Ready to discover West Virginia’s most unique restaurants? We’re diving into everything from wild hot dog creations in Lesage, Jamaican flavors in Charleston, and cozy German vibes in Huntington. Join me as we explore the coolest restaurants in WV.
If you’re always on the hunt for that next unforgettable meal, West Virginia won’t disappoint. Think Hillbilly Hot Dogs in Lesage, where the toppings are as wild as the atmosphere, or Dem 2 Brothers and a Grill in Charleston for mouthwatering Jamaican barbecue. Craving something different? Check out Bahnhof WVrsthaus in Huntington for authentic German eats and craft beer.
In this guide, I’ll share 11 unique dining spots that go beyond expectations. After you fly to West Virginia, get ready for meals that combine unforgettable flavors with unbeatable vibes. Let’s dig in!
Before you book anything, don’t miss these deals 👇
- ✈️ Find cheap flights you won't see on Google – Going.com finds mistake fares and flash sales I use to save $200+ per ticket
- 🏨 Book your stay – Great deals on boutique hotels, apartments and vacation homes
- 🚗 Score cheap car rentals – Compare top companies in one spot
- 🎟️ Explore top-rated tours and activities – Skip the line and explore more
👉 Pro Tip: The Ghost Walk Through Historic Fayetteville is a must for history buffs and thrill-seekers! You’ll hear spooky stories, explore haunted spots, and learn about the city’s fascinating past. Grab dinner at a local spot like Pies & Pints before the tour to fuel up—it’s a great way to combine Fayetteville’s food scene with its ghostly charm.
Unusual places to eat in WV
Ready to explore the best eateries in West Virginia? From a charming vegan spot in Harpers Ferry to a vibrant restaurant celebrating basketball legend Jerry West, West Virginia is a paradise for foodies. Join me as we uncover the most unique restaurants in WV.
1. Hillbilly Hot Dogs
- 📍 Location: Lesage
- 💲 Price range: $5 – $15 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: American / Hot Dogs / Eclectic
- 🔥 Standout Features: Whimsical school bus setting, over-the-top hot dog creations, quirky roadside vibe.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Hot dog lovers, road trip diners, and fans of kitschy Americana.
Yeehaw, y’all! Get ready to pig out at Hillbilly Hot Dogs, a legendary roadside shack in Lesage that’s as much an experience as it is a place to eat! Housed in colorfully decorated old school buses and shacks, this place is a glorious explosion of hillbilly kitsch.
You should definitely try the Home Wrecker, a massive 15-inch hot dog piled high with toppings. The Pine-Appalachian Dog with crushed pineapple and chili sauce, or the classic Hillbilly Dog with chili and slaw, are also fantastic. It’s pure, down-home fun!
2. Karubees Jamaican Restaurant
- 📍 Location: Morgantown
- 💲 Price range: $15 – $30 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Jamaican / Caribbean
- 🔥 Standout Features: Caribbean island decor, flavorful jerk chicken, authentic Jamaican stews.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Spice lovers, Caribbean food fans, and casual island-style dining.
Get ready to feel the rhythm and spice at Karubees Jamaican Restaurant! This Morgantown gem is serving up a legit taste of the islands that’ll transport you straight to Montego Bay. The aroma of jerk spices and simmering curries will hit you the moment you walk in.
Devouring their incredible jerk chicken, smoky and spicy, is a must. The rich and flavorful oxtail stew, or the tender curry goat served with rice and peas, are also highly recommended. Wash it all down with a Ting or a Red Stripe!
3. Secret Sandwich Society
- 📍 Location: Fayetteville (also Charleston)
- 💲 Price range: $10 – $20 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Gourmet Sandwiches / American
- 🔥 Standout Features: Inventive sandwich combos, house-made pimento cheese, casual speakeasy vibe.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Sandwich enthusiasts, creative comfort food fans, and laid-back diners.
Psst… wanna know a secret? Secret Sandwich Society is crafting some of the most mind-blowingly awesome sandwiches you’ll ever sink your teeth into! This Fayetteville favorite takes the humble sandwich to a whole new level with inventive combinations and top-notch ingredients.
