Guidebook for Charlottesville
Food Scene
Every Saturday morning from April - October. Yummy food stalls, local artisan goods (plenty of non-food as well), fresh produce and local kombucha. In the fall, the smell of roasting peppers permiates the air. Seriously, go. Eat breakfast there. It's a ten minute walk* I know of no other small American town that has a farmers market this size and with such variety. Try to get there before 9am on sunny days... it can be a little nutty negotiating all those strollers after 10.
* Walk down Graves to Avon. Turn left. Walk until you see the sing for the Glass Building. Turn right and you can't miss it.
57 residents recomanen
Charlottesville City Market
100 E Water StEvery Saturday morning from April - October. Yummy food stalls, local artisan goods (plenty of non-food as well), fresh produce and local kombucha. In the fall, the smell of roasting peppers permiates the air. Seriously, go. Eat breakfast there. It's a ten minute walk* I know of no other small American town that has a farmers market this size and with such variety. Try to get there before 9am on sunny days... it can be a little nutty negotiating all those strollers after 10.
* Walk down Graves to Avon. Turn left. Walk until you see the sing for the Glass Building. Turn right and you can't miss it.
Uber chocolaty chocolates made on site. Stocked by all local foodies. Got gifts to buy for friends and family? Again, our go to for any birthday, anniversary or holiday. Any excuse. Hard to pick a favorite flavor but I always eat the Raspberry Zin first. The new space even has a coffee shop so you can relax and savor that incredible chocolate cake with a fine cup of coffee...
13 residents recomanen
Gearharts Fine Chocolates
243 Ridge McIntire RdUber chocolaty chocolates made on site. Stocked by all local foodies. Got gifts to buy for friends and family? Again, our go to for any birthday, anniversary or holiday. Any excuse. Hard to pick a favorite flavor but I always eat the Raspberry Zin first. The new space even has a coffee shop so you can relax and savor that incredible chocolate cake with a fine cup of coffee...
Uber curated local and international cheeses and cured meats plus yummy sandwiches and tasty potato-, grain- or pasta- based salads at Feast. Albemarle Baking Company's baguettes, apricot danish and princess cake can't be beat. Lovely fresh flower arrangements from Hedge. Stop in on your walk to UVA for a late breakfast or early lunch to avoid the office working fans.
13 residents recomanen
Main Street Market
418 W Main StUber curated local and international cheeses and cured meats plus yummy sandwiches and tasty potato-, grain- or pasta- based salads at Feast. Albemarle Baking Company's baguettes, apricot danish and princess cake can't be beat. Lovely fresh flower arrangements from Hedge. Stop in on your walk to UVA for a late breakfast or early lunch to avoid the office working fans.
this old Belmont coffee shop has been upcycled by our friend and top chef Tomas (formerly of Mas tapas in downtown Belmont). belly up to the cozy bar and see what he's got cookin'. you won't regret it.
14 residents recomanen
Quality Pie
309 Avon Stthis old Belmont coffee shop has been upcycled by our friend and top chef Tomas (formerly of Mas tapas in downtown Belmont). belly up to the cozy bar and see what he's got cookin'. you won't regret it.
this old Belmont coffee shop has been upcycled by our friend and top chef Tomas (formerly of Mas tapas in downtown Belmont). belly up to the cozy bar and see what he's got cookin'. you won't regret it.
14 residents recomanen
Quality Pie
309 Avon Stthis old Belmont coffee shop has been upcycled by our friend and top chef Tomas (formerly of Mas tapas in downtown Belmont). belly up to the cozy bar and see what he's got cookin'. you won't regret it.
Essentials
I used to think that the local grocery store was a place you went to out of necessity only. Not any longer. Yes, this place has all the necessities (and without the upcharge you'd expect from a small retailer) but it also has the best deli sandwiches, fabulous assortment of kombucha, wine and coffee (many of which are local). And freshly baked baguettes that are delicious! All this right next to the Oreos and Colgate. They have become a daily stop for fresh dinner ingredients. Love being able to shop like the Europeans - walking to quality and daily freshness. 10min walk. Open at 8a. Close at 9p. (Saturday8:30AM–9PM; Sunday 10AM–8PM)
49 residents recomanen
Market Street Market
400 E Market StI used to think that the local grocery store was a place you went to out of necessity only. Not any longer. Yes, this place has all the necessities (and without the upcharge you'd expect from a small retailer) but it also has the best deli sandwiches, fabulous assortment of kombucha, wine and coffee (many of which are local). And freshly baked baguettes that are delicious! All this right next to the Oreos and Colgate. They have become a daily stop for fresh dinner ingredients. Love being able to shop like the Europeans - walking to quality and daily freshness. 10min walk. Open at 8a. Close at 9p. (Saturday8:30AM–9PM; Sunday 10AM–8PM)
Parks & Nature
It's a 7min drive from our house and a daily ritual for me and Daisy (a neighbor's border collie). I do the lovely hiking trails to the right. They are unmarked... so just dive in when you see and opening... hard to get lost as all loop around back to the parking area. If that's not your style... the boardwalk straight ahead can't be missed and is wheelchair accessible. Open 7am to sundown.
74 residents recomanen
Saunders-Monticello Trail
It's a 7min drive from our house and a daily ritual for me and Daisy (a neighbor's border collie). I do the lovely hiking trails to the right. They are unmarked... so just dive in when you see and opening... hard to get lost as all loop around back to the parking area. If that's not your style... the boardwalk straight ahead can't be missed and is wheelchair accessible. Open 7am to sundown.
Entertainment & Activities
Frankly, I'm one for the old style, down and dirty movie theaters of the 70s... but, it's hard to complain about the cushiest and roomiest seats in a beautifully decorated space and great selection of blockbusters as well as the latest artsy films. Short on time... you can eat a pretty tasty dinner before the show in their swank lobby area restaurant. At the other end of the downtown mall... about a 17min brisk walk.
78 residents recomanen
Violet Crown Cinema
200 W Main StFrankly, I'm one for the old style, down and dirty movie theaters of the 70s... but, it's hard to complain about the cushiest and roomiest seats in a beautifully decorated space and great selection of blockbusters as well as the latest artsy films. Short on time... you can eat a pretty tasty dinner before the show in their swank lobby area restaurant. At the other end of the downtown mall... about a 17min brisk walk.