14 Restaurants in Harrisonburg, VA That Never Disappoint

Hello and welcome to my article on the best restaurants you can find around the Harrisonburg, Virginia area. I have compiled a list of the restaurants that are most beloved in the area. The menu options aren’t insanely diverse, but I think I managed to get a little something for everybody on the list today. And for each restaurant that made it onto the list, I will give you a link to their Yelp page as well as their web page. 

That way you can see what other customers have had to say, you can check out pricing options, and even call and make reservations if you need to. And on top of that, I will also provide you with a handy link anytime one of these great restaurants in Harrisonburg accept our convenient digital GiftYa gift cards.

GiftYa operates pretty much like your standard gift card. You load an amount onto them, and then you have that amount to spend at the location the card is for. But instead of having to keep track of one of those clunky plastic gift cards from the 90’s, the entire operation is handled digitally. So you can buy and send the gift card all wirelessly in just seconds. And then once the recipient has the gift card, there is no worry about them losing track of the balance. Since the card stays on their phone full time, the phone does all the math for them and keeps track of the balance.

But enough about how GiftYas work, let’s get to that list of great restaurants in Harrisonburg that you were looking for!

1 - Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint

Great Place In Harrisonburg For A Hot Meal & A Cold Beer

80 S Main St | Harrisonburg | jackbrownsjoint.com

Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint gets the number one spot on my list for a few reasons. First of all, their customer feedback is overwhelmingly positive. Which means they are delivering for customers every time they order. They aren’t just fantastic once in a while.

Another thing that brings them to the top of the list is that although they serve plenty of traditional American cuisine, they really specialize in burgers and beers. And I figure what’s more American than a hot burger and a cold beer? I think the accessibility of their menu makes them a great choice for anybody who is looking to have a couple of drinks on a night out, but still get to enjoy some incredible food while they are at it!

“Can't believe it took me so long to try this place, especially after attending JMU for 4 years. I've finally experienced the Brady Burger and I'm in love. I will eat one of these any day. Love the crisp of the chips mixed with the Mac. Delicious!” - Yelp Review

2 - Clementine

Great Place For Great Food and Live Music

153 S Main St | Harrisonburg | clementinecafe.com

Clementine is fun because they serve a traditional menu of classic American entrees. But unlike the other restaurants on the list they feature plenty of live music and a lounge style dining room. Which really makes Clementine one of the more unique restaurants on the list today. There aren’t too many restaurants that feature a relaxing lounge style atmosphere on top of having live musical performances. They are open from 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM each day. So you can expect everything from brunch to dinner to be on the menu!

“Excellent service Ambiance was fun Food was great portions

Would definitely go back!” - Yelp Review 

3 - Rocktown Kitchen

Great Restaurant For Lunch or Dinner In Harrisonburg

217 S Liberty St | Harrisonburg | rocktownkitchen.com

Rocktown Kitchen rounds out the top three on my list of best restaurants in Harrisonburg for a few reasons. First of all, they have a four and a half star rating with previous customers which means they deliver excellent food and service on a consistent basis. But additionally, I like Rocktown Kitchen because although they serve a full menu of classic American cuisine, they really specialize in salads and sandwiches. 

Which I think makes them readily accessible to most people. And if you have anybody with dietary restrictions like being vegetarian or vegan, then Rocktown Kitchen has them covered too with a wide variety of fresh salads. Overall I think Rocktown Kitchen makes for a great choice for anybody who is looking for a great meal at a fair price.

“What a great surprise in Harrisonburg. Quality menu and excellent service. This place is a gem.” - Yelp Review 

4 - Jimmy Madison’s

Great Southern Style Dinner Restaurant

121 S Main St | Harrisonburg | jimmymadisons.com

If you want to enjoy classic Southern style cuisine while you are in Harrisonburg then Jimmy Madison’s has you covered. They serve a wide variety of southern style meals in a more upscale and fashionable manner than you might get elsewhere. Trust me, this is going to be the fanciest plate of chicken and waffles you have ever had. And it continues that way across the board. 

They take everything from fried chicken to fried greens and really elevate it to another level making for an out of this world dining experience! So if you are looking for something familiar, but interesting and new all at the same time then definitely give Jimmy Madison’s a visit next time you are in Harrisonburg.

“Came here with my wife on vacation.  Everything we ordered (BBQ platter with brisket/meatloaf, wafflewich, and the pimento fondue as an app) was DELICIOUS, the drinks and service were great too.  Looks unassuming on the outside, but inside, it's gorgeous, love the atmosphere.  

100% coming here again when passing through in the future!” - Yelp Review 

5 - Local Chop & Grill House

Best Steakhouse You Can FInd In Harrisonburg

Grab a Local Chop & Grill House gift card by following the link!

