Are There Any Michelin Star Restaurants in Virginia? Don’t Miss These Charming Spots

As the home of the first permanent English settlement in America, Virginia boasts a rich history with plenty of museums, state parks, and other interesting areas to explore. Yet, visitors to the state should not overlook its vibrant food scene. Restaurants in Virginia utilize local ingredients, serving up seafood, Southern dishes, and more.

With this in mind, you may wonder if Virginia has any Michelin Star restaurants. Technically, the answer is yes! The state does boast a single Michelin Star restaurant. However, Virginia doesn’t have a Michelin Guide so the establishment is listed as part of the Washington DC Michelin Guide.

However, that certainly doesn’t mean that there aren’t other restaurants in Virginia worth visiting. There are plenty of other ways for eating establishments to earn prestige, other than earning a Michelin Star. For example, the James Beard Award recognizes outstanding chefs, restaurateurs, authors, and journalists in the United States.

Additionally, most locals will have strong opinions about the best places in Virginia to grab a bite to eat. Although only one restaurant on our list has garnered Michelin status, all are definitely worth a visit. (After this article, read about The 30 US Cities With the Most Underrated Food Scenes .)

The Inn at Little Washington

Virginia’s first and only Michelin Star Restaurant is the Inn at Little Washington . This restaurant is included as part of Washington DC’s Michelin Guide, although it is located in Washington, Virginia.

The Inn at Little Washington has distinguished itself by earning not just one Michelin Star — but three. The restaurant was also awarded a Michelin Green Star, which recognizes restaurants for their sustainability practices.

When you dine at the Inn at Little Washington, you can choose from The Gastrounaut’s Menu or The Good Earth Menu. The latter offers incredible vegetarian creations, but you really can’t go wrong, no matter what you order.

Dining at the Inn at Little Washington is an experience in and of itself, with whimsical touches such as a rolling cow displaying cheeses. The atmosphere evokes the warm, cozy feel of having a private, intimate dinner.

Chef Patrick O’Connell leads the kitchen staff at the Inn at Little Washington. O’Connell is an accomplished chef who has won numerous awards, such as the AAA Five Diamond Award. He holds six James Beard awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, and was even asked to cook for Queen Elizabeth when she visited Virginia in 2007.

2941

At 2941, Chef Bertrand Chemel combines contemporary American cuisine with French and Mediterranean-inspired flavors. The restaurant itself is beautiful to behold, with its exterior surrounded by lush landscaping, koi ponds, and waterfalls. Inside the restaurant’s decor combines modern elegance with natural elements.

Although it doesn’t have a Michelin Star, this Virginia restaurant has no shortage of accolades. 2941 has been distinguished by several magazines, including Washingtonian Magazine (100 Very Best Restaurants) and Northern Virginia Magazine (#1 on the Top 50 Best Restaurants in 2023). 2941 was also a James Beard semifinalist for the Outstanding Restaurant category in 2024.

When dining at 2941, you can choose from the Chef’s five-course tasting menu, a three-course pre-fix menu, or order items à la carte. Although the menus change seasonally, you can expect to see items such as Australian lamb chops and Chilean sea bass. The restaurant also offers an array of exquisite cocktails and desserts such as the blackberry eclair.

The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm

The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm was one of the first farm-to-table restaurants in the country and continues its tradition of “earth to table” cuisine. Fresh ingredients are celebrated and sourced from nearby farms or other local suppliers.

The restaurant is also dedicated to sustainability. For this reason, reservations are required. The staff prepares food according to the number of reservations and picks just enough fresh produce so that nothing goes to waste.

Colby Janowitz began to work at The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm in 2022, stepping up as the Executive Chef 10 months later. He is joined by pastry chef Mykel Winterstine, who attended The Culinary Institute of America in New York. The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm has been recognized by respected publications such as Conde Nast Traveler, Northern Virginia Magazine, OpenTable, and Zagat.

See for yourself just how amazing farm-to-table dining can be. With simple yet elegant dishes such as scallop spaghetti, bison with Swiss chard and red pepper, and tilefish with okra, you definitely won’t be disappointed. Keep in mind that since the restaurant utilizes the freshest local ingredients, the menu is likely to change often.

Joon

An Iranian restaurant located in Vienna, VA, Joon offers a variety of upscale dishes and exotic flavors, with produce sourced from Moon Valley Farm and Heray Spice.

Co-Founder, Reza Farahani’s started this restaurant in the hopes of showcasing Iran’s refined cuisine. He works alongside Michelin-starred c hef and owner Chris Morgan, as well as Executive Chef Najmieh Batmanglij. Batmanglij is a world-renowned Persian cookbook author and has been lauded as the “Grande Dame of Iranian Cooking” by The Washington Post. Additionally, both Morgan and Batmanglij were James Beard semifinalists in the Best Chef Mid-Atlantic category in 2024.

Joon offers a prix fixe menu on Tuesdays only for the reasonable price of $50. The dinner menu includes dishes such as grilled prawns, lamb chops, Soltani, and duck Fesenjoon. For dessert, try the “Persian Love Cake” or blackberry pavlova. You won’t be disappointed.

Trummer’s

Victoria and Stefan Trummer started their namesake restaurant over 10 years ago. This cozy spot located 25 miles from Washington DC showcases the diverse agricultural community of Virginia. Trummer’s combines “small town charm with fabulous food and attentive service generally found in big food cities.”

Executive Chef Zach Ridenhour leads Trummer’s culinary team, serving up dishes prepared in a variety of ways, including the French Rotisserie. Ridenhour’s menu features fresh seafood, and local pork, and highlights seasonal produce.

The menu changes often but dishes like branzino with brown butter hazelnuts, porcini-crusted scallops, and carrot risotto have been served. Additionally,  Trummer’s boasts the largest wine cellar in the Mid-Atlantic. (Next, check out The One Can’t-Miss Restaurant in Every State .)

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