If when you hear Virginia and gastronomy, all you can think of is deep-fried, comfort food, and barbecue, stop and think again. Just across the border from America’s capital, Washington D.C., Virginia is a culinary destination on the cusp of true greatness, earning accolades from local critics and global connoisseurs alike.

A city that has been racking up national and international accolades as a must-visit destination for years now, Virginia’s capital city Richmond has an incredibly diverse food scene that celebrates the accessibility of delicious seafood and local produce through numerous, award-winning fusions.

From Basque cuisine and local oysters to South African, Szechuan, and even New Zealand-style pies, the flavors you fancy will be found in Virginia’s capital. Here are just a few of its finest to begin with to tempt your taste buds while exploring Richmond’s incredibly diverse food scene:

1. Alewife

Alewife serves Mid-Atlantic seafood influenced by the famous Chesapeake Bay. Focusing on sustainability and minimizing food waste, Alewife works with a local program to recycle their oyster shells, and carefully chooses the fish they serve.

2. Lillie Pearl

At Lillie Pearl, Chef Mike Lindsey combines West African heirloom ingredients and his North Carolina roots of Southern African American Cuisine for an inventive take on New American cuisine. The restaurant and food are meant to inspire thoughts of visiting your Grandma’s house.

3. L’Opossum

A fancy and playful take on French cuisine, L’Opossum is known for its outstanding food and cheeky décor.

4. Peter Chang

Having won many culinary awards since beginning his career in the United States as a chef for the Chinese Embassy in Washington D.C, the eponymous Peter Chang serves his authentic Szechuan cuisine at two locations in the Richmond region.

5. Ruby Scoops

A small-batch ice cream shop and bakery, Ruby Scoops features unique flavors such as Thai basil, grasshopper pie, and guava daiquiri, with plenty of vegan options.

6. Shagbark

Focusing on dishes and ingredients from Virginia while supporting local fishermen and farmers is a hallmark of local favorite Shagbark.The name comes from a Shagbark hickory tree that grew along the James River, which runs right through the middle of the city.

Well, have we made you hungry to visit Richmond yet?