Summertime draws us all outdoors. With the long July days come sunlit adventures, time spent on the water, impromptu picnics and backyard barbeques. Warm nights encourage lingering on decks and porches as the sun sinks lower in the sky and the fireflies begin to blink.
One of the simplest joys of summer? A meal outdoors. Whether you’re seated at a park picnic table, on a chic rooftop terrace or on a patio humming with the buzz of good conversation, there’s nothing better than enjoying a meal in the open air.
Are you ready to beat the heat with a cool drink in hand? We’ve made a list of some of the best patios, porches and terraces in the area. We’ll offer you scenic views, delicious eats and an inside scoop on our little town’s most unique spots. Visit us this July and enjoy Farmville al fresco!
North Street Press Club: Business Up Front, Party in the Back
Right across the street from Longwood University lies North Street Press Club, a historic venue modernized by its eclectic menu and groovy vibes. One of their best-kept secrets? The back patio.
Step out the restaurant’s back door and into an outdoor oasis created by potted trees and greenery. A bar window provides quick service, and the variety of seating makes it easy to find exactly what you’re looking for. Drinks with a friend? Try the cushioned lounge chairs and cocktail tables. Date night? Enjoy a high-top table for two. Dining out with the entire family? Long tables shaded by umbrellas should accommodate your group easily. At Press Club, you can even bring your four-legged friends along! This pet-friendly patio welcomes pups with a water bowl. As the evenings cool in late summer and early fall, the Press Club fires up the patio heaters to prolong the season.
While you’re there, enjoy the global flavors the Press Club is known for – elevated street food like the Korean beef tacos and handcrafted cocktails. Don’t forget to catch some live music on their indoor stage where they feature everything from folk to funk to rock and R&B.
Charley’s Waterfront Cafe: Dinner on the Deck
What’s better than dinner on the waterfront? The scenic water views at Charley’s Waterfront Cafe offer a calming backdrop for any meal. Perched above the Appomattox, Charley’s deckside dining features birdsong, tree canopies and a rich history. Converted to a restaurant in 1994, this former tobacco warehouse also served as a Confederate Hospital, which – legend has it – was visited by Robert E. Lee.
The perfect place for a happy hour with apps, Charley’s summer cocktail menu includes everything from a shoefly martini to a vanilla old fashioned alongside their ever-changing draft beer selection. With live music every Friday and Saturday night and a menu of specials, you’ll have a reason to visit Charley’s every day of the week. The cafe features select bottles of half-priced wine on Mondays and all-you-can-eat ribs on Thursday nights. Date night specials change each week, and include a choice between two delicious dishes prepared by Charley’s chef. One recent menu offered New York strip with roasted red pepper sauce or seared ahi tuna served over mixed greens with a Wasabi-ginger butter.
Macados: College-Town Favorite
With multiple locations throughout Virginia, Macado’s is a college-town favorite, and our Farmville patio brings all the beachy vibes to Southside Virginia. One block off Main Street, Macado’s offers plenty of shaded seating and nostalgic decor. Hungry kids too energetic to be cooped up inside? Fill their bellies while enjoying a summer afternoon outdoors.
Macado’s has something for everyone. The enormous menu features well-loved appetizers like the bang bang shrimp as well as unique creations like Irish nachos – crinkle-cut potato chips topped with chili, cheese, lettuce, tomato, jalapenos, and black olives? Yes, please! In addition to tacos, burgers, and quesadillas, they’re known for their overstuffed sandwiches with unique names like Betty Boop and Sherlock Holmes. So grab a sandwich and a sweet tea, and join us on the patio!
Catbird Rooftop Terrace: Sky-High Dining
Looking to sip your cocktail with a sky-high view? Take the elevator to the rooftop at Farmville’s historic Hotel Weyanoke and step onto Catbird Rooftop Terrace. Guests of the hotel, tourists and locals alike love this chic, urban location with panoramic views and top-notch eats. Open Tuesday through Saturday evenings starting at 4:30 p.m, Catbird’s terrace provides aerial views of Downtown Farmville and Longwood. Grab a table, pull up a seat at the outdoor bar or settle down into the comfort of the Adirondacks and lounge chairs to enjoy some cool breezes beneath the shade sails.
Catbird offers craft beer, wine and specialty cocktails featuring seasonal flavors, such as their watermelon margarita and cucumber martini. Housemade lemonade and house-brewed tea round out the drink selection. For shareables, try the shrimp shooters or a classic bruschetta. Still hungry? You’ll have soups, salads and handhelds to choose from – our favorites right now are the chopped steak salad and the charred tomato bisque!
If you’ve had a long day, Catbird is the perfect place to take a seat and take in a sunset.
Three Roads Brewing Company: Brewing Community
A few yards off the High Bridge Trail next door to Farmville’s historic train station, Three Roads Brewing Company, Farmville’s original craft brewery, offers more than local beer, hard seltzers and non-alcoholic craft beverages. This one-of-a-kind brewery has become an outdoor hub for community game nights, live entertainment and visiting food trucks. (Not to mention free Wi-Fi!)
Both kid and dog friendly, Three Roads offers the perfect venue for families and friends to gather outdoors. Their large space features picnic tables, shady umbrellas, a firepit and twinkling lights strung overhead. The huge doors that open into the taproom offer quick service, while cornhole boards encourage patrons to engage in a little friendly competition.
Weekly activities include trivia nights, live music and bingo, as well as $9 flagship flights, filler-up Fridays and a $3 Wednesday happy hour. Looking for something more unique? A fitness class, Sip and Sweat, often gathers in partnership with the local YMCA. Bridge to Brews, an informal 5K, ends at Three Roads with a shared pint. Annual events like Peachfest involve the entire community in the brewing process, encouraging customers to take part in peeling peaches for custom brews. Looking for a community hub in the great out-of-doors? You can’t do better than Three Roads.
So, this summer, explore our patios, porches and more in Farmville. We hope this guide will inspire you to extend your visit and spend a little more time in the open air. We can’t wait to welcome you!