Eating out is one of the best parts of traveling, and as part of our recent girlfriend getaway media trip, my friends and I enjoyed some pretty tasty meals at several Charlottesville restaurants.
I always appreciate word of mouth when it comes to food, so I thought I’d share my dining experiences with you, and to make it easier, I’ve tried to group all the restaurants in Charlottesville by general location.
Charlottesville Restaurants
Charlottesville Downtown Mall
The Whiskey Jar
I loved the fun vibe of this casual restaurant serving Southern style food. With the name being ‘The Whiskey Jar,” you’d think I would have had a sample, but it was only lunchtime, too early for me. What I did try was their toasted interpretation of a pulled pork sandwich along with the house made potato chips, and we shared some incredibly delicious bourbon sauce bread pudding for dessert.
Commonwealth Restaurant & Skybar
We walked over here for dinner after a fun evening of painting at Wine & Design. The restaurant has a big city look but a relaxed and quiet atmosphere, so it was great for conversation. I enjoyed the vegetable gratin with acorn squash puree and asparagus for dinner.
There’s a rooftop skybar which overlooks the downtown mall area, and I wish we’d have at least snuck a peek at it, but I didn’t think of it at the time. What I did remember to do was have dessert. We shared a white chocolate cheesecake and sticky toffee pudding, and we cleaned the plates!
Red Pump Kitchen
This slightly upscale and trendy bistro has an open kitchen and a really cool looking bar. We started with specially made and beautifully plated appetizers. I was especially fond of the roasted brussel sprouts, and for dinner I went simple with the classic Margherita pizza cooked in the their wood-fired oven. For dessert, try the strawberry ricotta cake!
Crozet
Green House Coffee – Crozet
We ordered to-go lunches from Green House Coffee to eat while at Starr Hill Brewery, and my grown-up style grilled cheese with Swiss, Cheddar & Provolone cheeses, tomato & basil pesto on Goodwin Creek ciabattini with bacon was perfection.
Restaurants near the Shops at Stonefield
Travinia Italian Kitchen
I typically avoid chain restaurants when I travel, but I’m so glad I stopped here. The food was superb, and the service was outstanding! (Ask for Michael; he was super fun and full of personality.) We started with roasted brussels sprouts with balsamic glaze and some amazing mac and cheese. For entrees, you need to try the Pasta Mia Nonna, one of the most popular items on the menu.
For dessert, it was highly suggested we try the Apple Crostada, and I’m so glad we did. Fabulous. The entire experience was excellent, and I’d go back in a heartbeat.
Restaurants Near Monticello and the Presidential Estates
Michie Tavern
Step back in time to the 18th century when you enter this rustic, historic tavern where you’ll eat one of the best traditional southern buffet meals you’ll likely ever have. Grab a tray and a metal plate and cup, and servers wearing period attire will heap your plate with anything you desire. Once you’re seated, they’ll bring you refills of your favorites, and you can order dessert as well. Make sure you try the amazing fried chicken and peach cobbler. Michie Tavern is a must visit!
BBQ Exchange
After hearing several locals talk about how great this restaurant was, we decided to sneak in a visit before heading to the airport for our flight home, and I’m so glad we did. They serve hickory smoked pork, beef and chicken, and I had the best pulled pork BBQ sandwich I’ve had in years! They also have a great selection of BBQ sauces to choose from so you can sauce it your way. The dining room consists of picnic tables and it’s a really cozy place. I loved it!
The Clifton Inn
This was our first dinner in Charlottesville, and what a wow way to start a vacation! We ordered from the bistro menu and sat at the Chef’s Counter which was such a treat. Everything from start to finish was exquisitely prepared, starting with a heavenly cheese and fruit plate and an incredibly delicious wonton with white truffle foam. My entree was chicken fettuccine alfredo with house made pasta and some sticky toffee pudding with Earl Grey ice cream. Delectable all the way around. It’s one of the pricier restaurants in the area, but oh my gosh, it’s worth the splurge!
Which one of these restaurants in Charlottesville is calling your name?
For more information on the Charlottesville VA area, check out VisitCharlottesville.org
Comments & Reviews
My brother in law is going to be stationed not far from there for the summer. I am going to tell him about this because I KNOW he’s going to want to go off base for some good eats.
It looks like there is a lot of good eats there. I could eat all that food right off the screen. I need to visit out that way and check out a couple of these restaurants.
My husband and I were talking about heading down there to see his brother while he’s stationed down there for 3 months. We will check some of these places, too!
