Carytown

Local Flavor · Museum District

Carytown

Local Flavor · Museum District

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Richmond, VA 23221

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Highlights

Carytown is a vibrant mix of indie shops, quirky cafes, and delightful eateries buzzing with energy, making it Richmond's go-to spot for unique finds and fun.  

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Richmond, VA 23221 Get directions

carytownrva.org

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Richmond, VA 23221 Get directions

+1 804 422 2279
carytownrva.org

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Last updated

Jul 19, 2025

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"Independent Shops, Restaurants, and Attitude For visitors, Carytown, located near the downtown hotels and the Museum District, is the preferred place to shop. This several-block stretch of West Cary Street is full of independently owned shops and restaurants, as well as the historic Byrd Theatre, a 1920s movie palace showing recent and classic films at bargain prices. A few notable shops are Mongrel, an all-occasion gift shop with a great selection of Richmond- and Virginia -themed items, World of Mirth, a colorful, kitschy toy store that's fun for all ages, and Eurotrash, featuring fashion-forward European women's clothing for all styles and budgets."

The Best of Richmond, Virginia
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Saysay S.

Yelp
I love this part of Richmond. It brings such a diverse crowd of people to the area. The shops are all independently owned and offer unique finds. Don't miss one of the best toy stores out there, the World of Mirth. It is good for people of all ages. Mongrel is also a good place to find some good gifts and cards. The bars and restaurants offer a good mix of styles to choose from. I always wished that they would close the street and make it a pedestrian zone with outdoor seating and such. Such a missed opportunity. Take a walk up and down the street. It is great people watching.
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Donna O.

Yelp
Why do I love Carytown? This is a great spot shopping district to walk around, to see people from all over (and their dogs!), and shop! For the Love of Chocolate is one of the best - I'm allergic to chocolate so I can only spend so much time in there due to the smell, but the candy selection makes up for it! The Byrd Theater, and a variety of restaurants are amazing! What don't I like? It's mostly minor things. The stores don't have a uniform hours: there will be some open at 8 or 9, most open at 10, but others will open at 11 or even 12. For restaurants this makes sense, but I'm just referring to retail/service right now. A lot of the resale shops have either gone downhill, or been replaced with lesser versions. Overall: I still go, but only when I need something. I still enjoy it, but it comes with a bittersweet aftertaste of what I miss.
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Fox E.

Yelp
I figured I'd Cary(town) the load and review this for you guys. Definitely one of the best neighbourhoods in Richmond and has some real food gems such as the famous Greek place and Carytown Burgers, and more. There's always a lot of cute people in this neighbourhood and even though traffic can be challenging, it's not as bad as in a lot of hipster areas around the country.
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Alison M.

Yelp
I loveeeeee Carytown. I've loved it since I hurriedly spent a few hours here years ago while attending a screening of my cousins movie at The Byrd theater. Since then I've been hooked. Tons of cute little shops and restaurants as well as antique stores, consignment shops and goodwill-type second-hand stores. I love Ruth and Ollie(furniture) and The Daily(food). But there is so much to see and do that you must spend an afternoon here and walk the street if you can.
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Crystal C.

Yelp
Well, Carytown as taken a real dive these past several years. Beyond the realities of the pandemic, quite a few storefronts have sat empty for years. It use to be a spot where you could pick up awesome, locally made art, clothing, you name it, along with a handful of high end jewelry, decor, and clothing shops. Most of the stores that made Carytown a shopping destination are long gone. Now it's primarily used goods (not vintage or even curated, really) of one sort or another, vape shops, and many, MANY restaurants. Some really great ones (shout out to Mom's Siam) and a few pretty bad ones. Most are in the middle. I'm having a hard time convincing myself to spend time there anymore... Miss you, Carytown from 10 years ago!
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Jasmine N.

Yelp
Great shopping and eateries! I love Sen organic, Carytown Cupcakes, Mongrel, Chop Suey books and World of Mirth. It's an awesome place to walk around and spend time with family.
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Cathrine O.

Yelp
Love it down here. Lots of cool little shops down this road as well as neat places to eat. Most of the shops are in a boutique style (priceyyyy!!!) but there's also a thrift and/or consignment side (much better)! Ashby was my favorite. Went here when it was kinda cold, but it was still nice and pretty busy actually.
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Mike D.

