From the moment we walked in the door we were greeted by Sara (owner). It was like we knew her our…read morewhole life from a 1 minute intro and an excellent way to start our evening celebrating our 19th anniversary. The dining room had a sense of modern rustic if that is a thing. The chairs were surprisingly comfortable allowing us to focus on each other and the meal to come. The playlist was "gen X friendly" with a nice twist to some of the songs and the volume was just right for conversing. The service surpassed our every expectation. Water glasses never reached half, the table was well tended to and the conversation with the staff members was pleasurable and enlightening as to us, they are more than servers. But for a few hours get to know a little about us as well when all others in our lives are mere passerby's, even if soon to be forgotten. Always a smile, well explained dishes and attentive to any needs. The food, oh that amazing food! As said, every dish explained in perfect detail as if to instill a sense of taste before even touching our tongues. Each dish's aroma awoken our palate, but still could not do the plate justice of the flavors we would soon experience. If their green tomato soup is ever repeated, prepare yourself. You may need a cigarette after tasting. And Jake (owner) served our wines for each dish, perfectly paired and presented with notes not only on the taste, but the reason behind the pairing. Just as his wife Sara, he was a welcomed presence to our table and enjoyed our light spirited conversation and laughter. Thank you to Jake and Sara and more importantly the entire staff at the Three Blacksmiths! You made our anniversary an amazing opportunity to share in what you painstakingly craft for others to enjoy.

Okay, bestie. If you're even thinking about going here, make that reservation yesterday. It's tiny,…read moreexclusive, and books out months in advance. Totally worth the hype. This isn't your casual night out. It's a full-on food adventure. You walk in and the vibe is already cozy and storybook-like. It's in this adorable little town near Old Rag Mountain (hello, perfect weekend getaway), and the restaurant used to be an actual blacksmith shop. They lean into the theme: your table has your name on it with a tiny anvil, there's a semi-open kitchen and wood-burning hearth, and the whole space feels warm and personal. The stars here are Sarah and Jake, the owners and chefs. They greet you themselves, chat with you like old friends, and then basically feed you a love letter disguised as a tasting menu. The food changes, but here's the vibe: * Little bites to kick things off (think three creative amuses that set the tone). * Dishes that pull from everywhere. One course might be an Asian-inspired dumpling in coconut broth, the next a perfectly refined European ravioli stuffed with fried chicken and veggies. * Wagyu beef cheeks that cook for 18 hours until they practically melt. * Bread service so good you'll be praying they bring more (they do). Every dish is beautifully plated and nothing is heavy or overdone. Everything just hits. Now, the wine pairing. They offer a regular and a reserve tier, and you can do half pours, which I highly recommend if you're driving back (we came from Arlington, about 1.5 hours). The wines themselves are incredible, from European classics to a killer ice wine from Washington State, and they match the food perfectly. A few heads-ups: * There's one seating per night. Everyone dines together, which makes it feel special and communal. * The cost is no joke. For two people with the reserve half pairings and one espresso, we spent around $300 per person. * They charge your card for the reservation ahead of time, then again for the meal and any drinks separately. * Service charge (22%) is already included, and they send you home with a cookie instead of a check (which, honestly, is iconic). We've been wanting to visit for about seven years but always hesitated because of the long drive. This year, we decided to go for it and booked a reservation in March for an October dinner, just to put the demand into perspective. By the end, we were full but not stuffed, a little buzzed, and very, very happy. It's the kind of meal that makes you want to slow down and savor life. Bonus tip: plan a hike or hit a winery while you're out there. Sperryville and the surrounding area are gorgeous. Five stars, no question. If you're celebrating something special or just want to treat yourself to an unforgettable meal, this is the place.

Blue Rock made our first wedding anniversary an experience we will cherish forever. From the moment…read morewe arrived, it was clear that every detail had been thoughtfully planned with care and intention. Head Chef Aaron curated a beautiful five-course menu for us in advance, and every single course was exceptional. The flavors were perfectly balanced, creative, and comforting all at once -- each dish flowed seamlessly into the next and left us genuinely impressed. It was one of those meals where you pause, smile, and truly savor every bite. Pastry Chef Ebony not only created a custom anniversary cake for us -- which was absolutely delicious -- but she was also our server for the evening. Her attentiveness, warmth, and genuine care made our night feel even more special. She anticipated every need and added such a personal touch to the entire experience. We were also deeply touched by the personalized menu designed for our celebration, which read, "Happy Anniversary -- cheers to one." That simple yet thoughtful gesture meant so much to us. Sous Chef Diego and the entire team contributed to an atmosphere that felt warm, intimate, and welcoming. The ambiance was beautiful and private, and the complimentary sparkling wine was the perfect way to celebrate such an important milestone. This was our first anniversary -- the beginning of many more to come -- and Blue Rock made sure it was unforgettable. Every detail, every flavor, and every gesture reflected genuine care. We cannot recommend this place enough and are already looking forward to returning.

