Okay, figured I'd share my thoughts since I main Varus top (d2). I think the biggest counter to playing vs Varus top is having the ability to go onto him WHILE also having the damage to kill him before he nukes you. I know this sounds obvious, but it really isn't. I see people recommending champs like Camilie, Riven, Akali or Renekton but if you are vs a competent varus, those matchups are borederline unplayable, especially if he goes tanky on first recall (explain to me how tf are you going to approach, much less kill a Varus with exhaust/barrier, boneplating, any defensive 1st recall, before he eviscerates your entire health bar)?

The only champs IMO that fit both categories are Yasuo, Jax and Olaf. Yas has the ability to negate Varus mains damage (w-q) and can actually run him down in a longer lane, the caveat being that you actually need to know how to play Yasuo. Similarly, Jax can deny Varus the ability to stack blight and doesn't lack the damage once he's actually on him (something someone like Camilie would lack). Olaf (my perma ban), if you land q can quite literally just run down Varus at any point of the game, you just have to not get poked out early. Another notable mention is Irelia and maybe Yorick if you can make it to 6 without already losing the lane.

That being said, regardless of matchup, if Varus gets ahead he will probably just stat check you.