BEST FOOD & DRINK SOUTHWEST
RESTAURANTS ASIAN RESTAURANT
FINE DINING
Peking Chinese Restaurant
105 Malin Dr., Wytheville PekingVa.com, 276-228-5515
The Palisades Restaurant
168 Village St., Eggleston ThePalisadesRestaurant.com, 540-626-2828
Thai This Express, Radford ThaiThisExpress.com, 540-838-2329 Sakura Steak House, Christiansburg Sakura-Steak-House.business.site, 540-381-1188
BARBECUE RESTAURANT Bluegrass BBQ
609 Snidow St., Pembroke BluegrassBBQ.net, 540-626-2271 A post-hike lunch spot after Cascade Falls, here’s a must-visit for barbecue aficionados seeking hearty portions and friendly service. Patrons rave about the mouthwatering offerings, like yummy barbecue nachos and savory pulled pork sandwiches. With sauces ranging from vinegar to mango habanero, it's a flavor adventure.
Checkered Pig, Martinsville CheckeredPig.com, 276-682-1161 Black Bear BBQ & Grill, Appalachia Facebook: Black Bear BBQ and Grill, 276-565-6099
BREAKFAST/BRUNCH RESTAURANT The Palisades Restaurant
168 Village St., Eggleston ThePalisadesRestaurant.com, 540-626-2828 In this historic village, there lies an offthe-beaten-path hideaway eatery, housed in the former Pyne’s General Store. Featuring exposed brick walls and tin ceilings, The Palisades offers a nostalgic ambiance. The brunch menu combines traditional fare and inventive creations, boasting favorites like pimento cheese grits and raspberry pancake casserole. With attentive service and reasonable prices, this is a hidden gem worth discovering.
Tha’ Dawg House, Pulaski 540-980-2275 Our Daily Bread Bakery & Bistro, Multiple locations ODBB.com, 540-566-3000
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TASTE THE MOUNTAINS
Try this incredible, farm-fresh trout dip from Smoke in Chimneys.
H
oping to level-up your next charcuterie board? Look no further: Smoke in Chimneys’ farm-fresh trout dip brings an unparalleled blitz of savory, Shenandoah Valley flavor. Husband-and-wife owners Ty and Shannon Walker handcraft the small-batch, warm season offering on a restored, century-old Newcastle trout hatchery. Fish are raised the old-fashioned way in a complex of streams and ponds filled with water from one of the state’s most pristine and nutrientrich limestone springs. The Walkers smoke then flake the meat, adding house-made cream cheese, sour cream, smoked paprika, Hungarian paprika, chipotle, and a dash of Highland County maple syrup. Order direct from the farm or at gourmet markets like Richmond’s Elwood Thompson’s, JM Stock in Charlottesville, or the Roanoke Co + Op. SmokeInChimneys.com
BURGER JOINT Dude’s Drive-In
1501 Roanoke St., Christiansburg Facebook: Dude’s Drive-In, 540-328-7901 Dude’s Drive-In is a beloved burger joint renowned for its mouthwatering creations and nostalgic atmosphere. This classic diner serves up juicy burgers and crispy fries to Christiansburg residents and hungry travelers passing through, satisfying cravings with every bite.
Sharkey’s Wing & Rib Joint, Locations in Radford, Blacksburg SharkeysWingandRibJoint.com, 540-267-3434, 540-552-2030 Rocky Mount Burger Company, Rocky Mount RMBurger.com, 540-456-2337
CATERER Your Grate Escape
2871 Fincastle Tpke., North Tazewell YourGrateEscape.com, 276-988-7867 Delivering beyond delicious dishes like Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breasts in Cream Sauce and Sun-Dried Tomato and Basil Pesto Torte, owner Clint Neel prioritizes satisfaction across their holiday buffet menu, brunch menu, wedding
menus, and appetizer menu. Glowing reviews commend the culinary finesse and attentive service, cementing Your Grate Escape as a quality choice for unforgettable gatherings and meals.
The Palisades Restaurant, Eggleston ThePalisadesRestaurant.com, 540-626-2828 Hethwood Market, Blacksburg HethwoodMarket.com, 540-951-0990
COFFEE SHOP OR ROASTER Sugar + Flour
129 S. Main St., Pearisburg Sugar-Flour-LLC.square.site, 540-599-5057 This charming café tantalizes patrons with an assortment of breakfast sandwiches, pastries, and lunch options, offered with a dash of seasonal flair. It’s the ethereal aroma of freshly brewed coffee that truly steals the show, enchanting visitors with each rich, velvety sip. From the first taste to the last, coffee snobs and foodies alike are taken on a journey of small-town, tasty bliss.
Red Rooster Coffee, Floyd RedRoosterCoffee.com, 540-745-7338 The Ground Floor, Martinsville TheGroundFloorMHC.com, 276-258-0232
In the misty embrace of Eggleston’s mountains, stumble upon an unassuming restaurant exterior, a hole-in-the-wall promising a hidden treasure inside. Within the historic walls of Pyne’s General Store, guests are transported back in time and into a world of culinary wonder. Patrons indulge in locally sourced flavors, harmonizing with the mountain breeze— each meal a high-altitude masterpiece.
The Tavern, Abingdon AbingdonTavern.net, 276-628-1118 Ippy’s Restaurant, Rocky Mount IppysRestaurant.com, 540-489-5600
FOOD TRUCK Cabo Fish Taco
Multiple locations CaboFishTaco.com, 540-206-2180 Food truck visitors are treated to a smorgasbord of tantalizing options. Amid a sea of flavors, carnivores enjoy succulent carne asada tacos, while seafood lovers indulge in shrimp, salmon, and Mahi delights. From savory soy salmon to robust BBQ Mahi Mahi, every bite sings praises. Even non-fish enthusiasts are tempted by the ocean’s offerings.
Thai This Food Truck, Radford ThaiThisExpress.com, 540-838-2329 The Pakalachian, Abingdon ThePakalachian.com, 276-275-1097
ICE CREAM SHOP Scoops Arcade
610 Snidow St., Pembroke Facebook: Scoops Arcade, 540-626-5959 Reminiscent of an old-school diner, this little spot merges ice cream delights with arcade thrills. Whether young or young-at-heart, the combination of ice cream cones and video games sparks joy and nostalgia. Owner Beth’s warmth enhances the experience, while the variety of creative flavors and games beckons kids and parents at once. It’s a perfect spot for birthday celebrations or casual indulgence.
Homestead Creamery, Wirtz HomesteadCreameryInc.com, 540-721-2045 Sugar Magnolia, Blacksburg SugarMagnoliaShops.com, 540-739-3724
photo courtesy of smoke in chimneys
Within a spacious interior adorned with traditional red lanterns and rich wood accents, patrons revel in an extensive menu offering beloved Chinese classics. Diners rave about the delectable Crab Rangoon, praised for its authentic filling. With attentive service and a serene atmosphere, Peking is ideal for leisurely lunches or frequent visits, drawing food lovers from far and wide.
BEST OF VIRGINIA 2024
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