The Black Twig

The Black Twig absolutely exceeded expectations. I ordered the sirloin Steak, and it was perfection—tender, juicy, and cooked exactly how I asked. Every bite was packed with flavor and clearly made with care. What truly elevated the experience, though, was Nate. His knowledge of the menu was so impressive it felt like he was the head chef himself. He explained dishes in detail, offered thoughtful recommendations, and clearly understood how everything was prepared and meant to be enjoyed. That level of confidence and passion is rare and made the entire meal even better. Exceptional food, outstanding service, and an experience that felt both polished and personal. The Black Twig is a must-visit, and Nate is a huge reason why

We sat in the auditorium. What a delightful find! Went with my 3 year old. Highly recommend the buffalo chicken (house-mde tenders) sandwich and the side salad is so healthy and fresh. Scratch-made blue cheese dressing was amazing. The manager and staff were so sweet and friendly. I’m coming here again ASAP. Free old-school jukebox to play. I was really enjoying the ambiance. Please go support this local business. Total gem!

Service at the bar was very nice. Food was one hit and one miss. The roasted brussel sprouts were incredible, possibly the best I've ever had. The black bean burger, on the other hand, was dry and chalky. I drowned it in ketchup to finish it because I was hungry after a long day of hiking, otherwise I wouldn't have bothered.

We had a nice dinner for 6 here out on the covered patio and as 1st time visitors. The drive along rte. 211 is beautiful! We ordered truffle cheese fries, meatballs, Brussel spouts and tomato salad for apps (shared). Flank steak, shrimp pesto pasta, and beef/bean burgers for mains. Also added peaches & cream, chocolate mousse/cake, and berry tart for desert. Plus a couple of drinks and you are at ~$300+/- (20% gratuity included for parties of 6+). Vibe is relaxed and low key. Casual dress. Pleasant staff, good food, medium size portions, authentic and locally sourced. Would love to hear/see an acoustic guitar/singer for some added ambiance on a Friday/Saturday night. Given the chance, will be back again.

Such a delicious stop before heading into Shenandoah for some hikes! The tomato burrata salad was so fresh and my husband loved his sandwich and fries too! The view from the outdoor patio was fantastic as well!

A friend and I went mid-afternoon on a Thursday after driving Skyline Drive and had a really nice stop. The food we got was fresh, very flavorful and well portioned. The service was very kind and comfortable, as was the laid-back atmosphere. Also, they are very friendly to gluten free, vegan and other allergen needs! I’d definitely stop by again for snacks, a meal or a drink anytime.

Food was solid, but not extraordinary. I had the smash burger and it was good (too much cheese). I got a kids mac 'n cheese and it was made with jumbo shell noodles. It tastes fine, but the shapew through my kids off and as such, they didn't eat it. They would have preferred anything that looks like Craft's. The location is beautiful, and we had a good time while we waited, with some room for the kids to run around after being in the car for hours.

Unbelievably tasty brunch spread for 2 “city slickers”. Chelsea, our waitress, greeted us with a smile that let us know we were welcomed and could feel right at home. The ambiance is relaxed, easy going and cultivated to have a “take it easy” feel - no rush to leave. The decor is tasteful to the homey and family kitchen feel the restaurant brings. The food deserves an award! You can taste the freshness and everything was well seasoned. As a brunch enthusiast, this is the best brunch I’ve had by far - and I’m used to paying upwards of $45/$50 for brunch in DC that’s no where near the quality you receive here! I asked Chelsea to give our compliments to the chef! I plan to return each time I’m on a getaway from city life in Shenandoah valley!

Stopped by on the way to the parkway. Surprised it was so yummy. The white cheese truffles fries are delicious! Enough to share for two. Hubby has the pulled pork sandwich. It was a generous pile of pulled pork with good flavor.

Food is good, when it's cooked properly. Kitchen service is slow, but the wait staff seem to be trying? If you're out hiking, it's probably a good choice. For me, it's not worth a second visit for the 30 minute drive.

After spending a long weekend exploring the Shenandoah Mountains, my family and I stumbled upon this place, and we couldn't have been more pleased! The atmosphere was unique, with a nice vibe that made it the perfect spot to unwind for lunch after our trip. The food was great--everyone enjoyed their meals. Our son was negotiating with us to get another helping of the mac and cheese. The staff was welcoming and courteous, treating us like regulars even though it was our first visit. Their grace made the experience even more enjoyable. If you're ever in the area, I highly recommend stopping by for a nice meal. We plan on returning when we get back to the area.

