12 Charming Virginia Country Restaurants Definitely Worth The Drive

Virginia’s countryside offers more than just beautiful views – it’s home to amazing food too! Taking a Sunday drive through winding roads and rolling hills can work up quite an appetite.

Luckily, the state is dotted with charming country restaurants serving up everything from home-style comfort food to upscale farm-to-table cuisine.

Here are twelve must-visit country eateries worth the drive.

1. The Bee & The Biscuit In Virginia Beach

A local favorite where homemade comfort meets fresh, seasonal ingredients. Their menu features a variety of dishes made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The cozy setting and friendly staff create a welcoming environment for guests.

Whether you’re enjoying a leisurely brunch or a quick lunch, The Bee & The Biscuit makes every meal feel special. With sweet treats, savory plates, and a warm vibe, it’s easy to see why locals and visitors alike keep coming back. A spot where good food and good moods go hand in hand.

2. Meemaw’s Country Kitchen In Martinsville

Located in Martinsville, Meemaw’s Country Kitchen offers a taste of home with its classic Southern dishes. From chicken fried steak to hearty breakfast platters, their menu is filled with comfort food favorites. The warm and inviting atmosphere makes it a popular spot for both locals and visitors.

Whether you’re stopping by for a quick bite or a leisurely meal, Meemaw’s provides a satisfying dining experience. The friendly staff and homestyle flavors make every visit feel like coming home. You’ll leave feeling like part of the family!

3. The Shack In Staunton

Don’t let the humble name fool you! Chef Ian Boden’s tiny 26-seat restaurant has earned national acclaim, including James Beard nominations. The unassuming exterior gives way to culinary magic inside. The ever-changing menu blends Appalachian traditions with modern techniques.

Think cornmeal-dusted catfish with fermented hot sauce or heritage pork with sorghum glaze. With just a handful of tables, securing a reservation feels like winning the lottery. The intimate setting creates a dinner party atmosphere.

4. Woodruff’s Café & Pie Shop In Monroe

Family legacy tastes delicious at Woodruff’s, where 94-year-old Mary Woodruff and her daughters continue a sweet tradition. Started in a converted service station, this cherished spot draws visitors from across the country seeking authentic homemade pies.

From coconut cream to sweet potato, each pie follows decades-old recipes passed through generations. The café also serves hearty sandwiches and soups, but everyone knows dessert is the main event here. The walls tell stories of the Woodruff family’s place in local history.

5. Hunter’s Head Tavern In Upperville

Housed in a 1750s stagecoach stop, Hunter’s Head Tavern delivers authentic English pub fare with a Virginia twist. Meats and produce come directly from owner Sandy Lerner’s nearby Ayrshire Farm, ensuring farm-to-table freshness. Order at the bar from chalkboard menus featuring classics like shepherd’s pie and sticky toffee pudding.

The historic dining rooms with original fireplaces transport you to another era. When weather permits, the garden patio offers idyllic countryside dining under ancient shade trees. All complete with friendly tavern cats wandering nearby.

6. The Swinging Bridge Restaurant In Paint Bank

True to its name, you’ll cross a genuine swinging bridge to enter this mountain gem nestled in tiny Paint Bank (population: 134). Buffalo burgers star on the menu, sourced from the adjacent buffalo farm visible through dining room windows.

Housed in a restored general store, the restaurant maintains its rustic charm with antique tools decorating pine walls. Local favorites include rainbow trout, country fried steak, and homemade cobbler topped with local honey ice cream. After eating, browse the connected country store for jams buffalo jerky to take home.

7. The Apple House In Linden

For over 50 years, travelers heading through Front Royal to Skyline Drive have stopped at The Apple House for their famous apple butter donuts. These warm, cinnamon-sugar treats alone justify the drive, but there’s more to discover.

Their menu showcases Virginia barbecue, country ham sandwiches, and apple-themed desserts that celebrate the region’s orchards. The attached gift shop overflows with local products and Blue Ridge Mountain souvenirs. Great starting point for a day of mountain exploration.

8. Merroir In Topping

Waterfront dining reaches its peak at Merroir, where the Rappahannock River meets your table. This rustic oyster bar sits directly on the water where Rappahannock Oyster Company harvests their renowned bivalves. Small plates showcase oysters prepared multiple ways.

Everything on the seasonal menu celebrates Chesapeake Bay bounty, from soft-shell crabs to rockfish. The outdoor patio with fire pit provides breathtaking water views, especially at sunset when paired with local craft beer or Virginia wine.

9. Family TreeT’s Café & Catering In Low Moor

A cozy eatery known for its friendly service and hearty comfort food. Whether you’re in the mood for a classic breakfast or a satisfying lunch, their menu has something for everyone. The café’s inviting ambiance makes it a perfect spot for families and travelers alike.

With a focus on fresh ingredients and home-style cooking, each meal is crafted with care to ensure a delightful dining experience. Don’t miss out on their signature dishes that have become local favorites.

10. Douthat State Park Restaurant In Millboro

Rare is the state park that houses a destination restaurant, but Douthat delivers with its historic stone-and-timber dining hall. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, the restaurant maintains its rustic charm while serving surprisingly sophisticated fare.

Floor-to-ceiling windows frame mountain vistas and the park’s 50-acre lake. The menu focuses on Appalachian specialties like rainbow trout, fried chicken, and blackberry cobbler.

Open seasonally from April through October, it’s the perfect reward after hiking the park’s 40 miles of trails.

11. Edinburg Mill Restaurant In Edinburg

History and cuisine blend seamlessly at the Edinburg Mill, a working grain mill from 1848 now housing a restaurant, museum, and gift shop. Original wooden beams and mill equipment create a unique dining backdrop. The menu honors Shenandoah Valley traditions with dishes like turkey pot pie and apple dumplings.

Many ingredients come from neighboring farms, maintaining the mill’s agricultural connection. After your meal, explore the museum exhibits detailing the mill’s Civil War history when Union General Sheridan ordered many valley mills burned.

12. Tanglewood Ordinary In Maidens

Family-style dining reaches its pinnacle at Tanglewood Ordinary, where platters of fried chicken, country ham, and sides are passed around communal tables. The 1929 roadhouse has maintained its rustic charm while serving all-you-can-eat feasts that draw diners from Richmond and beyond.

Mismatched chairs, vintage signs, and honey-colored pine walls create a nostalgic atmosphere. The name comes from Virginia tradition – an “ordinary” was a simple roadside inn serving ordinary (but delicious) food. Live bluegrass music on weekends enhances the authentic country experience.