What a great little Richmond find! From the savory homemade kolaches to a rock solid unfrivolous latte, well worth the excursion away from my usual localish spots. Small, quirky and amazing. While the space doesn't lend to sitting inside, there is ample Euro cafe style seating in the breezeway out front if you want to immediately plunk down to enjoy that kolache (trust me, you won't regret your decision.) Explore and you will find...Surrounding Counties doing what they do extremely well and not overcomplicating things with a huge menu. Great team and service. Will be returning. Thanks! read more

Surrounding Counties - A nod to early explorers - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Hole in the wall, literally! Came in to Richmond for an errand to make, and I found this place while scrolling on Yelp. You walk down almost an alley, and it's the last door on your left. Never had a midwest kolach before so when I walked in I told the guy it was our first time. He proceeded to give me so many delicious options and explained to me the type of food it was. I ordered a ham and muenster kolach with mustard day special and then got one of their specialty lattes, it had rosemary or something in it? Such a cozy inside with friendly, chill people working, and life changing food. I felt like Remy eating the strawberry and cheese in Ratatouille. I will be back the next time I'm in town! Edit: Vegan options available!!! read more

Wow, what an amazing spot. Tucked away down at the end of a breezeway, where you walk past other small businesses to get to this one. I went around 2 and it wasn't busy at all. Had the place to myself which made the already cozy environment feel extra cozy. I love the atmosphere. It feels like you're sitting in someone's kitchen, visiting a friend, who is making delicious treats to share with you. Tried the seasonal latte which was a butternut squash syrup latte. And WOW it was delicious. Seriously one of the best coffees I've ever had. And I was pleasantly surprised to find real little bits of butternut squash at the bottom of the cup. Had to try one of the Kolaches, as this is their house specialty. And it was fantastic. It's essentially a biscuit with ingredients folded into the center of it. Plus, it had a silly face drawn onto it!! Also got the cinnamon roll and had that the next day. And holy crap that was delicious too! Perfect texture and taste. And the staff was great. I believe it was the owner operating everything. He was helpful and direct. This might be my new favorite coffee spot in the area. Which is saying a lot bc we have so many good ones. read more

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Madagascar Vanilla Latte and a homemade cream puff, perfect mid day start. So glad I found this cafe, the food options are amazing and I love the open kitchen which makes you feel even more welcomed. read more

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We were in town for a wedding and I wanted breakfast from somewhere local. I was hesitant to try Surrounding Counties because of their smaller menu. But I love kolaches. Very neat location, it's located in a breezeway: outdoors between a row of shops. Super funky personality inside. Espresso coffee options with a few syrups. And I got the maple Sriracha sausage, egg and cheese kolache, lots of great flavor, very filling, and very unique. It was cheesy, would make for a great cheese pull picture. Our order also came with some free watermelon slices. Wish I could go back again. read more

Surrounding Counties - Maple siracha sausage, egg, and cheese on a kolache - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Absolutely LOVED this place. I got an iced brown sugar latte and thought it was delicious. Additionally, I tried one of their signature Kalochies (which they describe as a hot pocket) and thought it was amazing. They also gave me a little side of fruit which I thought was a nice touch. Also, the staff is so so friendly and helped me choose what to get. I HIGHLY recommend this place and will certainly be back soon. read more

Surrounding Counties - Iced Brown Sugar Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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Super tiny and cute spot with friendly staff! The house made syrups are very unique, but I couldn't really taste the flavoring at all in my latte. Tried 2 of the kolaches, the sriracha and the chorizo, and while the dough was fresh and piping hot, the meat did need a little bit of a kick to really round out the flavor. Will return! read more

Gem of a local coffee shop nestled in a hallway in the Village shopping center. Wife and I loved nearly everything about this spot. Location near our hotel, vibe/decor -- Mike McGill skateboard wall sconce, shoutout to my 80's childhood -- the fresh spin vinyl tunes, the food/drinks, and convo with owner Zach! Highly recommend their artisan house made Kolaches (5/5 stars, 3 for $18); opted for 1 smoked sausage jalepeno cheddar and 2 turkey bacon egg cheese. Also give thumbs up for their made to order coffee drinks in flavors I'd never concoct: the Madagascar bean vanilla and Brown sugar rosemary sea salt lattes with Kolaches and tip were $35. If ever in Richmond or Henrico, this place will be a frequent stop for my wife and I. read more

