One of my favorite things to do when traveling is experiencing the local restaurants. There’s something about it that makes me feel at home, like I’m sharing in a destination other people might not know about when they’re in town. Charlottesville, Virginia’s Downtown Pedestrian Mall and the surrounding area are becoming the scene for foodies, with everything from classic Southern food with an upscale twist to classic comfort food to farm to table goodies. One of the easiest ways to experience a taste of the restaurants is with a food tour. We took the Taste of Virginia Food Tour and found new favorites and rediscovered old favorites.
We visited Charlottesville as part of a media trip. It’s the second year we’ve returned because we enjoy it!
8 Charlottesville Restaurants You’ll Want to Visit
1. Draft Taproom – A new concept on the Downtown Mall, the Draft Taproom features more than 60 beers on tap, and beer is sold by the ounce. The self-serve atmosphere is perfect for sampling. You are issued a card, which is placed on a screen above each beer you wish to try. It keeps a tally of the price and once you are done, you can bring the card to the register to pay. I am not a beer drinker, but I was impressed by the selection, which rotates often, and even found a delicious grapefruit beer that I tried both times I visited.
The food is well worth a look too. It’s not your typical bar food. We sampled several items from their “Beer Inspired Menu,” including the Pretzel Bites, served with a delicious beer cheese dip, the smooth and creamy Chicken Corn Chowder, the mussels steamed with garlic, shallot, celery, butter, IPA & pesto broth, the Fried Brussell Sprouts and the Marbled Chocolate Cheesecake. Although all the items were delicious, my favorite was the mussels, which tasted fresh and were perfectly seasoned. As an added bonus, because Draft Taproom pays a living wage, each month they pick a different charity and donate their tips. Insider Tip: This site can be very busy on the weekends. Plan accordingly and make time in your schedule in case there is a wait.
2. The Whiskey Jar – The owner of the Whiskey Jar takes the Farm to Table movement seriously. In fact, he purchased his own farm so he could grow vegetables for the restaurant during the summer. He has partnerships with other local farms and purchases his meats from farmers within an hours drive. All of the food is made from scratch and you can taste the difference. I’ve tried several of the menu items and enjoyed them, but the dish that surprised me the most was the Fried Chicken and Collards. I’ve never been a fan of collards before, but these are slightly tart and mixed with Kite’s Virginia Country bacon converted me. Insider Tip: You will want to save room for dessert, especially the Pecan Pie served with Bourbon Vanilla Ice Cream prepared on site by baker Rachel Pennington.
3. The Spice Diva – While not a restaurant per se, this is a cook and foodie lovers dream shop. You can taste the difference between these freshly ground spices, salt, pepper and herb blends, many of which are difficult to find. The shop also sells gourmet tea in bulk as well as extracts, bitters and gourmet chocolate.
You’ll want to browse the selection of gourmet cookbooks and sign up for one of the many different cooking classes and workshops offered at the Spice Diva. Need a gourmet gift for that someone special? Gift baskets are available for purchase.
4. Feast!- is both a market and a cafe. Their mission is to connect local farmers and artisan food producers to the community. When you step inside the market, you will discover it truly is a “Feast” for the eyes. Samples of the locally sourced products are spread throughout the store, tempting you to taste. We tried a charcuterie of local cheeses, meats and condiments, including a smooth and creamy cheese made in small batches by Our Lady of the Angels Monastery in Crozet that made me wish I could slip an entire block onto the plane as I headed home. If you are looking for a gift anyone will appreciate, Feast offers a selection of gift baskets or the opportunity to create your own custom gift basket.
5. Los Jarachos – is a traditional Mexican restaurant. (In other words, expect classic Mexican dishes, not the Americanized Tex-Mex dishes.) The dishes are prepared fresh when ordered so expect a short wait. We tried the salmon, which was fork tender and delightfully seasoned. But, the rice! It was amazing. Flavored with just a touch of cilantro and other spices, I could have eaten a plate of it! The presentation is beautifully done and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming.
6. Pearl’s Bake Shoppe– Named after Pearl, owner Laurie Blakely’s grandmother, Pearl’s Bake Shoppe is dedicated to continuing Pearl’s tradition of cooking goodies from scratch. The creations range from whimsical to classic, but all are delicious. The cupcake menu features 8 “everyday” cupcakes, served daily, and Specialty cupcakes, served on a rotating basis. I was impressed with the Gluten Free selection, available daily and made with Laurie’s special blend of flour that doesn’t leave a bitter aftertaste, and their Vegan selection. Also included on the menu are a selection of items ranging from brownies, cookies, cakes, cake pops, hand pies and more. Insider’s Tip: Be sure to check for the Orange Blossom Cupcakes, a secret family recipe invented by grandmother Pearl.
7. Gearhart’s Chocolate– Who doesn’t want to satisfy their chocolate craving sometimes? First opened in 2001 by Tim Gearhart, their shop has expanded from artisan chocolates to include a daily selection of bakery items. You can watch chocolate being made through glass windows – up to a 3-day process- while sipping a speciality coffee or hot chocolate. Their signature chocolates are available for purchase daily.
