Nature lovers, history buffs, or just those traveling the county’s beautiful roads will find exceptional eats throughout the area. From breakfast to snacks to dessert, Shenandoah County eateries and foodie spots make this small part of western Virginia one of the most delicious spots in the state.
Woodstock Cafe
Husband-and-wife team Chef Jose Arevalos and Nikki Grant took over a breakfast and lunch spot in the town of Woodstock in 2019. Keeping the hometown feel of the establishment during the day, the culinary couple elevate the space in the evening by offering a cultured dinner menu paired with an impressive wine selection.
Fresh salads, rolls with housemade butter, and creative takes on burrata and calamari lead the starter section of the menu. Swordfish with seasonal vegetables and locally raised beef with pave potatoes are touched with a clever influence of Shenandoah Valley cooking.
Muse Vineyards
Shenandoah County’s preeminent wine experience is Muse. Known for its award-winning, estate-grown wines, Muse is surrounded by scenic landscapes and offers tours, tastings, and a serene vineyard experience. More than just wine with a view, Muse offers picnic space, local entertainment, and happy hour.
A sampling of the Sunday brunch menu puts sandwiches and charcuterie alongside sophisticated takes on local favs like shrimp and grits and chicken and waffles. Sunset suppers start with simple appetizers followed by “down home” dishes elevated by some serious wines.
Bretzel’s
Displaying trophies from the town’s Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup Festival, Bretzel’s Hand Crafted Breads and Treats wins over customers with a quirky interior and sandwiches, soups, and sides. Located inside the Strasburg Emporium, a maze of rooms filled with antiques, Bretzel’s is a destination as much as a place to get some food.
This breakfast and lunch spot caters to a crowd of loyal locals. Bretzel's offers weekend specials on soups, sandwiches, and baked goods, like pumpkin swirl muffins in the fall. Specialty all-beef hot dogs are also a hit.
Southern Kitchen
The Southern Kitchen just looks iconic. Travelers can easily spot the red and green, giant neon arrow and the billboard-style name sign and know this is some home cookin’. The Newland family started the business in New Market in 1955 and the family atmosphere is still strong today.
Breakfast is the best meal of the day. Belly-sticking gravy and biscuits and oversized pancakes compete against featured dishes like the Virginia Man’s Breakfast, with salty country ham—a regional favorite, and the Hungry Man, a chicken fried steak. Both featured items come with two eggs, home fries, and toast.
Edinburg Mill Restaurant
Built in 1848, the Historic Edinburg Mill is one of the few mills in Virginia to survive the Northern burning campaigns during the Civil War. Now a museum and cultural center, the mill offers visitors a glimpse into local history, with exhibits on Shenandoah Valley life, a gift shop, a riverside park, and a restaurant.
The Edinburg Mill Restaurant is the area’s special occasion venue. With an interior reminiscent of classic American fine dining, the restaurant steps into the contemporary with items like battered tofu and pork belly confit, while keeping traditional items like prime rib and a seafood platter.
Sugar Creek
Sugar Creek Snowy & Sweet Ice Cream Shop is Woodstock’s charming spot for handcrafted ice cream, shaved ice, and creative sundaes. The cozy interior may be closed, but a quaint outdoor seating area offers guests space to spread out amongst a few picnic tables.
Sugar Creek offers a variety of flavors—even creative ones like grape nuts—and toppings, making it a favorite stop for families and anyone craving a sweet treat in the Shenandoah Valley. The menu lists sundaes, milkshakes, floats, smoothies, and specialty banana splits, but the most popular item is the eight-flavor ice cream flight.
Route 11 Potato Chip Factory
In Mount Jackson, Route 11 Potato Chips invites visitors to experience the art of small-batch chip-making. Founded in 1992, this family-owned company is dedicated to crafting high-quality, kettle-cooked potato chips using locally sourced, natural ingredients. During the week visitors can view the process, from slicing potatoes to frying and seasoning.
The factory shop offers samples of their unique flavors, including fan favorites like Sweet Potato and Mama Zuma’s Revenge. This gem in Shenandoah County has become a regional favorite as bags of Route 11 chips can be found almost everywhere in the state.