food and drink
Illustration by Chiara Vercesi.
Restaurants
Asian Restaurant
1st: Taste of Thai
917 S. High St., Harrisonburg, Taste-of-Thai.com, 540-801-8878
For more than 20 years, Taste of Thai has offered Thai-inspired cuisine and other regional dishes for lunch and dinner. Pair favorites like panang curry, Tom Kha Gai, papaya salad, and mango sticky rice dessert with Singha, a Thai beer, or iced coffee. Taste of Thai also caters.
2nd: Massaki Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar, Staunton, MassakiSteakhouse.com, 540-886-9191
3rd: Napa Thai, Lexington, NapaThai.com, 540-461-8133
Illustration by Chiara Vercesi.
Barbecue Restaurant
1st: Hank’s Grille & Catering
49 Bloomer Springs Rd., McGaheysville, HanksGrilleAndCatering.com, 540-289-7667
Hank’s Grille & Catering is known for its hickory smoked barbecue. Try a salad topped with your choice of grilled meat; a barbecue-themed bowl; a local, grass-fed burger; a taco made with Texas beef brisket; or one of the many barbecue combo plates. Plus, Hank’s offers wedding packages, full-service event catering, and small group services.
2nd: Peck’s Barbecue, Staunton, PecksBBQ.com, 540-886-4647
3rd: The Fishin’ Pig, Waynesboro, FishinPig.com, 540-943-3474
Breakfast/Brunch Restaurant
1st: Kathy’s Restaurant
705 Greenville Ave., Staunton, Kathys-Restaurant.com, 540-885-4331
For more than 30 years, this counter-wrapped diner has served Southern home cooking breakfast specials all day, like corned beef hash omelets with house-made fries, homemade biscuits and sausage gravy, buttermilk pancakes topped with butter, and apple fruit roll-ups topped with hot cinnamon glaze and whipped cream.
2nd: Mr. J’s Bagel & Deli, Harrisonburg, MrJsBagels.com, 540-564-0416
3rd: Little Grill Collective, Harrisonburg, LilGrill.com, 540-434-3594
Burger Joint
1st: Jack Brown’s Beer and Burger Joint
80 S. Main St., Harrisonburg, JackBrownsJoint.com, 540-433-5225
Fans love the outstanding 100 percent Wagyu beef burger that Jack Brown’s Beer and Burger Joint uses for every sandwich. Their basic burgers are served simple with no lettuce or tomato, while the signature specials comprise unique and crave-able combinations. Try El Chupacabra, topped with creamy goat cheese and sweet-chili bacon jam.
2nd: Wright’s Dairy-Rite, Staunton, Dairy-Rite.com, 540-886-0435
3rd: Cuban Burger, Harrisonburg, CubanBurger.com, 540-434-1769
Indian Restaurant
1st: Taste of India
498 University Blvd., Harrisonburg, TasteOfIndiaHarrisonburg.com, 540-433-3320
Founded in 2008, Taste of India offers a wide selection of authentic Indian food. Try the chicken tikka masala, marinated in a blend of ginger, garlic, yogurt, and herbs and baked in the tandoor with tomatoes and cream, paired with a side of garlic naan bread stuffed with coriander.
2nd: Taj of India, Harrisonburg, TajOfIndiaVa.com, 540-615-5888
3rd: Indian and American Cafe, Harrisonburg, IndianAndAmericanCafe.com, 540-433-1177
Italian Restaurant
1st: Vito’s Italian Kitchen
1047 Port Republic Rd., Harrisonburg, VitosItalianKitchen.com, 540-433-1113
Vito’s Italian Kitchen provides customers with a true taste of Italian cuisine. Visit for the monthly themed five-course wine dinner or stop by anytime to enjoy favorites like chicken marsala with fresh cremini mushrooms over spaghetti or a bruschetta salad with grilled chicken, fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and balsamic.
2nd: Bella Luna, Harrisonburg, BellaLunaWoodFired.com, 540-433-1366
3rd: Emilio’s Italian Restaurant, Staunton, EmiliosItalianRestaurant.com, 540-885-0102
Mexican Restaurant
1st: El Charro
Locations in Bridgewater, Harrisonburg, EatElCharro.com, 540-433-3189
El Charro has been serving the Valley for 30 years. Try the arroz con pollo, full of seasoned grilled chicken topped with melted cheese dip, sautéed mushrooms, and bell peppers on a bed of Spanish rice. The restaurant plans to expand and remodel several locations, and add patio seating.
2nd: Chicano Boy Taco, Staunton, ChicanoBoyTaco.com, 540-569-2105
3rd: El Puerto Mexican Grill & Cantina, Waynesboro, ElPuertoMexicanVA.com, 540-943-5317
Illustration by Chiara Vercesi.
