Guidebook for Charlottesville
Food Scene
Great seafood, good oyster happy hour prices, outdoor seating
54 locals recommend
Public Fish & Oyster
513 W Main StGreat seafood, good oyster happy hour prices, outdoor seating
Small plates, delicious craft cocktails (say hello to Albie at the bar), nice outdoor seating
49 locals recommend
Oakhart Social
511 W Main StSmall plates, delicious craft cocktails (say hello to Albie at the bar), nice outdoor seating
Downstairs is a lovely restaurant - which has great dinner AND wonderful Sunday brunches. Upstairs is a rooftop bar. Downstairs bar has great drinks. Food is a bit pricey but tasty.
55 locals recommend
Commonwealth Restaurant & Skybar
422 E Main StDownstairs is a lovely restaurant - which has great dinner AND wonderful Sunday brunches. Upstairs is a rooftop bar. Downstairs bar has great drinks. Food is a bit pricey but tasty.
So, in our humble opinion, this is THE best pizza we've ever hard. Worth the drive south of town. Combine a visit to Dr. Ho's with a hike out that way at Fortune's Cove or a trip to a winery in that direction; Pippin Hill Winery is right across the highway.
65 locals recommend
Dr. Ho's Humble Pie
4916 Plank RdSo, in our humble opinion, this is THE best pizza we've ever hard. Worth the drive south of town. Combine a visit to Dr. Ho's with a hike out that way at Fortune's Cove or a trip to a winery in that direction; Pippin Hill Winery is right across the highway.
Fun Latin food in a lively, lovely space. Delicious family recipes and amazing drinks, including the South American Pisco Sour and lots of tequila based concoctions.
44 locals recommend
The Bebedero
201 W Main StFun Latin food in a lively, lovely space. Delicious family recipes and amazing drinks, including the South American Pisco Sour and lots of tequila based concoctions.
Wood-fired grill, with nice pizzas, as well as many other tasty options. Outdoor seating is right on the Downtown pedestrian mall.
17 locals recommend
Red Pump Kitchen
401 E Main StWood-fired grill, with nice pizzas, as well as many other tasty options. Outdoor seating is right on the Downtown pedestrian mall.
Oh my, the best French bakery. Pick up crazy good croissants, baguettes, or intricate pastries. You will not regret this.
121 locals recommend
MarieBette Café and Bakery
700 Rose Hill DrOh my, the best French bakery. Pick up crazy good croissants, baguettes, or intricate pastries. You will not regret this.
The Local
824 Hinton AveNice neighborhood bistro. Belmont area.
Fun university area pizza place in an old, converted gas station. Outdoor seating.
36 locals recommend
Fry's Spring Station
2115 Jefferson Park AveFun university area pizza place in an old, converted gas station. Outdoor seating.
Delicious breakfast sandwiches! Written up by several local food writers as a must-try from the local food offerings. We agree.
18 locals recommend
Ivy Provisions
2206 Ivy RdDelicious breakfast sandwiches! Written up by several local food writers as a must-try from the local food offerings. We agree.
Very nice northern Italian fare. Great bar in the back with good apps and cocktails.
128 locals recommend
Tavola
826 Hinton AveVery nice northern Italian fare. Great bar in the back with good apps and cocktails.
fleurie restaurant
108 3rd St NEFrench and fabulous. Special occasion spot for us.
Orzo Kitchen & Wine Bar
416 W Main StAsian fusion with a lot of unusual options. It can get a little loud here on busy nights and the space is tight, BUT the food is wonderful. Try the large rolls: big enough to make a meal out of, though I would suggest sharing so that you can try more dishes.
41 locals recommend
Now & Zen
202 2nd St NWAsian fusion with a lot of unusual options. It can get a little loud here on busy nights and the space is tight, BUT the food is wonderful. Try the large rolls: big enough to make a meal out of, though I would suggest sharing so that you can try more dishes.
Be transported to New Orleans. Wonderful indoor and outdoor seating, hanging spaces.
13 locals recommend
Southern Crescent Galley and Bar
814 Hinton AveBe transported to New Orleans. Wonderful indoor and outdoor seating, hanging spaces.
Parks & Nature
Ivy Creek is our closest hiking area, just about 3 miles from the cottage. It's nice - no great vistas but pleasant woods and trails.
37 locals recommend
Ivy Creek Foundation
1780 Earlysville RdIvy Creek is our closest hiking area, just about 3 miles from the cottage. It's nice - no great vistas but pleasant woods and trails.
