Fayetteville Area Dining Guide

Fayetteville

If you head south on Rt. 19, cross the New River Gorge Bridge and take a left at the first light, you will find yourself in the charming small town of Fayetteville. There are some terrific dining options. Call for winter hours.

Cathedral Café

This comfortable café, creatively done in an old church complete with stained glass windows, is the place to start your day. Hospitable owners, Rick and Wendy Bayes, a pair of ex-raft guides, offer breakfast and lunch and the best coffee in Fayette County. Check out their terrific soups and salads and leave room for the carrot cake, three time winner of Fayette County's Best Dessert award. Computers with free high speed internet access are available. Browse through the used books and the interesting crafts in Trillium Gifts which shares the space. Located just off Court Square. Ask anyone to point you in the right direction. 574-0202

Pies and Pints

We are going out on a limb here: This is the best pizza on the planet. We know that sounds crazy but we dare you to check it out. Gourmet pizza on a homemade crust with combinations of ingredients that will redefine your idea of what pizza is all about. (Gorgonzola, grape and rosemary?!) The spinach salad is to die for and the beer aficionados among you will swoon over the beer list. Don't miss the root beer on tap, dreamy. Eat inside, out on the deck, or at the picnic tables in the adjoining park. Highly competent servers keep this family-friendly place cranking. Live music and specials offered during the summer. Located under the bike shop on Keller Ave. 574-2200.

Sedona Grille

Over ten years in business, this terrific restaurant is the granddaddy of the local dining scene. Located just a mile south of town on Rt. 16, this spot offers imaginative entrees, a full bar (rare in these parts) and typically friendly, competent service. Brion and Ginny are restaurateurs to the core and always keep things interesting and fresh. Their crab cakes are sublime. Open for dinner six nights a week and lunch on the weekends. 574-3411

Gumbo's

Offering Cajun, Creole and Low-Country cuisine, prepared by Harry and Mary, Louisiana natives, Gumbo's is a welcome addition to the restaurant line-up. Serving lunch and dinner in cozy space just off Court Square, this spot has become a favorite with locals and tourists alike. According to Geoff, they have the best burger in town! Moderate prices and generous portions make this the best lunch deal around. Beer and wine available. 574-4704

Cowboys

Casual, affordable and quick, this spot is right on Court Square and fills the friendly family dining slot in Fayetteville's restaurant line-up. $3.95 will get you the Gutbuster. The pulled pork barbeque sandwich and chef salad are also popular. Beer is available. 574-4090

Dirty Ernie's Rib Pit

A popular aprs-rafting spot, this is the place for meat-lovers, ribs are what they do best. It has a relaxed atmosphere and a menu that offers something for everyone. Kids love it because they can throw peanut shells on the floor; mothers love it because they don't have to worry about what their kids do. The French Onion soup is a winner. They can accommodate larger groups. Located just off Rt. 19 on Keller Ave. 574-4822.

Tudor's Biscuit World

Normally we don't mention chain restaurants with much enthusiasm, but, aside from serving as the landmark for entering Fayetteville, Tudor's has its place if you need a quick and greasy breakfast. The Dottie is a Fayetteville tradition. 574-3820

Oak Hill, WV Dining Information

Oak Hill is five minutes south of Fayetteville. If you continue south on Rt. 19 you will come to a large strip mall, Fayette Square, on your right. K-mart and Kroger anchor this mall.

Rio Grande

Also located in the above-mentioned strip mall, this family friendly Mexican restaurant offers a sprawling menu, quick service and cheap prices. 465-5434

Padrino's

This family operated business offers authentic Italian food. The eggplant parmesan is fantastic. Choose this restaurant over the other Italian place, Sambino's 469-4142

Chico's

Our pick in the Mexican department, this family-run business offers better chips and stronger margaritas as well as an extensive selection of Mexican entrees. A friendly atmosphere and cheerful décor make you more inclined to smile at the goofy donkey mascot. Kids are welcomed with crayons, a coloring sheet and a kids menu. 469-6505

OK Chinese Restaurant

The name about sums it up, solid Chinese food, nothing to write home about, but it beats the Peking Buffet, also located in this mall. 465-8465

Oak Hill also offers the full complement of fast food restaurants if you are so inclined.

They are clustered at the Lochgelly exit, or further south at the Main Street exit.

North of the New River Gorge Bridge

Smokey's on the Gorge

Located less than five minutes from Opossum Creek Retreat, Smokey's and its more downscale companion, Chetty's, are Class VI River Runners terrific restaurants. Be sure to check out their overlook which will give you a mind bending view of the New River Gorge Bridge. Smokey's is housed in a stunning timber framed pavilion with huge decks offering spectacular views of the gorge. They offer a buffet that blends culinary sophistication with down-home West Virginia hospitality. The salad bar will knock your socks off. A full bar and a solid wine list complement the buffet. The buffet isn't cheap but the experience is well worth it. Tell Joe Re we sent you! 574-4905

Chetty's

Located on the second floor of Class VI's reception building, this is a more casual, sports bar kind of a place. Hearty sandwiches, wings and appetizers dominate the menu. The atmosphere is lively and fun with the widescreen TVs tuned to sports or rafting videos. A foosball table on the porch will keep the kids occupied until the food arrives, or better yet, they can rage around outside at the playground. 574-4905 or 574-0704

The Sub Shack

Ansted, a small town not far from OCR, is worth checking out for many reasons! This little spotoffers great, solid homemade sandwiches and mealsfor the right price. And hey, it's close by! 658-4027

Café Acropolis

A Summersville tradition, the Acropolis offers well-prepared Greek food. 872-0254

Café Cimino

We include this restaurant because it is widely considered to be the best in West Virginia. You will have to drive an hour north to get there but, by all accounts it is worth it. So, if you are celebrating something big and want to pull out all the stops, call for a reservation. 304-765-2913 or 1-877-9cimino

Bars

Well, we told you we'd give you the inside scoop so here it is. The bar scene is limited at best and it is sure to give you plenty of local flavor. There are only a few to mention, the others you can explore at your own risk.

Charlie's Pub

Located underneath Sherry's Beer City in Fayetteville (ask anybody). We doubt you'll find a stiffer, cheaper highball anywhere or thicker smoke for that matter. Friendly locals will make you feel right at home. Feel free to show off your prowess at the pool table if you like.

The Pub on Gatewood

The newest entry in to the nightlife scene, this friendly place offers karaoke Wednesday and Friday and a live band every Saturday. Not as smoky! And the kitchen stays open all night offering Philly steaks, burgers and sandwiches. Lottery machines. Located at Cantrell's Ultimate Rafting. 574-2500

Elliott's at the Quality Inn

Your basic sports bar with basic bar food and karaoke now and then. 574-3443

Rose's Hideaway

Another friendly local bar that offers solid bar food and daily specials. Pool table, cheap drinks and a comfortable atmosphere, not far from OCR.

Weekends

More like a club. Dancing and pool tables. Sometimes a cover charge. 465-1216

Groceries and Snacks

Kroger

Biggest grocery around. Oak Hill. 469-2921

Daniel's Fresh Mart

Great small grocery conveniently located next to the Post Office in Fayetteville. 574-0455

Lansing General Store

The closest convenience store to OCR, this one is stocked with the tourist in mind. Seems to be open whenever you need it! 574-1654