Guidebook for Charlottesville
Food Scene
We’re very partial to places we can proudly take visitors from other food cities and expect a strong vibe, interesting crowd and food that takes some risks. You might say we’re big on restaurants with big balls.
Which brings us to Lampo, a Neapolitan pizzeria in the Belmont neighborhood - Charlottesville's analog to Brooklyn - whose food, drink and vibe pleasantly jack your jaw and immediately make you forgive the no-reservations policy and the sometimes hours-long wait for a table. It's our go-to for visitors we want to show a gritty, cool side of this food town.
http://www.penandknife.com/eat/2016/6/25/lampo
105 当地人推荐
Lampo Neapolitan Pizzeria
205 Monticello RoadWe’re very partial to places we can proudly take visitors from other food cities and expect a strong vibe, interesting crowd and food that takes some risks. You might say we’re big on restaurants with big balls.
Which brings us to Lampo, a Neapolitan pizzeria in the Belmont neighborhood - Charlottesville's analog to Brooklyn - whose food, drink and vibe pleasantly jack your jaw and immediately make you forgive the no-reservations policy and the sometimes hours-long wait for a table. It's our go-to for visitors we want to show a gritty, cool side of this food town.
http://www.penandknife.com/eat/2016/6/25/lampo
Unlike other vices, the ethos and mission of The Juice Laundry resonates with us our best intentions. We're rooting for this small business coloring outside the lines, pushing the envelope. Tucked in the corner of the old Coca Cola building on Preston Ave, it seems wonderfully out of place, almost ahead of its time, like it belongs in San Francisco’s Pacific Heights 'hood next door to a SoulCycle. It’s a vibe we crave lots more of in this town so we dove into the researching with high hopes. Not to tire the metaphor more, but we think your best bet is to approach Juice Laundry as if you’re buying a bag of excellent weed.
http://www.penandknife.com/eat/2016/worth-the-squeeze-the-juice-laundry
12 当地人推荐
The Juice Laundry
722 Preston AveUnlike other vices, the ethos and mission of The Juice Laundry resonates with us our best intentions. We're rooting for this small business coloring outside the lines, pushing the envelope. Tucked in the corner of the old Coca Cola building on Preston Ave, it seems wonderfully out of place, almost ahead of its time, like it belongs in San Francisco’s Pacific Heights 'hood next door to a SoulCycle. It’s a vibe we crave lots more of in this town so we dove into the researching with high hopes. Not to tire the metaphor more, but we think your best bet is to approach Juice Laundry as if you’re buying a bag of excellent weed.
http://www.penandknife.com/eat/2016/worth-the-squeeze-the-juice-laundry
One of our most reliable litmus tests for assessing a restaurant is to ask: Could we comfortably hide out here while a zombie apocalypse unravels outside?
Sitting at the top of our apocalyptic haven list is C&O Restaurant, an institution currently celebrating 40 uninterrupted years as one of Charlottesville’s most iconic dining and drinking destinations.
http://www.penandknife.com/eat/2016/our-haven-the-c-and-o
83 当地人推荐
C & O
515 E Water StOne of our most reliable litmus tests for assessing a restaurant is to ask: Could we comfortably hide out here while a zombie apocalypse unravels outside?
Sitting at the top of our apocalyptic haven list is C&O Restaurant, an institution currently celebrating 40 uninterrupted years as one of Charlottesville’s most iconic dining and drinking destinations.
