Fredericksburg, Virginia, was established in 1728 and stretches back to colonial times.
With a population of just over 20,000 people, this little city is a popular destination for history aficionados, hikers, and those looking for a tranquil holiday. It’s a simple day drive from Washington, DC, and just sixty miles from the state capital of Richmond.
Fredericksburg is home to four Revolutionary and Civil War battlefields, and it claims to be one of the most haunted towns in the United States.
All of that touring will undoubtedly whet your stomach, so we’ve done our lot to point you in the direction of eight of the greatest downtown Fredericksburg eateries. Whatever your culinary preferences are, chances are you’ll find it here.
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The 11 Best Restaurants in Downtown Fredericksburg
Downtown in Germany
+15403734110411 William St., Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401, USA
The cuisine and the friendly setting at Germany Downtown are great. I suggest going with someone and dividing the meal if you have a lesser appetite.
This cozy but informal setting has around 10 tables, and they also provide pickup orders and wine sales in the same area as the eating. The server was kind and engaging, with a keen eye for detail.
We began with two unsweetened iced teas (our trademark beverages) and a Bavarian pretzel (because they’re delicious)! If a Bavarian pretzel is on the menu, I almost always get it since it is my favorite.
This was served with yellow mustard and was delicious either way. That was definitely my second favorite after the German pretzels at Park Lane Tavern.
We ordered a full course dinner with an appetizer, soup, entree, and dessert, as I always do when trying out a new place for the first time. We started with a cup of the Soup du jour, a rustic chicken noodle.
It tasted moderate and was both fresh and sturdy. I’d definitely order it again. It tasted as though it have miraculous therapeutic capabilities.
For our entree, we picked the Schweinrolle, a pork loin filled with wild mushrooms, onions, and spices, wrapped in bacon, and served with brown gravy.
We got Sptzle, a little dumpling noodle, Bavarian potato salad, and roasted red potatoes with heated herbs (yum!). At Fredricksburg, Germany, my need for comfort food was satisfied.
Apfelstrudel rounded off our delicious meal (an apple strudel with a flaky crust packed with spiced apples and raisins and served with a scoop of hazelnut ice cream).
Overall, we will most certainly return! The service was outstanding, and the pub had a genuinely German vibe. I’m delighted I finally went to this restaurant! It is without a doubt one of the top restaurants in downtown Fredericksburg.
Caseys
+15403774024622 Kenmore Ave, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401, USA
Caseys is a local staple with a popular breakfast menu. If you don’t have your own transportation, the restaurant is near enough to downtown to walk there.
Caseys serves a wide range of cuisines, including seafood and steaks. Our server was quite helpful in discussing the specialities and suggesting options that improved our dining experience.
The Pan Roasted Fish, Bone-in Pork Chop, and Farmers Pasta were our choices. Everything was hot and fresh, and it tasted fantastic.
The potatoes were wonderful! We will, without a doubt, return. It’s off the usual road in downtown Fredericksburg, but it’s well worth a visit.
Sedona Taproom
+15409402294591 William St., Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401, USA
I’ve eaten at STH many times in the last five or six years. The first thing I should say about them is that they are constant in every element of eating.
I adore the layout and ambience; it’s the ideal combination of date night, family-friendly, business meeting, or just grabbing a drink! Customer service has always been outstanding.
They offer an excellent food and beverage selection. I had their seared ahi tuna as an appetizer.
I choose their hungover burger as my main course. It’s well-made and arrived hot and fresh. Their meal delivery schedule has been spot-on in terms of hot and fresh, with my main coming at the conclusion of my appetizer or just minutes after.
When I eat there, their drink menu is outstanding, as is their beer choices. I usually get their classic smoked style, which has sweet undertones and a pleasant finish.
A night out with pals. You will not be sorry if you visit one of the greatest restaurants in downtown Fredericksburg. Every now and then, I’ll grab a gallon of beer for my family or friends. Consider going out for breakfast, a date, or a family outing.
The Little Inn
+15403712727311 William St, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401, USA
La Petite Auberge is an excellent French restaurant in Fredericksburg. They provide delicious meals and desserts, as you may expect! The décor is lovely and appealing. The food is amazing, and the service is outstanding!
I drank a delicious pumpkin spice White Russian. The escargots were decent, but the fried eggplant fingers with honey and crumbled cheese were unexpectedly tasty. The halibut with risotto, on the other hand, was the best dish.
I’ve never eaten such soft, wonderful, and flavorful halibut. I was completely delighted with the risotto, but I stole a few bites of my friend’s dessert, a hazelnut cake with butterscotch sauce.
The cake was very European, not excessively sugary, which I liked, but the handmade butterscotch sauce was delicious, sweet and creamy, and fantastic if you like sweets.
The server also brought us a tiny portion of butterscotch sauce to go. This place is fantastic for special events!
