The 8 Best Places for Appetizers in Virginia!

Virginia has many unbelievable restaurants, but a truly memorable experience needs to kick off with a bang. At the following eight spots, you’re sure to find flavor, service, and deliciousness like nowhere else in the state. Look no further for the top eight places to get appetizers in Virginia. 

Local Chop House and Grill, Harrisonburg, VA

Local Chop House and Grill is Virginia Living’s Best of Virginia 2017 winner and has many more accolades to boot. Their locally-sourced dishes served in a repurposed city exchange includes delectable appetizers like sweet potato fritters, shrimp and grits, and autumn olive farms pork belly.

Lunch.SUPPER!, Richmond, VA

Lunch.SUPPER! is a trendy, New American restaurant in Richmond, Virginia. Their appetizers, including the Ploughman’s Lunch (house made charcuterie of sausage du jour, smoke cheese, tasso ham, pickled egg, local pickles and rotating jam served with flat bread), cast iron local fried oysters, and short ribs, among others, are served all day. 

LeGrand Kitchen, Norfolk, VA

LeGrand Kitchen in Norfolk, Virginia, finds inspiration for their food in rock ‘n’ roll. LeGrand has only 28 in-demand seats, so make sure to book your reservation ahead of time. The appetizers are all delicious, but we recommend the Farm Egg Schmear (best part of the deviled egg, chives, smoked paprika, served with Ritz crackers).

Lampo, Charlottesville, VA

Lampo is a pizza and Italian restaurant in Charlottesville, Virginia. While their appetizer menu isn’t large, each of the options are absolutely fantastic. Try the Cavolfiore al forno (roasted cauliflower, garum, Calabrian chili, mint). 

Fat City Kitchen, Alexandria, VA

Fat City Kitchen in Alexandria, Virginia, makes everything on their menu from scratch. Their appetizers, or “Snacks” as the menu calls them, are simply divine and include such winners as the Bronx Knots (pizza dough tied into knots), and Portland blue mussels.

TRIO Grill, Falls Church, VA

TRIO Grill in Falls Church, Virginia, has a wide variety of appetizers to enjoy in their casual environment. Go for the Berkshire pork belly (hickory smoked confit pork belly, green chili grits, bourbon barbecue sauce, apple celery slaw, micro celery) or the house made burrata (fig marmalade, frisee, red onion, brown butter croutons, pomegranate seeds, pomegranate reduction). 

Clarity, Vienna, VA

Clarity in Vienna, Virginia, is situated in a 70-seat main dining room and open exhibition kitchen. The menu can change, but no matter the menu, the appetizers are always delightful surprises.

Zynodoa, Staunton, VA

Zynodoa in Staunton, Virginia, works directly with Virginia’s farmers to ensure their food is as fresh as can be. That translates to scrumptious food across the menu, perhaps none more than in the appetizers. Their crispy glazed broccoli, free union farm duck liver mousse, and bruleed cast iron cornbread are, simply put, fabulous. 

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