Best Chef: Matt Welsch
Vagabond Kitchen, Wheeling
Chef Matt Welsch’s path to the kitchen was shaped by curiosity, grit, and a deep love of storytelling. Drawn to exploration from a young age, he spent years traveling the globe, often on a shoestring budget, but wherever he landed, a kitchen welcomed him in. That and his West Virginia upbringing on a farm inspired him to launch Vagabond Kitchen in 2014. Flash forward and Welsch has solidified his reputation as a pillar of West Virginia’s culinary community, where he uses food to tell stories, uplift local farmers and producers, and celebrate the people and traditions that make Appalachia feel like home.
Matt Welsch’s Recommendations:
Breakfast: Sarah’s on Main
Known as one of our region’s most talented [bakeries], this space near Centre Market is warm, bright, and delicious. Fresh, thoughtful, beautifully made food—they’re doing everything right, and it shows in every bite.
Lunch: Taqueria 304
In Market Plaza, this “small town tavern with a taco problem” feels like the coziest dive bar—until the tacos and beer list blow you away. Classic rock, craft brews, and killer tacos make it the perfect lunch stop.
Dinner: Elle and Jack’s
A charming, beautifully designed spot with refined plates, excellent presentation, and consistently great service. It’s one of the gems of our downtown.
Drinks: Waterfront Hall
The newest addition to our riverfront offers a double-sided bar, great food options, and Heritage Port as its front yard. My wife and I even held our wedding reception upstairs. There’s always something cool going on.
Best Beverage Pros: Natalie Scott and Eric Hatsel
Rosa’s Speakeasy and The Morris Harvey House, Fayetteville
Great mixology comes down to balance, consistency, and mastery of the cocktail canon, say Natalie Scott and Eric Hatsel, owners of Rosa’s Speakeasy and The Morris Harvey House. After discovering the inn during a 2020 climbing trip to the New River Gorge, the duo set out to transform the historic home into a period-appropriate retreat. When local ordinances changed in 2023, they brought Rosa’s Speakeasy to life, creating an intimate on- site cocktail bar. The menu, which began with just six cocktails, now includes standouts like Eric’s Disappearing Bachelor, a tiki-inspired mezcal cocktail rooted in the house’s ghostly lore, and Scott’s favorite, The N.L., short for Natalie Lynn, which blends bourbon, Averna, grapefruit bitters, lemon, and maple.
Natalie Scott and Eric Hatsel’s Current Favorites:
WEST VIRGINIA PRODUCT
Smooth Ambler Contradiction Bourbon and Rye out of Lewisburg.
BEVERAGE TREND
It seems like mezcal has been trending. We’re not sure if that’s West Virginia specific because we’ve noticed mezcal popping up a bit more in other cocktail bars we’ve visited in other states. It’s an exciting trend to see since the spirit has been around for so long.
DRINK SOMEWHERE ELSE
Giant margaritas at Tequila Bar a few blocks from us.
The Best of West Virginia
Best New Restaurant: Gray Fox Kitchen and Cocktails, Morgantown
This refined wood-fired restaurant by Annapolis native Chris Fox brings authentic Maryland flair straight to West Virginia with crabcakes that rival the best, alongside a rotating selection of wagyu steaks and expertly prepared seafood. The bar program, led by Fox’s wife, Kimberly, shines with cocktails like the Fuel Filter, a bold gin drink with lemon sour, blackberry shrub, and charcoal, creating an enticing experience that keeps locals coming back for more.
Best Culinary Hotel: Hillbrook Inn, Charles Town
Thanks to its elegant farm-to-table cuisine and locally sourced ingredients, the Hillbrook Inn stands out as a culinary destination. Newly appointed executive chef Kashif Browne, whose resume includes a stint at The White House, curates seasonal, multicourse tasting menus that spotlight the freshest local produce. Located in a romantic storybook manor with luxurious rooms, spa services, and an included gourmet breakfast, Hillbrook delivers a true culinary getaway.
Most Unique Restaurant: The Hütte Restaurant, Helvetia
Founded in 1968, the Hütte is a family-owned restaurant, honoring Helvetia’s original Swiss settlers. With an inn on- site, the Hütte prides itself on its homey, comforting atmosphere. Items like the bratwurst sandwich and the Zurich sauerbraten dinner populate the menu, promising an authentic Swiss dining experience and ambiance.
Best Farm to Table: Mack’s Bingo Kitchen, Wardensville
With its own organic farm, Mack’s Bingo Kitchen takes advantage of seasonal ingredients to provide some of the freshest American-style comfort food in West Virginia. Start with the pepperoni rolls and housemade ramp ranch before digging into the OG Mack’s Burger. And you can’t go wrong with a side of charred carrots or the bacon barbecue collards for flavor-packed goodness.
Best Supper Club: Lost Creek Farm, Lost Creek
Lost Creek Farm has earned national recognition for its deeply rooted, story-driven approach to Appalachian cuisine, with accolades that include James Beard nominations and features in The New York Times and on Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown. Using ingredients grown and foraged on its farm, the team creates immersive, seasonal dining experiences—most notably the Summer Farm-to-Forage Supper Club, which draws in visitors from across the globe.
Best Speakeasy: The Green Door, Morgantown
Founded by the team behind Morgantown’s Von Blaze, The Green Door shows off with fine dining and even finer, carefully crafted drinks. Taking inspiration from the early 1900s, the concept takes guests back in time to a more sophisticated era. Only open to guests aged 25 and up, The Green Door prides itself on its timelessly refined yet inviting atmosphere for those wanting a break from the hustle-and-bustle of Morgantown nightlife.
Best Atmosphere: Waterfront Hall, Wheeling
A historic rehabilitation project from 1873, Waterfront Hall is a hub of live music, events, and culture. From signature cocktails, like Smoke and a Pancake, which features bacon-washed Bulleit bourbon, and food from Avenue Eats and The Wood Fired Pizza Company, the offerings promise to craft a memorable night year-round.
Best Retro Dining: Bramwell Corner Shop, Bramwell
A dining experience that will transport you back to the 1950s, Bramwell Corner Shop & Soda Fountain has it all. The Corner Shop’s menu is packed with handmade perfections, from ice cream and waffle cones to burgers, plus a milkshake voted best in the state by USA Today.
Best Regional Modern Mexican Food: Mayahuel, Houston
Mexico City cuisine has been lauded for its cultural richness intertwining traditions of the ancient Aztecs, impeccable freshness, and global influences. Mayahuel—a nod to the Aztec goddess of nourishment, patience, and purpose—serves the Mexico City ethos in spades, offering dishes like avocado and sikil p’aak (an earthy, nutty Mayan dip that rivals guacamole), shrimp and beef cheek confit tacos, duck Magret with spice bread, and sourdough bread and tortillas (instead of chips) served with housemade salsas and butters.
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Brittany Furbee
Brittany Furbee is an award-winning competitive home chef and recipe developer from Morgantown, West Virginia. In between cooking competitions, Brittany develops recipes and digital content for national brands, performs cooking demonstrations, and serves as a judge at culinary events throughout her home-state.
