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Blacksburg, nestled in the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains, is home to Virginia Tech, a renowned engineering and agricultural university. This town boasts various food offerings, from casual food trucks and family style to fine dining.
Many of these eateries are tied to the university, with alumni opening breweries, wineries, and restaurants. The area’s allure provides foodies with a variety of choices. Enjoy artisanal breads, meats, and unique mushrooms at The Blacksburg Farmer’s Market or a juicy burger at Eastern Divide Brewery. Enjoy unique canned goods with fine wine at The Wine Lab or a gourmet dinner at Preston’s at the Inn at Virginia Tech. The choices are plentiful if you visit Montgomery County in southwestern Virginia.
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Beyond its student population, the town’s food scene caters to a diverse audience. From cozy cafes to upscale dining, here are some highlights:
Halwa Bakery and Cafe
This family-owned bakery on Main Street is all about good vibes, exciting beverages, and delicious pastries. There are sweet and savory pastries and breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Consider the Lebanese Latte (with rose and lavender), Turkish Coffee, or the non-alcoholic bourbon caramel chai! I ordered the Lebanese Spinach and Feta pastry, and my friend ordered the baklava. We shared a delicious breakfast croissant. I highly recommend Halwa Bakery and Cafe for a relaxed snack and drink before heading to downtown Blacksburg.
Blacksburg Farmer’s Market
You can get some delicious, locally grown food from the Blacksburg Farmer’s Market if you are around on Saturday mornings (year-round) or Wednesday afternoons (in spring/summer). From coffee and pastries to ice cream and burgers. An award-winning market, Virginia Living recently named Blacksburg Farmer’s Market the Best Farmers Market in southwestern Virginia. A unique characteristic is that the BFM is an ‘only produce market’ (items sold must have been made, grown, or produced within a 50-mile radius of Blacksburg). Currently, 37 vendors offer baked goods (try the Blacksburg Bagels), fresh produce, plants, flowers, and meat.
Breakfast Buffet at The Inn at Virginia Tech
Preston’s offers an outstanding breakfast buffet. It has hot, fresh choices (including biscuits and gravy, corn beef hash, scrambled eggs and the usual sides). There was also fresh fruit and very tasty juice smoothies. You don’t need to be a guest of the Inn at Virginia Tech to enjoy this wonderful breakfast. Preston’s is well known for its extensive Sunday Brunch, featuring selected entrees, desserts, and traditional breakfast fare. At under $30 per person, this is an excellent option for a special occasion.
Preston’s at Inn at Virginia Tech – 2
Preston’s is an award-winning restaurant located at the Inn at Virginia Tech. It offers seasonal menus and an extensive wine list. Enjoy the best Sunday brunches in New River Valley, with cooked-to-order omelets, chocolate fondue, roasted prime rib carving stations, and more.
Enjoy the Hokie Board with Virginia Shaved Country Ham, Pimento Cheese, House Chow Chow, and Lavosh. I enjoyed the Fish and Grits (Rainbow Trout, Ashe County Cheddar Grits, Pickled Forest Mushrooms).
Cabo Fish Taco
Serving baja-syle tacos, quesadillas and burritos, Cabo Fish Taco is very popular with both locals and tourists. Choose fresh seafood, chicken, and steak for your tacos, or enjoy the same in a salad. The Guacamole Salmon Salad looked particularly good. I recommend the Soy Ginger Shrimp Taco and one of the massive margaritas. With one of the largest tequila menus, the distinct margarita blends are made with their own fresh squeezed house mix.
Gillies
Family-owned and dating back to 1974, Gillies started as an ice cream shop, then for soup and bread, and has now grown into an inspired vegetarian and seafood restaurant. It offers the perfect combination of down-home charm and a progressive vegetarian menu with favorites like roasted quinoa salad, house-made black bean burgers, blackened catfish reuben, and design your stir fry.
The Blacksburg Tavern
The Blacksburg Tavern is located in the oldest house, circa 1892, on Main Street within the town’s original Sixteen Squares. When this home was built, Main Street was a dirt road where horses pulled wagons, and picket fences kept milk cows from roaming.
Serving traditional, regional farmer’s menu, much like the original family who lived in this house would have prepared: chicken, beef, ham, vegetables, biscuits, apple butter, ice cream, and pie, as well as a full bar with beer, wine, and mixed drinks.
The Blacksburg Tavern features old-time and bluegrass music of the Appalachian tradition, while the art depicts local history and landscapes. The owner, Daniel Riley, commissioned the landscapes to depict historical landmarks and family life in Blacksburg. Virginia McLaughlin is Riley’s great aunt, and at age 91, she brought rural life in southwest Virginia to life.
