A Weekend in Charlottesville

Visiting Charlottesville sometime soon? Check out our curated weekend itinerary!

For more Charlottesville recommendations, check out our Instagram page @uva_summer!

Good morning! It’s your first day visiting Charlottesville and you're getting an early start around 9 AM. Bodo's Bagels is an absolute Charlottesville staple. It is a tradition that before you graduate from UVA, you have to be the number one ticket when they open at 5 am! But you have a long day ahead of you and so much to see here, so let’s take it slow. At Bodo’s, you can get whatever you like on many different types of bagels. A favorite is the deli egg, which is basically like a mini omelette, on an everything bagel!

The sun is shining, and after eating a hearty breakfast, you walk to UVA’s Rotunda. The Rotunda is located on the Lawn, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can go inside the Rotunda to see the Dome Room, the pinnacle of Jefferson’s architecture, as well as other historical rooms and features. Free historical tours led by student members of the University Guide Service are typically offered at 10, 11 and 2 every day!

Your tour may end at the Memorial to Enslaved Laborers, located between the Lawn and the Corner. The Memorial seeks to formally acknowledge and remember the names, lives and experiences of the African American enslaved laborers who worked to build and sustain the University. Its circular design represents the “Ring Shout,” a dance performed by African Americans to celebrate spiritual liberation as well as a broken shackle. Etched into the walls are documented names of enslaved peoples; this list continues to grow as more names and stories are uncovered. The memorial began as a student effort in 2010 and was finished earlier this year. A place for reflection and remembrance, the memorial welcomes visitors and acts as a landmark displaying UVA’s troubled history, while also its capacity for change and growth.

After exploring UVA’s grounds, you may want to get out and about. Vineyards are a great place to spend a weekend afternoon in Charlottesville. Once you are of drinking age you can take your parents to Pippin or King Family Vineyards and spend an afternoon sipping on delicious wine with a beautiful view of the mountains. Sometimes King Family Vineyards will even have polo matches to watch or pop up restaurants with amazing cuisine. Many students will also celebrate their 21st birthdays at one of the local vineyards. 

After a walking tour in the morning and afternoon in the sun, it’s time for dinner! As we’ve mentioned in some of our previous posts, Lampo is the ultimate “my parents are in town” spot. They have a variety of delicious pizzas and appetizers, but the catch is that they don’t take reservations, so sometimes the wait can get pretty long. However, this summer they announced their plans to open an additional takeout location, so there’s no excuse for it to not make your itinerary!

Before you head back home or to wherever you’re staying for the night, you should catch a Charlottesville sunset. Whether you make your way a little outside of town to visit Humpback Rock and hike to get a spectacular mountain view or you stay a little more local to watch from the top of Culbreth parking garage, you won’t want to miss it.

Dining Out in Charlottesville

The Charlottesville Food Scene

Part I: The Corner

The Corner, located conveniently next to UVA’s grounds, is home to many restaurants and retail shops frequented by students and visitors! Many upperclassmen students live right behind The Corner, making it an easy place to stop for lunch or dinner with friends. There is even an off-grounds “Corner” meal plan called Elevate that many 2nd through 4th year students purchase for good deals on delicious meals!

Bodo’s Bagels

If you are in Charlottesville, you CANNOT miss out on the classic Bodo’s Bagels, which has three locations in Charlottesville. What makes its bagels special is that it offers fresh-baked products all day long. This means that their last bagels come out of the oven about a half hour before closing, so customers can enjoy bagels fresh from the oven at any time of day.

Due to its freshness, Bodo’s bagels are soft enough to stand in for sandwich bread. The main reason for its popularity to the college students is because it is quick and inexpensive. 

