Best road-trip restaurants in Virginia

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Vineyard-set contemporary American restaurant pairing inventive courses with Veritas's own estate wines.

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Named Alexandria's number-one restaurant, chef Anthony Chittum's Old Town room committed to Mid-Atlantic farmers and watermen.

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Hidden upstairs cocktail-and-small-plates lounge, a James Beard semifinalist for the nation's best new restaurant.

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Country-house American dining from chef-owner Angelo Vangelopoulos, built on partnerships with local farmers.

$$$ · Shenandoah National Park

One of downtown Front Royal's more upscale spots, offering classic burgers at lunch and quality steaks and seafood for dinner.

$$ · Shenandoah National Park

Downtown culinary-district staple in the former Strand Theater serving lunch, weekend brunch, and creative dinners with regular live music.

$$$ · Blue Ridge Parkway

A small Lexington dining room for the northern Blue Ridge approach, worth knowing when the Shenandoah-to-parkway handoff becomes an overnight.

$$$ · Shenandoah National Park

Fine-dining room inside the historic Mimslyn Inn where the chef prepares seasonal American dishes plus brunch and high tea.

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Eclectic, playfully-named Oregon Hill fine-dining room blending Southern flavors with French technique.

$$$ · Blue Ridge Parkway

A Roanoke neighborhood dinner that upgrades the Virginia Blue Ridge section beyond quick counter food, especially for travelers overnighting near the parkway.

$$$ · Blue Ridge Parkway

Seasonal farm-to-table New American plates served inside a beautifully restored 1920s service station near the Blue Ridge Parkway southern gateway.

$$$ · Shenandoah National Park

American rustic fine-dining destination in the Sperryville River District with a spirits list showcasing locally-distilled products and craft beer.

$$ · Shenandoah National Park

Casual colorful downtown bistro offering Southern-style American fare, craft beer, and frequent live music in a lively setting.

$$$ · Shenandoah National Park

Ian Boden's tiny acclaimed spot, now a wood-fired pizzeria and elevated burger joint helmed by longtime sous chef Mike Skipper.

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The region's first farmer-owned restaurant, cooking a rustic-chic seasonal menu from its own shared garden.

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ViBe District craft-beer bar and kitchen doing European-influenced comfort food from an on-site garden.

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AAA Four-Diamond, James Beard-recognized kitchen credited with launching the city's farm-to-table movement.