19 Best Casual Restaurants in Charlottesville, VA
If you’ve been following me, you know how much I love living in Charlottesville, VA. In addition to being steeped in American history (there are THREE presidential homes in the area, including the famous Monticello), Charlottesville also has an abundance of wineries - a definite perk for wine lovers!
Given its proximity to two foodie cities (Richmond and Washington, DC), it’s not surprising that there are a lot of places to eat in Charlottesville - it boasts a vibrant food scene! While I’ll admit I enjoy the fine dining here, there are also a ton of incredible casual restaurants to choose from so I am sharing a round-up of my top 19 eateries worth visiting.
19 Best Casual Restaurants in Charlottesville, VA
Bad Luck Ramen Bar @ North American Sake Brewery
I’m not actually a big fan of sake, so it might seem like a weird choice for me to have this on my list. However, I really enjoy this spot for a casual dinner.
Part of Ix Art Park, this brewery is a good fit for the eclectic area. However, I like coming here for one thing in particular: the ramen.
Yes, this is my go to spot for ramen, particularly the Smokey & the Veg. I love the cloudy mushroom broth - so good. Plus, it’s nice to have a truly vegetarian/vegan option for a ramen.
North American Sake Brewery is closed Mondays & Tuesdays.
Botanical Fare
Botanical Fare is a vegan restaurant located right on the downtown mall and is a great option for dining even if you don’t follow a plant based diet. From the decor to the food, everything is fresh and beautiful.
I personally love their Crunchy Cauliflower Bowl - the crispy cauliflower nugs are amazing. I also highly recommend their rosemary lemonade, as it’s perfectly tart and super refreshing.
If you are looking to imbibe in a vegan friendly way, Botanical Fare offers cocktails, mocktails, beer, and a wine list to suit your needs.
Botanical Fare is a great spot for lunch, except on Mondays - but only because that is when they are closed.
Brazos Tacos
Brazos Tacos is a bit of an institution in Charlottesville. Located in Ix Art Park, the OG Brazos is walking distance from the Downtown Mall and a nice place to grab lunch, especially if it’s nice outside and you can grab a seat on the patio.
What’s nice about this spot is it suits a lot of food restrictions, as you can opt for corn tortillas if you can’t have gluten and they have vegan/vegetarian options.
Open daily, you can grab tacos for breakfast, lunch or dinner. I’m pretty basic when it comes to my tacos, so I like to opt for the Nacho Taco, which consists of beans, picadillo beef, pickled jalapeños, onions, tomatoes, corn chips and their house queso. In addition to their downtown location, there is also a new spot in the Barracks Road shopping center.
Chickadee
Chickadee is a Southern style sandwich shop located just off of the Downtown Mall. They serve their entire menu from open to close, so you can choose if you feel more like a breakfast sandwich or a lunch one.
Open daily, Chickadee serves food until 3:00 PM. They also offer brunch Sunday - Monday. I definitely recommend getting their hash browns - they are like Mcdonald’s, but bigger and somehow even better.
The space is a bit small, especially if the weather is bad and the patio is not available, so you might have to wait on a table during prime hours.
Citizen Burger Bar
Right across from the landmark Paramount Theater, you will find Citizen Burger Bar. If you ask where to get burgers in Cville, this is definitely a name you will hear.
Citizen is exactly what you expect of a burger bar - big booths, tons of beer on tap, and plenty of TVs above the bar. As they don’t take reservations, it can get very busy so expect a bit of a wait on busy weekends, especially if it’s nice out and you are hoping for an outside seat.
There are some great menu items, but my favorites are the fried pickles (dill spears - always my favorite), blistered shishitos, and truffle fries (I’ll always love a truffle fry). They also have vegan/vegetarian and gluten free options available, and even a paleo salad.
Crozet Pizza
If you are a pizza fan, it is worth taking the quick jaunt over to Crozet to grab some slices at Crozet Pizza. The folks here know what they are doing - they’ve been making their popular pies since 1977! Using fresh and local ingredients, you can’t go wrong with their inventive pizzas, but my personal favorite is the classic Capone with fresh mozzarella, basil, and tomato.
While you are out in Crozet, be sure and check out one of my favorite wineries, King Family (and check out my complete list of winery favorites here).
