the urban Farmhouse market & café (Shockoe Slip)

Urban Farmhouse has a lot of charm and some real potential to be a go-to spot if you’re in the area. I tried the VA bacon and egg panini, and it definitely hit the spot! The place itself is adorable — cozy with a rustic vibe and lots of little extras that make it stand out, like shelves of local wine, beer, chocolate, snacks, and even postcards. It feels like part café, part market, which adds a fun twist. There are solid food options for everyone — including gluten-free and vegan — which I really appreciate. I came here because it was close to my hotel and heard they were good about accommodating dietary restrictions. It was a bit smoky or steamy inside when I arrived, but I still managed to grab a table. Service was fine, and the space had a casual, artsy feel with local artwork on the walls. The matcha latte didn’t quite match my taste (a bit more earthy than sweet, especially if you’re used to the Starbucks version), but everything else I’ve tried so far — like the lox bagel, grilled cheese, and soups — has been on point. I think with a few tweaks this could easily be a 5-star spot, but I’m definitely coming back for lunch or a mid-morning coffee break next time I’m in Richmond.

I really enjoyed the VA bacon and egg panini here! It's a cute little coffee shop with a great variety of items, including breakfast sandwiches, freshly baked goods, and options for gluten-free and vegan diets. I tried this cafe since it was close to my hotel and they said they could accommodate dietary restrictions. It was crowded and a bit steamy or smoky inside, but I was able to grab a table. I ordered a bagel, breakfast sandwich, latte, and milk for my kid. While I waited, I browsed their selection of postcards, wine, beer, chocolate, baked goods, and snacks. The food didn’t quite live up to expectations, but I’d definitely be willing to give them a second chance. So far, everything I’ve tried here has been really good, like the lox bagel, farmer's grilled cheese, and soups. The matcha latte wasn't my favorite though—I'm used to a sweeter Starbucks version! Still, overall a solid spot.

The pimento cheese tomato sandwich was delicious. The chai latte was OK. It was mostly milk. Great gluten free bread!