College is a stressful time. Classes, exams, internships, future plans… there really will never be another time in our lives when things seem so uncertain. Sometimes, just figuring out the next time you’re going to feed yourself can be enough to make us all scream.
Never fear, we’re here to help you out. You’ll never have to worry about where to eat again.
1. When you’re craving munchies at 2 am: College Inn
Photo by Annie Keeney
If you’re anything like our friends, you’ll be willing to leave Trinity 15 minutes before the lights go on to place an order for College Inn. Taking phone orders until 2 am, this UVa institution is perfect for the laziest drunks.
Place your order as you’re leaving the bar and the fresh, cheesy goodness that is cheesy bread will arrive at your doorstep within moments of your return home.
What to order: Cheesy bread. Going to College Inn without ordering the cheesy bread would be kind of like going to Five Guys and not ordering a burger—just wrong.
#SpoonTip: Don’t forget the ranch. Yes, it’s like dipping fat in more fat, but you’re only in college once.
Location: 1511 University Ave, Charlottesville, VA 22903. Just steps from Trinity Irish Pub.
2. When you’re cramming for exams and the library is full: Grit Coffee Bar & Cafe
Photo courtesy of @gritcoffee on Instagram
With nearly 16,000 undergrad students, UVa around exams can be a bit of a mess. Good luck finding a spot in the library. But Grit Coffee is the better alternative—serving up some of Charlottesville’s best coffee and providing the perfect, calm atmosphere for studying.
What to order: If you’re studying for exams you’ll want something comforting, but caffeinated, so go for the Chai latte. We recommend ordering it extra dirty—that’s barista talk for two shots of espresso.
Location: 19 Elliewood Ave, Charlottesville, VA 22903. About an 8 minute walk from Alderman Library.
#SpoonTip: Grab a sandwich from Take it Away on your way back and have a picnic on the lawn. Do it for the Rotunda #fita.
3. When you’re trying to be healthy: Juice Laundry
Photo by Collette Block
Basic betches unite. Walk into Juice Laundry and you’ll be sure to see at least one pack of girls in Lulu leggings. But we promise, this place is legit for anyone looking to get their nutrient fix. And they don’t only serve açai bowls, they also offer raw juice, nut milks, smoothies, and oats and quinoa bowls.
#SpoonTip: Purchase their creamy cashew nut milk and add it to your morning coffee.
What to order: Ask for the Coco Verde smoothie as a bowl. Blended kale, spinach, mango, banana, dates, coconut oil, and coconut water are topped with fruit and homemade granola to create the perfect bowl.
Location: 722 Preston Ave #105, Charlottesville, VA 22903. About a 5 minute drive from Mad Bowl.
4. When you’re craving something sweet: Sweethaus Cupcake Cafe
Photo courtesy of Sweethaus on Facebook
Sweethaus is the UVa cupcakery. Just a 5 minute stroll from the Corner, this cupcake shop is the perfect place for your sugar and caffeine fix. The entrance walls are lined with candy jars, because obviously everyone needs more sugar with their cupcakes. And behind the glass case sit their fresh cupcakes and coffee.
#SpoonTip: Don’t skimp on the iced coffee here… it rivals Starbucks. Yes, we went there.
Looking for something to do on a rainy afternoon? You and 14 of your friends can reserve a table at Sweethaus to decorate your own cupcakes… or eat all the icing out of the tub. Warning: you’ll probably end up with a blue, icing-colored tongue and queasy stomach. But obviously, #worthit.
What to order: Their bestseller is the Everything Cupcake, topped with sweet and salty candies and pretzels. Order this for the insta, or their Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough cupcake for an unreal combination of two of the best desserts.
Location: 843 West Main Street, Charlottesville, VA 22903. A 10 minute walk from the Corner.
5. When you turn 21: Trinity Irish Pub
Photo courtesy of Trinity Irish Pub on Facebook
Nothing quite compares to the absurdity that is Trin. There’s no better place to ring in 21 years of you. Come prepared to dance, get sweaty and try your best not to fall down the stairs at the end of the night. But if you do, so many people have done it that frankly, it should be on the fourth year bucket list at this point.
What to order: SoCo lime shooters. These go down easily and if you’re turning 21, you’ve probably already had too many drinks for your own good.
Location: 1505 University Ave, Charlottesville, VA 22902. At the heart of the Corner.
6. When you’re craving a slice: Christian’s Pizza
Photo courtesy of @116thingstoeat on Instagram
Everyone who goes to UVa comes to know and love Christian’s Pizza within their first month of school. If the line out the door is any indication, Christian’s is the perfect place to grab a slice. They offer everything from your standard cheese pizza to pizza topped with tortellini. Pasta lovers out there, this one’s for you.
This popular pizza place isn’t typically crowded during the week, but on weekends, expect an absolute zoo from midnight on. No tables guaranteed.
What to order: If you’re an avocado-lover, go for the avocado, tomato and feta pizza pictured above. But if you’re a pasta-lover, you can’t go wrong with the tortellini pizza. And just like at College Inn, don’t forget the ranch.
