Located in Orange, Virginia, the Holladay House is surrounded by a variety of unique restaurants where you can find eats for everyone to enjoy, whether you’re visiting for a girl’s weekend, romantic getaway, or quality family time. The Holladay House serves a farm-to-fork breakfast for guests, but part of getting away includes getting out too. While we are always available to make a recommendation on good spots to visit, some of the best recommendations are those that come from the guests directly. Time after time, we hear the same rave reviews around the breakfast table. Presenting our guests’ favorites:
1. BBQ Exchange
This restaurant has received several awards, along with honorable mentions by the Food Network, and over 1,000 reviews on Google. Serving chicken, beef, pork, salmon, there’s something for everyone to enjoy here, including their tofu BBQ, called Fu-Q. Although there’s usually a line, it moves fast. Be sure to bring your appetite. The BBQ Exchange also serves local beer and cider and dessert, too.
Insider Tip: Skip the potato salad and go straight for the delicious mac n’ cheese and hush puppies…and collard greens…and even the broccoli salad.
2. Forked on Main
This is Main Street’s newest hot spot serving classic Southern cuisine elevated with a twist! This restaurant is adored because it offers creative dishes, contemporary decor, and has a great wine list with delicious cocktails and homemade breads. Craving beignets? This is the place to go! There is literally a fork in the road at the restaurant: once inside, go right to indulge in the dining room or left to relax in the lounge which even has a snack menu.
Insider Tip: if you are curious about their highly acclaimed crab soup, but don’t want to fill up on it, try the “Sip” portion. It’s only a shot-glass worth of soup – just enough to sample.
3. The Light Well
An upscale tavern and the first brewery in Orange County! This spot offers great eats and appetizers, plus 8 beers on tap and more craft options available in bottle. Serving lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, reservations are recommended if you plan to visit. If you have a sweet tooth, the desserts are worth the trip alone.
Insider Tip: All of their in-house craft beers are named after historic events in Orange County!
4. Vintage
This is semi-fine four-star dining at it’s very best. Vintage offers a gorgeous setting in one of the few properties older than The Holladay House. National-award winning food and wine, with a menu that changes seasonally to take advantage of the locally sourced ingredients. Vintage serves lunch and dinner and has gourmet Tapas on Wednesdays.
Insider Tip: if you go with a small group, ask if the semi-private room is available so you can all sit at the large circular table to enjoy the evening’s meal. Or, if you’re looking for something more romantic, you can make a reservation for the Chef’s Table.
5. Bavarian Chef
As close to Bavarian food as you can get on this side of the Atlantic! Serving homemade Bavarian-style dishes since 1974. With the waitresses in traditional dirndls and the waiters in bow ties, they bring Germany to Virginia. When you order the large Dunkel, be prepared for a massive drink! This location offers an incredible array of traditional Bavarian dishes.
Insider Tip: The portions are HUGE, and they will always refill your sides for that inevitable doggie-bag. If you make it to dessert, you are stronger than we are!
6. Piedmont Steakhouse
In the mood for a fantastic steak? Well, this is the place for you! Enjoy a laidback historic atmosphere inside a charming brick building, perfect for either a casual or dressy night out! Impeccable service, good wine list, and an amazing in-house family bread recipe. This restaurant also offers many of the classic steakhouse items you would expect. If you are up for a challenge, try the Tomahawk!
Insider Tip: If you are not into meat, they have some of the best eggplant parmesan in the area!
7. Pinto Thai Culpeper
Authentic Thai food run by 3 generations of a Thai family: enough said! This spot offers a fantastic atmosphere while serving incredibly fresh Thai cuisine since 2004. We could not recommend just one item on the menu, as we haven’t had a bad meal here yet.
Insider Tip: Pinto refers to the “lunchboxes” used to carry food to school. They line the bar with pintos in a variety of unique colors.
8. Picnic Spot
Head to James Madison’s Montpelier for the perfect picnic spot! BBQ Exchange runs the Exchange Cafe with grab-n-go and made-to-order options. Take a seat at the picnic tables, the outside cafe seating, or bring your own picnic and blanket to make a spot anywhere on the stunning grounds.
Insider Tip: the grounds are free so be sure to take advantage of their 8+ miles of trails either before or after your picnic!
If you’ve visited The Holladay House and have an additional recommendation, leave it in the comments. And, if you’d like to come experience any of these favorites for yourself, you can book your stay with us anytime!
