St.Margaret's School - restaurants and other places to eat in Tappahannock Virginia and surrounding area

Dining in Tappahannock

Lowery's Seafood Restaurant

Founded in 1938 by Wesley and Lorelle Hutchinson Lowery, Lowery's is without a doubt the most historic place to eat in Tappahannock. Located at the corner of Route 17 (Tappahannock Blvd.) and Earl Street, Lowery's is open 364 days a year for lunch and dinner. Being on the Rappahannock insures Lowery's will always have a sampling of the many kinds of locally caught seafood including crabs, shrimp, clams, oysters, and many kinds of fish. Also found inside Lowery's is the founder's antique car collection, a talking parrot, and a fishing well for kids. No reservations are needed, but their phone number is 804-443-4314 if you have any other questions. Here's what the Richmond Times-Dispatch had to say about Lowery's. "It's worth a drive to Tappahannock just to eat at one of Tidewater's most famous eateries. The place is Lowery's Seafood Restaurant in downtown Tappahannock. Try the backfin crab, the rockfish, or the crab cakes. Finish lunch or dinner with any of the homemade desserts. But watch out for the vanilla fudge devil. It's so rich and delicious that there ought to be a law." More recently, Lowery's has added wine and beer to its offering to complement those wonderful and legendary seafood dishes.

Applebee's

Newly opened in Tappahannock Winter 2005, Applebee's brings yet more and improved choices to the local dining options. Located at 1650 Tappahannock Boulevard in front of Wal-Mart, Appleby's has all the standard offering that this national chain restaurant is renown for, including a full bar - Happy Hour is 4 to 7 p.m. daily, Smoking and Non-Smoking areas, WeightWatcher menu, and the new Carside To Go service - call ahead and your order is delivered to your car. Applebee's is open Sunday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday to Saturday 11 a.m. to midnight. Applebee's does not take reservations but if you are a large group, call ahead and the staff will accomodate you - 804-443-0361.

Roma Ristorante Italiano

After an athletic game, a shopping experience at the new Peebles or before a dance with your favorite boy, you cannot beat Roma's. A Tappahannock institution featuring friendly staff and authentic northern Italian cuisine, Roma's is perhaps most famous for its half-price pizza night on Wednesdays. Begin with a trip to the salad bar. With a wide variety of pasta salads and various sides to compliment your lettuce, you are stepping off on the right foot to a full stomach. Don't be too concerned when you reach the dressings and find there is no ranch - try the blue cheese, a perfect compliment! By the time you finish, guaranteed, a piping hot pizza will have arrived waiting for you. If pizza's not your thing, Roma's offers many other dishes such as subs, pasta, calznones, and more. "It doesn't matter when or where, ain't no way I can resist a Roma's Italian sub," says my sister, Lesley, SMS Class of 1999. Roma's offers a perfect atmosphere and friendly, efficient service. It's the thing to do y'all. Experience Roma's today.

Review By Sara Newman, Class of 2000, excerpted from Blue & Grey (February 2000).

Bella Pizza Italian Restaurant

Operated by Nicole and Massimo Volo and family, with a history of good Italian food restaurants - modeled after a family restaurant which could be found in any Italian village in the countryside of Italy, and bound in stone walls, red and white tablecloths, and murals reminiscent of Italy. Tuesday-Thursday 11am to 10pm; Friday-Saturday 11am to Midnight; Sunday Noon to 10pm; Monday Closed. 804-443-4912

Rivahside Cafe

The only place in town offering a real cook to order breakfast as well as lunch in a simple country setting in downtown Tappahannock. Located at 221 Prince Street - phone 804-443-2333. Opens at early at 7:30 am through 3 pm. Wide selection of over 20 hot and 9 cold sandwiches, homemade soups, platters, side orders, desserts, beverages and healthy choices menu. Reasonnably priced and excellent value for traditional American cafe fare. 804-443-2333

Java Jacks Coffee House

Newly opened in Tappahannock, Java-Jacks Coffee House introduces the elegant and essential coffee house style to downtown Tappahannock. Located at the corner of Virginia Street and Church Lane (Route 17/360), Java-Jacks is open six days a week, everyday except Tuesday, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Java-Jacks offers a selection of breakfast menus, including traditional eggs, bacon or sausage, 12 different filings omelettes, French Toast with bacon or sausage, poached eggs Chesapeake with crabmeat and Hollandaise sauce - a full offering os sides, fruit juices, and a children's pancake menu. Breakfast service starts at 7;30 a.m. and ends around 10:30 a.m.

