The Best Restaurants in Culpeper

Looking for the best restaurants in Culpeper, Virginia? You can find everything from tasty burgers at Graze to Griddle to perfectly roasted coffee at 18 Grams Coffee Lab. Don’t miss the hidden gems in this lovely town!

Big cities aren’t the only places for foodies to get top-notch eats. Small towns are the lifeblood of the foodie scene in the Commonwealth and this Foodie Spotlight Feature is a great example of that. Culpeper is fast becoming a go-to spot for folks looking for great local food without the hustle and bustle.

This historic town (George Washington was the official surveyor in 1749) is home to tons of well-known festivals like Gnarly Hops Beer Festival and the aptly-named CulpeperFest, just to name a few. It’s also smack dab in between DC and Charlottesville, and only an hour away from RVA, making it a primo option for a day trip. With that in mind, we teamed up with the city to come up with this list of dining options to make it easy for foodies to make the trip to this hidden gem.

Locally-Owned & Locally-Sourced:

These Culpeper spots use local and regional ingredients, which supports the local economy and helps boost regional agriculture. Plus you know the food’s gotta be fresh! Here are some Culpeper eateries that are all about sourcing locally:

• Piedmont Steakhouse: Regionally-focused steakhouse with a cozy bar and lounge area
• Raven’s Nest Coffee House: Community-centered café with locally-roasted coffee drinks, wine, and specialty cocktails in addition to locally-sourced sweets and lighter-fare
• Grass Rootes: Farm-to-table cuisine and cocktails in Culpeper’s oldest commercial building, live music too!
• Moving Meadows Bakery: As local as it gets! Grass-fed beef and a no-nonsense menu of classic breakfast and lunch options
• 18 Grams Coffee Lab: Bike-loving foodies, this is for you. This coffee “lab” shares space with a bike shop and offers a wide variety of seasonal toasts, epicurean sandwiches, and homemade baked goods
• Graze to Griddle: This is a food truck with a purpose: to serve the community delicious 100% Grass-Fed Beef Burgers

Locally-Owned Favorites

Not every local biz can follow the food trail back to a specific farm, and that’s okay. When you’re traveling, every dollar you spend with a locally-owned business gives a real boost to the local economy. Here are other fan favorites for food destinations in Culpeper that are worth a visit:

• Thyme Market: A long-time local favorite, this European-style market has a huge selection of wood-fired pizza, sandwiches, entrees, breads, and desserts. Take it to-go or eat it on the veranda
• It’s About Thyme: A casual dining joint described as a “little slice of Europe” Top-quality pastas, meats, and no shortage of dessert options
• Copper Fish: Yep! A seafood restaurant in Culpeper! Grab your fresh fish, crab, oysters, and lobsters to cook at home or get it prepared how you want in-house on their wood-fired oven, grill or rotisserie
• Love’s Kitchen: “Laissez les bons temps rouler” with Love’s authentic New Orleans Style food and Southern fare. No frills, just flavor
• Pinto Thai: Family-owned and operated Thai Food with generous portions, and an extensive menu filled with classic Thai dishes
• Shawn’s BBQ: A community-focused casual BBQ joint with all the smoked meats you could want, and save room for cheesecake!
• Natraj Indian Cuisine: Natraj menu is full of flavors from different regions of India with fresh ingredients. They have lots of options for vegans, vegetarians, and gluten-free foodies
• Sweet Roux: Eclectic American food and hand-crafted cocktails served in a fun atmosphere, perfect for social gatherings
• Uncle Elder’s BBQ: Downhome BBQ and friendly service. Everything on their menu is from scratch and made with love
• Frost Café: Classic 50’s diner fare for the whole family. A Culpeper Institution!
• Baby Jim’s Snack Bar: Any local will tell you, no visit to Culpeper is complete without a stop at Baby Jim’s Snack Bar. Classic American food counter serving breakfast and lunch, “Call it in to Baby Jim!”

Food Trucks:

• La Chiapaneca: More than a food truck, this is a food trailer (with plenty of seating) serving authentic Mexican food for lunch and dinner
• Burnt Ends BBQ: Texas-style BBQ right here in the Commonwealth! Burnt Ends BBQ uses their 45-year-old dry rub family recipe so you know it’s gotta be good
• Bowles Southern Fried: Bowles is all about classic Southern Eats from all over the South. As they say, “There’s some soul in this house.”
• Law Dawg Hotdogs: Law Dawg serves hotdogs with a twist–most of the menu items have Law Enforcement themed names

There you have it, foodies! If you haven’t been to Culpeper yet, now’s the time! From the food and fun to the people and scenery–it’s got something for everyone.

(This article is part of a paid partnership with the Town of Culpeper.)