food and drink
Illustration by Chiara Vercesi.
RESTAURANTS
Asian Restaurant
1st: Bangkok Noi Thai Cuisine
6724 Main St., Gloucester, BangkokNoiThaiCuisine.com, 804-695-1177
A staple in the area for more than 14 years, Bangkok Noi offers sushi, traditional pad Thai, and sweet treats. Also try one of the chef’s creations, like the Bangkok Noi beef volcano: stir-fried marinated beef, exotic spices, served with pickled veggies on a sizzling hot plate.
2nd: Chao Phraya Thai and Sushi Grill, Kilmarnock, ChaoPhrayaThaiAndSushiGrille.com, 804-577-4261
3rd: Great Fortune Chinese Restaurant, Kilmarnock, GreatFortuneChinese.com, 804-435-6333
Illustration by Chiara Vercesi.
Barbecue Restaurant
1st: Pierce’s Pitt Bar-B-Que
447 E. Rochambeau Dr., Williamsburg, Pierces.com, 757-565-2955
Pierce’s started as a carryout barbecue joint and has only grown in popularity since opening nearly 50 years ago. Now, Pierce’s has plenty of seating and a menu that spans many types of barbecue, and it’s not unusual to see three or more generations of fans sharing some tender, slow-cooked barbecue.
2nd: Scoot’s BBQ, Gloucester Point, Facebook.com/ScootsBBQ, 804-993-7063
3rd: Savannah Joe’s BBQ, Kilmarnock, SavJoesBarbque.com, 804-435-6000
Breakfast/Brunch Restaurant
1st: Car Wash Café & Catering
481 N. Main St., Kilmarnock, Facebook.com/CarWashCafeVA, 804-435-0405
Named after its humble origins as a convenience store with an attached car wash, Car Wash Café has served hot breakfasts since opening in 2005. Favorites include the blueberry pancakes, Chesapeake Bay eggs Benedict with fresh crabmeat, and freshly made omelets and frittatas.
2nd: Citrus, Virginia Beach, CitrusVB.com, 757-227-3333
3rd: Tommy’s Restaurant, Hampton, Facebook.com/Tommy’sRestaurant, 757-825-1644
Burger Joint
1st: NN Burger
62 Irvington Rd., Kilmarnock
303 Queen St., Suite 911, Tappahannock, NNBurger.com, 804-577-4400
When it comes to burgers, nowhere does it quite like NN Burger. From the classic NN cheeseburger covered in creamy NN sauce, melted cheese, crisp lettuce, tomato, and onions to Freakshakes topped with a decadent pastry, cotton candy, fresh whipped cream, and sprinkles, this menu has something for everyone.
2nd: Yorktown Pub, Yorktown, YorktownPub.com, 757-886-9964
3rd: Craft 31, Williamsburg, Craft-31.com, 757-378-3268
Indian Restaurant
1st: Nawab Indian Cuisine
204 Monticello Ave., Williamsburg, NawabOnline.com, 757-565-3200
Proudly serving Hampton Roads since 1992, Nawab has a diverse menu filled with authentic Indian cuisine. Its assortment of curries and creamy tikka masala are complemented by its famous garlic naan and flaky papad. The menu contains numerous vegan and gluten-free items to give every guest multiple options for their meal.
2nd: Spice Palace Restaurant, Williamsburg, IndianSpicePalace.com, 757-220-3030
3rd: Saffron Indian Bistro, Virginia Beach & Norfolk, SaffronVaBeach.com, 757-644-6904
Italian Restaurant
1st: Sal’s by Victor
1242 Richmond Rd., Williamsburg, SalsByVictor.com, 757-220-2641
Sal and his wife originally opened the restaurant in 1974. When chef Victor bought the place in 1990, he decided to expand what they started while adding his own personal touches. With pasta made in-house and ingredients shipped from Italy, homemade spaghetti and pizzas are guaranteed fresh.
