The Studio @ Lookout Mountain
Guidebook
Food scene
Thai Staunton
1000 Greenville AveAt Thai Restaurant
1318 Hillside AveNot your run of the mill taqueria. Excellent quality ingredients put together in a unique way. Vegetarians will love the squash tacos. Buyer Beware: While we love the food here and thought it was not run of the mill and and certainly a step or two above the usual, we were more than a little put off that the "Chipotle"-style menu (pick your protein, pick your salsa, etc.) each had an incredible upcharge. For example, nowhere on the menu listing did it say that the "pick your salsa" choice would cost you up to an extra $2.99 for a 2-tablespoon sized container of carrot/habanero salsa. The food was great; the principle was so irritating that we might not return.
23 locals recommend
Chicano Boy Taco
240 N Central AveNot your run of the mill taqueria. Excellent quality ingredients put together in a unique way. Vegetarians will love the squash tacos. Buyer Beware: While we love the food here and thought it was not run of the mill and and certainly a step or two above the usual, we were more than a little put off that the "Chipotle"-style menu (pick your protein, pick your salsa, etc.) each had an incredible upcharge. For example, nowhere on the menu listing did it say that the "pick your salsa" choice would cost you up to an extra $2.99 for a 2-tablespoon sized container of carrot/habanero salsa. The food was great; the principle was so irritating that we might not return.
Taste of India
106 S New StOur favorite local pizza! They got the memo that there is more to a salad than iceberg lettuce. Their Greek salad with Greek dressing is incredible. LOTS of feta and other goodies!
New York Flying Pizza
415 N Main StOur favorite local pizza! They got the memo that there is more to a salad than iceberg lettuce. Their Greek salad with Greek dressing is incredible. LOTS of feta and other goodies!
Zynodoa Restaurant
115 E Beverley StDayton Tavern
245 Main StByers St Bistro
18 Byers StGreat food in an urban chic historic building. The restaurant is small, but they have an arrangement with the adjacent Pale Fire Brewery. You can go to the brewery and enjoy a beer while your food is being prepared, and when it is ready, they will bring it to you.
29 locals recommend
BoBoKo Indonesian Cafe
217 S Liberty StGreat food in an urban chic historic building. The restaurant is small, but they have an arrangement with the adjacent Pale Fire Brewery. You can go to the brewery and enjoy a beer while your food is being prepared, and when it is ready, they will bring it to you.
A nice place for Saturday and Sunday brunch. Small menu but well-prepared food. The patio dining was charming. 3/2023 NOTE: On a recent Sunday morning visit, the once delightful brunch menu was dramatically reduced. Not sure what is going on; not at all impressed. You might call or check online before attempting.
15 locals recommend
The Golden Pony
181 North Main StreetA nice place for Saturday and Sunday brunch. Small menu but well-prepared food. The patio dining was charming. 3/2023 NOTE: On a recent Sunday morning visit, the once delightful brunch menu was dramatically reduced. Not sure what is going on; not at all impressed. You might call or check online before attempting.
A happy new find, Mashita is an eclectic Korean restaurant that infuses different cultures and ethnicities which result in a menu full of so many interesting choices, that we didn't know where to begin! The menu has options for just about every type of eater.
14 locals recommend
Mashita
105 N Liberty StA happy new find, Mashita is an eclectic Korean restaurant that infuses different cultures and ethnicities which result in a menu full of so many interesting choices, that we didn't know where to begin! The menu has options for just about every type of eater.
A very friendly and hip place for great tacos and creative cocktails! Tacos had standard fillings (beef, pork, chicken, fish, shrimp) as well as creative ones (egg, sweet potato, vegan sausage). We loved the rooftop dining! This is the Harrisonburg location; a new location was recently added in Bridgewater.
20 locals recommend
Magnolia's Tacos & Tequila Bar
14 E Water StA very friendly and hip place for great tacos and creative cocktails! Tacos had standard fillings (beef, pork, chicken, fish, shrimp) as well as creative ones (egg, sweet potato, vegan sausage). We loved the rooftop dining! This is the Harrisonburg location; a new location was recently added in Bridgewater.
Bella Luna Wood-Fired Pizza
80 W Water StAmazing personal pizzas! Loved the Caesar salad, too.
Nice vibe, great wait staff, large portions of just about everything you can think of on a menu! Nightly specials are excellent, and there is even a large gluten-free menu. Special touches like in-house made bread and whipped butters abound. Highly recommend!
41 locals recommend
Mill Street Grill
1 Mill StNice vibe, great wait staff, large portions of just about everything you can think of on a menu! Nightly specials are excellent, and there is even a large gluten-free menu. Special touches like in-house made bread and whipped butters abound. Highly recommend!
We love this place! On a Monday night, the restaurant was packed. The daily special was a huge bowl of pasta your way: your choice of pasta; choice of several sauces from red mild, red zesty, pesto, etc; choice of toppings -- for $11! Service and staff were impeccable. Next door to the restaurant is a newly-opened Italian market operated by the same family. A beautiful space with outgoing staff and stocked with high-quality products. Couldn't recommend more highly!
