7 Must-Try Restaurants in Charlottesville, VA

By Walbert Castillo on October 14, 2014

This article is brought to you by The Flats at West Village, a dynamic new development steps away from the UVA campus in beautiful Charlottesville. To learn more about The Flats, please visit us here.

Here on the grounds of Charlottesville, VA., you’ll find yourself surrounded by a diverse range of appetizing bistros, wine and beer tours.

Home to approximately 43,000 individuals, this city also holds a home to the University of Virginia. Many of these restaurants utilize the fresh farm foods due to the large amount of farming that takes place within this city.

The next time you visit Charlottesville or if you are a student at the university, be sure to stop by these fine restaurants before leaving. You’ll definitely find yourself coming back for more.

1. Mas Tapas

Known for its modern interior design, spacious patio and casual neighborhood setting you’ll find yourself surrounded by University of Virginia students and locals during your visit here.

Hidden behind a gas station, you’ll find this restaurant to be quite the gem. Once you have a taste of the restaurant’s organic and artisan foods that are influenced by Spain along with hand-selected wines, you’ll come back craving for more.

Not only does Mas Tapas have a hint of Spanish culture mixed in with their dishes but also European and Mediterranean cultures. According to Mike’s Road Trip, “the menu descriptions are witty and fit the overall vibe of Mas.”

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2. The Ivy Inn Restaurant

Established in 1995, Ivy Inn is both a restaurant and hotel for visitors to stay in. Using local ingredients around central Virginia, Ivy Inn aims to serve locally inspired seasonal American cuisine to its visitors.

With dim lighting and traditional décor, Ivy Inn is a perfect location to spend with your significant other. A restaurant with great service, a quaint atmosphere and delectable food, you cannot go wrong!

Image via: http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com

3. Bodo’s Bagel Bakery

Although you may face long lines at this restaurant, the food is definitely worth the wait. Rated as one of the best restaurants on Trip Advisor, you absolutely cannot visit Charlottesville without visiting Bodo’s Bagel Bakery.

Plus, there are three restaurants within the city so it’s not difficult to miss! Where else can you eat authentic New York water bagels?

One of the reviews on Trip Advisor said:

“This is by far the best bagel place we have eaten at. And that’s saying a lot, because we have even eaten bagels in NYC. They do have excellent bagels in NYC, but they do not offer the variety that Bodo’s does.”

Fast service and friendly employees, you’ll be sure to walk out with more than just a bagel in your hands.

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4. Bang!

The first restaurant in Charlottesville, VA to ever introduce a small-plate atmosphere, you’ll find yourself eating a wide variety of flavors mixed in their cuisine.

Bang is a tapas restaurant so all dishes can be shared by everyone at the table. When you first open up the menu, you’re going to find Asian dishes, such as sushi and dim sum.

Bang is also known for their drinks, especially their martinis. Who wouldn’t want these drinks when you have friendly service at the bar? In addition, the owner decided to remodel the whole restaurant to accommodate the customers, which includes a courtyard for outdoor dining and private rooms.

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5. Brookeville Restaurant

Brookeville Restaurant is a world-class neighborhood restaurant that teams up with local farmers to bring you the freshest farm food from Virginia.

With brick and wood design for the interior, it’ll feel like your cozy abode. Located on the second floor in the downtown pedestrian mall, sitting by the windows will give you a great view of the bustling crowds in the mall.

If you ever stop by this restaurant, a crowd favorite according to Yelp is the Chocolate Chip and Bacon Cookie. Fresh from the oven, you can’t go wrong with it!

Image via: http://charlottesville.scoutology.com

6. Tavola

Located in the district of Belmont in Charlottesville, this fine eatery is known for its rustic Italian dining. This restaurant does not take any reservations due to limited seating so first come, first-served.

If you want to be served by a staff that’s highly knowledgeable about drinks, then you should consider stopping by this establishment. Here is one of the reviews on Yelp:

“Hands down my favorite restaurant in Charlottesville. I studied abroad in Florence, Italy, so I consider myself to be a tough judge when it comes to Italian food.”

Since this is an intimate-styled restaurant, it’s best to eat in small groups.

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7. Bella’s

Newly opened in 2012, this fine eatery serves a fusion of Roman and Italian food. If you wish to experience five-star service, reasonable prices and enticing food, Bella’s is the place to be.

You can easily make reservations here at this restaurant so it’s best to call beforehand. Bella’s maintains a family-style environment so if your family is in town, consider going to Bella’s for lunch or dinner.

Reviews from Yelp state that the serving portions are large so be sure to bring others with you.

Image via: http://www.bellas-restaurant.com

Looking for a great place to live off-campus within a stone’s throw of campus? Please visit The Flats at West Village to see our dynamic community in action. To visit our website, please click here.

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