Charlottesville Restaurant Recommendations
There are two areas close the the Courtyard Marriott to find
restaurants, and one slightly further away:
- "The Corner" district is a region across from the University of
Virgina grounds where West Main Street turns into University Avenue.
This area features coffee shops, grab and go food, and a few sit-down restaurants.
- Along the West Main Street section you will find mainly
sit down restaurants. This area can be found by heading East on Main Street away from the
University grounds.
- The Downtown Mall is a brick-cobbled pedestrian
Mall that is closed off to traffic, located in the
Historic Downtown
district of Charlottesville, ~1mi east of the Courtyard.
This area features many choice restaurants and outdoor dining.
A free ~5min
Trolley
ride transports people between the University area and
the Downtown Mall. The nearest Trolley stop is across the street
from the Courtyard and East on Main Street about 0.1 miles.
A supplemental list of restaurants and descriptions is found on the
Charlottesville Tourism Board
Dining webpage.

Michael's Bistro (0.2 miles
West of the Courtyard, European Cuisine)
The Corner Microbrewery. Large portions and inventive ingredients
on the diverse menu. Watch the Rotunda from the upstairs outdoor
balcony. Candlelight and fresh flowers offset the dark wood
booths. Local art displays change monthly. Lunch Mon.-Fri. 11:30-2:30pm, Sat. noon-2:30pm;
drinks/light Lunch Mon.-Sat. 2:30-5:30pm; Dinner Daily 4:30-10pm. Bar until
2am. 1427 University Ave, above LittleJohns. (434) 977-3697. An NRAO
favorite...you might find someone you know here! Outdoor Dining, weather permitting.
Bodo ' s Bagel Bakery (0.3 miles West of the Courtyard)
Still the king of bagels in Charlottesville with just about every kind of
bagel under the sun. Features huge, garlicky salads and homemade soups made daily. Mon.-Fri. 6:30am-8pm, Sat. 7am-8pm. 1609 University
Ave. (434) 293-6021. No credit cards.
Good Fortune (0.2 miles West of the Courtyard)
Chinese food in a tiny venue. Wide selection of traditional Chinese
restaurant entrees. Mon.-Sat. 11am-11pm, Sun. 4:30-10pm. 1395 W. Main
St. (434) 977-8000. No smoking.
The Virginian (0.3 miles West of
the Courtyard, American Food)
This Corner mainstay's cozy interior features crab cakes, filet mignon, quesadillas
and New York strip steaks. Mon.-Sat. 11am-2am, Sun. 10am-2am. 1521
University Ave. (434) 984-4667.
Mellow Mushroom (0.1 miles West of the Courtyard)
Forty beers on tap to wash down the wide array of pizzas, calzones,
hoagies and salads. Mon.-Sat. 11am-2am, Sun. noon-midnight. 1309
W. Main St., in the Red Roof Inn. (434) 972-9366.
Asian Express (0.2 miles West of the Courtyard)
This Corner eatery offers Chinese, Japanese and sushi on its
flexible menu. Daily, 10:30am-11pm. 909 W. Main
St. (434) 979-1888.
Amigos (0.2 miles West of the Courtyard)
Authentic Mexican cuisine. Fri. 11am-11pm, Sat. 11am-10pm,
Sun. 11am-9pm. On the Corner at 1145 Fifth St.
Baja Bean Company (0.2 miles West of the Courtyard)
Two levels of California Mex with flair in the college part of
town. Margaritas to die for. Interesting collection of paraphernalia
graces the walls and ceiling. Daily 11am-2am. 1327 W. Main St. (434) 293-4507.

Cafe 1201 (at the Courtyard)
Seven-day breakfast buffet featuring a smorgasbord. Dinner features
crabcakes, salmon and strip steak. Breakfast Mon.-Fri. 6:30-10:30am,
Sat.-Sun. 7-11am; Lunch Mon.-Fri. 11am-2pm; Dinner Mon.-Sat. 5-10pm. 1201 W. Main
St. (434) 977-1700.