2nd: Tony & Milena’s Pizzeria, Hayes, TonyAndMilenas.com, 804-684-0708
3rd: Anna’s Italian Restaurant, Kilmarnock, Facebook.com/AnnasPizzaK, 804-435-8960
Mexican Restaurant
1st: Los Portales Mexican Restaurant
Locations in Tappahannock, Callao, Gloucester, LosPortalesTapp.com, 804-443-0132
Serving authentic, made-from-scratch Mexican cuisine, Los Portales quickly became a Northern Neck staple when it opened in 2006. Its crispy, lightly salted chips and tangy salsa complement any entrée on the menu. One best seller is the carnitas, with perfectly seasoned pork accompanied by pico de gallo, rice, and beans.
2nd: Juan’s Mexican Cafe and Cantina
Locations in Hampton, Gloucester, Newport News, JuansCafeAndCantina.com, 804-642-5401
3rd: Los Patrones Mexican Restaurant, Kilmarnock, Facebook.com/LosPatronesMexicanRestaurant, 804-435-3175
Illustration by Chiara Vercesi.
Pizzeria
1st: Sal’s by Victor
1242 Richmond Rd., Williamsburg, SalsByVictor.com, 757-220-2641
Chef Vittorio Minichiello (Victor) prides himself on the fresh ingredients he uses in all of his traditional Italian dishes, including every hand-tossed pizza he makes. The pizza named after him—Victor’s Combination—highlights the fresh toppings with spicy sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, green peppers, and black olives, all served over melted mozzarella cheese.
2nd: Anna’s Italian Restaurant, Kilmarnock, Facebook.com/AnnasPizzaK, 804-435-8960
3rd: Angelo’s Restaurant & Raw Bar, Montross, Facebook.com/Kario.1010, 804-493-8694
Illustration by Chiara Vercesi.
Seafood Restaurant
1st: Merroir
784 Locklies Creek Rd., Topping, RROysters.com, 804-758-2871
Merroir calls itself a “tasting room” so people know to expect something different. It focuses on new ways to serve the freshly caught oysters that grow right next door at its parent company, Rappahannock Oyster Co. The menu tends to change, so there is always something new to try.
2nd: Bubba’s Shrimp Shack, Hayes, Grafton, Urbanna, Facebook.com/BubbasShrimpShack, 804-684-5428
3rd: The Shanty, Cape Charles, ShantySeafood.com, 757-695-3853
Steakhouse
1st: Opus 9 Steakhouse
5143 Main St., Williamsburg, Opus9Steakhouse.com, 757-645-4779
With great steak, great wine, and a great atmosphere, Opus 9 spent the last decade changing the way people look at steak. It continues to do so with a diverse menu that offers fresh Maine lobster crab cakes with no filler and pan-roasted Chilean sea bass alongside its signature steak offerings.
2nd: Eckhard’s, Topping, Eckhards.com, 804-758-4060
3rd: Aberdeen Barn, Virginia Beach, AberdeenBarn.net, 757-464-1580
Restaurant
1st: Le Yaca French Restaurant
1430 High St., Williamsburg,
741 First Colonial Rd., Virginia Beach, LeYacaWilliamsburg.com, 757-220-3616
Le Yaca opened its first location in 1965 in the French Alps. In 1980, it made its trans-Atlantic trip and settled in eastern Virginia. Le Yaca focuses on simple meals with high quality ingredients. When paired with the right wine, each dish is like a ticket straight to France.
2nd: Citrus, Virginia Beach, CitrusVB.com, 757-227-3333
3rd: Hook @Harvey, Cape Charles, Facebook.com/HookAtHarvey, 757-331-2275
Restaurant for Vegans or Vegetarians
1st: Food for Thought
1647 Richmond Rd., Williamsburg, FoodForThoughtRestaurant.com, 757-645-4665
From its grilled portabella sandwich to its roaster veggie bisque, Food for Thought is a great option for vegans and vegetarians looking for a delicious meal. Complemented by its unique atmosphere and witty menu, this restaurant offers a dining experience found nowhere else. The knowledgeable staff will make sure your meal meets every expectation.
