8 best restaurants in downtown Fredericksburg, VA

Fredericksburg, Virginia, located about an hour's drive south of Washington, DC, has long been renowned for its small-town charm, colorful architecture and Civil War history. Situated along the Rappahannock River near George Washington’s childhood home, the 40-block National Historic District of downtown Fredericksburg has gone through its own revolution in recent years. Today, time-tested eateries thrive alongside a whole new wave of restaurants.

Today, there are more than 55 chef-owned restaurants in downtown Fredericksburg alone – this is the pick of the best.

A corner shop in red brick with a maroon awning bearing the words 'Hyperion Espresso' on a sunny day in Virginia — The red brick exterior of Hyperion Espresso. Charley Carter/Shutterstock

1. Hyperion Espresso

Fredericksburg’s staples lean toward the classic, including casual and fine dining options (minus the price and pretension you’d find in bigger metro areas). Situated at the bustling intersection of Princess Anne and William streets, Hyperion Espresso is where most locals have been starting their day since 1994.

Here, it’s all about a flavorful latte, with options like blackberry, pomegranate, and eggnog, depending on the season. Drinks are always served in the prettiest ways too – Hyperion was mastering flowery latte art long before it was cool. The spot itself is as tantalizing as the drinks it serves up. With towering windows and outdoor tables lining the walls, this is the spot to enjoy panoramic views of Fredericksburg’s steeple-clad skyline.

2. Benny Vitali's Pizza

The favorite spots of other Virginia towns have inevitably landed in Fredericksburg, attracting visitors and keeping locals from having to hop in their cars. In 2014, Benny Vitali’s landed on Caroline Street and quickly became downtown Fredericksburg’s favorite place for a slice. And it’s some slice: the mammoth, 6.50 US dollars (US$) piece of pizza takes up two plates. Quantity doesn’t trump quality, though; a "Virginia slice" delivers happiness all around. Its crust is lightly crispy, with New York-esque layers of sauce and cheese on top. Even better news in a town with few late-night options, Benny Vitali’s is open until 11pm Sunday through Thursday and until midnight on Friday and Saturday.

Aerial view Fredericksburg Virginia with Circuit Court building , historic business district, Baptist church, Chatham bridge over Rappahannock River — Aerial view of Fredericksburg, Virginia. tokar/Shutterstock

3. Sedona Taphouse

Another regional chain, Sedona Taphouse has a similar local story. The original Sedona opened in Midlothian, Virginia, in 2011. Eight years later, Sedona has brought its roster of 500 craft beers and pub-style menu to six states. The William Street location, which opened in 2015, has consistently good service and a diverse menu, including morsels like Chicken Marsala and a Wild Man NY strip steak layered in fontina cheese, mushrooms and a gorgonzola cream sauce.

4. Bello Manzo

One of the most recent openings on Caroline Street is Naples-inspired Bello Manzo. Translated as "Good Beef,” the family-owned restaurant serves authentic Italian dishes. If co-owner Ruth Matus’s warm welcome isn’t inviting enough, the Italian beef sandwich, baked meatballs and arancini are a few reasons to stick around. Bello Manzo also serves a smaller breakfast menu, including frittatas, huevos rotos and an Italian beef omelette. Locals consider this a great choice for meet ups, date night or a casual lunch.

aerial shot of a slice of peanut-butter pie topped with whipped cream and drizzles of butterscotch and chocolate syrup on a white plate with puddles of caramel sauce — A plate of Peanut Butter Pie at Fahrenheit 132. Jesse Scott for Lonely Planet

5. Fahrenheit 132

If an incredible steak is your thing, Fahrenheit 132 is ready to make it reality. The vibe here is a melding of worlds, with exposed brick and cement, and a saloon-style polished wood bar. Head straight for the butcher cuts, which include New York strip and veal tomahawk ribeye options. If you're traveling on a budget, they also have a happy hour promotion daily between 4pm and 6:30pm; anyone seated at the bar can enjoy heavy discounts on food and drinks. Note that this restaurant is also a nine-time winner of Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence for its 35-page wine list.

6. Rebellion Bourbon Bar & Kitchen

Named one of the “Top 101 Whisky Bars in America” by Whisky Advocate, Rebellion Bourbon Bar & Kitchen pays tribute to the food and spirits of the American South. Rebellion has two locations (the other is in Leesburg), and its fall 2020 debut in Fredericksburg followed the extensive preservation and renovation of the 188-year-old building, which is believed to house the oldest bar surface in Fredericksburg. Highlights of Rebellion Bourbon Bar & Kitchen’s bourbon-inspired menu include starters maple bourbon bacon and smoked wings, and the handheld smoked fried chicken sandwich. It hosts a daily happy hour (3pm to 6pm), weekend brunch, and has nearly 200 bourbon and whiskey selections.

The old bank building in Fredericksburg, VA that now houses Foode restaurant.

7. Foode

Fredericksburg’s restaurants are chef-driven and increasingly emphasize locally-sourced ingredients. Survey locals about where to grab lunch or dinner, and Foode will be mentioned. Housed in a historic national bank building on Princess Anne Street since 2016 (though the restaurant has been delighting diners in the town since 2011), it is the brainchild of Top Chef alum Joy Crump. Although lunch and dinner are noteworthy, brunch steals the show on weekends, with conversation-starter specialty cocktails and popular eats including buttermilk waffles, Rosie’s fried chicken, and shrimp and grits.

8. Freddy’s Donuts

Those with a sweet tooth will find satisfaction in the decadent baked goods at Freddy’s Donuts. The restaurant was formerly a franchise of Sugar Shack Donuts before the Grimes Family renamed the business and reformulated the recipes. Opt for a tried-and-true flavor like glazed, Boston cream or cinnamon sugar, or consider bolder options such as Fruity Pebbles, maple bacon, and the zeitgeist pastry (a riff on the cronut).

An early morning Virgina Railway Express commuter train passes over the Rappahannock River en route to Washington, D.C — A Virgina Railway Express train crossing the Rappahannock River en route to Washington, DC from Fredericksburg. Scott Woodham Photography/Shutterstock

How to get to Fredericksburg

Located 45 miles south of Washington, DC and 58 miles north of Richmond on I-95, Fredericksburg is ideal for both day trips and a long, leisurely weekend. The traffic can be completely unpredictable in and around these parts, but Fredericksburg has rail options connecting the town with the broader region.

The Virginia Railway Express commuter rail runs from DC’s Union Station south to nearby Spotsylvania on weekdays, with Fredericksburg being the next to last stop. Amtrak also has a steady stream of Fredericksburg services, including on weekends. The Fredericksburg station, located on Lafayette Boulevard, is adjacent to the town’s primary thoroughfare, Caroline Street.