Foode
Princess Anne St, Fredericksburg, VA 22401, USA +15404791370900
We had lunch here last Saturday. We didn’t have reservations, so we waited roughly thirty minutes despite being told it may take an hour. The historic features within produced a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Our table was in the vault, just beyond the big steel door. Our waitress was kind and knowledgeable.
The Foode creations were fantastic (and one of the primary reasons I put it on my list of downtown Fredericksburg eateries)! Be advised that the menu constantly changes to reflect the season of consumption (this is a great thing). We started the night off with a few cocktails, including a Pear Necessities, a Ciderita, and a Peanut Butter Stout.
This was accompanied with Crispy Brussels Sprouts, Pimento Cheese Toast, and a beautifully prepared charcuterie dish. We also ordered a warm beet salad with salmon, a Muenster burger, a braised pork chop, and the chef’s special, a perfectly cooked cod filet.
We had to split the dinner since it was so good! We finished the evening with a delicious banana creme puff and a gingerbread spiced dessert. Thus, if you want a fantastic gastronomic experience in Fredricksburg, treat yourself to the gastro-experiences of Foode!
Rio de Janeiro Tapa
+154037308701101 Sophia St, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401, USA
Tapa Rio is a terrific restaurant in Fredericksburg that provides delicious meals. Located only a few blocks from the old city center and tucked by the river. The terrace offers stunning views of the meadow and river.
The inside has been repainted white, making it bright and inviting. Since the tables are appropriately divided, conversations are not difficult.
I had the Paella de Marisco, which was wonderful with shrimp, mussels, and scallops. Gambas a la Plancha, which were tail-on shrimp hard-grilled on an iron grill and topped with smoky romesco sauce and Manchego cheese, were a hit with my buddy.
He really enjoyed the house salad, which fed two of us. The wine was also delicious. The bar looks to be a nice place to drink and dine.
It was a delightful surprise to discover this hidden treasure off the beaten path. As someone who has tasted tapas and pintxos in Spain, seeing several well-represented options in Fredericksburg, Virginia, was a nice surprise.
There’s nothing pompous about this place; simply wonderful food and kind service. I strongly suggest this eatery!
Orofino
+154037313521006 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401, USA
Orofino is without a doubt the greatest Italian restaurant in Fredericksburg, serving real food. I’ve been to Italy numerous times and can confirm this. The service and personnel are also excellent. The tables and furniture are quite nice.
Traditional Italian cooking is available on the menu, and my particular favorites are the Eggplant Parmesan and their brick oven pizzas. The Eggplant Parm here is the best I’ve ever had, and it’s not as greasy or breaded as many Parma.
The pizzas are always delicious, with a fluffy, chewy crust. Everything here is fresh and delicious, from the pasta to the sauces—you can tell that they put a lot of effort and love into everything they produce!
You also don’t want to skip their homemade pastries and gelato at the conclusion of your meal, even if you can’t tie your trousers by then. When it’s available, the Limoncello Cake is delicious, as is the Cookies and Cream gelato.
Castiglias Italian Bistro
+15403736650324 William St., Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401, USA
We’ve been twice, and I must say that we love it! It offers a fantastic family environment and amazing meals! It’s very pleasant and welcoming. Castiglias is a no-brainer for me when it comes to Italian eateries. It is without a doubt one of the top restaurants in downtown Fredericksburg.
Many restaurants currently play bad music, rap, and hip hop, but these gentlemen were playing traditional, great dinner music. And there are no TVs! I’m glad there’s a place where there aren’t any TVs in your face.
I ordered the lasagna dinner with a side of wonderful garlic bread. I chose the Italian wedding soup. That was the best soup I’d ever eaten, I informed her. Some soups are excessively salty and undercooked, but this was really delicious. And their servings are large. You won’t go hungry.
My friend served his spaghetti with meatballs on top. He is a meatball purist, arguing that meatballs in most restaurants smell like dog food (which he is true about), but the meatballs here passed the test. He was obsessed with them! So I gave it a try, and it was delicious!
This soup was fantastic, and I can’t wait to have it again. I really liked how delicate the lasagna was. I asked that it be topped with Alfredo sauce. Try it that way; it’s excellent. This is the place to go in Fredericksburg for a taste of Italy.
Basilico
+154037003552577 Cowan Blvd., Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401, USA
Basilico is an Italian deli and bakery that also serves coffee and baked products. What more could you want? The cuisine selection is incredible. We had the Italian Hero, which was very amazing and propelled Basilico to the top of my list of the greatest downtown Fredericksburg restaurants.
There is plenty of meat, cheese, fresh vegetables, and a fresh bun. We watched a beautiful pizza pass by as we were ordering, but we couldn’t get it all.
