Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Firefly

    3.9 (186 reviews)
    ModerateBars, American
    Open 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Firefly Photos

    Business Info

    FIREFLY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
    Trendy
    Casual
    Moderate noise

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Firefly

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Breakfast Burrito
    Kiley W.

    Such a lovely local spot in Charlottesville. Family-friendly bar setting with lots of food options, including a full parallel vegan menu and fun activities most nights. Their numerous themed pinball machines take quarters. Check their socials to confirm schedule on a given day, but it's generally Tuesday - Geeks Who Drink Trivia, Wednesday - Bingo, and Thursday - Karaoke. I've been to both the Trivia and Bingo and they're a lot of fun. I advise making a reservation on those nights. Just call and request patio or indoor for whatever time. Note that you can hear the activity equally as well on the patio due to their speaker system, which is awesome in the warmer months, but can be a bit loud if you're not participating, so just be aware of what night you're going. The food is pretty good, but a little bit expensive for the entree portion sizes. They have a vegan version or close equivalent of every regular menu option which is really cool, and I think their brunch is super underrated (see pictures). Lots of drink choices, including local options and a rotating list of fun cocktails. The wonton nachos (huge) and chili tots are always a highlight for our table. One thing we have noticed though was that the food portions are kind of inconsistent and have started to skew smaller, both in general and as the night goes on, especially if the restaurant is busy. Over the past year or so, there seemed to be an ongoing issue with inconsistent service. The staff are generally enthusiastic and kind, but they often seemed overwhelmed, and sometimes your table gets left alone for a long time. It's great that the place is so full of people, but in general and notably when the 2024 Fall semester started, there seemed to be some issues with that. The vibes are amazing, and I appreciate what a welcoming and joyful environment this is. You can tell a lot of thought and love goes into this place.

    Next silent disco dates
    Ziv H.

    Silent Disco at the Firefly? WiNnInG CoMbInAtIoN Good drinks, good floor,good layout, and a super triple soundtrack that kept the dance floor full for 3 solid hours. It'll be back there in Feb 2023. If you like to dance? Then yes......... tickets before it sells out.

    Breakfast burrito
    Carly C.

    Loved the setting - casual and fun! The bar area was separate from the dining room and games area. There were pinball machines, an old school Galaga/Pac Mac table, skeeball, and foosball. The menu were plenty of vegan/vegetarian/meaty dishes to choose from. I didn't hear a complaint (only oohs and ahhs) from our group for 12+. Our waiter was a gem and managed the table amazingly by himself.

    Chicken Philly. One of the better ones I've had.
    Todd B.

    Stopped here to get some work done while having a late lunch. This was originally on our list for a fun, casual, dinner since they have an extensive vegan menu (and games). However, that didn't work out - we planned on coming on Saturday and they had rented out the whole place to a sorority. On a Saturday. Anyway... Powered up our computers and was pleasantly surprised by the strength and speed of the wifi, even sitting on their patio. We didn't drink, but we did both order appetizers - vegan chili for me, buffalo cauliflower for her - and chicken philly for me and vegan crab cake salad for her. She'll write her own review but I was very happy with my meal. The vegan chili wasn't anything to specifically come here for - we make a better vegan chili but then again, our vegan chili is freakin awesome. However, my chicken philly was probably one of the best I've had. I have found myself disappointed time and again with phillys, but this one was a but smokey and flavorful. Not sure if the chicken was marinated or it was just the peppers and onions cooked perfectly, but I really enjoyed this sandwich. Enough to bring me back? Probably. Not sure when we'll be in Charlottesville again, but we haven't had many repeat worthy meals here. This was one of them.

    Wes A.

    Different is what this place is! We have been in area for over 25 years ! We recently plan to try a new restaurant every weekend! This was our first visit! I was jonesing for brunch! So , I ordered the cheeseburger with a friend egg! And tater tots! This place is more of a bar scene than a restaurant! Kinda of a fun whimsical place ! Hamburger medium rare with an egg OE! The egg and burger was cooked perfectly! A little more salt maybe! Great beer and only $2.50 for tea , somewhat reasonable! Parking a little tricky! Service was polite and fine ! Just different! examen des cols bleus:

    Indoors
    Kody P.

    Firefly was a cute restaurant both outside and inside. They have some seating outdoors right outside the front entrance and plenty of seating inside. Something really nice is that they have classic arcade games indoors, plenty to choose from also! They also had plenty of card and board games right next to the entrance that you can take with you to your table. The firefly burger was good along with the tater tots. Hard to say that the tater tots are anything unique and out of the ordinary, but they complemented the burger well especially since burgers usually come with your typical fries. I would like to come again to try out other menu items, I do recommend! Try them out

    Seasonal dessert menu

    See all

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jennifer M.

    Jennifer M.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Terra G.
    36
    257
    59

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jennifer M.

