eat + drink:
- Al Carbon – lunch/dinner | South American style rotisserie chicken
- Albemarle Baking Co – bakery | Artisan baked bread, wedding cakes, fine pastry, morning pastries
- The Alley Light – dinner | try the artichoke gratin with bacon, carrots & parmesan cheese or the raspberry tart with raspberries, pistachio pastry cream & shortbread
- Bang! – dinner/drinks | Asian-inspired tapas & inventive martinis; try their popular Sin City martini with blackberry & pomegranate or the fried chicken steamed buns with spicy garlic sauce & house pickles
- Bizou – lunch/dinner | serves comfort food in a diner setting; try the crispy avocado salad with baby arugula, feta cheese, corn salsa, tortilla chips & tomatillo dressing or the lemon grilled broccolini
- Bodo’s Bagels – breakfast/lunch | don’t leave town without trying this place; very fresh, delicious bagels & bagel sandwiches
- Bowerbird Bakeshop – bakery | European style pastries, from croissants to cardamom knots, including an impressive vegan selection
- Brasserie Saison – dinner | French & Belgian inspired fare; try the charcuterie, brussels sprouts with tomato marmalade or spring vegetable fricassĂ©e with saffron, crispy leeks & panisse
- Broadcloth – dinner | an elegant, modern dining destination tucked in a converted wool mill; choose from a 4-course, 6-course, or 8-10-course chef’s tasting menu; only open Friday and Saturday nights
- C & O – dinner | perfect spot for a candlelit dinner; try the truffled beef sirloin carpaccio, the glazed duck breast with parsnip-potato puree, or the sticky toffee pudding with medjool dates
- Conmole – dinner | Oaxacan-Mexican menu; try the carintas or empanadas
- Cou Cou Rachou – bakery | delicious French breads, pastries, and cakes
- Dairy Market Charlottesville – food market | central Virginia’s first food & market hall; hotspot for everything from ice cream to soul food
- Fleurie – dinner | French fine dining; try the lobster bisque with tarragon, crème brĂ»lĂ©e, or lemon cheesecake
- Lampo – lunch/dinner | Neapolitan pizza; try the margherita and fungi pies
- Little Star – dinner | unique flavors of Mexico with the depth of Spanish cuisine; try the shibbity dibbities with shishitos & romesco or the ember roasted carrots with citrus mole, sesame brittle, coconut & scallions
- MarieBette – breakfast/lunch | European style bread, pastries, espresso, and a full menu of breakfast, brunch and lunch
- Marigold by Jean-Georges – breakfast/lunch/dinner | the menu changes often to offer sustainable and seasonal produce that is at its peak – much of it grown at their own nearby farm; be sure to try the whole roasted cauliflower with turmeric tahini
- Mas Tapas – dinner | the ever-changing menu offers about 40 dishes at a time, all available as half-portions (Tapas) or full-portions (Raciones)
- Maya – dinner | French-Southern restaurant known for their pimento cheese fritters
- Mudhouse – cafĂ© | local mini-chain serving house-roasted coffee and baked goods amid local art; try the sea salt chocolate chip cookies or coffee cake
- Oakhart Social – dinner | try the charred carrots with sweet & spicy pecans, buttermilk ranch & pea tendrils or the fried chicken with Thai basil, mint, cilantro, pickled fresnos & fish sauce vinaigrette
- Passiflora – dinner | Baja-Mediterranean-inspired menu; try the fish tacos, enchiladas served with braised pork or jack fruit, or the elote
- Petit Pois – lunch/dinner | French fare; try the mussels in butter, white wine and garlic or the gianduja chocolate mousse with hazelnuts
- The Pie Chest – bakery | offers both sweet and savory pies, including breakfast hand pies
- Public Fish & Oyster – dinner | skillfully seasoned seafood dishes like freshly shucked oysters and mussels; you have to get the twice-cooked Belgian fries with sea salt
- Red Pump Kitchen – dinner | Italian and Mediterranean cuisine; sister winery is Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards
- The Ridley – breakfast/lunch/dinner | inside the Draftsman Hotel; offers Southern classics like deviled eggs, Cajun oysters, and shrimp & grits
