Heading to Charlottesville, or just looking for somewhere good to eat? These are the restaurants I recommend, grouped by price, with the dishes I would order and quick notes on parking and reservations.
What the Dollar Signs Mean
| Rating | Best for |
|---|---|
| $ | Great for everyday, casual and easy on the wallet |
| $$ | A nice dinner without making it a big deal |
| $$$ | A night out when you want to treat yourself |
| $$$$ | Special occasions |
The List at a Glance
| Restaurant | Cuisine | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Guajiros Miami Eatery | Cuban and Latin American | $ |
| Mockingbird | Southern comfort food | $$ |
| Smyrna | Aegean Mediterranean | $$$ |
| Fleurie | French | $$$$ |
$ Everyday
Guajiros Miami Eatery
A family-run spot serving Cuban and Latin American food in a bright, lively space, with homemade recipes and a warm welcome. My wife and I go here for a breakfast date almost every week. Good for brunch, and easy on the wallet.
What to order:
Appetizers
- Queso frito: Fried cheese with a really good aioli for dipping.
- Chicken empanadas: Great as an appetizer, or a full meal if you order both.
Entrees
- The Hands On with pork: My go-to breakfast burrito, and I eat it about once a week.
- The Breakfast Bowl: The same idea as the burrito, served in a bowl. You can also add queso frito.
Dessert
- Tres leches: Dessert, if you still have room.
To Drink
- Colada: Classic Cuban-style cafecito, just more of it.
- Cafe con leche: A Cuban-style iced latte.
Address: 114 10th St NW, Charlottesville (website)
Parking: A few small lots are close by, but they tend to fill up on weekends during peak hours. Give yourself extra time.
Reservations: Walk-in only, no reservations.
$$ Nice Dinner
Mockingbird
Southern comfort food with a creative streak, in the heart of Belmont. It is a great spot for outdoor dining when the weather is nice, and the menu makes it hard to order just one thing.
What to order:
Appetizers
- Fried green tomato: Comes with whipped pimento cheese and arugula. The arugula makes it a salad, and I will not be taking questions.
- Crab rangoon dip: Lump crab and cream cheese, basically your favorite takeout appetizer in dip form. Zero complaints.
- Biscuit basket: Five buttermilk biscuits with spreads. Sharing is optional.
Entrees
- Bison hanger steak: Local bison with a whiskey demi glace. It’s a steak, just with a more interesting backstory than most.
- Crab stuffed trout: I had this once as a special and I still think about it. It is not on the regular menu, so ask if it ever shows up again.
Dessert
- Chocolate-bourbon pecan pie: Served with vanilla whipped cream. Yes, you will be full. Get it anyway.
Address: 421 Monticello Rd, Charlottesville (website)
Parking: There is a lot behind the restaurant, but parking in the Belmont area is always tough. Give yourself extra time.
Reservations: Needed on weekends. Book ahead through their website or call (434) 465-6131.
$$$ Night Out
Smyrna
Eclectic Mediterranean food with Aegean influences, and one of my favorite places for a nicer night out.
What to order:
Appetizers
- Sour cherry gazpacho: Cold soup that is tangy, a little sweet, and nothing like the gazpacho you are picturing. A great pick for anyone who thinks soup is boring.
- Meze trio: All of the dips are good, and I am terrible at choosing, so I get the trio and try them all. Add the crudites for dipping. The two were made for each other.
- The bread: It is made in-house, and you will want plenty of it for those dips. Do not think about carbs at the door.
Entrees
- Manti: Fantastic, and I do not use that word lightly. Tiny dumplings with big flavor.
- Market fish: Also great. It changes, so it is a fun little mystery every time. Ask what is on.
Dessert
- Baklava cheesecake: My go-to. It is two desserts in one, which I consider efficient.
- Meyer lemon granita: It is unlike anything I have ever had, and everyone should try it at least once. Trust me on this one.
Address: 707 W Main St, Charlottesville (website)
Parking: Easy at the train station across the street, but it is paid.
Reservations: Almost always needed on the weekends. Book ahead through Resy.
$$$$ Special Occasion
Fleurie
Classic French technique meets local ingredients in an intimate dining room right on the Downtown Mall, with a patio for when the weather cooperates. This is the place I pick when the occasion calls for it. The staff know their stuff, and the wine list leans French and Virginia.
How it works: Fleurie is a tasting menu format at $119 per person. You skip the agonizing over the menu, sit back, and let the kitchen run the show. Expect a multi-course parade of plates, so pace yourself, wear the forgiving pants, and do not fill up on bread. It is one of those meals you plan an evening around, and worth it.
Address: 108 3rd St NE, Charlottesville (website)
Parking: It is on the Downtown Mall, and there are multiple paid lots nearby.
Reservations: Required. Book through their website or call (434) 971-7800.
Good to Know
- Popular spots fill up on weekends and during UVA events, so book ahead when you can.
- Parking downtown is easiest in the city garages or on side streets, and parking rules vary by location.
- Hours and menus change, so double check the restaurant’s website or call before you head out.