It looks like Charlottesville has so many great eateries. I’d love to visit one day. All these pictures are totally making me hungry, but that sticky toffee pudding looks especially delicious!
Michie Tavern is the place for me! I love barbecue, and it’s got that atmosphere that I always love when I go out to eat.
All of the food looks so yummy. I would definitely have to check out the BBQ exchange.
The Whiskey Jar is my family’s kind of place. We don’t do much fancier dining out than that. Why would we need to? =D
I am so thinking about Red Pump Kitchen, that is if I ever find myself in NC. These look like fabulous places to eat up!
My two picks would be the whiskey jar and red pump kitchen! The food in both places look amazing. Great article and very useful, a lot of time has went into this and it shows 🙂
The food looks delicious. I would love to visit these restaurants. Thanks for sharing.
Wow so much yummy looking food. So many nice looking restaurants x
These are some truly spectacular eating places with all the good food I wish I live in Charlottesville. I like the pizza and the Clifton Inn is calling my name!
I am so impressed with the range of the products but I have to say the grilled cheese ‘grown up’ sarnie looks amazing and swiss cheese is one of my faves!
Everything looks amazing and absolutely mouthwatering! I have a soft spot in my heart for roasted brussels sprouts.
There were so many good places to eat around Charlottesville. I really liked the brussels sprouts at Travinia!
Everything looks so good! One of my favourite things about traveling is trying new places and new dishes.
So many great places to choose from in Charlottesville. If I ever find myself in the area I know exactly where I’ll go.
Oh my word. Good eats is so right this all looks amazing and is making really hungry! Good thing to know if I ever get to Charlottesville!
Wow! I love finding great places to eat. Man did you find some great places! I am drooling just looking at all the pictures you took! Makes me want to visit Charlottesville just for the food!
We have never been to Charlottesville but this post would serve handy whenever we would plan to make a visit. We would love to visit Commonwealth Restaurant & Skybar and have the yummy chocolate cheesecake dessert on rooftop skybar overlooking the downtown mall area.
Wow – Charlottesville sounds GREAT! I think I would LOVE the Whiskey Jar. That food looks pretty incredible and tasty! Thanks for the awesome list!
Everything looks so good! I love visiting VA and will most certainly seek out these restaurants the next time I am in the area.
It all looks delish! I’m always up for some reviews of restaurants – sometimes it’s hard to know what to eat on the road!
All that food looks very good I would like some please. Do you deliver to Michigan ?
Mm, definitely looks like some good eats ya got there! I would definitely have to check out Travinia Italian Kitchen if I’m ever in Charlottesville!
Yummy. Great food, stunning environment.
I am drooling over all this delicious food. I also think I may have gained 5 lbs so i definitely need to come walk Charlottesville to wear it off.
OK, all of this looks so good. Now I am starving! I love to find new restaurants to try.
Well hmmmm now I want to book a flight to Charlottesville! JUST to EAT!
I was born and raised in Virginia, but, sadly, I have never been to Charlottesville. I guess I don’t know what I am missing. The food looks amazing!
That just made me hungry for a road trip! I’ll have to look for these places next time I’m in Virginia!
I’ve heard amazing things about Commonwealth from other friends too! It’s on my must list if I ever get back to Charlottesville!
I have to admit.. I think I could go any of these restaurants and find something that would tickle my tastebuds.
The desserts looks delicious!
This is a very informative post. The food looks yummy too.
All of the pictures look amazing and I would eat every single one of those dishes.
All of the pictures look amazing and I would eat every single one of those dishes.
All this food looks so delicious and there is such diversity – something for everyone!
They all look amazing! If I had to pick one I would like to go to “The Whiskey Jar.”
All this food looks so good! So many options and great variety! Love your pictures!
I would order one of each – it all looks so delicious. I definitely need to go to this restaurant – and then to the gym! lol
I wasn’t hungry, but after looking at your pictures my tummy is growling! The food looks so delicious.
You have the best dining guides. I clearly need to head to your neck of the woods and start eating!
The Whiskey Jar looks like a great place to eat, all of these Charlottesville Restaurants seem to have great options though!
All of these dishes look delicious! Much better than my dinner tonight, haha. And I could so go for a piece of that cheesecake right now!
All of them are calling me but Travinia Italian Kitchen is yelling the loudest! If I make it to Charlottesville I’m definitely going there.
Now this is comfort food. Just my type, I was in Virginia last year… when I go back, I will look out for these gems.