Blacksburg Wine Lab
Blacksburg Wine Lab began when a Virginia Tech faculty member was preparing to teach a wine geography class. That class continues to this day. What started with 16 students has grown into a 1,500-student online course. It’s not a bad way to do some homework, don’t you think?
Discover a carefully curated selection of cheeses and charcuterie plates, along with delicious pates and spreads, all served with a variety of fresh-baked local breads, crackers, pastries, and wines from around the world. Menu favorites include tinned seafood, house-made pimento cheese, spicy Tasso ham grilled cheese, and green apple pecan salad.
In the Spanish and Portuguese tradition of eating seafood from tins, this is a fun way to discover those smoked oysters, tuna, and salmon offerings you have seen in a grocery store. Not sure what to get? Owner Katie Pritchard has personally selected a few delicious tins to choose from.
Sugar Magnolia
Nestled on Main Street, Sugar Magnolia beckons with its rich, creamy ice cream topped with a mountain of whipped cream. During my visit, I savored the best milkshake I’ve ever had, making the experience truly unforgettable. The owner, driven by a passion for unique gifts, teamed up with her husband to create a charming shop that offers distinctive souvenirs—none bearing a Virginia Tech logo. It’s a perfect spot for locals and visitors looking to take home something special.
Zeppoli’s Italian Restaurant
Specializing in made-from-scratch cuisine with a little flair, using traditional recipes handed down from their Italian mothers, owners Cody Thompson and Chris Mullens have created a homemade Italian menu paired with curated wines. The restaurant is ‘vegetarian-friendly’ with gluten-free options. You can also purchase wine from its retail shop.
Beliveau Farm and Winery
Retired Professor, Engineer, winemaker, and owner of Beliveau Farm, Yvan Beliveau, originally from Quebec, has slowly made Beliveau Farm a perfect retreat. There is a BnB, a wine bar on the hill appropriately named ‘The Sugar Shack,’ and a smaller bar with beer on tap and food for visitors. The lite fare menu includes pizza and appetizers. Dinner is available if you stay at the Bed and Breakfast, but reservations must be made beforehand.
The winery officially opened in 2012, and a brewery was added in 2019 to produce gluten-free beers—currently, Virginia’s only gluten-free brewery. The secret to their delicious wine is that they are committed to making Virginia wine and not trying to be California. We enjoyed a wine tasting overlooking the farm – it was beautiful.
Moon Hollow Brewing Company
It boasts an inviting venue where people from all walks of life can connect over fresh, local brews. Moon Hollow Brewing Company is named for the small plot of land behind the brewery; it treats patrons to a variety of locally influenced flavors, from grapefruit ginger sour to a traditional Hefeweizen. You can order a flight of both beer or non-alcoholic options.
It’s unusual to find a woman brewing beer, but Head Brewer and Owner Hannah Lester offer a variety of beer flavor options as well as non-alcoholic drinks. You may want to try a Lavender Basil Slushie, Mulish Ginger Beer, or Cold Brew Coffee on Nitro (which packs a powerful but tasty punch).
Eastern Divide Brewing
Eastern Divide brews with all Virginia grains provided by Murphy and Rude Malting, lending an authentically local taste to all its brews and supporting local Virginia agriculture. Eastern Divide has also begun fermenting beers in oak barrels previously used for products like bourbon, wine, and maple syrup.
When the doors opened at noon, people were waiting at the door. The large space and games lend themselves to socializing. One section was filled with plants (not for sale), and the outdoor patio had seating for those wanting to enjoy the beautiful weather.
Their beer flights could be ordered with four or six generous samples. The lunch menu was limited but delicious. Our group had salads, burgers, and the pimento grilled cheese sandwich—all were a hit! I highly recommend the hot-honey fried chicken sandwich with fries. The portions were generous, and our order arrived very quickly.
Iron Tree Brewing
Iron Tree Brewing came to fruition when three Virginia Tech students became friends, started home-brewing beer, and eventually opened a brewery in 2010. After much practice in home-brewing, growing the brand, and renovating the current space, Iron Tree Brewing thrives in Historic Downtown Christiansburg.
Owner Seth Locklear says many neighbors meet here for games night or just for a relaxing conversation. There is nothing like a local watering hole to entice a community to get to know one another. Interesting offerings include the Duck Pond Water Scotch Ale (Smokey, like a fine scotch or a campfire with friends) and the James Blonde Blonde (Lightweight, golden, easy-drinker. Great for taking on a float down the James River or sitting and watching one of your favorite spy thrillers).
Deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains, you will find the charms of these two towns endearing and appealing. With great food offerings, you should stop in Blacksburg for world-class performances at the Moss Arts Center or enjoy the sunny weather at Huckleberry Park. Enjoy a glass of wine or a cold beer, there are plenty of things to do in Blacksburg and Christiansburg, Virginia. It is truly a beautiful southern state.
This article was initially published on Coleman Concierge as a guest post.
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