Melissa's Guidebook for Charlottesville
Food Scene
Recommended restaurants
I used to own FIREFLY so of course I love it! It's under new ownership as of May 2023 and it's a super fun casual spot with great food and games. Something for everyone. FIREFLY is a family-friendly restaurant, bar, and game room. Tons of gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options. Plus, locally-sourced food like our grass-fed Virginia beef burger. LGBTQIA+ friendly and queer-owned.
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FIREFLY Restaurant & Game Room
1304 East Market StreetI used to own FIREFLY so of course I love it! It's under new ownership as of May 2023 and it's a super fun casual spot with great food and games. Something for everyone. FIREFLY is a family-friendly restaurant, bar, and game room. Tons of gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options. Plus, locally-sourced food like our grass-fed Virginia beef burger. LGBTQIA+ friendly and queer-owned.
If you're on the downtown mall, this place has great Southern-inspired food, a rockin' music scene (some nights of the week), and, you guessed it, a large selection of whiskey.
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The Whiskey Jar
227 W Main StIf you're on the downtown mall, this place has great Southern-inspired food, a rockin' music scene (some nights of the week), and, you guessed it, a large selection of whiskey.
My favorite spot for pizza and people-watching on the downtown mall.
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Christian's Pizza
100 14th St NWMy favorite spot for pizza and people-watching on the downtown mall.
Now & Zen
202 2nd St NWDelicious sushi with innovative menu options.
Brazos Tacos
925 2nd St SEI love their tacos - especially the Sir Paul!
Beer Run is a great spot for grabbing a six pack of beer or a bottle of wine or cider to go. Or you can stick around for a meal and a beverage. Hint: they have amazing empanadas!
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Beer Run
156 Carlton RdBeer Run is a great spot for grabbing a six pack of beer or a bottle of wine or cider to go. Or you can stick around for a meal and a beverage. Hint: they have amazing empanadas!
One of the hidden gems of the Belmont area of Charlottesville. Creole-inspired soul food. Great outdoor bar. They often have live music, and occasionally have their outdoor ping pong table available!
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Southern Crescent Galley and Bar
814 Hinton AveOne of the hidden gems of the Belmont area of Charlottesville. Creole-inspired soul food. Great outdoor bar. They often have live music, and occasionally have their outdoor ping pong table available!
Kanak Indian Kitchen
385 Merchant Walk SqAmazing Indian fare, located in the Wegman's shopping area.
Delicious Indian food on the downtown mall, with outdoor dining, right near the Ting pavilion.
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Himalayan Fusion
520 E Main StDelicious Indian food on the downtown mall, with outdoor dining, right near the Ting pavilion.
Belle
407 Monticello RdGreat spot for coffee right in downtown Belmont.
Grit Coffee, Downtown
112 W Main StCasual coffee shop on the downtown mall.
From craft beverages to seasonally changing food menu, this spot is a great option downtown
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Tonic
609 E Market StFrom craft beverages to seasonally changing food menu, this spot is a great option downtown
Mexican fusion made with organic and local ingredients. The cafe does not have indoor seating but you can eat in the outdoor courtyard or go into the CODE building lobby for comfy seating (and Mudhouse Coffee). FARMacy also has a food truck around town.
FARMacy Café, food truck and caterer
Mexican fusion made with organic and local ingredients. The cafe does not have indoor seating but you can eat in the outdoor courtyard or go into the CODE building lobby for comfy seating (and Mudhouse Coffee). FARMacy also has a food truck around town.
Organic, vegan, and gluten-free juices and bowls. Highest quality ingredients.
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The Juice Laundry
722 Preston AveOrganic, vegan, and gluten-free juices and bowls. Highest quality ingredients.
Delicious teas and food at this second floor teahouse
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Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar
414 E Main StDelicious teas and food at this second floor teahouse
Great Mexican fusion spot on the downtown mall with delicious margaritas!
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The Bebedero
201 W Main StGreat Mexican fusion spot on the downtown mall with delicious margaritas!
Craft Beverages
There are tons of wineries, cideries, and breweries in the area. These are some of our favorites!
Jefferson Vineyards
1353 Thomas Jefferson PkwyNearby vineyard
Blenheim Vineyards
31 Blenheim FarmDave Matthews' vineyard!
While Knight's Gambit is not as close as the others on this list, they have a beautiful place to watch the sunset while drinking wine on the porch.
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Knight's Gambit Vineyard
218 Knole Farm LnWhile Knight's Gambit is not as close as the others on this list, they have a beautiful place to watch the sunset while drinking wine on the porch.
