Charlottesville Classics: A Guide to the Best Dishes in 2025
Charlottesville is known for its restaurants, cafes, breakfast spots, and dessert shops.
At Charlottesville Guide, we are here to celebrate all that our local food scene has to offer. For this year’s annual Fall Food Guide, we are highlighting the Charlottesville Classics that stand out the most. We invite you to come on this culinary journey with us and encourage you to try the new (to you), and old spots that help drive our town’s gastronomical excellence day in and out.
Shareable Bites
Dumplings
Fried or steamed, this is the place to get your dumpling on. A true family business, Marco & Luca is owned by a husband and wife duo, and named after their sons. The pork dumplings are out of this world, but don’t skip out on the veggie; they have a huge following. Topped with Luca Special soy sauce, the dumplings are served up at three locations so you’re never too far from this classic.
Tots
Equal parts comfort food and guilty pleasure, FIREFLY’s tots are iconic. Golden, crisp, and perfectly seasoned, these aren’t just a side—they’re an obsession. Served solo or smothered with cheese, bacon, or chili as a main dish, they pair perfectly with FIREFLY’s playful menu and arcade ambiance. Whether you’re reliving your youth or finding your new favorite bite, FIREFLY’s tots are Charlottesville’s answer to the ultimate nostalgic snack, elevated for grown-up cravings.
Chicken Wings
When it comes to transportation, a plate of wings can surpass an airline. It doesn’t matter where you take that first juicy bite – in your seat or in the aisle – because your departure is already underway. Of the many wing venues in Cville, we think Rapture on the Downtown Mall is the ticket. Their classic Buffalo Wing has a spicy and tangy sauce you can almost slurp, while their dry rub wings (try the lemon-pepper) deliver an arresting satisfaction that reminds you that you’ve arrived.
BBQ Ribs
Born from backyard passion and perfected in a smoker, Vision BBQ’s ribs are the soul of Charlottesville’s homegrown BBQ scene. Pitmaster-led and community-fed, these ribs are dry-rubbed, hickory-smoked, and fall-off-the-bone tender. What sets them apart? A deep, smoky bark and a whisper of heat that builds bite by bite. Served roadside or at pop-ups, Vision’s ribs embody the grit and flavor of Virginia barbecue done right
Hand-Cut French Fries
The perfect ratio of crispy and tender, fried in 100% ultra-refined peanut oil, these delicious hand-cut fries can be topped with cheese & jalapeños, house seasoning, or truffle salt and shredded parmesan cheese. Nothing quite says girl dinner like a big bowl of parmesan truffle fries with house-made garlic aioli, and the Caesar with homemade croutons for the table to share.
Loaded Nachos
A neighborhood favorite, Beer Run’s nachos are a communal rite of passage. Built to share and layered to perfection, these aren’t your average bar snack. With locally sourced ingredients and pickled jalapeños, they strike a crave-worthy balance of crunch, spice, and cheesy indulgence. Paired with one of the city’s best craft beer selections, this dish is a go-to for locals, students, and visitors alike—especially on game day or open mic night.
Desserts
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Can there ever be TOO much butter in a bakery treat? When it comes to MarieBette’s chocolate chunk cookies, they have discovered the perfect balance between buttery, chewy goodness and chocolate chunky crunch to sweep you away into cookie nirvana. About the size of a small frisbee, these cookies are made to be shared so break off a piece of crispy, gooey sweetness and toss it to a lucky friend.
Milkshakes
For some of us, milkshakes are the ideal form of ice cream treat. No sticky hands from a melting cone, just delicious drinkable creaminess in a cup! For 40 years, Chaps has been blending their hand-dipped shakes to perfection on the Downtown Mall. Vanilla, chocolate, seasonal flavors like peach, or their special coffee raspberry combo, made onsite, refresh and delight us. Closer to UVA? Try their Corner location.
Glazed Donuts
Sbrocco’s glazed donuts are a morning ritual and an afternoon reward. Hand-rolled, yeast-risen, and fried to a golden finish, they melt with every bite. The glaze is light, sweet, and never cloying—a delicate contrast to the warm dough beneath. Rooted in family tradition and made fresh daily, these donuts sell out fast for good reason. One bite and you’ll understand why locals line up for this small-batch pastry perfection.
Crème Brûlée
Crème Brûlée isn’t just a dessert; it’s a lifestyle. In what might be one of our finest homages to Thomas Jefferson and the culinary bounty he and James Hemings brought from Paris to Charlottesville, no fewer than 14 restaurants offer Crème Brûlée on their menu. You’re encouraged to try them all, one sugar-cracking spoonful at a time, but if you want to cut to the chase, Hamiltons’ blueberry-infused offering is a perfect blend of tartness and sweetness. Visually impressive, glazed berries layered inside, and 10/10 on the sugar-crack scale!
