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Where to Eat & Drink in Virginia 2026

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Where to Eat & Drink

Central and Southern Virginia

  • R Kohls Winery will open in Stanardsville in May 2026. The family-grown winery
  • New eats are on the menu at Linden Row Inn — Evermore Garden Bistro opened in October 2025. The contemporary Southern bistro features a seasonal menu and romantic vibe, especially amongst the lush greenery on the shaded patio.
  • Scott’s Addition in Richmond gained a new restaurant in November 2025. Cozy, vibe-y The Brooklyn features an extensive wine and cocktail menu and promises to be your newest go-to date night spot.
  • Waters Edge Winery and Bistro is set to open in Midlothian in January 2026. A franchise location of the national winery and bistro brand, Waters Edge will offer wines crafted in-house as well as appetizers, flatbreads, sandwiches, salads, and desserts.
  • Downtown Hopewell welcomed its first brewery when Good Ship Brewing & Eatery opened in the first week of January 2026. The converted space includes fire pits, a spacious beer garden, and area for live music.
  • Visitors will be able to sip wines from the new tasting room at 7 Lady Vineyards in late 2026. The on-ground winery at Dover Hall in Goochland will feature expansive outdoor seating.
  • La Reina Fusion opened in January in Old Towne Petersburg and offers a fusion menu that blends Mexican flavors with Indian influence.
  • Alter Ice Cream opened in December in Old Towne Petersburg. The shop offers small-batch ice cream and coffee, with plans to add a patio this spring.
  • Combine history and bourbon tasting on the Elijah Craig History and Cocktail Trail, new to Orange County in May 2026. The trail will feature historic sites, distilleries, and restaurants with drink specials.
  • Karahiyo, a ready-to-drink bottled espresso martini, opened a tasting room in Chesterfield in Nov. 2025. The space offers tastings and tours with interior artwork by local artists.
  • Manna Columbian Bakery opened in downtown Hopewell in September 2025 with fresh and frozen pastries and coffee.

Coastal Virginia – Chesapeake Bay, Hampton Roads, Eastern Shore

  • Culaccino opened in Hampton’s historic Phoebus neighborhood in late August 2025. The Italian restaurant specializes in wood-fired pizzas, house-made pastas, and fresh takes on traditional Italian dishes.
  • Regional chain Milk & Honey launched a new location near Hampton University in fall 2025. The Southern-inspired restaurant offers a cozy atmosphere and flavorful menu of classic dishes.
  • January 2026 will see the public opening of Austin’s at The Inn at Warner Hall. The fine dining restaurant will focus on local flavors and small plates.
  • Regional barbecue chain Q-Daddy’s anticipates opening its Yorktown location in Feb. 2026. This will be the third location of the family-owned second generation pitmaster barbecue joint.
  • Geno’s Steaks, the first Virginia location of the iconic Philadelphia cheesesteak brand founded in 1966, recently opened in January at Power Plant Hampton Roads. Geno’s brings its classic cheesesteaks, Italian hoagies, and more to the region plus a full‑service bar, family‑friendly arcade games, and a scenic waterfront patio.
  • DougHaus, the cheeky donut and pizza shop based in Newport News, opened a second location in Gloucester in October 2025.
  • Expected to open later this year, Bread & Butter is a new Onancock restaurant from Executive Chef and Owner Shannon Andes, a classically trained chef with nearly two decades of experience. The restaurant will bring internationally inspired cuisine to the Eastern Shore, offering globally influenced dishes rooted in thoughtful, elevated cooking.
  • Old School Cider House opened in in New Kent in September 2025. The cidery focuses on Virginia craft beverages and offers food including soups, salads, sandwiches and flatbreads.
  • Wasserhund Brewing Company, known for its German-inspired beers, opened a third location in Norfolk in late 2025.
  • The Jewish Mother Delicatessen and Ember Restaurant, which is steak, seafood and sushi fusion, opened last fall in Merchants Square in Williamsburg.
  • DraftCade opened in January at Virginia Beach’s Pembroke Square bringing a retro-inspired arcade bar with more than 90 games, 48 beers on tap, and extensive sports viewing to the area’s entertainment lineup.
  • Soup Love & Co. opened its first brick-and-mortar store in Virginia Beach in late 2025, transitioning from its earlier home-based and farmers market operations to a permanent storefront.
  • Tosa’s Mood-n-Food opened in Virginia Beach in October 2025 and features light fare such as salads, sandwiches, and flatbreads.
  • Nami Nori opened its fifth location in the country at Virginia Beach’s Atlantic Park surf lagoon. This sleek, contemporary Japanese hand‑roll restaurant offers signature temaki and exclusive dishes in an 84‑seat space with a private dining room and tropical patio.
  • DC-based Mi Vida opened in Virginia Beach’s Atlantic Park and offers its vibrant take on Mexican dishes and cocktails in a lively, modern space.
  • Wiseguy Pizza opened in late January in Virginia Beach’s Atlantic Park, bringing its award-winning, wood-fired pies to the Oceanfront.
  • The Grill at Virginia Beach’s Atlantic Park offers a Miami‑inspired dining experience with a modern American, wood‑fired menu featuring expertly prepared steaks, fresh seafood, and inventive vegetarian dishes crafted by Chef Roberto Santibañ

