Great Summer Restaurants in Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg is full of history and great food. Summer is a wonderful time to visit and all of the town's independent restaurants serve up terrific food but three local restaurants stand out over the rest for summer dining.

Tru Luv's American Bistro
Eat in the dining room, the bar or on the patio and you will enjoy friendly service and food that will stand the critique of foodie. Everything at Tru Luv's is made fresh in their all scratch kitchen and the menu has something for everyone. Prices are very reasonable with most entrees in the $10-$15 range. For a light meal or to get started try the Chicken Lollipops (perfectly breaded skewered chicken with honey).

From the dining room and the patio guests have a splendid view of the Rappahannock river and all its wildlife including eagle families, geese and groundhogs. On Thursday evenings dogs are welcome on the patio for "Yappie Hour" and there is live entertainment along with happy hour specials.

If you prefer bar seating Tru Luv's has great bar tenders and concise bar menu featuring items like BBQ and monthly kitchen specials for under $10.

The Otter House
If you are looking for live entertainment and a hip vibe check out the upstairs of the Otter House which sports a full bar and several plasma screens showing live sports. For a quieter lunch or dinner stay downstairs in the main dining room and enjoy one of the most original menu's in town.

The atmosphere of the otter house is pub like with a health conscious twist. The Otter House has vegetarian and organic meals that are satisfying to meat eaters but one of their best menu items are the custom sliders. Choose any of their unique burgers and have it in miniature form. Can't choose between the Gus Burger (egg and bacon topped) or the stuffed burger specialty? No problem order them as sliders and try both!

The Bavarian Chief
Located in the Fredericksburg train station the German food at the Bavarian Chief averages $20 an entree and is worth the price. This a restaurant where the atmosphere and food rival each other. I unique approach that melds American culinary expectation with authentic German cooking.

Servings are plentiful and servers will replenish your sides or split an order onto two plates which makes this restaurant more economical than at first menu glance. The Fredericksburg Bavarian Chef Opened in spring 2010 and is the second location of the popular restaurant by the same name in Madison, Virginia.