You can read about Sharon’s Creme Brulee tasting adventures, and learn about the other delectable selections on her list, on our blog: Ultimate Guide to Creme Brulee
Pulled Pork Sandwich
If you asked us where to go for a pulled pork sandwich in Charlottesville, we’d send you straight to Ace Biscuit & Barbecue. This cozy spot, beloved by locals, serves up smoky meats, fresh biscuits, and classic Southern comfort food. It’s the perfect place to unwind, enjoy a delicious meal, and feel right at home.
Onion Rings
What defines perfection better than a delicately battered, hot and crispy serving of onion rings? The heat from that first delicious bite trips the siren in your mind as you reach for another one and another one. We think Sticks onion rings are the best we’ve ever had – the crunch is consistent and elegant, like a polite ovation – and they make either a sinful standalone of perfect compliment to a diverse selection of entrees available at this small chain started in the late ‘90s right here in Cville.
Bagel
Bodo’s has defined what a community breakfast is in Charlottesville for over 40 years. Their fresh water-baked bagels and service alacrity make an unbeatable combination. “What’s your favorite Bodo’s order?”, is our town’s quintessential ice-breaker. The answer from chef extraordinaire Tomas Rahal, “Bodo’s pastrami, egg, muenster, hot mustard, everything bagel.”
Biscuits
Little pillows of heaven. Fresh buttermilk-style biscuits made daily with purpose and care. Sandwiched between those buttery layers the chef places Kite’s local Virginia country ham (a 65-year-old family-owned company), peppery arugula, pommery mustard aioli, and the most delicious sweet and tangy pickled green apples. Those apples will have you questioning why you ever ate apples any other way.
Pizza
Vegan Pizza
Celebrating their 50th anniversary, Mellow Mushroom has been around since 1974 and on The Corner nearly half that time! The quirky, art-filled space and puffy, crispy pizza crust appeal to a rowdy crowd, and vegans will find the menu more than accommodating. Build your own with Follow Your Heart Dairy-Free Cheese or try the Vegan Veg-Out. Piled high with spinach, olives, onions, peppers, tomatoes, and, of course, mushrooms, the non-vegans were reaching for another slice too.
Margharita Pizza
Lampo’s Margherita pizza is a masterclass in D.O.C. Neapolitan tradition, fired in a blistering-hot oven and served with reverence. The dough is fermented to perfection—airy, tender, and charred just so. Topped with San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and bright basil, each bite sings with simplicity and soul. As one of Charlottesville’s most beloved pizzerias, Lampo draws loyalists who know: this isn’t just pizza—it’s a pilgrimage-worthy pie rooted in authenticity.
Pepperoni Pizza
Pizza is to a college town as water is to an oasis, and Charlottesville has a half dozen pizzerias that are sure to slake your thirst. But it was not always so. In the mid ‘90s Cville’s pizza well had run dry. That’s when a man named Christian Tamm came to town and revolutionized the pizza scene. Lines were out the door and Christian’s opened 3 new stores in short order. Then Christian sold and left. Now he’s back! The classic pepperoni pizza, then as now, can be found at Christian’s on Fifth Street along with the man himself. Perfectly cooked pepperoni balanced with the right amount of sauce and thin-crust crunch delivers all the joy and fulfillment for which pizza was invented.
Simple Lunch
Grilled Cheese
Few things pierce the all-American bullseye like the classic Grilled Cheese sandwich. Any time of year, this original comfort food delivers all that’s necessary to salvage happy endurance. Find our favorite Grilled Cheese at The Nook, one of Charlottesville’s oldest restaurants. Your order will arrive on a perfectly toasted country bread that’s both soft and crunchy. The cheese is a combination of Swiss and American (check this) with the essence of butter invisibly everywhere.
Hot Dog
Jak ‘n Jil
The good old-fashioned hot dog is back! Once threatened with irrelevance in a dynamic world of culinary fusion, the simple elegance of the American hot dog awaits today as it has for more than six decades at Jak ‘n Jil’s. Home of the World Famous Footlong, renowned by Herman Moore and many others, you owe it to yourself to taste this wonder, with chilli, onions, and mustard at this delightfully antique eatery on High Street.
