7 celebrity chef restaurants in Virginia you need to try at least once
Celebrity chefs have set up shop in Virginia for years. Check out some must-try eateries, from Gordon Ramsay’s Danville location to local culinary superstars.
Virginia’s full of down-home diners that satisfy every pang of hunger with homemade meals that soothe the soul, and we love them for it. Still, there are times that call for elevated meals, and when those moments arise, you need to find a restaurant that checks all of the boxes. And what’s a better culinary excursion than visiting one of Virginia’s many celebrity chef restaurants?
We’ve got memorable themed restaurants all across Virginia, but many people—even those right in our backyard—don’t realize how many celebrity chefs have either started their cooking journeys here or put down roots by opening an eatery ot two. They tend to have stellar reviews—as well as some of the best bites this side of I-81. So, without further ado, check out seven restaurants that need to be added to your foodie bucket list pronto.
1. Ramsay’s Kitchen by Gordon Ramsay
Address: 1100 W Main St, Danville, VA 24541
Hours: Monday-Sunday: 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
Housed at Caesars Virginia in Danville, Ramsay’s Kitchen by Gordon Ramsay is an easy way to experience Las Vegas without leaving your Southern comfort zone. The “MasterChef” judge has restaurants across the world, including in Sin City, where Caesars is a staple getaway. Ramsay’s Virginia establishment has both indoor and outdoor seating, and you’re going to want to soak up all of the sights, as this is just one of Virginia’s many restaurants with breathtaking views. Inside, elegance lines the walls, and outside, Danville’s historic smokestacks, known as the “Three Sisters,” tower over the area like guardian angels that always guide locals home. Truly, there’s no bad seat in the house.
There are no bad bites, either. The menu at Ramsay’s Kitchen features the namesake chef’s signature Beef Wellington—it’ll set you back a cool $75, but it might be worth it if you’ve watched “Hell’s Kitchen” for years and are curious to finally taste his rendition of the classic dish. If that doesn’t cut the mustard for you, though, there are plenty of other dishes to taste-test, including Truffle Risotto, freshly seared steaks, and Shrimp and Goat Cheese Grits. Ramsay’s Kitchen even serves breakfast!
2. The Inn at Little Washington
Address: 309 Middle St, Washington, VA 22747
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 6 p.m.-8 p.m.; Friday-Sunday: 5 p.m.-9 p.m.
Some celebrity chefs blow up and quit working in the day-to-day operations of their restaurants, but that isn’t the case for Patrick O’Connell, who opened The Inn at Little Washington in 1978 and has been plating special, beautiful dishes ever since. O’Connell is renowned in the food industry, with his common nickname being The Pope of American Cuisine. It’s his standards that help him rise above the rest—every meal is meticulously prepared because O’Connell knows that quality keeps people spiritually sated. This is so well-established that The Inn at Little Washington has maintained three Michelin stars since 2019, according to its website.
O’Connell’s name carries with it an aura of excellence, and a glance at the restaurant’s menu shows just how immaculate his mind is. You’ll find dishes like Tomato-Cured Hamachi in a Watermelon Gazpacho with Wasabi Sorbet, Carpaccio of Herb-Crusted Elysian Fields Baby Lamb Loin with Caesar Salad Ice Cream, and Chilled Petals of Roasted Beets with Herbed Crusted Goat Cheese, Toasted Pistachios, and Orange Vinaigrette. Needless to say, everything at The Inn at Little Washington is a unique eating experience, each bite more tantalizing than the last.
3. Guy Fieri’s Pizza Parlor
Address: 1976 Power Plant Pkwy, Suite B, Hampton, VA 23666
Hours: Thursday-Saturday: 6 p.m.-2 a.m.
Located in the Power Plant Hampton Roads entertainment district, Guy Fieri’s Pizza Parlor is exactly what it sounds like: a joint that serves sizzlin’ slices of ‘za with recipes riffing on the “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives” host’s Italian heritage. This is a casual restaurant, one where folks gather for beers and greasy grub—and that’s not a bad thing. Celebrity chefs don’t always have to specialize in upscale fare.
However, prospective diners should note that Guy Fieri’s Pizza Parlor has polarizing reviews. Some seem to like the dive vibes, while others expected more because of the namesake chef’s Food Network legacy. On Yelp, the restaurant has 2.9 stars out of 5. “The pizza parlor is amazing. Super fun decor, great games to play, and the music rocked,” one pleased reviewer wrote. Many don’t agree, though. Another said, “Guys Pizza Parlor…I am highly disappointed. … When we told the cashier our pizza was cold and dry, she said it was not. … The lack of attentiveness and concern for the patrons is concerning.”
