What's the Best Comfort Food Restaurant in Charles City, Virginia?
"When clients ask about country living in New Kent or Charles City, I always send them on the Route 5 drive with one food stop already circled: Cul's Courthouse Grille. It is the kind of place that defines a community, a 150-year-old country store serving burgers, crab cakes, and big plates of comfort food across the street from one of Virginia's oldest courthouses. If you are moving to a quieter river community, this is your first taste of what makes it special."
- Shannon Russell, MRP
If you are looking for the best comfort food restaurant in Charles City, Virginia, you will find it in the most unlikely of spots: a country store built in 1872, lovingly restored and turned into a restaurant called Cul's Courthouse Grille. Sitting right across the road from the historic Charles City Courthouse, this mom-and-son operation has been feeding locals, cyclists, and curious road-trippers since 2009. It is rated #1 of the restaurants in Charles City on Tripadvisor with a 4.5-star average, and once you taste the food, you will understand why.
As a Virginia real estate agent who works with buyers drawn to the river counties and rural communities around Richmond, I have driven Route 5 more times than I can count. Cul's is the stop that keeps pulling me back. It is honest, generous, and unpretentious home cooking in a building with a genuine story, and it sits at the heart of one of the most beautiful country drives in Virginia.
The Story Behind Cul's Courthouse Grille
Every great restaurant has a story, and Cul's starts with a building that was already a landmark. The Nance-Major Store was built in 1872 by Edward Major and Julia Nance-Major, a country store on Courthouse Road that stocked dry goods, sundries, and agricultural supplies for the farms and plantations around Charles City. For roughly fifty years it served as the county post office, it housed one of the area's only public telephones, and at times the family even lent food to struggling residents, with the county reimbursing the store later. It was, in every sense, the commercial heart of the community.
The building stayed in the Major family for generations. In 1987, Ann Weaver Major and Edward Major, who had actually been born in one of the building's first-floor bedrooms, bought it back and kept it within the family until 2005. Then the structure was sold, renovated, and reopened in 2009 as Cul's Courthouse Grille, named for its owner, Cullen Jenkins, better known as "Cul," who runs the restaurant today with his mother by his side.
The renovation kept the best of the old country store: wide heart-pine floors worn smooth by generations of footsteps, original wooden doors, and tall windows with the wavy antique glass you only find in buildings this old. The grille celebrated its 17th anniversary on August 1, 2026, and it fills the same role today that the store once did: the friendly, dependable gathering place at the crossroads of the county.
Comfort food done right at Cul's Courthouse Grille, from signature burgers and crispy onion rings to fried green tomatoes from a kitchen that refuses to cut corners.
What Is Cul's Courthouse Grille Known For?
The short answer: big, generous plates of American comfort food with a Southern accent. The menu leans on char-grilled burgers, crispy fried seafood, and home-style sides, and several dishes have earned a devoted following. Here are the must-orders:
The EmSkee Burger
The signature burger: char-grilled, stacked with smoky barbecue sauce, crispy onion rings, bacon, and melted cheddar on a toasted brioche bun. It is the dish regulars order and the one that converts first-timers into repeat visitors.
Cade's Award-Winning Chicken Wings
Wings with actual award pedigree, crispy, saucy, and big enough to make a meal. Grab them as an appetizer for the table and thank yourself later.
Banks Brothers O-Rings
Beer-battered onion rings that reviewers keep calling the best they have ever had. Order two, one for the table and one to guard while you work through your burger.
Payne's Fried Green Tomatoes
Crispy fried green tomatoes served with a Thai red chili dipping sauce that adds just the right kick. A Southern classic with a little extra personality.
Major's Crab Cakes
Jumbo lump crab cakes that nod to the Chesapeake Bay just down the road. The name even honors the Major family who built the store, a little history with every bite.
Charles City Chicken & Coconut Cake
Charles City Chicken comes dressed in a country ham cream sauce that is pure Virginia comfort, and the house coconut cake is the way to finish. There is a reason both have followings.
