Food

New Innovative Virginia Tea Rooms to Try

Around the world, as both a beverage and a pastime, tea is steeped in history and ritual. From the casual to the ceremonial, tea is a throughline for many cultures, and now, it’s enjoying a renewed interest from beverage pros who are drawn to tea’s unique flavor characteristics, health benefits, and cultural connections. Recently, two […]

by Stephanie Ganz

Adoring Adarra

Attentive service and a Basque-inspired menu make it a standout. Step into Adarra in Richmond’s Jackson Ward neighborhood and you’ll feel a wave of tranquility. The lights are low, the music ambient, and everyone on the 11-person staff is working to ensure that your experience will be smooth and unencumbered. “You […]

by Stephanie Ganz

Cooking Up Classics

Brian Noyes cooks up comfort in The Red Truck Bakery Farmhouse Cookbook. Photographs © 2022 by Ronni Lundy Following the success of his first cookbook in 2018, bakery owner Brian Noyes will release a long-anticipated follow-up, The Red Truck Bakery Farmhouse Cookbook (Clarkson Potter) in August. “These are classic and, hopefully, familiar dishes […]

by Konstantin Rega

Downhome Good Breakfast

Scratch Biscuit makes its mark on Roanoke. At Scratch Biscuit Company, the down home breakfasts come hot and homemade. “We make our biscuits by hand each day,” says owner Nathan Webster. Beyond favorites like egg and cheese or sausage biscuits, look for the Jerry Garcia with smoked tofu; the Jezebel, made with […]

by Konstantin Rega

Juice Reboot

From smoothies to power bowls, White Birch Juice Co. makes healthy food delicious. At White Birch Juice Co., located in the heart of Abingdon, the smoothies, cold-pressed juices, and quinoa power bowls are made with fresh ingredients sourced from local farms. Owners Jeannie Ferracci and William Denton offer a wide variety of […]

by Staff

The Black Hen and Bar Blue

Spirited farm-to-table fare. Tucked in amid downtown Blacksburg’s bustling bars, you’ll find The Black Hen restaurant and its charming Bar Blue. Unlike its neighbors, the place is neither large nor loud. But the contemporary American cuisine and craft cocktails at The Black Hen & Bar Blue are worth writing home about. […]

by Staff

Bristol’s Blackbird Bakery

Local art finds a sweet home. On the Virginia side of Bristol’s quaint downtown, Blackbird Bakery is a feast for the eyes. The display case features freshly baked pies, signature doughnuts, and scrumptious cupcakes in a rainbow of colors; the walls are adorned with the works of local artists. “We’re lining up […]

by Staff

Sip ‘n’ See

Trek Virginia’s Craft Beer Trail along scenic Route 58. Sarah Hauser Sarah Hauser, Virginia Tourism C Damascus Brewery A local brewery located in Damascus, offering through hikers and Creeper Trail Riders a refreshing beverage. Virginia Tourism Corporation, www.Virginia.org More than a dozen breweries make up the Virginia 58 Beer Trail, part of […]

by Staff

A Bird in the Hand

Fried chicken feeds our hearts and heritage. Before noon in Gordonsville, if the air is crisp and you cock your head just right, you can still hear the long cry of Amtrak’s Crescent, traversing the iron arc bound for New Orleans. But the train no longer stops here, as it did more […]

by Staff

Shocking Truth About Virginia’s Peanuts

An old-school farming method returns…and yields spectacular results. Kyle LaFerriere Elisha Barnes The world’s oldest peanut looks puny and unassuming as it rests in a display case at the Isle of Wight County Museum in Smithfield. The man who harvested it, Pembroke D. Gwaltney Sr., wrote “1890” on the smoothest side and […]

by Don Harrison

Sipping TAPS

Local food and creative cocktails drive the vibe at The Georges’ main bar. Sera Petras Welcome to The Georges, Main Street Lexington’s charming inn where rich history meets modern accommodations. In the lobby, guests will find TAPS, the inn’s bar and restaurant, serving upscale pub fare. Visitors come for the craft beer […]

by Staff

Off the Beaten Path

The Bad Apple speakeasy and restaurant is worth the search. Looking for the Bad Apple? Don’t rely on your GPS to find it. This Prohibition-themed restaurant, outside of Pembroke (pop. 1,100), is situated inside a big, red barn at the end of Doe Creek Farm Road. From Blacksburg, you’ll take routes 700, […]

