Travel anywhere across Virginia and you will find that there is no shortage of unique dining experiences. If you are pursuing a mindfully prepared meal that also showcases the best that local growers have to offer, here are just a few Virginia restaurants using locally-grown ingredients. Ready to truly experience the “local flavor” of Virginia? Let’s dig in!
King & Rye
One of the most popular King Street Alexandria restaurants, King and Rye has been dedicated to supporting local growers and makers since it opened its doors. Expect to find dishes that feature produce hand-selected from the Old Town Farmers Market. The menu pays homage to the local growers the restaurant supports. Autumn Olive Farms Sausage Patties, Shenandoah Valley Chicken, and Seven Hills Dry Aged Ribeye are just a few of the many dishes highlighting the relationship King and Rye has built with local farmers. A dedication to using only the freshest ingredients means that the menu changes to reflect the seasons, so you can pair old favorites with new flavors every time you sit down for a meal. As one of the only Old Town, VA, restaurants supporting a wide range of local makers, King and Rye is a must-visit on your travels through Virginia.
Adrift
If you find yourself near the Chesapeake Bay and craving seafood, Adrift is a relaxed farm-to-table dining experience. Owned and operated by a husband and wife team, Adrift’s menu of oysters and clams are harvested only minutes away and paired with locally-grown produce for the freshest of flavors. Seating is by reservation only, which allows Adrift to practice sustainability by planning the ingredients and menu in advance. Diners are encouraged to call to go over the menu to ensure a tailor-made dining experience. The dining room is only open Thursday through Monday, so be sure to call well ahead of time to guarantee a table.
Don’s Seafood Market & Restaurant
You might not expect a restaurant that specializes in seafood to qualify as a supporter of local growers, but Don’s Seafood Restaurant does just that. The oysters and clams on Don’s menu are sourced from Tom’s Cove Aquafarms, a world-renowned aqua farm raising clams and cultured salt oysters only minutes away from Don’s Seafood Market & Restaurant. Tuck into the catch of the day, a plate full of crab legs, or fresh oysters as you enjoy panoramic views of the Chincoteague Channel and spectacular sunsets at Don’s.
Rising Silo
Rising Silo is a farm-based brewery that takes sustainability seriously. Solar panels power beer production, and a solar hot water system provides efficient hot water. In addition to brewing delicious beers, Rising Silo assumed the operations of the Farm and Forage in 2020. The seasonally-directed menu at this “farm kitchen” rotates daily to reflect the fresh ingredients available from Glade Road Growing Farm and a handful of other local producers. To be kept up to date about each day’s offerings, visitors are encouraged to check the Farm and Forage Instagram page, where the menu is updated daily. Take a tour of the Rising Silo brewery and then enjoy a rustic dining experience that is unique to the mountain farms complemented by Rising Silo’s craft beverages.
No matter what you’re hungry for, whether it’s seafood or classic Southern dishes, you’re sure to find a Virginia restaurant practicing mindful meal preparation. Check out a few of these restaurants and enjoy the assortment of local flavors that combine to create the unique taste of Virginia.
