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    Spottswood Dining Room

    3.0 (51 reviews)
    ModerateNew American
    Open 7:30 am - 10:00 AM, 12:00 pm - 2:30 PM, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    Updated 2 weeks ago

    Spottswood Dining Room Photos

    SPOTTSWOOD DINING ROOM ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Touristy
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids

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    Tasty but COLD!
    John K.

    When we arrived, my wife and I explained to the waitress that we were driving Skyline Drive for our anniversary and was looking to cap the event with an anniversary meal. Unfortunately, telling her didn't help. The waitress was exceeding friendly, but that turned out to be a bad thing. Throughout our meal, when we asked for something, she would leave, but then we would watch as she stopped and visited at length with every other table in the room -- while we waited for our drinks, for salads, for bread, etc. At one point, after leaving with our request for refills, she stopped at the table directly across the aisle from us (4 feet away) and talked with them for literally 10 minutes. I ordered the roasted turkey dinner which came with stuffing and broccoli. My wife ordered the meatloaf which came with mashed potatoes and onion straws. To go with our meals, we ordered an $8 bread basket which prompted great expectations. However, it came out with literally 2 store-bought Parkerhouse roles, 2 smallish pieces of cornbread and one other small non-descript bread item. You get far better at most other restaurants for free. It was definitely not a premium, $8 bread basket. Then both of our meals came out. Cold. The broccoli was the coldest dish (that was supposed to be hot) that I have ever been served at a restaurant. I asked the waitress if she could just microwave our two plates of food. They had pretty good flavor. They just weren't hot. She took them, and quite some time later, she came back -- without our food, and announced that they were remaking them. Then the dishes came out a second time - unbelievably, still not hot. I pleaded with her again - just microwave them. She took them and then came back a third time. STILL not hot. She was very apologetic, saying that she had zapped them for a minute. That clearly was not nearly enough. We asked (twice) to see the manager - once asking our waitress and when they didn't show up, and with our waitress missing, we asked another waitress to ask the manager to come see us. She finally showed up, and when we summarized our anniversary experience, she expressed regret, but explained that the waitress was fairly new and just needed some more training... (You think?) To make up for everything, she offered us free desert. We left. On Skyline Drive, go for the scenery but skip the Big Meadows Spottswood Dining Room. You will thank me for it.

    Pamela S.

    I wanted to love this place. The atmosphere is beautiful. But that was probably the best part of our visit. We ordered the Trout and the Osso Bucco. Both were over salted and my Osso Bucco was a little on the tougher side. We did save room for their famous dessert - a blackberry ice cream pie, which was very good. Our server also came back and asked about ice cream (that supposedly came with the kids meals we also ordered) and we said that we would eventually opt for the pie to share so don't worry about the ice cream. Little did we know, he would bring that out moments later...while we were not even half done with our entrees. By the time we got to the pie, it was a melted mess. We may visit again, but maybe for breakfast instead.

    Carbonara (hubby's one night)
    Jenna D.

    Hard to decide between four and three stars. Dinners have been very good so I went with four. Breakfasts are not much. You are a relatively captive audience when staying here and lucky the food is as good as it is. It is even better when hungry after a day of hiking. There are no reservations so go 30-40 minutes before you expect to eat. If you are lucky and go around sunset, the view can be spectacular. Dinners- Ravioli was very good. Do over Meatloaf was very good. Country Carbonara was enjoyed by two of our Party Trout was the best so far. Have it! Side salads are good and sides with meals are good but inconsistent with portions. Service is good some nights and meh others. My husband disagrees and says service was reasonably good all around.

    Turkey "pot pie", it's good, but more like turkey soup with a flaky biscuit.
    Jonathan A.

    Weary hikers stumbled into this cute lodge in Shenandoah on a Saturday afternoon. We were fortunate to get the last open table and sat down for some lunch. We were all drawn to the turkey pot pie on the menu and half of our table decided to order it. The staff was friendly and the food came out relatively quickly. Turns out that the turkey pot pie was really turkey soup with a flaky pie-crust-like biscuit. That being said, it was pretty good, but it was lacking the normal ratio of crust to filling. Portion size was plenty and we found ourselves with no room for dessert. Overall a good experience and would recommend for other weary hikers....

    Cindy M.

    [927] 6/19/2019 We visited this restaurant since we were hiking by the Lodge. We had lunch here Hubby had the burger w fries which he enjoyed My son has the grilled chicken with fruit which he loved. I had the chicken Caesar wrap which was tasty. It was cold chicken (not warm) but that's ok. It came w a seasonal soup which was minestrone (yummy) I would definitely go back for lunch.

