If you’re visiting, here’s a guide to where to eat in Charlottesville, from white tablecloths to fun, casual spots.
Tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Charlottesville, VA is the definition of quaint. Known for its beautiful scenery, rich history and culture, and vibrant food scene, there’s no shortage of Southern charm here.
Of course, if you visit Charlottesville, you shouldn’t miss the food scene I mentioned. Trying the local cuisine is a must to get the true experience of this city, so today I’m sharing with you a list of the best places to eat in Charlottesville.
Where to eat in Charlottesville
1799
If you’re celebrating a special occasion, the 1799 Restaurant at the Clifton Inn is the perfect place. In fact, you’ve probably heard me mention it before, as this is where Thomas and I got married.
The Clifton Inn, once the home of Martha Jefferson Randolph, is now a premier place to dine and stay while visiting Charlottesville. The restaurant has a French flair thanks to Michelin-starred chef Matthew Bousquet, and the food is always special and delicious.
Be sure to try their signature cocktail, The 1799, a refreshing blend of vodka and cucumber. Reservations are recommended and be sure to dress up for the occasion – this is not a place to wear jeans!
Black beef restaurant
Another great dining experience in Charlottesville, Black Cow Chophouse is also the best choice for steak. Serving the highest quality meats and cooked over a wood-burning stove, the result is an incredible meal worth indulging in. Consider ordering the side of Red Potato Smashers for the table as they are fantastic.
Reservations fill up quickly and street parking can be a challenge on weekends, so be sure to plan accordingly.
Botanical food
Botanical Fare, located in the Downtown Mall, is one of my favorite healthy restaurants in Charlottesville. Their entire menu is plant-based, and they do a great job accommodating all food allergies and intolerances. You’ll find shareable options, salads, sandwiches, and more, but my favorite dish is their Crunchy Cauliflower Bowl—the crispy cauliflower nugs are so good!
Fine cloth
Executive Chef Tucker Yoder is known in Charlottesville for his exquisite cuisine, and Broadcloth is the place to go to experience his food firsthand. Located in the historic woolen mill in the Woolen Mills neighborhood, this is another one of those special occasion restaurants. The weekly tasting menu features the freshest local ingredients, and you can opt for four courses, six courses, or the 8- to 10-course chef’s tasting. There’s also a drink pairing option, and with their extensive wine list, it’s worth considering.
Wines and Lights by Crush Pad
Who doesn’t love a good wine bar? Located in the Downtown Mall, Crush Pad is the place to be for wine connoisseurs and novices alike.
Enjoy a glass of something special while you savor the small plates on offer or order from their sister restaurant, Luce. They’ll bring the pasta from their small restaurant right to your table at Crush Pad. You’ll feel more like you’re enjoying an evening in Italy than at a restaurant in downtown Virginia.
Farm Bell Kitchen
Who doesn’t love a good brunch option? When I think of breakfast or lunch in Charlottesville, VA, Farm Bell Kitchen is one of the first options that comes to mind.
Located right across from the University of Virginia in the historic Dinsmore Inn, this is a lovely spot to enjoy a mimosa (order a pitcher to share!) with a traditional Southern breakfast. Don’t forget to order their biscuit board for the full experience!
Guajiros Restaurant Miami
It may sound strange to get a taste of Miami in the middle of Virginia, but Guajiros is one of the city’s favorite restaurants. This family-owned restaurant brings the flavors of Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Miami to the table. I highly recommend their SoBe Avocado Toast, which takes the dish to another level.
Their new location this year features plenty of outdoor seating and they are looking to do a lot more “after dark” with this larger space.
The Ivy Inn
If you want to feel like you’re enjoying dinner in the country while staying close to the city, the Ivy Inn is the perfect spot. Featuring farm-to-table American cuisine, this is a great choice for one of the best dinners in Charlottesville. You’ll find new takes on old classics, and the restaurant’s cozy atmosphere makes it a lovely date night option. Be sure to make a reservation, as they fill up quickly.
Oakhart Social Networks
With an eclectic menu that includes everything from traditional Southern dishes to Asian-inspired fare, Oakhart Social has been a favorite restaurant for quite some time. This is also a good choice if you’re dining with a group (because of the shared plates) or for those with allergies (their detailed menu breaks down all the allergens for your guests).
The atmosphere is fun, with an indoor dining room that’s a converted garage that’s been transformed into a bright and airy space. There’s also outdoor seating, which is great for people-watching as people stroll down West Main Street.
If you have room for dessert, the marshmallow bread pudding is spectacular. Make sure to make a reservation!
Public fish and oysters
Next door to Oakhart Social, you’ll find the best place in town for raw oysters at Public Fish and Oyster. In addition to great oysters and seafood, they have a great happy hour (get the Lobster Roll!) and their Key Lime Pie is the best in town. This small space fills up quickly, so be sure to reserve a table in advance.
Selvedge Brewery
If you’re looking for a more casual atmosphere, Selvedge Brewery will be the perfect choice. The brewery was originally located in the Wool Factory, but recently moved to a location in Ivy and increased its offerings.
Selvedge has earned a reputation for its excellent beer selection, including Denim, an American-style lager, and Herringbone, a New England IPA. Order a pint with your Smashburger – you won’t regret it!
Smyrna
Smyrna offers simple yet delicious Mediterranean food and is a great choice if you’re looking to share plates with more adventurous diners. With dishes like grilled octopus and raki-balik, this is the kind of place that food lovers will appreciate.
With a dimly lit dining room and an elegant menu, it would also be a good choice for a date night. Make sure to make reservations in advance, as it’s another spot that fills up quickly.
South Crescent
Southern Crescent, in the heart of the Belmont neighborhood, offers a touch of New Orleans and is a great option for sharing plates and tiki cocktails. The atmosphere is casual, with plenty of outdoor seating, and there’s often live music. If you’re a fan of artichokes, their whole steamed artichoke is delicious!
This is one of the places in town where you don’t usually need to book, although you can contact them to reserve one for you if you prefer. I’ve been lucky enough to find tables outside on several occasions, although the smaller interior can be more difficult.
Coffee table
Just a few doors down from Southern Crescent, you’ll find Tavola, the place to go for incredible Italian food. From burrata for two to slightly spicy bucatini all’amatriciana, you won’t order a bad dish here.
While reservations are required for the dining room, their full-service bar accepts walk-ins on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Tonic
Rounding out the list is probably my favorite place to sit outdoors. Tonic’s dog-friendly patio is a beautiful oasis next to the Downtown Mall that features a standalone bar, fire pits, and heaters to create a cozy atmosphere.
Tonic’s food is delicious and seasonal, and their cocktails are the work of Cris, the happy bartender, and his enthusiasm is evident. They also offer excellent non-alcoholic cocktails. This is a great place if you’re meeting up with friends.
Plinth
I saved the best for last! El Zócalo has been a favorite of mine for years because the chef makes two of my favorite entrées in the city: the chile relleno stuffed with black beans and roasted corn with smoked tomato grits and buttermilk sauce (!!) and the salmon with goat cheese couscous. As a bonus: the scallops with vanilla carrot sauce are amazing too!
Try the margarita tasting (including a jalapeño one!) and the fritters with pepper jelly sauce. They also have some excellent, juicy wines on the menu.
There is plenty of patio seating making this a good option for a group and people watching.
Zócalo’s corn and black bean stuffed chile is my favorite main dish in the city. I could eat it seven days a week! 🙂
There you have it: my recommendations for 15 of the best restaurants in Charlottesville, Virginia! I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