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We walked into Surrounding Counties for the first time yesterday (10/23), and instantly felt like we'd walked into our very own Cheers. You know, the place where everybody knows your name? Instant vibe! The conversation was fun and easy. The owner and staff were pure delight. We wanted to stay just to hang out. We tried an Egg Cream for the first time in our lives and discovered it just might be the perfect breakfast drink (fizzy chocolate milk--it's a bit surprising at first, then just delicious). And, no eggs! Ask the owner about the etymology and walk out a little smarter. Definitely don't sleep on the kolaches! We selected three on their recommendation and saved one for later (the Turkey Bacon, Egg and Cheese). The Hatch Green Chile, Egg and Cheese was perfect for my veggie husband and so flavorful. I wish I'd gotten two of the Maple-Sriracha Sausage, Egg and Cheese because my gosh, it was incredible--I'll be hard pressed to try another flavor because I'm craving this one. We got a couple of their fresh pastries, too. A blueberry lemon one and a cinnamon one--both perfection. Oh, and coffee? Yes, that's originally what brought us in, and it exceeds all expectations. I got a lovely latte with homemade caramel sauce. Yummy! If you can't tell, we were hooked pretty much the moment we walked into Surrounding Counties the door, and the food and bev paid it all off in spades. Run, don't walk, to this local treasure! read more

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I opened a new tab to write a review, got distracted, clicked over to Facebook, and saw today's news that Surrounding Counties is preparing to close on December 22. I am so sad! It took me years to finally get around to visiting, and I loved it, and now they are closing. Best of luck to the owners in the future, and I hope yall crop up around town! I stopped by before work a couple of weeks ago, was warmly greeted, and opted for a hot vanilla latte and one of their Christmas eggnog pastry treats. I forget what it was called, but it was truly delightful and fresh out of the oven. I wanted to try a kolache too but it seemed too heavy at the time. I might need to try to stop by before they close to try one. Their space was small but homey and inviting. All in all, a great experience. read more

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I stopped in for my first time on the way home from running errands & ordered a hot oat milk latte. It was delicious!! The shop is cute & tucked away from the bustling shopping center & offers lots of parking in front & behind the shop. read more

Surrounding Counties is hard to find. At least it was for me, but the search was worth the effort. They are tucked within an alcove in a shopping complex near a CVS and a Publix grocery store. (2019 Three Chopt Road, Henrico 23226 - (804) 660-8690). Seating is minimal but not impossible. The two men running the place while I was there are very nice people. They were very attentive and answered all my questions. The latte I had was superb. I wanted some kind of breakfast sandwich and one of the baristas suggested a maple sriracha glazed kolach with sausage, egg and cheese. I bit and did so gladly. I bit again until it was all gone. Delicious. He even brought me melon slices while I waited for my order. The coffee was served in a hand made mug that I admired and finally bought. It was made by one of the barista's sister. I love it. I also bought a bag of whole bean coffee to take with me. So, I can fully recommend this coffee shop for it's service, it's ambiance, it's coffee mug and Kolaches and especially it's coffee. I'll try to make it back although I live in Midlothian and this place is in town. Great people running this place! read more

I have visited this spot on a many Saturday and Sunday mornings for donuts, Kolaches and coffee. Owned and run by a nice bunch of guys. If you eat there they serve your meal with little slices of watermelon. Fun spot with lots of personality. There isn't really somewhere with this menu anywhere else in Richmond. read more

My first time in to fuel up before a road trip. Omg! I got the skillet egg sandwich and they weren't kidding. Freshly made, perfectly cooked eggs and protein and a delicious croissant. I'm sad they'll be shutting down soon, but excited for the potential of a future endeavor. read more

Surrounding Counties - Inside - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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A great place to grab a bite to eat if you have some time because it takes 10-15 minutes to get your food. This is a popular spot since there is a school right next door. Vanilla latte - perfectly sweetened. I could taste the vanilla. Iced sweet petey - it was pre-made so I couldn't adjust the sweetness level sadly. If I could've adjusted the sweetness, I would've really liked this. Kolache (Maple Sriracha Sausage) - crispy on the outside. The inside is stuffed with cheese and sausage. The kolache was a little dry but other than that, the flavor was good. read more

Surrounding Counties - Kolache (Maple Sriracha Sausage) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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I absolutely loved this place! The staff was so warm, kind & welcoming! The food & drinks were amazing (definitely try the Kolaches!!!)