2nd: Culture Cafe, Williamsburg, CultureCafeVA.com, 757-378-2556
3rd: Baked Bistro, Hampton, BakedBistroHampton.com, 757-224-8925
Illustration by Chiara Vercesi.
Coffee Shop or Roaster
1st: Front Porch Coffeehouse
139 S. Main St., Kilmarnock, FrontPorchCoffeehouse.com, 804-577-4103
Front Porch Coffeehouse focuses on providing its customers with the finest coffee beans, blends, and beverages. It goes above and beyond by roasting all of the coffee beans used in the shop to perfect a smooth and sophisticated taste. Noteworthy drinks include the caramel macchiato and the peppermint mocha.
2nd: Aromas Coffeehouse Bakeshop & Cafe, Williamsburg, AromasWorld.com, 757-221-6676
3rd: Cape Charles Coffee House, Cape Charles, CapeCharlesCoffeeHouse.com, 757-331-1880
Illustration by Chiara Vercesi.
Food Truck
1st: Byrd’s Seafood Co.
Irvington, ByrdsSeafood.com, 804-438-6363
When you see this truck, don’t let it pass you by. With quality fish bought daily and a strong connection to local businesses, Byrd’s offers the freshest food available. If you see the truck at Good Luck Cellars or the Irvington Farmers’ Market, try the popular fried oyster tacos.
2nd: A Bite of Maine, Virginia Beach, ABiteOfMaine.com, 757-352-0268
3rd: Stuft, Hampton, Stuft.org, 757-224-1314
Dessert
1st: Michelle’s Sweet Treats
50 St. Johns St., Warsaw, MichellesSweetTreats.weebly.com, 804-761-7565
Owner Michelle Snapp learned how to bake in the kitchen with her mother and grandmother, and then turned her passion into a business. As she bakes her grandmother’s recipes throughout the day, her homemade creampuffs and yeast rolls fill the store with the mouthwatering scent of freshly baked bread.
2nd: Yummaries Bakery, Smithfield, Yummaries.com, 757-371-5421
3rd: Citrus, Virginia Beach, CitrusVB.com, 757-227-3333
Ice Cream Shop
1st: Short Lane Ice Cream Company
6721 George Washington Memorial Hwy., Gloucester, ShortLaneIceCreamCo.com, 804-695-2999
This family-owned ice cream shop offers more flavors than you can count and is adding more every day. For ice cream connoisseurs, there is everything from extreme vanilla to avocado with bacon. It’s impossible to get bored with the ever-changing menu, but if you find a favorite flavor, you can always send in a request.
2nd: Brown Dog Ice Cream, Cape Charles, BrownDogIceCream.com, 757-695-3868
3rd: Stevie’s Ice Cream, Kilmarnock, Facebook.com/SteviesIceCream, 804-435-2252
Sandwich Shop
1st: The Cheese Shop
410 W. Duke of Gloucester St., Williamsburg, CheeseShopWilliamsburg.com, 757-220-0298
The Powers family opened The Cheese Shop in 1971 and the shop quickly made a name for itself with gourmet sandwiches and a cheese counter with endless possibilities. All sandwiches are made to order, and locals know that no sandwich is complete without the shop’s famous house dressing.
2nd: TASTE, Multiple locations, Taste.online, 757-425-3011
3rd: Car Wash Cafe & Catering, Kilmarnock, Facebook.com/CarWashCafeVA, 804-435-0405
Outdoor Dining
1st: Merroir
784 Locklies Creek Rd., Topping, RROysters.com, 804-758-2871
Not many restaurants offer a front row seat at their food source. At the riverfront Merroir, that is only half the fun. Because the owners grow their oysters on location in the Rappahannock River, diners can eat their meal with visible proof of how fresh it is, while enjoying a breeze off of the water.
