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.
Blacksburg celebrates its agricultural heritage with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The Blacksburg Farmers Market, held every Saturday from April to October, features seasonal produce, artisanal cheeses, homemade baked goods, and handcrafted items. Explore and connect with the community while enjoying farm-fresh delights.
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
Photo Credit: Margarita Ibbott @DownshiftingPRO.
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 Farmers Market
Photo Credit: Margarita Ibbott @DownshiftingPRO.
You can get some delicious, locally grown food from the Blacksburg Farmers Market if you are around on Saturday mornings (year-round) or Wednesday afternoons (in spring/summer). There is much to enjoy here, such as coffee, pastries, ice cream, and burgers. An award-winning market, Virginia Living recently named Blacksburg Farmers 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.
Preston’s at The Inn at Virginia Tech
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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 The Inn at Virginia Tech – 2
Photo Credit: Margarita Ibbott @DownshiftingPRO.
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
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Serving baja-style 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
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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 own stir fry.
The Blacksburg Tavern
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The Blacksburg Tavern is situated in the oldest house on Main Street, dating back to 1892, within the town’s historic Sixteen Squares. When this home was constructed, Main Street was just a dirt path where horses pulled wagons, and picket fences kept the milk cows from wandering.
The tavern serves a traditional farmer’s menu, reminiscent of what the original family in this house might have prepared. The offerings include chicken, beef, ham, vegetables, biscuits, apple butter, ice cream, and pie. Additionally, there is a full bar with a selection of beer, wine, and mixed drinks.
The Blacksburg Tavern – 2
Photo Credit: Margarita Ibbott @DownshiftingPRO.
The Blacksburg Tavern features old-time and bluegrass music of the Appalachian tradition, while the art depicts local history and landscapes. The landscapes were commissioned by owner, Daniel Riley 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
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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.
Blacksburg Wine Lab – 2
Photo Credit: Margarita Ibbott @DownshiftingPRO.
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
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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
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Zeppli’s Italian Restaurant is like eating at your Italian family friend’s house. Specializing in made-from-scratch cuisine with a bit of 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
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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.
Beliveau Farm and Winery – 2
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Beliveau Farm & Winery officially opened in 2012, and the 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 replicate wines from California (or other wineries in the country). Enjoy a wine tasting overlooking the farm—it is enjoyable and very beautiful.
Moon Hollow Brewing Company
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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 provide 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 a Cold Brew Coffee on Nitro (packing a powerful but tasty punch).
Eastern Divide Brewing
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Eastern Divide crafts its beers using only Virginia grains sourced from Murphy and Rude Malting, ensuring a genuinely local flavor and bolstering the state’s agriculture. The brewery has also started fermenting its beers in oak barrels that previously held products like bourbon, wine, and maple syrup.
When the doors opened at noon, a crowd was already waiting. The expansive space, filled with games, is perfect for socializing. One area was adorned with plants (not for sale), while the outdoor patio offered ample seating for those wishing to enjoy the lovely 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
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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).
Blacksburg and Christiansburg are Worth a Visit
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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!