The Best Places to Eat in Staunton, VA

I love visiting Staunton, Virginia and I’m always surprised at the variety of restaurants that are within walking distance of the downtown area. My husband and and I love spending a weekend there and every time we visit, I wish we could cram in a few more meals before we make the trip back home to Richmond. If you’re looking for the best places to eat in Staunton, here are the places you have to try!

Zynodoa

I’m starting this list with Zynodoa because I would literally drive from Richmond to Staunton just to eat dinner here. The food is incredible and the menu relies heavily on seasonal ingredients, meaning the dishes change frequently. (That gives me the perfect excuse to go back every time we’re in Staunton.) I recommend getting a reservation because it fills up quickly, but even if you don’t have a reservation, it’s worth waiting around to snag seat at the bar. We love that they source a lot of their meat and produce from local farms. Every time we go to Staunton, Zynodoa is the food highlight of the weekend.

The By & By

If you’re looking for a great cup of coffee or a quick breakfast, stop into The By & By. This cozy coffee shop has gourmet espresso drinks, Mr J’s bagels, grilled sandwiches, craft beer and wine. If you happen to swing by here later in the day, be sure to check out their beer garden! They have a nice outdoor space and dogs are welcome to join! 

Crucible Coffee

I don’t know about you, but one cup of coffee isn’t enough, so for an afternoon cup of coffee, I recommend you swing by Crucible Coffee. We liked the coffee so much, we bought some beans to take back home with us.

​The Green Room

If you’re in the mood for a great glass of wine and a tasty small plate to go with it, stop into The Green Room. One glass might turn into two and one plate might turn into three, but you’ll definitely leave happy. I love their thoughtful menu and the food was just as lovely as the atmosphere. We did a “pick 5” board and leaned heavily on the recommendations of the bartender. We were quite pleased with everything we tried.

Chicano Boy 

You might not expect to get really great tacos in Staunton, but stop into Chicano Boy and prepare to be surprised. This taco shop has a location in Richmond, and they opened their second location in Staunton. Chicano Boy Taco focuses on serving handmade tacos, Mission-style burritos, bowls, and fresh salads. It’s a great place to enjoy a margarita and a tasty bite.

Mill Street Grill

If you’re looking for classic American food, Mill Street Grill is a great opinion. We stopped in for happy hour and enjoyed some cocktails and appetizers. The menu is approachable and they offer vegetarian and gluten-free options, so there’s something for everyone — even if you have some picky eaters in your crew.

The Split Banana

If you save room for dessert, swing by The Split Banana for a scoop of gelato. They offer 24 constantly rotating flavors that are all made on site. It’s a really cute shop and it’s perfect for grabbing a cone to enjoy while you walk the downtown strip.

Ciders from Mars

This is one of my favorite cideries (and that’s saying a lot because Virginia has quite a few) and part of why I love it is that the branding is on point. They’re very committed to the “science lab” theme. The tastings even come in little beakers. (How cute is that?) Ciders from Mars also has plenty of outdoor seating, which is nice!

Queen City Brewing

According to their website, Queen City Brewing was the first brewery in Staunton since prohibition and I believe it. It’s a no-frills type of establishment but I love the vibe. Even though it looks like an old-school dive bar, I was surprised to see that they a wide range of beer options. We did a tasting and the fruit beers offered some unique flavor profiles that we both enjoyed.

Ox Eye Tasting Room

There’s nothing I love more than visiting one of Virginia’s amazing wineries, but if I can’t make the drive out to a vineyard, a downtown tasting room is the next best thing! Ox Eye has a beautiful tasting room in Downtown Stauton and it’s the perfect place to pop in for a wine tasting.

Staunton is definitely worth the trip and I love how so much of the downtown area is walkable. We’ve even managed to catch the Farmer’s Market there and it’s a great place to meet some of the local vendors. It’s close enough to Shenandoah that you can go for a hike and then relax in Staunton to rest and recover. Don’t miss the tasty things this little town has to offer!