12 Virginia Restaurants That Locals Say Are Worth Visiting For One Iconic Plate
Virginia’s culinary landscape is rich with hidden gems that locals guard closely and food lovers travel far to discover.
Across the state, from quiet coastal towns to bustling city streets, you’ll find everything from humble diners to polished fine-dining establishments serving dishes that have become nothing short of legendary.
Each spot has perfected a single plate so iconic that it defines the restaurant itself—meals worth detouring for, even if it’s the only thing you order. After crisscrossing the Old Dominion and tasting these unforgettable creations, I’ve gathered this list of must-try dishes that make the journey more than worthwhile.
1. Texas Tavern’s Legendary Cheesy Western Burger
Tucked away in downtown Roanoke sits a 10-stool wonder that’s been serving up late-night magic since 1930. The Cheesy Western isn’t just a burger—it’s a Roanoke rite of passage.
I’ll never forget my first bite: perfectly grilled patty topped with a fried egg, melted cheese, and sweet relish. The combination sounds simple but delivers explosive flavor in every mouthful.
Locals affectionately call this 24-hour joint “The Millionaire’s Club” because everyone—from doctors to factory workers—sits shoulder-to-shoulder enjoying the same delicious fare at reasonable prices.
2. Bonnie Blue’s Heavenly Dixie Pig
My taste buds still dance remembering Bonnie Blue’s Dixie Pig—a mountain of smoky pulled pork piled high atop a fluffy baked potato, crowned with tangy barbecue sauce. This farmhouse-turned-eatery transforms simple ingredients into something magical.
The potato skin achieves that perfect crispness while the inside remains cloud-soft. Each forkful combines savory meat, creamy potato, and their signature sauce in harmonious balance.
The charming market setting, with its fresh-baked goods and friendly staff, makes the experience even more delightful. Come hungry—this hearty masterpiece satisfies even the most ravenous appetites!
3. Mrs. Rowe’s Heavenly Chocolate Meringue Pie
“Get here before noon or kiss that chocolate meringue goodbye!” warned the elderly gentleman at the next table. He wasn’t exaggerating—Mrs. Rowe’s pies vanish faster than morning dew in July.
The chocolate filling strikes that impossible balance between rich and light, while the cloud-like meringue peaks are toasted to golden perfection. Each bite transports you to a simpler time when desserts were made with patience and pride.
Founded in 1947, this family restaurant feels like dining in grandma’s kitchen. The pie recipe remains unchanged for generations, proving that sometimes tradition truly knows best.
4. Michie Tavern’s Time-Traveling Midday Feast
Walking into Michie Tavern feels like stepping through a portal to 1784. Servers dressed in period attire deliver heaping plates of Southern staples that would make our founding fathers loosen their waistcoats.
The “Midday Feast” isn’t just a meal—it’s a historical experience. Crispy fried chicken with skin that crackles between your teeth. Black-eyed peas cooked to buttery perfection. Stewed tomatoes that burst with garden-fresh flavor.
I watched a nearby family’s eyes widen as their platters arrived. The father leaned over and whispered, “Thomas Jefferson might have eaten this exact meal!” History never tasted so delicious.
5. Sally Bell’s Kitchen’s Unforgettable Boxed Lunch
The unassuming white box tied with string doesn’t prepare you for the treasure inside. Sally Bell’s boxed lunch tradition dates back to 1924, and one bite explains their century of success.
Their fried chicken cutlet sandwich achieves the impossible—staying crisp despite its mayo and relish toppings. Each box includes a deviled egg half so perfectly seasoned it should be illegal, a cheese wafer that shatters delicately, and their famous upside-down cupcake with icing hidden underneath.
“We’ve never changed the recipes,” my server confided with pride. Why would they? This lunchtime masterpiece has earned its James Beard “American Classic” status.
6. Joe’s Inn Spaghetti: Richmond’s Comfort Food Champion
The plate arrives and I’m momentarily stunned—this isn’t just spaghetti, it’s a mountain that could feed a small village! Joe’s Inn’s legendary pasta comes draped in rich, herb-flecked marinara and blanketed with melted provolone that stretches with each forkful.
Locals call it “The Fan’s comfort food headquarters” for good reason. The restaurant’s dark wood booths have witnessed countless first dates, family celebrations, and late-night hunger fixes since 1952.