The menu also stars a Briscoe's Courthouse Burger, the Edna's Chicken Sandwich (grilled chicken with house-made pimento cheese), the Courthouse Convict (chicken, bacon, cheddar, and chili ranch sauce), a James River N.Y. Strip, plus lobster bisque, fried oysters, and more. The point is, you will not leave hungry, and you will not eat the same thing twice in a row, because the list keeps going.
What's the Atmosphere Like?
Step inside and the 1872 country store is still right there, with heart-pine floors, original doors, and wavy antique glass windows.
Walking into Cul's feels like stepping back into a slower Virginia. The worn heart-pine floors, original doors, and wavy glass panes are a living reminder that this room has been serving the community since Reconstruction. The tables are simple and sturdy, the light is warm, and the pace is unhurried in the best possible way. It is not a polished, designer space. It is better than that. It is genuine.
The crowd is a true cross-section of the region: local families who have been coming for years, cyclists and walkers off the Virginia Capital Trail, road-trippers on Route 5 working their way toward Williamsburg, and the occasional famous visitor: actor Ethan Hawke and his daughter Maya stopped in and surprised the owner, a visit Richmond's WTVR covered. Everyone is here for the same reason: good food, fair prices, and no pretense.
One note on timing: Cul's serves lunch and dinner seven days a week, opening at 11:00 AM. Sunday through Thursday they close at 9:00 PM; on Fridays and Saturdays they stay open until 10:00 PM. It is a casual, walk-in friendly spot, but if you are bringing a big group, calling ahead at (804) 829-2205 is the smart play.
Who Is Cul's Courthouse Grille Great For?
This is exactly the kind of easy, welcoming place where kids are at ease. Big burgers, chicken tenders done right, and a laid-back dining room that does not demand fancy behavior.
Cul's sits right on the Virginia Capital Trail, the 50-plus mile paved route from Richmond to Williamsburg. It is a legendary refuel stop for riders, with hearty plates to rebuild after a long day in the saddle.
If you just moved to a river-county community or are settling near Fort Eustis or JBLE-Langley, lunch at Cul's is a crash course in local life. You will leave knowing your new neighbors a little better.
The 1872 store, the old courthouse across the street, and the plantations along Route 5 make this a stop straight out of a Virginia history tour, with better food than most.
Location, Hours, and Parking Tips
Sunday – Thursday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Friday – Saturday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Open 7 days a week
There is a parking lot right beside the restaurant, so pulling off Route 5 is easy.
Cyclists on the Virginia Capital Trail can roll right up; there is room to park bikes while you eat.
Best tip: Before or after lunch, take the two-minute walk across the street to see the Charles City Courthouse, one of America's oldest working courthouses and a gorgeous piece of colonial architecture.
Why Do Charles City Locals Love Cul's Courthouse Grille?
Charles City is a small, rural county, and its restaurant scene reflects that. But locals are quick to tell you that Cul's is not just the best option in town. It is a genuine destination, and they love it for reasons that go beyond the plate.
First, there is the building itself. The Nance-Major Store has stood at the county crossroads since 1872. When you sit on those heart-pine floors, you are in a room that has been a store, a post office, a community lifeline, and now a restaurant, over 150 years of Charles City's daily life in one address. That kind of continuity is the definition of local pride.
Second, there is the family behind it. Cullen Jenkins and his mother have run Cul's for nearly two decades, since 2009. A mom-and-son restaurant that shows up every single day, remembers its regulars, and keeps its standards high is exactly what small towns rally around, and exactly why it keeps winning awards and glowing reviews.
Third, there is its place in the community's rhythm. Court days, Capital Trail rides, plantation tours, and family road trips all funnel past this corner of Courthouse Road. Cul's has become the natural meeting point of the county: the place you point visitors to, the place you take someone who is thinking about moving to the area, the place that makes clear that country living has a warm, generous heart.
And finally, there is the food itself. When a restaurant's onion rings are called the best ever, when the wings win awards, and when the crab cakes are stacked with jumbo lump, word travels. Locals know they can bring anyone here, from grandparents and kids to out-of-town guests, and look like a hero. That is what makes a restaurant part of a community's identity.