2nd: Riverwalk Restaurant, Yorktown, RiverwalkRestaurant.net, 757-875-1522
3rd: The Shanty, Cape Charles, ShantySeafood.com, 757-695-3853
FOOD SHOPPING
Bakery
1st: Out of the Oven Bakery
549 Rappahannock Dr., White Stone, Facebook.com/OutoftheOvenBakery, 804-577-4187
Before Out of the Oven Bakery opened, there had not been a bakery in White Stone for more than 30 years. Along with filling this need, the shop strives to be accessible to everyone on every level. When you stop in, be sure to try a pecan sticky bun or one of the shop’s famous sweet potato pies.
2nd: Michelle’s Sweet Treats, Warsaw, MichellesSweetTreats.weebly.com, 804-761-7565
3rd: Coastal Baking Co., Cape Charles, CoastalBakingCo.com, 757-331-2482
Chocolatier
1st: Wythe Candy & Gourmet Shop
414 W. Duke of Gloucester St., Williamsburg, Facebook.com/WytheCandy, 757-229-4406
Located in the heart of Williamsburg on Duke of Gloucester street, Wythe Candy & Gourmet Shop opened 50 years ago. The store’s house-made chocolate and fudge can be found throughout the state in specialty stores, but nothing beats getting it fresh. A couple of favorites are the pecan delights and chocolate sea salt caramels.
2nd: Country Cottage, White Stone, CountryCottageWS.net, 804-435-3812
3rd: Cape Charles Candy Company, Cape Charles, CapeCharlesCandy.com, 757-655-1338
Farmers’ Market
1st: Williamsburg Farmers’ Market
202 Quarterpath Rd., Williamsburg, WilliamsburgFarmersMarket.com, 757-259-3768
About 45 vendors set up shop every Saturday for this farmers’ market on historic Duke of Gloucester Street. From vegetables to jams to soap, the market has something for everyone. With about 4,000 visitors each week, the market sustains more than 60 small businesses. There is live music nearly every week, and the market is very dog friendly.
2nd: Irvington Farmers’ Market, Irvington, Town.Irvington.VA.US, 804-480-0697
3rd: Dug in Farms, White Stone, DugInFarms.com, 804-580-1567
Grocery Store
1st: Food Lion
Multiple locations, FoodLion.com, 800-210-9569
In 1957, the first Food Lion opened as a single grocery store in Salisbury, North Carolina. It has since grown into more than 1,000 supermarkets in 10 different states. With numerous options and some of the lowest prices around, Food Lion has everything customers need while being a fundamental part of the community.
2nd: Wegmans, Virginia Beach, Wegmans.com, 757-271-0500
3rd: Tri-Star Supermarket, Kilmarnock, Facebook.com/Tri-StarSupermarket, 804-435-3800
Food Shop
1st: The Cheese Shop
410 W. Duke of Gloucester St., Williamsburg, CheeseShopWilliamsburg.com, 757-220-0298
Love to cook, but hate making the same thing over and over again? The Cheese Shop has many unique or hard-to-find ingredients to transform everyday dishes into something great. With the shop’s wide selection of Italian pastas, oils, and salts, finding new ways to spice up dinner is easy and fun.
2nd: TASTE, Multiple locations. Taste.online, 757-425-3011
3rd: Kelsick Specialty Market, Gloucester, KelsickMarket.com, 804-693-6500
Wine Shop
1st: Specials Wine Seller
52 S. Main St., Kilmarnock, Facebook.com/SpecialsWineSeller, 804-436-9463
Picking the best wine to serve at a party can be tricky, but this boutique wine shop makes the process easier with its large selection of more than 3,500 wines. The certified executive wine sommelier on staff can assist with any wine pairing questions, or guests can attend free wine tastings to test the wine themselves.