My server chuckled at my wide eyes. “First-timer, huh? Don’t worry—the leftovers taste even better tomorrow.” She wasn’t wrong. This iconic plate has rightfully earned its status as Richmond’s ultimate comfort classic.
7. Blue Talon Bistro’s Duck Confit: French Comfort in Colonial Williamsburg
“Comfort food with a French accent” reads the sign outside Blue Talon Bistro, and their duck confit delivers on that promise spectacularly. My first visit happened during a spring downpour—I ducked inside seeking shelter but found culinary revelation instead.
The duck leg, cooked in its own fat until meltingly tender, rests atop creamy lentils that absorb the rich meat juices. Each bite offers crispy skin giving way to succulent dark meat that practically dissolves on your tongue.
Nestled among Colonial Williamsburg’s historic attractions, this modern bistro provides a taste of provincial France that transports you across the Atlantic with every forkful.
8. Moseberth’s Golden-Crisp Fried Chicken
Some restaurants chase trends—Moseberth’s has been perfecting a single dish for over 75 years. Their fried chicken emerges from behind the counter in a paper-lined basket, steam rising from the impossibly golden crust.
The seasoning secret remains closely guarded, but my taste buds detected hints of paprika, black pepper, and perhaps a touch of garlic. Breaking through that crackling exterior reveals juicy meat that’s been brined to perfection.
The no-frills dining room buzzes with multi-generational families. “My grandfather brought my father here, my father brought me, and now I’m bringing my kids,” shared the gentleman at the next table. Some traditions are worth preserving.
9. Edo’s Squid’s Transcendent Squid Ink Pasta
Finding Edo’s Squid requires determination—an unmarked door leading to a second-floor dining room with no-nonsense service and plastic-covered menus. But locals know this hidden gem harbors pasta perfection.
Their squid ink spaghetti arrives dramatically black against a white plate, tossed with tender calamari and bathed in a garlicky white wine sauce that begs to be sopped up with crusty bread. The ink infuses the pasta with subtle brininess that complements the seafood without overwhelming it.
The restaurant’s bare-bones atmosphere only enhances the experience—nothing distracts from the sublime flavors. “We don’t waste energy on fancy décor,” my server quipped. “It all goes into the food.”
10. Waterman’s Surfside Grille’s Legendary Crab Cakes
The ocean breeze carries hints of Old Bay as I sit oceanfront at Waterman’s. Their crab cakes arrive golden-brown and plump, practically all lump crabmeat with just enough binding to hold together the sweet Chesapeake treasure.
Family-owned since 1981, Waterman’s sources directly from local crabbers. The minimal filler lets the delicate flavor shine—each bite tastes like the bay itself. A light remoulade accompanies but almost seems unnecessary.
“We haven’t changed the recipe in 40 years,” my server proudly states. “The tourists come for our Orange Crush drinks, but locals know it’s all about these crab cakes.” She’s right—they’re worth braving summer crowds for.
11. Pierce’s Pitt Bar-B-Que’s Smokehouse Sandwich
Smoke signals rise from Pierce’s distinctive yellow building, guiding hungry travelers like a barbecue lighthouse. Since 1971, this roadside institution has been smoking pork shoulders over hickory for 12 hours until the meat surrenders into tender submission.
The Smokehouse Sandwich arrives piled high with hand-pulled pork glistening with their signature tangy-sweet sauce—a closely guarded recipe that strikes perfect balance between Virginia’s tomato-based tradition and North Carolina’s vinegar punch.
“We’ve had folks drive two hours just for this sandwich,” the cashier told me with justifiable pride. One bite explains why. The soft bun soaks up the sauce while coleslaw adds cooling crunch to complete this roadside masterpiece.
12. The Apple House’s Warm Apple Butter Donut
Nestled at the northern entrance to Skyline Drive sits an unassuming roadside stop with a sweet secret. The Apple House’s apple butter donuts emerge warm from the fryer, their cinnamon-sugar coating still crackling as they’re handed over the counter.
One bite reveals the magic—the fluffy interior is infused with their homemade apple butter, creating a harmony of autumn flavors that’s worth pulling off the highway for. The slight tanginess cuts through the sweetness perfectly.
I watched a family of hikers devour a dozen in minutes. “We always stop here before and after our Shenandoah hikes,” the mother explained, reaching for another. “They somehow taste even better after a day on the trails.”