Guidebook for Harrisonburg
Food Scene
Casual but upscale asian fusion restaurant in downtown. We love their Vietnames and Korean options as well as their sushi. We never have to wait for a table, which makes this a great option for Friday night or with a large group at the last minute
29 locals recommend
Beyond Restaurant & Lounge
50 W Water StCasual but upscale asian fusion restaurant in downtown. We love their Vietnames and Korean options as well as their sushi. We never have to wait for a table, which makes this a great option for Friday night or with a large group at the last minute
A food truck, their carne asada tacos are amaaaaazing! Street-taco sized, CASH only (I think they're like $2.50 each), best with the red salsa though it is spicy!
Tacos El Primo
1110 Reservoir StA food truck, their carne asada tacos are amaaaaazing! Street-taco sized, CASH only (I think they're like $2.50 each), best with the red salsa though it is spicy!
Lovely desserts and gelato, great if you want a little dessert after dinner in downtown.
17 locals recommend
Bella Gelato
49 W Water StLovely desserts and gelato, great if you want a little dessert after dinner in downtown.
Located in Mt. Crawford (15 minutes drive, south on 81) all their icecream is made in house with milk from the creamery next door! Their cookies and cream is one of the best I've ever had. Same for their butter pecan.
19 locals recommend
Smiley's Ice Cream
205 Don Litten PkwyLocated in Mt. Crawford (15 minutes drive, south on 81) all their icecream is made in house with milk from the creamery next door! Their cookies and cream is one of the best I've ever had. Same for their butter pecan.
Counter-service asian fusion dishes with great flavor and locally sourced ingredients. Vegan and gluten free options, though servings are on the lighter side so if you're looking for volume maybe try Vietopia.
20 locals recommend
A Bowl of Good
831 Mt Clinton PikeCounter-service asian fusion dishes with great flavor and locally sourced ingredients. Vegan and gluten free options, though servings are on the lighter side so if you're looking for volume maybe try Vietopia.
Also right around the corner, and they deliver! We have tried their pizza and it was good.
Brothers Pizza
1059 S High StAlso right around the corner, and they deliver! We have tried their pizza and it was good.
This is right around the corner from us and has a couple options we enjoy - their noodle dishes are what we recommend.
30 locals recommend
Taste of Thai
917 S High StThis is right around the corner from us and has a couple options we enjoy - their noodle dishes are what we recommend.
Their coffee is almost all locally roasted, and their bacon, egg and cheese (or tomato and goat cheese) biscuit is delicious! They also have several vegan and GF baked good options. Their iced chai latte is also delicious! They also have little nooks that are great for studying or getting some work done in this cozy, cute coffee shop. They also have high chairs for kids and an arcade game.
28 locals recommend
Black Sheep Coffee
80 S Liberty StTheir coffee is almost all locally roasted, and their bacon, egg and cheese (or tomato and goat cheese) biscuit is delicious! They also have several vegan and GF baked good options. Their iced chai latte is also delicious! They also have little nooks that are great for studying or getting some work done in this cozy, cute coffee shop. They also have high chairs for kids and an arcade game.
Lots of great, casual lunch options (ex: sandwiches on croissants) here, as well lots of creative and yummy baked goods including vegan and GF options. They also have a high chair and some kid activities (coloring books). It also shares a space with the Harrisonburg Visitor Center.
20 locals recommend
Heritage Bakery & Café
212 S Main StLots of great, casual lunch options (ex: sandwiches on croissants) here, as well lots of creative and yummy baked goods including vegan and GF options. They also have a high chair and some kid activities (coloring books). It also shares a space with the Harrisonburg Visitor Center.
Coffee roasted in house. There's limited seating, but is a great option to grab a cup of coffee while strolling through downtown.
13 locals recommend
Broad Porch Coffee Co.
165 S Main StCoffee roasted in house. There's limited seating, but is a great option to grab a cup of coffee while strolling through downtown.
A local favorite, with lots of fresh bagel sandwich options. Their closest location is within walking distance to us, in the Food Lion shopping center.