Lunch menu starts at 11:30 a.m. and runs through 3:00 p.m. Seven dishes are offered: California chicken salad croissant, Club wrap in tortilla, Chicken Cesar wrap, Spinach saland with shrimp or grilled chicken, Steak Cesar salad, Italian panini, and Reuben panini. Dishes range from $6.25 to $7.95. A children's menu is also available.

The building is laid out in four main areas, main lounge, an enclose wrap around veranda, the tea room and the rear patio deck with tiki umbrella. Parking is available at the rear of the building. The lounge and the coffee service bar have large wide flat screen featuring news and sports from satellite service. Wi-Fi access is available throughout Java-Jacks. - Java-Jacks Coffee House - 504 South Church Lane - 804-443-5225

Ferebee's Food & Spirits

Located on the corner of Route 17 and Main St. in Tappahannock, Ferebee's is not only a restaurant, but also a bar, quite possibly the only bar in Tappahannock. Ferebee's is open for lunch and dinner from 11:30am to 9:30pm daily and on most nights until around 12 midnight for drinks, more in keeping with a sports bar offering wide-screen television sports events. They serve such foods as hamburgers, sandwiches, salads, homemade soups, appetizers such as nachos and grilled shrimp, and seafood dishes. Live music at the weekends and karaoke some evenings. Their number is 804-443-5715.

Tappahannock and Warsaw

Within Tappahannock and Warsaw (5 minutes across the bridge), there are three Chinese restaurants, one additional Italian restaurant, two Mexican restuarants, and plenty of fast food options. Check this webpage for complete list of Tappahannock dining options.

Further afield - within 30 minutes

Driftwood Restaurant - Coles Point

A fresh seafood specialty restaurant located at Coles Point, about 30 minutes from Tappahannock. Specialties include crab on crab, surf'n'turf, rockfish, lobster, oysters, soft shell crabs, shrimp and any combination thereof. Generally dishes are offered grilled, broiled or fried giving diet friendly choices. Hours are 12 noon to 10 pm Friday and Saturday, noon to 9 pm the rest of the week, closed on Monday. Note that this restaurant closes for the winter from late November through April. Prices range from $7 for lunch to around $12 for dinner main course. Take Rt.360 East to Warsaw, Rt. 3 to Lyells, right on Rt. 203, left on Rt. 202, then right on Rt.612 for approx 5 miles. The Driftwood is on your left and an excellent meal awaits you. No reservations accepted. Phone: 804-472-3892.

Cafe Mojo - Urbanna

Cafe Mojo dishes use only the freshest ingredients and are all cooked to order. Quality preparation and taste is the goal and they succeed admirably! Daily specials are listed on the blackboard and feature dishes that are diverse and ecclectic, covering seafoods, Caribbean, Japanese, Mexican and Italian flavors. I enjoyed an unusual and delightful crispy fried artichoke appetizer and excellent grilled tuna - averaged $30 per person including drinks. Warm friendly service. Take Rt.17 South to Saluda, Rt. 33 towards Deltaville, about a mile beyond Saluda turn left on Rt. 227 to Urbanna. In town, turn left on to Virginia Street and Cafe Mojo is on your left about one block. Cafe Mojo - Tuesday to Saturday 4 pm to 10 pm, Sunday 11 am to 3 pm - 230 Virginia Street, Urbanna VA. Phone: 804-758-4141