Marco & Luca
I used to eat Marco & Luca a lot more than I should have when I worked on the Downtown Mall. I couldn’t help myself; the dumplings are a delicious combo of leek, pork, and ginger and they come in a soy and hot sauce that is just SO GOOD. Their Hot & Sour Soup is also fantastic if you are looking for something a bit lighter.
The setting is very casual counter service, but there is indoor and outdoor seating or - if you are coordinated and not clumsy like me - you could take it to go and walk around downtown with your dumplings.
One thing to note is they tend to get busy at lunchtime, as it is a popular spot for people working downtown. It’s probably best to avoid lunch rushes.
Monsoon Siam
Monsoon Siam is my husband’s favorite restaurant in Charlottesville. Just one block up from the Downtown Mall, you can find delicious Thai food here.
They offer indoor and outdoor seating, but I say opt for outdoor if you can because it makes for some decent people watching.
If you like a little spice, my favorite item to order is the Spicy Eggplant, served in a spicy black bean sauce.
Sultan Kebab
Next to Chickadee, you’ll find Sultan Kebab. Showcasing Turkish cuisine, this is a great choice if you have people with multiple food restrictions and still want to have variety in your choices.
The setting is nice and open with dog friendly outdoor seating during the warmer months and the food is delicious. I personally love the Grilled Halloumi Cheese, the Dolma (stuffed grape leaves), and their Lahmacun (Lah-Ma-Jun), a thin and crispy pizza with ground beef, veggies, and herbs.
One thing to be aware of - it’s easy to over order here so definitely pace yourself! If you should overdo it, though, a lot of these dishes make great leftovers.
Three Notch’d Craft Kitchen & Brewery
If you follow me on Instagram, you probably already know what a fan I am of Three Notch’d. Located in Ix Art Park, you can find a ton of great beers here (including NA), good food, and one of the best dog friendly patios in town. It is definitely one of my most frequented places with my puppy Ollie.
The inside is large and a good space for watching sports (they usually have events going on for big games). It is also a nice option for getting a big group together (I recommend calling ahead), as the tables can accommodate large groups.
I tend to opt for sitting outside with Ollie on their tented and heated patio. It makes for a nice space to enjoy a beer or two while snacking on some of my favorite menu items. I recommend their nachos, their house salad (seriously!), and their 40 Mile Philly. Yes, a former PA girl is recommending a Philly sandwich in Virginia - the 40 Mile Cheese Sauce is amazing.
Tonic
Tonic is another frequent mention of mine. Just off of the Downtown Mall, they have a great tented and heated patio for my puppy and their menu consists of creative cocktails and inventive food using seasonal, local ingredients. I’m always a big fan of anything farm to table!
Honestly, this place has a vibe that feels quite fancy but I would call it more casual because it is actually counter service. I like the fact that it is a high end vibe with a casual twist because sometimes you want the best of both worlds. My favorite items to opt for are their small plates like Marinated Olives and Cauliflower Sott’olio, their Chips & Dip, and their Negroni.
I do recommend making a reservation if you are coming here in the evening, as the patio seating can fill up, but I’ve found during the week and at lunchtime you can usually find a seat and the dining room is also lovely.
Continental Divide
If you ask someone where to get the best margaritas in Charlottesville, they will probably tell you Continental Divide. It’s a definite blink and you’ll miss it spot located on West Main (they don’t have bold signage) and it’s very small (you can often expect a wait here), but it’s definitely worth the venture. I like to opt for the Carnitas, but I’ll never say no to their nachos.
Continental Divide is closed on Saturdays but open the rest of the week from 5:00 - 10:00 PM. If you get there during prime hours you can most definitely expect a wait, but they have an efficient system and you can also opt for bar seating if available.
Guajiros Miami Eatery
I talked about Guajiros in an earlier blog post and I still maintain it’s a fabulous spot to visit here in Charlottesville.
Close to the University of Virginia, Guajiros is located on West Main Street but the decor makes you feel like you are in the warm Florida sunshine. The food quickly does the same.
My favorite items are the Cafe Con Leche and the El Cubano, but I feel like you can’t go wrong with any items on their menu.
