After a day of spelunking...of sorts...we were ready for dinner. Before heading out to Luray, I researched what restaurants were in the area. Circa '31 stood out as they had burgers, salads, sandwiches and some main courses. When we decided to go there, our son-in-law looked up the directions and we were pleased to see it wasn't far from the Caverns and an easy drive. The restaurant is in the Mimslyn Inn and is easy to find it once inside. Since we were having an early dinner, there was only one couple in the place. Our server seated and greeted our party of six. We sat at a huge table that could accommodate twelve. She arranged things so we were seated at one end. She took our drink orders. We all had soft drinks. I was pleased to see that they had sweet iced tea. Along with our drinks, we were given a bread basket and some butter with chives in it. The bread was fresh and the butter added nice flavor. For my main course, I got "butternut squash ravioli and lobster". This was a great dish. It consists of: "Butternut squash and parmesan ravioli with sauteed lobster and asparagus in a tarragon cream sauce". The delicate flavor of the butternut squash came through clearly. While the parmesan barely registered, that was fine with me. The tarragon cream sauce had great flavor yet it didn't overpower the components of the dish. The lobster portion was generous. Three in our party got the "Country Ham BLT". It consists of: "Fried salt cured Virginia ham, fried green tomatoes, crisp lettuce, pimento cheese on grilled rye served with a pickle and seasoned waffle fries". Those who had this sandwich raved about its flavor and its uniqueness. More than once they said how much they liked it. Two got the "Mimslyn burger" which consists of: "6 oz. local Burners Farm ground beef burger, lettuce, tomato, thick sliced red onions on a toasted brioche roll served with a pickle and seasoned waffle fries". One could add cheese for no extra cost and had a choice of different cheeses. Two added American cheese to theirs while one chose no cheese. One decided he didn't want fries and the server told him he could substitute a veggie from the selection in stock. He chose collard greens as he never had them before and wanted to try them. Everybody liked their burgers and fries. The one who got the collard greens didn't like them. To me, they looked bland and my guess is that was why he didn't like them. We didn't have dessert even though the offerings were tempting. I had hoped to post more photos but one of our grandsons offered to take photos of the sandwich, burger and collard greens...but...they didn't come out. The dining room has that southern charm to it. Our server was very nice and since it was slow when we were there, she engaged us in conversation. If you are in Luray and looking for a good spot for dinner, we all highly recommend Circa '31. read more

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Came here on Friday night. I ordered the blueberry lemonade. I have a sweet tooth, but this was so disgustingly sweet. It tasted like pure corn syrup. I took one sip and said I'd like to send it back (probably the first time I have ever asked to return a drink in my life). They charged me for the drink anyway. Ordered the duck. The mashed potatoes were good. The broccolini was acceptable, and the duck (ordered medium-rare) was medium-well done, and incredibly disappointing. My husband ordered the chicken. The chicken was acceptable, as was the broccolini, but the couscous was flavorless and gross. I would not recommend going here. read more

I ordered their Blueberry Cobb Salad with grilled shrimp. Absolutely incredible!!!! The best I have ever had! Just wonderful! This restaurant is located within Historic Hotel of America, The Mimsyln Inn, where First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and Amelia Earhart once stayed. We ate on the restaurant's opening night for the 2025 summer season. It was unforgettable! read more

The restaurant is located in a historic hotel the Mimslyn Inn in Loray. The formal dining room with southern charm but with a diner vibe. I enjoyed the Portabello mushroom dinner and substituted mashed potatoes instead of rice and it was delicious. My two friends thought the beef tips were dry and the other thought the ravioli was not light enough. The server was very nice. read more

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Circa 31 Salad: 4/5 The salad was good, and the vegetables were fresh and crispy. The arugula went very well with the other vegetables in it. Cajun trout: 4/5 Grits (side): 5/5 The trout was very tasty and well seasoned; however, it was a bit dry. The grits that came on the side of the trout were absolutely delicious. I usually think of grits as boring and something to just finish off, but these grits were delicious. It was buttery, flavorful, and I found myself eating it by itself. It also added a lot to the fish when eaten together. I would recommend this dish. French onion soup: 2/5 The soup was quite sweet (maybe because of the sherry added), and the onions and croutons underneath the layer of cheese had become very mushy so that it was more like a bread pudding with some soup in it. The ambiance was very elegant and old-timey, with lots of deep reds and golds. The murals on the walls of 1920s streets were enjoyable to look at during the meal. Servers were very friendly and helpful, but wait times were a bit long. read more

Circa '31 - French onion soup - American Near Me - Luray, Virginia

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We came to have a birthday dinner and had a really nice meal. The French onion soup was soo good! I really enjoyed it and had to order 2 to get my fill. I would not recommend the potato soup, that was not as tasty. I ordered the Butternut squash ravioli and it was really good. We had the fried green tomatoes which were ok but not really that great. This is why I lowered the review, but everything else, including the service was amazing. Overall it was a great experience and we all enjoyed our meals. read more

Had an amazing dinner here during our weekend trip to Luray. We made reservations in advance and had no wait to be Seated. The food was great and will definitely be back! read more

