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Restaurants for Lease in Virginia
7 properties for lease
Featured
Full Restaurant
For Lease
Contact for rate
8430 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria, VA 22309, USA2,653 sq ft
- Parking
- Grease Trap
- 3-Comp Sink
- Hood: Type 1
New
Full Restaurant
3 photos
For Lease
$60/SF/yrNNN
Est. $21,000/mo all-in · 3,600 SF
556 22nd St S, Arlington, VA 22202, USA3,600 sq ft79 indoor · 208 patio
- Outdoor
- Parking
- Walk-In Freezer
- Grease Trap
New
Full Restaurant
2 photos
For Lease
$65/SF/yrNNN
Est. $7,800/mo all-in · 1,300 SF
553 23rd St S, Arlington, VA 22202, USA1,300 sq ft27 indoor · 20 patio
- Outdoor
- Parking
- 3-Comp Sink
- Hood: Type 1
New
Full Restaurant
17 photos
For Lease
$1/SF/moNNN
Est. $4,000/mo all-in · 4,000 SF
508 Orapax St, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA4,000 sq ft
- Outdoor
- Bar Area
- Walk-In Cooler
- Walk-In Freezer
Full Restaurant
3 photos
For Lease
Contact for rate
1903 Staples Mill Rd, Richmond, VA 23230, USA2,544 sq ft
- Parking
- Grease Trap
- 3-Comp Sink
- Hood: Type 1
Drive Thru
2 photos
Sub Lease
Contact for rate
3314 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Richmond, VA 23234, USA2,528 sq ft
- Parking
- Drive-Thru
- Grease Trap
- 3-Comp Sink
Fast Casual
Sub Lease
Contact for rate
2200 E Laburnum Ave, Richmond, VA 23222, USA3,025 sq ft
- Parking
- Grease Trap
- 3-Comp Sink
- Hood: Type 1
7 properties for lease
Featured
Full Restaurant
For Lease
Contact for rate
8430 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria, VA 22309, USA2,653 sq ft
- Parking
- Grease Trap
- 3-Comp Sink
- Hood: Type 1
New
Full Restaurant
3 photos
For Lease
$60/SF/yrNNN
Est. $21,000/mo all-in · 3,600 SF
556 22nd St S, Arlington, VA 22202, USA3,600 sq ft79 indoor · 208 patio
- Outdoor
- Parking
- Walk-In Freezer
- Grease Trap
New
Full Restaurant
2 photos
For Lease
$65/SF/yrNNN
Est. $7,800/mo all-in · 1,300 SF
553 23rd St S, Arlington, VA 22202, USA1,300 sq ft27 indoor · 20 patio
- Outdoor
- Parking
- 3-Comp Sink
- Hood: Type 1
New
Full Restaurant
17 photos
For Lease
$1/SF/moNNN
Est. $4,000/mo all-in · 4,000 SF
508 Orapax St, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA4,000 sq ft
- Outdoor
- Bar Area
- Walk-In Cooler
- Walk-In Freezer
Full Restaurant
3 photos
For Lease
Contact for rate
1903 Staples Mill Rd, Richmond, VA 23230, USA2,544 sq ft
- Parking
- Grease Trap
- 3-Comp Sink
- Hood: Type 1
Drive Thru
2 photos
Sub Lease
Contact for rate
3314 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Richmond, VA 23234, USA2,528 sq ft
- Parking
- Drive-Thru
- Grease Trap
- 3-Comp Sink
Fast Casual
Sub Lease
Contact for rate
2200 E Laburnum Ave, Richmond, VA 23222, USA3,025 sq ft
- Parking
- Grease Trap
- 3-Comp Sink
- Hood: Type 1
Market Context
Virginia Restaurant Lease Market at a Glance
Key figures tenants and landlords need to understand the Virginia restaurant lease market.
Virginia restaurant leasing is shaped by three distinct economies: Northern Virginia, where DC commuter wealth drives premium pricing and selective landlord approval; Richmond, where a decade of food scene growth has created strong second generation inventory; and Hampton Roads, where tourism and military demand support steady year round leasing. The state operates approximately 16,000 restaurant locations with consistent turnover across all three markets.
Lease rates span $16 to $95 per square foot annually. Northern Virginia prime locations command the high end, with Clarendon, Old Town Alexandria, and Tysons running $52 to $95 per square foot on a triple net basis. Richmond's Carytown, Scott's Addition, and Downtown average $28 to $48. Hampton Roads runs $24 to $42 in prime locations. Smaller markets like Roanoke, Lynchburg, and Harrisonburg run $16 to $32. CAM charges average $8 to $22 per square foot annually statewide, higher in Northern Virginia.
Northern Virginia leases often include strong percentage rent provisions, full term personal guarantees, and operating hour requirements aligned to the DC commuter market. Richmond and Hampton Roads leases follow more conventional NNN structures with negotiable burnoffs. Virginia's ABC mixed beverage license food sales ratio (45% of gross revenue minimum) should be modeled into the lease negotiation, as it affects exclusivity clauses and use restrictions for licensed concepts.
Popular Markets
Where to Lease a Restaurant in Virginia
Virginia restaurant lease opportunities span distinct regional markets, each with different rent ranges and operating profiles.
- Northern Virginia (Premium Urban Market): Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, and Tysons are the highest priced restaurant lease markets in the southeast. Clarendon, Old Town Alexandria, and Tysons Corner run $52 to $95 per square foot annually with strong percentage rent provisions. Tenant approval is highly selective and applications can take longer to process than other Virginia markets.