http://www.penandknife.com/eat/2016/our-haven-the-c-and-o
Oakhart Social blazes the trail for culinary fearlessness in Cville. The devil is in the details at this garage-turned-restaurant, from the mismatched vintage silverware to the Christmas Story leg lamp behind the bar. We love the sophisticated grease monkey spirit that lives on in the space - a refreshing reincarnation of a former auto repair shop. The folks behind it have maintained many of those elements to keep it rough and rusty, but have added an open, lively energy thanks to the whitewashed brick walls, huge window doors and incognito lighting scattered throughout. http://www.penandknife.com/eat/2016/oakhart-social
49 当地人推荐
Oakhart Social
511 W Main StOakhart Social blazes the trail for culinary fearlessness in Cville. The devil is in the details at this garage-turned-restaurant, from the mismatched vintage silverware to the Christmas Story leg lamp behind the bar. We love the sophisticated grease monkey spirit that lives on in the space - a refreshing reincarnation of a former auto repair shop. The folks behind it have maintained many of those elements to keep it rough and rusty, but have added an open, lively energy thanks to the whitewashed brick walls, huge window doors and incognito lighting scattered throughout. http://www.penandknife.com/eat/2016/oakhart-social
Barbie's Burrito Barn is an unassuming little shack tucked away on Avon Street in the shadow of the Belmont Bridge, just a stone’s throw deeper into the dead end from Champion Brewing where the graffiti splashes happily on the bridge’s underbelly and weed deals probably go down in the cave of the parking lot below. It’s a boutique, fast-casual spot where Barbie spends her days doing what she has done at home for over 20 years: slinging the freshest Baja fare for loved ones, a passion play she finally elevated to a seriously legit option for Southern Cal inspired Mexican.
http://www.penandknife.com/eat/2016/10/27/barbies-burrito-barn-a-baja-oasis
8 当地人推荐
Barbies Burrito Barn
201 Avon StBarbie's Burrito Barn is an unassuming little shack tucked away on Avon Street in the shadow of the Belmont Bridge, just a stone’s throw deeper into the dead end from Champion Brewing where the graffiti splashes happily on the bridge’s underbelly and weed deals probably go down in the cave of the parking lot below. It’s a boutique, fast-casual spot where Barbie spends her days doing what she has done at home for over 20 years: slinging the freshest Baja fare for loved ones, a passion play she finally elevated to a seriously legit option for Southern Cal inspired Mexican.
http://www.penandknife.com/eat/2016/10/27/barbies-burrito-barn-a-baja-oasis
On the sleepy, unremarkable stretch of West Main Street between The Corner and the Downtown Mall, sits Tavern & GRocery - a curio of a dining venue that pleasantly mystifies and regularly draws us back in search of clues as to what the place wants to be. After several visits and many wine-fueled conversations intended to distill our experiences, we find it to be a restaurant analog of the "Choose Your Own Adventure" book series we devoured as kids.
http://www.penandknife.com/eat/2016/tavern-and-grocery
11 当地人推荐
Tavern & Grocery
333 W Main StOn the sleepy, unremarkable stretch of West Main Street between The Corner and the Downtown Mall, sits Tavern & GRocery - a curio of a dining venue that pleasantly mystifies and regularly draws us back in search of clues as to what the place wants to be. After several visits and many wine-fueled conversations intended to distill our experiences, we find it to be a restaurant analog of the "Choose Your Own Adventure" book series we devoured as kids.
http://www.penandknife.com/eat/2016/tavern-and-grocery
Their mantra is "Viva le gluten!" Seriously good baguettes, croissants and to-die-for canelés. They serve La Colombe coffee and have an awesome brunch.
121 当地人推荐
MarieBette Café and Bakery
700 Rose Hill DrTheir mantra is "Viva le gluten!" Seriously good baguettes, croissants and to-die-for canelés. They serve La Colombe coffee and have an awesome brunch.
Real-deal, whole-animal butcher dudes. When you're in the mood to grill, go here! Amazing grass-fed steaks, house-made sausages and the most helpful, knowledgeable butchers around.
On weekends, they also make the most insane ham biscuits with hot sauce and honey. Also a great place any day for great sandwiches.
12 当地人推荐
JM STOCK PROVISIONS
709 W Main StReal-deal, whole-animal butcher dudes. When you're in the mood to grill, go here! Amazing grass-fed steaks, house-made sausages and the most helpful, knowledgeable butchers around.
On weekends, they also make the most insane ham biscuits with hot sauce and honey. Also a great place any day for great sandwiches.
Awesome farmer's market open from 7am to noon every Saturday (April to October). Can't beat the local produce from around here; also includes lots of food trucks and local artisans. Look for Caromont Farm goat cheeses and Free Union Grass Farm meats.
57 当地人推荐
Charlottesville City Market
100 E Water StAwesome farmer's market open from 7am to noon every Saturday (April to October). Can't beat the local produce from around here; also includes lots of food trucks and local artisans. Look for Caromont Farm goat cheeses and Free Union Grass Farm meats.
