Fave Food Picks Before & After Climbing in NRG

Written By Dadija Bliudzius

Few things hit the spot quite like good food after a long day in the New River Gorge, or treating yourself to a fresh, healthy breakfast or lunch on a rest day. Whether you spent the day projecting at Endless Wall, hiking to Long Point, or paddling in Summersville, Fayetteville and the surrounding area offer no shortage of great places to refuel.

With so many options to choose from, it’s impossible to cover them all, but we asked our staff to share a few of their favorite spots that are a little off the beaten path.

Note: This is just a small sampling, not a comprehensive list. There are plenty of other incredible cafés, restaurants, and breweries in the area waiting to be discovered.

Walk-able from Water Stone

A sushi bowl from The Take Out

  • *Namaste (JUST OPENED)

    • Fresh juices, healthy smoothies & authentic Nepali comfort food

    • Call ahead and pick up or enjoy outdoor seating

  • The Take Out

    • Dadija loves to get a half-rice, half-salad as the perfect crag lunch (don’t forget to pack it with an ice pack to keep it cool)

    • Mention this blog to get 10% off your order (valid for May 2026)

  • Tequila Taco Bar

    • Our favorite Mexican place to sit down inside with some A/C

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Fayetteville (All within a 5 minute drive of the store)

The Handlebar & Kitchen at Arrowhead

North of Bridge

Looking for some places before or after exploring north of the gorge?

  • Swiftwater General Store <6 min

    • A great breakfast & lunch spot before /after climbing at Junkyard or Bridge Buttress

      • Grab & go food & produce available

  • Gran Robbies <16 min

    • A small, family-owned lunch & breakfast spo

    • 5 minutes from Hawk’s Nest State Park

    • Ryley’s favorites:

      • Lunch: Curry chicken sandwich or bahn mi

  • Fat Eddie’s <21 min

    • Our favorite dinner or ice cream spot post paddling or deep water soloing

    • 4 min from Winter Put-In Spot

    • 10 min from Pirate’s Cove climbing & hiking parking lot

  • Ample Pizza and Free Folk Brewery <23 min

    • Outdoor, pet-friendly seating

    • Our favorite place to grab a beer and pizza after a lake day

    • 16 min from Pirate’s Cove climbing & hiking parking lot

Oak Hill (South of Fayetteville)

Back patio at Pinheads

Have a rest day and willing to go a little farther to explore? Check out some of our favorites in Oak Hill, less than 15 minutes south of Fayetteville

  • Post Climb food:

    • Tom’s <14 min

      • Drive-thru with great burgers, fries, hot dogs, and soft-serve ice cream

    • Pinheads <14 min

      • A bowling alley that makes great pizza and wings; they have $1 Wings on Wednesday.

      • Their back patio is open for a dog-friendly place to hang

      • Mention this blog to get free shoe rentals and to bowl at P.I.M.P. (valid for May 2026)

    • El Rio <10 min

      • Next to Kroger’s grocery store, a wonderful place that can handle 10+ people

  • Breakfast/ Lunch

Dadija Bliudzius
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