- Riverside Lunch – breakfast/lunch/dinner | established in 1935, this casual spot offers burgers, hot dogs & subs
- Selvedge Brewing – brewery | a Virginia craft brewery focused on unique small-batch, culinary-inspired beers; part of The Wool Factory at the Historic Woolen Mills
- Siren Restaurant – dinner | led by Head Chef Laura Fonner (winner of Guy’s Grocery Games); offers menu items like chicken gyro dumplings and panko-fried oysters with herb aioli
- Sultan Kebab – lunch/dinner | Turkish restaurant; try the Döner kebab sandwich, Turkish coffee, or Yogurtlu Kizartma – thin and crispy eggplant with potatoes doused in a garlicky yogurt sauce
- Tavola – dinner | Italian restaurant with housemade pasta; try the linguine alla carbonara or bucatini all’amatriciana
- Ten – dinner | sushi restaurant; try the spicy toro roll or kushiyaki featuring skewered meats like wagyu skirt steak or yakitori
see + do:
- Birdwood Golf Course – located at the Boars Head Resort; full 18-hole course along with an expansive putting course that spans almost one acre in size
- Carter Mountain Orchard – family owned & operated; enjoy seasonal peach and apple picking, bakery treats, wine & hard cider, and breathtaking views overlooking Charlottesville
- Downtown Mall – collection of more than 120 shops and 30 restaurants housed in historic buildings along the city’s Main Street
- Ix Art Park – free sculpture and mural park and immersive art museum
- James Monroe’s Highland – this historic site is the home of James Monroe; explore the interior exhibits in the 1818 Guesthouse and the beautiful landscape
- Monticello – primary plantation of Thomas Jefferson; variety of tours available to book online
- Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards – culinary farm and vineyard located on Monticello Wine Trail; offers an expansive kitchen garden, seasonal dishes from their wood-burning oven, and in-the-field experiences
- Saunders-Monticello Trail – easy, accessible trail with beautiful native trees & ample shade; begin at Carter’s Mountain on gravel paths & boardwalks and end at the Monticello Visitor Center
- University of Virginia – take a historical tour offered through the University Guide Service
- Well Room – wellness center offering IV nutritional therapy, infrared sauna, cryotherapy, organic Spray Tan, functional market & apothecary
shop:
- Alton Lane – menswear shop founded by two UVA grads that offers a vast array of custom shirt and suit options
- Be Just – this studio/showroom offers domestic tools, home supplies, botanicals & more
- Circa – vintage home goods and furniture
- Darling Boutique – consignment store; great variety of jewelry and accessories from local artisans
- Eloise – curated women’s boutique
- Natalie Dressed – consignment store; great variety of high-end women’s clothing
- New Dominion Bookshop – oldest independent bookseller in Virginia
- Quattro Tizi – contemporary men’s and women’s clothing and lifestyle store
- Scarpa – high-end women’s fashion, accessories, and beauty products
stay:
- Albemarle Estate – charming, luxury hotel in a Georgian mansion offering a cinema, an outdoor pool & free breakfast
- Boar’s Head Resort – posh accommodations in an University resort with a spa, golf course, 3 pools & 4 restaurants
- The Clifton – elegant interiors, luxurious linens and modern amenities for a unique experience
- Graduate Charlottesville – across the street from the University of Virginia, this trendy boutique hotel offers views of the Southwest Mountains
- Keswick Hall – resort with newly refreshed guest rooms, a luxurious spa and an award winning Pete Dye golf course
- Quirk Hotel – an artsy, upscale hotel that features an art gallery, signature food and beverage outlets including indoor and outdoor patio dining, as well as an expansive rooftop bar, banquet and meeting space
- The Inn at Stinson Vineyards – nestled amongst the vines of Stinson Vineyards and surrounded by panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, The Inn at Stinson Vineyards is a modern iteration of a classic country bed and breakfast