Pizzeria
1st: Bella Luna
80 W. Water St., Harrisonburg, BellaLunaWoodFired.com, 540-433-1366
Watch chefs craft and bake Neapolitan inspired pizzas in Bella Luna’s wood-fired oven. They follow traditional Italian methods by using intense heat and live flame, fueled by local white oak, and cooking with fresh, organic ingredients. Try the Bella Bianca, roasted with garlic puree, local mushrooms, fresh mozzarella, and Parmesan.
2nd: Shenandoah Pizza, Staunton, ShenPizza.com, 540-213-0008
3rd: Vito’s Italian Kitchen, Harrisonburg, VitosItalianKitchen.com, 540-433-1113
Illustration by Chiara Vercesi.
Seafood Restaurant
1st: Mill Street Grill
1 Mill St., Staunton, MillStreetGrill.com, 540-886-0656
Located in a turn-of-the-century flour mill for more than 25 years, this mainstay offers fresh grilled, sautéed, baked, or fried seafood daily. Try a classic like the crab cakes, or venture to a daily special like the bacon-wrapped monkfish Provençal, pan-fried in olive oil with Roma tomatoes, garlic, lemon, capers, wine, and herbs.
2nd: Blue Stone Inn, Harrisonburg, Facebook.com/BlueStoneInnRestaurant, 540-434-0535
3rd: The Depot Grille, Staunton, DepotGrille.com, 540-885-7332
Steakhouse
1st: Local Chop & Grill House
56 W. Gay St., Harrisonburg, LocalChops.com, 540-801-0505
Located in a renovated factory originally built in 1908, Local Chop & Grill House has continuously worked to provide chef-inspired cuisine with fresh products. Fan favorites include a variety of steak options, such as filet mignon, ribeye, and even cauliflower. The restaurant recently added off-site catering for events of all sizes.
2nd: Mill Street Grill, Staunton, MillStreetGrill.com, 540-886-0656
3rd: The Depot Grille, Staunton, DepotGrille.com, 540-885-7332
Restaurant
1st: Mill Street Grill
1 Mill St., Staunton, MillStreetGrill.com, 540-886-0656
Mill Street Grill offers a wide variety of cuisines, as well as an extensive list of wines, beers, and daily specials that cater to all dietary needs. The Grill may be known for its slow-cooked ribs marinated in homemade barbecue sauce, but fan favorites also include a delicious bean burger, crab cakes, and pork chops.
2nd: Local Chop & Grill House, Harrisonburg, LocalChops.com, 540-801-0505
3rd: The Depot Grille, Staunton, DepotGrille.com, 540-885-7332
Restaurant for Vegans or Vegetarians
1st: Little Grill Collective
621 N. Main St., Harrisonburg, LilGrill.com, 540-434-3594
Little Grill Collective is a worker-owned shop where members produce goods for the restaurant. It serves breakfast and lunch, emphasizing vegetarian and vegan meals that are locally sourced and ethnically inspired. In 2020, the collective plans to retire several menu items and revamp to offer more breakfast options.
2nd: Cranberry’s Grocery & Eatery, Staunton, GoCranberrys.com, 540-885-4755
3rd: Food.Bar.Food., Harrisonburg, FoodBarFood.com, 540-433-3663
Illustration by Chiara Vercesi.
Coffee Shop or Roaster
1st: Lexington Coffee Roasters
2345 Lee Hwy., Lexington, LexingtonCoffee.com, 540-462-3990
One of the first craft roasters in Virginia, Lexington Coffee Roasters continually provides new coffee as harvest seasons change; spring options include Burundi Rimiro and Ethiopia Dumerso. The classic cappuccino made with Espresso Giusto is a longtime customer favorite. In 2020, the roaster will expand the menu and seating capacity.
2nd: Greenberry’s, Harrisonburg, Greenberrys.com, 540-434-0111
3rd: Black Sheep Coffee, Harrisonburg, BlackSheepCoffeeHBurg.com, 540-217-5560
Illustration by Chiara Vercesi.
Food Truck
1st: Mashita
716 E. Market St., Harrisonburg, EatMashita.com, 540-810-1875
With a downtown restaurant space now open, Mashita uses its truck for festivals, public events, and private catering. The Korean-inspired, made-from-scratch food includes handmade steamed buns (a fan favorite), the Mashita Bibimbap, and Japchae. Check for weekly specials.
2nd: Grilled Cheese Mania, Harrisonburg, GrilledCheeseMania.com, 540-746-7515
3rd: LexMex Tacos, Lexington, Facebook.com/LexMexTacos
Dessert
1st: Cupcake Company
39 Burgess Rd., Harrisonburg, CupcakeCompany.net, 540-217-0611
From humble beginnings in a home kitchen, the Cupcake Company is now a full-service bakery. It offers cupcakes, cakes, pies, brownies, cream puffs, and more, including a daily selection of gluten-free options and PuppyCakes—made-from-scratch cupcakes for furry friends.