Blue Bird Cafe
(0.5 miles East from the Courtyard)
American fare with vegetarian options. Big outdoor patio and pleasant
interior with murals and booths for intimate dining. The menu changes
daily and includes seafood, meats, pasta and desserts made
in-house. Lunch Mon.-Fri. 11:30am-3pm; Breakfast Sat. 11:30am-3pm,
Sun. 10:30am-3pm; Dinner Sun.-Thurs. 5-9:30pm,
Fri.-Sat. 5-10:30pm. 625 W. Main St. (434) 295-1166.
The Shebeen (0.8 miles East from the
Courtyard)
Get a feel for South African cuisine, with peri-peri sauce,
mango chutney and bobotie (South African meat loaf). The have really great
fish and chips, and soups sold in bread bowls. Wash it all down with a
Guinness from the full bar. Live music often. Sun.-Thurs. 11am-10pm;
Fri.-Sat. 11am-11pm; bar open late. 247 Ridge McIntire Rd. in the
Vinegar Hill Shopping Center. (434) 296-3185. (Directions: walk East on
main street ~0.6 miles, make a left on Ridge McIntire Rd 0.2 miles)
Northern Exposure
(across the street from the Courtyard)
NYC themed restaurant including subway maps and old black and white
photographs. Menu items include pasta, pizza, steaks, sandwiches and more. Outdoor dining
available. Sun.-Thurs. 11am-10pm, Fri.-Sat. 11am-11pm. Breakfast
Sun. 11am-3pm. 1202 W. Main St. (434) 977-6002.
Southern Culture
(0.4 miles East of the Courtyard)
Features a big outdoor patio with a down-home cooking menu. Lunch Sat. 11am-2pm; Dinner
Sun.-Thurs. 5-10pm, Fri.-Sat. 5-10:30pm; Breakfast Sun. 11am-2pm. 633 W. Main
St. (434) 979-1990.
White Orchid (0.5 miles East of the Courtyard)
Vietnamese cuisine with a decadent French flair. Appetizers include
items such as spring rolls spiced up with peanut dipping sauce,lemongrass beef
skewers, and My tho soup- a delicate blend of rice noodles, shrimp,
and pork. The main courses offer a variety of grilled fish, and a
smoky- barbequed meat selection. 11:30-2pm and 5:30-10pm,
Tuesday-Sunday. 420 West Main Street.
Mel's Cafe (0.4 miles East of the Courtyard)
Southern soul-soothing food- liver and onions and country-fried
goodness. You can't miss the place with its big yellow sign and
plastic chairs out front. Mon.-Thurs. 10am-10pm,
Fri.-Sat. 10am-2:30am. 719 W. Main St. (434) 971-8819. No credit cards.
Starr Hill Restaurant and Brewery (0.7 miles East of
the Courtyard, American Food)
Excellent cuisine, award-winning microbrews, and an art gallery. The Ahi tuna
or pork tenderloin are great to try. Plenty of vegetarian options on
the menu. Tues.-Sun. 5pm-2am. 709 W. Main St. (434) 977-0017.
Feast! (0.6 miles East of the Courtyard)
Offers the ultimate tuna, prosciutto and fresh mozzarella, famous
grilled cheese sandwich and other gourmet sandwiches. Made-to-order in
the back of the Main Street Market beneath photography, sculture and
craft exhibits by local artists. Fri. 11am-6pm, Sat. 10am-5pm,
Sun. 11am-4pm; Store: Mon.-Fri. 10am-7pm, Sat. 9am-6pm,
Sun. 11am-5pm. 416 West Main St. (434) 244-7800.

Zocalo (1.0 mile East from the Courtyard)Latin-inspired dishes with an amazing presentation. The dishes include
ancho-rubbed grilled lamb loin, NY drunken strip steak and more. They
also have a full bar and occassional live music. Dinner Tues.-Thurs. 5:30-10pm,
Fri.-Sat. 5:30-11pm, Sun. 5:30-10pm. Bar til 2am Thurs.-Sat. 201
E. Main St. (434) 977-4944.
Bang! (1.0 mile East from the
Courtyard)
Asian fusion tapas menu with emphasis on fresh fish and local meats
and veggies. Features an extensive martini menu and patio dining. Dinner
Mon.-Thurs. 5:30-9:30pm., Fri.-Sat. 5:30-10:30pm. Bar until 2am. 213
Second St. SW. (434) 984-2264.
