My RVA Top 5: Coffee Shops

It is no secret I have a coffee addiction. I suffer from headaches and extreme bitchiness if I am not exposed to at LEAST two cups a day. I generally rest at about 4 cups. With that being said, I have tried out quite a few of the local coffee shops. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good Starbucks frap, but when you are feeling frisky and want to venture to the local shops, here are my recommendations:

1. Lamplighter - they have three locations. I have only even been the Addison Street one, but I imagine the other two to be just as authentic. Authentic is literally the perfect word for Lamplighter (yes, literally you grammar freaks). Picture a backyard coffee picnic where you have to order from a stranger (what you’ve never been to an outdoor coffee picnic?), and that is Lamplighter. Named after the super tall bikes that used to go around town and light the gas lights at night, they could not be more Richmond. I recommend you go with plenty of time to kill. While it is worth the wait, it is a wait, every time. Do not go there expecting to be the lucky one, you will be disappointed. Do go there, bring a book, or a friend (don’t just hang out on the phone, the hipsters judge) and plan to wait around. While they do have indoor seating, it is limited. Dress for the weather and sit outside! Hey, I met the Australian bike team when I was waiting for a bagel one time, it’s definitely a place to see and be seen. Come hungry. They have fantastic breakfast sandwiches. I order the works with a slice of ham. It has capers. Enough said. They also have deviled eggs. I feel like I’ve said enough. Go to Lamplighter, sit, stay awhile.

2. Sugar & Twine - the newest coffee shop to pop up in Carytown. I wrote about it here awhile ago. What I love about Sugar & Twine is the location and the cuteness overload. Seriously it’s the definition of a cute coffee shop. Walk in, walk past a few newspaper readers, toward the back (the delicious pastry window will call you toward it) and be greeted by a friendly staff member. The coffee is excellent. They also have super fantastic biscuits. When I went, I got the cheddar biscuit. I was not disappointed. They also make many other sweet treats. I plan to try them all over time. So, the next time you are shopping, (need to soak up some alcohol after an afternoon of drinking in Carytown) stop in to Sugar & Twine and be pleasantly surprised.

3. Black Hand Coffee - my newest find. How? I have no idea. I wrote about it last month in total ecstasy. I could not have been happier with my first, QUICK, experience at Black Hand. Located in the Museum District on Belmont and Patterson, they are somewhat tucked away off the “main stretch,” but I promise it’s worth it. Great coffee and great bagel sandwiches, this is now a regular stop for me on my way to work. It moved into my top 5 immediately because of that and the super quick service, afterall there is something to be said about getting someone in and out in under 5 minutes while they wait in total dissolution for their caffeine fix.

4. Urban Farmhouse - literally all over the city, yet still comfortingly small town. At this point I think there are 5, but at this rate, they may be opening one tomorrow. I’ve been to the one in Shockoe Slip and in Scott’s Addition, both were excellent. I recommend getting your coffee to stay. All the locations I have been to have a very casual, stay as long as you like vibe. As you can imagine, by the name, they have excellent food and drink (including alcohol if you fancy that at the time). All is local. You can purchase things to go. I imagine it to be very European (the last time I was in Europe it wasn't legal for me to drink in the United States, so take that with a grain of salt). I’ve enjoyed many hours at Urban Farmhouse and plan to continue to many more. (They also have a happenin happy hour at some of the locations!)

5. Alchemy Coffee - my sister had a gift card, so we went. And we freakin’ loved it. I can honestly say I would have not gone had she not invited me, but I am so glad we went. Located in the VCU area, I try to avoid that area (students, ew). But, I would go back for the Iced Mocha I had. It tasted like happiness in glass. I wanted five more. We also got a cheese tart that was incredible. They said they were in between cooks (but fancier than that), so they didnt have anything beside the local pastries. The staff was very friendly, open to questions (I tend to ask a lot) and the place was light filled and had, what looked like, quality reading material. I think you should brave the students for this! It's also called the lab for all you coffee geeks out there.

So there you have it. My top five places to fill the void in your overly caffinated hearts! Go out, drink, try not to be a raging bitch before you get your first cup (life is hard, I get it).

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