Belmont and Downtown favorites
Food scene
Easy, walkable taco joint for any time of day. These are more than your average tacos!
59 locals recommend
Brazos Tacos
925 2nd St SEEasy, walkable taco joint for any time of day. These are more than your average tacos!
Our all time favorite restaurant in town! Usually need to book 2 weeks out so heads up! Easy walk up Avon less than a mile.
160 locals recommend
Mas
904 Monticello RdOur all time favorite restaurant in town! Usually need to book 2 weeks out so heads up! Easy walk up Avon less than a mile.
Lovely bakery with good coffee. Some more substantial breakfast sandwich options but not a hearty breakfast if that's what is desired.
12 locals recommend
Paradox Pastry
313 2nd St SELovely bakery with good coffee. Some more substantial breakfast sandwich options but not a hearty breakfast if that's what is desired.
Another walkable bakery favorite. All French pastries- we go here almost weekly. The tag they have is for the main location on Rose Hill but there is a second/smaller location closer to the house on the outskirts of the downtown mall on Water Street. They are currently not doing indoor dining, but when they do doing brunch here was one we really enjoyed
121 locals recommend
MarieBette Café and Bakery
700 Rose Hill DrAnother walkable bakery favorite. All French pastries- we go here almost weekly. The tag they have is for the main location on Rose Hill but there is a second/smaller location closer to the house on the outskirts of the downtown mall on Water Street. They are currently not doing indoor dining, but when they do doing brunch here was one we really enjoyed
A restaurant that has something to please everyone and works well for groups.
116 locals recommend
The Local
824 Hinton AveA restaurant that has something to please everyone and works well for groups.
While this little spot doesn't loo like much the owner/cook/baker knows how to make fabulous food -this is his simple fare that usually has a wonderful twist on casual food. Great for breakfast/lunch or a snack.
14 locals recommend
Quality Pie
309 Avon StWhile this little spot doesn't loo like much the owner/cook/baker knows how to make fabulous food -this is his simple fare that usually has a wonderful twist on casual food. Great for breakfast/lunch or a snack.
Wonderful tapas style restaurant with good drinks. Get a reservation ( technically walkable, but parking is fairly easy on Main St if you can parallel park :)
49 locals recommend
Oakhart Social
511 W Main StWonderful tapas style restaurant with good drinks. Get a reservation ( technically walkable, but parking is fairly easy on Main St if you can parallel park :)
Great Italian small plates and pasta with a nice wine list. This place is small but has a separate bar in the back to grab a drink while you wait.
128 locals recommend
Tavola
826 Hinton AveGreat Italian small plates and pasta with a nice wine list. This place is small but has a separate bar in the back to grab a drink while you wait.
Not at all walkable but hands down we think the best sandwiches in town. Amazing breakfast burrito wrap or biscuit sandwich. Really, everything is good and very filling.
18 locals recommend
Ivy Provisions
2206 Ivy RdNot at all walkable but hands down we think the best sandwiches in town. Amazing breakfast burrito wrap or biscuit sandwich. Really, everything is good and very filling.
Good, solid casual breakfast. This is my husbands favorite for a breakfast sandwich- but not to be considered light!
23 locals recommend
Ace Biscuit & Barbecue
600 Concord AveGood, solid casual breakfast. This is my husbands favorite for a breakfast sandwich- but not to be considered light!
Cute Shops
Cute store not on the usual mall walk for shopping but they have amazing items for the home or gifts.
Be Just
2415 Monticello RdCute store not on the usual mall walk for shopping but they have amazing items for the home or gifts.
Live Arts
123 E Water StGreat place to find local art
Fun store. Traditionally geared towards fancy kids things and decor but has recently branched out for a mature feel and I always am impressed with the selections in here.
9 locals recommend
O'Suzannah
320 2nd St NEFun store. Traditionally geared towards fancy kids things and decor but has recently branched out for a mature feel and I always am impressed with the selections in here.
Our neighbor owns this store and she puts her heart and soul into it! Yes, there are consignment and vintage women's clothes/shoes/accessories at many price points but there is also local art/jewelry and other items made by local artisans.