Sunday Brunch menu was amazing. Eggs Benedict delicious. Had to sample the sides of grits, bacon…read moreand brown butter biscuit. So very tasty. Chef Aaron did a great meal and Pastry Chef Ebony's pop tarts are amazing as was her chocolate cake for dessert. Great views of the countryside and excellent service.

Houndstooth is much more than a luxurious restaurant situated in one of the finest and most elegant…read moremanor homes in Virginia, it is also about the owners' support for handpicked produce grown locally and at sustainable farmlands throughout and even beyond Rappahannock County. They even nurture their own bees to produce honey at home for the guests to enjoy. Wines are carefully selected from around the world and Houndstooth's highly trained personal guest services team will always deliver a sumptuous culinary experience for each guest that visits the jewel in Glen Gordon Manor's crown.

We were staying in Washington, VA and this place was just a short drive away into the even more…read morequieter countryside. Everyone was so personable from the minute we walked into this elegant manor house. Cocktails and conversation were on point. The dinner service just flowed effortlessly like a well thought out symphony -- each dish took us to a higher level of culinary bliss as we were lulled by the expertly paired wines. Owner/Chef Dane stopped by our table at the end of meal and was so delightful to talk with. We had a terrible storm during the dinner service, apparently a tree went across the road nearby and knocked out their internet service preventing them from being able to check us out at the end of the evening. Their response -- don't worry about it all -- we will just give you a ring sometime tomorrow and take care of it; what more could you ask for -- just classy in every way!!!

I had a fine experience here. If there were many options, I would probably get something else. But…read moreif you're looking for a place to eat right after leaving Shenandoah, this is a fine option. We stopped by at 11:30 for lunch on a Sunday in fall. We were told there was a 10-15 minute wait, but if we sat at the empty bar we would have to wait the same amount of time because food was behind. Not sure how that works but okay. They have a nice text system for their waitlist, so we used that. We waited in the back room, which had a few tables, a large stage, a pool table, and a jukebox. It was a fun vibe! Once we sat, we both got the cheeseburger- there's only one choice for a meat burger. It took a while to come out. The burger was pretty average. The server described it as a smash burger even though it didn't say that on the menu. The patties were a little thin, with standard toppings on a sesame seed bun. The fries were thin and nothing special. My friend called it a slightly upgraded McDonald's. Again, nothing bad but nothing special. I wouldn't come back, but there aren't many other options in Sperryville.

Nestled on a golf course right off of 522 in Sperryville, we road past this spot on our way up to…read moreShenandoah National Park. This was one of the few eateries along the route, spread out along the highway. I don't often get around to country town restaurants so I thought this one might be pretty good. The first thing that jumps out about this place is the beautiful vista of the golf course greenery with mountains hanging in the back. On a beautiful sunny day, the greenery on the patio just shines. Inside, there is a narrow bar area and some booths, but if you walk a few more steps in you'll find an open reception area complete with a decorated stage and some open tables, a small bar, a pool table and a juke box. It was clear of this room was for an event or if it was just another turn off of the main dining area, but it was interesting to look at nonetheless. We came around 1:30 pm, and the brunch menu was still open. We opted for the burger and fries. The burger was decent, but the fries sadly tasted a bit too crunchy and poorly seasoned. The service was decent, and thankfully we didn't have to wait too long for service or to be seated. All in all, it was a nice experience but I don't think I'd necessarily recommend this place for the food, but if you like views, this place didn't disappoint.

***08/31/2026 UPDATE*** We have visited Patty O's Cafe…read moreseveral times, but our last visit left us quite disappointed because the cleanliness of the place was lacking this time. The floor definitely needed attention; I'd recommend at least sweep it every day, and they should dust off the backs of their beautiful wooden chairs. To top it all off, flies were bothering us the whole time, even though we were inside with the doors and windows closed. Paying a premium would be acceptable if the food, service, ambiance, and every detail of the restaurant were in sync, but unfortunately, they were not. *I must emphasize that the service was extraordinary, as always.*

Tight seating on popular nights. The staff is very helpful and well trained. Food was well prepared…read moreand tasty, high quality ingredients. Just visit during less busy times.