All that yummy food is making me hungry! The vegetable gratin looks delicious! Looks like a trip to Virginia is in my future 🙂
Commonwealth location is calling my name. I think in part because the sweets look good and I haven’t had any in a while.
These all look delicious. I wish we had more local places to eat at. We do have Travinia, but the wait is usually wrapped around the building.
How on earth am I supposed to choose just one? All of these restaurants sound like delicious places to relax and enjoy some good food. I clearly need to plan a trip to Charlottesville soon.
I’ve never been to Charlottesville or VA either, but now if I ever end up there, with these recommendations, I would certainly know where to eat. The food there just looks delish!
I’ll have to save this post in case we ever make it out to Virginia. Looks like there are some great places on this list.
Those meals look so tasty! I love trying new restaurants! I’ll definitely bookmark this place
You’ve tickled my appetite enough to warrant a visit to that place! I love the atmosphere from those restaurants especially the Whiskey Jar with its retro-modern brick appeal.
Those all seem lovely. What I love about traveling is being able to taste the food that each place can offer. Charlottesville definitely nailed theirs! Everything looks really good, I got hungry just looking at all those pictures of food!
Thanks for the scoop. We get to Virginia at least yearly and this is a good list for me to bookmark. Yummy!
the whiskey jar and the bbq place look like the places I would spend my time eating 😉
Wow, I shouldn’t have opened this when I’m hungry! Apple crostada is a must have, I’m glad you try it!
I need to go here – to all of the places. Each one looked better than the next! I am so jealous of your trip with all of that amazing food!
All of the foods you posted are mouth-watering! I would love to go to the BBQ Exchange! Charlottesville must be a perfect place for food trips.
I certainly agree with you in that eating out is one of the best things with vacationing/traveling!
These look like some fun spots you chose.
I do agree when it comes to eating out in new places, word of mouth is a great place to stat from. And now I know where to go if I am ever in Charlottesville. Awesome!
So many different choices, all of them look so good! I love that you could get roasted brussel sprouts as an appetizer!! Thinking if I had to choose just one from this list, I could never do it. Excellent resource for when we get to the area this summer.
Charlottesville must be a great place to stay, I got a big appetite and this post makes me wanna try to go in this place!
I have a couple of blogging friends that live in Charlottesville and all the food pictures they post always look amazing.
BBQ is my favorite! What great places to check out to eat delicious food!
These are all looks delicious! I want to go there and try their food.
I don’t even know where to start with what I want to try first, everything looks just absolutely amazing, wow x
Oh wow how amazing is that food. I must say, the difference in size portions over there compared to here, is totally different.
I need a Whiskey Jar eatery in my life. All of the food looks amazing…. that cake though… YUM!
So, I was watching your trip and seriously drooling over all the food photos you ladies were posting. Charlottesville definitely has a great looking culinary scene!
Now this looks delicious! I seriously did a double take with that peach cobbler. lol Let the cravings commence!
This is a great list of restaurants in Charlottesville. The Whiskey Jar restaurant is indeed a one that I would love to try. That pulled pork sandwich looks so delicious and is one of my favorite sandwiches. Thanks for sharing the list.
Ooh there are a lot of my favourites on this list including sticky toffee pudding, cheesecake and pulled pork! All looks very yummy 🙂
I’ve never been to Charlottesville, but boy, do I want to now just to try some of those dishes! Yummy! Thanks for the virtual tour.
I want to go here, looks like fun and I can eat lots of food! Seriously great list of restaurants, will have to see if I make it to VA any day soon during road trips!
Everything looks so amazing and tasty! I am waiting for food to cook right now and this has literally made me feel extra hungry x
I shouldn’t have opened this post in this time of the day, this makes me really hungry! Charlottesville looks delicious, I mean awesome!
I’m from and live in the UK but I lived in Virginia for a couple of years and I do miss eating out in the states, food food and more food! Not to mention the portion sizes in a lot of restaurants, doggy bags are a must in USA but it’s more or less unheard of in the UK! I especially like the look of BBQ Exchange!
Oh my goodness all of that food looks amazing – I totally need to try and stop in to them all if I am ever in the area. x
These photos are making me very hungry right now! You found some great eats in Charlottesville!
I’d like to try: Red Pump Kitchen. They all look so good though. I love southern food!
A bad idea for me reading the post when I am so hungry lol
The foods look delicious, I love word of mouth recommendations too as its always the best way to check out restaurants when visiting new places.
I would absolutely adore any opportunity to do a food tour through Charlottesville. Everything looks so well prepared and well presented. I need to eat my way through next time I’m out visiting my sister.