Trying the McKinley Mac, a glorious mess of roast beef, caramelized onions, and mac & cheese on grilled sourdough, is essential. The “Truman” with pimento cheese, bacon, and fried green tomatoes, or the “Hoover” with meatloaf and provolone, are also legendary.
4. Bahnhof Wvrsthaus & Biergarten
- 📍 Location: Huntington
- 💲 Price range: $15 – $30 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: German / European
- 🔥 Standout Features: Authentic German sausages, beer hall atmosphere, wide beer selection.
- 🎯 Perfect For: German cuisine lovers, group outings, and beer enthusiasts.
Prost! Get ready to raise a stein and chow down on serious German goodness at Bahnhof Wvrsthaus & Biergarten in Huntington! This place is a full-on celebration of Bavarian culture, from the traditional sausages to the massive beer list. The air is filled with grilled bratwurst.
Ordering their classic bratwurst with sauerkraut and German mustard is a must. The crispy schnitzel (pork or chicken), or a giant soft pretzel with beer cheese, are also fantastic choices. It’s like Oktoberfest all year round!
✈️ Pro Travel Tip:
I use Going.com to find crazy flight deals — think $300 roundtrip to Europe kind of crazy.
It’s free, and I honestly check it more than Google Flights. If you're booking travel, this is the first site I'd check. (Save 25% on Premium and Elite with my special code: JON25)
5. The Forks
- 📍 Location: Elkins (The Forks Inn)
- 💲 Price range: $30 – $60 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Upscale American / Farm-to-Table
- 🔥 Standout Features: Mountain views, locally sourced seasonal dishes, upscale rustic setting.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Foodies, special occasions, and scenic fine dining.
Prepare for a dining experience with a view as breathtaking as the food at The Forks! Nestled in the mountains near Elkins, this spot offers upscale American cuisine with a strong focus on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. The panoramic vistas are simply stunning.
Their menu changes with the seasons. Expect beautifully plated dishes like pan-seared trout with local vegetables, a perfectly cooked local beef tenderloin, or inventive pasta dishes featuring foraged mushrooms. It’s where rustic charm meets culinary artistry.
6. Kelley Farm Kitchen
- 📍 Location: Harpers Ferry
- 💲 Price range: $15 – $30 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Vegan / Plant-Based Comfort Food
- 🔥 Standout Features: 100% plant-based menu, vegan comfort food.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Vegans, health-conscious diners, and plant-curious eaters.
Get ready to have your mind blown by the power of plants at Kelley Farm Kitchen! This charming spot near Harpers Ferry is serving up 100% vegan comfort food that’s so good, you won’t even miss the meat. The rustic, farm-to-table vibe is super welcoming.
Trying their hearty vegan burgers, like the “Farmhouse Burger” with all the fixings, is a great idea. Creamy cashew mac and cheese, or their incredible plant-based Reuben sandwich with house-made seitan, are also fantastic. It’s a must-visit for delicious food.
7. Jim’s Steak & Spaghetti House
- 📍 Location: Huntington
- 💲 Price range: $10 – $25 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Classic American / Diner
- 🔥 Standout Features: Longtime local diner, famous spaghetti and pies.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Classic comfort food fans, families, and nostalgic dining.
Step back in time at Jim’s Steak & Spaghetti House, a Huntington institution serving classic American comfort food since 1938! This beloved spot is famous for its simple, satisfying spaghetti with meat sauce and its incredible array of homemade pies.
The strawberry pie, when in season, is legendary. A classic T-bone steak dinner, or their simple but perfect cheeseburger, are also popular choices. It’s not fancy, but it’s packed with history and local love. For a hearty, nostalgic meal, Jim’s is the place.
8. El Gran Sabor
- 📍 Location: Elkins
- 💲 Price range: $15 – $30 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Venezuelan / Latin American
- 🔥 Standout Features: Authentic Venezuelan arepas, empanadas, and vibrant Latin flavors.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Latin American cuisine fans, casual diners, and adventurous eaters.
Get ready for a flavor fiesta at El Gran Sabor in Elkins! This vibrant spot is bringing the delicious, authentic tastes of Venezuela to the mountains of West Virginia. The aroma of cornmeal and savory fillings will make your mouth water.
