The Bavarian Chef, Madison VA: German Dining This October
A traditional Bavarian kitchen on Route 29 south, open for weekend lunch and a Wednesday-to-Sunday dinner
The Bavarian Chef is an authentic German restaurant at 5102 S Seminole Trail on Route 29 south at Shelby in Madison County, and it is a natural dinner stop in October, when Oktoberfest season is in full swing across the Piedmont. It is open Wednesday through Sunday, with dinner service midweek and a longer Saturday and Sunday day.
Quick Facts
- Where: 5102 S Seminole Trail (Route 29 south), Shelby, Madison, VA
- Cuisine: Traditional Bavarian
- Open: Wednesday through Sunday; closed Monday and Tuesday
- Google rating: 4.6
- Phone: (540) 948-6505
Why It Fits an October Itinerary
The Bavarian Chef offers a German kitchen working in a traditional Bavarian vein, which is the right register for cool evenings and turning leaves. If you are heading to RAPPtoberfest at Wakefield Country Day School on Saturday, October 17, 2026 (German food and drink, live music, and an antique car show, benefiting school scholarships), it makes a fitting companion to the weekend.
Specific menu items and prices were not available to us at the time of writing, so we will not guess at them. Call ahead or check the restaurant's page on the Madison County tourism site for the current menu before you go.
A Note on Hours
The restaurant keeps a split schedule. On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, it opens at 4:30 in the afternoon and closes at 8:30 in the evening. On Saturday and Sunday, it opens at 11:30 in the morning and also closes at 8:30, which makes weekend lunch an option.
Our records show no recent social activity from the restaurant, so confirm hours by phone, especially around holidays.
Pair It With the Day
- Madison County is the gateway to the Skyline Drive corridor; Skyline Drive runs along the county's edge, making a ridge drive an easy lead-in to a Saturday supper.
- For a more strenuous day, Old Rag Mountain is a 9-plus-mile circuit with roughly a mile of hand-over-hand scrambling; a hearty German dinner afterward is well earned.
Planning Your Visit
- Address: 5102 S Seminole Trail, Madison, VA (Route 29 south at Shelby)
- Phone: (540) 948-6505
- Hours: Monday closed; Tuesday closed; Wednesday 4:30 to 8:30 pm; Thursday 4:30 to 8:30 pm; Friday 4:30 to 8:30 pm; Saturday 11:30 am to 8:30 pm; Sunday 11:30 am to 8:30 pm
- Web: madisonva.com/venues/the-bavarian-chef/
Places in this story
Sources
Reporting drew on sources available for these places:
- The Bavarian Chef — venue signals
- Skyline Drive — venue signals
- Old Rag Mountain — venue signals
Frequently asked questions
Where is The Bavarian Chef located?
The Bavarian Chef is at 5102 S Seminole Trail on Route 29 south at Shelby, in Madison County, Virginia.
What are The Bavarian Chef's hours?
It is open Wednesday through Friday from 4:30 to 8:30 pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 am to 8:30 pm. It is closed Monday and Tuesday.
Is The Bavarian Chef open on Sundays?
Yes. The Bavarian Chef is open on Sundays from 11:30 am to 8:30 pm, so it works for a Sunday lunch or early dinner.
When is RAPPtoberfest this year?
RAPPtoberfest takes place Saturday, October 17, 2026, at Wakefield Country Day School, with German food and drink, live music, and an antique car show benefiting school scholarships.
This article was written from local venue data and reviewed by AI. Learn how we write these stories
Photo via Unsplash