Foodie-Recommended Restaurants in Lynchburg, VA
Craving a burger, fresh seafood, a bowl of lo mein or maybe a slice of pineapple pizza? No matter what kind of food you are feeling, Lynchburg, VA, has a collection of restaurants ready to meet your tastes.
To give you an inside look at the city’s restaurant scene, we chatted with Kaylee Bryant of @thelynchburgfoodie, a night-shift nurse and local foodie, about the best places to dine in her home city. Here are a few pockets of Lynchburg, VA, where you are sure to find restaurants you’ll love.
In This Article
Downtown
Downtown Lynchburg, VA, has just about everything, from casual eateries to fine-dining restaurants. The Water Dog, a bar and grill that is loved by humans and pups alike, boasts a dog-friendly, 2,000-square-foot patio, where folks can partake in lawn games and cheer on their favorite sports team. As far as its menu, Bryant loves the oyster specials and piggy melt sandwich (Carolina pulled pork, tobacco onions, applewood smoked bacon, hickory smoked cheddar and a touch of sweet honey molasses – all sandwiched between two slices of bread).
For those looking for a great happy hour spot, RA Bistro, which serves seasonally inspired American cuisine, and No. 7 Rooftop Bar, which offers shareables, sandwiches, drinks and a beautiful view of the city, are the places to be. And martini lovers won’t be disappointed. Bryant recommends the espresso martini at both.
For an upscale dining experience, check out Shoemakers American Grille located in the Craddock Terry Hotel, a boutique, dog-friendly hotel that previously served as a shoe factory. The hotel nods to its past, offering shoeshine service upon request and in-room continental breakfast served in wooden shoeshine boxes, among other things. As for Shoemakers, it offers elevated land and sea fare, including Black Angus steaks, jumbo scallops and bone-in lamb chops.
Rivermont Avenue
Rivermont, the largest historic district in Lynchburg, VA, also houses many great restaurants. The Cavalier Store is an eclectic, cash-only dive bar that specializes in bar food and billiards. For those who don’t often carry cash, not to worry. An ATM can be found on-site. Affectionately called “The Cav” by locals, guests enjoy what Bryant calls “the best burger and fries in town.”
Nearby, Rivermont Pizza has been a neighborhood staple since 2008. Build your own 12-inch pizza or choose from specialty pies. Bryant is partial to the night-shift pizza, which is made with caramelized onions and meatballs. A surprising feature on the menu is the creamy pasta salad.
“I could eat it by the gallon,” Bryant says.
Oh, and a cool thing about Rivermont? As a basement restaurant, your cellphone probably won’t get full bars while you’re there, which means you can expect great conversation.
Boonsboro
The next neighborhood you need to explore is Boonsboro, which has been home to Isabella’s Italian Trattoria since 1999. This Lynchburg, VA, family-owned restaurant graces guests with classic Italian dishes, such as fresh pastas, hand-tossed pizzas, housemade antipasti, salads and desserts.
For a delicious breakfast and lunch, try Montana Plains Bakery. Visit its shop (and art gallery) on Boonsboro Road for freshly baked bread and treats. For lunch, dig into a warm quiche, grilled panini or crunchy wrap – and make sure to admire all that beautiful art.
Wyndhurst
This mixed-use neighborhood in Lynchburg, VA, boasts a few cool restaurants you don’t want to miss. Locals and Liberty University students frequent the Muse Coffee Co. Its cozy vibe and charming atmosphere make it a go-to study and hangout spot. Its “Christmas in a cup” drink is a favorite year-round, hot or iced.
Several doors down is Beer 88, a self-proclaimed “unpretentious” burger and beer joint. And this joint isn’t serving up ordinary burgers; try one with pimento cheese and bacon or pineapple and Sriracha. And as its name suggests, you won’t be disappointed by its beer selection. Beer 88 offers over 88 bottled beers to choose from and six rotating taps.
Fort Avenue
The Fort Avenue neighborhood also has a couple cool gems when it comes to places to eat. The Crown’s Ember, formerly known as The Crown Sterling, is a revitalized “relaxed chophouse” that specializes in charcoal grilling techniques. Its menu and atmosphere are celebrations of the city’s heritage, and Bryant says the food is “immaculate.”
On the other end of the spectrum is the World-Famous Stadium Inn, an iconic Lynchburg bar that can be traced back to 1927. The bar dishes out classic bar favorites for lunch and dinner and boasts a knockout breakfast menu. Known for serving up exceptional wings, they come highly recommended, especially with Bryant’s favorite mango habanero sauce.
Old Forest Road
For more great options, head to the pocket of the city surrounding Linkhorne Elementary and Middle Schools. Try Nomad Coffee Co., a mobile coffee truck that serves its hand-crafted drinks to coffee and tea lovers all over Lynchburg. You can also catch them at the Ed Page entrance of Blackwater Creek Trail – a perfect start to your walk in nature. Try the mint mocha wanderlust drink; Bryant says it’s “topnotch” and delicious year-round.
Sushi aficionados will love King’s Island, a Lynchburg, VA, restaurant that serves Chinese and Japanese favorites. The restaurant opened in 1977, making it the longest standing Chinese restaurant in Lynchburg. Enjoy noodle dishes, like lo mein and udon, and sushi. Bryant says the fairy roll, which features salmon, cucumber, avocado, fish roe and a spicy kick, is her favorite in town.
You can see more of Kaylee’s food adventures by following along on her Instagram account: @thelynchburgfoodie.
This article is sponsored by the City of Lynchburg offices of Economic Development & Tourism and Communications & Public Engagement.