Use this guide to Virginia businesses owned by LGBTQ+ members of the community to support local boutiques, restaurants, and more!
*This list is not meant to be comprehensive but to highlight a few of the businesses that help make Virginia a beautiful and inclusive place.
Love Local: Regionally-Focused LGBTQ+ Owned Business Websites
Photo Credit: Joey Wharton, @joey_wharton
If you’re looking for LGBTQ+ restaurants and shops within the Richmond area, there are several fantastic partners that offer constantly-updated lists, including OutRVA, the Richmond LGBTQ Chamber, and Diversity Richmond.
Equality NOVA shares a list of the LGBTQ+ and ally events, festivals, and other community activations for the Northern Virginia area. For Pride-centric businesses right across the Potomac from Washington D.C., check out the cities of Alexandria and Arlington.
Coastal Virginia offers the Hampton Roads Business Outreach, whose mission is to empower and support LGBT and allied member businesses and provide the community with an inclusive and welcoming environment to live, work, and grow.
For more information on LGBTQ+ events and businesses, visit the Virginia is for Lovers LGBTQ+ Travel page.
Central Virginia
- Montifalco Vineyards, Ruckersville–Located on the Monticello AVA, Montifalco Vineyard is a boutique farm winery that blends Old World traditions with New World terroir.
- Coyote Hole Craft Beverages, Mineral–Cidery in Lake Anna also carries local craft beers and wines. Serves a full kitchen menu to complement ciders. Coyote Hole Craft Beverages specializes in producing unique, award-winning hard cider.
- RageRVA & SplatterRVA, Richmond–The perfect place to release pent-up anger or energy, RageRVA and Splatter RVA offers safe, nonjudgmental spaces for people who need to “let it out”.
- Wok This Way, Richmond–Concept that marries the delicious flavors found on the streets across Asia with all the flair of Rock n’ Roll. Serving Asian street food with dim sum, rice, and noodle dishes including lobster Rangoon, crispy veg curry puffs and bao buns with ground lamb.
- Wolfbane Productions, Appomattox–Wolfbane Productions has been bringing high-quality immersive theatre to the greater Lynchburg area for over 16 years. Outside of its nationally-recognized, award-winning mainstage productions, Wolfbane also offers premium arts education, women’s period health initiatives, and community outreach programs.
- JewFro, Richmond–Jewish foods meet African flavors at JewFro. A Jewish/African deli by day and a culinary journey through two robust cultures by night, JewFro is meant to educate your palate and encourage cultural exchange and appreciation through food.
- Soul Taco, Richmond–Soul Taco blends traditional Latin American Flavors and Southern food to combine a unique fusion dining experience.
- Charming Hill Farm, Brandy Station–Family farm located approximately an hour and a half from Washington, D.C. in the heart of Virginia’s horse and wine country. Their mission is to share the joy that animals bring, from goats and chickens to bunnies, ducks, peacocks, pigs, horses, and even a donkey. Guests have the chance to cuddle with goats and ride Oscar the miniature pony, who identifies as a magical unicorn and can frequently be seen showing off his rainbow hair and unicorn horn.
- Marie Bette Café & Bakery & Petite MarieBette, Charlottesville–Bakery and restaurant where customers can purchase bread and pastries or sit down and enjoy the breakfast and lunch menus in the on-site dining area.
- Umma’s, Charlottesville–Korean and Japanese American restaurant located right off the downtown mall in Charlottesville. Host monthly queer dance parties, as well as fundraisers and pop-up markets that showcase many members of the local LGBTQ+ community.
Northern Virginia
- Farwell Cottage B&B, Hillsboro–Stay in a historic town in a stone house built in 1752. The three-bedroom home was renovated with an updated kitchen, high-speed internet, and comfy gas fireplaces. Guests receive a local bottle of wine, pastries, and fresh eggs from chickens on the property.
- Tarara Summer Concert Series by Bow Tie Strategies, Leesburg–Summer concert series at Tarara Winery that is organized by Bow Tie Strategies, a public relations and event management firm located in Leesburg.
Southern Virginia
- Charles Bass House Bed & Breakfast, South Boston–Casual B&B in a circa-1904 building featuring a hot tub and deck plus a living room with a piano.
Shenandoah Valley
- OASIS Fine Art & Craft, Harrisonburg–A non-profit artist’s co-op with a mission to make art accessible for all, OASIS is passionate about creativity, community, & inclusion. With approximately three dozen members, the co-op is home to individuals who identify within the LGBTQ+ community, as well as many allies.
- Piney Hill Bed & Breakfast and Cottages, Luray–Piney Hill Bed & Breakfast and Cottages is located in the charming town of Luray in the Shenandoah Valley.
- Redwood + Co., Staunton–Makers of quality fine fragrances for the home and body. Products are meticulously hand-crafted in small batches, blending pure, sustainable, and nature-based ingredients. Also offer DIY candle classes, so you can take a piece of Staunton with you. Follow the shop on Instagram to see dates for the monthly Queen City Disco parties.
Virginia Mountains
- Crafteria, Roanoke–Mid-century cafeteria building that houses a maker’s market specializing in Appalachian crafts and carrying small-batch food and handmade goods from 250+ craftspeople plus a record shop, coffee shop, food windows, and more.
- Buffalo Mountain Ziplines, Floyd–Provide zipline canopy tours with the longest and highest single line in Virginia as part of their eight-line course.
- Southwest Virginia LGBTQ+ History Project, Roanoke–Offers three LGBTQ history walking tours in Roanoke.
Coastal Virginia
- MJ’s Tavern, Norfolk–MJ’s has been a cornerstone of Norfolk’s LGBTQ+ community since its opening in 2012 – a crucial space for Queer people to connect and cultivate community. MJ’s Tavern offers special happy hours, diverse nighttime entertainment, a covered patio, American comfort food, and karaoke.
- Norfolk Candle, Norfolk–Support local LGBTQ non-profits by purchasing these soy candles, created with intention & positivity at Norfolk Candle.
Eastern Shore
- Drizzles, Cape Charles–Gourmet shop that specializes in olive oils and balsamic vinegar. Also carries quality products like sea salt, peppercorns, locally roasted single-origin coffee beans, stuffed olives, dipping oils, gift baskets, and local art.
- Local-ISH Art, Cape Charles–Cooperative gallery that reunites artists from the Eastern Shore with the commercial district of Cape Charles.
These are just a fraction of the LGBTQ+ owned restaurants around the Commonwealth; share yours with us in the comments below so that we can add them to the list!