Gives me old school vibes. Really cute and quirky with a lot of different flavor options. Gluten free and vegan options available read more

Surrounding Counties - Nanna's turkey bacon blt and Robert palmer - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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Our order consisted of two Sweety Peter's a Millennial Toast and a Blueberry Bagel with Almond Ricotta. The coffees were average. The bagel could have been great except it was coated in olive oil. I can't explain why it was doused in olive oil / and it shouldn't have been. The topping of Avocado, sesame seeds, cilantro, spice, lime, salt and pepper was fabulous but the toast was meh. The space is very small. It was very very busy including a large table. read more

Surrounding Counties - Brand - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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Great food...Great customer service...Great vibes in the space. The maple sriracha kolaches...I got involved with that. Actually about to go inside now to get another. read more

THEY'RE BACK!!! I am so excited that Surrounding Counties has opened back up in their new location... Village shopping center in the corridor. The new location is perfect and has some familiar art from the previous location. The Kolaches are so unique and delicious. And my vanilla latte (house made vanilla syrup) was made to perfection! I love the owner's infectious spirit. He is so joyful and fun. One of my favorite things is you often get a little extra surprise with your order. Sometimes it's a little piece of candy... today it was a fresh slice of the yummiest watermelon (usually homegrown by the owner himself). Everyone... RUN and check it out! read more

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Gooood mooorning, RVA!! I'm so glad this "perky" coffee shop opened in my Neighborhood !! The staff was super welcoming and accommodating! They went o eat the various breakfast dishes in the menu. I had to try the puffed pastry with the big smiley face! How can you pass that up! It was a Czechoslovakian pastry stuffed with egg and sausage. The filling was warm and tasty, but a tad too spicy for my palate. I also chose the Open Heart tea blend of black tea, Rooibos and lavender, so smooth and tasty. The desserts and grits dishes tempted me! Next time for sure! I loved the hip vibe and all the beautiful plants! Such a welcoming atmosphere! The owner was beyond pleasant! I will be back! (Update: tried the grits, they were ok, I think they had goat cheese in them, I prefer plain, but hubby liked them - I also had the bagel and cream cheese which was a winner!) read more

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Delicious food. Great service!! Highly recommend. They even had GF options. Delicious food. Great service!! Highly recommend. They even had GF options. read more

fantastic place hidden in a strip mall in the back. Small quarters but delicious food. Great coffee. Highly recommend this place. The owner is a wonderful guy. read more

BEST KOLACHES EVER!!!! Richmond has a hidden jewel for delicious, flavorful, fresh pasties at Surrounding Counties! Knocked my socks off! SO TASTY AND FLAKY! I lived in Waco, TX, near the little Czechoslovakian town of West, TX, and these kolaches taste so authentic that I can close my eyes and imagine I am with my Czech friends praising these pastries! GO! GET SOME! WORTH THE TRIP TO THREE CHOPT ROAD! Located down the breezeway behind Blue Cow Ice Cream Company in The Village. read more

Surrounding Counties - These guys know how to make delicious kolaches! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

It took me a while to find Surrounding Counties again after they moved from near Melito's to the Village Shopping Center breezeway shops, but I am SO glad I went back. The people are awesome, and the food is just amazingly delicious! The coffee is great too. I highly recommend a visit - you will become a regular! read more

I finally checked out this charming coffee shop with my boyfriend on a rainy Sunday afternoon. The cashier was extremely friendly. She complimented my outfit a bunch, which made my day. She was also very patient while we looked over the menu. I loved how creative their specials menu was (the food/drink specials were on a gorgeous sunset photograph). We ordered the Afterglow Coffee (one of our fave coffee brands in RVA), a Mocha with oat milk, and the millennial toast. Although the mocha wasn't on their menu, they do make espresso drinks and have a variety of syrups for them. I was happy with my drink. As for my millennial toast (which was avocado toast with sesame and yummy spices), I loved it. It came on bread from Sub Rosa, which is another local favorite of mine. They also gave me a side of their delicious tomato basil salad. Even though it is a smaller space, there was a good amount of seating. We started our time in the cafe by reading some, then played a game of 7 Wonders Duel. I love that they have an open kitchen so you can see all the magic that they're making in front of you. They have nothing to hide and it's all made fresh. It's also easy to park because it's in a strip mall with a big parking lot. I highly recommend checking out Surrounding Countries. read more

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Honestly, I have had no expert with the food at Surrounding Counties, but I am here to testify that was the best espresso I have had in a long doggone time: hot and flavorful to the point that I thought a bit of lemon had been squeezed above it for an amazing edge. Friendly staff and plenty of paper to doodle on, but that espresso was a real stand-out. read more

