Let’s get right into it, the top 5 restaurants around Jefferson County in West Virginia! These are all smaller establishments. We’re talking mom and pop restaurants, local spots – ones you do not want to miss on your restaurant tour of Jefferson County. And there are a lot of REALLY good restaurants in Jefferson County!
Top Restaurants in Jefferson County
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Offering a range of cuisine options, Jefferson County has three standout towns for restaurants in Harpers Ferry, Charles Town, and Shepherdstown. Let’s explore the top five places to eat here!
Alma Bea (Shepherdstown)
Appalachian inspired dinner plates, styled in a rustic warehouse, set along the railroad tracks in historic Shepherdstown – the place just vibes together so nicely. Alma Bea offers very unique plates with a rotating menu and ingredients that are sourced farm to table as locally as possible. The restaurant – building and menu – fit nicely in Shepherdstown, and the restaurant even offers to-go meals that are stocked and ready in the freezer for takeout. The bar at Alma Bea is also very nice and relatively large, serving seasonal mixed drinks, plus wine and beer. The restaurant is wide open and can accommodate some larger parties, but the restaurant can book up quickly so plan ahead. Alma Bea is really a standout with its diverse, Appalachian menu that you won’t find at any other restaurant around. The service is excellent, and it pairs nicely whether its an intimate dinner, a family night out, or a business gathering. With several dining options in Shepherdstown, Alma Bea one has to be considered in the top five restaurants.
Blue Moon Café (Shepherdstown)
Have you ever had lunch or dinner served to you in a shaded park with a stream lightly babbling in the background? That’s what the outside dining experience is like at the Blue Moon Café in Shepherdstown where the Town Run waterway meanders through the outdoor seating area on its way to the Potomac River. It creates such a relaxed environment that goes well with the craft beer selection and the homestyle American menu with a wide range of salads, sandwiches, wraps, and quesadillas. The place just makes having a good time easy. Beyond the beautiful outdoor dining area, the restaurant is actually best known for its quiche which is made daily. They also have a children’s menu and can accommodate some larger parties. Plus the Blue Moon provide a nice indoor seating area when the conditions for outdoor dining do not cooperate. If you are in a rush, they do offer takeout dining for call-in orders. There is usually seating available, but during the busiest times a call ahead reservation is suggested.
La Mezzaluna Café (Charles Town)
If you did not know that the most delicious, authentic Italian restaurant within an hour’s drive is located next to the grocery store in Charles Town, then you’re missing out on one of the best meals of your life. Perfectly al dente pastas of every type await in a simple, family restaurant that’s budget friendly. Big portions of your favorite dishes means that leftovers are likely, and the food gets even better after soaking up those savory European flavors. The menu is just as big as the portions with a wide variety of noodles, sauces, vegetables, and proteins; or skip the extra carbs and go with one of many Italian inspired entrees. Keeping with authenticity, La Mezzaluna serves a very nice line of Italian desserts that are sized well enough to share – if you want! They do offer lunch hours and portions, appetizers, and salads as well.
Press Room (Shepherdstown)
If you want to go to THE BEST RESTAURANT in Jefferson County, then you might want to make a reservation at the Press Room for dinner. Seriously, reserve a time because this little American-Italian restaurant and bar in downtown Shepherdstown is top of the class and books up fast. The presentation from the front door is top notch, and the food doesn’t disappoint. Serving a variety of pastas and entrees for elevated palettes, the food is stylish and plated beautifully, and the service is appropriate and consistent. Offering a full bar and a line of decadent desserts, this is not your typical family restaurant, but it is a great spot for a special dinner occasion. In a town renown for great restaurants, the Press Room may be in a class of its own.
