We have a confession. One of the main reasons we invested in Fayetteville – buying and renovating the building that now houses Lafayette Flats Boutique Vacation Rentals – was because we loved the food. Seriously.

We both have enthusiastic palates. A few of our favorite Fayetteville dishes include Brussels sprouts from Secret Sandwich Society, homemade granola from Wood Iron Eatery, black bean pizza (with pork) from Pies and Pint, and Cathedral Café’s carrot cake.

Of course, it was the awe-inspiring natural beauty that kept bringing us to the New River Gorge, but it was Fayetteville’s food scene that sealed the deal for our vacation rental plans. We knew this mix of outdoor adventure and good food was a magical combination. We wanted other folks like you to enjoy it, too. So here’s our advice on the best places to eat and drink in Fayetteville, WV.

Fayetteville, WV Restaurant Superlatives

Most Famous: Secret Sandwich Society

The secret is out, Secret Sandwich Society is one of the most popular restaurants in West Virginia and probably the region. Every year they get mentioned in publications like Southern Living, The Washington Post, USA Today, and for good reason. These aren’t your everyday sandwiches – just ask their cult following.

Best Restaurant for Vegetarians: Cathedral Café

The vegetarian selections at Cathedral Café are as plentiful as they are delicious. For breakfast, we recommend Flakey French Toast Croissants. We suggest the Vegetarian Panini (grilled portabella with provolone, veggies, and herb mayo) for lunch, but there are so many other options to choose from.

Most Creative Menu: Wanderlust Creativefoods

They started as a curry house but have expanded their creative offerings to include European and Latin American favorites. Wanderlust Creativefoods also offers several dishes that include beets (a major selling point for Amy) and a juicy lamb burger (making the mere presence of beets much more tolerable for Shawn).

Best Restaurant for Families: Pies & Pints

Pizza and a Playground. Need we say more? That’s right, one of the two outdoor dining areas at Pies and Pints has a great playground for the kids to enjoy while grateful parents chow down on gourmet pizza.

Best Outdoor Seating: Arrowhead Bike Farm

After a long hike or ride, there’s nothing better than rolling into Arrowhead Bike Farm’s The Handle Bar + Kitchen for a cold beer and tasty brat. Hanging out on the large deck and outdoor biergarten is super relaxing, but there is nothing laid back about their beer selection. One of Arrowhead’s co-owners is a globe-trotting beer aficionado.

Most Carnivorous: Firecreek BBQ & Steaks

From pork to beef to poultry, Firecreek BBQ & Steaks is a meat lovers’ restaurant. Their generous helpings and casual atmosphere are sure to satisfy the most ravenous carnivores.

Best Vibe: Wood Iron Eatery

Sure, we love the yummy breakfast, lunch, and house-roasted coffee at Wood Iron Eatery, but we especially love the ambiance. Lots of sunshine is always coming through the windows of the historic house and the walls of this little café are covered in local art. Not to mention, their patio is like a perch above the town.

Most Fun: Southside Junction Tap House

There is always something fun going on at Southside Junction Taphouse. Live music, trivia, wing night, holiday parties, and more! Of course, with a great selection of beer and yummy noshes like the popular fry board (a combo of every kind of French fry imaginable), it is not surprising that everyone there is having a good time.

Tastiest Newcomer: The Gaines Estate Restaurant

The newest and most upscale restaurant in Fayetteville is located in an historic mansion just a short walk from downtown. We recently had the Tuscan Chicken and Gnocchi, and it was absolutely delicious! There is a beautiful bar on the estate that opens and 4:00, so stop by early for a drink.

Fayetteville Foodie Itinerary

Spending the weekend in the New River Gorge? Here’s a meal itinerary any foodie is sure to love.

________________________

• Friday Lunch: The Take Out
• Friday Brewery Tastings: Bridge Brew Works
• Friday Night Dinner: The Gaines Estate (make a reservation!)
• Friday Evening Drinks/Snacks: Southside Junction and Taphouse

________________________

• Saturday Breakfast: Cathedral Café
• Saturday Lunch: The 304
• Saturday Brewery Tastings: The Freefolk Brewery Taproom
• Saturday Dinner: Pies & Pints
• Saturday Evening Drinks/Snacks: Rosa’s Speakeasy

________________________

• Sunday Breakfast: Tudor’s Biscuit World
• Sunday Lunch: Wood Iron Eatery
• Sunday Dinner: Firecreek BBQ & Steaks
• Sunday Dessert: The Stache (Ice Cream Parlor)

Beer, Breweries, and Craft Cocktails

Love beer? Fayetteville is heaven for beer drinkers. You’ll find an impressive, sometimes overwhelming selection of craft beer at Pies & Pints, Arrowhead Bike Farm, Southside Junction and Taphouse, and Secret Sandwich Society. In addition, there are two breweries in town: Bridge Brew Works and The Freefolk Brewery.

