More than 30 independent restaurants make this scenic Southwest Virginia mountain town a dining destination.
Abingdon, Virginia, has been designated “Best Small Town Food Scene” by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Just two hours northeast of Asheville, North Carolina, and 10 minutes north of Bristol, Tennessee, in the scenic mountains of Southwest Virginia, Abingdon has a fantastic collection of more than 30 local, independent eateries. This artsy town of 8,000 residents has more restaurants per capita than New York, San Francisco, and even New Orleans, making this destination a foodie’s dream; following are just a few of the gems.
Abingdon’s chefs incorporate in-season, locally sourced produce and products. Mountain trout, stone ground grits, heirloom fruits and vegetables, sustainably raised chicken and beef as well as pastured pork are featured on the menus. A craft brewery, cidery, and a “Napalachian” (Napa Valley meets Appalachia) winery, specialty stores and a year-round, certified farmers market add to the culinary credentials. Abingdon’s food scene is continually evolving, celebrating locals and transplants who bring their tastes and heritage, including bakers who display Southern favorites alongside European specialties.