The Juice Laundry

If you like smoothies, this place is for YOU. Juice laundry was founded with the purpose of fueling bodies with clean and healthy raw organic fruits and veggies. Inside the restaurant there is a whole wall of  different cold-pressed juices, nut milks, and wellness shots with different health benefits. Behind the counter they make organic and vegan smoothies, smoothie bowls, chili, and chia pudding. I live off-grounds now (still only like a 10 minute walk to central grounds), and Juice Laundry was always on my way to class and I loved stopping there to grab some breakfast and start my morning off right. If you ever try it, you have to get the Bradley’s CB&J bowl!!! 

Roots Natural Kitchen

Roots is the undisputed Queen of dining on the Corner. This unique restaurant was founded in 2015 by a group of UVA graduates from the McIntire School of Commerce with the mission to sell delicious, affordable, and, most importantly, healthy food. Customers can choose either a grain bowl or a salad, which they can then customize from a long list of ingredients. On the other hand, customers also have the option to choose from one of their “Signature” bowls, which are also totally customizable. I love stopping at Roots to grab their signature “El Jefe” bowl. You can take it to another level by adding their amazing broccoli to the bowl. This may make it more expensive, but it will make a great treat!

Corner Juice

Aptly located on The Corner, Corner Juice is a healthy, European-inspired cafe that serves a variety of juices, smoothies, toasts and sandwiches. Started by UVA alum Julie Nolet ‘17, the establishment is known for its popularity among students, both for it’s delicious, nutritious eats and sleek environment. On a typical day, you’ll see students studying at tables inside while enjoying avocado toast, or grabbing a smoothie to-go before class. My personal favorite lunch is the Parisian sandwich with a Corner Colada smoothie! It can be on the more expensive side, but it's a great treat that you can feel good about.

Pigeon Hole

Charlottesville is home to many amazing brunch places, but my favorite by far is Pigeon Hole. Located conveniently on the corner, Pigeon Hole is a UVA staple. The restaurant is a quaint little wooden house, making it a cute and charming hangout for friends. The food is amazing - try the french toast and thank me later - and the prices are hard to beat. Many lazy weekend mornings have been spent grabbing brunch at pigeon hole with my friends.

Take it Away

Located on Elliewood Avenue, Take it Away is a fantastic sandwich shop that serves up lunchtime eats and is a favorite spot for many UVA students. Customization is key at Take it Away: from simple deli meats to more artisanal products like sun-dried tomatoes, you’ll build your perfect sandwich in no time at all. Fresh french bread and their famous “house dressing” - which they sell by the jar - keep students and faculty coming back for more! They also sell “bread ends,” leftover pieces of day-old bread, which are perfect snacks to bring to an afternoon picnic on the Lawn with friends.

Part II: Downtown, JPA, and Beyond

Fun fact: Charlottesville has some of the most restaurants per capita in the entire United States. Basically, this means that there are hundreds of places with incredible food to try, ranging from Southern to Italian to Thai cuisines! By no means is this an exhaustive list - but here are some of our favorite restaurants “beyond the corner.”

Silk Thai

Silk Thai is a great Thai restaurant located on JPA, which is a street that basically runs right beside first year dorms. This means that Silk Thai is totally within walking distance for you as a first year (or a short trolley ride away any other time). They have a great range of delicious food options-- I definitely recommend trying their pad thai and their spring rolls! It’s a great way to sit down and enjoy a meal with friends, or to grab takeout and have a nice night in your dorm.

Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar

The Tea Bazaar is located in the Downtown Mall. They have a great selection of small Mediterranean-style plates, but the real star is the tea. You can order pots of many different types of tea to share and to taste. It’s a really fun and unique experience that I haven’t found at other place. You can gather with friends and share a pot of tea, which feels so much fancier than grabbing coffee. Overall, its a really unique and interesting place that you have to visit while in Charlottesville. 

Lampo

The ultimate “my parents are in town” restaurant, Lampo is a neapolitan pizza joint located just past the downtown mall. Although it’s a bit pricey, Lampo has the best pizza in town. My favorite pizza of theirs has arugula, prosciutto, and sea salt. It should also be noted that Lampo is a pretty small establishment with only about 10 tables, and you can’t call ahead for a reservation. This means that you need to get there pretty early to not have a significant wait, but I promise you it’s worth it. 