- Richmond (Capital Food Market): Richmond's leasing market centers on Carytown, Scott's Addition, the Fan, and Church Hill. Lease rates in prime locations run $28 to $48 per square foot annually. Scott's Addition has been the most active leasing node in Virginia outside Northern Virginia for the last several years, with strong second generation inventory turnover.
- Hampton Roads (Tourism & Military Market): Virginia Beach oceanfront, Norfolk's Ghent and Downtown, Newport News City Center, and surrounding Hampton Roads communities form a consistent secondary leasing market. Lease rates in prime oceanfront and urban core locations run $28 to $42 per square foot annually. Military spending supports steady year round demand.
- Charlottesville, Roanoke & Beyond (University & Value Markets): Charlottesville's Downtown Mall and University area carry premium pricing for the market size, supported by UVA and the Shenandoah wine and food region. Roanoke, Lynchburg, and Harrisonburg offer the most accessible lease rates in Virginia at $16 to $26 per square foot annually.
Tenant Guide
How to Lease or Rent Restaurant Space in Virginia
Review the lease path
Ask whether the rentable opportunity is a direct lease, assignment, sublease, or turnkey build-out with existing restaurant infrastructure.
Check approvals
Confirm landlord consent, use approvals, health permits, alcohol licensing, signage, and local inspections for the address.
Model opening costs
Compare base rent, NNN, tenant improvements, equipment needs, deposits, and permit costs before submitting an offer.
For Owners & Brokers
Why Use Pepperlot to Lease a Restaurant in Virginia
Built exclusively for restaurant real estate. Not a general commercial platform with a restaurant filter.
Restaurant Only Spaces
Every listing on Pepperlot is a restaurant or F&B space. No offices, no warehouses. Virginia tenants only see spaces that fit their concept.
Restaurant Specific Listing Fields
Hood systems, grease traps, walk-in coolers, alcohol license history, seating capacity, patio availability. The details that drive Virginia leasing decisions are in every listing.
Standardised Tenant Application
Apply once with the Pepperlot tenant application. Share with multiple Virginia landlords. Restaurant specific fields landlords actually need.
Confidential Listings Available
Some of the best Virginia restaurant spaces are listed confidentially. Pepperlot gives you access to off-market opportunities not available on general platforms.
Platform
How to Lease a Restaurant Space in Virginia
What to expect when leasing a restaurant space through Pepperlot anywhere in Virginia.
Browse Active Lease Listings
Filter Virginia lease opportunities by city, lease type, size, and restaurant specific features. Every listing includes hood systems, grease trap status, seating capacity, ABC license history, and existing permits. Northern Virginia listings often include critical detail on DC commuter market positioning and any required operating hours.
Match Your Concept to the Market
Virginia's three markets operate as distinct economies. Northern Virginia concepts often require 3 to 4 times the operating capital of equivalent Richmond or Hampton Roads concepts due to higher rent, labor, and inventory costs. Confirm your concept and capital base fit the target market before committing significant time to lease negotiation.
Submit Your Tenant Application
Pepperlot's standardised tenant application captures the restaurant specific financial detail Virginia landlords need. For Northern Virginia applications, expect to provide additional financial reserves documentation. Northern Virginia institutional landlords are highly selective and process applications more slowly than typical Richmond or Hampton Roads landlords.
Negotiate and Sign
Review CAM charges, percentage rent triggers, exclusivity clauses, and operating hour requirements before signing. Northern Virginia landlords typically require full term personal guarantees. Richmond and Hampton Roads leases follow more conventional structures with negotiable burnoffs after 24 to 36 months. Confirm any required ABC license food ratio compliance restrictions in the lease.
About PepperLot
Built for Restaurant Space Search in Virginia
PepperLot organizes restaurant space searches around the details tenants need in Virginia: build-out condition, hood, grease trap, seating, rent structure, and permit context.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are restaurant lease rates in Virginia?
Virginia restaurant lease rates span $16 to $95 per square foot annually. Northern Virginia prime locations (Clarendon, Old Town Alexandria, Tysons) command $52 to $95. Richmond's Carytown, Scott's Addition, and Downtown run $28 to $48. Hampton Roads averages $24 to $42 in prime locations. Smaller markets like Roanoke, Lynchburg, and Harrisonburg run $16 to $32. CAM charges average $8 to $22 per square foot annually.
What types of lease structures are common in Virginia?
Triple net (NNN) is the most common structure across Virginia. Northern Virginia leases often include strong percentage rent provisions and longer personal guarantee terms. Richmond and Hampton Roads leases follow more conventional NNN terms with negotiable burnoffs after 24 to 36 months. Lease assignments and subleases are available on Pepperlot in all Virginia markets.
How does Northern Virginia lease pricing differ from the rest of the state?
Northern Virginia is effectively a separate market. Lease rates run 2 to 4 times higher than Richmond or Hampton Roads. Tenant approval is more selective, with landlords often requiring full term personal guarantees and substantial financial reserves documentation. Operating costs (labor, inventory, marketing) also run meaningfully higher, requiring tenants to plan for elevated working capital relative to other Virginia markets.
How long are typical restaurant lease terms in Virginia?
Virginia restaurant leases typically run 5 to 10 years statewide. Northern Virginia leases often run longer (8 to 12 years) to justify the landlord's tenant improvement contribution against high lease rates. Richmond and Hampton Roads leases follow more conventional 5 to 7 year primary terms with renewal options.
Can I list a restaurant for lease anywhere in Virginia on Pepperlot?
Yes. Listing on Pepperlot is free for landlords and brokers. Create a restaurant specific listing with details like hood systems, grease trap, kitchen equipment, ABC license history, and lease terms, and your space is in front of tenants the same day. Confidential listing options are also available.