🇺🇸 So Close Yet So Charming — Weekend Food Trip to Richmond, VA 🍖✨

Sixteen years ago, I joined a summer program in Richmond. Now I’m back for a nostalgic trip! Honestly, besides the main tourist streets, the James River, the VCU area, and the Confederate White House, not much left a deep impression. The downtown feels a bit quiet now, but one thing about the South still holds true—the food is just so much better 😋 Stumbled upon this German restaurant on Reddit and knew I had to try. Never really got why people are so into German food… until now. It’s hearty, flavorful, and seriously satisfying! 🍴 Cafe Rustika The moment I saw the bar, I knew it was the real deal 🍻 Had a Kölsch and a Bit—muscle memory kicked in and I even said “Bitte ein Bit!” 😂 Funny they didn’t have any imported German white wines though. Ordered the Sauerbraten (marinated pot roast) and Jägerschnitzel (pork cutlet with mushroom gravy) — absolutely incredible 🤤 Wasn’t even that hungry because of the heat, but the moment the food arrived… no regrets! The side dishes—red cabbage and pickles—were so refreshing I started pickling my own red cabbage as soon as I got home 🥬 And the desserts—especially the Black Forest cake—look like entire mountains 🍰⛰️ Highly recommend if you have a sweet tooth! 📍 414 E Main St, Richmond, VA 23219, United States Before dinner, I visited the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) 🖼️. Turns out they have the 3rd largest collection of Fabergé eggs in the world! Not as extravagant as the ones in St. Petersburg, but definitely a rare sight in the US. Also strolled through the Maymont Italian Garden 🌷—so picturesque with its lush lawns and classic layout. Too bad I almost got heatstroke 😅 Early warning: don’t go in late July unless you’re ready to melt. Would’ve loved to spend the whole afternoon there in better weather! #HiddenGemEatery #RestaurantRec #DMVFood #OasisInTheFoodDesert #Foodie #GlobalEats