This is a popular spot with UVA students and locals alike, so it can get busy. If the weather is nice, try and snag a seat outside on their cute patio.
Kardinal Hall
Kardinal Hall can be a chaotic spot. It’s popular for group gatherings and it is both kid and dog friendly, so I wouldn’t recommend this for the more introverted food crowd. However, it’s a fun spot with a large drink menu and a surprisingly elevated food menu given it is a German beer hall.
Located on Preston Avenue, it’s off of a busy street close to downtown. As a result, parking can be a bit of an issue at times so that is one thing to be aware of if you are going during a busy time.
I like to go when the weather is nice so I can sit outside with my puppy and I always like to look at their more seasonal food items, as they can have some surprising offerings. Of course, the Jumbo Bavarian Pretzel is also a nice option - the heart wants what the heart wants.
Mel’s Cafe
I actually first had food from Mel’s Cafe when Cake Bloom (I mentioned them in this blog post about dessert in Cville) had their one year birthday. I enjoyed it so much I was confused as to what I have actually been doing with my life to have not yet had their food.
Located in between downtown Charlottesville and UVA, this is a popular spot for locals and tourists. It’s a great option for breakfast and lunch. You can expect a true diner feel from this spot.
This image is from Cake Bloom, but the chicken is from Mel’s
Beer Run
When I first moved to Charlottesville, I often heard talk of the nachos from Beer Run. Apparently, these were legendary and I just had to experience them. I wish I hadn’t listened because they actually are so good and I now unfortunately crave them often.
You can find Beer Run in the Belmont/Woolen Mills area of town, which is near the downtown but feels a little more residential. It’s a popular spot for locals of all ages, as they have what is essentially a store selling a ton of different beers, wines, and ciders from all over. When my husband and I are looking to stock our beer fridge (unfortunately I’m not making that up), we will often head here.
I also like how dog friendly their closed off patio is all year round. They can get busy on weekends (especially for their Saturday breakfast tacos and Sunday lunch) but we usually don’t have an issue getting in here for dinner. I of course recommend the nachos, but I also like their wings and the Kimchi Pork Wrap.
Selvedge Brewing
This will forever be a favorite of mine, as this is where my husband and I had our wedding. Of course, that was a little more formal, but that doesn’t mean this isn’t a go to casual spot for me.
Set in a restored Wool Factory in Woolen Mills, this does not feel like you are near downtown Charlottesville. There are trees everywhere and it just seems so serene if you are sitting outside.
The indoor space is a very cool warehouse feel. If you are sitting inside, I would opt for a reservation, but outside is first come first served. I like to opt for either one of their own beers on tap (like the Poplin, a pilsner) or a mocktail and order their incredible Smashburger with Cheese (the best in Cville, in my opinion) or their Chicken Wings. The Mac & Cheese is pretty solid as well.
They are closed Mondays & Tuesdays. I would also recommend checking their social media before going, as this is a popular event space as well and is sometimes closed.
Timberwood Grill
When I talk about Charlottesville restaurants, I will admit I tend to focus on the ones either directly downtown or nearby. However, when I head on out to Target on the north end of town, I always remember Timberwood exists. I could kick myself for not going more because it’s a solid casual spot.
I always opt to sit in the bar area, as I’m I prefer that type of vibe when I’m here. They have a great draft list, as well as delicious nachos and wings.
Michie Tavern
I feel like I would be remiss to mention casual restaurants in Charlottesville and not bring up the longstanding Michie Tavern. In fairness, this is not a spot locals are going to be frequenting, but it is a spot worth seeing if you are visiting from out of town.
Michie Tavern is essentially located at the base of Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello and is an 18th century style pub where the servers wear period attire while serving up traditional Southern food. They serve their lunch buffet every day (except Tuesdays in January & February) from 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM. After you grab some lunch, head on over to the Tavern Shop and General Store to buy some souvenirs or take a trip on up to Monticello.
Another added bonus - this is right by Carter Mountain Orchard. If you are in Charlottesville during the Fall months, I highly recommend hopping over there for some fresh apple cider made from local apples and great views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
There you have it - all 19 of my favorite casual sit down restaurants in Charlottesville, VA! I hope you try them and love them.
Until next time, cheers and happy eating!
