From DC to Danville: 5 new restaurants to try along US 29

SIENA, ITALY - JULY 05: Scottish chef Gordon Ramsay holds a cooking class at the Castel Monastero Resort on July 5, 2012 in Castel Monastero - Siena, Italy. (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images)

By Amie Knowles

March 21, 2025

Ready to road trip? Map the most delicious stops for your next Virginia adventure.

It’s time to bust out the Willie Nelson record. If you’re seeking to get “On the Road Again”—and find yourself traveling along US 29—chances are you’ll be looking for tasty stops along the way. We’ve rounded up five new restaurants from Washington, DC, to Danville that don’t stray far from the 249 miles of “29” that wind through Virginia.

Founding Farmers Alexandria

Location: 461 Swann Ave, Alexandria

If local is your go-to cuisine, it doesn’t get much fresher than this. Founding Farmers Alexandria is a farmer-owned restaurant popular for its various made-from-scratch offerings.

The bakery and cafe held a grand opening celebration at its Potomac Yard location on Mar. 12, complete with a special giveaway for the first 100 patrons. Now, business is in full swing, offering everything from farmhouse sushi to a full-service bar featuring cocktails made with DC-based distillery’s Founding Spirits.

Dtom Dtun Noodle

Location: 202 E.Davis St, Culpeper

The newest restaurant on our list hasn’t even opened yet (as of Mar. 21)! Dtom Dtun Noodle made a Facebook post on Mar. 7, noting that the Asian noodle shop will welcome guests soon—so be sure to follow the eatery for updates.

Once open, the colorful space plans to offer dishes like khao soi (Thai Lanna noodle), a spicy coconut soup with chicken or beef, crispy noodles, chili pepper oil, pickled cabbage, shallots, cilantro, and lemon juice. To see a preview of the menu, click here.

Milk & Honey

Location: 973 Emmet Street N Suite A, Charlottesville

Chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, and mimosa towers—need we say more? Milk & Honey opened its doors on Mar. 19, severing Southern-inspired meals.

The Charlottesville restaurant treats diners to classics like butter glazed biscuits, as well as to regional specialties like the Carolina Low Country gumbo—a dish featuring turkey sausage and hand-picked blackened salmon on a bed of cheese grits, complete with cajun cream sauce, tomatoes, scallions, crab meat, shrimp, and fried okra.

Palmera House

Location: 2307 Bedford Ave, Lynchburg

Looking for ambiance and great food? That’s what you’ll find at Palmera House in Lynchburg, which opened in January. The unique setting offers diners a chance to indulge in a healthy meal, enjoy a mixed drink, shop for home decor, and refresh among live greenery.

Menu items include everything from soups and snacks to fresh salads, like the fiesta salad—a savory mix of romaine lettuce, roasted corn, peppers, black beans, poblano peppers, diced jalapeños, crème dressing, avocado, crumbled cotija, and pepitas.

Ramsay’s Kitchen

Location: 1100 W Main St, Danville

Did you know Danville is home to the only Gordon Ramsay restaurant in the commonwealth? Ramsay’s Kitchen opened on the Caesars Virginia property in December 2024. The upscale restaurant serves some of the television chef’s most famous entrees, including the beef wellington and sticky toffee pudding.

Diners are encouraged to make reservations at the 250-seat restaurant. Ramsay’s Kitchen is located adjacent to the hotel registration, just steps off of the casino floor.

Amie Knowles

Amie Knowles is Dogwood's newsletter editor. She has been in journalism for several years, winning multiple awards from the Virginia Press Association for news and feature content. A lifelong Virginia resident, her work has appeared in the Martinsville Bulletin, Danville Register & Bee, and NWNC Magazine.

Have a story tip? Reach Amie at [email protected]. For local reporting in Virginia that connects the dots, from policy to people, sign up for Amie’s newsletter.

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CATEGORIES: FOOD AND DRINK

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