Dining & Gourmet Hot Spots
Charlottesvilles growing reputation for world-class chefs and a flourishing wine industry gives our small city an excellent array of dining choices, from casual gourmet bites to seven-course meals at fine-dining establishments and historic inns. In the late summer and early fall, dining al fresco is a delightful way to soak up the ambiance of our Historic Downtown Mall and enjoy street performances and people-watching. The Downtown district alone has more than 50 locally owned restaurants, often made from locally grown food. Be sure to visit the following dining hot spots on your next trip to Charlottesville.
Aberdeen Barn
Serving the finest Roast Prime Rib, Certified Angus Steaks cooked over a live charcoal hearth and a wide array of seafood in an intimate candlelit atmosphere since 1965. Enjoy cocktails, fine wine and piano music in the Sportsmen's Lounge. The Aberdeen Barn also features two well-appointed banquet rooms for special events. Serving daily from 5pm.
Baja Bean Co.
Baja Bean Co. has taken pride in serving fresh, flavorful and unique Southern California style Mexican foods to the Commonwealth since 1989. We chop hundreds of pounds of fresh tomatoes every week to give you REAL salsa, hand mash ripe avocados for our guacamole and cook our own chips for your dipping pleasure. Each of our four locations are a little different, but you'll always get great service, affordable prices and a wonderful dining experience.
Brookville Restaurant
Welcome to Brookville Restaurant, a neighborhood spot where you can find honest, home-cooked food using the best ingredients sourced from within our great region, cooked using techniques that respect those ingredients, and presented in an atmosphere that makes you feel at home. Come on down and let us cook for y'all. Nothing would bring us greater pleasure.
da Luca Cafe & Wine Bar
Our eclectic Mediterranean tapas-style cuisine is comprised of fresh, healthy ingredients, and our wine selection includes vintages from around the world, including features from local wineries, plus a selection of fine crafted beers. Offering beautiful mountain views in a relaxed modern atmoshpere. We are conveniently located off I-64 in beautiful Old Trail Village, Crozet. Serving dinner nightly at 5pm and Brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 10am-3pm.
l'etoile
L'etoile is a fine dining restaurant that was established in 1993, serving gourmet fare paired with thoughtful wines. Our menus are seasonal and we use local farm products from local farms. L'etoile serves dinner Wednesday-Saturday evenings, lunch Tuesday-Friday, Sunday brunch and cater by request.
Made in Asia
At this locally owned Thai & Pan Asian restaurant, guests will enjoy a memorable dining experience in a stylish and comfortable setting. Their vision is to introduce an array of Asian dishes to the local area, in their own unique style with integrity in mind, using quality ingredients. Enjoy one of the popular martinis from the full bar, or perhaps a signature sushi roll. With classic, original and new-age selections, the menu has something for all guests.
Milan Indian Cuisine
If you have never experienced Indian cuisine before, you are in for a treat at Milan Indian Cuisine! We offer a richly varied menu of fresh ingredients, wholesome sauces and flavorful spices. All of our food is natural and prepared daily on premises with no additives or preservatives and with freshly ground herbs and spices to suit your tastes. Meat lovers will savor our lamb, chicken or beef entrees, whether grilled tandoori-style or simmered in one of our light sauces. Our meatless dishes feature some of the finest choices available in dining. Catering is also available.
Orzo Kitchen & Wine Bar
Nestled inside the Main Street Market at 416 West Main Street in Charlottesville, Orzo Kitchen & Wine Bar offers a menu and wine list that fuses the culinary and viticultural traditions of Italy, Greece, Spain and the South of France. Orzo Kitchen & Wine Bar celebrates the exciting synergy of food and wine and the sparkling flavors of the Mediterranean. Our menu is complemented by an extensive wine list that covers the breadth of the Mediterranean, featuring an outstanding selection of wines by the glass as well as rare wines at exceptional values from our Wine Shop.
Piedmont Provisions
Piedmont Provisions offers Boar's Head meats all over Central Virginia: Allgood Groceries, Cville Coffee, Giant, Kroger, Take It Away Sandwich Shop, the New Deli, Foods of All Nations, and the Markets at Bellair, Forest Lakes and Mill Creek are just a few of the places you can find Boar's Head's filler-free, gluten-free, no-trans-fat meats and cheeses. Made continuously for over a century with the finest ingredients available, Boar's Head uses pure beef, pork and poultry, and real spices. The ham is trimmed by hand the old-fashioned way, and the turkey and chicken are oven roasted; all products maintain unwavering standards of quality.
(804) 749-8150
Rapture
Located on the Downtown Mall, Rapture Restaurant and Night Club is the center of Downtown nightlife. Rapture's menu consists of variations on soul food using organic and local ingredients, and its swank bar and billiards room make it the place to gather. Antique details reminiscent of New Orleans give the space warmth, and excellent service provided by an award-winning staff make for an enjoyable experience. But what really sets Rapture apart is R2, our dance club with architectural elegance, mod furnishings and state-of-the-art lights, sound and video. Open for lunch Monday-Friday 11:30am-2:30pm; Saturday and Sunday Brunch 11am-3pm; dinner daily 5:30-10pm.
Restaurant Pomme
Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge, in downtown Gordonsville, Virginia, Restaurant Pomme provides an authentic classic French dining experience. The restaurant welcomes diners and guests to a warm and inviting recreation of the French country side-from food to decor. Whether on a day trip or gathering with friends and family, we wish to share our passion of food and wine with you. Pomme prides it self on making guests feel at home from ambience to table decor. The philosophy of Gerard reflects that of Gordonsville as a whole - combining simple pleasures with sophisticated tastes.
Rhett's River Grill and Raw Bar
Rhett's River Grill and Raw Bar features the freshest seafood, certified Angus steaks, pastas, chicken, duck, pork and delicious sandwiches. We serve American cuisine with hints of southern and French influences using the finest ingredients. Rhett's offers a full service bar with exceptional wine selections including Virginia wines. Come and enjoy a nice lunch or dinner in a warm casual atmosphere. Lunch Monday-Saturday 11am-2:30pm. Dinner is nightly from 5pm. Appetizers and Raw Bar are available all day. Brunch on Sunday's from 10am-2pm with homemade sausage gravy, crab cakes benedict and much more. Located on 29N across from Sam's Club and The Doubletree Hotel.
The Blue Toad Pub
Enjoy our take on some American classics that well offer both in the pub and on the deck - as well some unique dishes found in Pubs around Ireland and the United States. Sample local beers and wines from our surrounding area, as well as a selection of microbrews from every state in the USA! Burgers, hot dogs, soft serve ice cream, a playground for the little kids and outdoor games for the BIG KIDS! Stop by Wednesday through Saturday from 11am-10pm or Sunday from 11am-9pm. Full dinner menu available till 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 9pm on all other days.
Copyright © 2011 Ivy Publications, L.L.C. All Rights Reserved.
Above photos credited to and including all rights reserved to (from left to right): 2. Dining on the Historic Downtown Mall: Robin Bethke, 3. Monticello: Thomas Jefferson Foundation/Monticello, 4. Wreath: Robin Bethke, 6. Snowboarding: courtesy Wintergreen Resort, 7. Concert at UVA’s Cabell Hall: Robin Bethke.
Lower section (homepage): 1. Historic Downtown Mall: Robin Bethke, 2. Winter Landscape: Jennifer Jones, 3. The Rotunda at UVA: Dan Addison, UVA Public Affairs.