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Just beyond the University of Virginia’s Rotunda lie dozens of restaurants waiting for you. 

Whether you’re a student seeking fuel before or after classes, a family that’s worked up an appetite visiting your Wahoo or a sightseer exploring what makes this city special, there’s something delicious for everyone. 

The Charlottesville restaurant scene changes frequently, which is why we’ve updated our guide to the best eats to ensure you’ll find the best current options for every craving. 

Check out my picks for five spots to eat and drink, all within one mile of the Rotunda. Let’s dig in.

Guajiros Miami Eatery

• Location: 114 10th St. NW
• Hours: 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday to Tuesday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday
• Distance from Rotunda: 0.6 miles

Discover bold flavors at Guajiros Miami Eatery, where the eclectic interior provides the perfect setting for savoring Latin cuisine. (Left photo by Matt Riley, University Communications; right photo by Olivia Taylor)

Opened in 2019, this After relocating around the corner from Main Street in 2023, Guajiros now offers guests a more spacious dining experience while maintaining the same eclectic charm as before. 

Pastel-painted walls showcase colorful artwork, knick-knacks fill the space and soccer jerseys hang from the ceiling. Florida license plates line the backs of bar chairs. 

The breakfast menu has hearty options like bowls containing scrambled eggs, beans and plantains, plus standout tacos loaded with eggs, steak or chorizo, cheese, French fries, and finished with cilantro mayo and cotija cheese on corn tortillas. 

Lunch brings Cuban sandwich classics, including the Cubano, the Cubano especial, pan con lechon (seasoned pulled pork) and pan con churrasco (skirt steak). Small plates feature empanadas, the must-try, sweet and savory queso frito with a chipotle honey mayo – a personal favorite – croquetas and creamy goat cheese dip.   

The dinner menu, available after 3 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, is a new addition, expanding its offerings to include smash burgers, shrimp dishes and additional sandwiches, making Guajiros a versatile destination for any time of day. 

Marco & Luca Dumplings

• Location: 107 Elliewood Ave. 
• Hours: Monday-Saturday 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m., closed Sundays
• Distance from Rotunda: 0.3 miles

Conveniently located on Elliewood Avenue, Marco & Luca Dumplings is an ideal lunch spot for students on a budget. (Left photo by Lathan Goumas, University Communications; right photo by Erin Edgerton, University Communications)

including one on Elliewood Avenue, a few hundred feet from the Rotunda. Other locations are on the Downtown Mall and in Seminole Square on U.S. 29.

The menu options are limited, for good reason: Marco and Luca is good at what it does. The main attraction is the dumplings, with pork or veggie options served over a signature soy sauce. Other menu items include cold noodles, steamed hot buns, soups and curry.

My favorite menu items are the pork dumplings and the sesame cold noodles. The dumplings are small, but have the perfect combination of crunch on the outside and tenderness inside without being too greasy. The cold sesame noodles are another favorite; the rich peanut sauce combined with the freshness of the cucumbers is as refreshing as it is tasty.

Other offerings include steamed dumplings, chicken curry, several soup selections, hot buns and noodles.

Marco & Luca Dumplings is a great stop for students watching their wallets, as the prices are low, but the quality is high.

Afghan Kabob Palace

• Location: 400 Emmet St. N
• Hours: Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m., closed Sunday
• Distance from Rotunda: 0.6 miles

New to Afghan food? Afghan Kabob Palace offers an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet special, allowing first-time diners to explore the rich spices and tender meats of Afghan cuisine. (Left photo by Matt Riley, University Communications; right photo by Renee Grutzik, University Communications)

This stop is a Charlottesville staple that

Head chef and owner Mohammad Zubair Shafiqi immigrated from Afghanistan in 2014 and became the sole owner during the pandemic. Since then, he has expanded to a new second location just off the Downtown Mall.

The extensive menu features appetizers like samosas and goshti (pastry shells filled with seasoned ground beef, served with a garlic yogurt dip). Soups include aush, made with Afghan noodles, vegetables and ground beef. The restaurant’s signature kabob meals feature seasoned skewered meats, including the chicken tandoori kabob marinated in bright red spices. Classic Middle Eastern favorites like falafel and hummus are also included in the menu.

I’m partial to the Combo No. 1, which comes with chicken and kofta (lamb) kabob, rice, salad and your choice of an additional side. I got the chickpeas, which were extremely flavorful with the perfect amount of spice.

For newcomers to Afghan cuisine, the all-you-can-eat lunch buffet, served from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for $16.99, gives the perfect opportunity to sample different flavors. Given Charlottesville’s prominent Afghan population, this restaurant offers a taste of your neighbors’ cuisine.

The Virginian

• Location: 1521 University Ave.
• Hours: 11 a.m.-2 a.m. daily; brunch starting at 10 a.m. on Sunday
• Distance from Rotunda: 0.2 miles

For over a century, The Virginian continues to cook up classic comfort foods like sandwiches, burgers and the beloved mac ’n cheese. (Left photo by Lathan Goumas, University Communications; right photo contributed)

A true Charlottesville classic, Originally opened as a soda fountain during prohibition, this Corner establishment has witnessed more than a century of local and national history while remaining a food and drink hub for students and residents alike.

The cozy space features a few booths and counter seating, creating an intimate atmosphere with a tiny kitchen that efficiently serves up comfort food classics. Despite the limited space, service moves quickly, so you won’t wait long for your food.

The menu offers starters like chicken quesadillas, pork barbecue nachos, French onion soup, fresh salads and a selection of 16 different sandwiches – all served with seasoned steak fries on the side. The standout mac ’n cheese has a creamy cheese sauce topped with a crispy fried hashbrown puck that has become The Virginian’s signature.

Sunday brunch (10 a.m.-2 p.m.) brings classics like French toast, omelets, breakfast burritos, biscuits and gravy, and eggs Benedict. Its convenient location makes it perfect for catching up with friends or family before strolling around Grounds to walk off your meal.

Grit Coffee

• Location: 19 Elliewood Ave.
• Hours: 7 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
• Distance from Rotunda: 0.3 miles

In need of caffeine? Grit Coffee, located on Elliewood Avenue, offers espresso, cold brew, teas and matcha drinks. (Left photo by Lathan Goumas, University Communications; right photo by Erin Edgerton, University Communications)

Located on Elliewood Avenue, this spot is just a 6-minute walk from the Rotunda – perfect for an off-Grounds treat before heading to class.

Grit Coffee opened its location near the University in 2008 and has since expanded to seven locations throughout Virginia.

Grit Coffee sources its coffee beans from farmers worldwide and roasts all its coffee in-house. Grit Coffee sells its beans, including the Side Hustle blend used for most espresso drinks.

An order at Grit is not complete without a pastry. Grit Coffee receives daily pastry deliveries from Seasons' Yield, a bakery and farm located in Shenandoah Valley. Options include croissants, chocolate chip and ginger molasses cookies, morning buns and more.

I enjoy their hot vanilla latte and a snickerdoodle cookie. The light layer of foam on the top of the latte is heavenly.

With two levels of indoor seating and several tables outside, Grit is perfect for completing homework or catching up with friends.