Location: Amherst
Top Restaurants in Amherst
Where to Eat in Amherst: The Best Restaurants and Bars
Amherst (formerly Dearborn) is a town in Amherst County, Virginia, United States. The population was 2,231 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Amherst County.
Things to do in Amherst
1. The Briar Patch
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 121 reviews
Reviewed By safe_foodforyou
Wife and I enjoyed our meal today. Cesar salad is exceptionally good especially if you like garlic. Wife enjoyed a burger which she said as very good and I had chicken liver which is awesome if you like liver. We have moved our patronage from Traveler's (due to poor service and declining food quality) to Briar Patch. So far we have enjoyed great service and meals. The bar gets loud... suggest eating early if you want a quiet meal.
2. What a Blessing Bakery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By Signalfire - Sweet Briar, Virginia
They do a buffet lunch on Mon, Weds, Fri of traditional southern Sunday hot lunch staples and soul food. It is all cooked to perfection, filling, and delicious. On Saturday morning they do an incredible breakfast buffet that features salmon cakes, kielbasa, and beef tips in addition to more usual breakfast fare such as scrambled eggs and bacon. It is THE BOMB and you must go if you are a breakfast lover. Bring your friends.
3. The Filling Station
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By btaes1 - Amherst, Virginia
First, let me say my own rules (not fine dinning, limited menu) keep me from giving more stars. Wife and I have been there many times. They have 10 craft beers/ciders on draft, from light ales to stouts. They also have an excellent selection of small craft brewed bottled and canned beers. They also have a small amount of domestic beers, sodas and teas.The menu is very limited and if you are looking for something healthy, go elsewhere. However, the burgers and hotdogs are great. The house fried chips, pork rinds are our favorites. Wife and I pop in for a brew and some pork rinds often. It is the kind of place where you can be sitting between the mayor who is in a suit, and 2 guys just off the farm in dirty work clothes, and everyone is having a good time.
4. Traveler's Fine Food and Drink
Overall Ratings
4 based on 39 reviews
We encourage creativity in our kitchen.
Reviewed By Eileen074 - Alexandria, Virginia
We went to Travelers after we finished at the courthouse. Although we arrived shortly before they opened, we were able to sit down inside (it was freezing outside). The lunch menu wasn't as big as we thought it would be, but we all found something that appealed to us. Three of the group got burgers and I got a club sandwich. The burgers were large (my aunt had to cut hers in half to eat it) and my club sandwich was huge. The others all loved their burgers and my sandwich had some of the best sliced Turkey and ham I've ever eaten (also bacon). Our french fries were fresh cut potatoes that were expertly fried - crisp right out of the fryer. I ended up taking half my sandwich back for later. Although we had the place to ourselves when we arrived, it started getting busy by the time we were finishing.
5. Vito's Pizza Bar & Grill
Overall Ratings
4 based on 59 reviews
Reviewed By xandersmom1 - Baltimore, Maryland
This is a local spot which was hopping on a Thursday summer evening. Here you'll find the typical American-Italian dishes like eggplant parmasean, lasagne, spaghetti and very nice looking pizzas (which I think I'll opt for next time).The prices are reasonable and the portions are huge (we could not eat half of our dishes-- in fact my sister's eggplant parma fed both of us for lunch the next day). Friendly service and a relaxed atmosphere. Lots of families here, as there are tons of kid-friendly dishes on the menu (pizza, calzone, pasta, etc). I hear (but cannot confirm except visually) that the desserts are great.
6. Lola's
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By drdave57 - Amherst, Virginia
Tried it out for the first time at dinner. It was nicely decorated and had a very relaxed atmosphere. My wife ordered the friend green tomato sandwich and I had the catfish platter...The food was outstanding! Catifsh was lightly battered and not greasy with a very mild flavor and the potato salad was loaded with bacon! My wife sandwich was fixed just right..so very few restaurants have mastered fried green tomatoes...but LOLA's has it spot on...In addition, she ordered the fried mac and cheese which was superb....we had a great experience and will definitely be back!
7. El Mariachi
Overall Ratings
4 based on 28 reviews
Reviewed By Danny C - Bradenton, Florida
Service was good, the food, however left much to be desired.
I like that the beans are actual pintos, not a paste.
The rice was rather tasteless and dry
The entree was a large serving, but was bland. I expect my mexican food to be spicy and, when I order something that is marked as 'HOT' on the menu, I expect it to be really spicy.
Maybe it's the local palate, but I was very disappointed.
8. Boomer BBQ
Overall Ratings
5 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By narwhal1999 - Monroe, Virginia
If you love BBQ, you need to try this place. It's hands down the best I've found in the central VA area. Maybe anywhere in VA. Been here three times now and got the meat sampler every time. You choose three meats from pulled pork, half a rack of ribs, smoked chicken and chopped brisket. You also get two LARGE sides and it's only $15.99. Most places, a half a rack of ribs alone is $15.99. The ribs are falling off the bone, tender and juicy. Smoked to perfection. Every time. Brisket is always juicy, never close to dry. Pulled pork is also delicious. Haven't tried the smoked chicken yet. My wife got the meat tacos the first time we went and raved over them. I'm a big eater and have never come close to finishing the meat sampler. Good for 2-3 meals. The banana pudding is delicious and all sides are homemade. If you're anywhere close to Amherst, you need to give this place a try. You won't regret it!
9. Charlie's Chicken
Overall Ratings
4 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By Salamandy24
We stopped here for a quick lunch. The chicken lived up to the hype. The sides, however, were barely edible. I had green beans that were clearly from a can, and mushy potato wedges. My husband had baked beans (which were actually decent), and congealed mac&cheese. The staff were at least very sweet.
10. Domino's Pizza
Overall Ratings
4 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By 19Betty47 - Amherst, Virginia
Good choice of pizza. Offer delivery and gluten free options which is great because not much gluten free dining in a small town.
