Taste of Abingdon: A Guide to Virginia’s Hidden Culinary Gem

Our American Nomad journey recently took us to Abingdon, a beautiful town in Southwestern Virginia known for its deep history and arts scene. We spent time exploring its historical sites and fun local attractions, but there was one thing that kept calling us back: the food.

Abingdon’s culinary scene has exploded. This isn’t just about eating out; it’s about a community dedicated to incredible, homemade, farm-to-table food. Whether you’re craving classic Southern comfort, authentic Italian, or something in between, Abingdon has a table waiting for you. Come with me as I share the amazing coffee shops and restaurants that define this community’s amazing food scene.

Destination Coffee: A Latte to Love in Abingdon

I’m a coffee snob, I’ll admit it…when it comes to my daily cup, I only want the finest roasted blends and flavors. I also enjoy frequenting local coffee shops because they showcase the best of a community and provide a place to enjoy meaningful conversation and contemplation over a delicious cup of coffee (or tea).  That’s why I’m eager to ‘spill the beans’ about Abingdon’s coffee culture.  Abingdon has several amazing coffee shops worth detouring to. 

During my recent visit to Abingdon, I hit the coffee trail, by enjoying a morning and afternoon cup of Blue Ridge roasts at each of the major local coffee hotspots.  

Girl and The Raven: Located in the heart of Abingdon’s historic district in an 1886 building, The Girl and The Raven is a family owned business focused on community and quality coffee.  They serve ethically sourced small coffee roasted in small batches on site, each carefully curated to create flavorful blends.  In addition to their coffees, teas and other drink options, Girl and The Raven is known for its delicious breakfast items, sandwiches and salads and cocktails.  This is a must stop during your visit to Abingdon.  The restaurant’s ambiance blends the historic architecture with modern sleek design and outdoor dining.

Brazen Raven: Located in the Abingdon Exchange space, a retail shop with several local vendors and restaurants, Brazen Raven is owned by The Girl and The Raven, but has a slightly different menu in the Exchange space (more grab and go)  I returned to Brazen Raven twice to not only for the delicious vanilla latte but for the scrumptious gluten free lemon berry scones.  I’m still dreaming about this scone weeks after my visit to Abingdon.  

Wolf Hills Coffee: Named for the legendary wolves that once frequented the nearby caves of Abingdon, this coffee spot is tucked into a cozy historic street just off Courthouse Hill.  Located in a historic century plus old building attached to the neighboring William King 1803 Brick House, Wolf Hills roasts its own coffee on site with only the finest sourced beans from around the world.  The coffee roasts range from lighter blends to my personal favorite more robust dark blend.  They have a variety of pastries on site including gluten free banana bread (when I was there) and smoothies.  The atmosphere is something out of a Hallmark movie or cozy book series.  You can find endless nooks of spots to sit with your laptop or book, or enjoy good conversation.  The back rooms include a bookshop and even a concert space for acoustic songwriter nights.  This is the dream location for me as a blogger to spend my day sipping on coffee and digging into research and writing about my adventures.

Rendezvous International Cafe: Located in downtown Abingdon, Rendezvous came highly recommended by locals for their savory crepes and breakfast options, as well as hot and cold drink options.  My favorite is their S’mores Coffee (not great for calories, but hey you can walk those off on the Virginia Creeper Trail later in the day. Plus calories don’t count on vacation 🙂 )

White Birch Food + Juice Bar: This popular breakfast and lunch spot on Courthouse Hill feels as though you stepped into a Hallmark movie, with the exposed brick and vintage vibes. This building used to serve as the printing press for the local Abingdon paper – now you can get ‘French press’ coffee and delicious smoothies, juices, omelets and more. The best part – friendly waitstaff that makes you feel at home.

High Tea in Abingdon:

Camella’s Remember When Tea Shoppe allows you to enjoy Tea Time in style.  Housed in a historic home, this cool tea and gift shop serves their famous lavender hot tea, and scoops up delicious ice cream.  If you can’t stay for tea time you can even pick up a ‘tea box’ to go with all your High Tea essentials. Official Website.

Spirited Libations in Abingdon:

While in Abingdon I enjoyed a stop by the Tumbling Creek Cider Company, which brews nearly a dozen blends of ciders with apples sourced from Appalachia.  My favorite was the tart cherry cider.

