Mathews is located off the beaten path – you don’t arrive here on accident, you get lost here on purpose.
You may not have heard of this humble little town – Mathews County. It’s tucked away on the eastern tip of the Middle Peninsula across from the Eastern Shore. Shaped like an anatomical heart towards the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, you will find a charming little getaway with all the “small town” features that you adore. With a little more than 8,000 residents, Mathews County is proud to be the 2nd smallest County in VA, with the most amount of shoreline of any.
Those who have found Mathews most likely stumbled upon it while browsing the web, or visiting a friend. Chances are, if you google ‘best pizza near me’ or ‘cheap cocktails’ or ‘waterfront lodging’ or even, ‘reliable home contractor,’ you will find one of our amazing businesses. The community is proud of its hard working businesses that are shaping the culture every step of the way.
Mathews is the proud recipient of over 20 awards in 2019 for local businesses, giving you more reason to find our treasured town on accident.
2019 Winners
Mathews County
Visit Website 804-725-4229, 239 Church St., Mathews
Top 10 Hidden Gems for Craft Lovers – America Craft Week
Peninsula Bronze, Best Place to Picnic – Coastal Virginia Magazine
Mathews County, a place for you to pack a picnic, explore local beaches, enjoy delicious cuisine, walk the historic downtown, and discover an incredibly artistic culture and community.
Southwind Pizza
Visit Website 804-725-2766, 44 Church St., Mathews
1st Place, Best Pizzeria – Virginia Living Magazine
Southwind Pizza is where you will find a locals vibe. From their fresh, gourmet pizzas, specialty seafood items and live music scene, you will be guaranteed a Mathews experience in this downtown restaurant. Indulge in a unique pizza crust unlike you’ve had before such as the “Big Island” or “Tangier Island” Pizzas. Locals Jam night is every Thursday and blues, folk and jazzy bands are scheduled some Saturdays.
Inn at Tabbs Creek
Visit Website 804-725-5136, 384 Turpin Ln., Port Haywood
2nd Place, Best Bed & Breakfast – Virginia Living Magazine
Peninsula Bronze, Best Local Bed & Breakfast – Coastal Virginia Magazine
The Inn at Tabbs Creek is the unique bed and breakfast experience you’ve always been looking for. Despite the unplug, outdoors mentality on the grounds, you don’t miss any elements of modern-comforts within your rooms. This 7 bedroom waterfront B&B offers suites or regular rooms with Jacuzzi’s, comfortable beds, an outdoor pool, dock, kayaks, bikes and SUP boards for guests, outdoor games and fire pits, gourmet breakfast, and special add on’s such as the watermen dead rise tour, oyster roasts and wine and cheese happy hour!
White Dog Bistro
Visit Website 804-725-7680, 68 Church St., Mathews
2nd Place, Best Special Event Venue – Virginia Living Magazine
2nd Place, Best Craft Cocktails – Virginia Living Magazine
3rd Place, Best Outdoor Dining – Virginia Living Magazine
3rd Place, Best Restaurant – Virginia Living Magazine
Overall Gold Award –Coastal Virginia Mag Magazine
White Dog Bistro has been serving gourmet cuisine since opening in 2013. For six years, Walter Wilkes has been the restaurant’s executive Chef and racked up nearly 60 coveted “Best Of” magazine awards from Coastal Living, Chesapeake Bay Magazine, Virginia Living, The Rivah, and more. In 2015, his Clams Espağnole took him to the Final Four of the “Virginia is for Lovers Culinary Madness Challenge” to cook for several celebrity judges, including the First Lady of Virginia. Despite the category of “fine dining,” you will find no staff or environment more genuine than White Dog Bistro’s, where Wilkes emphasizes that “good food is only great food when enjoyed in the company of great people.”
Mathews Farmers Market
Visit Website 804-725-5747, Historic Court House
3rd Place, Best Farmers Market –Virginia Living Magazine
The Mathews Farmers Market is located on the Historic Courthouse Green every Saturday April through October. Stroll among the historic village buildings as you shop from local vendors who specialize in fresh organic produce. Each month your senses will come alive from the seasonal array of wholesome fruits and vegetables, native plants, baked goods and handcrafted gifts presented at the Farmer’s Market. It is what brings Saturday to life in Mathews thanks to the Mathews Main Street Committee!