Good Eats - near Kinsale

Celebrating their 8th year of business, this casual atmosphere, fresh seafood restaurant is located at the junction of Route 202 and Route 203 near Kinsale, about 20 minutes from Tappahannock. Hours are 5 pm till close, Thursday to Sunday, closed on Monday thru Wednesday. Prices range from $12 to $22 for dinner main course. The menu is seasonal; typical offerings at last visit were Linguine Shrimp, Duet of Salmon, Bajaja Pork, Catfish, Angus NY Strip Beef, Sea Trout, Backfin Crabcakes, Grilled Tuna and many daily specials. Thursday night is prime rib night! They make everything onthe menu from scratch: salad dressings, seasoning blends, desserts. The expanded wine list emphasizes affordableness. Take Rt.360 East to Warsaw, Rt. 3 to Lyells, right on Rt. 203, at the junction with Rt. 202, you have arrived at Good Eats, a white building on your right. Don't be put off by the outside appearance - inside, Steve Andersen and Sally Rumsey, the hands-on chefs duo, will welcome you and provide you with one of the best meals in the area. Reservations accepted for parties of 8 or more. Phone: 804-472-4385.

Eckhard's - Topping

Eckhard's is a quaint restaurant with a fireplace, chandeliers and beautiful table settings and decor set in the backdrop of the Rappahannock River located one mile away. It is the ideal setting for the culinary presentations of master chef Eckhard Thalwitz whose skills are evident in his well presented cuisine and immaculate restaurant. While the eclectic menu features house specialities Goulasch, Bratwurst and Schnitzel, the offerings are balanced with a wide array of more familiar dishes like New Orleans Seafood, French Pepper Steak, Chilean Sea Bass and Shenandoah Trout. The "Baden Baden" Chicken is highly recommended. In winter, daily specials often include venison, pheasant and wild boar, all expertly prepared the European way. Guests are warmly welcomed by Bruni, served by an attentive staff and treated to delectable creations by Eckhard. This is a rare continental find....Guten Appetit! Closed Monday and Tuesday. Reservations recommended on weekends. Phone: 804-758-4060.

Further afield - within 60 minutes - worth the trip!

Trick Dog Cafe - Irvington

The Trick Dog Café is a wonderful little restaurant full of music and laughter and extraordinary food located in the quaint watertown of Irvington, Virginia. It has been called the “best place to eat on the Northern Neck,” and whether that is true or not we are proud to be seen in that light.

If appetizer "bites" like Shrimp n Grits - pan seared white grits cakes, fresh basil, thyme and parsley, roasted roma tomatoes amontillado sherry pan sauce and Lamb Shank - slow braised red wine lamb jus with rosemary and mint, served with turnips, grilled red potatos, asparagus and mint pan sauce don't have you out the door then peruse the Trick Dog's main entrees online for impetus. Located in Irvington near Kilmarnock, about a 50-minute drive from Tappahannock. 4357 Irvington Road, Irvington, 804-438-1055. Check their web site at www.trickdogcafe.com

Swank's on Main - Kilmarnock

Recently opened in 2006, Swank's on Main has certainly made a hit in the area. Despite the distance of the trip from Tappahannock, this restaurant is worth the time and effort. Features a conventional dining area visible through the large glass windows from Main Street and a bar stool service which allows you to watch the kitchen staff and cook hard at work while you sup. Excellent range of meat and fish dishes and an extensive wine list with by the glass options on a number of offerings. Priced reasonnably by comparison to similar fine dining establishments. Swank's On Main ~ 36 North Main Street ~ Kilmarnock, Virginia 22482 ~ 804.436.1010 ~ kathleenfitzpatrick@swanksonmain.com ~ web site www.swanksonmain.com ~ highly recommended!

The Tides Inn - Irvington

Since opening in 1947 The Tides Inn has garnered the reputation as "One of the World's Finest Small Resorts" and most certainly the "Grande Dame" of resorts bordering the Chesapeake Bay. While growing from 46 luxury rooms to over 100 it has retained its charm and gracious manner that guests have enjoyed for generations. Tides Inn offers an unsurpassed quality of vacation life, from golfing and tennis to swimming, boating, fishing or simply enjoying award winning cuisine in impeccable dining settings. At poolside the Commodore serves lunch, cocktails and dinner in a casual atmosphere ideal for guests and visiting yachtsmen. Local seafood is featured in oyster roasts or soft shell crabs cooked in iron skillets or bluefish smoked along with quail and duck in season. Service and presentation are as gracious as The Inn's more formal Main Dining Room. The Miss Ann, a classic 127' yacht, has lunch and dinner cruises and beach parties ashore while Cap'n B's provides lunch at the Golden Eagle golf course.