Feb 19, 2026 - Food and Drink

The Richmond spots Virginia lawmakers eat at during session

Richmond Times-Dispatch restaurant critic Justin Lo recently got the lowdown on where state lawmakers go to eat when they're in town.

Why it matters: The 140 members of the General Assembly are temporary Richmonders for 30-to-60 days every winter, and they dine local.

Zoom in: Here's where Lo reports they flock to feast during session.

Sen. Danica Roem (Manassas) heads to GWARbar in Jackson Ward at least once a week, she told Lo.

Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg (Henrico) can go to Rappahannock anytime, but finds himself there often when working at the state capitol.

Del. Bill Wiley (Winchester) is a fan of Church Hill spots The Hill Café and Millie's Diner.

Sen. Angelia Williams Graves (Norfolk) always grabs a slice of key lime pie from The Tobacco Company.

Sen. Aaron Rouse (Virginia Beach) gets Northside's Slay Burgers' double bacon burger delivered to his hotel.

Del. Joshua Cole (Stafford) loves Southern Kitchen and Jamaica House.

Sen. Emily Jordan (Suffolk) says she's a big fan of Fat Dragon in Scott's Addition.

Sen. Christopher Head (Roanoke), who jokes that he's a rare Republican vegan, finds himself at Bookbinder's for the zucchini linguini.

Plus: You're pretty much guaranteed to find GA staffers and aides at Penny Lane Pub every Thursday night for happy hour.

The bottom line: You may not always like state lawmakers' politics, but they have excellent taste in restaurants.

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