Yelp
Love this area. Tons of interesting stores to wander through and even more great food choices
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Jamie D.

Yelp
How can I give Carytown anything by 5 stars? I just love this neighborhood shopping area. I'm a bit spoiled at the moment since I can walk to Ctown (and that probably won't be the case forever, unfortunately) and I definitely take full advantage of my close proximity to Cary Street. From restaurants to shops to salons to a movie theater, you can find just about anything in Carytown. Looking for ice cream? Check out Bev's. In the mood for #wine-ing? Secco's a great go-to. How about catching a film? Byrd Theater all the way. Thai food? Take your pick of a few spots. And if you've got some dough burning a hole in your pocket, find fabulous frocks (both contemporary and vintage), amazing gifts, toys, games.... you name it, Carytown's got it! From posting up at Capital Coffee to going on a shopping spree at the women's clothing boutiques, you can often find me on Cary Street. It's also home to some fun festivals - Watermelon Festival and the Carytown Food & Wine Festival - as well as its very own restaurant week. I spend a huge chunk of time (and money!) in Carytown and I wouldn't have it any other way.
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Meredith B.

Yelp
Yes. Just yes. What's that meme again? 'Just take my money' Thrift and consignment, vintage and antiques, spices, costumes, jewelry, food... oh the food... Books! Games, stationery... I could list forever and still not cover it all. Not every shop along the street will get my full backing, not every restaurant will see me darkening their door on a weekly basis but here is my butcher, my hairdresser, my chocolate shop, my outfits, my entertainment... and I actually live across the river.
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Jackie W.

Yelp
I love Carytown! It's one of my favorite weekend hangouts in Richmond and the fact that most of the businesses are locally owned is very impressive.
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Kamille P.

Yelp
For Halloween weekend, Carytown became Scarytown and it was THE place to be! There were tons of people participating in the spooky festivities. They had trick-or-treating for the kids and all of the stores were giving out candy. I thought it was really cute to see people all decked out in Halloween costumes. There were also some performances by dancers and a zombie walk. As you can imagine, the zombie walk was very long as they all walked very slowly like zombies. Overall, it was a really fun and festive event. Now I have one more reason to love this place!
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Lauri W.

Yelp
Why would you shop anywhere else? JK!... Kind of. I have always been a lover of Carytown. On the weekends there is a lot of hustle and bustle and on the week days it is a quaint "mile of style". I duck into almost all of the amazing businesses on this famed street but the ones that I adore the most are Traveling Chic Boutique, Fab'rik, and Ashby. Those are by far my favorite places to buy clothes in Richmond. Some other stand outs are: Pink, Need Supply Company, Heidi Story, Clementine, Mongrel, Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center, The Byrd Theatre, not to mention the adorable coffee shops and restaurants!!! Most of the time the parking is not bad. There are people coming in and out all the time so if you ride around a bit you will have no problems finding a spot. My favorite aspect of C-Town (as I like to call it)? The outstanding customer service. From complimentary water or Starbucks frapuccinos at Fab'rik to store owners or managers knowing your by name. Had to drag the boy along? Not to worry, the fine ladies in Traveling Chic Boutique will give the man a free beer. Wake up early to go Black Friday shopping? Clementine will feed you breakfast. There really and truly is no better collection of small businesses in one spot in Richmond. Enjoy!
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Mrs D.

Yelp
Love it! Lots of cool one of a kind shops in a very awesome district of Richmond. Always lots of people here, plenty of things to do and see. Street parking can be challenging depending how busy it is, but it is worth it!
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Krystle E.

Yelp
I frequent Carytown as it was a place i pretty much grew up down the street from. It has changed so much over the years, but has never lost heart! Plenty of places for food, and other local shops. Carytown has everything you need! Parking can be tricky, if your not a parallel parker, they have some garages for you. Places have bowls of water outside for your dog if they are walking with you. Byrd theater is historic, and had affordable prices on movies! Great walking strip for any day!
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Courtney M.

Yelp
Cute and eclectic! Great shops and restaurants. Absolutely another great and must see when in the Richmond area. The only aspect that caught me off guard and was sad, was the vast amount of homeless people; perhaps I'm just not used to it and didn't expect it.
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Jodi M.