2nd: The Split Banana, Staunton, TheSplitBanana.com, 866-492-3668
3rd: Bella Gelato and Pastries, Harrisonburg, BellaLunaWoodfired.com/Bella-Gelato, 540-217-5657
Ice Cream Shop
1st: Kline’s Dairy Bar
Multiple locations, KlinesDairyBar.com, 540-434-6980
Thanks to the fresh ice cream created daily at each location, Kline’s Dairy Bar is a staple in the Valley. A new flavor, salted caramel crunch, joins the list in 2020, and a new location in McGaheysville opened last spring.
2nd: The Split Banana, Staunton, TheSplitBanana.com, 866-492-3668
3rd: Smiley’s Ice Cream, Mt. Crawford, SmileysIceCream.com, 540-271-2805
Sandwich Shop
1st: Lola’s Delicatessen
122 S. Main St., Suite 103, Harrisonburg, LolasDelicatessen.com, 540-908-3253
Lola’s Delicatessen’s most popular sandwich is the classic Reuben made with chef Logan’s house-made corned beef. Founded in 2017, the shop recently doubled its wine shelves. It is also building an online ordering system and a branded app for streamlined and convenient service for customers.
2nd: Mr. J’s Bagel & Deli, Harrisonburg, MrJsBagels.com, 540-564-0416
3rd: Macado’s, Harrisonburg, Macados.net, 540-434-2106
Outdoor Dining
1st: Byers Street Bistro
18 Byers St., Staunton, ByersStreetBistro.com, 540-887-6100
Byers Street Bistro has Southern-style American fare—think shareable pickles, gourmet pizzas, and shrimp and grits entrées. During the warm months, the Bistro’s patio buzzes with live music as patrons lounge beneath the large yellow umbrellas with specialty cocktails.
2nd: Jack Brown’s Beer and Burger Joint, Harrisonburg, JackBrownsJoint.com, 540-433-5225
3rd: Stable Craft Brewing, Waynesboro, StableCraftBrewing.com, 540-490-2609
Food Shopping
Bakery
1st: Heritage Bakery & Cafe
212 S. Main St., Harrisonburg, HeritageBakes.com, 540-564-1200
Heritage’s pastry case is packed with macarons, muffins, and pastries, including gluten- and dairy-free options. Taste the avocado toast for breakfast or the quiche and curried chicken salad for lunch. The bakery offers monthly classes on how to make macarons, decorate a cake, and bake cookies.
2nd: SweetNanaCakes Bake Shoppe, Waynesboro, SweetNanaCakes.com, 540-569-2365
3rd: Cupcake Company, Harrisonburg, CupcakeCompany.net, 540-217-0611
Chocolatier
1st: Cocoa Mill Chocolate
123 W. Nelson St., Lexington
114 E. Beverley St., Staunton, CocoaMill.com, 800-421-6220
Cocoa Mill Chocolate Company has been making premium fair trade chocolates for more than 15 years. The company’s confections are all natural and preservative free, and all of the artisanal chocolates—barks, truffles, and pretzels—are handmade and packaged in house. Cocoa Mill hopes to expand and streamline production soon.
2nd: Warfel’s Sweet Shoppe, Dayton, Warfels.biz, 540-879-9598
3rd: Sweet Creations at Valley Pike, Weyers Cave, ValleyPikeFarmMarket.com, 540-453-4168
Illustration by Chiara Vercesi.
Farmers’ Market
1st: Harrisonburg Farmers’ Market
228 S. Liberty St., Harrisonburg, HarrisonburgFarmersMarket.com, 540-476-3377
The Downtown Harrisonburg Farmers’ Market, started in 1979, is a direct source for fresh, locally grown food and crafts. The market is open year-round and accepts EBT and SNAP—matching the first $20 spent for fresh fruit and vegetables. This year it kicks off the Grab a Bag program, giving reusable grocery bags to customers.
2nd: Staunton Farmers’ Market, Staunton, StauntonFarmersMarket.org, 540-448-1937
3rd: The Dayton Market, Dayton, TheDaytonMarket.com, 540-879-3801
Grocery Store
1st: Martin’s
Multiple locations, MartinsFoods.com, 888-562-7846
Martin’s is the mid-Atlantic region’s one-stop shop for sustainable groceries, pharmacies, reduced emissions fuel stations, online pickup hubs, and grocery delivery services. Martin’s participates in hunger-elimination programs like Meat the Needs, Bag Hunger, and Charity Boxes, as well as donates to regional food banks.