Cheeseburger
Among the brightest stars in Charlottesville’s culinary heaven is the cheeseburger from Riverside Lunch, established in 1935. Order the grill-smashed burger all the way–with lettuce, tomato, mayo, mustard, and onion–pillowed in a soft, easy-to-hold bun. At this beloved institution, the service is quick and friendly, the environs are upbeat and sporting, and the taste is unforgettable. And don’t forget the basket of seasoned fries on the side!
International
Whole Chicken
Peruvian-style charcoal rotisserie chicken that is bursting with flavor; you can see the seasoning rubbed under the crispy, charred, and delectable skin. Try the La Familia bundle, a whole cut chicken, two house-made sauces, and your choice of three sides (shout out to the chorizo mac and cheese and the esquite–Mexican street corn which comes on the cob or in a mayo or cream salad) for an easy and delicious family meal.
Hummus
Creamy, dreamy, and decadent, this is not your average grocery store hummus. Thyme & Co.’s nutty, luscious hummus is clearly made with love. They use beautiful ingredients, like olive oil imported from a town in Lebanon which prides itself on its 500-year-old olive trees. Pair their delicious hummus with scratch-made flatbread cooked in their incredible basalt rock oven. It will change what you think you know about hummus.
Pad Thai
One of our first local Thai restaurants is still one of our best. Thai ‘99 II has a full menu of colorful dishes including fan favorite, Pad Thai. Rice noodles with a choice of chicken, pork or tofu in sweet and tangy tamarind sauce, topped with fresh bean sprouts, eggs, scallions, chopped peanuts, and a wedge of lime make a flavorful meal. Want to up the spiciness? Ask for “Native Thai”!
Pasta: Ragu alla Bolognese
A long-standing favorite in the Ivy Road corridor, Vivace has been serving handmade Italian dishes with flair and consistency for 30 years. Their signature pasta—Ragu alla Bolognese—is a hearty, slow-simmered classic layered with rich meat sauce, tomatoes, and aromatic vegetables over tender pasta. Rustic yet refined, this dish embodies Vivace’s balance of comfort and sophistication. It’s a must for UVA alumni and locals who return again and again for tradition served with class (and amazing bread).
Pho
When it comes to pho, Thai Cuisine & Noodle House is our go-to. With its rich, aromatic broth and tender beef paired with fresh herbs, rice noodles, and a dash of lime, each bowl feels like a comforting hug. Whether you’re craving something hearty or just want a taste of authentic Thai and Vietnamese flavors, this place never disappoints.
Enchiladas
If you’re craving enchiladas, Continental Divide is your place. Their Santa Fe Enchiladas truly stand out: yellow and blue corn tortillas stuffed with grilled chicken and melted cheese, topped with smoky chipotle sauce and cooling cilantro crema. Served alongside beans, rice, and a pumpkin muffin, it’s a hearty, flavorful dish that hits all the right notes. Add one of their signature margaritas, and you’re in for a fun, unforgettable meal. Look for the neon sign and “Get in Here!”
Steak Chinois
For over 40 years, C&O has set the standard for what laid-back elegant dining is in Charlottesville. Tucked away in a back corner off the Downtown Mall, with a downstairs, wood-paneled bar of undisputed cool, it’s home to exceptional meals, service, and atmosphere to create indelible memories of Cville. Their piece-de-resistance: Steak Chinois: hand-cut prime bavette seared in tamari-ginger pan sauce, with gruyere-thyme potatoes on the side.
Chicken Korma
Kanak Indian Kitchen is warming hearts and souls one dish at a time. Their chicken korma is the perfect place to start! Korma is a creamy cashew sauce with warm spices including coriander, cumin, and cardamom, a dish that will fill your belly and your soul. It may also expand your culinary repertoire of what defines comfort food!
Salads
Caesar Salad
Zocalo reimagines the Caesar with Latin flair and Charlottesville sophistication. Crisp romaine is dressed in a garlic-laced anchovy vinaigrette, topped with perfectly crisp croutons and ripe cherry tomatoes, balancing richness and spice. A mainstay on the Downtown Mall since 2003, Zocalo’s Caesar has earned its place as a local classic—light enough to start, bold enough to remember. It’s a dish that speaks to the restaurant’s creative edge and enduring charm.
Greek Salad
Fresh crispy lettuce with all of the proper Greek salad toppings, including whole kalamata olives (the ones with the pits), chunks of feta cut off a block, tangy pepperoncinis, and their house special Greek dressing (it’s zesty and earthy). Add grilled chicken and a side of warm pita to make it a full entree, or switch it up and try a side of onion rings with tzatziki sauce. You won’t regret it!
