Iconic foods in Virginia…where to even begin? We’ve been blessed with delicious cuisine, and we’re proud to share it or talk about it with anyone who asks. If there’s one thing that’s true about Virginia, it’s that you’re never too far away from some of the best food you’ve ever tasted. To get you started, these are some of the most famous foods in Virginia that you simply must try if you visit this beautiful state.

  1. Homemade peach cobbler

Wikimedia Lightly fried peaches and vanilla ice cream. Is there anything sweeter?

  1. Apple pie

katie/flickr Apple pie that’s made in Virginia is somehow the best. No need to argue that one.

  1. Brunswick stew

Joe Loong/flickr If it passes this spoon test, you know it’s good.

  1. Chesapeake Bay crabs

Ron Dollete/flickr Don’t forget the Old Bay!

  1. Devilled eggs

Debbie R/flickr Not everyone loves these, but you should at least try them once before deciding.

  1. Smithfield country ham and all the fixin’s.

Julia Frost/flickr What a beautiful plate of food.

  1. Locally produced wine

Lauren Parnell Marino/flickr It’s technically not food, but sampling the wine is the best way to appreciate the fine grapes grown in Virginia.

  1. Homegrown peanuts

Wikimedia Peanuts grow so perfectly here in Virginia. All you need is a little salt and you’ll have a handful of deliciousness. While Virginia didn’t invent peanuts, Virginia was the first to grow them!

  1. Oysters

jennifer durban/flickr Another Chesapeake classic.

  1. Stone ground pancakes

Clyde Robinson/flickr This is breakfast done right. Add some Highland County maple syrup and locally grown strawberries and you’ll be in heaven.

  1. Barbecue

Project Healing Waters/flickr Virginians are no strangers to delicious barbecue.

  1. Ham biscuits

Effingfoodie/flickr 11. Ham may have already been mentioned, but ham biscuits are a whole different ball game.

What are some of your other favorite iconic Virginian foods? If you’ve got a sweet tooth, be sure to visit one of the 12 best places in Virginia to get homemade pie.

Wikimedia

Lightly fried peaches and vanilla ice cream. Is there anything sweeter?

katie/flickr

Apple pie that’s made in Virginia is somehow the best. No need to argue that one.

Joe Loong/flickr

If it passes this spoon test, you know it’s good.

Ron Dollete/flickr

Don’t forget the Old Bay!

Debbie R/flickr

Not everyone loves these, but you should at least try them once before deciding.

Julia Frost/flickr

What a beautiful plate of food.

Lauren Parnell Marino/flickr

It’s technically not food, but sampling the wine is the best way to appreciate the fine grapes grown in Virginia.

Peanuts grow so perfectly here in Virginia. All you need is a little salt and you’ll have a handful of deliciousness. While Virginia didn’t invent peanuts, Virginia was the first to grow them!

jennifer durban/flickr

Another Chesapeake classic.

Clyde Robinson/flickr

This is breakfast done right. Add some Highland County maple syrup and locally grown strawberries and you’ll be in heaven.

Project Healing Waters/flickr

Virginians are no strangers to delicious barbecue.

Effingfoodie/flickr

  1. Ham may have already been mentioned, but ham biscuits are a whole different ball game.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Food in Virginia September 23, 2022 Jackie Ann Where can I find the best burgers in Virginia? While burgers may not be one of the most famous foods in Virginia, they are one menu item that can make you a customer for life. Some of the best burgers in Virginia can be found in downtown Roanoke at the iconic Texas Tavern. This legendary restaurant has been in business since 1936, and it’s safe to say this eatery is a bit of a celebrity around town. Not only can you get yourself a great burger, but you can also get hot dogs and chili, which are both equally popular menu items here.  What is the most popular food in Virginia? Virginia food is unique in that it combines the coastal seafood flavors with traditional southern cuisine, and while there’s not a definitive answer here, we can confidently say that one of the most popular foods in Virginia is Brunswick Stew. This iconic Virginia dish is so important that both Virginia and Georgia argue over who invented Brunswick Stew. While we may never know the true origin roots, you can rest assured that you’ll find this classic stew on just about every menu across the state. What are the local favorite restaurants in Virginia? When you visit Virginia, you’ve got to try the BBQ. Virginia has some truly incredible BBQ joints, like Checkered Pig BBQ & Ribs or Pierce’s Pitt Barbecue. Pierce’s has been around since 1971 and many locals will tell you this is the best BBQ in Virginia, and we’d have to agree. A good BBQ joint can be judged by its sides, and the sides here are finger-licking good. Fan favorites include macaroni and cheese, cole slaw, and baked beans but the real star of the show is the homemade cornbread. 

The OIYS Visitor Center

Food in Virginia

September 23, 2022

Jackie Ann

Where can I find the best burgers in Virginia? While burgers may not be one of the most famous foods in Virginia, they are one menu item that can make you a customer for life. Some of the best burgers in Virginia can be found in downtown Roanoke at the iconic Texas Tavern. This legendary restaurant has been in business since 1936, and it’s safe to say this eatery is a bit of a celebrity around town. Not only can you get yourself a great burger, but you can also get hot dogs and chili, which are both equally popular menu items here.  What is the most popular food in Virginia? Virginia food is unique in that it combines the coastal seafood flavors with traditional southern cuisine, and while there’s not a definitive answer here, we can confidently say that one of the most popular foods in Virginia is Brunswick Stew. This iconic Virginia dish is so important that both Virginia and Georgia argue over who invented Brunswick Stew. While we may never know the true origin roots, you can rest assured that you’ll find this classic stew on just about every menu across the state. What are the local favorite restaurants in Virginia? When you visit Virginia, you’ve got to try the BBQ. Virginia has some truly incredible BBQ joints, like Checkered Pig BBQ & Ribs or Pierce’s Pitt Barbecue. Pierce’s has been around since 1971 and many locals will tell you this is the best BBQ in Virginia, and we’d have to agree. A good BBQ joint can be judged by its sides, and the sides here are finger-licking good. Fan favorites include macaroni and cheese, cole slaw, and baked beans but the real star of the show is the homemade cornbread. 

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

While burgers may not be one of the most famous foods in Virginia, they are one menu item that can make you a customer for life. Some of the best burgers in Virginia can be found in downtown Roanoke at the iconic Texas Tavern. This legendary restaurant has been in business since 1936, and it’s safe to say this eatery is a bit of a celebrity around town. Not only can you get yourself a great burger, but you can also get hot dogs and chili, which are both equally popular menu items here. 

What is the most popular food in Virginia?

Virginia food is unique in that it combines the coastal seafood flavors with traditional southern cuisine, and while there’s not a definitive answer here, we can confidently say that one of the most popular foods in Virginia is Brunswick Stew. This iconic Virginia dish is so important that both Virginia and Georgia argue over who invented Brunswick Stew. While we may never know the true origin roots, you can rest assured that you’ll find this classic stew on just about every menu across the state.

What are the local favorite restaurants in Virginia?

When you visit Virginia, you’ve got to try the BBQ. Virginia has some truly incredible BBQ joints, like Checkered Pig BBQ & Ribs or Pierce’s Pitt Barbecue. Pierce’s has been around since 1971 and many locals will tell you this is the best BBQ in Virginia, and we’d have to agree. A good BBQ joint can be judged by its sides, and the sides here are finger-licking good. Fan favorites include macaroni and cheese, cole slaw, and baked beans but the real star of the show is the homemade cornbread.