Stopped in for lunch... Getting there, it wasn't very busy, but within 15 mins, they were packed…read more The setting is beautiful, with open timber walls and ceilings and an open kitchen too. Service was friendly and excellent. Menu is so tough because there were so many amazing looking options for lunch. They even have rotating daily lunch specials. The theme is New Orleans style cooking and from what I heard about the family, it's legit... From what I tasted, it's most definitely amazing!! I loved the spice and overall flavors in my food. Starting with their BBQ shrimp - this is a large appetizer that was so tasty! The shrimp was perfectly cooked and very fresh. The buttery BBQ sauté was spiced and herbed up perfectly too. It comes with plenty of toast points to dip and sop up that sauce too!! My main dish was their Alpha Girl Po Boy - WOW!!! This was INCREDIBLE! All ingredients were perfectly fresh and perfectly seasoned! The entire sandwich came together amazingly well and was so darn tasty! I even like that they hollowed out a portion of the crown of the baguette to let all that amazing stuffing fit inside without falling out and being a mess. And their homemade, freshly cooked potato chips were incredibly tasty too! I can't wait to return and most definitely will... Highly recommend stopping in!

I've been eyeing New Iberia Kitchen for a while now - as I love Cajun cuisine…read more I finally got to try some of their food on a Sunday. Apparently, currently the only day of the week they offer Brunch is on Sundays. I showed up about 11:00 am. The place was full of diners - so instead of waiting for a table, I sat at the bar. It's not a large bar - I'd say it seats approximately 9-10 people. I ordered the Boudin balls - which come with a tasty dipping sauce called "Swamp Mustard." I also ordered the Cajun Omelette - which is stuffed with "smushed Boudin balls." Comes with a side of rather unexciting breakfast potatoes. The Boudin balls were tasty - and had a nice crispy texture. The Swamp Mustard is really good with the balls. The Cajun Omelette was rather ho-hum - I was expecting and hoping for something with more complexity and heat. The smushed Boudin balls were rather bland. The Omelette was cooked properly. The breakfast potatoes were unseasoned. I'd like to try out some other menu items - I'm hoping for something that will Wow me. Paid with Apple Pay. #NewIberiaKitchen

I went into dinner at The Inn at Little Washington with very high expectations. I've been fortunate…read moreenough to dine at multiple Michelin two and three-star restaurants around the country, so I'm familiar with what that level of dining can deliver--and, more importantly, what I believe the experience should feel like. There were certainly some excellent moments. The egg course was fantastic, the caviar addition to the lobster was a great touch, and the lamb was one of the strongest courses of the evening. The cheese service was also outstanding and probably one of the highlights of the entire meal. The service, setting and attention to detail are all what you would expect from an establishment with this much history and reputation. Unfortunately, the meal was ultimately undermined by the wine pairing. The reserve wine pairing was disappointing. We paid $750 per person for the wine pairing, which consisted of just four very small pours. At that price, I expected an extraordinary lineup of wines--rare, compelling bottles that elevated the food and made the pairing an integral part of the experience. Instead, the wines struck me as fairly mediocre, and the tiny pours made the value particularly difficult to understand. The pours were about 1.5 - 2 ounce pours of wines that are readily available online and some even available at discount wine sites. The first wine was sweet and a $65 retail wine, second was a mid-level Sauvignon blanc, followed by a mid-level Chardonnay. The pours were about 1.5-2 ounces so you barely received a taste of the wine. The last wine was very good but the pour was even smaller. For 1,500, my wife and I could have had a top tier bottle of wine. They should feel embarrassed about this offering. The wine pairing pours equalled about 1/2 - 3/4 bottle of wine for the two of us. Having experienced multiple Michelin star restaurants, this is where The Inn at Little Washington fell short for me. At the very highest level of dining, I'm not simply looking for good food. I'm looking for an experience that feels exceptional from beginning to end. The ingredients, creativity, portions, wine program, pacing and overall sense of occasion should all come together in a way that makes the moment feel magical. There were many times during the meal where we had no wine and no food. This has never happened at any of my experiences at other Michelin restaurants. There are plenty of diners who absolutely love the Inn, and I can understand why. There are also reviews from other guests who have praised the food, service and overall experience while others have questioned the value and portion sizes. That divide is understandable. The restaurant clearly has its devoted following, but my experience left me on the more critical side. To be clear, this isn't a bad restaurant. Far from it. The egg, caviar-enhanced lobster, lamb and cheese service were all excellent, and the Inn remains an impressive destination with exceptional service and a beautiful setting. But when you've dined at multiple Michelin star restaurants, you develop a pretty good sense of what separates a very good restaurant from an extraordinary one. For me, The Inn at Little Washington didn't deliver the level of food, wine or value that I've experienced at other three-star establishments. Three stars from me. The food has moments of brilliance, but at the reserve wine pairing was simply too difficult to overlook. And considering the restaurant's recent fall from three Michelin stars to two, I think the downgrade is understandable.