Yelp
I love this shopping area! I love the local stores (not a fan of chains), I love the local eateris and I love that it is animal friendly. It's best to park and walk around; parking is a little too scarce to drive from area to area. Wear great shoes and spend the afternoon looking around!
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Lisa G.

Yelp
I've lived in Richmond for a long time and can remember when Carytown wasn't what it is today... what did exist closed down by 5 or 6 p.m. and there was absolutely no evening scene. So glad to see it thriving today with mostly boutique places to eat, shop, and be entertained. Love this Mile of Style!
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Leah G.

Yelp
I LOVE this place!!! I always visit when I'm in town!! It's just so artsy which I LOVE! They have all kinds of shops and boutiques. Anything from clothing, to books, to video games. It's such a great place to just walk around and slip into a store and find a hidden treasure!!
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Dee B.

Yelp
I've been coming to the Carytown Shopping District for years now. Carytown Shopping District has a lot of locally own stores. You can find most things you need like clothing, shoes, toys, good restaurants, desserts, and a small movie theater. Most of the stores are smaller so you (the customer) get a lot of attention when shopping in the district. If you are looking for gifts, Carytown Shopping District is a great choice to find something special. During the summer, Carytown is usually filled with people enjoying all that Carytown offers. The parking can be a hassle at times. There are free public parking decks around the district.The decks fill up fast.Keep in mind that most shops close around 7pm. The Carytown Shopping District is one of the most popular districts in Richmond. If you haven't been to Carytown Shopping District, do yourself a favor.
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Sean C.

Yelp
Carytown is a must on any list of "things to do" in Richmond, Virginia. Located between Thompson Street and The Boulevard on West Cary Street, Carytown is comprised of 8 blocks and is often Richmond's "Mile of Style" it is the epicenter of all that is happening in Richmond. Also the scene of a recent "tradition" at New Years, it is also home to Richmond's famed Watermelon Festival as well. Carytown is a one way street and is full of just about everything anyone could want. Most businesses are locally owned and operated and this mile of style packs a whole lot of punch. Think M or Wisconsin streets in Georgetown or SOHO in NYC. Yes, I am stretching it a bit, but I guarantee anyone going here for the first time will be surprised and delighted. Hungry? There is a restaurant for every palate. Want to get you shop on? You are in the right place. There is a movie theater and plenty of bars for icy cold adult beverage breaks! Parking is available on the street but is a challenge during peak hours and on weekends. There parking decks and lots located just North of Cary Street and there is ample parking on side streets within a few blocks of the main shopping street. If you love to support local businesses and prefer funky, interesting and diverse shopping/dining, then Carytown should be top on your list of destinations while visiting Richmond. You will find many reviews on Yelp of local Carytown businesses as well. The web address is also located here if you desire more information about Carytown. Happy Shopping!
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Mandy T.

Yelp
Not going to lie, parking SUCKS! But it is such a fun atmosphere and it is a great place to find unique treasures in any category!
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Duane S.

Yelp
I am a huge fan of this shopping area. I will need to bring a truck the next time so I can haul off the stuff i want to buy. So many eclectic shops to lure you in. The best part is the majority are local stores, not chains. I will definitely be back
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D B.

Yelp
Great shopping area with penty to walk to. Only down point I could come up with was hard to find a parking spot.
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Kathy H.

Yelp
This was a fun Saturday afternoon outing. Lots of shops and good people watching. The shops are a bit pricey but we had fun window shopping. Parking is very limited.

Roger Y.

Yelp
I will agree with others and say I love Carytown. This is a great neighborhood with a great, eclectic variety of restaurants and stores. A must visit in Richmond. I will say I am kind of biased because I live nearby, but there are still some gems to try in the neighborhood.

Blake E.

Yelp
Carytown is indeed an interesting part of Richmond. It attracts people from all over the city - young & old, rich & poor. It has a wide variety of stores including clothing boutiques, restraunts, tattoo shops, a discount movie theatre, ice cream, banks, and practically every thing else you need to keep yourself entertained! On the weekend when the weather is nice, tons of people can be seen roaming around Carytown weaving in and out of the shops, but don't worry - it's not overly crowded. It's a nice mixture of high end and inexpensive stores that are guaranteed to appeal to everyone. Carytown also has some flavor added to it by the aspiring musicians or magician performing on the street. Overall, it's an interesting part of town that is worth checking out if you haven't already.