Cider Lab — Restaurant in Virginia

5/5 – An Absolute Hidden Gem Worth Every Mile

My roommate and I drove four hours just to stop by Cider Lab, and let me tell you – it was worth every single second of the trip. Seriously, this place deserves to have a line out the door.

We started with a cider flight, and I loved how each one had its own personality: • Spotsylvania Red (BoR) – Bright, smooth, and balanced. Honestly a 9/10 for me. It’s got that crisp, apple-forward flavor that still manages to feel bold and rich without being too heavy.

• Blackberry Hibiscus Cider (BbHy) – A gorgeous, vibrant pour with just the right tartness from the blackberry and a floral lift from the hibiscus. Unique and refreshing. 7/10

• Green Apple Cider – This one was like biting into a fresh Granny Smith apple. Crisp, clean, and so easy to drink – 9/10.

• Blueberry Peach Jerk’m (Bl) – Sweet and fruity with an organic, natural flavor that didn’t feel artificial at all. The blueberry and peach play together perfectly – 7/10.

• Lemon Rosemary Perry (LRo) – The surprise winner of the day. Light, fragrant, and beautifully balanced between citrus brightness and herbal depth. Absolutely clean and refreshing, brought be straight to the end of summer/ beginning of fall state fair. Exactly what I expect from a cider.– 10/10.

The presentation alone made it special – the flight came in a little test tube rack, which fit perfectly with the “Lab” theme and made it even more unique and fun.

And then… the food. I ordered the Spotsy Smash burger, and I’m not exaggerating when I say this was one of the best burgers I’ve had in years. Perfectly cooked, juicy, seasoned just right, the egg was over easy and acted as a sauce, with toppings that complemented every bite. A straight 10/10. The truffle fries were hot, crispy, and seasoned just enough to make you keep reaching for more without overpowering the flavor.

The whole atmosphere was warm, welcoming, and creative. Music was perfect. Between the incredible cider lineup, the unforgettable burger, and the unique vibe, this place is in a league of its own.

If you’re anywhere even remotely close – or honestly, even if you’re not – make the trip. You won’t regret it. Cider Lab is doing something special, and it deserves every...

First, I will start with the good. The ciders were excellent and I love the way they are served in test tubes. The food was OK. I had the black bean/Portabella burger and it was a huge burger and a lot to eat. I do not like the way the service is set up. First you seat yourself and order the cider on a piece of paper and take it/pick it up from the bar & put a CC on file. You go to a separate counter and order food w/ your choices on paper. There was a couple in front of me looking over the menu and discussing various options. I was waiting for 10 minutes and I asked the waitress if I could turn in my paper because I had my order ready and card on file. She told me to wait. There I stood for another 5 minutes before she finally got to me. On top of it all, the people in front of me never ordered food. They just wanted to look at the menu. That was very frustrating. I had my elderly father with me and he was sitting at the table waiting. The waitress did bring our food and I asked if we could have water and she told me I had to go to the bartender to get it. I think the service could be more streamlined. More like a traditional restaurant where you sit an order because the waiting in various lines is not efficient. I didn’t think the price equated to the service...

Cider Lab

Gourmet burgers, small bites, and appetizers are their choices for eats. As the name implies, they are a small-batch cidery, providing a large assortment of ciders, perrys, and jerk’ms. It is a fun little place for small group gatherings or just a nice meal with friends & family. On Thursday’s, they have a friendly trivia night. We went here on a Thursday, to enjoy a good meal and try our hand at a bit of trivia, too. The two of us split the charcuterie board and the Chef Specialty Burger. Tonight’s special burger was a full-sized burger with a complete fish filet on top! For drinks, we chose the cream soda on tap. While the charcuterie board was just your typically fare, tasting good and fresh, the special burger was the star of the show. The burger was cooked just right and the battered fish filet was perfection! The house-made chips on the side were a nice touch, too. Every single staff person we encountered was extremely friendly and helpful, attentive and serving with a smile. The main person in charge of the trivia game made it a fun evening for all. The prices for food were a bit high for the appetizers, and slightly above average for the gourmet burgers,...