Darling Boutique
115 1st St SOur neighbor owns this store and she puts her heart and soul into it! Yes, there are consignment and vintage women's clothes/shoes/accessories at many price points but there is also local art/jewelry and other items made by local artisans.
Sightseeing
Another great Sat am Farmer's market just a couple blocks away from IX's market
57 locals recommend
Charlottesville City Market
100 E Water StAnother great Sat am Farmer's market just a couple blocks away from IX's market
Great Market to grab breakfast and some locally made goodies on Saturdays 8-12
Often there are outdoor concerts or small festivals here that are open to the public.
69 locals recommend
IX Art Park
522 2nd St SEGreat Market to grab breakfast and some locally made goodies on Saturdays 8-12
Often there are outdoor concerts or small festivals here that are open to the public.
Always a good place to check out unless it is the height of apple season ( b/c IMHO it's just too busy up there on a weekend). They do peaches, pumpkins, apples and offer an amazing view ( arguably the best view easily obtained without a hike in town) as well as a small tasting room for their wines.
214 locals recommend
Carter Mountain Orchard
1435 Carters Mountain TrailAlways a good place to check out unless it is the height of apple season ( b/c IMHO it's just too busy up there on a weekend). They do peaches, pumpkins, apples and offer an amazing view ( arguably the best view easily obtained without a hike in town) as well as a small tasting room for their wines.
For those who love history this is a must see. I've been on a tour more than once and enjoy it every time.
635 locals recommend
Monticello
1050 Thomas Jefferson PkwyFor those who love history this is a must see. I've been on a tour more than once and enjoy it every time.
Breweries/Bars
Wonderful Beer and very much a local feel. Fewer food options than 3 notch but also more relaxed and less crowded.
51 locals recommend
Champion Brewing Company
324 6th St SEWonderful Beer and very much a local feel. Fewer food options than 3 notch but also more relaxed and less crowded.
Closest Brewery with large food menu. Very easy walk.
80 locals recommend
Three Notch'd Craft Kitchen & Brewery
520 2nd St SEClosest Brewery with large food menu. Very easy walk.
Coffee Spots
Great sweet and savory full size pies and individual slices or smaller single serving hand pies. Good for simple brunch, sweet snack or just a great espresso.
16 locals recommend
The Pie Chest
119 E High StGreat sweet and savory full size pies and individual slices or smaller single serving hand pies. Good for simple brunch, sweet snack or just a great espresso.
Our most visited coffee joint. The cold foam latte's are heavenly and the chocolate power balls made with Gearhearts' local chocolate are something we grab at every visit. Decent spot to relax for a few and people watch on the mall.
59 locals recommend
Mudhouse Coffee Downtown Mall
213 W Main StOur most visited coffee joint. The cold foam latte's are heavenly and the chocolate power balls made with Gearhearts' local chocolate are something we grab at every visit. Decent spot to relax for a few and people watch on the mall.
Great for brunch/lunch and coffee spot. Good outdoor seating and while the menu is not large there are reliably solid food options with good coffee
18 locals recommend
Belle
407 Monticello RdGreat for brunch/lunch and coffee spot. Good outdoor seating and while the menu is not large there are reliably solid food options with good coffee
City advice
Getting around
Safety walking home at night
Walkability to the house is one of the pro's of where we live, however, there are a couple of blocks that I'd detour alone late at night. When walking back from downtown late at night I'd advise skipping 6th street and walking along Avon back to the house.
Getting around
E-Biking or Scooting around town
While we don't yet have a bike store that rents Ebikes there are many around town through the "Veo" app. You'll see the students buzzing about on the scooters mostly but there are bikes as well to pick up. Parking downtown can be tricky sometimes so walking or biking/scooting can actually save a lot of time. Be sure to follow the laws ( big one is don't ride on sidewalks- bike lanes are best if available, going WITH traffic) and if you're willing to wear a helmet do ( text me if you'd like and I'll grab our extra ones for you).