THE VIRGINIAN GUIDE · 2026
The places you love.
The people you count on.
Find a table for tonight, a trusted local service, or somewhere new for the weekend. Explore 116 profiles across 112 categories, with practical details and recognition from established local and statewide awards.
Barber Shop / Arlington
Barber Shop
A barbershop business with Arlington locations in Shirlington and Ballston and other Virginia shops. It offers haircuts and grooming services; choose the desired location and service when booking to avoid arriving at the wrong branch.
Northern Virginia Magazine, Best of NoVA 2026 — Barbershop.
Details & contact information →Steakhouse / Richmond
Steakhouse
A Patterson Avenue steakhouse with a long-running Richmond presence. Steaks are the central draw; consult the current dinner menu and reservation options when planning a special evening.
Virginia Living, Best of Virginia 2026 — Central Virginia, first place: Steakhouse
Details & contact information →Hotels / Harrisonburg
Hotels
A hotel and conference center beside downtown Harrisonburg and James Madison University. Rooms, suites and extended-stay options support different trips, while an indoor pool, dining and event spaces add to the facilities.
Virginia Living, Best of Virginia 2026 — Shenandoah Valley, first place, Hotel (reported by Harrisonburg Tourism).
Details & contact information →Zoos / Norfolk
Zoos
A Norfolk destination for animal exhibits, gardens and educational programs. Its year-round operation offers possibilities beyond a summer outing; review admission, special experiences and the current visitor guidance when planning a trip.
Recognized in Coastal Virginia Magazine’s 2026 Readers’ Choice awards: Family-Friendly Attraction and Science Museum (reported by Virginia Beach Visitors Guide).
Details & contact information →Pickleball Courts / Vienna
Pickleball Courts
A climate-controlled Tysons-area club with six indoor pickleball courts. Open play, lessons, clinics and private events serve different kinds of players, with options for beginners and nonmembers; check booking requirements before arriving.
Northern Virginia Magazine, Best of NoVA 2026 — Pickleball Court.
Details & contact information →Burger Joint / Charlottesville and Richmond
Burger Joint
Burgers and craft beer anchor this restaurant group, which has Virginia locations including Charlottesville and Richmond. Check the individual location’s menu and hours when choosing a casual meal or a place to meet friends.
Virginia Living, Best of Virginia 2026 — Central Virginia, first place: Burger Joint
Details & contact information →Thrift Stores / Harrisonburg
Thrift Stores
A nonprofit thrift store with clothing, furniture, housewares, books and other donated goods. Shopping and donating support Mennonite Central Committee’s work; check the separate store and donation hours before bringing items.
Virginia Living, Best of Virginia 2026 — Shenandoah Valley, first place, Thrift Store (reported by Harrisonburg Tourism).
Details & contact information →Performing Arts Theater / Virginia Beach
Performing Arts Theater
Known as The Z, this nonprofit performance company presents theater, music and other live programs in intimate spaces. Its emphasis on new work and artists gives visitors a reason to check the changing calendar rather than expect one fixed show.
Recognized in Coastal Virginia Magazine’s 2026 Readers’ Choice awards: Performing Arts Organization (reported by Virginia Beach Visitors Guide).
Details & contact information →Fine Dining / Richmond
Fine Dining
Greek cooking is the focus at this Lafayette Street restaurant, with a menu that brings traditional dishes into a contemporary Richmond dining room. Reservations and the current menu are available through the restaurant.
Virginia Living, Best of Virginia 2026 — Central Virginia, first place: Fine Dining
Details & contact information →Barbecue Restaurant / Richmond
Barbecue Restaurant
Texas-style barbecue has a Richmond home in Scott’s Addition. The restaurant’s focus on smoked meat makes it a distinctive lunch or dinner stop; check current service hours and availability before heading over.
Virginia Living, Best of Virginia 2026 — Central Virginia, first place: Barbecue Restaurant
Details & contact information →Italian Restaurant / Richmond
Italian Restaurant
An upstairs Italian restaurant near Virginia Commonwealth University. Its Harrison Street location puts a dinner outing within Richmond’s Fan neighborhood; contact the restaurant for the current menu and reservation arrangements.
Virginia Living, Best of Virginia 2026 — Central Virginia, first place: Italian Restaurant
Details & contact information →Mexican Restaurant / Richmond area
Mexican Restaurant
A multi-location Mexican restaurant serving the Richmond area. Its menu covers familiar Mexican dishes and offers a straightforward option for family meals, takeout or a group gathering; choose a branch before checking hours.