The Nook

The Nook is an old-school diner located on the downtown mall that specializes in mac n’ cheese. I first discovered this place when I was on the mall one weekend waiting for a concert to start at the Jefferson Theatre. The Nook is right across from the venue, which makes it the perfect place to grab a bite to eat before a show. I recommend “The Eastern Shore,” which is mac n’ cheese with tomatoes and crab -- I think it’s the best mac n’ cheese I’ve ever had! 

Citizen Burger

After enjoying a concert at the Downtown Jefferson or Paramount Theaters, locals and college students alike are usually searching for some comfort food. Luckily, Citizen Burger is located right in the middle of the Mall, with plenty of booth seating inside and a comfortable outdoor patio. Citizen focuses on crafting speciality burgers, with meat from local farms, as well as craft beers from all along the famed “Brew Ridge Trail.” Not a fan of meat-based burgers? No problem - Citizen has a wide array of sides, like onion rings and truffle fries, as well as a selection of vegetarian and vegan options, including a burger with a patty made from beats. The atmosphere at Citizen is joyful and laid-back - the perfect spot for a night out with friends or to watch a UVA game on screen with your visiting parents!

We hope you get to check out some of these restaurants the next time you're in Charlottesville. Follow us on Instagram (@uva_summer) to learn more about the Charlottesville and UVA food scene all week!

Charlottesville Food Scene--- Pt 2 Downtown

Hello prospective students, admitted students, parents, and alumni! Welcome to the second part of the Charlottesville food scene series!

The Downtown Mall

1. Citizen Burger Bar $$

Citizen Burger is the ultimate family restaurant. Not only is their food uh-mazing, but there is always something for everyone. Obviously I'd recommend a burger, particularly the ~classic~ Citizen Burger. Normally, though, I just build my own. Their ingredients are really fresh and high quality, basically you could put any combination of toppings on their burgers and it would probably taste good. Their fries though--- oh, their fries. Their fries are fantastic. Make sure you order a side of sweet potato with you burger, or else you'll surely miss out. 

2. Monsoon Siam $$

Do you like Thai food? Yes? Well, you'll love Monsoon Siam. Monsoon Siam is a fantastic, upscale Thai food restaurant with an equally amazing location. They're right off of the Downtown Mall, with beautiful outdoor seating and string lights galore. They have the classic Pad Thai, etc.-- but what I really recommend you try is the Hell Rice. Monsoon Siam does such a great job of making their Thai food spicy, but not so much that it hides the flavor of their food.

3. Miso Sweet $

Miso Sweet is a super fun restaurant. Ramen and donuts are their specialties, what a cool combo of foods. Their ramen is not your cup o noodles, their ramen is gourmet and filling and delicious. Such a cool twist on traditional ramen that will surely leave you wanting more. They have pork, beef, chicken, vegetarian-- again, something for everyone. The meat is tender, the eggs runny, and the noodles are simply perfect. Totally recommend it, especially if you're looking for an insta-worthy meal.

4. Mono Loco $$
Mono loco is life-changing. Their food is amazing, but what really struck me when I ate their were their chips. Their chips are made by them and they have corn tortilla chips which are average, but their flour chips are out of this world. The experience of eating those chips has brought me back to their restaurant multiple times- it's like dipping a pastry of some sort in to salsa and guac. Sounds weird but trust me, it works. Their food is also great but if you're looking for a snack this is also a great option. Chips does cost 5$, and their guac is an extra 5, but it's so worth it.

5. Miller's $$
Two of my favorite meals: bratwurst and Waldorf salads. Two meals that Miller's does best: bratwurst and Waldorf salads. Two completely unrelated foods but if you go here please try one of them- because Miller's does such a great job of preparing these two food items. Granted, there are more things on their menu that are super amazing- these just happen to be my favorites! Miller's is a great place for a beer on a summer night (if you're 21), or just to hang out with your pals. It's the closest thing to a "sitcom" pub (read: Paddy's, MacLaren's, etc.) that we have here in Charlottesville. It's good, it's a local spot, and it's casual. They also have live music! Bonus!