Lovely restaurant on the downtown mall. Patio seating and airy dining inside. Reid Dougherty makes some of the best cocktails in town and Will Curley will steer you to the right wine bottle. Deemed a beer garden (with their own custom collab brews with Champion Brewing) the menu features all the classics like steak frites, mussels and sausages as well as inventive stuff like fried and raw Brussel sprouts, crispy scallops and popcorn pudding.
25 当地人推荐
Brasserie Saison
111 E Main StLovely restaurant on the downtown mall. Patio seating and airy dining inside. Reid Dougherty makes some of the best cocktails in town and Will Curley will steer you to the right wine bottle. Deemed a beer garden (with their own custom collab brews with Champion Brewing) the menu features all the classics like steak frites, mussels and sausages as well as inventive stuff like fried and raw Brussel sprouts, crispy scallops and popcorn pudding.
The Ol' Dirty Biscuit is is your hangover cure! If a combo of fried chicken, sausage gravy, dill pickles, and smoked pimiento cheese on a fresh homemade biscuit can't cure what ails you then we can't help you. We're also partial to the Fried Chicken & Waffles with hot sauce and syrup.
While this small hole-in-the-wall serves breakfast all day long, it's also some of the most solid BBQ in the area. Ribs. Pulled pork. Brisket. Lots of pig decorations. Minimal indoor seating.
Hours are a bit quirky (8am to 3pm) and it's off the beaten path, but it's well worth it.
24 当地人推荐
Ace Biscuit & Barbecue
600 Concord AveThe Ol' Dirty Biscuit is is your hangover cure! If a combo of fried chicken, sausage gravy, dill pickles, and smoked pimiento cheese on a fresh homemade biscuit can't cure what ails you then we can't help you. We're also partial to the Fried Chicken & Waffles with hot sauce and syrup.
While this small hole-in-the-wall serves breakfast all day long, it's also some of the most solid BBQ in the area. Ribs. Pulled pork. Brisket. Lots of pig decorations. Minimal indoor seating.
Hours are a bit quirky (8am to 3pm) and it's off the beaten path, but it's well worth it.
Drinks & Nightlife
This tiny, former studio apartment covertly stashed in an alley just off the Downtown Mall, is marked only by an inconspicuous lantern above the door. Micah LeMon & his crew make the best drinks in town. Your best bet is to order the Dealer's Choice. The kitchen offers 50 dishes at every service. Half of those are constant - a series of small plates, shared dishes, boards and desserts. Our staples are the French Green Beans, the Carrots, the Tuna Carpaccio, & the Pork Belly. Etched on a chalkboard is a menu of weekly specials that rounds out the rest. It's pricey, but always worth http://www.penandknife.com/eat/2017/8/23/get-lost-the-alley-light
109 当地人推荐
The Alley Light
108 2nd St SWThis tiny, former studio apartment covertly stashed in an alley just off the Downtown Mall, is marked only by an inconspicuous lantern above the door. Micah LeMon & his crew make the best drinks in town. Your best bet is to order the Dealer's Choice. The kitchen offers 50 dishes at every service. Half of those are constant - a series of small plates, shared dishes, boards and desserts. Our staples are the French Green Beans, the Carrots, the Tuna Carpaccio, & the Pork Belly. Etched on a chalkboard is a menu of weekly specials that rounds out the rest. It's pricey, but always worth http://www.penandknife.com/eat/2017/8/23/get-lost-the-alley-light
One of the best Virginia winery experiences around. Great tasting room with a restaurant, beautiful back patio and an awesome selection of wines from all over Virginia.
The winemaker, Ben Jordan, is supremely talented and they are making some of the best wines in the state. The rosé has a cult following, but ask for wines from their Quaker Run vineyard and see if they have any pet nats released (these go quickly). Since their tasting room is so large and has great seating, it's one winery that works both when the weather is great and when it's rainy.
Check their website or call them before you go - they sometimes close early for weddings and private events.
147 当地人推荐
Early Mountain Vineyards
6109 Wolftown-Hood RdOne of the best Virginia winery experiences around. Great tasting room with a restaurant, beautiful back patio and an awesome selection of wines from all over Virginia.
