In an era when big-chain coffee shops sit on every corner, a locally owned, independent coffeehouse that stands the test of time is a rarity. But in Manassas, Grounds Central Station has been serving rich, steaming cups of coffee to eagerly awaiting customers for five years—without the help of a massive corporation behind it.

The popular cafe sits less than a mile away The Courts at Historic Manassas, so you can easily swing by for your morning cup of java tomorrow. In addition to classic cups of joe, the baristas also whip up specialty drinks like the seasonal peppermint mocha, the signature Love Potion No. 9 and Cinnamon Bun Latte, and many more. Order your beverage hot or iced, and pair it with something like the bacon and egg sandwich or a muffin from the case of baked goods. You can also sit and stay a while at Grounds Coffee Station, which offers free Wi-Fi to customers.

Grounds Central Station
9360 Main Street
Manassas, VA 20110
(571) 379-7285
www.groundscentralstation.com
www.yelp.com/biz/grounds-central-station-manassas

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr kadluba

Since The Park Tap Room debuted in September two miles from The Courts at Historic Manassas, patrons have come to expect high quality brews and American fare when they dine here. After all, the Tap Room boasts a collection of 20 draft beers, many of them sourced from breweries not far from Manassas. And the gourmet American pub grub matches the craft beer.

Kick off your feast with loaded tater tots, which come smothered in house-made queso and bacon, or the Maryland-style crab dip (or a Bavarian pretzel topped with crab). Or skip right to an entree, such as the grown-up version of mac and cheese. It features chunks of juicy steak mixed in with the five-cheese mac. Baby back ribs, fish and chips, and center-cut pork chops are also on the menu, not to mention sandwiches and flatbreads.

The Park Tap Room
9103 Andrew Drive
Manassas Park, VA 20111
(571) 208-1186
www.parktaproom.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-park-tap-room-manassas-park

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr stu_spivack

Okra's Louisiana Bistro wants to spread the New Orleans spirit to all of Manassas, which is precisely why it hosted the city's first Mardi Gras parade many years ago. Since it first opened in 1998, the eatery has also hosted crawfish boils and other NoLa-centric festivals. But in the midst of these fun events, one aspect of Okra's shines the brightest: its fare.

So make the short drive from The Courts at Historic Manassas to Okra's (it's less than a mile) if you're craving some classic Louisiana cuisine. The alligator bites are the most popular appetizer, so don't miss them. Kick off your meal with the tender chunks of alligator sirloin, battered and fried, then dished out with Okra's signature remoulade. Just make sure you save enough room for one of the hearty Southern entrees, such as the cast-iron blackened catfish or the crawfish Monica with rotini.

Okra's Louisiana Bistro
9110 Center Street
Manassas, VA 20110
(703) 330-2729
okras.com
www.yelp.com/biz/okras-louisiana-bistro-manassas-3

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr Kent Wang