The Shebeen (0.8 miles East from the
Courtyard)
Get a feel for the South African veldt here, with peri-peri sauce,
mango chutney and bobotie (South African meat loaf), plus some killer
fish and chips, and soups sold in bread bowls. Wash it all down with a
Guinness from the full bar. Live music often. Sun.-Thurs. 11am-10pm;
Fri.-Sat. 11am-11pm; bar open late. Vinegar Hill Shopping Center.(434) 296-3185.
South Street Brewery (0.8 miles East from the Courtyard)
Microbrewery with an international menu including things like ribs,
chicken pitas, goat cheese pastries and excellent burgers. Home of
World Beer Cup gold medalist JP Ale. Mon.-Sat. 4:30pm-2am. 106 South St. (434) 293-6550.
Christian' s Pizzeria (0.9 miles East of the Courtyard)
Fresh pizza pies by-the-slice or whole. Voted favorite non franchise
pizza joint three years in a row. Daily 11am-10pm. 118 W. Main St.(434) 977-9688. No credit cards.
Bizou (0.9 miles East of the Courtyard)
Bistro-style diner featuring upscale down-home cooking with an ever-changing array of fresh fish, pork and beef dishes. The interior sports red booths and old black-and-white movie posters for a nostalgic feel. Lunch Mon.-Fri. 11:30am-2pm, Sat. 11:30am-2:30pm; Dinner Sun.-Thurs. 5:30-9pm, Fri.-Sat. 5:30-9:30pm. 119 W. Main St.(434) 977-1818.
Rapture (1.0 mile East of the Courtyard)
A favorite local hangout. Spicy international cuisine, purple pool
tables, live music, a hoppin' dance club, and a lively Downtown
Mall-side patio. Lunch Mon.-Fri. 11:30am-2:30pm, Sat. noon-4pm; bar/light
lunch Mon.-Thurs. 2:30-5:30pm; Dinner Mon.-Sun. 5:30-10pm; Breakfast
Sun. 11am-3pm. Late night menus on Thurs., Fri. and Sat. 10pm-1am. Bar
until 2am. 301 E. Main St. (434) 293-9526.
Ristorante Al Dente (1.0 mile East of the Courtyard)
All the flavors of Italy are represented here: antipasti, medallions
of veal, crepes with light orange and limoncello sauce, and Venetian
bean soup with pasta. Tues.-Sun. 5:30-10pm. 225 W. Main St. (above the Downtown Mall) (434) 295-9922.
Blue Light Grill (0.9 miles East of the Courtyard)
Dark red walls, patio dining, swanky bar, microbrews, wine list
extraordinaire, and great seafood specials. Late-night sushi
Thursdays through Saturdays. Dinner Daily 5:30-10pm; bar/light
fare/raw bar 4:30pm-2am. 120 East Main Street. (434) 295-1223.
Downtown Grille (0.9 miles East of the Courtyard)
Upscale steak and seafood house located across from Regal Cinemas on
the Downtown Mall. Traditional furnishings with splashes of lively
color and original artwork. Spacious bar with great cognacs and
extensive wine selection and evening cocktail
lounge. Mon.-Thurs. 5-10pm, Fri.-Sat. 5-11pm, Sun. 5-9pm. 201 W. Main
St. (434) 817-7080.
Hamiltons' at First & Main Restaurant (0.8 miles East of the Courtyard)
Contemporary gourmet American cuisine emphasizing trendy
ingredients. The frequently changing menu includes fresh meats, game,
crab cakes and always a vegetarian "blue plate" special. Its bright,
lively atmosphere features an arty modern decor, soaring pale yellow
walls and lots of blue glass. Lunch Mon.-Sat. 11:30am-3pm; Dinner
Mon.-Sat. 5:30-10pm. 101 W. Main St. (434) 295-6649. No smoking.
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