The winemaker, Ben Jordan, is supremely talented and they are making some of the best wines in the state. The rosé has a cult following, but ask for wines from their Quaker Run vineyard and see if they have any pet nats released (these go quickly). Since their tasting room is so large and has great seating, it's one winery that works both when the weather is great and when it's rainy.
Check their website or call them before you go - they sometimes close early for weddings and private events.
Just a few miles down the road from us, Barboursville is one of the most established and most award-winning wineries in the state. Gorgeous views. It can also get a little crowded at times. They have excellent wine, great flights, and sell light snacks (cheese, crackers) in the tasting room.
157 当地人推荐
Barboursville Vineyards
17655 Winery RdJust a few miles down the road from us, Barboursville is one of the most established and most award-winning wineries in the state. Gorgeous views. It can also get a little crowded at times. They have excellent wine, great flights, and sell light snacks (cheese, crackers) in the tasting room.
Small, quaint winery making some of the best wines in the state. We can't get enough of winemaker Rachel Stinson's rosé. Outside picnic tables offer stunning views of the mountains. Is also close to King Family and Veritas wineries if you want to go for a trifecta.
63 当地人推荐
Stinson Vineyards
4744 Sugar Hollow RdSmall, quaint winery making some of the best wines in the state. We can't get enough of winemaker Rachel Stinson's rosé. Outside picnic tables offer stunning views of the mountains. Is also close to King Family and Veritas wineries if you want to go for a trifecta.
A King Family wine just won the top honor in the Virginia Governor's Cup. So not only does this winery offer seriously good wines, it's also a gorgeous spot for picnicking. Has become famous for it's polo matches on Sundays. Can get a little crowded on the weekends, so go early to find a shaded spot outside. Lots of outdoor space for the kids to run around or groups of friends to lay blankets down. We like to stop at the Greenwood Grocery in Crozet for picnic items before hitting King Family.
260 当地人推荐
King Family Vineyards
6550 Roseland FarmA King Family wine just won the top honor in the Virginia Governor's Cup. So not only does this winery offer seriously good wines, it's also a gorgeous spot for picnicking. Has become famous for it's polo matches on Sundays. Can get a little crowded on the weekends, so go early to find a shaded spot outside. Lots of outdoor space for the kids to run around or groups of friends to lay blankets down. We like to stop at the Greenwood Grocery in Crozet for picnic items before hitting King Family.
Not too far from Monitcello, this is a small winery known for its Viognier. Mostly outdoor seating. The kind of place to throw down a blanket, pop open a few bottles and spend the afternoon chillin' away. The tasting room sells light snacks (cheese & crackers) and there's often live music on the weekends.
95 当地人推荐
Jefferson Vineyards
1353 Thomas Jefferson PkwyNot too far from Monitcello, this is a small winery known for its Viognier. Mostly outdoor seating. The kind of place to throw down a blanket, pop open a few bottles and spend the afternoon chillin' away. The tasting room sells light snacks (cheese & crackers) and there's often live music on the weekends.
One of the most Instagram-worth wineries in the area. Offers stunning views and great wines. Also has a full restaurant of local food to complement their wines. Great outdoor spaces, but also good indoor seating for cooler or rainy days.
207 当地人推荐
Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards
5022 Plank RdOne of the most Instagram-worth wineries in the area. Offers stunning views and great wines. Also has a full restaurant of local food to complement their wines. Great outdoor spaces, but also good indoor seating for cooler or rainy days.
Essentials
Giant Food
1900 Abbey RdClosest grocery store. Open til midnight. Sells beer & wine.
Whole Foods Market
1797 Hydraulic RdClosest Whole Foods. Sells beer & wine.
Starbucks
1601 University AveDrive-thru Starbucks FTW!
Shopping
Located just off the downtown mall. Extremely well-curated shop of kitchen items, quality linens, local candles. Perfect place for birthday gifts, wedding gifts, house-warming gifts, etc. If Karen the owner is there, tell her Will & Rachel said hi!
Roxie Daisy
101 E Water StLocated just off the downtown mall. Extremely well-curated shop of kitchen items, quality linens, local candles. Perfect place for birthday gifts, wedding gifts, house-warming gifts, etc. If Karen the owner is there, tell her Will & Rachel said hi!