Guidebook for Charlottesville
Food Scene
Fantastic beers and a frequently changing menu. Its a big place, so you rarely have a long wait. Grab a seat at the outside bar when the weather is nice!
80 locals recommend
Three Notch'd Craft Kitchen & Brewery
520 2nd St SEFantastic beers and a frequently changing menu. Its a big place, so you rarely have a long wait. Grab a seat at the outside bar when the weather is nice!
Cozy inside, especially near the fireplace during the winter! Great beer selection, try the Satan's Pony. Food scene is solid. Delicious burgers, reasonably priced. The Wanchos (wonton nachos) are also really good.
49 locals recommend
South Street Brewery
106 South Street WestCozy inside, especially near the fireplace during the winter! Great beer selection, try the Satan's Pony. Food scene is solid. Delicious burgers, reasonably priced. The Wanchos (wonton nachos) are also really good.
Franco-Belgian inspired modern cuisine, Brasserie is one of our favorite restaurants in Charlottesville! Small plates to share, always delicious. The mussels are fantastic. Their cocktails are creative and interesting. It's can be a bit pricey with cocktails, but is a really good meal. If you're a small group looking for an AH-MAZING meal (and have a few hours to spare) try to get a reservation to their Coat Room. They only have 2 seating's each Friday & Saturday, but the room only supports 8 guests, and comes with a special menu, and their own bartender. If you go to the Coat Room though, expect to spend a bit more than upstairs Brasserie but it's completely worth it!
25 locals recommend
Brasserie Saison
111 E Main StFranco-Belgian inspired modern cuisine, Brasserie is one of our favorite restaurants in Charlottesville! Small plates to share, always delicious. The mussels are fantastic. Their cocktails are creative and interesting. It's can be a bit pricey with cocktails, but is a really good meal. If you're a small group looking for an AH-MAZING meal (and have a few hours to spare) try to get a reservation to their Coat Room. They only have 2 seating's each Friday & Saturday, but the room only supports 8 guests, and comes with a special menu, and their own bartender. If you go to the Coat Room though, expect to spend a bit more than upstairs Brasserie but it's completely worth it!
Favorite coffee house within walking distance. Their cold-brew coffee is a favorite!
59 locals recommend
Mudhouse Coffee Downtown Mall
213 W Main StFavorite coffee house within walking distance. Their cold-brew coffee is a favorite!
Solid coffee but the standout is their breakfast. The chorizo hash and the breakfast burrito are some of our favorites.
18 locals recommend
Grit Coffee, Downtown
112 W Main StSolid coffee but the standout is their breakfast. The chorizo hash and the breakfast burrito are some of our favorites.
This is one of the most iconic food spots in Charlottesville. Definitely go for breakfast, but they also do fantastic sandwiches for lunch, and their Cleo salad is very tasty. New York style water bagels, this place is baking all day, and there is always a line (but it moves fast!). Some favorites include:
Egg-swiss-pastrami on an everything bagel
walnut raisin cream cheese on salt (bagel)
herb cream cheese on everything
jalapeno lime cream cheese on everything
Feta spread on ANYTHING....
the list goes on. Get creative. But don't ask them to toast your bagel. They don't own a toaster.
143 locals recommend
Bodo's Bagels
505 Preston AveThis is one of the most iconic food spots in Charlottesville. Definitely go for breakfast, but they also do fantastic sandwiches for lunch, and their Cleo salad is very tasty. New York style water bagels, this place is baking all day, and there is always a line (but it moves fast!). Some favorites include:
Egg-swiss-pastrami on an everything bagel
walnut raisin cream cheese on salt (bagel)
herb cream cheese on everything
jalapeno lime cream cheese on everything
Feta spread on ANYTHING....
the list goes on. Get creative. But don't ask them to toast your bagel. They don't own a toaster.
One of our favorite lunch spots- they make fast casual bowls with grains and greens, in really tasty combinations. Weekday lunch there is always a line, but it really does move fast. Try the El Jefe or the Mayweather.
28 locals recommend
Roots Natural Kitchen
1329 W Main StOne of our favorite lunch spots- they make fast casual bowls with grains and greens, in really tasty combinations. Weekday lunch there is always a line, but it really does move fast. Try the El Jefe or the Mayweather.