Trying their amazing arepas, stuffed with everything from shredded beef (carne mechada) to black beans and cheese, is a must. Their crispy, savory empanadas (beef or chicken), or the pabellon criollo (Venezuela’s national dish), are also fantastic.
9. Yen’s Sandwiches
- 📍 Location: Morgantown
- 💲 Price range: $10 – $15 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Vietnamese / Banh Mi
- 🔥 Standout Features: Traditional banh mi, fresh Vietnamese ingredients, fast and affordable.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Banh mi lovers, quick lunches, and budget-friendly flavor seekers.
For a quick, cheap, and incredibly flavorful bite in Morgantown, you can’t beat Yen’s Sandwiches! This spot is slinging some seriously good, authentic Vietnamese banh mi that’ll knock your socks off. Think crusty baguettes packed with savory grilled meats and fresh herbs.
The grilled pork banh mi is a winner. Their pho bo (beef noodle soup) is also a comforting and delicious option, as is the lemongrass chicken banh mi. It’s no-frills, just pure, delicious Vietnamese street food perfect for a satisfying lunch.
10. Prime 44 West
- 📍 Location: White Sulphur Springs (The Greenbrier)
- 💲 Price range: $75 – $150+ per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Upscale Steakhouse / American
- 🔥 Standout Features: Premium steaks and seafood, luxury resort setting, Jerry West tribute.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Special occasions, fine dining, and steak connoisseurs.
Prepare for a slam dunk of a dining experience at Prime 44 West, the upscale steakhouse at the legendary Greenbrier resort, paying homage to NBA icon Jerry West. This place is pure elegance and sophistication, from the decor to the impeccable service.
Ordering their perfectly cooked prime steaks, like a bone-in ribeye or a porterhouse for two, is highly recommended. The rich lobster mac and cheese, or a classic shrimp cocktail to start, are also excellent choices. It’s a splurge for a luxurious meal.
11. The Handle Bar + Kitchen
- 📍 Location: Davis (Blackwater Bikes)
- 💲 Price range: $15 – $30 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: American / Gastropub / Craft Beer
- 🔥 Standout Features: Bike shop setting, local craft beers, elevated pub food.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Outdoor adventurers, casual pub meals, and beer lovers.
Gear up for good times at The Handle Bar + Kitchen, uniquely located inside Blackwater Bikes in the vibrant mountain town of Davis! This spot is a haven for outdoor adventurers and craft beer lovers, offering a fantastic selection of local brews and creative, elevated pub fare.
After a day on the trails, refuel with their awesome burgers, like the “Handle Bar Classic.” Unique tacos, such as the pork belly or fish tacos, or their loaded poutine, are also popular choices. The vibe is super laid-back and friendly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the quirkiest restaurants in West Virginia
Are you searching for more information about where to eat in West Virginia? Here are some common questions (and answers) I get asked a lot about West Virginia’s most unique restaurants.
What food is West Virginia known for?
West Virginia is famous for its pepperoni rolls. They’re a tasty, convenient snack that miners traditionally took underground for their meals
What is the most interesting thing about West Virginia?
The most interesting thing about West Virginia has to be the New River Gorge Bridge. It’s one of the longest steel spans in the world and hosts an annual base jumping event. Visiting this spot is one of the top things to do in West Virginia.
Is Charleston a foodie city?
Yes, Charleston is definitely a foodie city. It has a growing scene with diverse restaurants, making it one of the top places to live and visit in West Virginia. You’ll find everything from traditional Southern cuisine to innovative, modern dishes.
What is one weird fact about West Virginia?
One weird fact about West Virginia is that it’s the only state formed by separating from a Confederate state during the Civil War. It’s a unique birth story not shared by any other state.
Need help planning your trip? Check out these helpful links:
- ✈️ Find cheap flights – I use this to snag deals you won't find elsewhere
- 🏨 Book accommodations – From boutique hotels to budget-friendly stays
- 🚗 Compare rental car prices – Great rates from trusted companies
- 🎟️ Discover affordable tours and day trips – Skip the line and explore more
- 📱 SIM Cards + eSims – My go-to phone plan I've used in 50+ countries
