Homegrown tastes and traditions that capture the true character of West Virginia.

photographed by Carla Witt Ford & Nikki Bowman Mills

No one knows the Mountain State better than the people who call it home. Each year, we ask our readers—our boots-on-the-ground taste-testers, personal shoppers, and connoisseurs of fun—which people and places are the best at doing what they do. Here are your favorite restaurants, shops, destinations, and more, the ones that bring us back time and time again—the 2025 Best of West Virginia.

BAKERY

GOLD

BOLIVAR BREAD BAKERY

This Harpers Ferry bakery proves that good things rise in small towns. It’s a cozy bakehouse that fills the air with the aroma of fresh, handcrafted loaves, pastries, and sweets made from locally sourced ingredients. Rooted in community and shaped by old-world techniques, Bolivar Bread Bakery serves up warmth, comfort, and joy in every bite, earning it this year’s title of Best Bakery. 914 Washington Street, Harpers Ferry, bolivarbread.com, @bolivarbread on FB

SILVER

SWEET TEMPTATIONS PASTRY SHOP

3666 Lindberg Way, Weirton, @vanessasweettemptations24 on FB

BRONZE

GOOD ROADS BAKEHOUSE

131 Lewis Lane, Frankford, @goodroadsbakehouse on FB

BUTCHER SHOP

GOLD

FARMER’S DAUGHTER MARKET & BUTCHER

Farmer’s Daughter is no stranger to Best of West Virginia fame, and it’s easy to taste why. This Capon Bridge favorite provides pasture-raised meats, house-made sausages, and small-town heart to every happy customer. Dedicated to sustainability and quality, Farmer’s Daughter turns whole-animal butchery into an art form. When it comes to feeding locals and travelers well, nobody does it better. 2908 Northwestern Pike, Capon Bridge, farmersdaughterwv.com, @farmersdaughterwv on FB

SILVER

LOST RIVER BUTCHER BLOCK

7271 State Road 259, Lost River, teetscattlecompany.com/butcher-shop, @teetscattle on FB

BRONZE

BARE BONES MEAT MARKET

3999 Teays Valley Road, Scott Depot, “Bare Bones Meat Market” on FB

CHOCOLATIER

GOLD

HOLL’S HANDCRAFTED SWISS CHOCOLATES

For nearly 40 years, Holl’s has been sweetening life in the Mountain State one silky truffle at a time. Blending Swiss tradition with Appalachian heart, this family-owned chocolatier crafts each piece with precision, passion, and pure ingredients. Whether you’re gifting a box or treating yourself, Holl’s has the timeless craftsmanship that makes every day a little bit sweeter. 2001 Grand Central Avenue, Vienna, holls.com, @hollschocolate on FB

SILVER

DeFLURI’S FINE CHOCOLATES

130 North Queen Street, Martinsburg, defluris.com, @defluris on FB

BRONZE

EH CHOCOLATES & MORE

4723 Horn Camp Road, Kirby, ehchocolates.com, @ehchocolate on FB

FARM MARKET

GOLD

ORR’S FARM MARKET

Orr’s Farm Market is the kind of place that makes you want to slow down and stay a while. Family-run and bursting with color, this Martinsburg favorite offers fresh-picked produce, homemade baked goods, and plenty of down-home charm. From berry picking in the summer to pumpkin patches in the fall, Orr’s celebrates the simple joys of farm life one delicious season at a time. 682 Orr Drive, Martinsburg, orrsfarmmarket.com, “Orr’s Farm Market” on FB

SILVER

WARDENSVILLE GARDEN MARKET

28813 SR 55, Wardensville, farmsworkwonders.org/wardensville-garden-market, @wardensvillegardenmarket on FB

BRONZE

CAPITOL MARKET

800 Smith Street, Charleston, capitolmarket.net, @capitolmarket on FB

HONEY

GOLD

PERRY’S PEAK HONEY & THE BUSY BEE

For Chris and Angela Perry, beekeeping is far from a hobby—it’s a family craft. From creamy whipped jars to golden wildflower comb pieces, their raw, unheated honey lets you taste every meadow and bloom. Beyond the jars, you’ll find beeswax balms, lip-soothing salves, and local soaps. It’s a craft you can drizzle, spread, or gift. 135 Milford Road, Robson, @cperrysr69 on FB

