Imagine sitting down for dinner and drinks inside a building that has welcomed guests since 1779.
This centuries-old tavern has welcomed generations of travelers, hosted famous guests, and played several surprising roles throughout its long history.
Today, you can still grab a table, order a cocktail, and enjoy a meal surrounded by reminders of its nearly 250-year story.
If you love old buildings with plenty of stories to tell, you’re going to want to see what’s waiting behind these doors.
Where Is It?
The Tavern is located at 222 East Main Street in downtown Abingdon, a small town in Washington County, Virginia.
It’s about a 20-minute drive from Bristol, 2 hours from Roanoke, 3.5 hours from Charlottesville, and roughly 4 hours and 40 minutes from Richmond.
About
The Tavern is one of Abingdon’s best-known restaurants, serving lunch, dinner, cocktails, wine, and beer in a historic building dating back to 1779.
From the street, look for the weathered exterior, dark wooden shutters, multi-pane windows, and large Tavern sign hanging near the entrance.
Inside, things get even more interesting.
You’ll find several cozy dining rooms with exposed stone walls, heavy wooden beams, fireplaces, and simple wooden tables that add to the historic feel.
There’s also an outdoor courtyard and patio where you can enjoy your meal when the weather cooperates.
As for the menu, expect upscale American and German-inspired dishes, including steaks, seafood, schnitzel, lamb, duck, pasta, and other hearty entrées.
One dish worth trying is the Stuffed Filet Mignon, made with an 8-ounce Black Angus filet filled with shrimp, bacon, ricotta, and herbed cream cheese.
You can also order favorites like Wienerschnitzel with spaetzle, shrimp and grits with Creole cream sauce, North Carolina rainbow trout, or a full rack of New Zealand lamb.
And if you’re more interested in drinks, there’s plenty to choose from here too.
The Tavern has a full bar serving cocktails, wine, beer, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, and other spirits, making it a great spot for a pre-dinner drink or nightcap.
Even with plenty of drinks to choose from, the atmosphere is far from a noisy sports bar packed with TVs.
It’s all about combining the charm of a centuries-old building with the food, drinks, and polished service you’d expect from a modern restaurant.
History
So, how did The Tavern end up serving dinner and drinks more than two centuries later?
The story starts in 1779, when the building was constructed while Abingdon was still a growing frontier settlement.
Its location was important because the town sat along the Great Road, a major route used by pioneers traveling through the Blue Ridge Mountains.
From the beginning, the building operated as a tavern and overnight inn, giving stagecoach travelers a place to eat, rest, and spend the night.
Some seriously famous names are connected to the property, too.
Notable guests included Henry Clay, Andrew Jackson, King Louis Philippe of France, and Pierre Charles L’Enfant, who designed the plan for Washington, D.C.
The Tavern was also home to the first post office on the western slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and you can actually still see the original mail slot today.
Over the next two centuries, the property continued to change with the times.
It served as everything from a bank and bakery to a general store, cabinet shop, barbershop, private residence, antique shop, and restaurant.
During the Civil War, it took on a much more serious role when it was used as a hospital for wounded Confederate and Union soldiers.
Next, in 1994, it opened under the management of German native Max Hermann, who had served 20 years in the United States Air Force.
Today, the restaurant is run by Abingdon local Josh Fuller, who previously served as Hermann’s longtime general manager.
And more than 240 years after it was built, The Tavern is now home to the oldest bar in Virginia and one of the oldest in the U.S.
Know Before You Go
Hours and Parking
The Tavern is open Monday through Saturday from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM and Sunday from 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM, but check the official website for any changes.
As for parking, plan to arrive a little early to find a spot along East Main Street, especially on busy evenings, weekends, and during special events.
Reservations and Outdoor Seating
Reservations are also a smart move for dinner, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights or when the nearby Barter Theatre has a popular show on the schedule.
If the weather cooperates, you can also ask about courtyard seating when making your reservation.
Things to Do Nearby
Before or after your meal, save some time to explore a few of Abingdon’s nearby attractions.
Just a 10-minute walk away, Barter Theatre is a great place to catch a live performance at one of the country’s longest-running professional theaters.
If you’re up for some outdoor adventure, head to the Virginia Creeper Trail, a scenic 34-mile route where you can walk or bike as far as you like.
For something slower-paced, drive about 5 minutes to the William King Museum of Art, where you can browse regional art, cultural exhibits, and changing exhibitions.
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