Super cute location! My friend suggested this spot when meeting up for brunch (on a Tuesday morning/afternoon). I had this bookmarked and am glad to finally try this out. Getting to this location may be tricky, so don't hesitate to take your time driving for your first time. Once you get into their shopping center, there are plenty of parking spots to choose from. They do have limited spots to sit at so you may want to check the number of party if you plan on dining in. Very cute spot and lots of decoration pieces to check out, not to mention games to keep the little ones busy! First time here, I decided to get their Traveller's Egg ("A deconstructed Eggs Benedict style dish poached eggs topped with pickled onion, smoked salmon, cream, dill, paprika, clarified butter and microgreens. Buttered sub Rosa bread toast served on the side"). I have NO REGRETS! I love the fact that they use local bread too. I was honestly blown away with their presentation (check out the pic!) and the flavor mixture of this was perfection! The poached eggs were runny and mixed with the pickled onion and smoked salmon on the buttered sub Rosa bread was (again) perfection. I also got their coffee which I feel bad for not remembering but was exactly what I needed that afternoon. The staff were super friendly and the food was delish. I cannot wait to bring the hubby here to give it a try. read more

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Cute little coffee shop! It was established in 2020 so definitely worth visiting! I got a chocolate iced latte and rosemary sea salt bagel toasted with butter. Both were very good. The latte was a good size for the price. It was not made fresh in front of me they had it in a pitcher, but that's okay with me! The bagel was from Chewys. Service was very quick and the staff was really nice. The space has a lot of parking and is easy to get to. The inside has really cool murals and a few small tables. read more

Cute little local coffee shop with amazing selections on coffee as well as food. I got a Sweety Petey and it's just the right level of sweet for me. I also tried their goat cheese & rosemary biscuit and it was amazing. Loved the atmosphere inside - parking is easy as well. Would definitely recommend checking out! read more

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I've been following this place on IG for months and finally had the chance to stop by. When I walked in it was 10am on a Friday - the owner was in the back but I figured someone would get to the front soon and I wasn't in a rush. Within a couple minutes the owner came back and greeted me with a warm welcoming. He presented their two drip coffee options, both which were delicious. My favorite between the two was Proud Mary which I believe is from Portland. I tried the sausage, jalopeno and cheese kolache which was amazing. I wanted to try more food but the Kolache and coffee was filling. The shop itself is on the smaller side but they use the space well in terms of seating options. There are about 5-6 tables inside and a couple benches outside (no tables although the Italian restaurant next door had patio seating, not sure if they're OK with guests using that while they're closed). The design is super funky with antique pieces, art, merchandise and homemade pottery by the owner's mother. The pottery is absolutely beautiful and offers coffee mugs, tea kettles, vases and more. Oh there is a bathroom, just ask staff and they'll show you where it is I highly recommend and will definitely be back and can't wait to try more food and unique coffee blends :) read more

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It was a small coffee shop--nothing going for it in terms of ambiance (more grab n go). The service was fast and good. The coffee is just ok and they don't have too too many options read more

Surrounding Counties was such a gem of a find! This hip place gives off some cool vibes, from the wall decor, the pottery selection, the choices of coffee beans, and a record player playing good music! The menu is extensive, offering sandwiches made with Chewy's Bagels, toasts using Sub Rosa bread, oatmeal varieties, grits, housemade kolaches, hot and cold drinks, juices, and bottled beverages. We came here for an early breakfast, and we ordered: +Nana's BLT on Everything - this came with almond ricotta, tomato salad, sprouts, radish, and turkey bacon; I thought the bagel was pretty good! +Jamestown Orchard Oats - cinnamon apple tea oats topped with baked cocktail fruit, pecan praline nut crumble, brown sugar streusel, hemp seed, and whipped cream; definitely our favorite, as the oatmeal was perfectly made, and the toppings were just so good! +millennial toast - with avocado, sesame seeds, spice, lime, and fresh cracked pepper and salt +Sweety Petey - made with sweetened condensed milk, espresso, and coffee +and, the World's Freshest Orange Juice - definitely worth in getting as it is very freshly-squeezed; had a slight tangerine kick to it! Definitely super healthy and fresh, and everything is made to order. There are a few tables inside to dine-in. Staff are super welcoming and are more than happy to make recommendations/suggestions! I would love to return to try out the rest of their menu! Limited parking in the front. +healthy eats! +friendly staff! +great vibe! +limited parking spots in the front read more

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I went in having no idea wat i wanted, i told the guy it was my first time & he told be about all the bakery items they sold( the cheesecake brownies definitely looked amazing)and the types of roasts they offered, he made my experience great & made me want to go back, it was a little hard to find but its the cutest cafe i've been in, it felt very welcoming as soon as i walked in. i recommend the medium roast coffee as it's amazing and i never thought coffee could taste so good, if i could give it 10 stars i would. read more

