Located only minutes away from the James Madison University Campus, downtown Harrisonburg is home to some of the tastiest and most unique restaurants. Not only are they very convenient, but these five restaurants, in particular, will leave your trip to Harrisonburg all the more memorable.
Jack Brown's
Known as a beer and burger joint, Jack Brown's is mainly a bar that happens to sell very delicious burgers. Their menu is known to feature unique and crave-able burgers rather than the traditional and well-known combination of a patty, veggies and cheese. This includes "The Elvis" which is a burger topped with peanut butter, mayonnaise, Applewood smoked bacon, and cheese, as well as "Jack on Piggy Back" which is a burger topped with a split and griddled hot dog, pickled jalapeños, and cheddar cheese. Each burger also comes with a "special sauce" that ties all of the flavors together.
The design of this establishment was also taken into great consideration, making the ambiance comfortable yet eclectic. Jack Brown's does not try to please all tastes, instead they choose to focus on doing two things, and doing them really well: beer and burgers.
Clementine Cafe
Clementine serves weekday lunch, weekend brunch and dinner every night on their main floor and patio. With more of an upscale menu, I personally have never ordered and not enjoyed my meal. They offer live music on both Friday and Saturday nights, and feature Ruby's Lounge in their basement. Ruby's Lounge has a late night bar, and live DJ's make an appearance on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, keeping the fun going until close.
Bella Luna
Bella Luna offers wood-fired pizzas, handmade pastas, fresh seasonal salads and sandwiches, and delectable desserts. Utilizing locally sourced meats, produce, and cheeses from the Shenandoah Valley and Central Virginia, they pride themselves in featuring handcrafted, farm fresh food in a warm and inviting environment.
Another cool feature about Bella Luna is the fact that with their open floor plan, guests are able to watch as their pizzas are crafted and baked in the monstrous 900-degree oven.
Magnolias
A relatively recent addition to the downtown Harrisonburg community and somewhat hidden gem, Magnolias is a Tacos & Tequila Bar. I mean who doesn't love tacos, and with their menu featuring more than 10 different kinds, you are sure to find the perfect one for you. The atmosphere is upbeat and the food is both fresh and delicious while also maintaining a reasonable price.
Benny Sorrentino's
Home of the Virginia slice, Benny Sorrentino's serves slices of pizza that are larger than your head. Just $4 for a slice of cheese, $5 for a slice with toppings, or between $28-$35 for a whole 28-inch pie, this pizza place is the perfect place to get an Insta-worthy pic as well as deliciously ginormous pizza.