8. Citizen’s Burger Bar believes in the motto “Give me burgers, beers, and ballgames, or give me death.” With that being said, they offer gourmet burgers (and more)/ They partner with local farms to bring you the freshest ingredients, along with meat that includes no hormones, no preservatives, grass fed beef , free range chickens and Virginia cheeses. I tried the “Citizen Burger” a huge burger made from Timbercreek beef, McClure swiss, black onion, garlic aioli, iceberg, tomato, house brioche and topped with a fried pickle. Your choice of side dish is included. If you prefer a custom burger, they offer a “Build Your Own” burger with your choice of bun, meat, cheese, free and premium toppings and side. Note: This restaurant is not included in the Taste of Virginia Food Tour.
Insider Tip: Take the Taste of Virginia Food tour at the beginning of your vacation as you’ll probably want to revisit several of the restaurants like we did. The tour includes coupons for 10% off future meals at all the sites we visited. Deborah is a wonderful hostess, making everyone feel welcome, sharing bits of history and trivia about Charlottesville, and taking the time to answer questions. She offers both a 3 hour lunch tour and a 2 1/2 hour evening tour. All tastings are included in the price.
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I love using spices and I would totally have the best time in that spice shop! the food looks delish too!
These places look amazing! I love going to new restaurants, but have never been to Charlotte. These look like some good ones!
I love that presentation of the fried rice with a sprig of rosemary, so cute and pretty! This place looks like a great place for good eating!
I love getting foodie recommendations. I think if I had only a day I’d want to start in Draftroom Taproom, head to Feast for starters, have my main at Citizen’s Burger Bar and then finish the day off at Pearl’s Bake Shoppe
Los Jarachos, you better be ready for me! I am a big fan of authentic Mexican dishes and this restaurant promises nothing but that! Yummy.
Omg so many yummy places to eat!!! Finding good places to eat when traveling is always a goal of mine
Never been there yet but I’ll take note of this list so I can pay a visit on these places. Will definitely check out the burger.
Great food! It is definitely mouth watering deliciousness! Thanks for creating this list of places to dine in Charlottesville. Who knows we’d be there one of these days and enjoy good food and great tasting beer!
I need to get to Charlottesviille to dine in those places. Oh everything looks so good. The burger, the salmon, that cake and the beer… what a gastronomic delight that would be.
The Spice Diva looks like it is right up my ally. I bet there are a ton of unique flavors to try.
All of this looked so good. I’ve never visited here but it looks like I should put it on my list of places to visit.
It all looks and sounds fantastic. Love the idea of doing a foodie tour so you can get ideas for the best places to eat in town.
This looks like a fun place to visit.
I like the way you separate the different festivities in your article.
These are great suggestions! I will definitely visit each of these restaurants!!
These sounds like all great restaurants in Charlottesville. The food at the pretzel bite and the beer cheese dip along with the different beers would be interesting to try. Thanks for sharing these different restaurants and foods.
I tried at Los Jarachos. Very nice Mexican food definitely every one should try it out. bingo
The food looks so yummy. I do so love Virginia. I was only there once, but I fell in love with the people and the land. I will have to go back and make a visit sometime soon.
We’re complete foodies at our house .. and everything on your list looks like it’s all sorts of wonderful! If we were in Charlottesville .. my husband would be having a burger over a bottle of beer from a local brewery. I’d be wishing we’d gone to The Whisky Jar for veggies
Ok, all of this food looks amazing!! I need to plan to trip to Charlottesville for sure!!
I want Mexican now. That restaurant sounds divine. I have never been to this area.
Yummy/ I need to get to PEarl’s bake shop. Sounds so delightful. I also love the restaurant/grocery store. Reminds me somewhat of a restaurant I went to recently with my family. It was like a store and restaurant in one; reminded me of IHOP a bit except it was better food.
I think Pearl’s Bake Shop would be such a fun place to eat! I love to try recipes that have been made for so long.
Exploring local restaurants is one of my favorite aspects of traveling. It seems like Charlottesville has something delicious for everyone.
We plan to visit there in the next few years. The food looks amazing.
Good to know, this city is on our list of places to bring our son! Thanks for the list!
I have never been to Charlottesville, but all these places sound great! I would love to get over to that side of the country some day.
I need to visit all of these places how absolutely amazing do they all sound! That chocolate place in particular I don’t think I would ever want to leave!
These all look like places I would enjoy! Now I want to go there just for the food. Hoping I get there soon!
OMG, these places all look so good! My husband would love trying all of those craft beers while we ate. Thanks!
Well now I’m starving. All of those places look incredible. One of my favorite parts of traveling is eating in new and interesting restaurants.
Aaaah! I’m going to start planning a trip to Charlottesville right now just to eat at these restaurants! They all look so good.
You are totally up my alley here! Los Jarachos looks so great! Love me a good Mexican meal!
We’d definitely want to check out the draft tap room. Mmmm my hubby loves him some beer. Great eats.
I love touring around to different cities and checking out local restaurants. I love restaurants that are not chains they taste better and I love the atmosphere.
That looks like some seriously amazing food. Charlottesville is one of my favorite places to travel- it’s so beautiful there!
I would love to take a cooking class at the Spiced Diva. Learning recipes and trying new foods is my favorite part about traveling to a new place.
All these places look like a great place to visit and enjoy some great food. All people love their food and great food. I always laugh when someone says they are a goodie person. Really I have found we all are. The herbs and spice store is my thing since I make all my own mixes and dry my own fresh herbs.