The best way to experience Charlottesville and Albemarle County’s premier restaurants is to dine outside in the shade. It’s also the safest way. Outdoor dining has long been a pillar of our culture, and the options remain many and varied. We’ve been coordinating a diligent response to COVID-19 here in our part of Virginia, and will only continue to heighten the rigor of our practices. If you’d like to learn more about our community’s commitment to your safety, click here for an overview. That being said, please keep in mind... that dining at any of the below establishments is still as fun as ever!
Downtown
Perhaps the biggest outdoor dining space along the Downtown Mall, the Lot was created to accommodate the need for more outdoor seating. Check it out!
Enjoy a meal at a safe distance from other diners in Brasserie Saison's spacious outdoor patio space on the downtown mall.
Plenty of patio seating. Hamilton's has a central location on the Downtown Mall.
Find the Whiskey Jar near the western end of the downtown mall below the Bebedero. In addition to the outdoor seating available here, several "inside" tables are set up next to the fold-away floor-to-ceiling glass front of the restaurant, making these tables the equivalent of outdoor seating in terms of air flow.
Though the Bebedero is located above the Whiskey Jar, its spacious patio seating is located on the Downtown Mall.
The Corner
Since opening its doors in 1923, The Virginian has remained in its original location, which makes it the oldest restaurant in Charlottesville. They’ve added, you know, modern plumbing and such since then, but much is the same as it was.
Find Crozet Pizza at Buddist Biker Bar down Elliewood Avenue. Crozet Pizza at Buddhist Biker Bar is the full name of the establishment. Find it just past the Biltmore.
Turn down Elliewood Avenue, pass the parking garage, and you'll soon see the Biltmore on the left. Plenty of outdoor seating.
Wineries
Enjoy your favorite Blenheim wines on their covered outdoor patio. Reservations recommended.
Wine and the occasional polo match. Also sometimes puppies. There's plenty of space here and, as you'll see, the views of the mountains are completely unhindered.
Plenty of outdoor seating. You'll find a LOVEwork here as well.
West Main Street
Plenty of outdoor seating. Make a reservation and enjoy a leisurely meal.
Enjoy drinks on the rooftop or a meal at the Pink Grouse!
Find Tavern & Grocery a couple blocks west of the Downtown Mall.