A rare gem: Their winery is certified organic (and their wines are delicious)!
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Loving Cup Vineyard & Winery
3340 Sutherland RdA rare gem: Their winery is certified organic (and their wines are delicious)!
Castle Hill is in Keswick, about 20 minutes from the house. It's a beautiful venue, and they have a variety of award-winning ciders.
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Castle Hill Cider Llc
6065 Turkey Sag RdCastle Hill is in Keswick, about 20 minutes from the house. It's a beautiful venue, and they have a variety of award-winning ciders.
Great brewery and large restaurant, just a couple of blocks off the downtown mall.
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Three Notch'd Craft Kitchen & Brewery
520 2nd St SEGreat brewery and large restaurant, just a couple of blocks off the downtown mall.
Fun spot for sake and tasty food, just a couple of blocks off the downtown mall.
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North American Sake Brewery
522 2nd St SEFun spot for sake and tasty food, just a couple of blocks off the downtown mall.
Crush Pad Wines
Delicious wine bar on the downtown mall
Sightseeing
Pick your own apples and peaches. Cider from Bold Rock Cider. Beautiful views.
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Carter Mountain Orchard
1435 Carters Mountain TrailPick your own apples and peaches. Cider from Bold Rock Cider. Beautiful views.
Thomas Jefferson's Monticello is of historic interest, and only a few minutes from the Airbnb!
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Monticello
1050 Thomas Jefferson PkwyThomas Jefferson's Monticello is of historic interest, and only a few minutes from the Airbnb!
Our Airbnb is literally across the road from Highland. It's a historic place with a museum and walking trails.
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James Monroe's Highland
2050 James Monroe PkwyOur Airbnb is literally across the road from Highland. It's a historic place with a museum and walking trails.
If you're visitng Charlottesville, walking along the Downtown Mall pedestrian mall is a MUST! Plenty of shopping and food options!
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Downtown Mall
If you're visitng Charlottesville, walking along the Downtown Mall pedestrian mall is a MUST! Plenty of shopping and food options!
University of Virginia
918 Emmet St NMcGuffey is right downtown. Check them out especially on First Fridays when there are art receptions and many artists have their studios open for viewing.
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McGuffey Art Center
201 2nd St NWMcGuffey is right downtown. Check them out especially on First Fridays when there are art receptions and many artists have their studios open for viewing.
Charlottesville Farmer's Market held on Saturday mornings. There are tons of vendors - food, crafts, and more!
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Charlottesville City Market
100 E Water StCharlottesville Farmer's Market held on Saturday mornings. There are tons of vendors - food, crafts, and more!
Awesome outdoor art park. Often there are festivals and music events being held here.
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Park tal-Arti IX
522 2nd St SEAwesome outdoor art park. Often there are festivals and music events being held here.
Michie Tavern, located between Carter Mountain and Monticello, has been offering food and drink in their pub and tap room since 1784!
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Michie Tavern
683 Thomas Jefferson PkwyMichie Tavern, located between Carter Mountain and Monticello, has been offering food and drink in their pub and tap room since 1784!
Shopping
Live Arts
123 E Water StLocal artisan co-op on the downtown mall.
My husband Geoff and I own this shop on the downtown mall and the corner of 2nd St NW. Art, Jewelry, and Unique Collectibles
Consignment House Unlimited
121 W Main StMy husband Geoff and I own this shop on the downtown mall and the corner of 2nd St NW. Art, Jewelry, and Unique Collectibles
Darling Boutique
115 1st St SGreat secondhand shopping for men and women
Twice Is Nice
923 Preston AveOne of the best thrift shops in town, with two locations!
Low - Vintage Clothing, Records & Antiques
105 5th St SEAwesome vintage shop
Arsenic and Old Lace
105 1st St SUnique finds at this vintage clothing shop
Grocery Stores
Wegmans
100 Wegmans WyMarket Street Market
400 E Market StIntegral Yoga Natural Foods
923 Preston AveMusic Scene
The Southern Café and Music Hall
103 1st St SThe Jefferson Theater
110 E Main StThe Paramount Theater
215 E Main StNow called the TING Pavilion, this outdoor music venue is unique and has live shows throughout the year. On Fridays during the spring/summer months they host "Fridays After 5" with free music.
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Sprint Pavilion
700 E Main StNow called the TING Pavilion, this outdoor music venue is unique and has live shows throughout the year. On Fridays during the spring/summer months they host "Fridays After 5" with free music.