Sugar Hollow is a local favorite with two trails leading to two different swimming holes. Even if you don't want to swim, it is great scenery. Pass the dam and drive as far as you can (dirt road and parking at the end). Either head across the river from the parking area to a steep hike to a deep swimming hole (The Blue Hole) or head up the road/path for an ambling trail to a rocky swimming area. Each trail continues for miles, if you want to make a long hike out of it.
Beautiful rocks and scenery. One of our favorite areas to visit.
12 locals recommend
Sugar Hollow Dam
Sugar Hollow is a local favorite with two trails leading to two different swimming holes. Even if you don't want to swim, it is great scenery. Pass the dam and drive as far as you can (dirt road and parking at the end). Either head across the river from the parking area to a steep hike to a deep swimming hole (The Blue Hole) or head up the road/path for an ambling trail to a rocky swimming area. Each trail continues for miles, if you want to make a long hike out of it.
Beautiful rocks and scenery. One of our favorite areas to visit.
Essentials
Whole Foods Market
1797 Hydraulic RdFoods of All Nations
2121 Ivy RdTrader Joe's
2025 Bond StHunt Country Corner
2048 Garth RdPick up sandwiches or even dinner here.
Upscale country store west of town (away from Charlottesville). Delicious sandwiches and take out. A nice stop for provisions on your way to a winery or hike in that area. Sandwiches can take a little while to be prepared (10 minutes at least), so order first and then pick out the rest of what you want. They have lots of gourmet goodies on their shelves.
63 locals recommend
Greenwood Gourmet Grocery
6701 Rockfish Gap TurnpikeUpscale country store west of town (away from Charlottesville). Delicious sandwiches and take out. A nice stop for provisions on your way to a winery or hike in that area. Sandwiches can take a little while to be prepared (10 minutes at least), so order first and then pick out the rest of what you want. They have lots of gourmet goodies on their shelves.
Wegmans is on the other side of Charlottesville from us: a good 20-25 minutes drive.
50 locals recommend
Wegmans
100 Wegmans WyWegmans is on the other side of Charlottesville from us: a good 20-25 minutes drive.
Drinks & Nightlife
This is one of our favorite local spots. Enjoy lovely local wines in a large atrium greenhouse among the banana trees and birds of paradise. Music on some Fridays 3-6 pm, usually with a food truck. You might see us there!
76 locals recommend
Glass House Winery
5898 Free Union RdThis is one of our favorite local spots. Enjoy lovely local wines in a large atrium greenhouse among the banana trees and birds of paradise. Music on some Fridays 3-6 pm, usually with a food truck. You might see us there!
White Hall Vineyards
5282 Sugar Ridge RdOur favorite local Viognier.
Great wines, beautiful scenery, and polo matches on Sundays.
259 locals recommend
King Family Vineyards
6550 Roseland FarmGreat wines, beautiful scenery, and polo matches on Sundays.
Stinson Vineyards
4744 Sugar Hollow RdSmall winery with nice wine.
Grace Estate Winery
5273 Mt Juliet FarmNice beer, fun local scene with views and corn hole. Food is not recommended.
358 locals recommend
Blue Mountain Brewery
9519 Critzer Shop RdNice beer, fun local scene with views and corn hole. Food is not recommended.
We love this winery for it's consistently good wines and beautiful grounds. Dinner at their farmhouse, when offered, is also excellent. Monthly music events, called Starry Nights, are very popular.
262 locals recommend
Veritas Vineyards and Winery
151 Veritas LnWe love this winery for it's consistently good wines and beautiful grounds. Dinner at their farmhouse, when offered, is also excellent. Monthly music events, called Starry Nights, are very popular.
Entertainment & Activities
Reserve your seat online with your ticket purchase. Bottom rows (which are not too close in our opinion) recline with a footrest. Also, trays at your seat hold food they sell (small menu beyond popcorn and candy) as well as beer or wine available to buy.
Plus the theater is on the Downtown pedestrian Mall if you want to have dinner nearby before or after your movie.
Note that your movie ticket purchase includes FOUR hours of free parking at one of the nearby garages. Check the theater website for the garage locations.
78 locals recommend
Violet Crown Cinema
200 W Main StReserve your seat online with your ticket purchase. Bottom rows (which are not too close in our opinion) recline with a footrest. Also, trays at your seat hold food they sell (small menu beyond popcorn and candy) as well as beer or wine available to buy.
Plus the theater is on the Downtown pedestrian Mall if you want to have dinner nearby before or after your movie.
Note that your movie ticket purchase includes FOUR hours of free parking at one of the nearby garages. Check the theater website for the garage locations.
Our closest theater complex. It is located in an outdoor "mall" that house a number of restaurants.
35 locals recommend
Regal Stonefield & IMAX
1954 Swanson DrOur closest theater complex. It is located in an outdoor "mall" that house a number of restaurants.