2nd: Aldi, Multiple locations, Aldi.us, 855-955-2534
3rd: Food Lion, Multiple locations, FoodLion.com
Specialty/Gourmet
Food Shop
1st: The Cheese Shop Country Market & Deli
2366 Tinkling Spring Rd., Stuarts Draft, TheCheeseShopVA.com, 540-337-4224
Since beginning as a back-porch operation in the 1960s, The Cheese Shop has continually expanded both its selection and its space. This year the shop debuts a new sandwich counter and dining room. Among the products, you’ll find sliced cheeses and deli meats, spices, snacks, jams and jellies, old-fashioned candies, and hard-to-find baking ingredients.
2nd: Friendly City Food Co-op, Harrisonburg, FriendlyCity.coop, 540-801-8882
3rd: Valley Pike Farm Market, Weyers Cave, ValleyPikeFarmMarket.com, 540-453-4168
Wine Shop
1st: Yelping Dog Wine
9 E. Beverley St., Staunton, YelpingDogWine.com, 540-885-2275
Yelping Dog Wine Shop offers gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, cheese plates, and cheese by the pound, as well as local and international wines, and craft beers. Stop by every Wednesday evening for wine tastings and every Friday for Yelping Hour. The extensive wine by the glass menu changes weekly.
2nd: Valley Pike Farm Market, Weyers Cave, ValleyPikeFarmMarket.com, 540-453-4168
3rd: Washington Street Purveyors, Lexington, GopherWine.com, 540-464-9463
Drink
Bar with the Best Atmosphere
1st: Basic City Beer Co.
1010 E. Main St., Waynesboro, BasicCityBeer.com, 540-943-1010
Part of the Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail, Basic City Beer Co. began as an homage to the lost Basic City in Augusta County. Its industrial taproom features Hops Kitchen, a beer-cade, and movie-style video screens, and hosts live music. Try favorites like the flagship 6th Lord IPA and Our Daily Pils.
2nd: Local Chop & Grill House, Harrisonburg, LocalChops.com, 540-801-0505
3rd: TAPS at The Georges, Lexington, TheGeorges.com, 540-463-2504
Cocktails
1st: Zynodoa
115 E. Beverley St., Staunton, Zynodoa.com, 540-885-7775
Zynodoa opened in 2007 and focuses on supporting local farms, dairies, wineries, and breweries. The cocktail program offers seasonal ingredients and classic flavor pairings. The most popular cocktail currently is the “Phoenix,” a refreshing combination of Milagro tequila, Cappelletti Aperitivo, blood orange, and club soda. The bar offers a selection of spirits, such as bourbons, vermouths, and liqueurs.
2nd: TAPS at The Georges, Lexington, TheGeorges.com, 540-463-2504
3rd: Jimmy Madison’s, Harrisonburg, JimmyMadisons.com, 540-432-1000
Illustration by Chiara Vercesi.
Brewery
1st: Devils Backbone Brewing Company
50 Northwind Ln., Lexington, DBBrewingCompany.com, 540-462-6200
Opened in 2008, Devils Backbone is named for the phrase surveyors, including Thomas Jefferson’s father, called this hard-to-summit mountain region almost 300 years ago. The brewery is known for Vienna Lager, its flagship beer. Check the website for an updated events and concert schedule.
2nd: Pale Fire Brewing Co., Harrisonburg, PaleFireBrewing.com, 540-217-5452
3rd: Basic City Beer Co., Waynesboro, BasicCityBeer.com, 540-943-1010
Illustration by Chiara Vercesi.
Cidery
1st: Old Hill Cider
17768 Honeyville Rd., Timberville, Facebook.com/OldHillCider, 540-896-7582
Founded in 2011, Old Hill Cidery is known for its wide variety of ciders, including Betwixt, the Crowd Pleaser, and Off The Press; the last inspired by the freshly pressed sweet apple cider offered every fall. This year the cidery is offering a newly renovated greenhouse as an event space.
2nd: Winchester Cider Works, Winchester, WinchesterCiderWorks.com, 540-686-7632
3rd: Big Fish Cider Co., Monterey, BigFishCider.com, 540-468-2322
Illustration by Chiara Vercesi.
Winery
1st: Bluestone Vineyard
4828 Spring Creek Rd., Bridgewater, BluestoneVineyard.com, 540-828-0099
Bluestone Vineyard is a family-owned and operated vineyard and winery that makes about 5,000 cases of true Bordeaux-style wines. The tasting room offers flights and growlers. Enjoy Toast the Weekend events with live music, food trucks, and select wines, such as Bluestone’s award-winning Meritage.
2nd: CrossKeys Vineyards, Mt. Crawford, CrossKeysVineyards.com, 540-234-0505
3rd: Barren Ridge Vineyards, Fisherville, BarrenRidgeVineyards.com, 540-248-3300
