(For so long I walked or drove past Maya thinking it must be some Latin American cuisine (I guess I was thinking of Mayans?) and didn't connect with it until noticing some good reviews on Yelp.) I love Latin American, but local-centric, Southern-inspired food will make me happy anytime. So glad I finally checked Maya out, and can't wait for the next time! They have a nice but fairly brief drinks menu with rotating local beers, so I went for the seasonal Gose from Three Notch'd to start the meal off strong. We started with the mushroom plate which featured some local, organic mushrooms from Sharondale, plus a mini quiche, some asparagus, and a nice slice of pork belly. A tasty little sampler plate to get the palate buzzing. We also got the crispy cornmeal-crusted fried oysters which were plump, briney and perfectly crispy on the outside--yum! Would definitely do those again. I got their Sunday fried chicken special of the day with local beets and sweet potato fries as my sides, and my dining partner opted for the hanger steak, which isn't something I'd usually order, but it came out looking beautifully, and we swapped half of each others' entrees so we could each enjoy both. Chicken was flavorful, juicy, with crispy-crunchy breading and a spicy lil pickle sauce for dipping. It was a healthy portion, especially with the pile of fries they stacked on my plate--mmmm, I ate it all. And the steak was so tender, really well seasoned and the red wine sauce was sweet and savory at the same time, it definitely got me thinking twice about ignoring the steak next time I'm out at a restaurant as such. We ended the meal with a bang: their housemade peanute butter fluff pie. Stacked high in layers of graham cracker crust, chocolate, peanut butter, and whipped cream. Indulgent and a perfect American dessert. Like I said, can't wait to revisit! read more

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This was the only restaurant we chose to go into town for. It wasn't really worth it. I can tell they're using quality ingredients, but the execution wasn't really very good. I had the ribs , which were decent. Side of white cheddar grits , tasted like they were cooked in water and threw in some cheese. Not salted very well, and not creamy at all. Maybe try cooking them in some parm stock or something?!? Throw in some butter on the finish? My son got the risotto. That was pretty good. My wife got the strip steak, cooked medium as ordered, but the Demi sauce was bland. No tang. Flat on flavor. And the mac and cheese as her side was probably one of the worst I've had. Pork chop my mother in law ordered was dry and over cooked. Not sure if it was brined or not, couldn't really tell. And I didn't get to taste the oyster dish as my father In Law doesn't share. :) Pork belly needs to braised longer. Still tough and chewy. To top it off, service was sloooowwww. We sat for a good long time once we were done waiting for our server to come by so we could ask for our check. The place came highly recommended from some close local friends, so makes me wonder what the rest of Charlottesville culinary is like if they consider this one of the best. read more

Came for a girls' night a few weeks ago and discovered that prices have increased while food quality has declined. Never a good combo. The server was terrific and we had no problems with our last minute reservations. We were able to sit at a table upstairs and enjoyed the privacy! We had the cider braised squash and the braised pork belly as appetizers. Though their descriptions were mouth- watering, neither dish was very good. I had the pan seared rockfish which was also just ok, though I appreciated being able to choose 2 large sides with each entree order. My friend's pork ribs were much larger and looked awesome so if I came again I'd give that a try instead! Can't remember the name of my unremarkable cocktail - definitely wouldn't come here for the drinks! Parking is also frustrating - no private lot! read more

Had a great meal here. Every entre came with two sides which ended up being my favorite part of the meal. I got the rockfish with Brussel sprouts and grits, all super good. Our waitress overheard that we were in a little bit of a rush and did a great job of spreading up the meal for us. read more

Amazing food and tasty mocktails. They probably have the alcoholic kind, but does anyone waste money on booze anyway anymore ? I'd rather spend it on food. Rainbow trout was delicious!! read more

My husband and I have gotten drinks here before but we decided to do dinner tonight. Food was just okay overall. The fried pimento cheese fritters were the best; they had a nice crisp texture, and the homemade pepper jelly side balanced out the flavors. The pork belly appetizer was far too sweet. It came with was what described as a mulled cider gastrique and rosemary shortbread, but the gastrique was like maple syrup and the rosemary shortbread just tasted like a cookie. Not enough salty or spicy elements to round out the flavors. Baby Kale salad was simple and tasted decent, but the cornbread croutons were a strange texture. The side of mashed potatoes was amazing. Husband's trout dinner was a similarly mixed bag. The fish meat itself was fantastically cooked, and he said it was some of the best fish he's had. Side of mac was just okay--he noted he's had better from a box. Roasted broccoli side was also just okay. Service was good. We were seated quickly even though we came well in advance of our scheduled reservation, and our server was attentive. Food came out quickly. Ambience was also okay. We went early in the evening and sat upstairs, so it was quiet. Could see it getting loud, though. Overall, we would recommend Maya just for appetizers and drinks. Probably wouldn't do dinner again. read more

