The Piedmont
This Relais and Chateaux property has one of the best restaurants in the state – you should sell a kidney and make a reservation. Diners have their pick…
Must-see restaurants in Virginia
Northern Virginia
Hallmarks here are the elegant surrounds and delicious dishes created using top-quality local produce. Take a seat by the fireplace of this antique…
Richmond
We're not exactly sure what's going on at this gastronomic laboratory, but it works. The name of the place is terrible. And dishes come with names that…
Northern Virginia
Star and Neal Wavra's elegant eatery occupies a building that has functioned as a restaurant for two centuries. This is one of the best places to eat in…
Blue Ridge Highlands & Southwest Virginia
Lucky has excellent cocktails (try 'The Cube') and a seasonally inspired menu of small plates (hickory-smoked porchetta, roasted oysters) and heartier…
Virginia
Resembling a white ocean liner adrift in the green vines, this winery is worth a dedicated trip. Sitting on a bend of the James River near Shirley…
Shenandoah Valley
It's hard to beat the value offered by this taquería's $8.50 lunch deal, which delivers a drink, a dip and two tacos. Prices don't rise much at dinner,…
The Piedmont
This bright and inviting space will catch your eye, but it's the skillfully seasoned seafood dishes that will keep you inside ordering plate after plate…
Virginia
The best restaurant in the historic triangle, this friendly and stylish place offers top-notch service, excellent wines and a menu of Modern American…
Shenandoah Valley
It may be cooked and served in a small and unadorned space (hence the name), but the dishes served here are among the best in the state. Chef Ian Boden, a…
Richmond
Let's face it: contemporary coffee culture hasn't made inroads in Virginia yet. Fortunately, stylish cafes like this one are in the vanguard. We like…
Virginia
Don't even start with your 'I'm on a diet' nonsense. The award-winning ice cream at this Chincoteague institution comes in a diabolically delicious array…
Richmond
Generations of locals have enjoyed Yiddish specialties at Perly's, which dates from 1962, and we think you should too. Choose from treats including corned…
Shenandoah Valley
This is the type of place that every small town needs. It bakes its own European-style bread and pastries; serves soup and sandwiches at lunch; and cranks…
Virginia
Embracing the Slow Food movement, this charming place in the Ghent district has a small but well-judged menu, with something to suit most tastes and…
The Piedmont
Students and university staff are regulars at this Charlottesville institution, lured by its wonderful bagels and its location on UVA Corner. Choose from…
Blue Ridge Highlands & Southwest Virginia
Culinary influences here roam from Mexico, Asia and Mediterranean Europe but arrive with aplomb in contemporary America. The food is excellent, and…
The Piedmont
Seasonally inspired small plates and wood-fired pizzas emerge from the kitchen of this hipster haunt at a great rate, keeping its loyal crew of regulars…
Shenandoah Valley
Reserve well ahead for a memorable meal at Red Hen, an intimate restaurant occupying an 1890 building just off Main St. The limited menu features a…
Richmond
Kuba Kuba feels like a bodega straight out of Old Havana, with mouthwatering roast pork dishes, Spanish-style omelets and panini offered at rock-bottom…
Richmond
In the residential Church Hill neighborhood, this wood-fired bakery serves some of the best baked goods in the south. Some of the treats on offer are…
Richmond
The fried catfish may not look fancy, but it sure tastes like heaven. Set in the historic African American neighborhood of Jackson Ward, Mama J's serves…
Alexandria
Did somebody say biscuit? Oh yes they did. And make that a homemade buttermilk biscuit piled with fillings of your choice (Benton's bacon, eggs, veggie…
Virginia
The menu at this joint lives up to its name, including everything from hummus to dolmades, tacos to gnocchi. At lunch, the gourmet sandwiches and craft…
The Piedmont
Its mantra is 'Beautiful coffee. Thoughtfully sourced. Carefully roasted.' and we can attest to the fact that this cafe on the pedestrian mall practices…
Virginia
This gourmet deli showcases some flavorful sandwiches and antipasti, plus baguettes, pastries, ready-made meals, wine, beer and wonderful cheeses. Order a…
The Piedmont
The ethos at this hugely popular burger joint on the pedestrian mall is commendably local and sustainable (organically raised, grass-fed cows, Virginia…
Virginia
The ever-present line outside this roadside taco stand is proof of its awesomeness. The Maddox is a fried oyster taco while the Main Street is seared and…
Blue Ridge Highlands & Southwest Virginia
Vying for the accolade of Roanoke's best eatery, this modern bistro uses wild-caught and organic local produce in its dishes whenever possible. Southern…
Shenandoah Valley
The food is solid, if not life altering, in Skyland's dining room. But the view of the leafy park though the big windows? Now that's a different story…
Shenandoah Valley
The wide-ranging menu at the dining room in Big Meadows Lodge makes the most of locally sourced ingredients. Complement your food with Virginian wines and…
Virginia
Owned by a local family, this hybrid grocery and oyster bar specializes in local seafood. There's plenty of choice: oysters can be ordered raw, fried,…
Virginia
Some say there’s no better combo than oysters and wine, and that’s exactly the reason to come to this small winery. The wines, with names like Oyster…
Richmond
One of the least salty oysters on the East Coast, the Rappahannock ('Rapp') is a smooth and sweet mollusc beloved in Virginia. This is a great place to…
Virginia
This traditional tavern serves early American cuisine such as game pie – venison, rabbit and duck braised in port-wine sauce. Of the four restaurants…
Richmond
We give Burger Bach (pronounced 'batch') credit for being the only restaurant found in the area that self-classifies as a New Zealand–inspired burger…
Alexandria
Drinking California wines (particularly those from Napa and Sonoma) is de rigueur at this West Coast outpost. Duck in for a glass of chardonnay and a…
Northern Virginia
A popular pitstop when touring the Loudoun Heights vineyards, this farm cafe in the historic village of Hillsboro serves egg dishes, soups, sandwiches,…
Alexandria
The inviting and sunlit Brabo Tasting Room serves its signature mussels, tasty wood-fired tarts and gourmet sandwiches with a good beer and wine selection…
Richmond
Here's a winning formula: fuse Vietnamese and French techniques, ensure that most of your produce is organic and present your creations on artfully…
