Restaurant in Middleburg, United States
Horse country dining with D.C.-level credentials.
Harrimans Grill at Salamander Middleburg is the right choice for farm-sourced American cooking in Virginia horse country, with Sunday brunch the stronger value and dinner the better culinary statement. La Liste-listed and World of Fine Wine accredited, it sits at $$$ per head with a 365-selection wine list. Book early during Gold Cup season; otherwise, reservations are easy to secure.
If you're weighing Harrimans Grill against a drive to The Inn at Little Washington, the calculus is direct: Patrick O'Connell's place is a more formal, destination-dining commitment; Harrimans is where you go when you want serious food in a setting that doesn't demand a jacket or a two-hour drive. At $$$ per head for dinner, it's the right call for anyone already in Middleburg or staying at Salamander Resort. For a day-tripper from D.C. weighing where to anchor a weekend afternoon, the Sunday brunch or the seasonal patio at lunch is a better entry point than dinner.
The dining room sets a particular tone from the moment you sit down. Floor-to-ceiling windows curve around the space, framing views of the Virginia countryside, and the equestrian décor — rich leathers, muted palette — feels appropriate rather than affected for this corner of horse country. At dinner, the room carries a measured energy: not hushed, not loud, closer to the controlled hum of a well-run resort restaurant where the crowd skews local-affluent and D.C. weekend-escape. If you're returning after a first visit, sit near the exhibition kitchen on a Friday or Saturday evening, where live cooking demonstrations run on weekends and add a degree of theatre without disrupting the room.
The daytime and evening experiences here are meaningfully different, and it matters for your booking decision. Sunday brunch is the higher-value option: made-to-order omelets, a seafood tower, and a live jazz ensemble make it a set piece that holds up against what you'd pay for a comparable spread in Washington. Dinner is the stronger culinary statement, with Chef Jose Linares leaning on a network of named local suppliers , Ovoka Farm beef from nearby Paris, Virginia; Shenandoah Valley lamb; Great Country Farms produce , and a menu that shifts with the seasons. For a returning guest, dinner is where you'll find the most to explore, particularly if you let Sommelier and Wine Director John Leight guide a pairing. The wine list runs 365 selections across 2,380 bottles, with California and France as the core strengths, and corkage is $55 if you'd rather bring something from one of the Middleburg-area wineries you visited earlier in the day. For winery options nearby, see our full Middleburg wineries guide.
Farm-to-table sourcing here is operational rather than decorative. An in-house culinary garden supplies garnishes and accents, and many of the menu's anchors trace directly to farms within the surrounding region. The monkey bread with orange cream cheese glaze is worth ordering at breakfast if you're staying at the resort. At dinner, Ovoka Farm steak is the safe choice if you want a single dish that demonstrates the kitchen's range and sourcing approach. The menu changes seasonally, so specific preparations will shift, but the supply chain relationships are consistent enough that local provenance is a reliable expectation, not a rotating promise.
Dress code is smart-casual trending toward resort chic. A collared shirt is expected for gentlemen at dinner. If you've come straight from a ride or a trail, the Gold Cup bar or patio is the right call rather than the main dining room. The seasonal patio offers a more relaxed atmosphere when weather allows, but tables there are limited , request one in advance, particularly during peak periods like the Gold Cup races or regional wine festivals, when the whole property fills fast.
Booking here is rated Easy under normal conditions, but that changes sharply during Middleburg's peak calendar. During the Gold Cup races or festival weekends, book as far ahead as possible, even if you're a hotel guest. Outside those windows, a few days' notice is generally sufficient for the dining room. For private events, the wine cellar is an option worth asking about: it holds a specialized collection of local and international bottles and seats a small group in a setting that's a step removed from the main floor. Groups planning special occasions should ask about that space specifically. For broader planning around a Middleburg trip, see our full Middleburg restaurants guide, our full Middleburg hotels guide, our full Middleburg bars guide, and our full Middleburg experiences guide.
On credentials: Harrimans holds a 1-Star Accreditation from the World of Fine Wine & Lifestyle Awards and has appeared on La Liste's Leading Restaurants list in both 2025 (78.5 pts) and 2026 (77 pts). Google reviewers rate it 4.2 from 184 reviews. For Middleburg dining, Goodstone Inn is the closest comparable for a countryside setting with similar farm-forward sourcing emphasis.
Booking difficulty is Easy outside peak season. During Gold Cup and local wine festival weekends, treat it as competitive and book as early as possible. Request the seasonal patio or wine cellar when reserving if either matters to your visit. Sunday brunch is popular with resort guests and locals alike, so weekend midday slots fill faster than weekday dinner.
