Staunton’s Award Winners in the Best of Virginia

Every January, Virginia Living Magazine asks its readers to name their favorite businesses and attractions in a write-in poll. The magazine features them in its Best of Virginia issue, which is designed to guide readers to all the best places in five different Virginia regions. Locals and visitors voted for favorites, and Staunton really shines as a place to visit and do business.

Read on to find out who of your favorites are award winners for 2025 in various categories. If you haven’t yet visited, what are you waiting for?

Best of Food & Drink

Breakfast/Brunch Restaurant – 3rd Place: Kathy’s Restaurant
Burger Joint – 2nd Place: Remedy Burger
Fine Dining – 1st Place: Mill Street Grill
Ice Cream Shop – 2nd Place: Kline’s Dairy Bar; 3rd Place: The Split Banana
Indian Restaurant – 2nd Place: Taste of India
Mexican Restaurant – 2nd Place: Chicano Boy Taco
Outdoor Dining – 2nd Place: Byers Street Bistro
Seafood Restaurant – 1st Place: Blu Point Seafood Co.; 3rd: Valley Smokehouse
Steakhouse – 2nd Place: Mill Street Grill; 3rd Place: The Depot Grille
Vegan, Vegetarian or Gluten Free Fare – 3rd Place: Cranberry’s Grocery & Eatery
Bakery – 1st Place: Reunion Bakery
Chocolatier – 3rd Place: Giancarlo Fine European Pastries
Farmers’ Market – 2nd Place: Staunton Farmers’ Market
Wine Shop – 2nd Place: Yelping Dog Wine
Cidery – 2nd Place: Ciders From Mars
Cocktails – 1st Place: Zynodoa
Winery – 2nd Place: Barren Ridge Vineyards

Best of Living & Recreation

Entertainment & Events

Festival – 3rd Place: Queen City Mischief & Magic
Movie Theater – 3rd Place: Visulite Cinemas
Museum – 1st Place: Frontier Culture Museum
Performing Arts Company – 1st Place: American Shakespeare Center
Performing Arts Theater – 1st Place: American Shakespeare Center’s Blackfriars Playhouse
Special Event Venue – 3rd Place: The Blackburn Inn & Conference Center
Family Entertainment – 2nd Place: Frontier Culture Museum

Travel

Historic Site – 2nd Place: Frontier Culture Museum; 3rd Place: Downtown Staunton

Outdoors & Active

Specialty Fitness – 1st Place: Phoenix Fitness & Yoga

Best Shopping 

Children’s Store – 1st Place: Pufferbellies Toys & Books
Gift Store – 3rd Place: Latitudes Fair Trade Store
Record Store – 1st Place: Vinyl Asylum
Sporting Goods & Outdoor Outfitters – 3rd Place: Wilderness Adventures

Congratulations to all the winners, and thank you to everyone who voted. Now, get out there and support Staunton’s favorite businesses and attractions.