Northern Virginia

  • The former head chef of The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm is opening a new restaurant, farm, and eight-room boutique inn. Waverly Springs will situate diners inside a cozy, 1600s stone farmhouse to enjoy true farm-to-table fare sourced from the surrounding 17-acre farm.
  • Longtime DC restaurant Floriana is opening a location in Arlington in 2026. The Italian spot will offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
  • Arlington’s Pentagon City neighborhood will see the opening of Ember in 2026. Touted as an elegant experience with a warm, welcoming environment with Eurofusion fare.
  • Falls Church locals and visitors will be able to sample cut-to-order cheeses, charcuterie, and grab-and-go sandwiches from The Cheese Cartel when it opens early 2026.
  • The signature restaurant at the recently opened Hotel Burg began welcoming diners in September 2025. Led by Michelin-recognized Chef Vincent Badiee, The Huntōn specializes in open-fire cooking and elevated cuisine inspired by Virginia.
  • The Commonwealth’s first winery to focus exclusively on sparkling wine opened in Loudoun County in October 2025. Petit Domaine and Estate features a beach club-esque property and will start selling its own bottles in 2027.
  • DC’s world famous Old Ebbitt Grill is expanding for the first time ever with Ebbitt House in Reston Station, adjacent to the new JW Marriott hotel. The restaurant will have 12,000 square feet of space, a 300-seat dining room and 125-seat patio with an outdoor bar.
  • A new tasting room and market opened in Aldie in early January 2026. Oak & Ember features handmade pastas, shareable plates, and wine pairings and a market with wine bottles, grab-and-go lunch options, and local goods.
  • Tiki-style speakeasy Bar 86 opened inside Café du Soleil in Old Town Alexandria in November 2025. The spot specializes in experimental craft cocktails.
  • New eats are coming to the Mosaic District in Fairfax County in 2026, including Pura Vida Miami, which specializes in sandwiches, bowls, and all-day breakfast, plus Miami-based donut shop The Salty. There’s also recently opened spots like NAJA Mediterranean and Maman, a bakery and cafe endorsed by Martha Stewart.
  • Chef Victor Albisu will open Electric Bull, a boutique South American steakhouse, in Vienna in early 2026.
  • DC-based wine boutique DCanter comes to Alexandria early this year. The 875 square-foot shop will be home to a thoughtfully curated selection of organic and sustainably made wines.
  • National fast-casual organic café Live Alive is expected to open early this year in the building that houses the Alexandrian Hotel in Old Town Alexandria.
  • Creative seafood and steak concept Finn & Fire opens in spring 2026 in Old Town Alexandria and will feature signature dishes like crab cake sandwiches and a firecracker shrimp salad.
  • DC Italian eatery Grazie Nonna is opening an Alexandria outpost later this year in Old Town North.
  • The award-winning, specialty coffee shop Mudhouse Coffee Roasters, based in Charlottesville, is expected to open in Old Town Alexandria later this year. It will be a very caffeinated year for Old Town with Cherry on Top and For Five Coffee also opening in 2026.
  • Van Leeuwen Ice Cream is coming this year to Old Town Alexandria, bringing ultra-cream flavors and creative seasonal offerings.

Shenandoah Valley

  • Stone Ledge Cider will introduce a new tasting room and craft cider production facility on the grounds of its 20-acre farm in Augusta County. This year will also see the reopening of the on-site Cider House Bed and Breakfast, which has been undergoing restorations due to a fire.
  • The Inn at Vaucluse Spring is reopening after a renovation in mid-2026. A highlight of the new offerings will be the culinary program led by Chef Proprietor Jan Van Haute, who will bring a farm-to-table approach to the Stephens City inn.
  • Sip your way through Front Royal, Warren County, Berryville, and Clarke County on the all-new Bottoms Up Beverage Trail. The digital passport experience includes 12 local breweries, wineries, cideries, and meaderies where visitors can earn digital stamps to win fun prizes.
  • Former Red Truck Bakery owner Brian Noyes will open Hayfields, a general store and café in Little Washington, in late spring or early summer.

Virginia Mountains

  • A dual concept restaurant in a former flower shop opens in downtown Roanoke in 2026. Together with two short term rental units, restaurants Dorothy and Frank’s Wild Years will make up The Marigold.

Southwest Virginia – Blue Ridge Highlands and Heart of Appalachia

  • Restaurant, bar, and live music venue Wayfarer Appalachia opened in late 2025 in Tazewell. Wayfarer welcomes locals and travelers to gather together and experience soulful mountain food and entertainment.
  • Steal away to the basement of The Millwald Theatre in Wytheville to enjoy a drink at Ghost Light Bourbon Bar. The new speakeasy has a secret entrance, requires a password, and welcomes performing artists monthly.
  • Bee Noodle’d Restaurant opened in Tazewell in November 2025, offering casual pasta and ramen dishes to locals and visitors alike. With a diverse menu and approachable vibe, the spot is ideal for a hearty lunch.
  • Great Wilderness Brewing is coming to downtown Pulaski in 2026. With a diverse selection of brews and an adaptable outdoor event space, the brewery promises to have something for everyone to enjoy.
  • Pulaski’s The Marketplace farmers market will move to a new location in 2026. The new Main Street location will provide enhanced ways for farmers to reach customers through weekly markets.
  • Trailside Tavern opened last August in Pocahontas, VA near the Pocahontas Exhibition Mine and popular ATV/trail riding areas. Trailside Tavern reopens for the season in March 2026.