Virginia Living, Best of Virginia 2026 — Central Virginia, first place: Mexican Restaurant
Details & contact information →Caterer / Richmond
Caterer
A catering and event company that develops menus around the occasion. Its Richmond operation serves celebrations and business gatherings, with food and event planning discussed through a tailored inquiry rather than a standard restaurant reservation.
Virginia Living, Best of Virginia 2026 — Central Virginia, first place: Caterer
Details & contact information →Asian Restaurant / Richmond
Asian Restaurant
Vietnamese food and a substantial craft-beer selection share the spotlight at this West Broad Street restaurant. The combination gives diners a way to explore both a full food menu and the bar’s changing beer choices.
Virginia Living, Best of Virginia 2026 — Central Virginia, first place: Asian Restaurant
Details & contact information →Chocolatier / Richmond
Chocolatier
A Carytown specialty shop centered on chocolate and candy. Stop in to assemble a gift, discover a new sweet or add a small treat to a West Cary Street shopping trip.
Virginia Living, Best of Virginia 2026 — Central Virginia, first place: Chocolatier
Details & contact information →Specialty/Gourmet Food Shop / Richmond area
Specialty/Gourmet Food Shop
These neighborhood markets extend the Stella’s food tradition into prepared meals, Greek pantry items, baked goods and drinks. With multiple locations, they work as both a lunch stop and a place to stock up for home.
Virginia Living, Best of Virginia 2026 — Central Virginia, first place: Specialty/Gourmet Food Shop
Details & contact information →Bakery / Richmond
Bakery
A Richmond dessert business known for cakes and other sweet treats. Its Cary Street location is a destination for a dessert outing; check the current menu and ordering options for celebrations or take-home orders.
Virginia Living, Best of Virginia 2026 — Central Virginia, first place: Bakery
Details & contact information →Paddle or Racket Sports Facility / Richmond area
Paddle or Racket Sports Facility
A fitness and wellness club group with Virginia locations and facilities that vary by club. Use the location pages to compare racket sports, aquatics, classes and membership options before choosing the right fit.
Virginia Living, Best of Virginia 2026 — Central Virginia, first place: Paddle or Racket Sports Facility
Details & contact information →Dance Studio / Ashland
Dance Studio
A downtown Ashland dance school offering instruction in styles including ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop and musical theater. Its youth programs span different ages; contact the studio for placement, schedules and enrollment.
Virginia Living, Best of Virginia 2026 — Central Virginia, first place: Dance Studio
Details & contact information →Specialty Fitness / Richmond
Specialty Fitness
A Richmond studio combining yoga and barre-oriented classes. The class schedule is the best starting point for comparing formats, booking a session and checking what to bring.
Virginia Living, Best of Virginia 2026 — Central Virginia, first place: Specialty Fitness
Details & contact information →Music Venue / Richmond
Music Venue · Performing Arts Theater
A large Richmond performance venue presenting touring productions, concerts and comedy. Its Monroe Park setting makes it a centerpiece for a city evening; check the official event calendar and ticket details for each show.
Virginia Living, Best of Virginia 2026 — Central Virginia, first place: Music Venue, Performing Arts Theater
Details & contact information →Special Event Venue / Richmond
Special Event Venue · Tourist Attraction
A public botanical garden with changing seasonal displays and spaces for special events. It combines a garden visit with opportunities for classes and programs, while its event team handles venue inquiries separately.
Virginia Living, Best of Virginia 2026 — Central Virginia, first place: Special Event Venue, Tourist Attraction
Details & contact information →Festival / Richmond
Festival
A recurring Richmond celebration of Greek food and culture hosted by Saints Constantine and Helen Cathedral. Food, music and a marketplace shape the experience; check the next announced dates rather than assuming the festival runs year-round.
Virginia Living, Best of Virginia 2026 — Central Virginia, first place: Festival
Details & contact information →Movie Theater / Richmond
Movie Theater
A landmark Carytown cinema dating to 1928, presenting films and special events. Its historic auditorium and Wurlitzer organ are part of its identity; consult the program for film times and organ performances.
Virginia Living, Best of Virginia 2026 — Central Virginia, first place: Movie Theater
Details & contact information →
Best of
Our autumn shortlist pairs mountain views, a lakeside stop and Potomac overlooks with practical planning links.
Sep 25, 2026Our directory brings together independently researched profiles and recognition from regional and statewide awards. Each profile links to its source and identifies the original award, year and category. A regional award is not a statewide ranking. Businesses can appear in more than one category. Payment does not determine editorial selections. Check current hours, services and availability directly with each business.
Reader nominations and voting have not opened.