The Girl & The Raven — Restaurant in Abingdon

During a recent visit to downtown Abingdon, I discovered The Girl & The Raven, a captivating café and coffee roastery nestled in a beautifully preserved 1886 building. As soon as you walk in, you’re greeted by a stunning commissioned painting of a girl with a raven—it hangs proudly in the front hallway and seems to tell the restaurant’s meaningful family story.

That story, as shared by the owners, is woven into the café’s name and the artwork: it honors a local family tale that inspires both the name and their warm atmosphere. The painting feels like a treasured heirloom—setting the tone for the thoughtful hospitality and sense of home that follows.

But the real star of the visit was the breakfast bowl. Fresh, handcrafted, and brimming with flavor, it was nothing short of extraordinary. Every component reflected their commitment to scratch-made quality—the kind you don’t see every day.

What stood out: •Ambience: A charming repurposed historic house, elegant yet cozy. Multiple dining rooms invite you to linger. •Art & Family Touch: The evocative painting of “the girl and her raven” pays homage to the business’s namesake and story—a delightful personal touch. •Coffee & Cuisine: In-house roasted, ethically sourced beans brewed to perfection. The breakfast bowl offered clever, fresh Southern-inspired fare that was healthy and incredibly satisfying. •Service & Environment: Friendly, attentive staff in a casual-dining setting with outdoor seating, a sleek bar, and even a drive-thru for grab-and-go convenience.

Final takeaway:

If you’re in Abingdon seeking a place with meaning, artistry, and truly elevated breakfast, The Girl & The Raven delivers on every level. Between the touching family story, beautiful art, and that outstanding breakfast bowl, this café is a five-star gem in the...

Made a mental note to come back and give these guys their deserved 5 star review. My wife and I came for breakfast during our anniversary trip in June 2021 and this was such a relaxing and peaceful dining experience. Part of my satisfaction was, surely, the fact that we biked from Alvarado Station for breakfast and coffee. But also, service and customer focus was so pleasant and spot-on. There was a small hiccup with our order and our server just left the slight inaccuracy on our table to enjoy instead of having us wait while they fixed the mistake. The baristas really know what they're doing. Espresso is perfectly prepared.

Our experience this past weekend was amazing. In contrast to our simple visit from the summer, we also had our 3 kids (7, 4, and 1yo) and in-laws, which automatically complicated things. Add to that my middle kid's food allergies and random shrieks from my youngest, the whole staff was incredibly attentive and accommodating. One of the chefs in the kitchen was able to prepare an off-menu bowl of oatmeal made with almond milk, brown sugar, and the oats they use for the house-made granola for my 4 year old with a dairy and egg allergy. I should also mention the hot chocolate made with almond milk! This level of service was so special and appreciated.

I wish I recalled our server's name from Monday, 10/18. However, to management: keep inspiring your staff and promoting a great work environment. You have keepers on staff. My only suggestion for improvement would be to add allergy-sensitive items as permanent offerings on your menu, although I do generally appreciate an intentionally...

Thanks for the reply. I keep my reviews honest. I save the stars for places that earn them. It wasn't a 90 year old lady and a companion. It was a couple in their late 40s-50s. The lady had pink hair and and the guy was possibly European? We weren't sour until the 30 minute mark waiting for our food to arrive.

Just trying to let you know how someone from the outside feels coming in to your place.

Original Review- Eh. Big hype not a lot of substance. Waited 25 minutes to be seated when a couple who were friends with the bartender just walked right in and sat down. The bartender smiled shrugged at us when we asked why they were allowed to do so when the entire waiting area was full of people. We went to sit at the bar too but a bearded gentlemen in a hat said the seats were saved. A minute later a waitress asked if we wanted to wait longer or sit at the bar. We said we'd take the bar. It took 10 minutes for someone to take our order while we watched them laugh with and serve their friends. We then waited 30 minutes for food to arrive. The couple that skipped the line got served drinks and food and finished before we even got our food. Food and drinks were good but nothing special and over priced.

Thanks for the reply. I keep my reviews honest. I save the stars for places that earn them. It wasn't a 90 year old lady and a companion. It was a couple in their late 40s-50s. The lady had pink hair and and the guy was possibly European? We weren't sour until the 30 minute mark waiting for our food to arrive.

Just trying to let you know how someone from the outside feels coming in...