, and young city as well. In addition to chefs, distillers, and brewers flocking here to be part of the new culinary scene, there’s an array of bakeries, ice cream parlors, and confectioners to be found too. And just as the city has both a new and old side, so does the sweeter side of Richmond.
Enjoy a croissant and window view at Sub Rosa Bakery | Photo Credit: ©Find. Eat. Drink.
CROISSANT | Sub Rosa Bakery
Flakey croissants, pain au chocolat, cookies, tarts, and granola are on the menu at this Turkish-inspired bakery owned by siblings Evrim and Evin Dogu. They are baking traditional, naturally leavened wood-fired breads using stone-milled organic, regional, heirloom grains. Make sure to check out their other baked goods offerings as well. They serve Richmond’s own Lamplighter Coffee.
Pro Tip: “They have a huge wood-fired brick oven and bake interesting Turkish loaves. They also make the best croissants I’ve ever had in my life (and I’ve eaten a lot of croissants.) They also make a light rye sourdough loaf.” (Chef Brittanny Anderson)
Pro Tip: “They have a wood-fired oven and the croissants are crazy good -- the chocolate is my favorite. They have that toasty, melty, crunchiness that you can only achieve in a wood-fired oven.” (Chef Walter Bundy)
Pro Tip: “This is a must stop. They have some of the best pastries on the East Coast for sure and their bread is fantastic.” (Chef Lee Gregory)
620 North 25th Street
Richmond, VA 23223
T: 804.788.7672
www.subrosabakery.com
Unique edible lollipops at A Secret Forest | Photo Credit: ©Find. Eat. Drink.
UNIQUE LOLLIPOPS | A Secret Forest
Pastry chef Vanessa Beller creates highly designed hard candies in a huge array of flavors. The pops are like tiny edible paintings.
Pro Tip: “Totally unique lollipops.” (Chef David Dunlap)
102 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23220
T: 804.939.7007
www.etsy.com/shop/asecretforest
The Charm School Social Club on West Broad Street | Photo Credit: ©Find. Eat. Drink.
ICE CREAM | Charm School Social Club
Ice cream crafted in-house using dairy from grass-fed cows and vegan frozen desserts made with cashew and coconut milks. Check out their unique flavors such as Birthday Cake, Earl Grey Tea, and Pineapple Upside-Down Cake on their Instagram page @CharmShoolRVA.
Pro Tip: “Homemade ice cream with unique flavors.” (Chef David Dunlap)
Pro Tip: “It’s fun and we always bring the kids here for ice cream.” (Chef Lee Gregory)
311 West Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23220
charmschoolrva.com
Sampling a taste Gelati Celesti | Photo Credit: ©Find. Eat. Drink.
GELATO | Gelati Celesti
Hand-crafted, small batch ice cream with 24 house flavors and 85 rotating flavors.
Pro Tip: “It’s fabulous, heavenly house-made ice cream. I work out so I can eat ice cream. That’s the story and I’m sticking to it. My favorite would have to be the Just Ask [white chocolate with creamy peanut butter and chunks of Oreos]. Try it and you'll see why. (Chef Walter Bundy)
Three Chopt | 5808 Grove Avenue, Richmond, VA 23236 | T: 804.288.4088
Scott’s Addition | 1400 North Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23230 | 804.525.5596
Bon Air | 3004 Stony Point Road, Richmond, VA 23235 |T: 804.320.0000
West End | 8906 A West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23294 | T: 804.346.0038
Henrico | 11805 West Broad Street, Henrico, VA 23233 | T: 804.364.2100
www.gelatiicecream.com
LATIN AMERICAN PASTRIES | La Sabrosita Bakery
You could go classic and get a brownie, but what makes this bakery unique are their more exotic sweets like pan dulce con guayaba (guava-filled sweet bread), postre tres leche (sponge cake soaked in milk), churros, and alfajores caramel (caramel cookies).
Pro Tip: “They have a wide array of Latin and Central American pastries and do cakes and all sorts of stuff. We buy the rolls for our po’ boys here.” (Chef Lee Gregory)
7730 Midlothian Turnpike
Richmond, VA 23235
T: 804.986.9695
www.lasabrositabakery.com
DONUTS | Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen
Jay and Judy Yoder bring their food truck from McKenney, VA to sell their sourdough donuts at the South of The James Market. They are cut, fried, and glazed to order. Aside from the market, follow them on Twitter to see where else their truck ends up.
Pro Tip: “If you head to the South of The James farmers market, you have to get donuts from Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen. They are an Amish family with a food truck and all the little kids sell the hand-made yeast donuts.” (Chef Brittanny Anderson)
@YodersDonuts
South of James Farmers Market
New Kent Avenue & West 42nd Street
Richmond, VA 23225
www.growrva.com/soj
The Box Lunch at Sally Bell’s Kitchen | Photo Credit: ©Find. Eat. Drink.
PIES & CAKES | Sally Bell’s Kitchen
Enjoy a true Southern experience at this Richmond institution known for its box lunches, which include a sandwich, a side, a deviled egg, a cheese wafer, and a cupcake. On the sweeter side, they sell cupcakes (more than 10 flavors) as well as pies and tarts like Lemon Chess, Coconut, Sweet Potato, Pecan, and Apple. They have moved from their original 1920s location, but this James Beard Award-winning bakeshop remains a local fixture.
Pro Tip: “It is a time warp that has stood the test of time. For an afternoon treat, head here for their famous cupcakes and tarts.” (Chef Walter Bundy)
2337 West Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23220
T: 804.644.2838
www.sallybellskitchen.com