We split a bowl of their Cuban black beans, which were wonderful, spicy, and full of flavor. We also had their Tuscan pasta salad, which is an excellent accompaniment to the sub.
They also offer a bakery with lovely baked goodies that seem to be delightful. I chose the New York Cherry Cheesecake. The bakery’s great feature is that the portions are not large, but rather just right. Don’t miss this stop on your route to Fredericksburg. Excellent date night for you and your significant other.
132 degrees Fahrenheit
+15409402614318 William St., Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401, USA
By far the greatest restaurant in downtown Fredericksburg! I appreciate how they often alter their menu, and everything is delicious! Fahrenheit 132 is a tiny restaurant, so I understand why reservations are recommended.
Oh, and come early since parking is limited. The restaurant is housed in an older building. The interior is made mostly of exposed brickwork and wood. It’s very wonderful! There is a dining room as well as a bar area. We had a reservation, so we were welcomed and escorted to our table right away.
My favorite element of the menu is that not only are the meals prepared to perfection (the meats are cooked exactly as you wanted them), but there is usually a decent mix of new and old favorites.
They will also produce practically anything you ask for, and the owner constantly double-checks to assure your pleasure. Also, some of the drinks created by the bartenders will not disappoint.
They provide a comprehensive wine and liquor selection. It’s daunting, but we’re glad our waiter was there to assist! The specialty drinks are one-of-a-kind and exquisite. Our favorites were the Tawny Port Old Fashioned and Ticket to Thailand.
The service was outstanding. Plates were cleared, and glasses of water were kept full. For our dinners, we ordered the Miso Honey Glazed Fish, Dry Aged NY Strip, Green Pea Truffle Risotto, and Filet Mignon.
I was worried the salmon would be excessively sweet, but our waitress assured me it wouldn’t be. He was spot on. The salmon was grilled to medium rare and served with a light sauce. The sides were coconut rice (which tasted like rice to me) and General Tso’s Cauliflower. I’m here to tell you that cauliflower is delicious! I could just come over and devour a whole tray of it!
The server informed us that the Dry Aged NY Strip had a distinct scent and taste, but we didn’t notice. For MR, it’s a huge piece of meat barbecued to perfection. We weren’t convinced about the dry-aging, but it was a tasty steak.
That Filet Mignon need your whole attention. The perfect exterior crust with a soft middle. Oh my goodness, the umami! Just take it! The sides, mashed potatoes, and black-eyed peas, were overwhelmed by the meat.
It was made with green onion and, we assume, green chilis rather than bacon pieces. It has a distinct taste! We were anticipating classic southern black-eyed peas with ham.
The Green Pea Truffle Risotto was delicious. Apart for the wonderful flowers on top, this meal isn’t really appetizing. This is the meal for you if you enjoy truffles. This is not your average low-cost date destination, but if it fits within your budget, you will not be disappointed!
Fahrenheit 132 is the trendiest downtown Fredericksburg restaurant for excellent dining.
Sunken Well Inn
+15403700911720 Littlepage St., Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401, USA
This is a fantastic neighborhood eatery. The food is excellent, and the service is among the best in town. Wonderful flavors! We were famished and ordered a large amount of food, not knowing whether we would be able to eat it all. We completed it and can confidently state that the Sunken Well Tavern is one of the top eateries in downtown Fredericksburg.
The ingredients are definitely farm-fresh and of high quality. The steak was delicious and seasoned properly! Even a seemingly simple meal, such as Brussels sprouts with goat cheese, has layers of spicy and sweet delicious smells.
The burgers were tender, and the tacos were spicy and flavorful. The Asian-inspired shank meal was amazing. Every bite was wonderful! Despite the fact that it was a Saturday evening and they were quite busy, the service was amazing. This is the spot to go if you’re in Fredericksburg.
FAQ
What makes Fredericksburg, Virginia famous?
Fredericksburg, Virginia, a charming Virginia town about an hour south of Washington, D.C., has a rich history.
It was George Washington’s boyhood home, a vital colonial port, and the site of several critical Civil War engagements.
Is it worthwhile to go to Fredericksburg?
Popular attractions in Fredericksburg include the National Museum of the Pacific War, Texas Wine Country, award-winning shopping, and Enchanted Rock State Natural Park. As a result, it is an excellent tourist destination.
Wrap-Up of the Top Downtown Fredericksburg Restaurants
This post is for you if you like to dine out rather than cook, or if you just want to explore the best restaurants in Downtown Fredericksburg and beyond.
I’ve created and highlighted a list of some of my favorite eateries. So whether you’re searching for sophisticated dining or casual dining, I’ve got you covered.
Downtown Fredericksburg has 40 blocks of amazing eating choices, and I can’t wait for you to enjoy them!
Visiting other places in Virginia? See our other guides:
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- 7 Must-Try Richmond Breweries
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