15 locals recommend
Mr J's Bagel & Deli III. ( There are 3 locations)
1741 Virginia AveA local favorite, with lots of fresh bagel sandwich options. Their closest location is within walking distance to us, in the Food Lion shopping center.
Perfect for fast, casual vietnamese dining that includes soups, salads, rice plates and sandwiches as well as boba drinks and occasionally sesame buns and pork buns.
7 locals recommend
Vietopia
1015 Port Republic RdPerfect for fast, casual vietnamese dining that includes soups, salads, rice plates and sandwiches as well as boba drinks and occasionally sesame buns and pork buns.
While it can get crowded here, their kebab and gyro sandwich options are some of our favorites! (The Athena and the lamb kebab are what we get - also their fries are so good.)
12 locals recommend
Xenia A Kebab Grille
219 Burgess RdWhile it can get crowded here, their kebab and gyro sandwich options are some of our favorites! (The Athena and the lamb kebab are what we get - also their fries are so good.)
Our favorite high-end restaurant in town. Scallops, steak and pork belly are our favorites. We eat here every year for Nattida's birthday.
Their bar area also serves great, more wallet-friendly food in a casual setting. Their Chop Burger is delicious and their duck-fat fries or market stir fry make for a great side!
69 locals recommend
Local Chop & Grill House
56 W Gay StOur favorite high-end restaurant in town. Scallops, steak and pork belly are our favorites. We eat here every year for Nattida's birthday.
Their bar area also serves great, more wallet-friendly food in a casual setting. Their Chop Burger is delicious and their duck-fat fries or market stir fry make for a great side!
Cuban-style dishes, burgers and sandwiches, beans, rice and plantains are also all delicious.
39 locals recommend
Cuban Burger
70 W Water StCuban-style dishes, burgers and sandwiches, beans, rice and plantains are also all delicious.
Modern mexican, including creative tacos and carne asada french fries (so good!). Their house margaritas are also delicious. If the weather is good, their rooftop seating is fantastic! Taco Tuesday usually has taco specials all day.
20 locals recommend
Magnolia's Tacos & Tequila Bar
14 E Water StModern mexican, including creative tacos and carne asada french fries (so good!). Their house margaritas are also delicious. If the weather is good, their rooftop seating is fantastic! Taco Tuesday usually has taco specials all day.
Farm-to-table Italian dishes with lots of interesting, seasonal options. Their risotto is delicious as are their deep fried mussels.
73 locals recommend
Bella Luna Wood-Fired Pizza
80 W Water StFarm-to-table Italian dishes with lots of interesting, seasonal options. Their risotto is delicious as are their deep fried mussels.
We LOVE their BBQ. It's perfectly located for lunch or dinner to or from a day of hiking in Shenandoah.
18 locals recommend
Log Cabin Barbecue
11672 Spotswood TrailWe LOVE their BBQ. It's perfectly located for lunch or dinner to or from a day of hiking in Shenandoah.
Delicious Indonesian food in a sweet little restaurant. Check hours before arriving and call ahead as space is somewhat limited but worth the effort!
29 locals recommend
BoBoKo Indonesian Cafe
217 S Liberty StDelicious Indonesian food in a sweet little restaurant. Check hours before arriving and call ahead as space is somewhat limited but worth the effort!
$5 for a GIANT slice of pizza, great for a quick, casual bite while in downtown.
7 locals recommend
Benny Sorrentino's
64 S Mason St$5 for a GIANT slice of pizza, great for a quick, casual bite while in downtown.
Drinks & Nightlife
Harrisonburg's only speakeasy. We haven't been yet, but we are looking forward to trying it.
Jack's Hideaway
92 S Main StHarrisonburg's only speakeasy. We haven't been yet, but we are looking forward to trying it.
Part restaurant, part bar, they feature lots of local acts and have a lively bar scene. Lots of college students frequent here during the school year though, so probably a better option for the summer and winter.
51 locals recommend
Clementine
153 S Main StPart restaurant, part bar, they feature lots of local acts and have a lively bar scene. Lots of college students frequent here during the school year though, so probably a better option for the summer and winter.
Lots of breweries in town, this one is our favorite. Great beer, amateur -hour open mic, it's just a cool place to chill and have some good beer.
