Virginia Restaurants in Historic Buildings that Combine Food and History

When you're exploring Virginia, you're always going to be surrounded by history. Combine your love of food with a curiosity about the past at these restaurants in historic buildings all around the state. 

The buildings may be historic, but the cuisine is fresh. No matter what you're craving, you can have a great meal and learn something new when you dine at these restaurants. Plus, we'll give you tips on what else to do in the area so you can plan your getaway. 
 

EXPLORE HISTORIC RESTAURANTS IN:

Central Virginia | Northern Virginia
Chesapeake Bay | Coastal Virginia | Southwest Virginia
Virginia Mountains | Shenandoah Valley
 

CENTRAL VIRGINIA

Lemaire Restaurant—Richmond

What It Used to Be: Ladies Parlor in the Jefferson Hotel

Built In: 1895

Housed inside the renowned Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, Lemaire Restaurant alludes to the splendor of the past with luxurious furnishings and an upscale Southern-style menu. The restaurant opened in 1986, but the space that Lemaire now occupies was formerly the ladies parlor of the hotel. The Jefferson was the passion project of one of Richmond’s wealthiest residents, Lewis Ginter. Although much of the original 1895 hotel structure was destroyed in an electrical fire in 1901, renovations and additions allowed the Jefferson to surpass its former glory and reopen grander than ever in 1907.

During the following years, the hotel had some rather unusual guests that often caused some anxiety. Alligators called the marble pools in the Palm Court home until 1948. They can still be spotted today in the restaurant if you look closely — alligator motifs are cleverly hidden inside Lemaire’s decor to reference the previous reptilian inhabitants.

More Historic Restaurants in Central Virginia

• La Grotta in Richmond: This Italian restaurant, itself open for two decades, is located in the former home of Miller & Rhoads department store. The store moved to its Broad Street location in the late 1880s and had expanded to cover the entire block by 1924. 
• Half Way House Restaurant in Chesterfield: Built in 1760 as a stagecoach inn, the Half Way House now welcomes hungry guests with an upscale menu and period antiques for decor. Fun Fact: The inn's visitors included notable figures like George Washington, Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, and Ulysses S. Grant. 
• The Mill Room in Charlottesville: The upscale restaurant at Boar's Head Resort has deep roots to the property, which itself dates back to 1734. The restaurant was added in the 1960s using salvaged timber from an abandoned gristmill. 

Keep exploring the best restaurants in Central Virginia with our dining guides to Richmond, Charlottesville, and Lynchburg. 
 

NORTHERN VIRGINIA

Union Street Public House—Alexandria

What It Used to Be: Warehouse on the seaport

Built In: 1790

City records date the Union Street Public House structure to around 1790, when it was home to a warehouse for goods to be moved along the thriving seaport. It is claimed that George Washington frequently met with associates at this warehouse to conduct business. Although the building has been damaged several times by fires since its founding, the original structure still stands today, housing a restaurant that specializes in preparing fresh seafood, steaks, and handcrafted sandwiches.

More Historic Restaurants in Northern Virginia

• Virtue Feed & Grain in Alexandria: You may not believe that this two-story restaurant and bar was once a feed and grain warehouse in the 1800s — but you can verify it on the patio, where remnants of the original whitewashed sign can be seen.
• Cooper Mill in Alexandria: Once a Civil War commissary for the Union Army, you can now split fresh pizzas at this converted tavern and bar in Old Town. 
• The Red Fox Inn & Tavern in Middleburg: Known as the jewel of Virginia's Hunt Country since 1728, the intimate tavern at The Red Fox offers a four-course dinner experience that pays homage to the history of the region. 

Keep exploring the best restaurants in Northern Virginia with our dining guide to Arlington and Alexandria.  
 

CHESAPEAKE BAY

The Colonnade—Irvington

What It Used to Be: Schoolhouse 

Built In: 1889

Located in the majestic lobby of The Hope and Glory Inn in Irvington, The Colonnade is an intimate fine dining experience led by Chef Meseret Crockett. The inn has welcomed visitors and diners since the 90s, but the building's history reaches further back. The Chesapeake Male and Female Academy opened in 1889 with over 450 students. 

An early example of co-education (a rare practice in that time), the resulting building includes design choices that are now interesting quirks — like the fact that the school had two front doors, one for boys and one for girls. The school closed in 1908.  

More Historic Restaurants in the Chesapeake Bay

• 1710 Tavern in Tappahannock: The couple who bought the nearby Essex Inn also converted the dilapidated tavern dating back to 1710 into a revived, contemporary eatery.
• Big Oak Cafe in Urbanna: In the early 1900s, what's now the Big Oak Cafe was a post office and general store. It sat vacant for decades before owner and chef DeeDee Morris bought the building, renovated it, and opened her restaurant in 2015. 