This is an out-of-the-way place to visit and isn't bad. It's in a nice quiet location and a good place to stop if out for a drive. The setting is very open and it's clearly used for events based on the floor plan and table arrangements. Staff are friendly but I don't think check on the customers much, so be aware. The food is ok, but overly priced in my opinion, with entrees running $20-30. For our meals we got a buffalo chicken sandwich, shrimp salad, small bowl of soup, and a slice of apple pie to share. Again, not bad if you're passing through, but not somewhere that I would be a regular.

Great small town chef owned business. Farm to table, everything made fresh. The buttermilk ranch is homemade with dill. Came out to line dance with Karen's line dancing.

We ate at Black twig one Friday night. We sat outside and thankfully it was breezy-a perfect outside dinner night. The patio was shaded and had fans. Our server was friendly. I had a great white wine from Italy, Soave. I also had a good red Molino de Grace. My husband had a Blood Orange margarita. He loved it. The aramcinis were delicious.i had the Flank steak. It was cooked perfectly and the verde sauce was so delicious. My husband had the fried chicken dinner and thought it was very good. We definitely enjoyed the dinner and will be back.

A nice sit down restaurant! Good service and the food was pretty good also. My husband had ribeye which looked very good and he looked happy. A little expensive but a good locally sourced steak. My salmon patty sandwich was good also. The best were the chicken wings!! We were very hungry after a 5 mile hike. So we devoured the wings!

Was passing through town and saw that this new spot had opened so had to give it a try for breakfast! To start, I have a soft spot for diners. They always feel homely. While this does not feel like a diner you'd see in Back To The Future, it reminds me of a western style diner, like a saloon. Cozy dark wood interior with high top seating and tucked away booths comprise the main area around the bar. As I was in for a late breakfast, I got my pick for where to sit. After a nice conversation with the hostess about this and that, I ordered the bacon egg and cheese biscuit with a cup of coffee. I had heard that prices could be a bit high here but everything I got rounded out to about $12 which I think is great value. The biscuit was great. It was flaky and more like a croissant consistency. This was neat and validated how it was authentic and homemade not just some roll reheated in the oven. The fruit was fresh and a good complement to the sandwich. Coffee is coffee but this cup has bold taste and great flavor. Refills were free and often. Overall, I love this new spot. It is a refreshing addition to the county as it is not another stiff sit down eatery. It truly feels like a place for all folks. I look forward to going back to try some of their other great eats on their lunch or dinner menu.

I stopped in recently to check out The Black Twig - after enjoying a few wild ales over at nearby Pen Druid Brewing. The Black Twig is a recent addition to the Sperryville food scene. The physical space it occupies used to be "Headmasters Pub." I sat at the bar and ordered a cheeseburger and fries. While I was waiting, I asked the bartender how long The Black Twig had been open - he said off the top of his head it's been open for a couple of months. The inside area around the bar does not look much different than the previous venue. There is also outside seating - and a second, massively larger room with seating, as well as a pool table. The burger and fries was nothing fancy - just good solid pub food. Hit the spot after drinking a few ales. Good service! I'll be back! #TheBlackTwig

After hiking and making it through a rain storm we wanted a place for lunch before we started heading North. The black twig was right on the way out of the park and rated very highly so we stopped in. They have a lot of handheld options and the burgers seem to steal the show. I opted for the tomato and pimento grilled cheese with a side of pickled beets. VERY Oozy but just the perfect amount of cheese with tomato and a really comforting sandwich. My boyfriend got a smash burger and the fries were cooked perfectly. I could eat a VAT of the pickled beets. Don't forget to ask about dessert! The strawberry rhubarb pie with ice cream was homemade and the crust was nice and flaky. I could have had it warmed up though if they offered. Great spot!

My wife and I were out on a motorcycle ride with another couple and stopped in for some lunch. There was a wait (25-30 minutes) so we went to the bar and got a few drinks. It didn't take too long to figure out the wait was due to a staff shortage but everyone communicated well with us and got us a table as soon as they could. I went with a smash burger and fries and my wife ordered the strawberry salad. The waitress said they had just sold the last salad. My wife was a little disappointed as that was what she really wanted. She picked something else off the menu and a few minutes later the chef came over to our table and said he could make more, which was really nice. The smash burger was really good and my wife really enjoyed the salad. If you are ever in the area, stop in and give this place a try. The wait was worth it, everyone was working really hard to give the best service possible.