Circa '31 - Beautiful mural inside the hotel/restaurant - American Near Me - Luray, Virginia

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Had a lovely Sunday brunch around the holidays. The hotel was beautifully festive and the brunch had something for everyone. The staff was welcoming and accommodating. Upscale, but not stuffy one bit. Will definitely go back again. read more

Terrible food! I think Covid really hit the town hard, but no excuse for such overcooked, unflavored overpriced meal. Staff was nice! Food was cafeteria tasting food! read more

Located within the Mimslynn Inn, this restaurant serves up some delectable food. I was skeptical because the town of Luray lacks any level of sophistication until you step foot onto this property. It is all class. I was wearing jeans and a t-shirt (because we were shopping) so I felt out of place because the hotel is a grand place and very upscale for this little town. We decided to have brunch and ordered the seafood omelet, a bowl of soup and took a chance on their Reuben spring rolls. We were the only ones in the dining room and the food was taking a bit longer to get to our table and our server (Maya) did the smart thing by bringing us an order of freshly baked bread & butter. YUM. Then the food arrived. WOW! ALL of the food was top tier. Both my girl and I were having "foodgasms" as we ate - it was that good. Those spring rolls were amazing as was the seafood omelet because the shrimp was very tasty. The soup really hit the 'spot' on this cold day. In fact, we dipped the remainder of our bread into the soup at the end of the meal and it was heavenly. When we visit Luray in the Summer, we will definitely eat here again. read more

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Our server Patience made our night out enjoyable. I really enjoyed our conversation, some of which started because she has gorgeous tattoo artwork. I had a moist grouper, my husband had a super decadent ribeye. Even the rice was good! We sat outside and were quite happy with the COVID precautions. The wine selection also had a decent variety. I'm confident we will return tomorrow for another great dinner. The only reason for 4 vs 5 stars is that I noticed the males with holes in their ears were not allowed to wear earrings. This is irrelevant to quality of food service and the local manager should rethink their policy for the staff. read more

We ate breakfast there today which was clearly an off season visit. They had been open 45 minutes and we were the first for the buffet. My daughter was with us or else we would have ordered a la carte. The food would have been good had it been hot, but single lit burners couldn't manage. No slicer by the English muffins made it awkward. No condiments or jelly besides a plate of butter portions and cream cheese. The waitress was nice, but a tad slow with the coffee. The complimentary coffee in the lobby was better than the restaurant. We would only try it again if ordering off the menu, but we actually saved quite a bit since the buffet price was reasonable and half for my daughter. read more

There were 12 of us for dinner on 6/11/2021. I can honestly say that this is the first time I've ever eaten out with such a large group where NO ONE had any complaints. From the cocktails, to the starters, to the entrees and the desserts - everything was delicious. Nothing was just "so-so". Several orders of Crab Dip were shared as starters and the Virginia Ham Flatbread was exceptional. The pork chops were cooked perfectly, and most of the table had the specials, which included filet, New York Strip and Salmon, all of which were scrumptious. Many had Nose Warmer cocktails for dessert and the blackberry ice cream was heaven. Our server, George, was efficient and friendly and definitely made our dining experience even better than just the great food! We will definitely return next time we're in Luray. read more

I'll start with my positives. The dining room is lovely. In combination with the staff, the dining room gives a vintage formal feel, which is nice. The menu, before the specials, is basically a replica of the Speakeasy restaurant. I won't get into that specifically, but it is a bit of a disappointment for guests looking for more dining options on the property. The other curious thing about Circa '31 having basically the same menu as the Speakeasy is the difference in the reviews. Circa '31 is the top reviewed restaurant in the area, while the Speakeasy MIGHT be ranked in the top 5. I see why the experience may have influenced the ranking of this restaurant, especially in this area, but the food is just okay and a wee overpriced. I guess the mildness is great for older patrons in the community, but it just wasn't worth it for me. read more

The Friday night Fixe price menu was very good. The food was excellently prepared, though a little small in portion. The local wine parings were good, though not great. The service was excellent. Our waiter was knowledgeable and struck a very good balance of getting our food to us without rushing us. It was not at all crowded on Friday, despite advertising highly recommending reservations. I would try this again. read more

Beautiful dining room at Circa 31. Front porch dining available. I had the pork sandwich which tasted very good. My Wife raved about the pineapple on her mahi mahi sandwich. Cesar salad was limp. Dressing was thin and generic. Yes I'll be back for another round. Staff friendly. read more

Circa '31 - American Near Me - Luray, Virginia

We came to Circa '31 at the Mimslyn Inn for Sunday brunch. The restaurant itself is a lovely formal setting, although we were welcomed in wearing hiking clothes. They run a weekly themed brunch buffet - this week was German. The brunch options included an omelet and carving station, breakfast entrees such as enormous cinnamon rolls, biscuits and gravy, and quiche, and a dessert station with a variety of cakes. The cinnamon rolls in particular were delicious! The German offerings were also very well done, especially the stroganoff and pork schnitzel. In contrast, the top round of beef was a little tough. Value-wise, the food was excellent, with all you can eat at $21.95 per person, but an orange juice and a mimosa brought our total to $60 which we thought was a little pricy. Overall, we'd recommend a stop if you're in the vicinity on a Sunday. read more

