1. Timberlake’s Drug Store – Founded 1890
322 E Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902
Facebook | Photo: VMV Brands
Looking good after more than 125 years, Timberlake’s Drug Store still has a great lunch counter that has been providing homemade lemonade, thick milkshakes, tasty deli treats and a prescription delivery service since 1917.
2. The Virginian Restaurant – Founded 1923
1521 University Ave, Charlottesville, VA 22903
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Photo: The Virginian Website
From transforming into a soda fountain during Prohibition to temporarily “going under” during World War II, The Virginian has had quite an eventful legacy since its grand opening in 1923.
3. Michie Tavern – Founded 1928
683 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy, Charlottesville, VA 22902
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Photo: Michie Tavern Website
Originally built in 1777, Michie Tavern was bought by Mrs. Mark Henderson in 1927, moved 17 miles to its current location and opened as a museum and tavern (again) in 1928.
4. Riverside Lunch – Founded 1935
1429 Hazel St, Charlottesville, VA 22902
Facebook | Photo: Riverside Lunch Facebook
The ORIGINAL Riverside Lunch since 1935 and “Flat out, STILL the best burgers in town!”
5. Jak’n Jil – Founded 1944
1404 E High St, Charlottesville, VA 22902
Facebook | Photo: Jak’n Jil Facebook
This greasy spoon joint has enjoyed decades of success on High Street.
6. Korner Restaurant – Founded 1950
415 Roosevelt Brown Blvd, Charlottesville, VA 22903
Website | Facebook | Photo: Google Maps
This family-friendly diner has been owned and operated by the Templeton family since 1950.
7. The Nook – Founded 1951
415 E Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Photo: The Nook Facebook
Charlottesville’s original diner, The Nook has been a Charlottesville cornerstone since 1951.
8. The White Spot – Founded 1953
1407 University Ave, Charlottesville, VA 22903
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Photo: The White Spot Facebook
Home of The Gus Burger and a UVA tradition for over 70 years.
9. Foods Of All Nations – Founded 1955
2121 Ivy Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22903
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Photo: Foods Of All Nations Facebook
Foods of All Nations has been a destination location for Central Virginia for more than 50 years, providing Charlottesville and surrounding areas with imported, domestic, and local foods.
10. Mill Room at Boar’s Head – Founded 1964
200 Ednam Dr, Charlottesville, VA 22903
Website | Photo: Boar’s Head
The original features of a former mill dating back to 1834 add history to this upscale, resort eatery.
11. Aberdeen Barn – Founded 1965
2018 Holiday Dr, Charlottesville, VA 22901
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Photo: Aberdeen Barn Website
Charlottesville’s premier steakhouse, dinner at ‘the Barn’ has become a Charlottesville tradition.
12. Lumpkin Restaurant & Motel – Founded 1970
1075 Valley St, Scottsville, VA 24590
Website | Facebook | Photo: Will L. on Yelp
Since 1970, Lumpkins Restaurant & Motel has been a traditional Scottsville diner and motel located one block outside historic downtown Scottsville, Virginia.
13. The Ivy Inn Restaurant – Founded 1973
2244 Old Ivy Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22903
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Photo: Ivy Inn Restaurant Facebook
Built in the early 1700’s and rebuilt in 1816 after a fire, The Ivy Inn Restaurant was established in 1973 in order to provide the community and visitors with a richly historical and elegant atmosphere for dining.
14. Integral Yoga Natural Foods – Founded 1975
923 Preston Ave # H, Charlottesville, VA 22903
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Photo: Integral Yoga Natural Foods Facebook
Providing customers with the foods, supplements, and personal-care products needed to maintain a healthy, happy lifestyle.
15. C&O Restaurant – Founded 1976
515 E Water St, Charlottesville, VA 22902
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Photo: C&O Restaurant Facebook
Started in 1976, C&O Restaurant is located in a building that actually dates back to the 1890s.
16. Blue Moon Diner – Founded 1979
606 W Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22903
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Photo: Blue Moon Diner Facebook
Originally operated as The Waffle Shop in the 1950s, Blue Moon Diner has occupied the Hartnagle-Witt House, built in 1884, since 1979, and has had several owners, or stewards, since then.
17. Miller’s Downtown – Founded 1981
109 W Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Photo: Miller’s Downtown Facebook
Located on the Historic Downtown Mall, Miller’s Downtown resides in one of the oldest buildings on Main St.
18. Mel’s Cafe – Founded 1984
719 W Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22903
Facebook | Photo: Mel’s Cafe Facebook
Melvin Eugene Walker opened Mel’s Cafe in 1984. Walker was still the owner and head chef at the time of his passing in May of 2024.
This Is What Else We’ve Been Writing…
- Top 12 Burgers To Try Around Charlottesville, Virginia
- 8 New Year’s Eve Events To Attend Around Charlottesville, Virginia
- 11 Local Shops For Christmas Shopping Around Charlottesville, Virginia
- 9 Spots For Photos With Santa Around Charlottesville, Virginia
- 8 Spots For Christmas Lights Around Charlottesville, Central Virginia And Richmond
- 11 Farms To Cut Down Your Christmas Tree Near Charlottesville, Virginia
- Winemaker Stephen Barnard Conversation; Monticello Wine Trail Named Top In The World
- MarieBette Team Opening 3rd Location In Fry’s Spring Neighborhood
- Northrop Grumman Will Invest $200+ Million Into Waynesboro, Creating 300+ New High-Paying Jobs
- UVA Says A 10-Story, 130-Foot Tall, 242-Unit Apartment Building Is Bad News For Ivy Road
- Tyson’s Corner Allows Drinking While Shopping; When Will Charlottesville Do The Same?
- Charlottesville City Council Should Create A DORA To Drive New Tax Revenue
- Flow Automotive Buys Jim Price Hyundai And Continues Automotive Dominance
- Guajiros Miami Eatery Moving To Peloton Station
- City Council About To Approve $5.9 Million To Kill 245 Apartments On High Street By Rivanna River
- Dairy Market Phase 3 Stalled
- Virginia Kingmaker Sonjia Smith Injects $70K Into Allison Spillman’s Campaign
- 1417 Emmet Street Under Contract, Asking Price $3,350,000
- Charlottesville Planning Commissioner In Crossfire Following City Home Purchase
- Johnny Ornelas Opening Mejicali Restaurant In Old World Of Beer Space
- Albemarle School Board Extends Superintendent Haas’ Contract Despite Parental, Political And Petitional Outcry
- Cumbre Coffee & Bakery Nearing Grand Opening On East Jefferson Street
-> If you want The I Love CVille Network to spotlight a story, reach out to Jerry Miller. <-