"Cul's is the restaurant I tell every buyer to try before they commit to the river counties. Sit at that table, look out at the old courthouse, and you will feel exactly what Charles City is: history, community, and good food, all in generous portions."
- Shannon Russell, MRP
Frequently Asked Questions About Cul's Courthouse Grille
Where exactly is Cul's Courthouse Grille located?
Cul's Courthouse Grille is at 10801 Courthouse Road in Charles City, Virginia (ZIP 23030), directly across the street from the Charles City Courthouse. It sits along Route 5 (John Tyler Memorial Highway) and the Virginia Capital Trail, about midway on the scenic drive between Richmond and Williamsburg.
What should I order at Cul's Courthouse Grille?
Start with the Banks Brothers O-Rings and Payne's Fried Green Tomatoes, then order the EmSkee Burger or Briscoe's Courthouse Burger as your main. Cade's Award-Winning Chicken Wings, Major's Crab Cakes, and the Charles City Chicken are other favorites. Finish with the coconut cake if you have room.
Is Cul's Courthouse Grille family-friendly?
Absolutely. The room is casual, welcoming, and unpretentious, with generous portions that kids love. It is a relaxed, easygoing lunch or dinner spot for families of all ages. No reservations are required for a typical visit.
What are Cul's Courthouse Grille's hours?
Cul's is open seven days a week from 11:00 AM. Sunday through Thursday it closes at 9:00 PM, and Friday and Saturday it closes at 10:00 PM. Hours can shift for holidays, so calling (804) 829-2205 before a special trip is a safe bet.
Is Cul's Courthouse Grille on the Virginia Capital Trail?
Yes. The Virginia Capital Trail runs right past the restaurant, and Cul's is a beloved refueling stop for cyclists riding between Richmond and Williamsburg. It is also an easy stop when touring the historic plantations and courthouse along Route 5.
Living Near Cul's Courthouse Grille: Charles City & the Route 5 Corridor
A restaurant like Cul's is one of the reasons people fall in love with a community. And if you want this kind of life, with country roads, river views, history around every bend, and the best hometown restaurant right down the street, Charles City and the Route 5 corridor are worth a serious look.
Charles City is one of Virginia's most historic counties, stretching along the James River between Richmond and Williamsburg. Route 5, the John Tyler Memorial Highway, winds past some of the most famous plantation estates in America, and the county keeps its rural, unhurried character: farmland, river frontage, quiet back roads, and some of the largest and most peaceful properties you will find anywhere near the Richmond area.
Homes here tend to be about space and serenity: acreage, privacy, and the kind of front porch that makes you want to stay a while. It is also a realistic option for military families at Fort Eustis or JBLE-Langley who would rather live in the country than in a subdivision, and for anyone who wants the city within reach but not in their driveway.
If you are curious about country living in Charles City, New Kent, or the other river counties, I would love to show you around, and yes, lunch at Cul's is part of the tour.
Shannon Russell
Military Relocation Professional (MRP) & Realtor®
Shannon is a Virginia-based real estate agent with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Base Camp. As a Navy veteran's wife and mom who has lived all around the Richmond and Hampton Roads areas, she knows the neighborhoods, the communities, and the local spots that make each one feel like home. Whether you are buying your first home, relocating for the military, or selling for top dollar, Shannon's local knowledge, down to the best restaurants, makes the difference.
Call Shannon today (804) 803-1080 or click "Get in Touch"
Explore More Local Guides
Saucy's Sit-Down Bar.B.Q. Deep Dive
The best BBQ in Hopewell, a Southern Living award-winning smokehouse with a musician's story.
Local Eats Series
Restaurant guides, hidden gems, and food favorites across Central Virginia.
Explore Service Areas
18+ Virginia communities. Find the right neighborhood for your family.
Ready to find your perfect Virginia neighborhood?
Whether you are relocating for the military, buying your first home, or simply want to live near the best restaurants and local hangouts, I know these communities inside and out.