This review pertains to the Sunday breakfast buffet, not the "brunch", though I doubt it matters. Quickly seated in the very handsomely decorated Circa '31 dining room, I had high hopes for a quick Sunday breakfast before venturing out and enjoying some of the surrounding attractions. We were provided with a choice between a regular breakfast menu and the offerings from the buffet, which was valued at right around $10.00. As we were both hungry, and just looking for a quick bite, we decided to just try the buffet. Breakfast in itself is usually a simple meal to prepare, it doesn't have to be complicated, and the breakfast options were not extravagant. Grade-A Army surplus powdered eggs with something bright yellow, presumably "cheese" is offered, with about a cup too much water to make them somewhat of a dripping sponge-like consistency. Pancakes that, honestly, a truck stop fry cook could see were burned and would have "-86ed" before ever being presented to a hungry patron. Limp... and I mean liiiimp, bacon. Most likely a heat-and-serve, microwaved variety. Biscuits and "gravy"... which wasn't too bad if, for some reason, like the eggs, were completely lacking any sort of flavor. On the plus side, the waitress was very nice, and the topped off coffee, which was pretty decent, was a bright side. It's a shame that a meal like this is presented at a place this nice. We really enjoyed our stay at the Mimslyn Inn, and to have something that takes very little time to prepare correctly, breakfast that is, mar an otherwise very memorable stay is a shame. Not sure what is available in town, but I suggest that for breakfast options, you venture out and see. read more

This is for their breakfast only. It was delicious. The food came out quickly. The dining room is gorgeous. The server was very friendly and fast. We had a Groupon and it only came with two choices from the entire breakfast menu, though. read more

Menu was great on Sunday night -- had the four course meal of ham, oysters, beef Wellington and finished with the cheesecake. Food was all good overall and the service was excellent. Good for a date out or a weekend away with your lady. read more

Had the butternut squash salad for lunch very good. Had the buffet lunch a couple of days ago. Most of it was pretty good. Loved the seafood pie. The bread was very good at both meals. read more

The food was delicious and perfectly seasoned. But every single dish came out luke warm. Nothing hot. Not even the soup. We were hesitant to send anything back because we were afraid the food would return to us over cooked. The fixed price $35 menu was very fair. Few dishes fit in that range though. Most of the interesting selections had an up charge. Hard to get out for $35 pp without compromising on what you want to just a few items. The $15 for wine pairing was very worthwhile. Nice selection of Virginia wines. Service was slow at first, but then very good mid meal. read more

White table cloth, multi course, prix fix dining in Luray! What a beautiful old hotel, made for a great and elegant setting. Fine service, locally sourced ingredients and $5 corkage made this an evening to remember. Highly recommended read more

The best restaurant in 50 miles! We stopped in for lunch. We had the tenderloin wrap and BBQ burger along with a side mixed greens salad. All was really good and the service was great. For desert we split a piece of warm apple pie and bourbon ice cream. By far the best food in Luray, VA. Much better than the restaurants along Skyline Dr.! read more

This is for the Sunday brunch. I love it! My family and I go here once a month for brunch. Little kids can eat free (I think the cutoff is 5, but not sure). Great selection of breakfast, lunch and dessert. You also get a glass of champagne, mimosa, or punch. The roast beef carving station is a favorite of mine. We bring friends and family who are visiting here, too. read more

Stayed at the historic inn while traveling on our motorcycle. We had reservations for dinner and they have a price fixe menu. Wife had the crabcake app and it was good and tasty, lots of crab. I had the stuffed pepper, it was bland and flavorless. We paid extra for the table side Caesar salad. Waited for over 45 mins while we watched at least two other tables that sat well after us get their Caesars prepared. We finally just cancelled it as we had been sitting there for an hr and half. The waitress and manager apologized but made no effort during or after the dinner to smooth our ruffled feathers. As former bar owner/manager/wait staff, an basic statement of can I buy you a cup of coffee or an after dinner drink would have gone a long way. They are poorly trained. One of two things need to happen, buy another Caesar prep cart and train one of the six people in their sister restaurant The Speakeasy how to make the salad, as they clearly all just stand around and do nothing by gossip and watch tv. Or take the Caesar salad off the menu because they cannot execute it and in turn, it affects all aspects of the diners' experience. Personally, I hope they keep it, as the old school prep is a classic touch. Wife had the pork chops, tender and flavorful. I had the bacon wrapped veal, also quite good. The cheesecake and apple pie tasted like it came from Costco. The wait staff and manager(s) need to be better and more properly trained. They were friendly but having stayed at a dozen other historic hotels, we expect better, and quite frankly demand better. read more

The worst lunch I ever had in years. The place took 40 minutes to bring lunch, service slow and food was so terrible our family left after $100 tab! Great historic hotel but they need to change chefs! read more