Top Restaurants In Danville Virginia

With its small town charm and big city assets, Danville is a jewel in the heart of southern Virginia. Sitting on the banks of the Dan River, the town offers plenty of attractions, from outdoor festivals to a newly renovated amphitheater. Amid its interesting shops and architecture, you’ll find fine restaurants, cafés and diners that range from traditional Italian to sophisticated farm-to-fork experiences. Here are our top ten picks of the bunch.

1. Golden Leaf Bistro

Bistro, American

Set in the historic Tobacco Warehouse district, Gold Leaf Bistro presides over an attractive red-brick building rich in old-world charm and surrounded by interesting local heritage. Inside, the look is upmarket and elegant. The menu champions seasonal ingredients from local producers, and you’ll find it hard to choose between the various delicious signature dishes and classic favorites, try the marinated pork tenderloin for its delicate flavors or the Atlantic seared stuffed salmon that’s served with creamy risotto and a zesty lemon aioli.

2. Joe & Mimma's

Restaurant, Italian

Come to this family-owned eatery that has been around for 40 years for a cozy setting and some of the best Italian cooking in town. You’ll find the menu packed full of all of your Mediterranean favorites, including pizza, pasta and calzone combinations as well as delicious seafood and an array of veal dishes. Anyone after a lighter lunch or something for the kids may prefer the panini offerings that include pesto chicken and prosciutto and Fontina, all served with healthy greens from the abundant salad bar.

3. O'Kelly's Deli & Pastries

Deli, Sandwich Shop, Pastelaria, American, Pastries

For a more casual lunch option, try O’Kelly’s sandwich shop that does a mighty fine job of selling tasty baked treats fresh out of the oven. The doughy doorsteps are stuffed with a great variety of fillings, from BBQ pork to ham and Swiss cheese, or try the house salads followed by a wonderful Danish pastry for dessert. These speciality sweets change most days; come on Monday for a cherry and walnut combo or celebrate the start of the weekend with Friday’s coconut cream.

5. Frank’s Italian

Restaurant, Italian, Pub Grub

This long-standing stalwart of Italian cuisine is a fine-looking affair. Step inside and you’ll find a capacious red-brick outfit with fashionable exposed walls and low-level funky light fittings. The menu lives up to expectations by producing fresh, unfussy Italian favorites. The porcini ravioli is a rich and creamy plate of deliciousness, and the XL pizzas are big enough to feed an entire family. In the warmer months, enjoy your meal out on the screened patio that overlooks the adjacent river, a good place for a post-lunch stroll once plates are cleared.

6. Mary’s Diner

Diner, Restaurant, South American

Step back in time at Mary’s Diner where little has changed in décor or dishes for half a century. Run by the daughter of the original owners who opened it in the 1950s, the cafeteria serves comforting home-cooked fodder, which warms soul and stomach. There’s dribble-worthy steak and gravy and lovingly prepared mac ‘n’ cheese, which can be followed by some naughty-but-nice fruit cobblers or warming banana pudding.

7. Me’s Burgers and Brews

Restaurant, North American

Run by a mother-and-daughter outfit, this gourmet burger joint provides a relaxed neighborhood ambience. Top quality ingredients dominate the menu. 100 percent Angus Reserve beef, locally sourced lamb and free-ranged chicken are used in the menu’s hearty dishes. Book lovers will enjoy the burgers that are each named after a famous literary character such as The Agatha Christie with mystery mushrooms, Swiss, basil mayo and fresh spinach.

8. The Brown Bean

Cafe, North American

Blink and you’ll miss this intimate little restaurant, but it’s an unsung hero of Danville’s lunch scene. You’ll find this lunch spot attached to the Gingerbread House so that hungry shoppers can rest and refuel on the fresh, daily changing specials before continuing to shop. Options include cheesy quiches and fresh salads, chunky vegetable soups and a selection of yummy sandwiches served on soft, doughy bread. The laid-back setting and their delicious coffees and pastry selection make it a good tea stop too.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

Culture Trip Spring Sale

Save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.

View Offers

Top Restaurants In Danville, Virginia