56 W Gay St | Harrisonburg | localchops.com

If you are looking for your stereotypical “best restaurant” while you are in Harrisonburg then I’m guessing you are probably looking for a steakhouse. And if you are, then you are in luck because Local Chop & Grill House is the best steakhouse you can find in Harrisonburg. And like most modern steakhouses they also feature a full menu of traditional American style dinners in case steak isn’t what everybody in your dining party is in the mood for. But if steak is what everybody is in the mood for, then they are in for a real treat at Local Chop & Grill House.

“Nice atmosphere with delicious food and friendly staff. I've been twice, and it's by far one of my favorite restaurants in the Harrisonburg area. I definitely recommend the calamari for an appetizer. The ice cream (especially salted caramel) was also very good.” - Yelp Review 

Get a digital Local Chop & Grill House gift card by following this handy link!

6 - Magpie Diner

Great Place for Breakfast & Brunch In Harrisonburg

85 West Gay St | Harrisonburg | magpiediner.com

If you are looking for a great breakfast or brunch while you are in Harrisonburg, but want it to have more of a local flair then the Magpie Diner is going to be just the spot for you. They specialize in breakfast, brunch, bakery items, and coffee. But they serve their breakfast and brunch up with a southern style. Which means that you can get a more memorable experience than you would get somewhere that just serves the same old breakfast menu you are used to. It’s hard to really encapsulate their style so I highly recommend checking out their webpage and looking through the menu yourself to make sure it sounds like something you would enjoy!

“It definitely has 5 stars overall for a reason. Soft biscuits, good specialties and fantastic drinks. Great job to all the servers and speedy delivery of food. Also grab Will as your server if you can. GO DUKES!” - Yelp Review 

7 - Pale Fire Brewing

Best Brewery You Can Find Around Harrisonburg

217 S Liberty St | Harrisonburg | palefirebrewing.com

Pale Fire Brewing is going to be the number one place in Harrisonburg if what you are looking for is great craft beer and good food. They stand out as the best brewery in the area for a few reasons. First of all they feature a large tap room indoors and a large patio conveniently located in downtown Harrisonburg for outdoor seating. They always have a cycle of at least ten beers on tap. And on top of the drinks they also specialize in all kinds of traditional pub food as well as pizza. 

They have an early happy hour from 3-5PM Monday through Friday. And on top of all of that, they also feature plenty of live events like live music and trivia competitions! So you can really get a great night out all from one location at Pale Fire Brewing!

“Great setting and roomy atmosphere. Excellent beer selections and indoor/outdoor seating! Kitchen opens at 4 so it's dinner only but the pizza selections looked amazing!” - Yelp Review 

8 - Buffalo Wild Wings

Popular Sports Bar With A Nearby Location

Grab a Buffalo Wild Wings gift card by following the link!

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431 Gander Dr | Charlottesville | buffalowildwings.com

Buffalo Wild Wings makes a great choice for anybody whose idea of a nice night out at a restaurant involves plenty of cold beer, hot wings, and sports on multiple big screen tvs. If that sounds like a good night out to you then BWW is going to be just the spot for you in Harrisonburg. You can get all the sports bar classics like wings, burgers, and appetizers all served up with plenty of cold beer! And regardless of the time of year, you can expect the most important sporting events to be broadcast on one of the massive tvs they have around the dining room. 

“I like Jose good attitude good service and hard working he was great with kids and I am sitting in the part of the restaurant that is a bar!” - Yelp Review 

Get a Buffalo Wild Wings gift card for you or a friend by following the link! 

9 - Olive Garden

An Italian Chain Restaurant That Is Popular Nationally

Grab an Olive Garden gift card by following the link!

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45 Burgess Rd | Harrisonburg | olivegarden.com

If you are looking for some Italian cuisine at an affordable price then it’s hard to go wrong with Olive Garden. For those of you who don’t know, Olive Garden is a chain of Italian restaurants that is popular all over the country. While it’s not going to be the absolute most authentic Italian food you can find anywhere, they do have plenty of pasta, salads, and breadsticks to keep the whole table happy.

“Fast service.  I requested reduced salt and kitchen was accommodating.  salad was refilled quickly.” - Yelp Review 

You can get an Olive Garden gift card by following the link right here!!

And there it is, you finally have it. A list of all the great restaurants you can find around the Harrisonburg area of Virginia. I hope you were able to find just what you were looking for on the list. I wasn’t able to get a ton of out there choices onto the list today, but I think I covered all the staples. Breakfast & brunch place? Check. Brewery? Check. Steakhouse? Check. Restaurants with a local flair? Check. Luckily the restaurant scene in Harrisonburg is a thriving one so I was still able to get most of the classic locations covered.

10. Bella Luna Wood Fired Pizza

Homemade food that is farm fresh. 

