Grinnin' Bear Tavern: Great Food & Friendly Atmosphere

Nestled along Richmond Highway in Lynchburg, VA, Grinnin' Bear Tavern offers a delightful American tavern experience that perfectly blends hearty comfort food with a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere. This restaurant stands out with its diverse menu of classic appetizers and perfectly paired beverages, making it a beloved gathering spot for locals and visitors alike.

The menu at Grinnin' Bear Tavern beckons with irresistible starters like crispy Pork Rinds, golden Mozzarella Sticks, and perfectly seasoned Fried Pickle Spears — each bite bursting with crunchy, savory goodness that sets the tone for a satisfying meal. For sharing or indulging, the Loaded Nachos and Chicken Wings are crowd favorites, piled high and rich with bold flavors that invite you to savor every morsel. Complementing the food selection, the tavern offers an array of refreshing drinks—a crisp Chill Chloe Pinot Grigio or a delicate Relax Riesling from their white wine options, or a range of flavorful craft beers and vibrant crush cocktails like the Orange and Blueberry Crush, perfect for unwinding and elevating your dining experience.

What truly elevates Grinnin' Bear Tavern is its warm and inviting atmosphere. Guests praise the attentive and friendly staff who go above and beyond to make everyone feel like family — whether you’re visiting for a lively seafood broil, a special holiday feast, or a casual evening with friends. The spacious dining rooms and charming lake-view deck provide the perfect backdrop for memorable meals, enhanced by gentle background music that complements the tranquil, rustic setting without overwhelming conversation. This balance of delicious food, welcoming service, and comfortable surroundings creates a tavern experience that resonates long after the last bite.

Visitors have highlighted Grinnin' Bear Tavern’s special events and seasonal offerings, such as the Thanksgiving feast featuring traditional preparations that evoke cozy family gatherings, or the joyful Christmas Luncheons where large groups are treated to an impressive spread of tasty, well-prepared dishes. Whether you’re celebrating milestones or simply craving a relaxed, flavorful meal, the tavern’s thoughtful approach to hospitality shines through.

For anyone seeking not just a meal but an inviting atmosphere where every plate is crafted with care and every guest is treated with warmth, Grinnin' Bear Tavern in Lynchburg is a must-visit destination that promises comfort, quality, and genuine smiles.

Outdoor seating
Kerbside pickup
Dine-in
Delivery

Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining

Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Wheelchair-accessible toilet

Credit cards

Marcie Slayton

09/12/2025

This was our first visit to Grinnin' Bear Tavern ! We went after a beautiful Easter SON rise service at Appomattox Surrender Grounds. Excellent food offerings while enveloped in a tranquil setting. We enjoyed the buffet and the gracious staff. We will visit again soon to experience music and dining on the lake view deck. Grinnin' Bear !!!

Barry Armstrong

15/11/2025

We did not travel this year for Thanksgiving and none of our family were available to visit us. We elected to visit for their Thanksgiving feast. And it was a feast! Great traditional preparation of all our Thanksgiving favorites. Classy atmosphere and pleasant background music. Great job Grinnin’ Bear! We very much enjoyed a pleasant experience with you today.

Philibert Daniels

20/10/2025

Excellent service. Excellent food good prices, Excellent atmosphere. All the workers are very friendly and respectful for your needs. They go well over there job to make your experience a great one.

Wicket Hopetrail

14/10/2025

Beautiful place, great patio, amazing buffet.. I came in on a seafood broil day. I sat alone in the huge room for most my meal... my chair broke, they removed it promptly apparently a screw came off?! How did they not notice when cleaning? They couldn't get the music to play which I found kind of amusing but their persistence to fix it was impressive. The service was so amazing and they were very polite. Thank you for a good lunch for celebrating a ME day as I've lost 30 lbs and wanted to treat myself. It wasnt perfect but you definitely tried and I appreciate that.

Brittany Thomas

04/10/2025

We were so excited to see this opened up near us. We live in Concord and love to come here. They’ve got great appetizers and great cold beer. However, the BEST part is the customer service you receive from here. They treat you like family from the very first time you walk in! Stop by, you won’t be sorry!

Rebecca Gilbert

19/09/2025

Our first visit, I can sum it up in one word AMAZING!! Great food, atmosphere and service! We will definitely be back!! Jennifer our waitress was wonderful!!

MizZfourtunate

16/09/2025

We decided to have our Christmas Luncheon at the Grinnin Bear Tavern(50+ ppl) best choice we could’ve made couldn't have chosen a better selection!! The food was so great tasty delectable and delicious the staff was fast friendly courteous and tended to our every need (Brandon provided excellent services) along with every other staff the owner even came to check on us to ensure our Luncheon was going smoothly we would definitely recommend Grinnin Bear Tavern

Randy Oswald

28/08/2025

We hosted a rehearsal dinner at the Grinnin' Bear and had a really great evening. Our menu included roast beef, pork tenderloin, glazed carrots, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, green beans, salad, apple cobbler, fresh fruit, and ice cream. Overall the food was excellent and all in attendance commented positively. One attendee, a true born and raised southerner, would have been more than happy to have taken an entire pan of the sweet potato casserole home. The roast beef and pork were tender and flavorful, the glazed carrots were fantastic, the mashed potatoes (real not instant) were rustic and very good. The mac and cheese and green beans aere also very good. The 'salad bar' had a few assorted items (diced tomatoes, cucumbers, bacon, cheese, croutons) and a couple dressings and a bagged lettuce mixture. Overall, good but not on par with the rest of the menu. Dessert includes apple cobbler which was average, vanilla ice cream, and a nice assortment of fresh fruit. The service was fantastic, very friendly and eager to make the event a success. The location has a nice deck overlooking a pond with a fountain and the inside dining area is older but clearly ownership is making improvements and they were eager to make sure any issues were addressed quickly. So if you're looking to host a rehearsal dinner, a party, family get together, whatever we would suggest you give Grinnin' Bear a strong consideration. Its an easy going, comfortable location with well made food and a staff eager to make your event a success. Would recommend!