I know there are government cutbacks, but I think they could completely fund the Shenandoah…read moreNational Park, for what they charge here, for soggy fries and tiny fat burger balls, that are nothing close to a smash burger. Also...these places have to take the tip option off...if you are not refilling my drink, you are not getting a tip.

Big Meadows Wayside is a convenience store, gas station, and cafe located by Shenandoah National…read morePark's Skyline Drive. This is the better place to go to pick up camp items than the camp store at Big Meadows Campground. I bought fire sticks that were very helpful to start a fire. The store also sells National Park souvenirs. I had the hot honey fried chicken, which was decent in taste and price. They also have burgers, sandwiches, and breakfast items.

We at dinner here while staying at the Big Meadows Lodge. The setting was what you might expect for…read morea lodge. It was a nice open space. The food was average comfort food but given there weren't many other options around, it was good. My daughter ordered the Wild Mushroom Bolognese which she said was good. The sauce was different as it was more like chunky toppings. My husband ordered the Big Meadows Burger. It looked like it had been sitting for a while. I ordered the Sweet Tea-Smoked Chicken. It comes with mashed sweet potatoes and collard greens. The chicken didn't seem to have a whole lot of meat on it. It was mostly the bones of the chicken. The sweet potatoes were very sweet. My husband and daughter split a Blackberry Cobbler. The said it was good but would have liked more of the pastry shell. They said the ice cream was the best part of it. The server did a nice job serving and checking on us.

Dinner first night - turkey dinner was delicious ! Bourbon glazed steak tips was like a beef stew…read more Swimming in gravy ?? Lunch on day 2 turkey melt sandwich-hoping it was the roast turkey but no it was deli turkey- not so great. The turkey pot pie was a bowl of turkey pieces and veggies in a sauce with a dollop of mashed potatoes on top. Flavor was ok but odd presentation of a turkey pot pie. Great waitress. Beautiful views.

This is a cute little place right on the way to Shenandoah. There are lot many places around…read morethere, so it's good to know of one that serves locally grown, organic food. The salmon plate was delicious, and plenty of food for a lunch. It's a little on the pricey side, but we felt it was worth it. The service was good.

We have NEVER had a bad lunch in this lovely little place on Rte 211 just between Sperryville and…read morethe Thornton gap on the Skyline Drive.

A must try at least once. Wonderful experience, would definitely be doing back. Makes you feel that…read moreyou are in a different era in a different place.

AFTERNOON TEA ONLY review. Recently, the famous Inn at Little Washington began offering afternoon…read moretea, previously only a perk for guests at the Inn, as a standalone service. I brought my mother for tea as a special birthday treat. A few days before our reservation, staff from the Inn reached out to confirm the reservation and ask if we were celebrating any occasion and I told them about my mother's birthday. We arrived at the Inn a little before 2pm and were told they couldn't seat us until right at 2pm for tea. However, at 2pm, when we were lead to the conservatory for tea, there were already people seated. I'm fine with rules like this, but then they need to be the same for all parties. They started us off with a version of an Aperol that was refreshing and the selection of teas was very nice. The food was brought out on a small serving tower with three savory and three sweet items for each of us. We loved the lemon tarts and lobster rolls, but the scones were undercooked and doughy inside. While this was less food than we expected (especially for the $114 per person price point), they did ask if we'd like another of any of our favorite items and then brought us out more of those. This was a thoughtful way of keeping the number of items low, but giving guests more of what they loved. We stayed for about an hour and they began clearing plates and teapots, etc. At no point did anyone acknowledge my mother's birthday or tell us that service had concluded. We walked out of the dining room and while my mother was getting the car from the valet I asked about her birthday recognition with the team. They apologized profusely and offered us complimentary breakfast the next day. As we had driven 2 hours for tea, that was not in the cards. Instead, they refunded the ENTIRE MEAL. I certainly did not ask that they do that, but it was a considerable gesture on their part. I love the Inn at Little Washington and have had amazing meals there, but I would not recommend it for Afternoon Tea. The staff just doesn't seem to have a grip on how to do it for guests who aren't staying overnight at the Inn. Maybe they'll figure it out in a couple months, but I'll take my teas elsewhere.

Blue Rock made our first wedding anniversary an experience we will cherish forever. From the moment…read morewe arrived, it was clear that every detail had been thoughtfully planned with care and intention. Head Chef Aaron curated a beautiful five-course menu for us in advance, and every single course was exceptional. The flavors were perfectly balanced, creative, and comforting all at once -- each dish flowed seamlessly into the next and left us genuinely impressed. It was one of those meals where you pause, smile, and truly savor every bite. Pastry Chef Ebony not only created a custom anniversary cake for us -- which was absolutely delicious -- but she was also our server for the evening. Her attentiveness, warmth, and genuine care made our night feel even more special. She anticipated every need and added such a personal touch to the entire experience. We were also deeply touched by the personalized menu designed for our celebration, which read, "Happy Anniversary -- cheers to one." That simple yet thoughtful gesture meant so much to us. Sous Chef Diego and the entire team contributed to an atmosphere that felt warm, intimate, and welcoming. The ambiance was beautiful and private, and the complimentary sparkling wine was the perfect way to celebrate such an important milestone. This was our first anniversary -- the beginning of many more to come -- and Blue Rock made sure it was unforgettable. Every detail, every flavor, and every gesture reflected genuine care. We cannot recommend this place enough and are already looking forward to returning.