Spanish tapas that has stood the test of time in the charming Belmont neighborhood. Get some sangria and the goat cheese artichoke dip!
160 locals recommend
Mas
904 Monticello RdSpanish tapas that has stood the test of time in the charming Belmont neighborhood. Get some sangria and the goat cheese artichoke dip!
Small space (call for reservations) with amazing Italian food. If its on the menu, get the burrata.
128 locals recommend
Tavola
826 Hinton AveSmall space (call for reservations) with amazing Italian food. If its on the menu, get the burrata.
Great restaurant/to-go beer shop combo. They have a huge cooler with a vast variety of beer and wine to go. Great to sit outside on their patio when the weather is nice.
77 locals recommend
Beer Run
156 Carlton RdGreat restaurant/to-go beer shop combo. They have a huge cooler with a vast variety of beer and wine to go. Great to sit outside on their patio when the weather is nice.
Funky local Belmont spot with a frequently changing menu that never disappoints, and lots of entertainment. Pinball, pool, skeeball, and some classic arcade games are there so you can make an evening out of it.
32 locals recommend
FIREFLY Restaurant & Game Room
1304 East Market StreetFunky local Belmont spot with a frequently changing menu that never disappoints, and lots of entertainment. Pinball, pool, skeeball, and some classic arcade games are there so you can make an evening out of it.
Delicious Korean food in the heart of midtown. It's a quick walk from our home. Get the dolsot bibimbap.
8 locals recommend
DOMA Korean Kitchen
701 W Main StDelicious Korean food in the heart of midtown. It's a quick walk from our home. Get the dolsot bibimbap.
The Korner has been in Charlottesville for over 60 years and does not disappoint. If you're here on a weekday, check them out for Breakfast (Closed Sat & Sun). No frills, quick, standard diner fare. Pancakes, omelettes the size of your head, and corned beef hash are some of our go-tos.
Korner Restaurant & Catering
415 Roosevelt Brown BlvdThe Korner has been in Charlottesville for over 60 years and does not disappoint. If you're here on a weekday, check them out for Breakfast (Closed Sat & Sun). No frills, quick, standard diner fare. Pancakes, omelettes the size of your head, and corned beef hash are some of our go-tos.
The best paletas (popsicles) and ice cream in town, and walking distance from our place!
9 locals recommend
La Flor Michoacana
601A Cherry AveThe best paletas (popsicles) and ice cream in town, and walking distance from our place!
This is a classic spot, as the oldest restaurant in Charlottesville. Try their club or their pimento cheese sandwich!
28 locals recommend
The Virginian
1521 University AveThis is a classic spot, as the oldest restaurant in Charlottesville. Try their club or their pimento cheese sandwich!
Delicious, fast, resonably priced Thai food on the Corner. Can't go wrong with Spicy Lemongrass Chicken, or their Pad Thai.
Lemongrass
104 14th St NWDelicious, fast, resonably priced Thai food on the Corner. Can't go wrong with Spicy Lemongrass Chicken, or their Pad Thai.
A short drive, but it's delicious szechuan chinese food. Always busy, but never a long wait. Get the dry fried eggplant and a hotpot.
21 locals recommend
Peter Chang
2162 Barracks RdA short drive, but it's delicious szechuan chinese food. Always busy, but never a long wait. Get the dry fried eggplant and a hotpot.
Our favorite Indian restaurant in town. They have a very reasonable lunch buffet and their combo for 2 is a ton of food for dinner.
25 locals recommend
Milan Indian Restaurant
1817 Emmet St NOur favorite Indian restaurant in town. They have a very reasonable lunch buffet and their combo for 2 is a ton of food for dinner.
Public Fish & Oyster
513 W Main StFantastic oysters, great atmosphere!
Small plates, unpretentious, delicious. Great patio when the weather is warm. Midtown, walkable from our place.
49 locals recommend
Oakhart Social
511 W Main StSmall plates, unpretentious, delicious. Great patio when the weather is warm. Midtown, walkable from our place.
By far our favorite barbecue in Cville. A little off the beaten path, but worth it. Get an old dirty biscuit or the chicken & waffles. It will not disappoint!
23 locals recommend
Ace Biscuit & Barbecue
600 Concord AveBy far our favorite barbecue in Cville. A little off the beaten path, but worth it. Get an old dirty biscuit or the chicken & waffles. It will not disappoint!