The Anvil Restaurant (Harpers Ferry)
One of the longest run restaurants in Jefferson County, The Anvil in Harpers Ferry has been a staple of the community since 1985. Self-described as a cozy outpost in historic Harpers Ferry, the restaurant serves signature seafood dishes and traditional American cuisine, plus a selection of homemade desserts. Driving by, you will see the outdoor smoker filling the air with smells of pork, chicken, and sausages cooking. With indoor and outdoor seating, the restaurant is big enough to handle large parties of up to 150 people, including weddings and rehearsal dinners, cocktail parties, and other events in their garden and patio areas. The restaurant gets busy for lunch and dinner on weekends with live music on Friday evening. The menu changes weekly and seasonally, but you can always count on great seafood.
Other Great Restaurants in Jefferson County
Kome Thai and Sushi Bistro (Shepherdstown)
Bring the flavor and bring the heat, if you want! Kome features a delicious Thai and Japanese menu with a fresh seafood and sushi bar in the heart of historic Shepherdstown. It’s a casual dining experience, but it’s also one that can be both family-friendly and intimate. No matter the occasion, the food is sure to be great with authentic spices from Thailand that really pack unique flavor and umami into every dish. Kome is really good for takeout orders as well
Rossy’s Place [Charles Town]
Labeling itself as a “casual American bistro,” this small-town diner packs a big punch of flavor with a Latin flair. Off the beaten path in a small, turquoise shaded, family-run establishment, this spot is worth a special trip. Specializing in sandwiches, tacos, and finger-foods, the menu is wide-ranging and their dinner entrees cover the most popular American dishes – they’re all there! Best of all, they have an outstanding brunch menu [and serve cocktails], and this might be a local secret that’s beginning to spread.
Sumittra Thai Kitchen & Bar (Charles Town)
Bringing some Thai heat to the downtown streets of Charles Town, this modern restaurant is a hot spot for their daily lunch menu, but it is also a great spot for an evening of cocktail drinks and dining. These traditional Thai recipes have been passed down through the generations and arrive at your table with splendid presentation, and Sumittra – meaning beloved friend – shares Thailand’s heirloom cooking methods with their customers as they have their family.
Bistro 112 (Shepherdstown)
Welcome to French culinary excellence made right in historic downtown Shepherdstown! Serving a selection of hors d’oeuvres, entrees, and private wines that are sure to entice the most discerning palettes, this fine restaurant caters to lunch and dinner crowds. Providing ample seating for small parties and a serene outdoor patio area, this is a great dining option. The neighborhood French bistro is a favorite of locals and even offers takeout orders so you can get your meal to go!
Hillbrook Inn Restaurant (Charles Town)
Nestled within the historic Hillbrook Inn & Spa estate, the restaurant offers a delightful culinary experience in a resort setting. The talented chefs at this great restaurant, feature a seasonal menu crafted with the locally sourced ingredients and a fusion of flavors, artfully presented in appropriate portions. Whether you’re savoring an intimate dinner for two or celebrating a special occasion with friends and family, the attentive staff will ensure your dining experience is nothing short of extraordinary.
The Bavarian Inn Brewing Company (Shepherdstown)
Get a taste of Germany along the picturesque Potomac River at the Bavarian Inn, providing two dining options often sharing the same menu. The updated gastropub provides a local retreat brewing in-house craft beers and serving a more casual, all day menu. The space stretches outside to a covered patio, and further to Adirondack chairs and propane fireplaces that overlook the infinity pool and Potomac River valley. The traditionally styled Potomac Room serves the same menu, as well as an exclusive breakfast and brunch menu. This large dining room hosts banquets and celebrations year-round and shares the same access to the outdoor spaces. During the weekend you can catch live entertainment at the Rathskeller lounge in the early evenings.
Seriously, with so many great dining options in Jefferson County, it is almost impossible to narrow down to the five best restaurants – and these haven’t even touched on our Top 5 Fast Dining options that are the real secrets! It’s not a far drive to Martinsburg, Hagerstown, Winchester, or even Frederick, but there’s no reason to when the best European, Asian, and Appalachian culinary options are from restaurants right in Shepherdstown, Charles Town and Harpers Ferry. It’s a real hot spot for foodies to enjoy!