Your Guide To Dining In Charlottesville

A visit to Charlottesville can suit just about anyone’s taste. Blue Ridge Mountain views, historic homes, hiking, and vineyard-hopping are all easily accessible when you visit this cozy, vibrant town.

The culinary scene can also please any palate, with options ranging from a popular Neapolitan pizzeria in the charming Belmont neighborhood to modern French cuisine at Fleurie on the Downtown Mall. You’re never too far from a vineyard (or brewery, cidery, or distillery) here, and many offer tours and tastings which allow visitors to get a sense for the production process.

The next time you’re in Charlottesville, use this list to point you in the right direction for a delicious meal, snack, or sip.

FOR BREAKFAST

Birch & Bloom—Located inside the Forum Hotel, this restaurant serves all your early-morning favorites like pancakes, steel-cut oats, and build-your-own breakfast platters as well as lattes, cappuccinos, and a wide selection of fresh juices. 

Bodo’s Bagels—A popular Charlottesville bagel shop with three locations around town. Friendly, efficient service and a great option for a casual bite.

Guarijos Miami Eatery—Inspired by the flavors and culture of Miami and South Florida. Strong influences in Cuban dishes with Central and South American fares. 

More Breakfast Places:

• Tip Top Restaurant
• Farm Bell Kitchen
• Iron Paffles & Coffee  

FOR BRUNCH

MarieBette Café and Bakery—Popular eatery in the Rose Hill neighborhood serves breakfast, brunch (menu offerings include quiche lorraine, lemon ricotta, and baked eggs), and lunch. A sister location, Petite MarieBette, sits one block off the Downtown Mall. 

Oakhurst Café—Breakfast and brunch in a cozy setting within the property of the Oakhurst Inn. The seasonal menu changes, though the bacon gruyère scone with scallion butter is deservedly a mainstay.

Bizou—Classic Virginia dishes using French culinary techniques, brunch is served on Sundays where the chocolate croissant is a must-have.

More Brunch Restaurants:

• Tavern & Grocery
• Hamiltons’ at First & Main
• Fig Bistro & Bar

FOR LUNCH

Citizen Burger—This burger joint on the Downtown Mall has something for everyone, with an ingredient-driven menu that includes salads and shareables.

Take It Away—This sandwich shop near UVA is known for quality ingredients like French bread and house dressing.

Feast—Located in Main Street Market, Feast is a specialty food shop and restaurant all in one. The cafe, with a menu featuring soups, salads, and sandwiches, is open Monday through Saturday 10 am-5 pm. 

Roots Natural Kitchen—A healthy fast-casual option specializing in grain bowls and salads.

More Lunch Spots:

• Brazos Tacos
• Revolutionary Soup
• Botanical: Plant-Based Fare
• Marco & Luca Dumplings
• Crozet Pizza
• Dr. Ho’s Humble Pie

FOR DINNER

Black Cow Chophouse—Steakhouse where you'll find all the standard cuts as well as unique cuts of locally sourced beef butchered by the chef paired with generous family-style sides. 

Public Fish & Oyster—A seafood lover’s delight with a fantastic daily happy hour from 4-6 p.m. Raw bar and seafood entrees including mussels, crab cakes, and more.

Mas Tapas—Spanish tapas in a lively setting in the Belmont neighborhood, the space includes a large bar, indoor seating, and a large patio. No reservations, but any wait is worth it!

Lampo—Neapolitan-style pizzeria with indoor and outdoor seating. Dine-in only, no take-out or reservations.

More Dinner Destinations:

• C&O
• Tavola
• Petit Pois
• The Local
• Bang!
• Fleurie

FOR BARBECUE

The BBQ Exchange—Located outside of Charlottesville in Gordonsville, some might argue that it’s worth a visit to this town for this ‘cue alone. We’ll let you decide.

Ace Biscuit & BBQ—This casual spot with a chalkboard menu offers the classics like pulled chicken and pork alongside chicken and waffles, fried green tomatoes, and a build-your-own biscuit option.

Bulpan Korean BBQ—Casual restaurant at The Shops at Stonefield for traditional Korean barbecue and side dishes.

More Barbecue Places:

• Moe’s Original Bar B Cue
• Smoked Kitchen & Tap

FOR YOUR SWEET TOOTH

Gearharts Fine Chocolates—An artisanal chocolate shop voted one of Chocolatier Magazine's "Top 20 Artisan Chocolatiers" in the U.S.

Splendora’s Gelato Cafe—A gelato shop at The Shops at Stonefield offering traditional and seasonal flavors.

Albemarle Baking Company—Breads, cakes, and pastries all shine here, though some would argue the Princess Cake steals the show.

Cocoa & Spice—Handcrafted chocolates, confections, and drinking chocolate in the Woolen Mills neighborhood.

More Places For Something Sweet:

• Chaps Ice Cream
• Cake Bloom
• Kilwins

FOR COCKTAILS

Rooftop Charlottesville—Scenic rooftop bar at the Doyle Hotel with both indoor and outdoor seating that offers picturesque views of the surrounding city and the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The Alley Light—Bitters, syrups, and sodas made in house means the cocktails shine at this French restaurant.

The Lost Saint—Cocktail bar with a speakeasy vibe below Tavern & Grocery.

More Cocktail Places:

• Oakhart Social
• Vitae Spirits Distillery
• Virginia Distillery Company

FOR CRAFT BREWS OR CIDER

Potter’s Craft Cider—Beer not your drink of choice? Cider lovers should head to Potter’s Craft to enjoy seasonal releases and take in the beautiful can designs.

Blue Mountain Brewery and Restaurant—Craft brewery and restaurant in Afton with casual pub fare, pizzas and beer flights, all with a mountain view.

Three Notch’d Craft Kitchen & Brewery—Located next to IX Art Park, Three Notch’d is a great place to enjoy a beer or a meal, with ample seating and a family-friendly space. 

More Breweries & Cideries:

• Beer Run
• South Street Brewery
• Bold Rock Hard Cider

FOR THE WINE LOVER

Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards—Pippin Hall offers a picturesque setting any time of the year in North Garden just outside of Charlottesville. The on-site tasting room is a great place to order a bite to pair with your wine.

King Family Vineyards—Located fifteen minutes outside of Charlottesville in Crozet, King Family delights guests with its Crosé Rosé and Sunday polo matches in the summer.

Blenheim Vineyards—It’s worth visiting Blenheim for the unique look of the tasting room alone, which was designed by Dave Matthews and master craftsman William Johnson to have minimal impact on the environment.

More Wineries:

• Gabriele Rausse Winery
• Pollak Vineyards
• Veritas Vineyard & Winery

Find even more Charlottesville wineries with our guide to Virginia wine country.

What are you waiting for? Visit these Charlottesville restaurants and find more awesome food experiences around the Commonwealth to eat and drink what you love in Virginia!