AFTERNOON TEA ONLY review. Recently, the famous Inn at Little Washington began offering afternoon…read moretea, previously only a perk for guests at the Inn, as a standalone service. I brought my mother for tea as a special birthday treat. A few days before our reservation, staff from the Inn reached out to confirm the reservation and ask if we were celebrating any occasion and I told them about my mother's birthday. We arrived at the Inn a little before 2pm and were told they couldn't seat us until right at 2pm for tea. However, at 2pm, when we were lead to the conservatory for tea, there were already people seated. I'm fine with rules like this, but then they need to be the same for all parties. They started us off with a version of an Aperol that was refreshing and the selection of teas was very nice. The food was brought out on a small serving tower with three savory and three sweet items for each of us. We loved the lemon tarts and lobster rolls, but the scones were undercooked and doughy inside. While this was less food than we expected (especially for the $114 per person price point), they did ask if we'd like another of any of our favorite items and then brought us out more of those. This was a thoughtful way of keeping the number of items low, but giving guests more of what they loved. We stayed for about an hour and they began clearing plates and teapots, etc. At no point did anyone acknowledge my mother's birthday or tell us that service had concluded. We walked out of the dining room and while my mother was getting the car from the valet I asked about her birthday recognition with the team. They apologized profusely and offered us complimentary breakfast the next day. As we had driven 2 hours for tea, that was not in the cards. Instead, they refunded the ENTIRE MEAL. I certainly did not ask that they do that, but it was a considerable gesture on their part. I love the Inn at Little Washington and have had amazing meals there, but I would not recommend it for Afternoon Tea. The staff just doesn't seem to have a grip on how to do it for guests who aren't staying overnight at the Inn. Maybe they'll figure it out in a couple months, but I'll take my teas elsewhere.

Overall this place was ok. Good for a quick bite to eat, but honestly overpriced for the quality…read more You can eat outside which is very pleasant, or inside which is nice as well. The service was quite quick, and the food was mid. We came here twice for dinner, not finding anywhere else to accommodate picky eaters in the park besides places with huge wait times. I wouldn't come just for this restaurant but would come back if in a pinch!

My husband and I loved our meals here. Everything was great, and what a beautiful place to dine…read more My husband had the turkey dinner. We tried the trout dinner with veggies and the vegan bean chili. We had the blackberry cobbler with blackberry ice cream. I let my husband have most of it. We had a wonderful meal in a place with gorgeous views. The staff was wonderful, as was the food. We definitely hope we can get back there again soon.

Stopped in for lunch on the way home from Shenandoah National Park…read more A note - this IS NOT McDonald's - you will have to wait for them to make your food. A previous reviewer whined about having to wait 10 minutes for his burger. I ordered a Double Cheeseburger with all the fixings: Lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, mayo, ketchup, and mustard. Plus an order of fries and a Blueberry Milkshake. My order came up in about 10 minutes. The Double Cheeseburger is your basic stick to your ribs cheeseburger - tasty and filling. The fries were cooked properly - hot and crisp. However, they were totally unsalted - and the oil they were cooked in was a bit past its prime. They needed to change the oil. The Blueberry milkshake was cold and tasty - but I really couldn't detect a blueberry flavor profile. Paid with Apple Pay. #CountryCafePitStop

Gosh I can't begin to imagine how many times I've had food from here. The country cafe used to be…read morelocated right up the road so it's fantastic to see they were able to get a new location. The food is still the same and just as good. Why pay through the nose on a sit down restaurant in town when you could get a quick, cheap bite here and spend more time enjoying the outdoor splendor. For you city folk reading this, don't expect high scale nova bar food. It's a simple fast food dive at the base of the Blue Ridge. Don't set your expectations high. At the end of the day though, that's what's great about this place - the simplicity of it. My go to order is the grilled chicken sandwich with cheese and a side of fries. It's a solid meal and gets the job done. The mozzarella sticks as an app are my absolute favorite and I have yet to find another place that makes them this way. If you are passing through or coming down from a hike - stop by. Don't be afraid or upset if the person seems rude (as other reviews have said). It's family run and everyone is so kind. Maybe ask how they're doing? It's the country. You won't be spoon fed artificial kindness out here. In all, it's perfect for a quick bite so you can take in more of what Rapp has to offer and maybe get in that extra winery or two which, let's be real, that's the real prize you are seeking.

Adorable little coffee shop / cafe. It felt like the kind of place that both passers-through and…read moreregulars can enjoy and feel welcome. We got our sandwiches to-go and they were delicious 20 minutes later. I got the turkey fig - wow. I savored each bite!

Best chicken salad I've ever had in my life! On a very yummy crossiant My macchiato was perfectly…read moremade as well. Worth a visit