217 S Liberty Ste 101 | Harrisonburg | oneillsgrill.com

Bella Luna Wood Fired Pizza  serves farm-fresh food that is hand-crafted. They serve woodfired pizza, handmade pasta, and amazing desserts. They offer a wide selection of beers from local brewers along with hard ciders on tap, and that comes on top of the hard ciders, wines, and artisan cocktails you can enjoy there. You can also enjoy meatballs, pesto verde, and sopressata. 

“Bella Luna was a delightfully delicious dinner. We had meatballs and salads to start our meal...meatballs were delicious and the salads were delicious as well. We ordered an arugula pizza- AMAZING! The service was top notch and the environment is cool. We will definitely be headed back!”–Yelp Review

11. O’Neill’s Grill

Fresh, homemade food in a comfortable setting. 

221 University Blvd | Harrisonburg | oneillsgrill.com

O’Neill’s Grill Restaurant & Bar serves fresh meals that are never frozen. They specialize in comfort food and brews. Their fresh meals are also made with local ingredients. This restaurant is most known for its cookie skillet dessert, so you’ll definitely be in for an amazing dessert, but they also make lots of amazing food. 

You can try their in-house smoked BBQ, grilled burgers, prime steaks, and one of 11 homemade sauces. The menu has options like fajitas, bacon mac and cheese, and Texas BBQ smoked beef. They also offer vegetarian and gluten free options, so whatever your diet, you are sure to have great options at O’Neill’s!

“First time here. Food was fresh, tasty, and temperature appropriate. Service staff was great as several people checked to make sure I had what I needed during my visit. I'll be back.”–Yelp Review

12. Capital Ale House

A fully stocked bar alongside a delicious menu. 

41 A Court Square | Harrisonburg | capitalalehouse.com

Capital Ale House is a bar and restaurant that is open late for late night revelers. This is where you go for a lively night out with a group of friends. They will even help you plan a party! Bring a group and pick out meals from the banquet menu. You get to choose a starter, an entree, and a dessert for everyone, and the choices include goat cheese salad, pan seared mahi mahi, and chocolate fudge cake. 

And if you come in for a regular night out, you get access to tons of great options on their daily menu like calamari, white chicken chili, tacos, and much more. They even offer great specials, one of which is the game day bundle that includes jumbo chicken wings, Bavarian pretzels with mustard, and your favorite draft beer. Aside from all of that, their bar draught list is incredibly long and you’ll get to try unique creations like hazelnut brown nectar, watermelon cider, and Duchesse chocolate cherry. 

“All I can say is wow!!!! The best chicken, shrimp and andouille pasta. Service was prompt and friendly on a busy Thursday night. Our party of 3, ordered the same dish and we left happy and talking about how good it was the next day.”–Yelp Review

13. Wood Grill Buffet

Homemade foods served buffet style in Harrisonburg. 

1711 Reservoir St | Harrisonburg | woodgrillbuffetva.com

Wood Grill Buffet has a long history of pleasing their customers, and if you visit, you’ll come to understand their reputation. They are a buffet that is known for a wide selection of foods and exceptional customer service. They even have an open cooking area right at the buffet where you can see your food being made right in front of you. 

The buffet is completely stocked with several delicious homemade foods. They have casseroles, fresh baked bread, country style vegetables, fruits, and salads. They also offer more high quality meats than any other buffet, and have a great selection of desserts that will be perfect to top your meal off with. 

“Very good meal, so much variety I doubt we saw it all. Many bars full of a huge variety. Highly recommend.”–Yelp Review

14. Vito’s Italian Kitchen

Casual Italian eatery with great food. 

1047 Port Republic Rd | Harrisonburg | vitositaliankitchen.com

Vito’s Italian Kitchen is a casual family-friendly restaurant where people can get together to relax while enjoying some top notch Italian food. Vito’s menu offers classics like lasagna, chicken piccata, and chicken marsala alongside unique creations like cinnamon carbonara, Gianni’s baked rigatoni, and Gabby’s vodka sauce. 

They have a large menu that offers lots of options, and they serve their food in a comfy dining space that almost reminds you of a family kitchen. You will even have the option to build your own pizza! Simply decide on your size, your base, and your toppings, and you’ll be on your way to eating great pizza. 

“A lot of places are closed on Sunday in Harrisonburg, so we were thrilled to find Vitos when we were passing through town.

Service is great, food is plentiful and good. We had rigatoni with sausage and mushrooms (yum!), veal piccata and salmon on spinach.”–Yelp Review

And there it is, you finally have it. A list of all the great restaurants you can find around the Harrisonburg area of Virginia. I hope you were able to find just what you were looking for on the list. I wasn’t able to get a ton of out there choices onto the list today, but I think I covered all the staples. Breakfast & brunch place? Check. Brewery? Check. Steakhouse? Check. Restaurants with a local flair? Check. Luckily the restaurant scene in Harrisonburg is a thriving one so I was still able to get most of the classic locations covered.