by Staff

Meet the Winemakers

The Omni Homestead Resort embraces Virginia’s finest wines. Wine lovers will be drawn to the Omni Homestead Resort’s new Virginia Wine Experience. It’s been a long time coming. A decade after the Homestead opened in 1766, Thomas Jefferson began growing wine grapes. While Jefferson never produced a harvest, his dream is now […]

by Staff

The Soft Shells of Summer

Checking the peeler pot was a river ritual. (Illustration by James Albon) I was probably in my 30s before it dawned on me that I could order soft shell crabs in a restaurant. In the summers of my childhood, soft shells came from the York River, where we’d anchor a slatted wooden […]

by Constance Costas

Dishing Up Delicious

For food favorites, Northern Virginia is the place to chow down. What makes a Best of Virginia favorite? From food trucks to fine dining to barbecue joints, it’s about great food that reflects a sense of place. Like they say at Red Truck Rural Bakery—a 10-time winner—the cakes are “made with love […]

by Staff

Hail to the Cheese

Cheesetique is a paradise for NoVa’s turophiles. Meghan LaPrairie Since she opened Cheesetique in 2004, owner Jill Erber, a hard-core turophile—that’s a cheese lover to the rest of us—has been known as “the Cheese Lady.” And with good reason: Her cheese boutiques in Alexandria and Arlington offer an extensive selection of fine […]

by Staff

Global Flavors

Taste the world at these international specialty markets. Pasties At The Pure Pasty Co. in Vienna, discover Cornish pasties, both fresh and frozen, with all sorts of fillings. Traditional beef is a best seller, but consider trying chicken masala, veggie samosa, or cheese and onion—a gold medal winner in the 2018 World […]

by Staff

Literary Hub with Grub

Arlington’s Busboys and Poets satisfies the body and the mind. Michael Ventura / Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo M2H39F M2H39F USA Washington DC Food Busboys and Poets restaurant bar cafe and bookstore From book club meetings to poetry slams, Busboys and Poets—a combination bookstore, bar, restaurant, and event space—has become a […]

by Konstantin Rega

Flipping Burgers Since 1935

In Charlottesville, Riverside Lunch hits the spot. (Photo by Thomas McGovern) The Riverside, as regulars call it, has been serving up burgers and baskets of fries since 1935. With its friendly staff, unbeatable prices, and consistently good food, nobody seems to mind that the burgers arrive on white paper plates. In fact, […]

by Staff

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Events

July 12, 2025

Flea Market at The Expo

Augusta Expo

July 12, 2025

Yorktown Market Days – Fun in the Sun Market

Riverwalk Landing

July 12, 2025

June – July @ Art Works!

Art Works

The U.S. DOE Labeled These Virginia Schools Outstanding

Eight Virginia schools received the National Blue Ribbon 2024 award for their high performances. The Exemplary High Performing Schools are Spring Hill Elementary in McLean, Green Run Collegiate in Virginia Beach, Bethel Manor Elementary in Hampton, and St. Andrew the Apostle School in Clifton. The Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools are Central Academy Middle […]

by Gabriela de Camargo Gonçalves

UVA Claims Top Spots Among Public Universities

The University of Virginia has climbed to No. 4 among public universities in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Colleges rankings, advancing one position from last year. The university maintained its No. 24 overall ranking, tying with Emory and Georgetown universities. UVA’s commitment to accessibility and student success stands out in several key metrics. […]

by Madeline Mayhood

Can’t-Miss Spots in Shenandoah National Park

Shenandoah National Park offers breathtaking views, scenic trails, and diverse wildlife—the perfect prescription for nature lovers. Some spots to add to your itinerary include: This article originally appeared in the Best of Virginia 2025 issue.

by Stacy Watkins

Food

New Innovative Virginia Tea Rooms to Try

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Events

Flea Market at The Expo

Yorktown Market Days – Fun in the Sun Market

June – July @ Art Works!

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The U.S. DOE Labeled These Virginia Schools Outstanding

UVA Claims Top Spots Among Public Universities

Can’t-Miss Spots in Shenandoah National Park

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