Lots of yummy places to visit if I ever come to Charlottesville!
Some of this food looks delicious! Regret reading this post whilst really hungry! If I ever find myself in Charlottesville I will have to try a few of these places.
Yum! I will need to take a road trip so I can try all of this yummy food! Thanks for making me hungry 🙂
Bare with me while I just book a flight out of the UK. .. yum!!!
Can I come in your suitcase, I totally want to try them all as well! x
I did not see one place that had so-so food, all looked so good. So nice to have places like that to eat at.
I know where I’ll be going if I’m ever in the area. I’d love to try all of these places out. All of the food looks so amazing! The Travinia Italian Kitchen is probably what I would love to try the most, because it’s Italian food!
OMG I really wish i had eaten before I saw this I’m feeing very hungry now.
I haven’t eaten out in ages! There are so many restaurants in my area but they all serve pretty much the same stuff :/ which is why I’d love somewhere that serves proper BBQ, that pulled pork looks absolutely delicious!
The sandwich from the green house coffee looks so good. I am a huge fan of sandwiches. Lots of good eats in Charlottesville!
My Sister in Law just became stationed in Virginia since she is in the Navy. I can’t wait to visit her and eat at all of these delectable restaurants.
Wow! What a great array of fantastic food options in Charlottesville. Any restaurant with whiskey in the title must be good!
I don’t know when or if I’ll ever be in the Charlottesville, VA area again, but now I know where all the good places to eat are.
Oh my goodness!! All this looks amazing!! I’m so hungry now!!!!
Some of my family lives in Virginia and we are seeing them this weekend. I need to check out the distance as this looks to be a great town so either this trip or our summer trip, I would love to take the family,
I used to go to boarding school right over the ridge from Charlottesville in Wanesboro. My uncle was a minister there in Charlottesville so I went all of the time. It’s so lovely there.
oh wow those desrts look to dies for my mouth is watering
I’m so hungry now!! That sandwich at the Whiskey Jar looks amazing!!
Getting hungry here! My first choice would be the Italian one called Travinia. Never been to Charlston but it’s been on my travel bucket list for some time – hopefully don’t need to wait for too long.
Wow, this is a fantastic restaurant it makes me hungry and all their food was delicious
Never been to charlotte but when I do will be sure to check out these restaurants. You had me at the dessert and pizza, looks so yum 🙂
xx, Kusum | http://www.sveeteskapes.com
Ok, now I have to come to Charlottesville. I want everything on this list!
Just looking at the food pics are making me hungry. I hope to get an opportunity to visit these restaurants someday.
Wow its so great to see a post about charlottesville! When I was in school i went on an exchange with St Annes Belfield School in Charlottesville!! xxx
STOP Liz!! You’re making me hungry looking at all these good food pics! But thank you for the restaurant recs! I will have to keep those in mind when I make my way sometime soon!
It was already meeting you in person at ThinkTank!
A variety of dishes! I would like to taste them all! They look delicious. I’ve never been to Charlston, but I would definitely enjoy the food there! Thank you for sharing!
All the food looks so amazing! I really would love to try the toasted pulled pork sandwich.
Lots of choices to dine in and all look worth to try. I will not miss to visit Green House Coffee – Crozet. 🙂
I want that pulled pork sandwich RIGHT NOW!
Will keep this list for when we visit.
Is that squid in your appetizer? Looks like Red Pump Kitchen and I will get together well.. And, ohh, I would like to devour that Pizza, haha!
Wow what a foodie tour of charlottesville! I’ve heard some amazing things about the food there.
The desserts look delicious. I would want to try them out!
you eat in some amazing places, all these dishes and restaurants look gorgeous.
These are good food selections, specially those from Commonwealth Restaurant & Skybar. I wish we have something like this in my place.
BBQ Exchange is my favorite place ever! They have the best pumpkin bread EVER! I used to live in Orange, we used to have this a lot! I miss that place.
I love the look of the Clifton inn. Right up my street. Great post. Really helpful for anyone going to Charlottesville.
I would love to try this place out! the food looks so incredibly good : )
Can’t wait to try out the Whiskey jar next time I’m there! Yum!
Ok, I got hungry by looking at these pictures. Those pulled pork sandwiches look damn delicious, that would probably be my first choice 🙂
Looks like you found some gems there. I am heading out to DC in the autumn, but don’t think we will get as far as Charlottesville.
The whiskey jar sounds like my kind of place to eat. The photos are really making me hungry!