West Virginia Dining Guide and Restaurants
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. 574-0202Pies 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. 574-3411Gumbo’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. 574-4704Cowboys
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. 574-4090Dirty Ernie’s Rib Pit
A popular après-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. 574-3820Oak 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. 465-5434Padrino’s
This family operated business offers authentic Italian food. The eggplant parmesan is fantastic. Choose this restaurant over the other Italian place, Sambino’s 469-4142Chico’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. 469-6505OK 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. 465-8465Oak 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.
