Moving to a new town can be overwhelming, especially when you are leaving the comfort of your old home. This move means having to find new places to shop, eat, hike, and more. After living in Harrisonburg for four years, I can tell you there are some amazing local restaurants that you may have never had before. I am going to share some of my personal favorites just in time for the holidays when family and friends are visiting, and for when you are looking for a new favorite spot.

Spot 1: Beyond Restaurant & Lounge

This is a great spot for Asian dishes, sushi, and cocktails! The outdoor patio in the evening is lit with hanging lights and has a great atmosphere. One of my favorite sushi rolls is the ‘Bora Bora’. I can tell you that the sushi is fresh and is some of the best in town. The entrees are typical Asian style cuisine, and my favorite to get is the ‘Drunken Noodles with Chicken’.

Spot 2: Magnolia’s Tacos & Tequila Bar

Magnolia’s is a great modern Mexican restaurant. It has many options that are great for adults and children. One of the best appetizers is the ‘Chips + Queso Dip or Guacamole’ or ‘Chips + Salsa’ which is similar to the typical chips and salsa starter at Mexican restaurants. A personal favorite entree is the taco combo where I get one ‘Masa Crusted Shrimp taco’ and one ‘Americano taco’ with a side of rice. They are flexible with the combos and allow me to pick two tacos from different parts of the menu. The rice has its unique flavor that you can put on the tacos or eat separately!

Spot 3: Rocktown Kitchen

Rocktown Kitchen is an American style restaurant with a casual fine dining environment. They offer patio and indoor dining, local wine and beer, local food, curbside pickup, and kid’s meals. My favorite appetizer is the ‘Stuffed Mozzarella Burrata’. This comes with slices of a baguette and is a great starter to share with the table! Entrees range from red meat, chicken, pork, and fish so there is a dish for everyone's tastes.

Spot 4: Bella Luna Wood-Fired Pizza

If you are looking for an organic and fresh Italian restaurant, Bella Luna is the place to go! The food is made from scratch every day using the best ingredients. Bella Luna offers wood-fired pizzas, hand-made pasta, seasonal salads and sandwiches, and amazing desserts. Whenever I go to Bella Luna, I always order the ‘Lemon Hummus’ to start. This comes with a bowl of hummus and wood-fired flatbread and it is a table favorite! Two of my favorite entrees are the ‘Brooklyn pizza’ and the ‘Pasta Bolognese’. I can also tell you that if you like spicy food, the ‘Ring of Fire pizza’ will be a favorite of yours.



Spot 5: Billy Jack’s Shack / Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint

These two restaurants are some of everyone’s favorites in Harrisonburg. If you are looking for a casual dining experience with burgers and beer, these two are the place for you! Jack Brown’s solely serves burgers and one of my favorites is the ‘Greg Brady’ which comes with mac n’ cheese and barbecue chips on it. Make sure to ask for a side of Jack Brown’s sauce so that you can use it as a dipping sauce for your fries or even put it on your burger. Billy Jack’s serves the same burgers as Jack Brown’s, but they also offer more of a variety of food. When I do not get a burger, I get the box of ‘Fried Mac with a side of Javier sauce’ and ‘Sticky Nuggs in the Sticky Sweet Chili sauce with a side of the ranch’.

There are so many places to eat in Harrisonburg, and you will not be disappointed with the quality! The local restaurants are one of the reasons I love living in Harrisonburg and make me never want to leave.