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Proving that it’s quality not quantity that’s important, Lewisburg in West Virginia may not be home to the multitude of restaurants boasted by many US cities, but the wandering traveler can certainly find a few exceptional dining establishments. With a population of just over 3000, the small town attracts thousands of visitors annually, eager to take advantage of its biking, canoeing, skiing and caving opportunities. Here are ten of the top restaurants to try after a day’s adventure.

Irish Pub on Washington Street

Pub, Pub Grub

Listed within Southern Living’s top 100 bars in the South, the Irish Pub on Washington Street boasts a lively calendar of entertainment fixtures including pub quizzes, live bands and party nights. Like at any good Irish pub, there are drink specials every night of the week varying from a mystery beer for $3 to six beer buckets for the price of five to really get the party started at the weekend. Food-wise, the menu blends authentic Irish cuisine with a couple of American twists and is full of hearty, soul-warming dishes perfect to enjoy at the end of a long day. The Irish stew and the potato soup are both absolute must-tries.

The Bakery on Court Street

Bakery, American

Providing customers with the full bakery experience, The Bakery on Court Street features an open kitchen enabling diners to watch the bakers working the dough and creating the spectacular pastries and breads on offer. The perfect place to stop by for a tasty breakfast or lunch, or to pick up some delicious dishes to enjoy picnic-style in a nearby park, this bakery specializes in bagels, pastries and Danishes as well as fresh bread, pizza and artisan sourdough. All of the items are made from scratch daily and baked in the gas-fired brick oven for that extra special freshly-baked taste.

Carlito’s Mexican Restaurant

Restaurant, American, Mexican

Another great choice, Latin American haunt Carlito’s Mexican Restaurant provides diners with an abundance of authentic flavors to enjoy both in the restaurant and to take away to savor at home. Carlito’s is open seven days a week for both lunch and dinner and makes for the perfect spot to eat out with the whole family or to take a date for a casual supper. The menu is packed full of all of the usual Mexican dishes such as chalupas, fajitas, enchiladas, quesadillas and tacos. For a fantastically tasty three course meal, order a tamale to start, the chalupa Texana for main course and the dessert of the day to finish.

Del Sol Cantina and Grille

Restaurant, Mexican

Lewisburg’s most-loved Latin American restaurant, Del Sol Cantina and Grille provides diners with the perfect atmosphere for enjoying an evening filled with delicious food and refreshing drinks with friends and loved ones. Open for both lunch and dinner, stop by for a quick midday taco filled with grilled beef, scallions, jalapeno peppers and topped with a generous spoonful of guacamole. Alternatively, spend an entire evening feasting on an array of flavorsome delights such as blackened mahi mahi, pork and black bean burritos or marinated chicken and sour cream fajitas. To drink, try the signature white peach or red apple sangria – both refreshing and delicious.

Food and Friends

Deli, Market, Restaurant, American

Once just a little sandwich shop hidden away in the historic downtown, Food and Friends has now become one of the local favorites. A market shop is situated right next to the main restaurant, serving all of the lunchtime staples such as sandwiches, salads and deli goods associated with Food and Friends. For those looking for a more wholesome and hearty meal, the restaurant is open for lunch and dinner and serves an array of American and Mediterranean-inspired dishes. Try the calamari, heart of Texas burger topped with blue cheese, the portobello grill or the grilled eggplant Caprese.

Fujiyama

Featuring a menu packed full of excitingly colorful Japanese dishes, diners flock to Fujiyama in their masses to indulge in an incredible meal of sushi, sashimi, noodles and hibachi dinners. For customers celebrating something special, Fujiyama also has a few extra, less traditional dishes on the menu including lobster, filet mignon and imperial steak. Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, all of the chefs at Fujiyama are trained in the Teppanyaki style of cooking and the artistry of sushi preparation, ensuring that every dish that leaves the kitchen is as tasty and as beautiful as the last.

General Lewis Inn

Hotel

Having recently been taken over by proud new owners Aaron and Sparrow Huffman, the General Lewis Inn is somewhat of an icon in Lewisburg. Both a hotel and a restaurant, the dining area is situated within the original part of the inn that was built back in 1834. The decor is in keeping with the architecture – rich in dark wood and filled with bric-a-brac, making it extra cozy and welcoming. The menu changes regularly, in keeping with the seasonal produce that the chefs source directly from local farmers wherever possible. Regular specialties include fried chicken, mountain trout, grilled pork chops and delicious homemade desserts. Reservations are strongly recommended for weekends and holiday periods.

Giovanni’s Italian

Deli, Restaurant, American, Italian

More of a place to go for a quick lunch or a take away rather than a full sit down meal, Giovanni’s Italian is recognised for its delicious pizza, homemade pasta and brimming calzones. Open Monday to Friday only, Giovanni’s describes itself as a fast food restaurant, deli and sandwich shop but offers much more than that. Every one of the Italian classics dishes are beautifully presented, packed full of bright red and green colours and made simply and healthily to result in a fine array of nutritious and truly satisfying meal options. A great place to bring the kids and for those travellers on a budget, stop by Giovanni’s for a meal that everyone is sure to enjoy.

The Livery Tavern

Restaurant, American

A beautifully rustic-looking restaurant, The Livery boasts an open-beamed ceiling and bare-brick walls. Owned by the same family responsible for Stella’s Kitchen, The Livery is their interpretation of a mid-1800s tavern complete with private booth seating and an extensive port and wine menu. In keeping with this theme, dishes on offer include grilled venison, quail, and two inch bone-in rib eye steaks. A meat-lovers dream – especially for those with a big appetite – vegetarians can also enjoy the crisp salads and multitude of pasta options. For the hungry diner, choose to begin with maple syrup crisped pork belly appetizer for a true taste of Lewisburg.

Stardust Cafe

Cafe, American, Vegetarian, Vegan

A beautiful little cafe, it’s impossible to walk past the Stardust Cafe without stopping to have a peek through the window. The staff work hard to treat each dish like a piece of art in its own right. Loved by foodies the world over, menu items include beautifully presented plates of feta, apricot, bacon and avocado salad, grilled chicken, parmesan and spinach pasta, or succulent pork steak with gravy and grilled Fuji apples. The Stardust Café was also the first farm to table restaurant in the whole of South West Virginia, and prides itself on using organic ingredients wherever possible.

About the author

Chloe Hay is a 24-year-old food obsessed Londoner who spends her days thinking, talking and writing about food. When she's not scurrying around her home city seeking out the next hottest deli or underground speakeasy, she's likely to be on the hunt for the best local eateries abroad. To see what she's been up to this month, check out her website or follow her on Twitter.

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