Wow, outstanding service and exceptional food. We had the carrot salad and the crudo for starters…read morewhich were the best we have ever had. For dinner we had the eggplant and the fried chicken which didn't disappoint. Lastly the drinks were amazing. We highly recommend this place for a casual or upscale dinning experience. We will be back and loved our time with them!!!

Tight seating on popular nights. The staff is very helpful and well trained. Food was well prepared…read moreand tasty, high quality ingredients. Just visit during less busy times.

4.5 starts round up to 5 Patty O's Café may sit a short…read moredrive beyond the city, but it rewards the journey with polished hospitality, thoughtful cooking, and a charming atmosphere that balances casual comfort with classic elegance. The French onion soup is among the finest in the DMV--delicately restrained yet deeply flavorful, crowned with beautifully melted cheese that elevates every spoonful. The chilled tomato soup offers a refreshing counterpoint, bright and satisfying. The escargot stands apart from the usual butter-heavy preparations, showcasing a lighter, more refined touch while retaining plenty of flavor; serving it in-shell adds welcome visual appeal. The fish and chips impress with a remarkably crisp, delicate crust that preserves the cod's moist, flaky interior--easily one of the better renditions around. Equally memorable, the Wagyu burger arrives perfectly grilled, juicy, and richly satisfying. Dessert, a Chocolate Guinness Cake, delivers intense chocolate character and notable sweetness. Overall, Patty O's Café is a destination well worth revisiting.

Serving American classics with high quality and great hospitality…read more Sandwiched between two floors of antique malls, Jack's was the perfect stop in the day to get some no-frills nourishment. Their breakfast is incredibly generous and made with ingredients that were fresh, clean, and meticulous in detail. The design of their menu is just so promising with unique twists that are not unheard of, but just an elevated touch when it comes to American diner food as a whole. Things like truffle infused hollandaise, fried green tomato BLT, pairing balsamic with goat cheese, a blackened pork, even mushrooms on the breakfast menu all hint that people developing their menu are confident in their skills in offering something more when it comes to breakfast plates and sandwiches. Their homemade aiolis (highly recommend their pesto aioli) and hot sauce tie any dish together-- breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Things made to this quality are not to be unremarked. Came in with friends so we can try everything on their menu, and we were pleasantly surprised on all fronts. Presentation, ingredients, preparation all elements that made our meals great and were evident across all dishes ranging from protein to carb. Details like toasted bread with already spread with butter, perfectly poached eggs, and brioche as the bun of choice were things we peeped. We would have left satisfied if these details weren't accounted for, but we were so impressed this became a revisit during our short vacation. Their space is greatly spacious, with an open drinks station so its just not pretentious. There is even a section in the front to pick up goods made by local artisans. This is a great place to dine in, no notes.

After eating a wonderful lunch I was ready to give five plus stars…read more We had the truffle Benedict and the open faced roast beef . The ingredients were fresh and the flavors delicious. The atmosphere in the dining room was nice and airy. As we were traveling a good distance I decided to get the renowned cinnamon roll to go . I got a take out coffee and was told there would be a brief wait. After several minutes-a roll came out on a plate. Someone asked what I was there for. I said I'm for a cinnamon roll to go. The busy manager said they take 10 minutes After 20 minutes my husband came in to find me -the roll appeared soon after. I'm a quiet type person , I took the roll and left . It was very good. Message -order the cinnamon roll prior to meal.

Really appreciated their expansive GF menu. Prices are high…read morebut quality is good. Service is attentive.

Excellent bar great food! So many beers to choose from too. They were so kind and brought my wife…read moreout a celebration dessert on the house for her naturalization celebration.

Would love to give them 5 stars but honestly staff was a weird with us, will be back though for the…read moreBison steak alone though, it was soooooo good. 100% worth a second chance which we hope to go back this year (March 2025, last year was when we visited for first time!) The wine was delicious and the property is absolutely stunning both inside and out. Not sure if they were just having an off day or they thought we weren't gonna spend any $ there due to us having dogs/ not being dressed up at all but if it wasn't for the food/drinks/ aesthetics and we think was one of the managers coming to say hi to us I would have probably left less stars. - SpicyAivy

Truly cannot recommend Early Mountain enough! It is one of the most beautiful wineries I've…read morevisited- the tasting room reminds me of Crimson Lane or Barboursville- and definitely one of the more upscale options of the wide range of Virginia wineries. The wines are excellent and there are several tasting options you can choose- I believe there was a red flight, a white flight, and a "signature" option that had both. You also have the option to build your own flight, which I always love. The 2024 rosé is a standout, we picked up several bottles to bring home. We could not believe how good the food was- it was worth a trip in its own right! It's on the pricier side but it is clear why, the plates wouldn't be out of place at a fine dining restaurant. We also had the kindest server, Chelsie, who made our experience so special and memorable! She stopped by to chat several times, gave us great recommendations, and she could not have been nicer to me and my friends. We were lucky enough to attend our dear friends' wedding here and it was a spectacular wedding venue. The space is just beautiful and the catering was incredible- some of the best wedding food we've had by far. We liked it so much we came back to visit the tasting room the next day :) This is a perfect stop on the way to Charlottesville from the DMV and a gorgeous place to spend an afternoon.