We arrived at 4:01pm and were turned away as they said their kitchen closed at 4pm and reopened at 5pm. Website did not say anything about being closed from 4pm - 5pm. Poor Southern hospitality.

We stopped for brunch after hiking. The food was amazing, the brunch smash burger was so good and the hash browns were perfection. Mimosas were great as well. The atmosphere was great. We ate outside with our dog and watched the golfers. The staff was attentive and friendly. Definitely recommend!

Stunned at positive reviews. This review will be long, detailed, and scathing. A friend and I stopped in there for first and last time at 3:00 p.m. on a cold Friday afternoon. A few guys at the bar; we were the only diners until someone came in perhaps ten minutes later. Menu is pathetic: They spent more time writing enticing descriptions of burned, bland, unappetizing-in-appearance, limited yet VERY OVERPRICED menu items. I ordered a grilled pimento cheese sandwich with side of red coleslaw ($12), because the fries were frozen, not homemade. My friend ordered an elaborately described two pieces of very special (ha!) chicken with a side green salad ($18). Food took 45 minutes to arrive in a nearly empty room. We were shocked at the lack of quality: Salad was simply a few full leaves of iceberg dumped in a bowl, with some too-salted dressing. The chicken was a tiny, burned leg/thigh which was too tough to separate in half. Unfortunately, it didn't dawn on me to photograph until two separate discussions with two individuals - elderly female owner? Male manager? My friend did not eat her $18 shameful bit of food. The chicken was overcooked and tough; the lettuce leaves were too troublesome to cut in the small bowl. So: Clearly, the two individuals had zero interest in our displeasure. My friend is a business owner, and I am now retired after working/living in three foreign countries and various states. We are both courteous and professional individuals, with an aim to improve rather than simply berate. We were told it was "Chef's kitchen," - not even THE chef's kitchen, as though he were king. HE prefers to not cut lettuce leaves. A GREEN salad is just that - heaven forbid toss in a cherry tomato or something else green. HE is a "chef" - try watching the movie "The 100 Foot Journey," with Helen Mirren. Now THOSE are chefs. A short-order cook could have done better here. Zero presentation: burned chicken leg, side bowl of cut beets on a white plate. The elderly woman offered no apology; a very curt statement of "That is how CHEF wishes it." She walked off without even courteous acknowledgement. The manager was even worse: "Your complaint is the FIRST," "Our customers love us." Basically, "Go away, Ladies, and do not return because you have no idea what good food is." Absolutely no accommodation. He ALSO simply turned his back and walked away. Our waitress was friendly, and she took it upon herself to comp my friend's inedible $18 meal. We ensured that she, herself, would not be dinged, and I regret my friend did not think to leave her a tip, but, surely she must do well, working in such a popular venue. Finally, the place has ZERO ambience. We sat in what we referred to as "posture" booths because the space from body to table is so narrow that you must sit bolt upright, plastered against the back of the booth. The art work is abysmal, with no theme, and looks as though it was picked up beside trash cans. We visited a business in Sperryville, itself, after this rude experience, and were told that, in fact, many complaints have buzzed around regarding this hole in the wall. In conclusion, I hope the Health Department finds reason to close down this pathetic excuse for an eatery. Enter at your own risk, with beaucoup bucks to burn.

Came here after a nice hike up in Shenandoah Park. This place was recommended by the park rangers, as it has come under new ownership. All of us got the 1/2lb burger, all the way -ish. I additionally got the cheese fries; I thought they were pretty decent. Just a hair too salty to want to keep eating. The burger itself was okay. Nothing extraordinary. Not terrible but not great. Solid 3/5. At the end of the meal got the diner cake. I was disappointed that it was more of a brownie. My brothers thought it was good. I barely ate a couple of bites. The service was great. No issues there. We also enjoyed the outside patio setting. The stone work is very nice and there's screens to cover some of the elements. You'll see folks golfing over on the course adjacent. It was quite lovely.

We came back with a large group post hike & were treated so wonderfully by Angel. She remembered names & treated us all like family. Food was amazing. The menu had changed positively since our previous visit making it easy to order & read the menu. The crispy brussel sprouts were some of the best I've ever had, with a ginger lemon dressing. Still love their homemade pickled beets. This time, I ordered the bib salad with crispy tofu. The tofu was great and had a hit of lemon or citrus to it. We will absolutely be back!

Overpriced poor quality food! 2 burgers cost over $37.00 with no drinks and no extra sides. The meat was black, burnt and crispy. The cashier was rude and would not give us a breakdown of the price. She could even tell me if it included the tip or not. It was a huge disappointment!!!