Chickadee
Amazing brunch!
Drinks & Nightlife
Often has live music, and is where Dave Matthews got his start. Their draft list frequently rotates and has a good selection.
35 locals recommend
Miller's Downtown
109 W Main StOften has live music, and is where Dave Matthews got his start. Their draft list frequently rotates and has a good selection.
The Jefferson Theater
110 E Main StHuge beer list and smash burgers with interesting toppings. It's small though so try to grab a seat at the bar!
28 locals recommend
Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint Cville
109 2nd St SEHuge beer list and smash burgers with interesting toppings. It's small though so try to grab a seat at the bar!
Music, Comedy, Burlesque... The Southern has an eclectic mix of events throughout the year.
46 locals recommend
The Southern Café and Music Hall
103 1st St SMusic, Comedy, Burlesque... The Southern has an eclectic mix of events throughout the year.
Random Row Brewing Co.
608 Preston AveBrewery only, but often has food trucks.
One of our local breweries, Champion has a chill vibe and some amazing beers. If you like sours, they consistently have some of the best sours in town. If you like IPAs, their Missel IPA is solid. They have pinball machines, shuffleboard, and board games, as well as frequently have music outdoors when the weather is nice.
51 locals recommend
Champion Brewing Company
324 6th St SEOne of our local breweries, Champion has a chill vibe and some amazing beers. If you like sours, they consistently have some of the best sours in town. If you like IPAs, their Missel IPA is solid. They have pinball machines, shuffleboard, and board games, as well as frequently have music outdoors when the weather is nice.
Sightseeing
Thomas Jeffersons home. They have guided house tours every 30 minutes, and the grounds are beautiful. Make sure to check out the vegetable gardens during growing season.
635 locals recommend
Monticello
1050 Thomas Jefferson PkwyThomas Jeffersons home. They have guided house tours every 30 minutes, and the grounds are beautiful. Make sure to check out the vegetable gardens during growing season.
Parks & Nature
The main Monticello trail is gravel/decking, which makes it a pretty easy trail for all abilities. There are also a number of more difficult trails off of the main trail for those looking for more of a challenge. Get to the base of the trail early; the parking lot is small and fills up when the weather is nice.
74 locals recommend
Saunders-Monticello Trail
The main Monticello trail is gravel/decking, which makes it a pretty easy trail for all abilities. There are also a number of more difficult trails off of the main trail for those looking for more of a challenge. Get to the base of the trail early; the parking lot is small and fills up when the weather is nice.
Essentials
Wegmans
100 Wegmans WyGreat selection. What else can you say? it's Wegmans.
Small grocery specializing in cheese, meats, and made-to-order sandwiches/lunch. They are super knowledgeable and have a great assortment of things to make a delicious cheese board.
48 locals recommend
Feast
416 W Main StSmall grocery specializing in cheese, meats, and made-to-order sandwiches/lunch. They are super knowledgeable and have a great assortment of things to make a delicious cheese board.
Getting Around
This is also the Charlottesville Visitors Center. You can catch all of the buses from here, including the FREE trolly, which leaves every 15 minutes and goes between Downtown and the University grounds.
7 locals recommend
Downtown Transit Station
This is also the Charlottesville Visitors Center. You can catch all of the buses from here, including the FREE trolly, which leaves every 15 minutes and goes between Downtown and the University grounds.
Arts & Culture
IX often has interesting outdoor events including beer festivals, concerts, cultural events, and many others. It's always a good idea to see whats going on there, or even just wander down there and check out the art installations.
69 locals recommend
IX Art Park
522 2nd St SEIX often has interesting outdoor events including beer festivals, concerts, cultural events, and many others. It's always a good idea to see whats going on there, or even just wander down there and check out the art installations.
The Paramount has diverse offerings from Operas to iconic movies.
99 locals recommend
The Paramount Theater
215 E Main StThe Paramount has diverse offerings from Operas to iconic movies.
No visit to Charlottesville would be complete without a walk around the University Grounds. Check out the Rotunda and the Lawn rooms, and make sure to visit Edgar Allen Poe's old room on the Range.
251 locals recommend
University of Virginia
918 Emmet St NNo visit to Charlottesville would be complete without a walk around the University Grounds. Check out the Rotunda and the Lawn rooms, and make sure to visit Edgar Allen Poe's old room on the Range.