SILVER

HIVE HOUSE APIARIES

108 South Princess Street, Shepherdstown, @thehivehouse on FB

BRONZE

MOUNTAIN STATE HONEY COMPANY

334 Pennsylvania Avenue, Parsons, mtnstatehoney.com

MAPLE SYRUP

GOLD

SPRUCE KNOB MAPLE

High in the hills near the summit of Spruce Knob, this family-run sugar camp taps roughly 16,500 trees each spring and sends the sap through a careful cooking process to produce pure maple syrup. Go beyond breakfast: They infuse syrups for meats, veggies, and desserts, turning amber sweetness into culinary possibility that’s respectful of the forest, rich in tradition, and full of flavor. Harman, spruceknobmaple.com, @spruceknobmaple on FB

SILVER

GRANDPA TOM’S MAPLE FARM

Rock Cave, @grandpatomsmaplefarm on FB

BRONZE

HEASLEY HOMESTEAD

Bruceton Mills, heasleyhomesteadmaple.com, @heasleyhomesteadmaplesyrup on FB

ICE CREAM SHOP

GOLD

HANGING ROCKS ICE CREAM

Tucked into a multigenerational farm just outside Romney, Hanging Rocks Ice Cream serves up hand-dipped Hershey’s, soft-serve, and hand-spun milkshakes with creative specials like oatmeal cream pie shakes and butter pecan soft serve. Sun-washed picnic tables, cornhole games, and lawn rockers invite you to linger while the flavors melt just a little slower. Classic comfort with a twist, and plenty of backyard charm. 3753 Cumberland Road, Romney, @hangingrocksicecream on FB

SILVER

ROCK HILL CREAMERY

111 West German Street, Shepherdstown, @rockhillicecream on FB

BRONZE

IT’S A TIE!

THE KETTLE STOP

768 Northwestern Pike, Capon Bridge, “The Kettle Stop” on FB

ELLEN’S HOMEMADE ICE CREAM

225 Capitol Street, Charleston, ellenshomemadeicecream.com, @ellenshomemadeicecream on FB

PEPPERONI ROLLS

GOLD

MT. TOP CONVENIENCE

At Mt. Top Convenience in Thomas, the humble pepperoni roll reaches delicious new heights. Baked fresh daily, these golden rolls are stuffed with everything from classic pepperoni to bold twists like bacon and cheddar or pickle, bacon, and ranch. Locals and travelers alike line up for a taste, making this gas station–bakery hybrid a true roadside legend—and a pepperoni roll paradise. 16105 Appalachian Highway, Thomas, mttopconvenience.com, @mttopconvenience on FB

SILVER

ALMOST HEAVEN PEPPERONI ROLLS

almostheavenpepperonirolls.com, @almostheavenpepperonirolls on FB

BRONZE

GOOD ROADS BAKEHOUSE

131 Lewis Lane, Frankford, @goodroadsbakehouse on FB

WEST VIRGINIA-MADE FOOD PRODUCT

GOLD

MOUNTAINEER POPCORN COMPANY

Mountaineer Popcorn Company takes popcorn seriously—and creatively. Using non-GMO kernels grown nearby, they craft crunchy, flavorful snacks in inventive varieties like dill pickle, caramel cashew, and pumpkin-spice cookie crumble. Perfect for gift baskets, road trips, or afternoon munching, each bag is a little celebration of flavor, texture, and fun. It’s popcorn with a personality that keeps fans popping back for more. 851 East Moler Avenue, Martinsburg; 102 East German Street, Shepherdstown; mountaineerpopcorn.com, @mountaineerpopcorncompany on FB

SILVER

MISTER BEE POTATO CHIPS

Parkersburg, misterbee.com, @misterbeepotatochips on IG

BRONZE

IT’S A TIE!

MODERN APPALACHIAN KITCHEN

Morgantown, modernappalachiankitchen.com, “Modern Appalachian Kitchen” on FB

OLIVERIO PEPPERS

280 North Ohio Avenue, Clarksburg, oliveriopeppers.us, @oliveriopeppers on FB