Tuned to Your Taste: A Foodie Guide for Your Upcoming Show

Aug 04, 2025

An evening at Wolf Trap is more than just a concert! It’s an escape filled with music, dancing, partying with friends, and keeping your energy up with delicious food!

Before your favorite artist takes the stage, satisfy your pre-concert cravings and get a taste of everything summer has to offer with these delicious on-site offerings:

• Ovations Restaurant: Wolf Trap’s farm-to-table buffet-style restaurant is a feast for the senses with a view to brag about!
• Meadow Commons: Delight in blissful bites, treat yourself to sweets, or cheers with a cocktail or mocktail.
• Plaza Concessions: The perfect place to grab quick eats and those classic Concessions that make your mouth water.
• Custom Picnics: Go classic and pack a BYO picnic!

Not sure which option to choose? Let the show be your guide! Here are our favorite pairings that are sure to sing.

Shows That Call for a Standing Ovation

Some nights are meant for a table full of friends, a smoked Old Fashioned, and seasonal eats as artful as the performers themselves.

Ovations Restaurant sets the tone for an unforgettable evening, with gourmet buffet-style dining, fresh flavors, and an outstanding view to match.

• Bizet’s Carmen: Before opera’s best and brightest take the stage, enjoy a drama-free dinner. (Don’t worry, you can still grab your popcorn at Concessions.)
• John Legend: Talk about the perfect date night. Get cozy at a table set for two with a romantic view that sets the tone for everyone’s favorite suave sensation.
• Cynthia Erivo: Soulful, sophisticated, and soothing. Experience a “Wicked” prelude to the National Symphony Orchestra’s maestro raising the baton!

Life Hack: Make sure to reserve a table in advance! Also, Ovations is fully cashless, including tips.

Food That’s Anything But Common

The Meadow Commons is your go-to for delicious, elevated, but still picnic-appropriate fare!  Treat yourself to delicious burrito bowls, crispy fish & chips, sweet treats, and so much more.

• The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA: Channel your inner “Dancing Queen” with the festival, flavorful, and vibrant walking taco!
• James Taylor: “Sweet Baby James,” meet sweet baby soft serve! Cool off with a cup of the smooth treat.
• Maren Morris: Bold and breezy but with a flavorful pop, try out the Devil’s Backbone Vodka Orange Smash or the non-alcoholic strawberry margarita.

Life Hack: There’s a not-so-hidden Drink Stop on the lower level! It’s the perfect spot for sneaking out from your seat to grab a cold beer or to quench your thirst fast.

Familiar Favorites and Classic Concessions

Looking for a laid-back option that doesn’t skimp on flavor? Plaza Concessions is a grab-and-go paradise with everything you’ll want to sip, savor, and snack on during a show. From Nordic-Knot pretzels to the plant-based Beyond Burger, it’s the perfect way to keep your hands full and heart happy.

• UB40: Feel fine with your “Red, Red Wine.” Pair it with a yummy flatbread or mezze platter!
• Joe Bonamassa: Blues riffs + pulled pork paradise = a winning combo! Get your fill of the hearty sandwich before he takes the stage.  
• Alison Krauss: Elegant, effortless, and classic, this country music superstar is as well-balanced as everyone’s favorite charcuterie tray. Grab one to go and settle in for your show.

Life Hack: Snag a picnic spot before the show! There are tables both inside the venue or at the scenic Meadow Overlook. Either way, you’re guaranteed great food and a stellar view!

There’s nothing more iconic than a Wolf Trap picnic! This is ideal for fans who love a relaxed, traditional experience under the stars. Packing your own spread lets you savor the night exactly your way!

• Côté Danse’s The Tragedy of Hamlet: To picnic or not to picnic… actually, it’s a no-brainer! Bonus points if your dishes bring a little literary flair to the lawn.
• The Teskey Brothers: Rootsy and soulful, their sound calls for something low-key. Think homemade sandwiches, a thermos with your drink of choice, and a few friends under the sky.
• Train: “Meet Virginia” and bring some local favorites! Stop by a farmer’s market or try your hand at those long-loved family recipes.
• Ziggy Marley + Burning Spear: The best part of Wolf Trap? You can bring any food (or drinks!) you want. Let your picnic be as free-spirited as the music.

Life Hack: Freeze your grapes, bring reusable wine glasses, and swing by the Meadow Commons or Plaza Concessions for any last-minute add-ons. And remember to please clean up after yourself! Help take care of our local critters.

No Wrong Choices, Just Delicious Ones

No matter where (or what) you eat, your night is sure to be unforgettable! From fine dining at Ovations Restaurant to lawn life under the stars, there’s no wrong way to savor the experience this summer at Wolf Trap.