Would you like to come to Cville? This Downtown Charlottesville Guide explains the best restaurants, bars and some of the things to do.
Charlottesville, Virginia is a small city with great charm! Located in the hilly area of Blue Ridge Mountain, it is home to the University of Virginia and is known for its historic buildings, lively art galleries, an incredible food scene and live music that blew out onto the streets with live music. One of the most beloved areas to explore is Downtown Mall, a pedestrian-only stretch that is the heart of Charlottesville for decades.
After living here for 15 years, I ate, sipped, and strolled through countless spots in the mall. There are many great places to choose from, but today I’m sharing my favourites in this Downtown Charlottesville Guide to help you make the most of your visit. Whether you’re coming on a day trip, coming on a weekend getaway or you’re a local looking for fresh inspiration, this post is for you.
Downtown Charlottesville Guide
This guide is perfect for first-time visitors, foodies looking for the best Charlottesville restaurants, or parents looking for activities for kids. From cozy coffee shops to elegant fine dining, to fun activities for both kids and adults, you’ll find everything. If you enjoy this, you might also like some of the other posts, such as the wineries in Charlottesville, the best breweries, the best lunch spots in Charlottesville, Virginia, or the best day trips from Cville.
Where is Downtown Charlottesville?
Downtown Charlottesville is located in the heart of the city, about a mile from the University of Virginia. The area is anchored to a downtown mall that stretches into approximately eight blocks of brick pedestrian passageways, lined with shops, cafes, bars and theatres. The Omni hotel secures one end with a timpavilion (on the other end, held every Friday in a warm month, on the Friday after five shows).
If you are driving, you can park in one of the public parking lots or in a ground lot just off the mall. There are plenty of street parking too if you’re brave enough to be parallel. Market Street and Water Street Garage are the most popular, both located in the middle. If you prefer public transport, there are transit buses in the Charlottesville area stops nearby, while Amtrak Station is just around the corner. The mall is flat and completely easy to walk in, allowing access to strollers and wheelchairs. Note: Bikes are not permitted!
What to do in downtown Charlottesville?
There’s more to it than just food in downtown! This is my favorite thing at the mall:
Paramount Theater
A beautifully restored historic venue, Paramount is a place to go for concerts, shows and special film screenings. It’s family friendly, elegant and always a snack to visit. Check if there’s a show while you’re here.
Pavilion
Ting Pavilion, an outdoor concert venue that anchors the eastern edge of the Downtown Mall, will feature large tour acts and festivals throughout the year on a free Friday in Charlottesville, following five concert series in spring and summer. It’s one of the best places to enjoy live music or have your kids play in the grass.
Jefferson Theatre
Located just off the Downtown Mall, the historic Jefferson Theatre is another incredible live music venue. With wooden floors, the spaces are primarily on stands, hosting everything from popular bands to local performances to DJ parties, making it a must for music lovers.
Violet Crown Cinema
This boutique cinema features both indie and mainstream films and has a full bar and kitchen bonus. Grab your dinner and movies all in one place!
Immersion Escape Room
Perfect for groups of teenagers and friends and family, this escape room challenges them to solve puzzles and work as a team to “run away” before time runs out.
Decades of Arcade
Go back in time and play your favorite arcade classics from the 80s and 90s. It’s a nostalgic fun for adults and a complete hit with kids and teens!
Virginia Discovery Museum
If you travel with small things, the Discovery Museum is a must. This hands-on interactive museum is ideal for children under the age of 10 and offers a variety of play-based learning activities.
Where to eat in downtown Charlottesville, Virginia
The best part now, the food! Downtown Charlottesville is packed with restaurants, bars and cafes, but here are my top picks after 15 years of dining out:
Best General Restaurant: Zocalo
With its modern Latin menu, Zocalo is my charm for the group. The cocktails are top notch, plush pepper appetizers are my favorite dish, and the patio is perfect for warm evenings and for people to watch. Located at 201 E. Main St., Smack is located in the middle of Downtown Mall.
Best Fancy Restaurant: Fleury
If you are celebrating something special, Fleury is a must. The French tasting menu is elegant and full of fun surprises from start to finish.
Best Bar: 6-way Thailand
An old-fashioned smore whiskey bottle. It’s on the sweet side, but it’s very good. Unforgettable drink: “Donde Estin Miss Pantalon?” Trust me! Again, Zocalo, but this time it’s a Margarita Flight! Hit the creative martini menu. The lights of the alley, if you can enter, for that speaking atmosphere. Crush pads for wine!
The best lunch spot
Corner juice for sandwiches and healthy smoothies. Tillman for salads, panini, French bites – very many in my regular rotation. Winter tea bazaars are for a cozy atmosphere, Moroccan mint tea and healthy salmon salad.
These lunch spots are some of the things that are also featured in my best lunch spots in the Charlottesville Virginia Post. If you are exploring downtown, that post will provide you with more ideas.
Best Coffee Shop: Grit Coffee
Bright, modern, full of natural light, grit coffee is where I go for my morning latte or afternoon pickup.
Best Dessert: Chaps Ice Cream
Charlottesville classic Chaps serves a scoop of homemade ice cream. The flavor of the birthday cake is a must-see.
Final Thoughts
I can say I live in Downtown Mall. Whether you’re drinking coffee on Grit, catching shows on Paramount or having dinner at Zocalo, I’m always there. With a mix of historic buildings, live music, family activities and incredible restaurants, this downtown mall is where everyone can find something they love.
If you are planning a visit, don’t miss out on my complete list of the best Charlottesville restaurants for even more dining inspiration.