| Venue | Awards | Price | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harrimans Grill | Located in the heart of Virginia horse country, but just an hour from bustling Washington, D.C., Harrimans Grill at Salamander Middleburg seamlessly blends Southern charm and city sophistication.The curving walls of the restaurant, which boast floor-to-ceiling windows, offer panoramic views of the h; La Liste Top Restaurants (2026): 77pts; La Liste Top Restaurants (2025): 78.5pts; WINE: Wine Strengths: California, France Pricing: $$$ i Wine pricing: Based on the list\'s general markup and high and low price points:$ has many bottles < $50;$$ has a range of pricing;$$$ has many $100+ bottles Corkage Fee: $55 Selections: 365 Inventory: 2,380 CUISINE: Cuisine Types: American Pricing: $$$ i Cuisine pricing: The cost of a typical two-course meal, not including tip or beverages.$ is < $40;$$ is $40–$65;$$$ is $66+. Meals: Dinner STAFF: People John Leight:Sommelier Wine Director: John Leight Chef: Jose Linares, Bin Lu General Manager: Nicholas Owen Owner: Ms. Sheila Johnson; Located in the heart of Virginia horse country, but just an hour from bustling Washington, D.C., Harrimans Grill at Salamander Middleburg seamlessly blends Southern charm and city sophistication. **Our Inspector's Highlights A hidden gem inside the restaurant, the wine cellar is great for private parties. It carries a specialized collection of both local and international wines. On Sundays, the resort holds specialized tastings from local vineyards as well.Farm-to-table takes on a literal meaning as many of the garnishes and accents at Harrimans come from the in-house culinary garden.Every weekend, the restaurant hosts live cooking shows in its exhibition kitchen. We’ve made everything from tomato pie to pastries in these simple yet fun classes, and we enjoyed a delightful meal at the same time.The Sunday brunch is a can’t-miss affair, featuring a sumptuous spread that includes made-to-order omelets, a seafood tower and often, a live jazz ensemble.Channeling the area’s horse country roots, Harrimans adopts distinctively equestrian décor, with rich leathers and a muted color palette that looks both contemporary and timeless, never stuffy.** **Things to Know While the atmosphere is relaxed, the dress code at Harrimans Grill is smart-casual, though guests tend to wear resort chic. A collared shirt is suggested for gentlemen at dinner. If you want to come in after a ride, stick to the Gold Cup bar or patio.The menu changes with the seasons, but expect a focus on fresh, simple preparations, with local farms used where possible.The Middleburg restaurant fills up extremely early during peak season, such as the Gold Cup races or wine festivals. Book ahead, even as a hotel guest, and be prepared for a bit of a wait.When weather permits, we prefer to dine on the seasonal patio, but tables are limited, so request one in advance.** **Treatments:** The Food Don’t miss the monkey bread with an orange cream cheese glaze at breakfast — it’s one of our favorite dishes —or a great steak at dinner from local purveyor Ovoka Farm, in nearby Paris, Virginia.From Shenandoah Valley lamb to Great Country Farms peaches, the menu features many local suppliers.You can’t go wrong with letting the sommelier select a local glass or international favorite with your meal. **Amenities:** 500 North Pendleton Street, Middleburg, Virginia 20118; {"wbwl_source": {"slug": "harriman-s-piedmont-grill", "page_type": "star_accreditation", "category_slug": "1-star-accreditation", "award_result": "Accredited", "is_global_winner": "False"}, "scraped_details": {"hero_image": "", "page_title": "1-Star Accreditation", "page_url": ""}, "source_row_snapshot": {"raw_name": "Harriman’s Piedmont Grill"}} | — | |
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How Harrimans Grill stacks up against the competition.
Book at least one to two weeks out for a standard weekend dinner. During Gold Cup races or local wine festival weekends, treat it as competitive and reserve as far in advance as possible — the restaurant fills early even for hotel guests. Sunday brunch and patio tables require even more lead time, so request both when you book.
Smart casual is the baseline, but most guests dress resort chic — think collared shirts for men at dinner rather than business formal. If you're arriving after a ride or an outdoor event, the Gold Cup bar or patio is the right call; the main dining room has a more polished standard.
Middleburg's dining options are limited, so the realistic comparison is regional: The Inn at Little Washington (about 30 miles west) is the area's three-Michelin-star benchmark, but it's a different price point and format entirely. For a more casual afternoon in town, several wine bar options along Washington Street serve local Piedmont pours without the $66+ per-head commitment.
The Gold Cup bar is the right spot for a more relaxed visit — the venue data specifically notes it as the appropriate option for guests arriving after outdoor activities or in casual attire. It's a practical alternative if you want the Salamander Middleburg experience without committing to a full dinner reservation.
Yes, with a specific caveat: the wine cellar is available for private parties and is the strongest option for a genuinely memorable occasion. The restaurant holds La Liste recognition (77 points in 2026) and a World of Fine Wine 1-Star Accreditation, which gives it a verifiable credential for a celebration dinner. Book the cellar space directly and ask sommelier John Leight to guide the wine pairing.
The inspector record flags steak from local purveyor Ovoka Farm and lamb from the Shenandoah Valley as the anchors worth ordering. At breakfast, the monkey bread with orange cream cheese glaze is specifically called out as a standout. The menu shifts seasonally, so ask what's current from the in-house culinary garden when you arrive.
Harrimans is a hotel restaurant that punches above its category: La Liste-ranked, with a 365-selection wine list (2,380 bottles, $55 corkage), a working culinary garden, and live cooking demonstrations on weekends. Budget $66 or more per head for two courses before wine. Sunday brunch with live jazz and a seafood tower is the highest-value entry point if you're undecided on dinner.
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