Richmond’s newest rooftop restaurant and lounge opens June 1

Published May 26, 2016 by Paula C. Squires

Kabana, Richmond’s newest and highest rooftop restaurant and lounge, opens June 1. Located on the 20th floor of Hilton’s Hampton Inn and Suites and Homewood Suites in downtown Richmond, Kabana will offer sweeping views of the city and a contemporary Asian-inspired menu from Richmond native Chef Warren Jones.

The project, above the hotels at 700 E. Main St., is a collaboration by Los Angeles-based lifestyle company LX Group and Michael Sweeney of Chester-based Shamin Hotels, one of the largest hotel operators in Central Virginia.

“We are thrilled to bring Kabana to downtown Richmond,” Kabana's Managing Partner Kunal Shah said in a statement.

The space has glass-paneled walls offering virtually unobstructed views of Richmond, including the James River and the Virginia State Capitol. Seeing a rooftop pool from another nearby building gives the space a cabana feel.

Patrons to the 275 occupancy outdoor patio can sit at poolside daybeds or weathered teakwood tabletops. The space also has a retractable ceiling and glass bi-fold doors to create a synergy with the 125-seating main dining room.

Offerings from the menu include lighter fare such as Ahi Poke or Kamikaze chips and larger entrees such as Ramen Tonkotsu.  Complementing the menu will be a bar program curated by Kabana’s General Manager, Sean Rapoza, (formerly of Balliceaux) who plans a Tiki-inspired cocktail list with rum-heavy libations.

The bar also will offer an international wine list, including wines from Spain, South Africa and southern France. The beer program will offer an extensive selection of canned domestic IPAs, including several local favorites.

Kabana will be open for dinner daily and brunch on the weekends. 

It’s the second downtown rooftop venue to open this spring.  Quirk Hotel, an eight-story boutique hotel at 201 West Broad St., opened its 2,800 square-foot, two-level venue in April.

Photos courtesy Shamin Hotels, Bong An