Absolutely loved our grass-fed beef burger and fried chicken (so much that we forgot to take pictures)! Our server was also super helpful, and made us feel at home. Highly recommend if you're in the area! (PS the adjoining wine shop, House Wine, is also lovely)

Good food--tried biscuits and gravy, wife chose chicken and waffles. Portions were generous, place was very clean, and staff was fantastic.

ordered chicken and waffle and wondered why I had to glaze the chicken myself was told customers did not want it not it spicy. I found that to be odd. husband ordered double smash and was delicious Mac and cheese was good.. I wondered why the chef used such big shell macaroni the second side was coleslaw and it was awful had no flavor. had the ginger snap pumpkin ice cream sandwich it was delicious. will go back again. Ian the manager is a great asset to the black twig

Food was amazing and fresh service was very nice. This isn't your typical dinner everything tasted local and fresh.

This place has the most amazing food. We stumbled on to this place shortly after hiking in the Shenandoah National Park. We all had the Gnocchi (one with grilled tofu and one with grilled shrimp) and wow! The yellow tomato puree mixed with cheeses was so freaking amazing. We also had the crispy Brussel sprouts with lemon & ginger. Amazing! High recommend this place. I really wished I lived closer but I live 2 1/2 hours away.

Ordered 3 Virginian's breakfast platters all of our toast was burnt, as well as the bacon. They tried to hide the burnt toast by burnt side on bottom. Eggs were perfect. Hash browns where just diced potatoes not like what was pictured in the photos in other yelp photos.

Good food. We sat to overlook the 1st tee box and 18th green of the golf course. Smash burger and the Virginia Cubano came fast and hot with a big pile of fry's.

Came here after a day in Shenandoah. Dogs are allowed on the patio! However the patio can be hot, but it is a nice setting. They only do fried stuff in between lunch and dinner (dinner starts at 4). Snacked on fried green beans until we could order food, which were delicious. We got fried chicken and the burger. Both were good. But the real highlight was the peach pie! Tasted just like something your grandmother would make.

Wonderful and unique setting in an old schoolhouse. Nice beer and wine selection - coming from New Jersey, it's rare to have alcohol available along with diner-style food.

Great food in a casual country setting. Excellent, friendly service, and food made with care by people who know what they're doing. We ordered a strawberry salad and green salad, both with chicken, and a buffalo chicken sandwich with fries. All were very good. The chicken was very fresh, local, and juicy. Salads featured tender, fresh greens and delicious homemade dressings. Dishes going past us to neighboring tables -- Reuben, pimento grilled cheese, smash burger -- all looked amazing. Give this place a try!

This is a MUST if you're coming from DC!! Farm to table, delicious food, fun vibes (and family friendly). The service is awesome also. I'd be here all the time if I lived in the area!

Stopped here on the trip back to DC and couldn't have been more surprised with the gem we stumbled upon. We were a large group of 9 and had no issues with getting seated with no reservations. The building and inside aesthetic was super cute. And I easily had the best breakfast sandwich of my life. I will definitely be making the 90 minute trip back here sometime in the near future.

FOOD WAS SPECTACULAR! definitely order the wings, they were great! Best bleu cheese dressing I've ever had. Delicious chunks of bleu cheese with a creamy cold consistency. The burger was off the chain, with fresh pickles and crispy fries. The corn salad was super refreshing, especially after a long hike. The ambiance was amazing. They have a gorgeous event hall attached that reminds me of a 60s school dance vibe! The bar and drinks were fresh and unique. Finally, the service was quick and the staff was super friendly. 10/10 recommend :)

Wow. What a perfect new addition to Rappahannock County. Best local burger already I do believe (thinly pressed patty between bun that has a slightly crispy exterior and super soft middle PLUS their own burger sauce). Also had perfect Brussels sprouts with a side of black eyed peas and ham. Really top notch Southern diner food. Banana pudding dessert was also killer.

Definitely worth a try. Limited menu at this time but everything I have tried has been enjoyable. Portions are reasonably sized, locally sourced where possible, and thoughtfully prepared. Honestly, the place is a refreshing break from the immense portions, cheap ingredients, and overly salted stuff we're trained to put up with. Our server was friendly and attentive despite the high volume of customers and opening week rough spots like running out of glasses. Ambience is roomy and fun. The place is an old high school auditorium with very high ceilings and plenty of room between tables.

