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May 20, 2024 · This list is a combination of foods invented in Virginia, traditional dishes still made and enjoyed in the state, and some foods that are so popular, Virginians think of them as their own. Freshly steamed Chesapeake Bay blue crabs, one of the most delicious Virginia foods.
Sep 13, 2024 · For 10 years, Best of Virginia 2021 has been your guide to the best in dining, shopping and doing in the Commonwealth. In January, we asked you, Virginia Living readers, for your ‘bests’ across the five regions of Virginia— Central, Eastern, Northern, Southwest and the Shenandoah Valley.
Dec 19, 2022 · From hole-in-the-wall gems to fancy bistros, little-known cafes, and globally-inspired kitchens, there's a little something for everyone to appreciate about the Old Dominion's dining scene. With that in mind, we've cultivated a bucket list of the 12 best restaurants in Virginia for you to try.
- 2941. Falls Church / Modern American / $$$$ There’s no dining experience that will whet every appetite quite like a tasting menu. The anticipation that builds as you wait for the grand reveal of each course, the satisfaction as it arrives in front of you looking irresistible, the sharing of a dish with the person by your side—it’s all a routine likely to whip you and your companion into a frenzy.
- The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm. Lovettsville / Modern American / $$$$* It’s hard to say what plays a stronger role in chef Vincent Badiee’s culinary background: Is it his years in New York City and Washington, DC, playing key roles at restaurants like Eleven Madison Park and Gravitas?
- Blend 111. Vienna / Modern Latin American / $$$$ Andrés-Julian Zuluaga knows how to design an eye-pleasing plate. Take, for example, the Chesapeake Bay rockfish.
- Trummer’s. Clifton / Modern American / $$$ Many restaurants have an identity so strong that a new chef does little to transform it. One might have thought that Trummer’s, with its seasonal, Austrian-inflected cuisine, was one of those.
- Appetizers and Sides
- Entrees
- Desserts and Drinks
Peanut Soup
If you’re a peanut lover, chances are that you’ve heard of Virginia peanuts. Even though Georgia produces far more peanuts than Virginia these days, Virginia peanuts are still widely renowned for their size and crunch, making them an ideal snack food. Peanut soup turns Virginia’s snack into a gourmet appetizer, combing them with limes, onion, and chicken stock in a rich cream-based soup. You can enjoy it hot or cold, making it ideal for any time of the year!
Oysters
Would you believe that Virginia boasts eight different regional varieties of oysters, each with its own flavor and finish? If you’re an oyster lover, Virginia is the perfect place to visit because of its access to both the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Where oysters come from on the bay results in a different flavor, as different regions can produce salty, briny, creamy, and sweet notes. The best advice is to try a few different varieties of Virginia oysters and see which flavors rea...
Pimento Cheese
Venture into the southern parts of Virginia down the I-95 corridor, and you’ll find the pimento cheese that’s truly a staple of Virginia’s history as a southern state. Pimento cheese is popular because it’s easy and quick to make, and the flavors are always on point. Cheddar cheese, pimentos, mayonnaise, and a bit of Worcestershire sauce make for an easy sandwich or a great appetizer on its own. Everyone in the South has a recipe, and you’ll find some of the best in Virginia.
Smithfield Country Ham
If you’re in the eastern part of Virginia, you really can’t leave without trying a Smithfield country ham. Ham was one of the first exports from the Americas to Great Britain during colonial times, and the town of Smithfield has become synonymous with real Virginia country ham. In fact, the Commonwealth of Virginia passed a law in 1926 that says that only a ham cured in Smithfield can carry the Smithfield name. What does a Smithfield country ham taste like? It’s smokier and saltier than over-...
Barbecue Sandwich
When most people think of Southern barbecue, they tend to think of Carolina pulled pork or Georgia’s mustard-based barbecue sauce. But as the first southern colony, Virginia can also lay claim to being where Southern barbecue first came to be. Given that it dates back 400 years, real Virginia barbecue isn’t fancy, and it doesn’t need to be. Vinegar, salt, pepper, and perhaps a couple of other herbs and spices bring out the flavor of the meat — and remember, if it’s not cooked low and slow ove...
Ham Biscuit
The salty flavor of Smithfield country ham can be an acquired taste, and the best way to balance it out is by pairing it with a fluffy, buttery buttermilk biscuit. You won’t find ham biscuits on most menus outside of the Southeast, but when you come to Virginia, you’ll need to grab one of these for breakfast one morning. Many native Virginians add a little butter or jam to add a bit of sweetness to the savory ham and biscuit, while others believe it’s a delicious combination as it is. Either...
Apple Butter
Most people know Washington State for its apples, but in Virginia, the town of Winchester is well known for its apples. The Shenandoah Valley is home to some of the most beautiful apple orchards in Virginia, and Winchester has earned the nickname of the Apple Capital of the World because of its yearly production and its Apple Blossom Festival. Apple butter makes the most of Winchester’s apples, as it’s made locally and tastes fantastic as a topping for bread and baked goods. You can even pair...
Peanut Pie
If you’re thinking peanut butter pie when you consider this Virginia delicacy, think again. This is a lot closer to pecan pie than it is to peanut butter pie. This, without a doubt, is a good thing because this pie uses plumper Virginia peanuts that provide the crunch and taste that you can only get from properly grown Virginia peanuts. This combination of sweet and salty is much like the peanuts themselves, and it represents the perfect way to finish off a meal in Virginia. Brown sugar and c...
Wine
Wine isn’t the first thing that most people think of when they come to Virginia, but that’s starting to change. Virginia ranks sixth in grape production in the United States, and it’s now home to more than 300 wineries across the state. If you’re familiar with the Petit Manseng white wine, you’ll want to come to Virginia, as it’s one of only two places where it grows worldwide. Other wines made in Virginia include the Petit Verdot and the Chardonnay, the latter of which is Virginia’s most com...
Find the best pimento cheese, softshell crabs, oysters, ham, wine and peanuts at these Virginia restaurants.
Oct 6, 2021 · Post Food critic Tom Sietsema's 48 favorite restaurants of the year in the D.C. area.