COASTAL VIRGINIA

Esoteric—Virginia Beach

What It Used to Be: Cadillac dealer

Built In: 1920s 

What was once a mid-20th century Cadillac dealer (Virginia Beach's first) is now Esoteric, a contemporary restaurant with craft beer, cocktails, and cuisine focused on local, fresh ingredients. 

Located in what is now the ViBe Creative District, Esoteric's building needed a fair amount of TLC when owner Kristina Chastain and her then husband, Tim, began renovations in 2014. But you'll still notice historical touches like the copper molded ceiling and welcoming green space when you stop by for a meal or a drink. 

More Historic Restaurants in Coastal Virginia

• Freemason Abbey in Norfolk: This striking building was dedicated as a church in 1873, but now welcomes visitors to enjoy American tavern fare. Notice the roof trusses, stained glass windows near the bar, and the bell tower as lasting historic elements. 
• Reconstructed Taverns at Colonial Williamsburg: For a different take on historical dining, eat at one of Colonial Williamsburg's historic taverns. The authentic reconstructions of centuries-old taverns allow you to eat as the Founding Fathers did. 

Snack, sip, and savor your with through your coastal getaway with our Virginia Beach dining guide. 
 

SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA

The Palisades Restaurant—Eggleston

What It Used to Be: Pyne’s General Store

Built In: 1926

In the 1920s, Pyne’s General Store was a vital part of the Eggleston community, also housing a doctor’s office and an attached Chevrolet dealership on the property. Today, the Palisades Restaurant has once again made the space a place for residents to gather and grab some locally sourced food from a menu referred to as “Appalachian Chic.” The restaurant recollects the charm of the previous general store with exposed brick walls, rustic hardwood floors, and pressed tin ceilings.

More Historic Restaurants in Southwest Virginia

• Summit Restaurant in Christiansburg: In 1993, Executive Chef Abdul Sharaki transformed this old Victorian home into the highest rated restaurant in the New River Valley.
• The Log House 1776 Restaurant in Wytheville: Built in 1776 as a two-room structure, the building housing this restaurant has lived many lives — as a modest home, a tailor's office, a merchant shop, and a general foods store. 
• Fisher & Company in Tazewell: You'll enjoy Appalachian eats, plus more contemporary fare, at this building that used to be a general store on the old railroad line. Historic flourishes include the shelves, counter, and cash register from the original store, now displayed at the restaurant. 

Keep exploring restaurants in the region with our Southwest Virginia dining guide. 
 

VIRGINIA MOUNTAINS

The Vault at Liberty Trust—Roanoke 

What It Used to Be: Bank

Built In: 1910

Roanoke's Liberty Trust building was called "A Temple of Finance" when it was completed in 1910. Influenced by the design style of the French Renaissance and Beaux Arts, the bank served as a home for several financial institutions throughout the 20th century. Now, it's a 54-room boutique hotel complete with a chic restaurant, The Vault. 

Share small plates and enjoy cocktails at The Vault, or level up the experience with a private dining option at the historic venue.  

More Historic Restaurants in the Virginia Mountains

• The Waterwheel Restaurant in Warm Springs: Look for the namesake waterwheel outside the Inn at Gristmill Square. Structures on this site operated as a mill from 1771 until 1970, when the owners restored the building into the current restaurant. 
• Olde Liberty Station in Bedford: Now a beloved community eatery, this building was the town's railroad station from the late 19th century until passenger service was eliminated in 1971. 

For more standout restaurants, check out our Roanoke dining guide. 
 

SHENANDOAH VALLEY

Jimmy Madison’s—Harrisonburg

What It Used to Be: Farm Supply Retailer and Telephone Company

Built In: 1870s

The current home of Jimmy Madison’s in Harrisonburg was built right after the Civil War. The farm supply retailer helped local residents put their farm back in working order after years of neglect due to the war. Later, the building would house the first telephone company in Harrisonburg.

It was eventually converted to several consecutive restaurant businesses, and as the latest, Jimmy Madison’s has been a popular spot for Harrisonburg residents. The menu features classic Southern dishes and behind the bar the restaurant offers an impressive selection of whiskeys from around the world.

More Historic Restaurants in the Shenandoah Valley

• ZUNZUN in Lexington: The building dates to approximately 1898, but the story behind this structure is uncertain. It may have been a grocery store or a law office, but now it's a cozy eatery with craft cocktails and global eats.
• The Union Jack Pub & Restaurant in Winchester: The Victorian Cast Iron Union Bank building, dating back to 1878, was renovated to become a popular spot for those looking for a casual, Anglo-inspired bite to eat while cheering on their favorite sports teams.

For more restaurants in the region, check out our Shenandoah Valley dining guide. 
 

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