6. The Pie Chest $
Who doesn't love pie? I love pie! So much! And the pie chest is the ~place~ for pies in CVille. Their pies are so amazing, ranging from normal sweet pies to savory handpies and pot pies. My favorite is the coconut creme, but the chocolate is also fantastic. Every item on the menu has the classic, Made By Grandma taste to it that is so hard to achieve on your own. I love the pie chest and so should you.

The CVille Food Scene- Pt. 1

 ***Attention visiting parents and prospective students*** 

Searching for Charlottesville lunch suggestions??? 

Look no further! 

Here is a list of some of UVA students’ top-ranked restaurants:

The Classic “Lunch on the Corner” Options:

The Virginian:   $$

If you dine here, you are sure to have the quintessential UVA experience. The waiters and waitresses are mostly UVA students, and will always greet you with a warm smile. Their food is great and there is something for everyone here- a very kid friendly restaurant if there are any picky eaters in your family. If it's a nice day outside, make sure to take advantage of their outdoor seating.

Must have: Without a doubt the mac n’ cheese—the Virginian is known for their decadent mac n’ cheese, which is thick, creamy, and topped with a perfectly round hash brown

Bodo’s Bagels:   $

Inexpensive. Innovative. Inspiring. Bodo’s is everything that UVA students dream of. This is what fuels us during exam seasons, Sunday mornings, and anytime we need to grind out a paper in Clemons Library. The authentic New York water-style bagels are always made fresh... so fresh that they don’t even need to toast the bagels for you!

Must have: Any bagel with any topping! It’s all good!

Roots Natural Kitchen:   $

Easy. Quick. Healthy. Roots is a favorite among all UVA students—for it is the quickest way to get a super healthy and filling meal near Grounds. They serve bowls with rice, veggies, and meats, and are accommodating to all dietary needs.

Must have: El Jefe— A brown rice base with chicken, kale, black beans, charred white corn, red onions, feta, pita chips, avocado, and their famous cilantro lime dressing ~heavenly!~

Christian’s Pizza:   $

Christian’s Pizza is both cheap and delicious. It is the best place to eat if you can’t decide between the many Corner restaurants, are short on time, or are just really craving a decent slice.

Must have: the white-based tri-color tortellini pizza—it’s a combination of two awesome foods and somehow tastes absolutely amazing... what more could you want?!

Boylan Heights:   $$

If you’re looking for a sit-down lunch, inside or out, Boylan is the place for you. Boylan is a restaurant and bar that students and locals frequent year-round. It’s a great place for students to have lunch with friends, and the perfect location to watch a sports game

Must have: BYOB—build your own burger!!! Lots of great options made with the finest ingredients

My Date with CVille: Restaurant Week

My Date with CVille

Restaurant Week

by Jared Morgan

Restaurant week is an event in Charlottesville that happens a couple times each year. This opportunity is a lot of fun for everyone in CVille but especially students because it gives them the opportunity to visit some of the city's best restaurants for discounted prices. For $16, $26, or $36 you can get a three course meal at some places that may not be regularly accessible to those living on a student's budget. The best part? A dollar from each meal goes to Blue Ridge Area Food bank!

Dozens of restaurants participate each time. These include everything from gourmet sandwich shops and burger bars to restaurants specializing in Mexican fusion and French cuisine. This past Saturday, I went to The Southern with friends for sandwiches filled with things like jalapenos, goat cheese, and ham with honey Dijon mustard. For $16, I got not only the sandwich but two sides, a starter of bruschetta on focaccia, and "fancy grahams" graham crackers to dip into dark chocolate and marshmallow sauce.

I had a ton of fun on this trip, and I can't wait for the next restaurant week!