#SpoonTip: Try to bring cash.
Location: 100 14th St NW, Charlottesville, VA 22903. Just outside of Boylan Heights and a two minute walk from Trinity Irish Pub.
7. When you’re trying to watch the game: Boylan Heights
Photo by Bridget Muckian
When it comes to watching the big game, unless you can score tickets, you really can’t watch it anywhere better than at Boylan.
The two-story bar and restaurant has flatscreens scattered throughout and a giant projector screen on the second floor. With a lounge section right next to the big screen, this is the perfect spot to cheer on the ‘Hoos with friends. Boylan even projects extra-hyped games on the train bridge. Now that kind of viewing can’t be beat.
Whether you’re going for the drink specials, the atmosphere, or the high-quality game-viewing, just go. We promise you won’t regret it.
What to order: Start with the After School Special, boneless chicken tenders covered in house sauce, and then create your own burger. Don’t forget to order tater tots on the side.
#SpoonTip: Ask for a side of Boylan sauce.
Location: 102 14th St NW, Charlottesville, VA 22903. Right underneath the train bridge, Boylan is on the corner of 14th street, several blocks from the Rotunda.
8. When you’re craving greasy food: White Spot
Photo courtesy of charlottesville.scoutology.com
The White Spot is the quintessential UVa drunchie spot. This greasy diner may not look like much, but at 2 am after a long night at bars, this is the place to be. The line out the door may look overwhelming, but it moves fast and is completely worth the wait.
What to order: The Gus Burger, a cheeseburger topped with a fried egg, is the White Spot’s signature burger. If you’re really hungry, get a side of cheese fries. Trust us, no one will judge you.
Location: 1407 University Ave, Charlottesville, VA 22903. At the heart of the Corner, only half a block away from both Boylan and Trinity.
9. When your parents are visiting and they’re footing the bill: Zocalo
Photo courtesy of Sneha P. on yelp.com
This Latin American-inspired restaurant is one of the best in Cville and always packed during parents weekend. It’s definitely the place to go when you haven’t had a really solid meal in a while, whether that be because you frequent the dining hall or you’re just too lazy to ever make yourself a real meal. Adulting is hard.
What to order: Be sure to start out with the cheese fritter appetizers. You really can’t go wrong with any of the entrées, but the grilled pork porterhouse and grilled salmon are some of the most popular dishes. Don’t skimp on the churros for dessert.
Location: 201 E Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902. Smack in the middle of the Downtown Mall.
10. When you’re hungover: Ivy Provisions
Photo courtesy of bandcincville.wordpress.com
We’ve made it our mission this school year to try every sandwich on the menu at Ivy Provisions, and it’s an extensive list. So far, we haven’t been disappointed by any of them, but the breakfast sandwiches are always our go-to. They also have a deli with awesome pre-made soups and salads that are great for lunch or dinner during the busy school week.
What to order: Any of the breakfast sandwiches, which are guaranteed to cure the nastiest of hangovers. If you’re a purist, go with The Regular: bacon, white cheddar and egg on a buttermilk biscuit. If you like to mix it up, order The Rock (our personal fave), a biscuit filled with sausage, egg, white cheddar, apple and dijon mustard.
#SpoonTip: Breakfast sandwiches are served all day.
Location: 2206 Ivy Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22903. About a 10 minute drive from Grounds or the Corner.
11. When you’re trying to be fancy: TEN Sushi
Photo courtesy of ten-sushi.com
There are plenty of cheap sushi options around Cville, but sometimes you just need to splurge on the good stuff. If that’s the case, head to TEN, which serves up the best and highest quality rolls in town. It’s also probably the #1 destination for birthday dinners.
What to order: Start out with the avocado or rock shrimp tempura. If you like your sushi spicy, order the Wasabi Roll or the Sake Roll; if you love tuna, go for the Mauro Karai Honey Roll or the Rainbow Roll. If you hate raw fish, try the Chesapeake Roll, made with cooked blue crab and Old Bay seasoning.
Location: 120 E Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902. Located above The Fitzroy on the Downtown Mall. Look for the green sign that marks the staircase leading upstairs.
#SpoonTip: To get downtown, hop on the trolley that stops in front of the chapel or Boylan and save yourself the long walk.
12. When you really want comfort food: The Virginian
Photo courtesy of The Virginian Restaurant on Facebook
The Virginian has been around since 1923, making it a Charlottesville classic. The menu has something for everyone, so no matter who you’re with, it’s sure to please. The Virginian is also great for literally any occasion—brunch, lunch, dinner, it never disappoints.
What to order: Mac and cheese. The Virginian’s version of the mother of all comfort foods doesn’t play around. It’s made with pepper jack cheese, giving it a bit of a kick, and topped off with a cheesy potato cake, because we all need more starch, right? Honestly, nothing compares to a bowl of this stuff on a cold, rainy day.
#SpoonTip: You can replace any of the sides that come with the entrées with a small bowl of mac and cheese.
Location: 1521 University Ave, Charlottesville, VA 22903. Located on the Corner just past Starbucks.