Hanover Tavern Restaurant & Pub opened in August of 2009 and is located in the heart of Hanover County. The Hanover Tavern was originally built around 1733 and hosted many well known people including George Washington, General Cornwallis, and Patrick Henry. In 1953, the Barksdale Theater came to the tavern as the first dinner theater in the United States and remains an active theatre. The tavern’s signature restaurant is a destination in itself, offering exquisite cuisine in a unique historical setting.

Within the restaurant, customers are offered a great deal of versatility and choices in their dining experience. Four distinct dining areas are available to patrons, and they are encouraged to request their preferred spot. The Veranda, with its bright sunny windows, offers diners breezy elegance and was once an open-air porch. The patio offers true open-air dining with umbrellas for shade. When looking for a more romantic, cozy setting, the Montgomery Room is recommended with its low, wood beam ceilings, soft lit wall sconces, and a working fireplace. And lastly, the Pub is available for a more casual spot with high-top tables, bar seating, and a second fireplace. Wi-Fi and various private rooms make the tavern a great spot for meetings, and the backyard tent and patio offer quaint venues for rehearsal dinners and weddings.

The Hanover Tavern Restaurant & Pub serves lunch and dinner Tuesday through Friday and brunch and dinner on the weekends. During each meal, their menu offers a variety of choices for any guest. “Our chefs are young, talented and unafraid to take a chance on blending fresh local ingredients with the standard Southern fare. The result is eye-rolling delicious,” says General Manager Sara Dickerson. Examples of their authentic southern cuisine include buttermilk fried chicken, three cheese spoon bread, and shrimp and grits served with fried Brussels sprouts, salsa verde and Cajun sausage over white cheddar Byrd’s Mill grits. Chefs enjoy visiting with customers and make frequent appearances in the dining rooms.

The menu also includes creative items unique to the tavern including fresh shrimp cocktail with mango cucumber salsa and Chili lime crème fraiche and a roasted red and golden beet salad tossed in arugula and topped with goat cheese, roasted pecans, red onion and tarragon orange vinaigrette. Their tasty sides are available a la carte, as well. When looking for a lighter fare, the Pub features its own menu with soups, salads and sandwiches at very reasonable prices.

The staff at Hanover Tavern Restaurant and Pub is highly attuned to the customer experience. Touches like fresh flowers on each table, the option to choose their dining room, and personal information and menu or bar favorites kept on file, make dining at the tavern a cozy and personal experience. Factor in the convenience of online reservations and the opportunity to dine on an evening with a theater show, and you can see how this restaurant offers the opportunity for you to create your perfect evening.

The Hanover Tavern Restaurant and Pub is not just a special occasion place; it’s a unique destination, offering individualized service and experiences. Make the drive to historical Hanover Courthouse and enjoy a restaurant, historical site, and theater unlike any other.

www.hanovertavern.org