With reviews being fairly 50-50, this is one restaurant you might have to test for yourself—if you’re willing to gamble.
4. Houndstooth Restaurant
Address: 1482 Zachary Taylor Hwy, Huntly, VA 22640
Hours: Monday, Wednesday-Sunday: 7 p.m.-10 p.m.
Described on its website as “romantic,” Huntly’s Houndstooth Restaurant offers diners a charming experience they won’t get anywhere else, including swoon-worthy candlelight, sumptuous bites that are downright seductive, and an ambiance that will leave your heart open for the night ahead. This fine-dining spot serves five-course meals that make the mouth sing, and they hail from the creative mind of Dayn Smith, Houndstooth Restaurant’s expert executive chef.
Smith is an award-winning chef who’s well-known in the culinary world thanks to his quick ascension in the kitchen, reaching executive chef status at just 21 years old and later competing in the invitation-only Culinary Olympics, per the restaurant’s website. His restaurant is located in Glen Gordon Manor, but anyone is welcome to make a reservation to taste his dishes, which are brought to life with local organic ingredients. The menu changes with the seasons, but some example dishes you might find include Shrimp a la Plancha, Cold Aged Prime Strip Loin, Almond Tuile Napoleon, and Potato Leek Soup with Fresh Burgundy Truffles. We’re swooning just writing this!
5. Good Stuff Eatery
Address: 2110 Crystal Dr, Arlington, VA 22202
Hours: Monday-Saturday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday: 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
Burger joints are a dime a dozen, but it’s not that hard to find a diamond in the rough when you know what to look for. For high-quality burgers and sides made from top-notch ingredients that are still affordable, look no further than Good Stuff Eatery. Celebrity chef Spike Mendelsohn owns this fast-casual restaurant, and as the establishment’s website notes, his family works alongside him, with Micheline Mendelsohn Luhn serving as deputy CEO and Harvey Mendelsohn serving as CEO.
Spike’s lengthy resume includes appearances on Food Network’s “Iron Chef America” and Bravo’s “Top Chef,” but longtime foodies know him for his knack for nailing flavors and techniques in precise ways that bring out his ingredients’ best flavors and textures. At Good Stuff Eatery, you’ll find upscale burgers at competitive prices, each featuring a unique flavor combination. The Prez Burger, for instance, features onion marmalade and horseradish mayo, while the Fried Green Tomato Veg features chipotle aioli, goat cheese, and arugula with the titular fried fruit (sorry, but we can’t rightly call it a vegetable). We’ll take three!
6. Metzger Bar & Butchery
Address: 801 N 23rd St, Richmond, VA 23223
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 5 p.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Folks might not think at first blush that Virginia has mouthwatering German food—that hype is generally reserved for Pennsylvania and even Chicago. Still, Richmond’s Metzger Bar & Butchery proves the naysayers wrong at every turn with its fare that balances the homemade feel of the German countryside with the elegance of fine dining. Fresh produce and high-quality meat establish a lofty threshold from the jump, and the way Chef Brittanny Anderson utilizes them takes them over the top.
Known for her appearances on “Top Chef” and Food Network, Anderson brings years of experience to her creations. The Metzger Bar and Butchery menu is composed of dishes that will feel as good inside as they appear on the outside, including Lamb Mette, Roasted Beet Salad, Duck Kasserolle, Charred Cabbage, and Pork Schnitzel. Needless to say, we’re salivating. Wir möchten fünf Schnitzel, bitte. Vielen Dank!
7. FoodE
Address: 900 Princess Anne St, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Hours: Monday-Thursday: 8:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday: 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday: 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
Fredericksburg is a low-key foodie haven, and one of the restaurants leading the charge is FoodE. The eatery is nestled into the Historic National Bank Building, giving it a historic air from the moment you step inside. And food history is undoubtedly being made here. Founded by executive chef Joy Crump, a former “Top Chef” contestant with experience cooking at the James Beard House, FoodE is a staple in its community because it’s evolved with its surroundings. The restaurant’s website notes that it’s always taken in feedback from its patrons to continue growing, but with its pristine ingredients and Crump’s knowledge and talent, it was always going to take off.
What does FoodE serve, you ask? In the mornings, you can order everything from Savory Tomato Ricotta Puff Pastry to Salmon Biscuits and Steak Tacos. For lunch, you can indulge in Shrimp & Grits, Jerk Chicken Hash, and Peaches & Cream, which features candied oats, champagne vinaigrette, and more for a tangy-sweet burst of flavors with each bite. Finally, dinnertime sees the kitchen slicing, simmering, and serving Spring Pea Hummus, Blackened Pork Chops, and Roasted Branzino. You just can’t leave without trying the Peach Brown Betty!
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