A Taste of Virginia

Virginia’s restaurants mirror its communities, with a wide range of specialties to suit all budgets and abundant seafood from its coastal waterways. The Commonwealth is also home to a thriving wine, beer, and spirits industry.

The Roosevelt, Richmond

The wine industry in Virginia dates to the 18th century, when Thomas Jefferson attempted to cultivate wine grapes at his Monticello estate outside Charlottesville. While that area and Loudoun County are the most famous Virginia wine regions, wine lovers can find quality bottles across the Commonwealth.

The Shack, Staunton

James Beard Award-nominated chef Ian Boden operates The Shack out of a small building near downtown Staunton. Esquire called it “The Incredible Restaurant That Nobody Knows About” (including the capital letters).

The Orange Crush is a staple on menus throughout Hampton Roads. Waterman’s Bar & Grille in Virginia Beach has earned the moniker “Virginia’s Original Crush House.”

The Inn at Little Washington, Rappahannock County

Patrick O’Connell opened The Inn at Little Washington in Rappahannock County in 1978. The restaurant has grown from a small country inn to a Michelin-starred restaurant billed as one of the world’s best.

Doumar’s Cones & Barbecue in Norfolk has served barbecue, burgers, and ice cream since the early 20th century, but the restaurant’s claim to fame comes from its owner, Abe Doumar, who invented the waffle cone.

Doumar's Cones & Barbecue, Norfolk

The Cheese Shop and Fat Canary have operated out of the same Williamsburg location since 2003. The New York Times spotlighted the restaurant in 2009, calling the food “nouvelle cuisine that mixes local with innovative takes.”