15 locals recommend
The Friendly Fermenter
20 S Mason StLots of breweries in town, this one is our favorite. Great beer, amateur -hour open mic, it's just a cool place to chill and have some good beer.
Parks & Nature
This is the closest entrance to the Shenandoah National Park to our house.
30 locals recommend
Swift Run Gap Entrance Station
This is the closest entrance to the Shenandoah National Park to our house.
Labyrinth, hiking trails, mountain biking trails, exercise equipment, playground, volleyball court, basketball court, this park has a little bit of everything and it's right across the street. Open till dusk with plenty of parking.
11 locals recommend
Hillandale Park
801 Hillandale AveLabyrinth, hiking trails, mountain biking trails, exercise equipment, playground, volleyball court, basketball court, this park has a little bit of everything and it's right across the street. Open till dusk with plenty of parking.
Beautifully maintained botanical garden with lots of walking paths and a pond with local birds. Super fun for families and a nice walk.
8 locals recommend
EJC Arboretum Pavilion
780 University BlvdBeautifully maintained botanical garden with lots of walking paths and a pond with local birds. Super fun for families and a nice walk.
Arts & Culture
Great, helpful guides to help you find something interesting to do while you're in town.
9 locals recommend
Hardesty-Higgins House Visitor Center
212 S Main StGreat, helpful guides to help you find something interesting to do while you're in town.
Great for kids as young as toddlers. Admission is $7/person, open Tues-Saturday with lots of interactive exhibits - you could easily spend hours here. Bring snacks!
41 locals recommend
Explore More Discovery Museum
150 S Main StGreat for kids as young as toddlers. Admission is $7/person, open Tues-Saturday with lots of interactive exhibits - you could easily spend hours here. Bring snacks!
Shopping
Large, well organized thrift store that's well curated and organized.
8 locals recommend
Gift and Thrift
731 Mt Clinton PikeLarge, well organized thrift store that's well curated and organized.
Large thrift store within walking distance to us. Lots of great finds, but you do have to do some digging to find the best treasures!
Mercy House Thrift Store
1005 S High StLarge thrift store within walking distance to us. Lots of great finds, but you do have to do some digging to find the best treasures!
A indoor community-based market featuring local vendors that sell everything from personal goods (mugs, leather bags), to coffee, vintage items, and a downtown hardware store. New Creations also has a location here, selling fair-trade clothing, jewelry and gifts to support women escaping sex trafficking.
19 locals recommend
Agora Downtown Market
165 S Main StA indoor community-based market featuring local vendors that sell everything from personal goods (mugs, leather bags), to coffee, vintage items, and a downtown hardware store. New Creations also has a location here, selling fair-trade clothing, jewelry and gifts to support women escaping sex trafficking.
Everything from flowers, local honey and produce to soap, kettle corn and waffles/crepes. Saturday mornings 8am-1pm except in winter it's 9am-1pm (it is super super cold in the winter when it's windy though!) and sometimes there's live music. We are here almost every Saturday.
35 locals recommend
Harrisonburg Farmers Market
228 S Liberty StEverything from flowers, local honey and produce to soap, kettle corn and waffles/crepes. Saturday mornings 8am-1pm except in winter it's 9am-1pm (it is super super cold in the winter when it's windy though!) and sometimes there's live music. We are here almost every Saturday.
You'll find a toy store, quilts, kitchen store, grandma's pantry (bulk goods with lots of samples!), jam/jellies shop - again, a little bit of everything local.
29 locals recommend
Shenandoah Heritage Market
121 Carpenter LnYou'll find a toy store, quilts, kitchen store, grandma's pantry (bulk goods with lots of samples!), jam/jellies shop - again, a little bit of everything local.
Lots of local shops selling baked goods, kitchen wares, plants, etc. It's a little bit of everything. Also home to Hank's BBQ, a great option for lunch while you're shopping.
39 locals recommend
Dayton Market
3105 John Wayland HwyLots of local shops selling baked goods, kitchen wares, plants, etc. It's a little bit of everything. Also home to Hank's BBQ, a great option for lunch while you're shopping.
Walmart Supercenter
171 Burgess RdOpen 24 hours and just one stoplight away.