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By Jessica Schmitt | Photography by Mark Gilvey
Red House Tavern in Haymarket has made a name for itself over the last several years as a great fine dining spot encompassed in Virginia tradition. Rooted in history and community, Red House Tavern has offered an experience that goes beyond just food. Now, the restaurant is looking forward to some big, exciting changes that are projected to take the establishment to new levels of success.
Beginnings and Mission
Red House Tavern opened in conjunction with Crossroads Café and The Hilton Garden Inn on March 18, 2022, under management by Purpose Lodging, and as of August 2024 has been managed by Valor Hospitality. It sits on the location of the original tavern that was there 200 years ago, acting as a historical
and cultural landmark. In 2022, the restaurant won Hilton Development of the Year.
Red House Tavern’s mission is clear: to offer relaxed fine dining with top-of-the-line quality. The people on the team are committed to this mission, dedicating every day to providing unmatched hospitality and comfort. They believe their connection with customers is the most important part of their job.
Classic Carbonara Cheese
The Red House Tavern Experience
Red House Tavern serves classic Virginian food with an international twist. They take traditional rustic dishes and elevate them, adding inspiration from global cuisines. For example, the glaze for the pork belly is made from fermented Fresno, and they corn their beef and make their own kraut for the Reuben. Seared
raw tuna is flavored with lemon, mint, Calabrian chili, and puffed (popcorned) rice for the crunch. It’s a dish that fosters conversation, as noted by Tim Kube, General Manager of the Hilton Garden Inn by Hilton in Haymarket. He says, “What is good food without good conversation?”
Seared Arctic Char
In addition to excellent food, Red House Tavern offers an inviting atmosphere and top-tier service. For lunch and brunch, the restaurant can be described as casual, inviting, and bright, offering unique takes on comfort food and a great place for networking and socializing. For dinner, the mood changes to elevated, personal, and ambient, with refined dishes and a setting perfect for date night or celebrations. Service is an essential part of the equation. The people at Red House Tavern focus on excellence from the minute customers walk in the door through their entire meal to the time they leave.
Cranberry Rouge
Red House Tavern and the Community
Red House Tavern keeps community at the center of its operations. “Our community is at the heart of everything we do,” says Kube. Examples of this are clear in the restaurant’s everyday operations. They support local vendors and artisans by purchasing food from local farms and drinks from local vineyards
and breweries, as well as selling items from local artisans in their hotel shop. Additionally, they give back to the local schools, police department and community at large through donations, auction items and contributions.
The restaurant can also thank the community for much of its success. The community supported them from the start, increasing their customer reach to places like Shenandoah, Washington D.C., and even nationally and internationally. They have become a tradition of the people who were with them from
the beginning, and thus their roots in community run deep.
Big Upcoming Changes
Chef Chris Saunders
Red House Tavern is undergoing some big changes that they are describing as their “most exciting period of transition to date,” according to Kube. In November 2025, Sous Chef Chris Saunders was promoted to Executive Chef. Chef Saunders has been an integral part of the Red House Tavern story even before the restaurant was opened, and has been a linchpin to the evolution of the culinary vision and operational
excellence. They project 2026 to be a year of growth, including more variety, more tradition, more classic Virginian flair and an introduction to Red House Tavern Catering, where the focus is a more elevated
in-house banquet and catering experience.
So far, Red House Tavern has attributed its growth to their focus on discovering talent, dedication to listening to those involved, hospitality, connections and ambitious aims. All of this, paired with a fresh motivation among exciting changes, is expected to uplevel the restaurant in exhilarating ways. They are looking forward to reaching more people and getting to show their customers the capabilities and values of the team.
Ways to Get Involved and Calls to Action
Red House Tavern encourages the community to watch and follow along as their changes take shape. They are excited and confident that you will be pleasantly surprised. For more information, visit their website redhousehaymarket.com/ or stop by in person. They are located at 15001 Washington Street, Haymarket. They can also be reached via phone at (571) 486-5570. See for yourself what the Red House Tavern dining
experience is all about!
Jessica Schmitt is a Contributing Writer for Prince William Living