The food was ok but tiny portions. $17 for a double cheeseburger seemed a little steep. I paid good money and walked away still hungry. Extremely slow service. No refills. The server was polite but the food took forever. After a day of hiking I'd suggest going somewhere more filling with quicker service. I doubt I'll be back.

Soggy food, mediocre service. I've only been here twice, but have been disappointed both times. The fried chicken was the soggiest I've ever encountered and the fried fish tasted like something I could get in the freezer aisle at the grocery store. Service was slow, and it wasn't crowded either time. Some colleagues of mine also went there for lunch, and another patron was sexually harassing one of them, and the staff did nothing to intervene. There aren't many lunch options in Sperryville, but I'd steer clear of this one even if there were no other choice.

We came here on a whim and were surprised for "dine" food. We started with the Crispy Brussels which were amazing! Started with lemon flavor, but when you inhale you get the ginger...yum! I ordered the salsa Verde flank steak with garlic parmesan potatoes. I was not disappointed. The potatoes were flavorful from the first bite to the last. The steak was perfectly cooked, medium with a nice char. I would definitely order it again. GF ordered the gnocchi which came in a red creme tomato sauce. The sauce was flavorful and the gnocchi melted in the mouth...amazing. The dish had extra sauce, so we ordered some Focciata bread, which was thicker and more dense than expected, to clean the sauce. Plain in flavor compared to other Focciata, garlic and sea salt, but still good. Would definitely stop here again when visiting Shenandoah NP.

Bills itself as a Southern diner, and hits the mark. Excellent burger, great fries (remind me of McD's), tasty brussel sprouts, sweet-tart key lime pie. Corn bread is far superior to much more expensive establishments in DC. Friendly service that is welcoming to all. Would be nice if they offered local root beer and beer. But, their meat products are locally sourced.

A week later and I'm still thinking about the bread plate. That focaccia was heavenly. Our family of 10 was staying at Skyland Lodge. We wanted a change from the lodge's fare and Black Twig delivered. Great service. Memorable food. Wish I lived closer.

Pool table nice staff good burger and fried chicken. I will be back one day for seconds

The service was fine & it may be a good place for a cold beer after a round of golf but the food is awful. The "mains" don't come with any sides, the Cole slaw has the strangest taste I've ever encountered and who ever invented the "killed greens" needs to invent something else - and fast!

Ordered the poboy, tofu bacon salad, twig fruit punch and some sides and there was not a mediocre thing in there. Nice space too. Warmly recommended!

Perfectly seasoned, crunchy caramelized right on the money smash burgers, the best kind of burgers! The beef is very flavorful, I foresee more of these burgers in my very near future.

We showed up with a group of 16 people on Monday night when they only had 2 servers on and they accommodated us. The food was good and service was even better. The kids loved playing pool and darts. The atmosphere is really cool as the large dining room is in the gymnasium of an old school. If we are ever back in the area (we are from out of state) we'd definitely go back!

Had an awful experience at the Black Twig. They're trying to evoke diner and they did -- a segregated 1960s Woolworth's. Our group was informed by the hostess that despite *numerous empty tables* we could not be seated and that even if we waited she could not guarantee us a seat. We were a group of predominantly South Asian and Asian women and the hostess's unaccommodating attitude appeared to carry racial undertones. If you're a POC, go ahead and skip the Woolworth's counter indignity of this spot.

Best fried chicken I've had in a long time. Place has a great retro feel, with a free jukebox as a highlight. Can't wait to go back!

Went to have lunch on a sunny Sunday. Very busy place! Ordered the burger - they had delicious gluten free buns! - and it was amazing!! The fries were great. The collard greens were to die for, really! i honestly had no idea collard greens could ever be THAT good! They are new, a bit understaffed (who isn't, right?) so to have a fabulous lunch like this only means I can hardly wait to see what they do next!

The Black Twig is a great addition to Rappahannock County. It's a bricks-and-mortar place launched by the owner/chef of Sumac, an award-winning food truck that's been popular around here for years. We've been twice, and have enjoyed the hamburgers, fried fish po-boy, french fries, brussels sprouts, collard greens, sweet potato beignets, banana pudding and coconut rice pudding. Ingredients are locally sourced wherever possible. Wide-ranging beer list, including many local labels. There are 2 dining rooms - the bar with booths and high-top tables, and the former high school gym also with booths as well as tables for larger groups. Live music coming soon. The staff are attentive and congenial, if a bit over-stretched when the place is busy - but bear in mind it's really hard to recruit waitstaff in this very rural county. Only issue has been the over-salted hamburger, which was nonetheless delicious. We're looking forward to many more years of good food.