9 Best Restaurants in Richmond, Fredericksburg and the Northern Neck, Virginia

Named after Etienne Lemaire, Maître d'Hôtel to Thomas Jefferson from 1794 until the end of his presidency, this is no ordinary hotel eatery. Today the farm-to-table menu features updated regional Southern cuisine, with small plates and entrées that feature Virginia ham and sausage, and regional meats and fishes. Try the filet mignon burger, available in the lounge (which offers excellent specials on small plates during happy hour), washed down with one of more than 200 wines or craft beers.

In an 1833 storefront that served as a general store, buttermilk-color walls display local art. Copper chandeliers and original heart-of-pine floors lend a warm glow; when the weather's fine, tables are brought out onto the sidewalk for al fresco dining. The menu changes with the seasons and features modern American cuisine with a Southern accent, including fresh fish and wild game. The award-winning wine list features the most diverse, multicultural varietal selections in the Fredericksburg region.

Grab a seat outside of Can Can and people-watch in the heart of Carytown while enjoying French comfort food at affordable prices. From the croque monsieur to steak frites, to a simple croissant and café au lait, this restaurant has the cuisine and feel of a Parisian brasserie.

This local favorite is always packed, partly because of its proximity to the National Theater, a popular concert venue. Specializing in Southern comfort food, from fried catfish to macaroni and cheese, each entrée comes with either two or three seasonal sides, like squash casserole and fried okra. If you're looking for small-batch bourbon, Comfort's whiskey bar stocks more than 40 of the best.

Goolrick's has been in its present location since the late 1890s, and still maintains a retro feel. At once a lunch counter, ice-cream shop, and an actual pharmacy, it's said to be home to the oldest operating soda fountain in the United States (theirs was installed in 1912). In addition to malts and egg creams, Goolrick's also serves light fare like sandwiches.

The specialty here is New Southern cuisine, with seasonal lunch and dinner menus that include tempting dishes such as shrimp and grits or roasted game hen stuffed with a risotto of country ham, green peas, and mushrooms. The wine list is one to linger over. Try not to leave without sampling one of the restaurant's namesake drinks. The restaurant's location in the heart of downtown makes it a popular pre-theater or concert spot.

Housed in a pre--Civil War brick general store, this white-tablecloth restaurant actually has three dining rooms decorated like a French garden, with numerous paintings by local artists for sale. For more than two decades, this has been a Fredericksburg favorite for its consistently good food and service. The interesting menu changes with the seasons, and the chef sources his products locally. Specialties like house-cut beef, French onion soup, and seafood are all served with a Continental accent. A fixed-price ($25) four-course dinner is served from 5:30 to 7 Monday through Thursday.

Be prepared to wait in line at Richmond's favorite diner. Locals often bring lawn chairs and games to pass the time while waiting for their chance to try the upscale, contemporary selections at this quirky eatery. This is the place for brunch, serving everything from huevos rancheros to the signature Devil's Mess kitchen-sink omelet. Although the vibe is straight out of the '50s, with personal jukeboxes in every booth, the food is strictly 21st century, and includes contemporary takes on Southern classics as well as global offerings. The dinner menu changes every three weeks, but the most popular lunch and breakfast offerings are always available.

This family-owned restaurant, decorated with lace curtains, red carpeting, and walls covered with paintings, specializes in traditional northern and southern Italian cuisine, including veal, chicken, pasta, and seafood. Standouts include veal Florentine, fettuccine Alfredo, eggplant parmigiana, steamed mussels, and lasagna. The 260-seat restaurant is also open for lunch on weekdays. Save room for the Italian desserts such as cannoli, spumoni, and tiramisu.