Cultivate Culinary Excellence

Cultivate Culinary Excellence

Cooking in Virginia is passionate. The use of homegrown fruits and vegetables, fresh Chesapeake Bay seafood and regionally-raised meats culminate in scrumptious dishes all over the state.

In the summertime, juicy tomatoes cry out to be paired with locally-caught catfish. In the fall, butternut squash and pumpkin are right at home nestled next to roasted game and chicken. Throw in local cheeses and wines and diners can savor combinations of tastes like no other state in the country.

Soul-warming hearty soups and stews fight back winter's chill. Enjoy a fireside dinner to melt away winter's doldrums. Try Lodge Dining Room inside Williamsburg Lodge, Michie Tavern or Swan Terrace Restaurant for fine cuisine, colonial country fair or regional dishes.

Culinary Secrets Revealed
Culinary pros throughout the state participate in special programs giving guests the opportunity to learn cooking techniques and tricks of the trade. Chefs give advice on selecting fresh ingredients, wine-pairing and party-planning, all with a behind-the-scenes perspective.

Fresh Catches
Seafood caught off Virginia’s coast and from the Chesapeake Bay is expertly prepared at many Hampton Roads, Chesapeake Bay and Eastern Shore restaurants.

Fresh Picked
Virginia restaurants offering an emphasis on local foods range from crystal and candlelight to casual neighborhood bistros to trendier, ultra-sleek environs. Many blend fresh picks from the garden with organically raised meats. Virginia’s renowned wines are then paired with dishes for the full regional dining experience.

Pick Your Own
Farmers' markets and produce stands are located in virtually every corner of the state. Many also offer Virginia-made food products such as jam, honey, nuts and cider alongside the squash and rutabagas. See a complete list of Virginia's Farmers' Markets.

Quench Your Thirst
While visitors from around the world quench their thirst for a great vacation in Virginia, they also discover a state spilling over with vineyards, micro-breweries and brewpubs, where beers and ales are created on premises. Virginia is brimming with beverage producers offering public tours, tastings and retail purchases on site.

Virginia Green
A kinder relationship with Mother Earth is becoming more essential. As such, several Virginia restaurants have become more eco-friendly in their daily operations by recycling glass and grease, eliminating the use of styrofoam and being more conservative with their water and energy usage. Establishments practicing such activities have been recognized as Virginia Green Restaurants.