Abingdon Vineyards: located just a few minutes from downtown and allows you to take in beautiful Blue Ridge views while sampling wines from this local vintner.

Katbirds Wine Shop: Your must stop destination for wines, beers, gourmet goodies and coffee!

Abingdon Culinary Highlights

Abingdon has dozens of great local and national chain restaurants.  Here are a few that stuck out to me while in the area:

Step back in time at the Abingdon Tavern, a true landmark dating to 1779. As Virginia’s oldest operating tavern, it once hosted a parade of historical figures like Andrew Jackson and Henry Clay on their journeys west. Today, this historic space invites you to pull up a chair at its century-old bar or enjoy a meal on the tranquil patio. The fine dining menu is a delightful blend of the old and new, offering everything from classic steaks to local specialties. I personally savored a delicious blackened grilled chicken salad and finished with a superb key lime pie. With a friendly and knowledgeable staff to guide you, the Abingdon Tavern is a must-visit for anyone looking for a meal steeped in history. Reservations can be made in advance.

Housed in a charming historic home, Dwayne & Co feels like a cozy retreat. This eatery specializes in handcrafted comfort food and chef-made specials that are sure to tempt any diner. They also have a fantastic cocktail menu, featuring everything from seasonal drinks to classic mainstays. While my chicken entree was delicious, the real star of the show was the chocolate torte. Dwayne & Co offers truly exceptional desserts, including a great selection of gluten-free options.

Beat the BBQ blues at Delta Blues, a mouthwatering BBQ and music joint where you can hear local bluegrass to blues bands. Their pulled pork plate with fires was delicious!

128 Pecan:  Located steps away from the Virginia Creeper Trail and downtown Abingdon, this is a perfect spot for quality fresh Americana cuisine from smash burgers to hand crafted tacos and more – everyone can find something they love at 128 Pecan.

Peppermill: Casual Fine Dining in a historic space in the heart of downtown, Peppermill is a popular place to eat before a show at The Barter Theatre or after a full day exploring Abingdon.

JJ’s Bar and Grill: The perfect place to score a delicious meal and watch sports.

Mamma Mia: ‘Il cibo e delizioso’ (The food is delicious) at this popular local Italian eatery where you can indulge in pizza, pasta and all your favorites from ‘Italia.’

Greeko’s Grill and Cafe: Fresh Mediterranean fare including their famous lamb gyro!

Sai Sushi: Recently featured in the Bristol Herald, this new Sushi Restaurant at Abingdon Commons is getting rave reviews.

Snow’s Fine Meats and Provisions is an amazing neighborhood butcher shop specializing in locally sourced, pasture-based proteins, handmade deli items, and specialty goods.

Rain: Not far from the historic Courthouse Hill district, Rain has earned a reputation of providing fine dining and southern hospitality since opening its doors in 2010. Chef Ben Carroll’s primary goal is to deliver high-quality, well prepared food for guests that is memorable and delicious. Inside the restaurant is decorated with artwork from local Abingdon artists Shawn Crookshank and D.R. Mullins.

For a truly special dining experience, look no further than Sisters American Grill inside the historic Martha Washington Inn. Led by local chef Aaron Stanley, this award-winning restaurant is a celebration of Appalachian cuisine. Chef Stanley’s commitment to using the freshest local ingredients shines through in every beautifully presented dish. From vibrant, seasonal salads to succulent entrees featuring locally raised meats, every bite is a delicious taste of the region.

For a complete Abingdon Dining Guide click here.

Abingdon is a gem worth visiting…from great food to natural scenery and live events like the world-class Barter Theatre, art at the William King Museum of Art and more – it is always a good time to visit Abingdon VA! For my complete Abingdon Guide click here.

Next up we’ll be continuing our Abingdon Adventures with a stop at The Abingdon Muster Grounds, which played a pivotal role in the American Revolution as a gathering spot for the Overmountain Men. Don’t forget to subscribe to the blog for the latest posts.

Hi, I’m Adele Lassiter, the travel enthusiast behind American Nomad Traveler. This is where I share my love for history, cool museums, art, and travel tips. When I’m not writing, I’m a singer-songwriter with a passion for Americana music. You can find my new album here: adelelassiter.bandcamp.com

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