The guys of Bridge Brew Works added a beautiful outdoor patio and tasting room to their brewery which is on Nick Rahall Greenway inside the industrial park just a few minutes from downtown. Their award-winning beers are worth tasting, and we suspect you’ll want to fill up your growler while you visit.

The Freefolk Brewery Taproom is located just right outside of town on Rt. 16, and it’s a treat for the eyes, ears, and taste buds. The owners have filled their space with art, they often offer live music and they serve up some yummy nibbles too. You can also visit their Brewhouse which is about 15 minutes away in Hico, WV.

If you enjoy a cocktail, we recommend Rosa’s Speakeasy at the Historic Morris Harvey House. In addition to their perfectly crafted cocktails, they also offer tantalizing charcuterie boards. Rosa’s has limited walk-in availability, so call to make a reservation.

To check out the local bar scene, visit Charlie’s, Elliot’s Whitewater Grill, or Maggie’s Pub.

Yummiest Desserts in the New River Gorge

The best thing about hiking, biking, climbing, and paddling is the easy justification these activities provide to have a decadent dessert.

You’ll find a perfect selection of ice cream at The Stache which is located inside The Takeout on Court St.

Cathedral Café offers spectacular homemade desserts. We can’t get enough of their carrot cake.

Fayetteville’s Breakfast Options

Just down the street from Lafayette Flats Boutique Vacation Rentals are the two best breakfast spots in town. Cathedral Café has fabulous pancakes, a selection of traditional offerings, and brunch libations. Wood Iron Eatery has a fresh contemporary menu and full coffee service (espresso, cappuccino, etc.).

We can’t talk about breakfast without mentioning Tudor’s Biscuit World. Their biscuits are big, greasy, and sometimes – just what you need. Everybody has a favorite at this WV regional chain. Amy’s is the Mary B and Shawn’s is the Thundering Herd.

Best Seasonal Offerings at Fayetteville, WV Restaurants

We tell our guests at Lafayette Flats that they must travel to Fayetteville at least four times a year to experience the magic of this place. Watching the seasons change in the New River Gorge is dramatic and beautiful and eating your way through the year is delightful too!

Spring Recommendation: Fish Sandwich at Secret Sandwich Society

Secret Sandwich Society offers fish sandwiches every Friday during Lent. Lewis and his staff know how to make sandwiches and locals of all faiths look forward to this special offering every year.

Summer Recommendation: Heirloom Tomato Pie at Pies and Pints

The first time we had the heirloom tomato pie at Pies and Pints, we thought we’d died and gone to heaven. We went back the next day for another! They start offering it in August when local tomatoes are perfectly ripe.

Fall Recommendation: Beer and Brats at Arrowhead Bike Farm

The biergarten at Arrowhead is the perfect place to be on a warm fall afternoon that turns into a cool fall evening. You can enjoy a nice selection of brats and carefully curated craft beer at this kid and pet-friendly farm.

Winter Recommendation: Pancakes at Cathedral Cafe

There’s nothing better on a cold morning than a hot cup of coffee and a stack of buttery pancakes. Cathedral Cafe offers many kinds including whole grain, cinnamon roll, blueberry, and banana-nut!

Little Hidden Gems – Coffee, Cheese, and More

Somewhat hidden around Fayetteville are fabulous little gems of deliciousness.

• Once housed inside Waterstone Outdoors, Rangefinder Coffee now has its own shop on Court Street. Stop in for seriously good coffee.
• At Waterstone Outdoors, you can enjoy an indoor/outdoor brew garden with coffee and draft beer.
• Facing U.S. Rt. 19 sits Studio B where you can shop local art, cheese, wine, snacks, and craft beer. Tucked right next door is the cute little Maggie’s Pub. Offering cold drinks and a full bar.

Our Guide to All Fayetteville, WV Restaurants

For a town of less than 3,000 people, Fayetteville offers an impressive variety of food and drink, but deciding where to eat can be overwhelming. We haven’t even mentioned all the restaurants in town yet! In fact, we get so many questions from our guests that we created a food guide to help them find the perfect place to suit their palate.

Get your up-to-date guide to Fayetteville WV Restaurants, with detailed contact, location, and menu offering info by signing up for our email list.

Fayetteville also has the following chain restaurants: Subway, Dunkin Donuts, Daily Queen, Taco Bell, KFC, Wendy’s, Bob Evan’s, Sheets, Long John Silver, Arby’s, Domino’s Pizza, Kobe Asian, Gino’s Pizza House, Starbucks and McDonald’s. While Subway and Dunkin Donuts are downtown, most are located around the shopping plaza on U.S. Rt. 19.