With so many places to get a bite to eat, Discover Shenandoah understands the dilemma often confronted by tourists in trying to find a great place to eat while on vacation – often on a long weekend break and usually without much time.
The “Travelers’ Trail to Delightful Dining” is provided to guests of Discover Shenandoah to assist in quickly identifying places to eat in the Discover Shenandoah region – in and around the Northern Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. The “Travelers’ Trail to Delightful Dining” is helpful for tourists traveling in and through the region and nicely compliments those interested in exploring the “Blue Ridge Whiskey Wine Loop.”
True to the spirit of Discover Shenandoah, the following dining locations are recommended to tourists based on the business’ proven commitment to quality service and product. The business’ listed on Discover Shenandoah do not pay to be listed on this site – they earn the right to be listed based on their commitment to providing tourists excellent service and product. All locations have been recommended by locals and are periodically frequented by the hosts of Discover Shenandoah to confirm quality. Please read the Discover Shenandoah short summaries below to find the most appropriate dining experience for your interests, likes, and desires.
Discover Shenandoah recommends the following locations to tourists in search of something a little bit special – a delightful dining experience!
Luray
#1: Brookside Restaurant
This is a local favorite for many years – a solid choice for home-made style breakfast, lunch or dinner. This very quaint road side restaurant is located near the Shenandoah National Park and is always clean and neat. You will likely enjoy a very friendly and out-going staff. The owners are frequently on-site and take the quality of their product and service very seriously. Brookside Restaurant offers a very comfortable country kitchen décor’. Brookside features delicious classic American breakfast plates, wonderful hamburgers and sandwiches, and even serves a mouthwatering lunch buffet with delicious fried chicken and other country favorites. Particularly notable are the home baked cakes and seasonal specialties the restaurant offers daily for dessert. The restaurant also offers wine and beer.
Hours:
Sunday – Thursday 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Friday & Saturday 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m
Web Site
# 2: Gathering Grounds Patisserie & Cafe
This coffee shop and eatery is located in an old town building in Luray, Gathering Grounds Patisserie & Cafe provides a warm and comfortable seating area with a sophisticated casual café atmosphere. This is a breakfast and lunch location that serves beer and wine.
They also do a limited dinner menu on Friday and Saturday. The fresh sandwiches are consistently delicious – look for the advertised daily specials as you come through the door.
The Gathering Grounds also offers pastries, cookies and other treats to go along with a wide variety of coffees and teas. This is one of the region’s rare locations where you can rest back in a soft couch and sip coffee or beer while reading the paper or waiting to order. The location is also within easy walking distance of Luray’s shops and the wonderful Greenway along Hawksbill Creek.
Hours:
Monday – Thursday 7am to 6pm
Friday 7am to 7pm
Saturday 8am to 7pm
Sunday 11am to 3pm
Web Site
# 3: Artisans Grill
The charming restaurant sits strategically on the corner of the main intersection in old town Luray. Although the entire place is very cute and nicely decorated, ask for a table on the second floor if you intend to sit down for a full lunch or dinner meal. If you’re grabbing a quick sandwich or ice cream cone, the first level seating is perfect.
The owner of Artisans Grill is an accomplished well-known local artist who displays his work in the adjoining art shop (well worth seeing). You will sense the artist’s touch in the details. The advertised daily specials are well worth trying – we recommend the menu items hot off the grill.
The Artisans Grill serves beer and wine to compliment your menu choice. Consider a short walk on the Luray Greenway along Hawksbill Creek after lunch or dinner for a relaxing stroll.
Hours:
Monday – Thursday 11:00 AM – 9 PM
Friday-Saturday 11:00 AM- 10 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 9 PM
Web Site
#4: Mimslyn Inn
This beautifully renovated grand Inn is located on a grassy hill in the heart of Luray. Don’t be intimidated by its grandeur. Walk into the massive front entrance through the classical columns and into the warm and tasteful décor of the foyer where you can sit on a plush couch in front of the fireplace and sip a mixed drink from the bar.
For a more formal experience, go to the large dining room and order one of the Chef’s specials at the main dining room-Circa 31. A lunch buffet is served daily.
For a more casual dining experience, go downstairs and enjoy the “Speakeasy” with its 1920’s theme and warm pub atmosphere. There you can order off the menu and ask about the specials of the day for considerable savings. The Speakeasy schedules live music for several nights in every week – call ahead to confirm. The Mimslyn Inn is a classy place to have a good dining experience in Luray.
Hours:
Sunday & Monday -4pm-9pm
Tuesday – Thursday 4pm -10pm
Friday & Saturday 4pm -11pm
Web Site
Sperryville
#5: Thornton River Grille
Located at the main intersection in the charming little mountain town of Sperryville, this “upscale” establishment enjoys consistently high customer ratings for good reason. The Grille produces delicious grilled meat sandwiches and plates. The “Flaming Rooster” grilled sandwich is second to none.
The Grille offers seating inside their small charming dining room or upstairs on a large deck. The location is directly on the Blue Ridge Whiskey Wine Loop… just a short drive from the Copper Fox Distillery and Gadino Cellars Winery.
Consider making reservations prior to arrival as the Thornton River Grill is extremely popular among locals and tourists. The restaurant offers customers a convenient on-line table reservation system.
Hours:
Tuesday – Saturday 11am to 3 pm & 5pm to 9pm
Sunday 10am to 11pm & 5pm to 9pm
Closed Mondays
Web Site
Flint Hill
# 7: Griffin Tavern & Restaurant
Griffin Tavern & Restaurant is a lovely British pub style tavern in an absolutely charming little mountain town. It is located on the main road passing through the very little town of Flint Hill on the east side of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The menu offers many options as does the seating. You can enjoy your meal sitting in the simply but nicely decorated dining rooms, on the small outside deck, or in the bar. Take the time to enjoy the Tavern’s large and lively bar.
