Once a state of rolling farmlands, Virginia is home to plenty of iconic food and wine, dating back to President Washington’s days. Whether you’re craving peanut soup, oysters or hand pies, here’s where to savor the bounty, from Chesapeake Bay to the Shenandoah Valley.

Illustration by Hello Neighbor Designs

Go to a party in the South and you’ll find savory, salty, creamy and yellow pimento cheese. The spicy blend of sharp cheddar, mayo, roasted red pepper, shallot and tarragon is the most-popular starter at Pasture in Richmond. The dip is served with Ritz crackers — because they’re Chef-Owner Jason Alley’s favorite — along with pickles and crudites. Alley knows Virginia classics: He’s a native of Pulaski, outside of Blacksburg.

Photo courtesy of Pasture

Fried pies, also known as fry pies, can be found at bakeries and small town stores across the state. These hand-held pies are a regular item at The Shack in Staunton, deep-fried in canola oil for a sweet and savory bite. The restaurant’s Apple Bourbon Sorghum Caramel Fry Pie, served with a warm thyme custard, doubles down on local favorites with rich sorghum and local apples.

Photo by Sera Petras, courtesy of The Shack

After years of focused conservation and entrepreneurial efforts, Virginia leads the East Coast in oyster production. The Rappahannock Oyster Co. farms oysters across the Chesapeake Bay, including sweet and buttery Rappahannock River oysters. The shellfish is harvested daily on the farm in front of Merroir, a restaurant located on the Rappahannock in Topping, about an hour from Richmond. The kitchen goes through about 12,000 oysters a week in peak season from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Photo courtesy of Merroir