21 locals recommend
Vito's Italian Kitchen
1047 Port Republic RdWe love this place! On a Monday night, the restaurant was packed. The daily special was a huge bowl of pasta your way: your choice of pasta; choice of several sauces from red mild, red zesty, pesto, etc; choice of toppings -- for $11! Service and staff were impeccable. Next door to the restaurant is a newly-opened Italian market operated by the same family. A beautiful space with outgoing staff and stocked with high-quality products. Couldn't recommend more highly!
Newly reopened and under new, ambitious ownership, The Buckhorn Inn is a long-standing tradition for locals. Currently, dining is only on weekends, but it is exquisite! They offer great breakfast and brunch options, a fine dinner menu, and signature cocktails. While the menu is not vast, everything they offer is prepared to perfection. We wish them much success and look forward to frequenting them often ourselves!
The Buckhorn Inn & bed and breakfast
2487 Hankey Mountain HighwayNewly reopened and under new, ambitious ownership, The Buckhorn Inn is a long-standing tradition for locals. Currently, dining is only on weekends, but it is exquisite! They offer great breakfast and brunch options, a fine dinner menu, and signature cocktails. While the menu is not vast, everything they offer is prepared to perfection. We wish them much success and look forward to frequenting them often ourselves!
Interesting reclaimed train station! The beautiful bar came from an 1800s building in Upstate New York. The menu has something for everyone. The service was stellar.
26 locals recommend
Depot Grille
42 Middlebrook AveInteresting reclaimed train station! The beautiful bar came from an 1800s building in Upstate New York. The menu has something for everyone. The service was stellar.
Great cafe/art gallery/gift shop. Friendly and welcoming proprietors serve great coffee, smoothies, other beverages, and baked goods.
Mountain Mystic Coffee & Gifts
3804 Churchville AvenueGreat cafe/art gallery/gift shop. Friendly and welcoming proprietors serve great coffee, smoothies, other beverages, and baked goods.
Breakfast, brunch, lunch, coffee & bakery. There is a reason there is always a wait to get a table here!
35 locals recommend
Magpie Diner
85 W Gay StBreakfast, brunch, lunch, coffee & bakery. There is a reason there is always a wait to get a table here!
There is no shortage of Mexican restaurants in the area, but this is, hands down, our favorite. The salsa is house made, as are their hot sauces. The vegetables are fresh, and the portions are generous. The food is of good quality as is the service. Added bonus: they have our favorite beer - Delirium Tremens -- on tap.
15 locals recommend
Baja Bean Co.
9 W Beverley StThere is no shortage of Mexican restaurants in the area, but this is, hands down, our favorite. The salsa is house made, as are their hot sauces. The vegetables are fresh, and the portions are generous. The food is of good quality as is the service. Added bonus: they have our favorite beer - Delirium Tremens -- on tap.
The Shack is a small, upscale dining experience unique to this area. Several small-plate courses are brought out over the course of your reservation. The high-quality ingredients and their combinations are what make this a foodie's dream. Because the emphasis is on local, seasonal, sometimes unusual items, and because the menu changes weekly, they might be able to accommodate your dietary needs if notified in advance. The staff is stellar!
35 locals recommend
The Shack
105 S Coalter StThe Shack is a small, upscale dining experience unique to this area. Several small-plate courses are brought out over the course of your reservation. The high-quality ingredients and their combinations are what make this a foodie's dream. Because the emphasis is on local, seasonal, sometimes unusual items, and because the menu changes weekly, they might be able to accommodate your dietary needs if notified in advance. The staff is stellar!
We were happy to discover a restaurant that beautifully handles food! The menu is very interesting (Greek nachos), has a wide variety of interesting ingredients, and the food is well prepared. We stopped by for lunch while brunch was also being served. The plates that went by us looked fabulous, and we will certainly be back to experience brunch AND dinner.
19 locals recommend
Heritage On Main Street
309 W Main StWe were happy to discover a restaurant that beautifully handles food! The menu is very interesting (Greek nachos), has a wide variety of interesting ingredients, and the food is well prepared. We stopped by for lunch while brunch was also being served. The plates that went by us looked fabulous, and we will certainly be back to experience brunch AND dinner.
Francesco's is the closest restaurant to The Studio. We have really enjoyed eating here since the change in ownership. The food is reasonably priced, it is of good quality, and the service was excellent.
17 locals recommend
Francesco's
101 N Main StFrancesco's is the closest restaurant to The Studio. We have really enjoyed eating here since the change in ownership. The food is reasonably priced, it is of good quality, and the service was excellent.
We love this place! Everything is made to order from specialty coffees and smoothies to sandwiches, wraps, and salads. Freshly made baked goods abound. All food items are of high quality. The charming space puts the finishing touch on it all!
