If there were just 29 restaurants in Charlottesville, what would be the ideal 29?

Below is the 2020 The Charlottesville 29, answering: if there we just 29 restaurants in Charlottesville, what would be the ideal 29? Further background is here. The guide for each restaurant explains why it was selected, and includes ordering tips from the restaurant’s chef/owner and appearances in Five Finds on Friday, where other chefs or personalities have named a dish from that restaurant as one of the best in town. To be eligible, a restaurant must have been open since January 1, 2019, and must have a Charlottesville postal address.

Gift Card Program: Also included are links and information for purchasing Gift Cards at each restaurant. The more you buy, the more you help the restaurants of Charlottesville remain viable during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Where and what to eat in Charlottesville:

The 29

Ace Biscuit & Barbecue

Down home Southern cooking from chef Brian Ashworth, cooking in his wheelhouse

Guide • GIFT CARD: (434) 202-1403

Al Carbon

With rotisserie chickens and Mexican street food, one of the best values in town

Guide • GIFT CARD

The Alley Light

A grown-up lounge and 2015 James Beard semifinalist for nation’s best new restaurant

Guide • Full Article • GIFT CARD: (434) 295-5003



Beer Run

A beer bar, store, and eatery, Charlottesville’s quintessential family restaurant

Guide • Full Article • GIFT CARD: (434) 984-2337

Bizou

Gussied-up comfort food and sophisticated specials in a diner-like setting

Guide • Full Article • GIFT CARD

Bodo’s

Feeding bagels to 6,000 people per day, Charlottesville’s signature restaurant

Guide • Full Article • GIFT CARD



Brasserie Saison

Striking brasserie with polished food, drinks, and service

Guide • GIFT CARD: (434) 202-7027

C&O

The heart of Charlottesville dining, in Dean Maupin’s expert hands

Guide • Full Article • GIFT CARD

Duner’s

An old-school institution with huge portions of rich, classic, delicious fare

Guide • GIFT CARD

Fleurie

Brian Helleberg’s serene downtown temple of sophisticated French cuisine

Guide • GIFT CARD

Hamiltons’

The Hamiltons’ lasting tribute to the New American restaurant renaissance

Guide • GIFT CARD

The Ivy Inn Restaurant

The Vangelopoulos’ unequaled fine dining experience

Guide • Full Article • GIFT CARD: (434) 977-1222; ivyinn@ivyinnrestaurant.com

Lampo

Outstanding Neapolitan pizza, panuozzi, well-sourced Italian, and a stellar bar

Guide • Full Article • GIFT CARD: (434) 244-3226



Little Star

Inspired flavors of Mexico and Spain in a lively setting from a Jose Andres alumnus

Guide • GIFT CARD: (434) 252-2502

MarieBette Cafe and Bakery

Breakfast and lunch in a little slice of Paris on Rose Hill Drive

Guide • GIFT CARD: (434) 529-6118

Mas

Iconic Spanish tapas bar where it feels like a party any night of the week

Guide • Full Article • GIFT CARD: (434) 979-0990

Maya

The standard-bearer for Charlottesville’s signature Southern/French cuisine

Guide • Full Article • GIFT CARD

Milan

The most refined Indian restaurant experience in town

Guide • Full Article • GIFT CARD: (434) 984-2828

Oakhart Social

Charlottesville’s exemplar of the new generation of great urban restaurants

Guide • Full Article • GIFT CARD: (434) 995-5449

Pad Thai

Mom-and-pop serving up real homestyle Thai cooking

Guide • Full Article • GIFT CARD: (434) 293-4032

Peter Chang’s China Grill

Flagship restaurant of a man some call the nation’s best Szechuan chef

Guide • Full Article • GIFT CARD: (434) 244-9818

Petit Pois

The closest thing in Charlottesville to a French bistro

Guide • Full Article • GIFT CARD

Prime 109

Local, dry-aged steaks and refined American cuisine in a lavish former bank

Guide • Full Article • GIFT CARD: (434) 422-5094

Public Fish & Oyster

A spot-on coastal oyster house, right here in Charlottesville

Guide • Full Article • GIFT CARD: (434) 995-5542

Revolutionary Soup

Will Richey’s counter-service joint with great soups, and even better sandwiches

Guide • GIFT CARD: (434) 296-7687

Sultan Kebab

Real, delicious Turkish cuisine from hummus to manti to kebabs

Guide • Full Article • GIFT CARD: (434) 981-0090

Tavola

The Keavenys’ warm Belmont storefront serving ingredient-driven Italian fare

Guide • Full Article • GIFT CARD

Ten

Sleek, serene, and transporting, Charlottesville’s favorite luxurious escape for sushi

Guide • GIFT CARD: (434) 295-6691

Zocalo

Consistently excellent Latin-infused cuisine centrally located on the Downtown Mall

Guide • Full Article • GIFT CARD

(Note: The 2019 Charlottesville 29 is here. The 2018 Charlottesville 29 is here, The 2017 Charlottesville 29 is here, and The 2016 Charlottesville 29 is here.)

Worth the Drive

Nearby restaurants without a Charlottesville postal address that are worth the drive.

BBQ Exchange

Gordonsville

World class barbeque and attention to detail from world class chef Craig Hartman

Guide • Full Article • GIFT CARD: (540) 832-0227

Dr. Ho’s Humble Pie

North Garden

Where food is love, with more than just the best American style pizza in the area

Guide • Full Article • GIFT CARD: (434) 245-0000

Pippin Hill

North Garden

Superb food served in a breathtaking vineyard setting

Guide • Full Article • GIFT CARD: (434) 202-8063

Smoked Kitchen and Tap

Crozet

Top notch barbecue, fried chicken, burgers, and drinks

Guide • Full Article • GIFT CARD: (434) 205-4881