    Close up of pie and crust
    Marcy Z.

    The food was AS amazing as everyone told us it would be. The catfish and fries were delicious. The Cobb salad with blackberry vinaigrette had egg, real bacon, avocado, roasted corn, blue cheese crumbles and toasted pecans. I loved it! The blackberry ice cream pie was so perfect, creamy and had a toasted top and the pie crust thin and flaky!

    Turkey dinner
    Michelle K.

    We had several meals and drinks at the Spottswood Dining Room during our camping trip at Big Meadows and had a really positive experience. I was surprised to see other negative reviews. It's hard to beat the view from the dining room or outdoor deck. The service was mostly prompt and the food was all very good, especially breakfast. It's the only game in town but I was really pleased with everything we ate and drank and we returned several times. Would recommend to others!

    Spinach salad
    Sharon S.

    We did not go for buffet breakfast because we didn't want to overeat. Hubby had pancakes and bacon which he said was fine. I had the lamest French toast ever. Flavor was not there-maybe it was the syrup-but nothing like French toast in a good NJ diner! Very small pieces. And no powdered sugar! I hate feeling remorse for wasting money on a mediocre meal. Service was friendly. Update 7/13/19 Dinner We decided to stay here for dinner tonight and try the Gourmet Burger. We were crossing our fingers that there would be a better chance that it could be better than breakfast. Man-we were right! The other yelp reviews regarding dinner were all unhelpful-not because folks did not write good reviews-it's just that all of them report that the food is mediocre and overpriced-and we have no choice to eat here anyway because there is no where else to go. (Skyland same issue) Also, a lot of the reviews are old and the photos not so helpful. Tonight we sat outside and it was beautiful! We had the spinach salad which was generous and full of blackberries, melon, candies walnuts, Gorgonzola cheese. It was so good! The spinach was fresh. The burger was delicious-perfectly medium rare and juicy. The fries-also excellent (unlike at skyland last night). The service was going well until when the waiter brought our burgers and spilled the ketchup on the mesh table....and then didn't come back to clean it. Fail! So although the food was excellent, the service knocks down dinner to a 4. (Breakfast remains a 3)

    Hoover's Trout: trout covered in crabmeat, served over wild rice pilaf, with a side of today's veggies.
    Keith H.

    The Spottswood Dining Room is located in the Big Meadows Lodge, and is beautifully rustic as well as historic. It has a fantastic view, especially at sunset. The vaulted wooden ceiling is amazing, as is the natural stone fireplace. It is a near-fine-dine located in an amazing National Park, a perfect place to have a memorable meal to make your experience complete! The dishes available are tied to the park's natural resources, as well as history. Blackberry desserts are featured, and my favorite was certainly the blackberry ice cream. Very delicious! The Apple Bread Pudding was another great dessert. The New Deal Turkey goes back to the history of the park, and is an excellent meal. Likewise the Hoover's Rainbow Trout hearkens to the area history. The trout is covered in a mound of crabmeat which is again an East Coast treat. There is also a hearty Meadows Meatloaf that is a luscious meal to fill up a hungry hiker. If one is looking for a lighter meal, there are nice salads and sandwiches that can fit the bill. Service was prompt and courteous in our experience. We sometimes had to wait a short while to be seated, when business was bustling. However, one can wait in the lodge's main room and watch TV or play board games while one waits. Certainly a good place to pass the time...

    Crab Cakes
    Amelia W.

    Had an incredible dinner at the lodge. Service was great and they easily accommodated our large (12 person group). The mushroom ravioli was amazing. One of my friends had crab cakes and loved them as well. Yummy

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    Good trout and fresh salad tonight. Service was good, had a bit of a wait on Monday late.

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    Big Meadows Wayside - My bacon egg and cheese biscuit. Not too shabby.

    Big Meadows Wayside

    2.6(38 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $

    Big Meadows Wayside is a convenience store, gas station, and cafe located by Shenandoah National…read morePark's Skyline Drive. This is the better place to go to pick up camp items than the camp store at Big Meadows Campground. I bought fire sticks that were very helpful to start a fire. The store also sells National Park souvenirs. I had the hot honey fried chicken, which was decent in taste and price. They also have burgers, sandwiches, and breakfast items.