8 locals recommend
Sugar & Bean Cafe
318 N Main StWe love this place! Everything is made to order from specialty coffees and smoothies to sandwiches, wraps, and salads. Freshly made baked goods abound. All food items are of high quality. The charming space puts the finishing touch on it all!
Loved eating lunch in this beautiful historic building (which was a Woolworth's back in the day). I didn't have time to pour over the menu but was thrilled with my choice of an $8 grilled cheese sandwich (pick type of bread + 2 cheeses) and a cup of homemade tomato soup. Justice, who was single-handedly running the show during a busy lunchtime, did a stellar job. On the way out we took in the vast display case of "sweets", all made in house, we were told. We will definitely be back!
9 locals recommend
Clocktower Restaurant & Bar
27 W Beverley StLoved eating lunch in this beautiful historic building (which was a Woolworth's back in the day). I didn't have time to pour over the menu but was thrilled with my choice of an $8 grilled cheese sandwich (pick type of bread + 2 cheeses) and a cup of homemade tomato soup. Justice, who was single-handedly running the show during a busy lunchtime, did a stellar job. On the way out we took in the vast display case of "sweets", all made in house, we were told. We will definitely be back!
Yelping Dog Wine
9 E Beverley St
23 E Beverley St
New restaurant with daily changing menu featuring interesting dishes. Nice vibe!
Convenience Store
Nearby convenience store that sells specialty coffees, and breakfast sandwiches (Subway).
Jake's Convenience & Subway
2436 Churchville AveNearby convenience store that sells specialty coffees, and breakfast sandwiches (Subway).
zachs country store
3028 Scenic HwyNearby convenience store.
Nearby mercantile for a quick bite to eat, plenty of candy and munchies, a wide selection of specialty beer and wine.
Stokesville Market & Supply
90 N River RdNearby mercantile for a quick bite to eat, plenty of candy and munchies, a wide selection of specialty beer and wine.
Area Attractions
American Shakespeare Center's Blackfriars Playhouse
10 S Market StWorld-class entertainment!
Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum
20 N Coalter StJohn C. Wells Planetarium
91 E Grace StLOVEworks Harrisonburg, VA
311-331 S Main StScenic Outdoors
Elkhorn Lake
Staunton Dam Day Use Area
Todd Lake
Well worth the 50-minute drive with incredible vistas and hiking trails from the summit.
40 locals recommend
Reddish Knob
Well worth the 50-minute drive with incredible vistas and hiking trails from the summit.
Humpback Rocks
Blue Ridge ParkwayJackson River
Seneca Rocks
Natural Chimneys Park
94 Natural Chimneys LnEdith J. Carrier Arboretum
780 University BlvdNatural Bridge State Park
6477 S Lee HwyNatural Bridge
Hiking & Biking
Wild Oak Trail
Forest Road 95Suggest starting at the FS 95 parking start point, mile 15.5.
2 miles of our private hiking and biking trails! Here's the AllTrails link to let you know where you are at all times:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/the-studio-lookout-mountain-cd00692?u=i
449 Lookout Mountain Ln
449 Lookout Mountain Lane2 miles of our private hiking and biking trails! Here's the AllTrails link to let you know where you are at all times:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/the-studio-lookout-mountain-cd00692?u=i
Breweries, Wineries, & Cideries
Bluestone Vineyard
4828 Spring Creek RdSTAUNTON BEER WINE TOUR: https://visitstaunton.com/staunton-beer-wine-tour/
61 locals recommend
Staunton
STAUNTON BEER WINE TOUR: https://visitstaunton.com/staunton-beer-wine-tour/
SHENANDOAH BEERWERKS TRAIL: https://beerwerkstrail.com/things-to-do/craft-beer-tours/
19 locals recommend
Shenandoah
SHENANDOAH BEERWERKS TRAIL: https://beerwerkstrail.com/things-to-do/craft-beer-tours/
Nelson County
NELSON 151 MAP: https://www.nelson151.com/map/
https://savvydispatches.com/home/boozing-and-cruising-virginias-route-151
7 locals recommend
Nelson County
https://savvydispatches.com/home/boozing-and-cruising-virginias-route-151
They have a relationship with nearby restaurants: enjoy a beer while your food is being prepared, and the restaurant will bring it to you at the Brewery!
52 locals recommend
Pale Fire Brewing Co
217 S Liberty StThey have a relationship with nearby restaurants: enjoy a beer while your food is being prepared, and the restaurant will bring it to you at the Brewery!
CIDERS FROM MARS the greatest name for a cidery could only produce the greatest fermentations.
Ciders From Mars
121 South Lewis StreetCIDERS FROM MARS the greatest name for a cidery could only produce the greatest fermentations.
Grocery Stores
Nearest grocery store that is surprisingly well stocked for such a small space. Some prepared foods are available.
24 locals recommend
Bridgewater Foods
519 N Main StNearest grocery store that is surprisingly well stocked for such a small space. Some prepared foods are available.