Winners of the 2024 Best of the Rivah contest were announced in the August edition of The Rivah Visitor’s Guide.
In its ninth year, the contest includes 41 categories in seven divisions including seafood, food, drinks, retail, hospitality, experiences and business services.
All nominations were required to be at public establishments and venues within the publication’s eight-county coverage area in the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck. First-, second- and third-place winners were selected in each category. Readers also will notice more ties this year, most likely because there are so many great choices in the coverage area.
Several new businesses were listed among the winners including Prime Mediterranean in Topping, which won for best cocktail and best inland restaurant. It was also the second pick for place for a date. The food truck category also included three new winners including top pick Two Salty River Chics Jus Catch’n Up. Nino’s Pizza was second and Hibachi Mobile third.
Hole in the Wall in Mathews County again was a multiple first-place winner in the food and beverage categories for best waterfront dining and best crabcake. Readers also liked its fried oysters and its cold beer as a second-place choice and voted it third for best burger.
Reedville Market in Northumberland County has the best fried oysters, according to readers, and was also chosen as the best breakfast/brunch spot. A new diner, Egg-Spresso Cafe in Richmond County won third for its breakfast, while Car Wash Cafe in Lancaster and Java Jacks Cafe in Essex tied for second.
The Corner Bar and Grill in Lively won for coldest beer.
Callao Brewing Company for a third year won best brewery while Northern Neck Brewing Company in Montross made its first appearance in the category at third. Gloucester Brewing Company was second.
Looking for the best fried chicken, voters again chose Tri-Star Supermarket in Kilmarnock. The best ice cream is at Chitterchats Ice Cream Parlor/Chitterchats Second Scoop in Reedville and Kilmarnock and the best sweet treat is at Michelle’s Sweet Treats in Warsaw.
The best place to pick up pizza was a three-way tie with Sal’s Italian Pizza in Kilmarnock, DeltaPie Pizza & Speciality Market in Deltaville and Bella Pizza & Italian Restaurant in Tappahannock.
Miss Mary Seafood in White Stone and Little River Seafood & Gourmet Shoppe in Burgess and Warsaw tied as the best fresh seafood market and the best fresh produce stand/market was Garner’s Produce in Westmoreland County.
Crazy Crab in Reedville again garnered a first place for crab soup and Virginia Street Cafe in Urbanna had the best soft crab. NN Burger in Tappahannock was where voters say grab a burger.
Good Luck Cellars was again named best winery.
Among first-place winners in the retail categories were The Rivah in Kilmarnock, nautical gift shop and rivah attire; Objects Art and More in Irvington, rivah art; Burke’s Fine Jewelers in Kilmarnock and Warsaw, rivah-themed jewelry; and W.F. Booth & Son in Kilmarnock, rivah home accessories.
First place hospitality winners included Perrindise Marina and Club in Hayes, marina; Kilmarnock Inn in Kilmarnock, hotel/B&B; and (tie) Bush Park Camping Resort in Wake and Bethpage Camp-Resort in Urbanna, campground.
Under business service winners, Shore Realty in Northumberland was chosen as the best real estate company; Capt. Billy Pipkin with Capt. Billy Fishing Charters, charter boat captain; R.W.’s Sports in Lottsburg, place to buy bait/tackle; and The Glamper Salon in Tappahannock; place to get pampered.
Westmoreland State Park in Montross was picked the best place to go for a hike, while Hughlett Point Natural Area Preserve in Kilmarnock was a favorite beach.
Compass Entertainment Complex in Irvington was top choice for a date and Reedville Fishermen’s Museum in Reedville, best museum/historical site. The museum also won for best oyster roast.
Urbanna Oyster Festival was chosen best festival.
Rip Tide repeated as best local band.
For a round of golf, voters picked Piankatank River Golf Club as the best and Camp Piankatank in Hartfield has the best summer camp, according to voters.
Kilmarnock’s Main Street was chosen as the best main street.