Trend Masters Salon
Visit Website 804-654-9547, 207 Main St., Mathews
3rd Place, Best Hair Salon –Virginia Living Magazine
Trend Masters Salon can help you achieve the look you’ve always dreamed of with their tight-knit friendly professional team. From simple, everyday haircuts to cutting edge fashion, Trend Masters can do it all! Trend Masters offers cuts and styling, color treatment, hair repair and smoothing, perms, waxing, nails, special events and wedding services.
Hudgins Design Collaborative
Visit Website 804-725-2066, 401 Main St., Mathews
2nd Place, Best Architecture Firm –Virginia Living Magazine
Frances Hudgins, owner of Hudgins Design Collaborative, started her own firm in 1999. She is a registered architect with degrees from the UVA, School of Architecture, began her career in New York City and Washington, DC on large international and government work. HDC now focuses on residential, ecclesiastical and small commercial projects and provides thoughtful, contextual architectural design. Attentiveness to client needs have continued to be the most important and enjoyable part of the process of her firm.
Hole in the Wall Waterfront Grill
Visit Website 804-505-1005, 384 Old Ferry Rd., Gwynn
1st Place, Best Bar – Virginia Living Magazine
2nd Place, Best Burger Joint – Virginia Living Magazine
1st Place, Best Craft Cocktails – Virginia Living Magazine
2nd Place, Best Outdoor Dining – Virginia Living Magazine
3rd Place, Best Oysters – Virginia Living Magazine
Oysters from Mathews’ William’s Wharf Oyster Company!
Hole in the Wall Waterfront Grill is Mathews’ newest waterfront dining experience. This renovated restaurant off of Milford Haven on Gwynn’s Island re-opened in July of 2018 serving local oysters, and your go-to seafood baskets, burgers, tacos, and affordable cocktails. Come by boat (park it at the dock), kayak or car, but whatever you do, stay for the sunset! Why’d they name it “hole in the wall?” Because it meets the definition: a small, often unpretentious, out-of-the-way place with great food.
Callis House Inn
Visit Website 804-413-1804, 345 Main St., Mathews
Peninsula Silver, Best Bed & Breakfast – Coastal Virginia Magazine
Callis House Inn is Mathews’ newest lodging edition to downtown! The boutique Inn opened officially in August of 2018 and now offers 5 beautiful Chesapeake Bay-themed bedrooms. The Callis House dates back to 1908 and served as a family home and a local store in town located where the Bay School Community Arts Center currently stands. In 2016 the nonprofit group, Preservation Mathews, acquired a loan to save the home from being torn down and moved to its new downtown location, lifted and renovated with the help of Morse Construction. Just walking distance from everything downtown, you’ll love this new addition to Main Street!
Morse Enterprise
Visit Website 804-725-1941, 330 Main St., Mathews
Peninsula Gold, Best Home Contractor – Coastal Virginia Magazine
Morse Enterprises is a full-service design, building, and remodeling company located in historic downtown Mathews. Ian Morse has been building and remodeling homes in and around Mathews County since 2001. He prioritizes honest and open communication, knowledgeable and skilled staff, quality work, and follow up to ensure customer satisfaction.
James Sease Law Firm
804-725-4700, 10455 Buckley Hall Rd., Mathews
Peninsula Bronze, Best Law Firm – Coastal Virginia Magazine
Jim Sease attended University of Richmond, has been licensed for over 40 years and practicing in Mathews County for over 20 years. His firm handles cases in Real Estate, Bankruptcy & Debt, General Practice and Litigation. Friendly and approachable, Jim and his team will help meet your needs with just the right amount of casual and professionalism to make your experience comfortable.
IsaBell K. Horsley Real Estate
Visit Website 804-725-5680, 208 Main St., Mathews
Best Real Estate Firm – Virginia Living Magazine
IsaBell K. Horsley Real Estate has served their clients all throughout the Northern Neck and the Middle Peninsula area since 1975. Currently the firm has four offices located in Urbanna, Mathews, Deltaville and White Stone. Their friendly and knowledgeable agents work hard with buyers and sellers offering some of the best waterfront properties in the Tidewater area. They not only know the market but know the waterways and lifestyles of the area and are able to help you with all your real estate needs!
