The Inn At Little Washington in Washington, Virginia

Dining Out

The Ultimate Virginia Dining Guide | Listen

By: Stephanie Ganz

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David Shannon of L'Opossum in Richmond, Virginia

Best Chef in Virginia: David Shannon

There is no dining experience quite like that of chef David Shannon’s L’Opossum. The Richmond restaurant is fantastically over-the-top, from the gilded tabletops to Shannon’s personal collection of art that fills every corner. The French-inspired menu with dishes like Les Excargots à la Ham Biscuit and The Swank Bank, with butter-poached lobster in a “louche yet obscenely rich truffled mornay cream,” as the restaurant describes it, hint at a bit of the Wonka-esque genius of Shannon who nightly presides over the pass, ensuring that each plate is prepared to his exacting standards. From the surroundings to the service, L’Opossum reminds guests that being playful is serious business.

David Shannon’s Virginia Recommendations

Maude & The Bear, Staunton

Ian [Boden] also rates as a best chef and Maude & The Bear as a best farm-to-table restaurant. The entire team is engaging and participates in making the evening quite special.

The Inn at Little Washington, Washington

Patrick O’Connell and The Inn are the pinnacle of excellence in every category and always evolving to remain in perpetual GOAT status.

Salt + Acid, Richmond

Beth Dixon is a highly skilled and talented industry veteran. She is always a delight behind the bar and at every special event. Check out the newly launched brick-and-mortar location.

Pies and Cakes, Richmond

Chastity and Russell Hise have a genuine passion for their bakery that shines on everything they bake. Chastity’s desserts and cookies are lovely and reflect her happiness in making them. Russell makes a bold sourdough boulle, and the pizza pop-ups are innovative and fun.

Brazen, Richmond

I’m really looking forward to the opening of Brazen from some good friends of all of us at L’Opossum.

Henry Hill Jr. of 1882 at the Pine Room in Roanoke, Virginia

Best Mixologist in Virginia: Henry Hill Jr.

1882 at the Pine Room, Roanoke

An industry veteran with 25 years of experience, Henry Hill is one of those bartenders guests seek out wherever he’s pouring, and for the past three years, that’s been at The Hotel Roanoke. There, Hill runs the 1882 bar and curates a list of seasonal cocktails with food and beverage manager Drew Dowdy. Hill is a quintessential extrovert, fueled by conversations with guests and driven to provide warm, inviting experiences. Try his original creation, No Place Like Home, which combines Virginia-made Cirrus vodka and Brady’s Distillery Prohibition gin with a hint of spiced peach syrup and aquafaba for body. It was the winner of Virginia’s 2024 Cocktail of the Year at the Virginia Cocktail Games.

Henry Hill Jr.’s Virginia Recommendations

Sidecar, Roanoke

Owner Jason Martin’s concept makes you wish you could have these food and spirit options every single day. Beautiful bar and amazing food!

The Presidential Lounge at the Omni Homestead, Hot Springs

Allow head bartender Christa Thomas to guide you through their extensive spirits collection. Top-notch service.

Chateau Morrisette, Floyd

If you ever want to escape to a place where you forget all your troubles, the views, along with the ever-evolving menu, will transport you to a place you’ll never want to leave.

The Jasper, Richmond

Established in 2018, this spot pays homage to the classics while not being afraid to explore on the inventive side of cocktails.

Lucky Restaurant, Roanoke

I am in complete awe of their cocktail program and their food is a hug to the soul!

The Best of Virginia

Best New Restaurant: Lillian, Richmond

Enjoy bivalves by the dozen or by the tower at the new counter seat oyster bar from chefs Patrick Phelan and Megan Fitzroy Phelan. Small plate standouts include the anchovy toast and smoked bluefish with potato chips. Plan to try a couple of cocktails, like the pink and snappy Regina George and the dangerously loveable Lillian martini.

Best Bakery: Cou Cou Rachou, Charlottesville

Hop in line at this buzzy French Charlottesville bakery, helmed by Rachel De Jong, where you’ll find impeccable pastries like the almond croissant, canelés with the perfect hint of orange zest, or this time of year, the savory pain de printemps, studded with fresh herbs and local chevre.

Best Tried & True Restaurant: The Inn at Little Washington, Washington

With its stunning decor, opulent menu, and brilliantly paired wine selection, The Inn at Little Washington, Virginia’s only three Michelin-starred restaurant, is an experience unlike any other—a realization of the vision of proprietor Patrick O’Connell, the “Pope of American Cuisine.” Expect to be dazzled by the smallest details, the unmatched service, and of course, the meal.

Best Girl’s Night Out: Lucky, Roanoke

The ideal spot for cackling over craft cocktails (like the lemony, gin-based Benny Hill) and savoring plates of comfort food that would make your mama proud, like fried chicken from nearby Rabbit Head Farm or local Smoke in Chimneys whole trout, Lucky is exactly where you want to go for a cozy and fun girls’ night.

Best Pizza: Pizza Bones, Richmond

At Pizza Bones in Richmond’s Church Hill, owner Ashley Patino is making more than just exceptional sourdough pizza with freshly milled local grains. She’s also building community through her Saturday morning pastry bar, regular maker markets, and occasional dance parties. Seasonal pizza specials change weekly-ish but be sure to save room for Patino’s best-in-class chocolate chip cookies.

Best Sandwiches: Ivy Provisions, Charlottesville

Sandwiches are the star at Charlottesville’s Ivy Provisions, the perfect place to fill your picnic basket before enjoying some UVA football or a stroll on the grounds at Monticello. The deli’s lineup of memorable, crave-worthy sandwiches includes the spot-hitting Cuban Pickle Crisis, with pulled pork and ham, pickle relish, and spicy pickle chips on pressed sourdough.

Best Worth the Drive: Sumac, Sperryville

Worth the gorgeous, meandering drive it requires, Sumac is a bit of an experiment that asks what would happen if you took fine dining and plopped it into a mountaintop brewery. With chef Daniel Gleason as its leader, the answer is wildly original, rarely repeated seasonal food cooked over a live fire.

Best Farm to Table Restaurant: The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm, Lovettsville

Planted on Virginia’s first certified organic farm, The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm embodies farm-to-table dining, elevated by pristine service and meticulous attention to detail. The finely tuned chef’s tasting menu makes the restaurant’s farmers proud, celebrating peak season produce while engaging the guests’ senses in unexpected ways.