You’ll find a dart board and a wide variety of ales, wines and mixed drinks. For the full experience, try the nicely battered Fish and Chips. The staff is very pleasant and will likely heighten you experience.
Griffin Tavern & Restaurant is smartly located within close proximity to the Blue Ridge Whiskey Wine Loop Wineries… a good choice for lunch or dinner during a wine tasting outing. Check their web site to take advantage of the scheduled entertainment and activities.
Hours:
Sunday – Thursday 11:30am to 9pm
Friday & Saturday 11:30am to 10pm
Bar open until Midnight
Web Site
Front Royal
# 8: Element and Apartment 2g
This very small busy eatery is joined by a nicely stocked little wine shop located within walking distance of old town Front Royal.
Element is a hands down favorite of local professionals. The soups, sandwiches, and specials of the day are nicely prepared and reasonably priced. For a nice change of pace, consider the creative special dining events that are frequently offered. The service is timely and professional.
Join the chefs in their apartment for a fabulous gourmet meal on Saturdays. Watch them work in their kitchen and then savor the delicious food. Every Saturday evening the chef’s offer a five-course Prix Fixe menu: amuse-bouche, pasta, salad, entrée, and dessert. There is usually a choice of three or four enticing entrées. Tapas are served on the third Thursday evening What are tapas? Think of this Spanish-style dining experience as an opportunity to try an assortment of mini-entrées, as everyone at the table shares the food, getting a chance to try many dishes throughout the evening.
The Element has a small bar inside and offers a nice variety of beer and wine. The atmosphere is casual and pleasant. As you drive by in search of the Element, stay alert as it is located in an inconspicuous small older town building adjacent to the main road… it is worth the search.
Hours:
LUNCH: Tuesday to Saturday-11am to 3pm
DINNER: Tuesday to Saturday-5pm to close Last seating at 9pm.
Reservations not accepted.
Apartment #2g
SATURDAYS: Five Course Prix Fixe-First reservation at 6:30pm
THIRD THURSDAYS- Spanish-Inspired Tapas-First reservation at 6:30pm
FINAL FRIDAYS:Wine Classes-5:30pm or 7pm
Reservations required.
# 9: Daily Grind
If you’re looking for a very nice and clean contemporary café that offers Panini type sandwiches, snacks, ice cream and comfortable seating nooks – this is a good choice in Front Royal. The service is friendly and the food and snacks are appropriate and good. The nicely decorated Café is beautifully located in the center of old town Front Royal – just a short stroll from all of the old town’s visitor’s center, shops and antique stores.
Hours:
Mon- Fri: 7:00am -9:00pm
Sat: 8:00am -9:00pm
Sun: 8:00am-6:00pm
Web Site
# 10: Shenandoah National Park - Skyland Resort Pollock Dining Room
Just a short drive southward from Thornton Gap along the Blue Ridge Parkway will bring you to this gem of a location. Perched just beneath the 4,000 ft. high Stony Man Mountain is the Shenandoah National Park’s Skyland restaurant overlooking the Shenandoah Valley (South Fork).
Skyland’s restaurant menu is the product of an accomplished Chef who ensures a wide variety of favorite plates and treats. It is easy for everyone to find something on the menu they will want. Whether ordering a club sandwich or tender fish, the meals are tasty and consistently well prepared. Do not miss out on the Blackberry Ice Cream Pie for dessert – truly a delight.
The restaurant is worth going to for the view alone. The main dining area is large and bright with the entire west facing wall of large glass windows gazing down into the beautiful Shenandoah Valley… on a clear day breathtaking.
After you enjoy your meal, consider wandering into the adjoining bar for your after dinner drink of choice, visit the nice gift shop, or walk outside and take a hike up to the peak of Stonyman Mountain.
Hours:
Breakfast 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Lunch 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Dinner 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Web Site
# 11: Big Meadows Lodge - Spottswood Dining Room
The Big Meadows Lodge Restaurant is located inside the historic Big Meadows Lodge of the Shenandoah National Park. Like Skyland, the restaurant enjoys amazing views down into the Shenandoah Valley (South Fork).
The restaurant, built of large American Chestnut beams, with its large stone fireplace and historic charm has a wonderful ambiance. The menu and food preparation is overseen by the same chef as Skyland’s restaurant. You can expect the same quality product at both locations.
The Big Meadows Lodge and its restaurant are an American treasure not to be missed by those in the area.
The dining experience at either Big Meadows Lodge or Skyland is enjoyable and memorable. Take advantage of the restaurants in conjunction with a day hike or short hike in the fresh air at Big Meadows, it will be sure to satisfy a big appetite. Big Meadows Lodge also serves wine and beer and you can enjoy an attractive rustic Tap Room downstairs.
Hours:
Breakfast 7:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Lunch 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Dinner 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Web Site
Stanley
# 12: Hawksbill Diner
If you’re looking for a “down home” classic country diner experience – this is it. The Hawksbill Diner is a favorite of locals and continues to be family owned and operated after many years.
Any tourist looking for a taste of traditional American country cooking in a classic Shenandoah Valley diner should consider visiting this delightful place. The service is always friendly and the menu carries a surprisingly wide variety of typical country favorites. You’ll easily find your foot long hot dog and fried chicken… and much more. The old Hawksbill Diner offers a simple setting and good food at a very reasonable price – a true value.
Conveniently, just down the road from the Diner is the Wisteria Farm & Vineyard to complement your meal.
Hours:
Sunday – Thursday 6am to 8pm
Friday & Saturday 6am to 9pm
1388 East Main Street, Stanley, VA
(540) 778-2006