    Jennifer M.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dante T.
    39
    24
    14

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jennifer M.

    Jennifer M.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jennifer M.

    Jennifer M.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jennifer M.

    Jennifer M.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jennifer M.

    Jennifer M.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jennifer M.

    Jennifer M.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of K P.
    0
    4
    0

    6 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jennifer M.

    Jennifer M.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of C L.
    1
    10
    8

    7 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jennifer M.

    Jennifer M.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jennifer M.

    Jennifer M.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jay F.
    37
    15
    8

    6 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jennifer M.

    Jennifer M.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jennifer M.

    Jennifer M.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Great causal laid-back atmosphere with finger licking good food.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jennifer M.

    Jennifer M.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ian M.
    0
    21
    0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jennifer M.

    Jennifer M.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jon S.
    124
    35
    0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ellen M.
    16
    14
    12

    11 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jennifer M.

    Jennifer M.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rob F.
    167
    20
    1

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of T C.
    0
    1
    0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tara S.
    137
    2
    0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 4 of 5

    Ask the Community - Firefly

    You might also consider

    Smyrna - BEET SALAD bitter greens, hazelnuts, cacao nibs, kaymak, pomegranate vinaigrette

    Smyrna

    4.7(116 reviews)
    1.3 mi

    Went tonight with my daughter who is a total foodie! The…read moreservice was very personal with our server knowing every detail. The managing partner also came by our table very casually and friendly- I just googled their bios and its very interesting. So I wasn't sure I would like everything we ordered- I only wanted the beet salad. It was amazing!!!!!!! We also had the dip trio which I liked the hummus best with yummy bread. My daughter, her friend and her mom LOVED the calamari and said it was light and delicious. Lamb kebob was tasty. Desert chocoholic was scrumptious and the lemon granita was light and interesting with homemade cotton candy that we laughed looked like ratchet barbie hair but tasted so light. Absolutely delicious!

    SERVICE We came in for a belated Valentine's Day dinner,…read moreand the staff immediately seated us when we got int. Everyone was friendly and professional without being too formal. Our server served us waters and let us peruse the menu. Most spots will have the waiter come by and ask you how things are, and our waiter didn't come by at all after setting down the food which was interesting -- not good nor bad but probably were also busy. AMBIENCE The space felt upscale but still easygoing, which made it perfect for our Valentine's night out. There's no dress code, but most people looked like they'd put a little effort in, matching the polished but comfortable vibe. Loved the open kitchen all the way towards the back by the bookshelf area gave the room some energy without making it feel noisy. Definitely struck a great balance between date-night fancy and laid-back cool and casual. FOOD We started with the Beet Salad Ribbons and the Meze Trio. The beet salad mixed earthy ribbon-sheet beets with hazelnuts and a bright pomegranate vinaigrette that surprised me! Loved the pairing of the beets and cheese and hazelnut crunch. As a texture fan, this really hit the spot! It was colorful, fresh, and really well balanced. The Meze Trio had charred eggplant, a yogurt-goat cheese dip, and a seasonal hummus. Each had its own flavor and texture, and everything felt super fresh and well-seasoned. Favorite was the seasonal hummus. The yogurt-goat cheese dip was good but definitely sweeter than I personally perferred! The Calamari was also quite good and had decent number of chunky pieces that weren't just breading. The only small letdown was the pita bread since we had more dips than pita left. We expected refills might be complimentary, especially for a place like this, but they weren't. Not a big deal, just something that stood out in an otherwise smooth and thoughtful experience! The Manti Dumplings were a highlight too -- probably so much handwork in making these look like they do! The Sharondale mushrooms gave them a rich, savory flavor, and the pepper butter sauce added just the right touch of spice. The burger was also great -- juicy, flavorful, and paired with house fries and an amazing urfa pepper aioli. You could tell both dishes were elevated but still comforting, showing off the chef's fine-dining background in a really approachable way. For dessert, we shared the Baklava Cheesecake and a Chocolate Hazelnut special. The cheesecake was unique -- cheesecake filling sandwiched between baklava. It was delicious but not what I was expected! It was creamy and nutty with pistachio layers, and the chocolate dessert was incredibly rich without being heavy. Both were perfect finishes. We even took home the leftover goat cheese dip because it was that good. Overall, pices were a little on the higher side ($23-$29 for mains, $14 for dessert), but for the quality and thought put into every dish, it felt worth it and would come back again for a special occasion! This was definitely elevated ambience and the food was well executed in our opinion. I can see the hype! Definitely not a spot I'd frequent often but for the special days -- this is it to impress your date or family!

    Photos
    Smyrna - Bar

    Bar

    Smyrna - Meyer Lemon Granita (with strawberries and Turkish cotton candy)

    Meyer Lemon Granita (with strawberries and Turkish cotton candy)

    Smyrna - Manti Dumplings

    See all

    Manti Dumplings

    Firefly - bars - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...