Lunch Spots to Try in Luray
After a long morning of hiking in Shenandoah National Park, one of our favorite things to do is head to Luray for some lunch and shopping.
Downtown Luray is about 10 minutes from the Hillside House and right in the middle of the trip to Shenandoah - so it’s a great place to stop and relax along the way. There are plenty of great restaurants to grab a bite after a busy morning or before heading to the Caverns to explore.
Here are a few of our go-to spots in downtown Luray.
This little deli has some of the best sandwiches with great specials that constantly rotate. Plus this summer they opened up a beer garden on the side of the building that has plenty of picnic benches and views of the mountains.
A simple but wonderful american-style restaurant with Virginia beers on draft and classics that everyone likes. Plus a lovely family runs the place so it’s always great service. No outdoor seating and kind of an interesting decor, but definitely worth it to get the Luray-source burgers!
A great coffee house, breakfast spot and lunch spot - Gathering Grounds is always a fave of ours. They have nice outdoor seating and a wide menu that’s perfect for the whole group. Not open on Sundays, but definitely worth a visit while you’re in town!
Picnic!
We absolutely love a picnic during a Shenandoah NP weekend. Pack sandwiches, plenty of snacks, or a charcuterie board and head to one of the park’s many picnic areas or a scenic pull-off with mountain views. The house is already equipped with ice packs, ziploc bags and rubbermaid containers - so meal prep early and enjoy!
Picnic spots in Shenandoah National Park include:
Dickey Ridge (mile 4.6)
Elkwallow (mile 24.1)
Pinnacles (mile 36.7)
Big Meadows (mile 51.2)
Lewis Mountain (mile 57.5)
South River (mile 62.8)
Dundo (mile 83.7)