Visited on a Sunday without reservations. They opened at 5:00 and we were quickly seated. We had the fried chicken special and the cornbread crusted catfish. The catfish was very good. The cornbread crust was just crispy enough without being overdone. My sides of sautéed Brussel sprouts with bacon and onion were very delicious. They were shaved and lightly seasoned. The sautéed leafy greens with shallots, lemon and pecans was perfectly cooked. My husband had the fried chicken special which was equally as good. His sides were Mac and cheese and the sautéed Brussel sprouts. He enjoyed the sprouts but felt the Mac and cheese was pastie and floury not very cheesy. The food was reasonably priced for the area. The setting was quiet and comfortable. read more

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The best thing they served us was their salad with their homemade dressings! Super delicious and fresh with good ingredients within the salad. The venue was cool, we sat outside in their tent area, which I enjoyed, it was a great evening for it, but nothing extraordinary. As for the food itself, people ordered the chicken and steak, it was average. Had flavor, but was a little dry and the portions were not big. I'd recommend if you are looking for a good salad and an average entree. read more

This was a wonderful meal. Not just because the food was good but the service was exceptional. I frequently travel and dine solo and am not always warmly welcomed when I say "table for one." The hostess easily sat me at a nice table upstairs and my server John was so friendly, helpful and efficient. Excellent service can really enhance a meal and it did here. As far as the food, my steak was great and they have so many delicious sides that it's hard to choose just two. The brussel sprouts and squash were both tasty and I love the strawberry lemonade cocktail. I'd highly recommended Maya for a pleasant and delicious dining experience. read more

Mediocre food. Picked up a couple of appetizers (fried green tomatoes and pimento cheese fritters) and an entree (fried chicken without the ham gravy with biscuit and grits) for take-out. Restaurant has outdoor seating and it looked very busy. The appetizers are overpriced at $10 for 3 slices of tomato and $10 for 3 fritters. Also, they desperately needed the side sauces they came with. Mostly tasted the salty fried breading. The fried chicken was dry! Good seasoning but totally dry. Seems like another dish that was supposed to rely on a sauce to be rescued--since we didn't want the red meat in the gravy, we skipped it altogether. So what we were left with was dry fried chicken. Meh! The biscuit side was dry and tasted pretty old (maybe yesterday's batch). The grits was fine. Overall, a disappointing meal that wasn't worth consuming all that fried stuff. read more

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If you're looking for a splurge curbside takeout dinner and craving Southern food, Maya is worth it. The pimento cheese fritters are amazing - fried cheese balls with creamy center and comes with a tasty red pepper jelly for a blend of sweet and salty. They offer both single dinner and family style options - we've only done single dinners which come with your choice of 2 sides. Even though it's $22-27/entree, you will definitely be stuffed or have leftovers with the amount of food. I've enjoyed the hanger steak previously for in-person dining - consistently cooked at the right temperature when we've requested medium or medium rare and pretty tender. For takeout, I've had the pan seared salmon which came with asparagus and cherry tomatoes (and also the 2 sides) - the salmon was cooked perfectly, not dry, and seasoned well. My favorite sides (both pre-COVID and currently) include: 1) Cheddar drop biscuits - so savory and buttery 2) Brussel sprouts which come with onions and bacon 3) Cornbread - amazing with butter and honey Definitely recommend for curbside pickup! Pre-COVID times would also recommend for tasty cocktails! read more

Waiter was great. Fried green tomatoes were ok. Tomatoes were too thin and flavorless and breading had no flavor. Pimento cheese on top was very good. Rockfish was good and fingerling potatoes were good. Beef tenderloin was good though a little salty. Green beans didn't have much flavor. Broccoli was cooked to death and flavorless. Didn't include in the take home box. Collards..... worst we've ever had. Really sour and spiced. The waiter said they had Texas Pete in them. They were red and overcooked so lots of Texas Pete but so sour though didn't taste vinegary. Just bad. Overall, not impressed and really disappointed. Perhaps the regular chef was off on a Monday night but we would not recommend the place to anyone. We bought a bottle of wine as it was our anniversary and we spent close to $175 but only the wine was very good. Never go there again. We sat in a booth in the bar and that was good. read more

To staff there was very wonderful and explaining the menu. The food was cooked to perfection during my visit I had trout some sautéed greens kale, collard greens and spinach with a walnut sauce it was wonderful. A lot of vegan dishes on the menu as well, I would highly recommend this place for dinner or lunch. read more

A solid "ok." The appetizers (carrots and pork belly) were marvelous. 2 of the 3 dinner entrees were too over spiced to eat--the pork chop was overcooked and very, very salty, and the ribs were seasoned with a quite spicy and salty dry rub. The last of the entrees, the steak, was very studded with peppercorns, but was edible. Judging from other reviews, maybe it was an off night, because the appetizers really were delicious. But it would take a bit of doing to lure us back. read more