    Stopped by for a bite during my drive through Shenandoah National Park. My friend and I ordered…read moredishes to share. We got the flat bread and strawberry chicken salad. Both dishes were absolutely delicious! We could taste the freshness. We cleaned our plates. Someone recommended the blackberry ice cream pie so I wanted to try that, but I saw blackberry cobbler and knew I had to try that too. We ordered both desserts to share. The blackberry ice cream pie was good but that cobbler stole the show. Warm cobbler with vanilla ice cream... to die for! We both loved that much more than the pie. So good. Our waitress, Ashley, was friendly, funny, and attentive. The atmosphere of the dining room was just okay. The patio looked like it had a beautiful view but we ate inside in fear of being bothered by bugs. All in all, I would come back for the delicious food and that blackberry cobbler.

    Photos
    Big Meadows Wayside - Gift store. Cute stuff.

    Gift store. Cute stuff.

    Big Meadows Wayside - This is half fired and half raw chicken

    This is half fired and half raw chicken

    Big Meadows Wayside - Front of Wayside. They open at 0900.

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    Front of Wayside. They open at 0900.

    The Inn at Little Washington

    The Inn at Little Washington

    4.5(709 reviews)
    19.8 mi
    $$$$

    10/5 stars!! What…read morean experience. This was a planned celebration and we were not staying on site. We arrived and the valet so kindly opened my door and guided us inside for our reservation. The inn was festively decorated and exuberanted a warmth that was just so welcoming. The staff at the desk was mere incredibly kind. We were taken to our seats and Alejandro our waiter was fabulous the whole night. In fact I can't say enough great things about their staff overall. Catalina definitely made our evening enjoyable while introducing our food and taking our plates. Again everyone did such a fabulous job taking care of us. The FOOD was AMAZING! We ordered the traditional 5 course and each dish was just another challenge to the palate. The balance of flavors and tones. The creative plating. The play on traditional flavors with modern twist. I didn't want the surprise of each dish to stop. We were lucky and during our meal had Chef Patrick O'Connell check on us. We finished the night with a special tour of the kitchen. The highlight-- learning that they have a water sommelier! We didn't order anything but hearing him speak of the different kinds of water We will definitely be back to celebrate large and special milestones. Absolutely worth trying once in a lifetime.

    The Inn at Little Washington lost its third Michelin star in the 2025. The timing coincided with…read moreVirginia's state tourism office declining to pay a reported ~$360,000 fee to expand Michelin coverage into more of the state. Others see it as part of a wider "reset" affecting other longtime three-star spots like Alinea (Chicago) and Masa (New York), which also dropped to two stars at the same time. I'm not completely sure why the slight decline but here's my honest view. The scenic drive from DC through the Virginia countryside sounds breathtaking--rolling hills, charming small towns, glimpses of Blue Ridge Mountains but in actuality all of the turns and hills made myself and friend sick. We had to pull over and gather ourselves. The restaurant itself is gorgeous, filled with artwork, pink, green and gold monkey wallpaper and Victorian tables, and English country style. It's maximalist--opulent without being stuffy. Our waitstaff made the evening extra special for my birthday. They constantly wished me a happy birthday, asked thoughtful questions about my life, shared jokes, and engaged in small talk that felt genuine and personal. Not to mention the menu with my name. Each course on the 7-course tasting menu was beautifully presented. We loved having three menu options to choose from: a new seasonal tasting (always fresh and surprising), Enduring Classics (with signature dishes like the iconic lobster preparations or herb-crusted favorites), and a full vegetarian Good Earth menu with the eggplant course being our favorite. The unlimited warm bread service with fresh butter and flaky sea salt was a simple but perfect touch. The Champagne options were endless (their wine list is legendary, with a massive cellar and expert sommeliers), and they even offered a dedicated book/menu highlighting rare waters from around the world--everything from iceberg sources to unique mineral springs. I've never seen a water book before. Standouts for me was the caviar egg, lamb main course and tomato amuse-bouche. If you're looking for a special occasion spot (birthday, anniversary, or just because), this is it. Four people will run you around $2500 including drinks. Con- I would work on the cocktail menu (the Diana tasted like cough medicine). Bring back the pear dessert and portion sizes from 12 years ago. My main lamb portion was embarrassing. Reviewers see pictures for example sizes. Please offer a dedicated pescatarian menu. Overall, Chef Patrick O'Connell and his team did a great job.

    Photos
    The Inn at Little Washington - The dining room

    The dining room

    The Inn at Little Washington - Pastries

    Pastries

    The Inn at Little Washington - Love our room

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    Love our room

    Blue Rock - Soup

    Blue Rock

    4.4(45 reviews)
    17.4 mi

    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.

    Wow, outstanding service and exceptional food. We had the carrot salad and the crudo for starters…read morewhich were the best we have ever had. For dinner we had the eggplant and the fried chicken which didn't disappoint. Lastly the drinks were amazing. We highly recommend this place for a casual or upscale dinning experience. We will be back and loved our time with them!!!

