Best Chef in West Virginia: Paul Smith
Chef Paul Smith, West Virginia’s first James Beard Award winner, has emerged as a culinary trailblazer. His innovative approach to Appalachian cuisine at 1010 Bridge has put the state on the national culinary map. Blending his Italian American roots with training from the Culinary Institute of America, Smith masterfully combines traditional comfort foods with high-end dining. The menu features new-age appetizers like house-cured pork belly and Nashville hot fried oysters and elevated entrees like the signature “1010 Cut,” a cast iron-seared steak served with lobster mac and cheese, candied onion brussels sprouts, cabernet demi-glace, and foie gras truffle butter. This is where Smith loves to eat and drink in the state.
Paul Smith‘s West Virginia Recommendations
Alma Bea, Shepherdstown
A local favorite with pleasant atmosphere and great food. @alma.bea.shepherdstown
The Bavarian Inn, Shepherdstown
With its award-winning international cuisine and wide range of dining options, it’s hard not to love this place.
Gumbo Stop Café, Huntington
Their New Orlean’s Muffuletta Sandwich is a favorite. (304) 654-2240
Lucky Rivers Cafe and Catering, Hinton
Local Appalachian, health-conscious cuisine with top-notch ingredients.
Lot 12 Public House, Berkeley Springs
A combination of seasonal and upscale comfort cuisine offered in a historic location.
Best Mixologist in West Virginia: Darian Meza
Tucked between a bowling alley and sports bar, Stefano’s is the surprising home to some of the best cocktails in the state, thanks to mixologist Darian Meza. According to Meza, in order to be a great mixologist, you need to be a good bartender, which is why he opted for on-the-job training at Stefano’s starting four years ago. Under the guidance of several seasoned mixologists, Meza learned to master classic cocktails like old fashioneds and martinis, while also getting to experiment with custom creations using seasonal ingredients like pina colada margaritas and pumpkin bellinis. Today, Meza uses his well-earned creative freedom to imagine new takes on the classics, with his favorite creation to date being the Show Time mojito, a blood orange passionfruit liqueur mojito with sparkling wine.
Darian Meza’s West Virginia Recommendations
It’s the best place in town for the quality of food provided, and the refined yet relaxed atmosphere.
They have quality brunches and enjoyable dinner service. A great place to go and hang out with friends.
Apothecary Ale House, Morgantown
They have a grand selection of beers and the staff is down to earth. I enjoy how they have ciders on tap.
Levels, Morgantown
It’s referred to as the Barcade because of all the games they have, alongside the full bar with beer taps. I’ve had fun racing, shooting pool, and just chilling at the bar. @levelsarcade
They have the best Detroit-style pizza I have ever had; the wings are great, too.
The Best of West Virginia
Best New Restaurant: Bruno’s Spotted Hare, Barboursville
Bruno’s Spotted Hare goes wild with its internationally inspired Appalachian cuisine. Set in an eclectic 1800s building adorned with stained glass windows, the menu stars wild game disheslike venison ragu, line-caught rainbow trout, and rabbit three ways, bringing an elevated dining option to the Barboursville area. (304) 955-5109
Best Hotel Bar: The Billy Motel & Bar, Davis
With its mid-century lounge, complete with a vintage fireplace, and a seasonal courtyard, the ambiance at this hotel bar is unmatched. Skilled bartenders craft both classic and innovative cocktails, from negronis to Kentucky mules, while also accommodating nondrinkers with creative mocktails featuring housemade fruit shrubs.
Best Pepperoni Roll: The Donut Spot, Buckhannon
This unassuming shop, boasting more than 45 donut flavors, is home to a cult-favorite pepperoni roll. Breaking from tradition, these handmade rolls are packed with finely ground pepperoni and offered three ways: plain, with cheese, or with hot pepper cheese. Seasonally, they feature ramperoni rolls stuffed with fresh local ramps, adding a unique twist to West Virginia’s iconic snack. (304) 472-9328
Best Bakery: Bolivar Bread Bakery, Harpers Ferry
Historic Harpers Ferry has risen in popularity with the addition of this intimate, woman-owned bakery. Their signature Wild and Wonderful sourdough, made with a 42-year-old starter, anchors a diverse menu with specialty loaves like rosemary, cinnamon raisin, and pickle rye, along with maple butter biscuits and seasonal pastries.
Best Food Truck: Panagiota’s Taste of Greece, Shepherdstown
Originally named Taste of Greece, this food truck built a loyal following at fairs and festivals. Later renamed to honor the owner’s centenarian grandmother, Panagiota, it gained fame for its gyros, lamb burgers, and Greek fries. After years of mobile success, the business recently expanded, adding a brick-and-mortar restaurant in downtown Shepherdstown. (304) 870-4830
Best Butcher Shop: Village Butcher and Market, Morgantown
This full-service butcher shop, deli, and market offers an impressive selection of premium local meats and artisanal sandwiches. Sourcing from local farms, they showcase high-quality beef, pork, chicken, lamb, and duck, in addition to housemade concoctions like bacon pork belly breakfast sausage and a variety of ready-to-bake meat-stuffed peppers.
Best Hot Dog: Farley’s Famous Hot Dogs, Hurricane
A staple on Huntington’s Hot Dog Trail, Farley’s Famous Hot Dogs has been a beloved tradition in the state since 1968. Drive up for old fashioned curbside service and order the everything dog, piled high with chili, mustard, onion, coleslaw, relish, ketchup, jalapeños, and mayonnaise.
Best Tried & True Restaurant: Vagabond Kitchen, Wheeling
West Virginia native Matt Welsch has been offering up elevated takes on old fashioned classics to the Wheeling community here since 2014. Welsch prides himself on working with local farms, producers, and markets to build his menu, which features staples like smoked chicken pot pie, mountaintop meatloaf, and cola-braised short ribs.
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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.