Surrounding Counties - Medium Roast Afterglow Coffee Cooperative Drip Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Man..... where do I begin? It was one of those rare occasions - a Monday morning that I didn't have to work. I decided to make it special and grab breakfast somewhere awesome: To Yelp I went, I found the top rated breakfast joint and set on the journey from Hopewell,Va to Richmond with my destination being "Surrounding Counties". Ray greeted me as I came in and right away I knew this place was special. The decor is great, you have turntables, fresh flowers and a tapestry. Decor aside- this place has got it. The coffee here is amazing. They have both drip and espresso options to satisfy your inner coffee snob. (Mine is hard to please) Ok- so you might be thinking "Thats awesome bro - so what about the food?" Well- let's be clear, it's amazing. These guys have the hard to find Kilache- it's like a donut with savory fillings. Delicious ! Not into donuts filled with deliciousness? No problem- check out the picks of the cheeses and turkey bacon grit bowl. Guys- breakfast in Richmond just got a lot better for me - give these cool people a shot and you will end up a fan! Till then- keep it classy and brunch on! read more

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SC is back! Yay! Advice: when you visit by car, drive around the back of the plaza. It's accessible from both sides, but it's much closer to the back entrance and the parking is better back there anyway. There are only two small two-tops and a bench in the cafe itself, but if the weather is nice, the benches and tables outside in the "alley" are great (and completely sheltered from precipitation). Feedback: please bring bagel sandwiches!!! The kolaches are tasty, but I miss the sandwiches so much. The cafe au lait is scrumptious, and everyone is so nice. read more

Amazing kolaches, one of the best chocolate chip cookies we've ever had, and such great service!!

Surrounding Counties is a gem! Vance and team are friendly and creative. The food is delicious. Lots of gluten-free options at the new location. The coffee is always delicious. A great addition to our community. I am a loyal fan! read more

As a #rvafoodie who's not big on breakfast, brunch and buffets, I am always on the hunt for the best distinctive local eats, and let me tell you, Surrounding Counties does not disappoint. Wow, where do I even begin? This place is truly a hidden gem and I am so grateful that I was invited to feed my face with my foodie friends @we_hungryaf. The #kolaches alone are worth the visit they are truly #unique and #original, with flavors that will blow your mind. These bad boys are like little pockets of heaven - filled with all sorts of deliciousness and topped with the perfect number of spices. I've tried a few different flavors and they've all been top-notch. Trust me, you will want to try at least one (or five). Every dish I tried at Surrounding Counties has been nothing short of amazing. The #goodfood here is tasty, and made with love. do not even get me started on the rest of the menu... everything was fresh, hot, and made with #locallysourced flavorful ingredients. Who would think that breakfast/brunch could be so exciting. We had the Chocolate cherry Christmas biscuit (made with eggnog), Maple Sriracha Glazed Sausage Egg and Cheese Kolaches, Cheddar Cream Cheese Turkey Bacon Kolaches, Light in the attic 2.0 Kolaches: chorizo, cheese with baked eggs on top. We also had locally sourced coffee #recoveryroast, (who knew? Coffee beans in VA, lol) some of the proceeds go to aiding recovering citizens, very admirable. But it is not just the food that makes Surrounding Counties a standout spot - the atmosphere is cozy and inviting, and the staff was friendly and welcoming. The décor is a chill skateboarder vibe, and the dishes are just begging to be devoured. The owner Zach so graciously chatted with us. He told us about the origin of the dishes, and the development of the eatery. I love the #localrva vibe here and it's the perfect spot for a casual #breakfast or #brunch with friends. I must warn you I gained 15lbs from the aroma alone, so if Ya tipping the scales, I would steer away from 80% of the menu, lol. IJS. I'm sure they will prepare a boiled egg and tomato for you. A few bites and I was stuffed. Zach and the team were very accommodating and advised me they can make some adjustments to your order, to cater to your needs. If you're a #foodie like me, Overall, I give Surrounding Counties a solid 5 stars and I can't wait to go back and try everything on the menu (they're going to prepare a taster plate for me, I'm not a big eater). You will want to add this place to your list. Surrounding Counties is a must-try #eatery with atypical food for this area. We have a jillion breakfast/brunch place, but they don't serve this next level fare. They also cater!! What a wonderful idea for brunch with a twist, the food is top-notch, the atmosphere is relaxing and inviting, and the staff is friendly. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. Don't y'all go ruining my experience by making them so busy I have to make reservations anytime I want to get my grub on. Don't take it from me go see for yourself! Don't sleep on this #yelpelite-worthy #rvarestaurant, it's a must-try for any #goodfood lover in the area! #localrva #breakfast #brunch #yelp #locallysourced #unique #original #tasty #yelp #goodfood #rvarestaurant read more

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Great food and great customer service. Cute decor but the kolaches are the stand out.