2nd: The Cheese Shop, Williamsburg, CheeseShopWilliamsburg.com, 757-220-0298
3rd: Kelsick Specialty Market, Gloucester, KelsickMarket.com, 804-693-6500
DRINK
Bar with the Best Atmosphere
1st: Kelly’s Gingernut Pub
133 Mason Ave., Cape Charles, KellysGingerNut.com, 757-331-3222
In two and a half years, the owners of this pub were able to transform it from a bank built in 1907 to a restaurant that feels like it’s been around for decades. With great décor and a dining room located inside the bank vault, the pub offers a unique atmosphere that perfectly complements its food and drinks.
2nd: Amber Ox Public House, Williamsburg, TheAmberOx.com, 757-790-2299
3rd: Dredge, Irvington, DredgeIrvingtonVa.com, 804-438-6363
Cocktails
1st: Cape Charles Distillery
222 Mason Ave., Cape Charles, CapeCharlesDistillery.com, 757-695-3737
Inspired by the state of Virginia, Cape Charles Distillery draws on the coastline, the mountains, and everything in between to craft its spirits. Its bourbons, whiskeys, gins, moonshine, and vodkas create delicious Virginia twists on well-known cocktails that highlight the beloved flavors and ingredients of the state.
2nd: Relish Restaurant and Wine Bar, Warsaw, RelishNNK.com, 804-761-6727
3rd: Adrift, White Stone, AdriftVA.com, 804-577-4188
Illustration by Chiara Vercesi.
Brewery
1st: Cape Charles Brewing Co.
2198 Stone Rd., Cape Charles, CapeCharlesBrewing.com, 757-695-3909
This family-owned brewery’s mission is to bring good food, good drink, and good conversation to the Eastern shore. Its light New England IPA, full malt Smith Island stout, and hoppy Cobb Island IPA pair well with a menu that features familiar bar-style food with a Cape Charles twist.
2nd: Kilmarnock Brewhaus, Kilmarnock, Facebook.com/KilmarnockBH, 804-436-6207
3rd: Gloucester Brewing Company, Gloucester, GloBrewCo.com, 804-210-1407
Illustration by Chiara Vercesi.
Cidery
1st: Ditchley Cider Works
1571 Ditchley Rd., Kilmarnock, DitchleyCiderWorks.com, 804-436-3851
Ditchley Cider Works opened in 2018 and quickly became a staple in the Northern Neck amongst people who enjoy its unique take on ciders. Its most notable cider, named Blush for its light pink color, is fermented with wine yeast to give a sweet taste and wine-like aroma.
2nd: Sly Clyde Ciderworks, Hampton, SlyClyde.com, 757-755-3130
3rd: Buskey Cider on the Bay, Cape Charles, Facebook.com/BuskeyCiderOnTheBay, 757-695-3412
Illustration by Chiara Vercesi.
Distillery
1st: Cape Charles Distillery
222 Mason Ave., Cape Charles, Facebook.com/CCDWhiskey, 757-695-3737
Since opening two years ago, this distillery has continued to grow and has already added a new location. Between its maple whiskey, Woo Woo vodka, and blackberry moonshine, bold flavors and smooth spirits are what you will receive at this quaint distillery set in the heart of Cape Charles.
2nd: Copper Fox Distillery, Williamsburg, CopperFoxDistillery.com, 757-903-2076
3rd: Chesapeake Bay Distillery, Virginia Beach, ChesapeakeBayDistillery.com, 757-498-4210
Illustration by Chiara Vercesi.
Winery
1st: Williamsburg Winery
5800 Wessex Hundred, Williamsburg, WilliamsburgWinery.com, 757-229-0999
Located just off the banks of the James River, Williamsburg Winery provides its patrons with good food, good wine, and good company. Its staple wine, Governor’s White, is a semi-dry riesling with notes of bright fruit and multiple layers that has been around since the beginning in 1988 and is still the best seller.
2nd: Good Luck Cellars, Kilmarnock, GoodLuckCellars.com, 804-435-1416
3rd: Chatham Vineyards on Church Creek, Machipongo, ChathamVineyards.com, 757-678-5588