    Photos
    Blue Rock - Lobby

    Lobby

    Blue Rock - The best

    The best

    Blue Rock - Lobby

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    Lobby

    Jack's Shop Kitchen

    Jack's Shop Kitchen

    4.3(382 reviews)
    20.8 mi
    $$

    Serving American classics with high quality and great hospitality…read more Sandwiched between two floors of antique malls, Jack's was the perfect stop in the day to get some no-frills nourishment. Their breakfast is incredibly generous and made with ingredients that were fresh, clean, and meticulous in detail. The design of their menu is just so promising with unique twists that are not unheard of, but just an elevated touch when it comes to American diner food as a whole. Things like truffle infused hollandaise, fried green tomato BLT, pairing balsamic with goat cheese, a blackened pork, even mushrooms on the breakfast menu all hint that people developing their menu are confident in their skills in offering something more when it comes to breakfast plates and sandwiches. Their homemade aiolis (highly recommend their pesto aioli) and hot sauce tie any dish together-- breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Things made to this quality are not to be unremarked. Came in with friends so we can try everything on their menu, and we were pleasantly surprised on all fronts. Presentation, ingredients, preparation all elements that made our meals great and were evident across all dishes ranging from protein to carb. Details like toasted bread with already spread with butter, perfectly poached eggs, and brioche as the bun of choice were things we peeped. We would have left satisfied if these details weren't accounted for, but we were so impressed this became a revisit during our short vacation. Their space is greatly spacious, with an open drinks station so its just not pretentious. There is even a section in the front to pick up goods made by local artisans. This is a great place to dine in, no notes.

    After eating a wonderful lunch I was ready to give five plus stars…read more We had the truffle Benedict and the open faced roast beef . The ingredients were fresh and the flavors delicious. The atmosphere in the dining room was nice and airy. As we were traveling a good distance I decided to get the renowned cinnamon roll to go . I got a take out coffee and was told there would be a brief wait. After several minutes-a roll came out on a plate. Someone asked what I was there for. I said I'm for a cinnamon roll to go. The busy manager said they take 10 minutes After 20 minutes my husband came in to find me -the roll appeared soon after. I'm a quiet type person , I took the roll and left . It was very good. Message -order the cinnamon roll prior to meal.

    Photos
    Jack's Shop Kitchen - Dining room

    Dining room

    Jack's Shop Kitchen - Fried green tomatoes

    Fried green tomatoes

    Jack's Shop Kitchen - Front store

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    Front store

    Early Mountain Vineyards - World-class wine and culinary experiences.

    Early Mountain Vineyards

    4.2(258 reviews)
    14.2 mi
    $$

    Truly cannot recommend Early Mountain enough! It is one of the most beautiful wineries I've…read morevisited- the tasting room reminds me of Crimson Lane or Barboursville- and definitely one of the more upscale options of the wide range of Virginia wineries. The wines are excellent and there are several tasting options you can choose- I believe there was a red flight, a white flight, and a "signature" option that had both. You also have the option to build your own flight, which I always love. The 2024 rosé is a standout, we picked up several bottles to bring home. We could not believe how good the food was- it was worth a trip in its own right! It's on the pricier side but it is clear why, the plates wouldn't be out of place at a fine dining restaurant. We also had the kindest server, Chelsie, who made our experience so special and memorable! She stopped by to chat several times, gave us great recommendations, and she could not have been nicer to me and my friends. We were lucky enough to attend our dear friends' wedding here and it was a spectacular wedding venue. The space is just beautiful and the catering was incredible- some of the best wedding food we've had by far. We liked it so much we came back to visit the tasting room the next day :) This is a perfect stop on the way to Charlottesville from the DMV and a gorgeous place to spend an afternoon.

    This place is absolutely gorgeous. We showed up with a group of 6 and they were more than…read moreaccommodating to us and fit us in. I cannot stress how beautiful this place was. The view was amazing. I can imagine in the summer when they have someone out there performing or the fires lit, it's amazing. I got the experience flight. Loved the red wine options. Buratta and cheese board were amazing and so beautifully plated.

    Photos
    Early Mountain Vineyards - Restaurant and tasting room

    Restaurant and tasting room

    Early Mountain Vineyards - Seasonal hyper-local menus.

    Seasonal hyper-local menus.

    Early Mountain Vineyards - Novum 22

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    Novum 22

    Spottswood Dining Room - newamerican - Updated May 2026

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