The husband and I popped in here before heading to another event. We only wanted something small, so we shared a few things. Sat on the patio and it was perfectly comfortable. Waitress was polite and the rest of the staff was very efficient. This isn't a dis, they were busy and working very well. We ordered the roasted carrot starter which was beautiful. Room temp/slightly chilled. Three small carrots that were beautifully presented (but could have had a few more). The rest of the dish was a sweet and subtle combination of ricotta (I believe), sprouts, radish and carrot puree. A great way to start. For our entree, the husband wanted the chicken breast. I was mixed on that as chicken can be kind of boring, this was not! It was perfectly seasoned and delicious and the gravy that came with was rich and delicious. For our sides, we got the collard greens, SO GOOD with just a right amount of bite and paired it with the rich and delicious Mac and cheese. Highly recommend both. read more

Great Atmosphere. Comfortable and casual. Great Bartender and staff. Happy Hour Food & Drink specials are "Top Shelf " Give Maya a try. I've always enjoyed my visits. Enjoy read more

First, the food was very much worth the price and great. The broccoli, collard greens, and lentil cakes is a superb combination. However, it took a long time before our drink orders were taken, and then a while again for our entrées to arrive. Our server did not have a good intuition for when to check in on us (maybe he was new). The menu was also not descriptive, but that's OK for some people I guess. But the server did not know much about it either. The quality of the food (great), the aesthetic (edgy), and the service (untrained) seemed to clash. To boot, the online reservation system does not sync with the restaurant's. So, our reservation didn't actually exist. read more

Service was certainly fast and friendly. Food was good but didn't blow my mind. I would like to come back here again in the near future!

I had the trout. Excellent! Server was pleasant and attentive but not obtrusive. 5 of us had a great time over dinner. read more

Obviously since my late dog's name is Myla, I had to visit Maya on my journey in Virginia. The staff and drinks were great company and the ambiance of the restaurant was picturesque. Thanks for being part of my journey :) read more

Just chanced on this restaurant in Charlottesville Virginia and what a find! Friendly staff right from the beginning being seated. Server came quickly and we had Mariposas cocktails and wine. The pimento fritters were excellent and their local salad had watermelon and goat cheese and a really good dressing. We shared the trout and ribs, got whipped potatoes, shaved brussels sprouts and fantastic broccoli. I could've eaten another order of that. The food came much quicker than expected. Shared key lime pie and it was wonderful too. Too bad we live nine hours away. read more

A SOLID choice for Tuesday nights. They have $12 deals. I ordered the blackened tilapia with two sides of broccoli and it's PLENTY of food. Their other $12 deals includes ribs, hanger steak, and fried chicken (if I remember correctly). Sides includes broccoli, Mac n cheese, sweet potatoes, etc. My tilapia was a little too blackened but still very good and the price point is a great sell. Recommend getting the pimento cheese fritters. If I come back, I will definitely be getting them again. read more

The pimento cheese fritter appetizer was AWESOME. But unfortunately the rest of the menu was just decent. The hen was cooked well, but the dry rub really was overdone and absorbed most of the flavor. Service could've been better. After 20 minutes we realized we hadn't even had our orders taken. Particularly on a hot muggy day when there was only seating outside, wasting time like this is not ideal. We also were sat at a table next to a huge fan, which made conversation difficult. I may patronize this establishment again, as the experience wasn't bad enough to warrant lower stars. Just hopefully we'll get indoor seating and more attentive service read more

When I travel, I want to eat local. Maya offers local fare so exquisitely made, I broke my rule of never eating at the same place twice when traveling. First night I had the fried pimento cheese fritters. Spicy and crispy with just enough cheese ooziness. The fritters are served atop a delectable cream sauce and then topped with a fruit preserve that added a complimentary sweetness. I also had the biscuits and collard greens. May have been the best biscuits and greens I've ever had (sorry, Gramma). Ordered the fried oysters which were a little disappointing in comparison with everything else. The oysters didn't taste quite fresh or perhaps fried in old grease. But, check this- everything else was so good, I'm not even taking half a star off for that. But, those biscuits and greens made me trek back a second night. Let me explain these collards...(puts forefinger to temple)... Most collards are made with some kind of pork, usually neckbones. Maya's greens are 100% vegan, tender, and you would swear they were flavored with hamhocks. The secret? Smoked paprika. The biscuits...right amount of density, and not too soft or chewy. Just how I like 'em. The second night I also had the local trout. Fantastic. More than made up for my not-so-great oysters the previous night. The bar also has an incredible selection of local craft beers and custom cocktails. Plus, a very friendly, energetic staff makes even a solo out-of-town diner feel welcomed. read more

Maya - Local trout, taters, biscuit and those heavenly greens. - Southern Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

Maya.. only if you offered me more rosé wine options.. jokes aside, food, service and ambiance delivered from the moment I opened the door until the moment I exit the restaurant. I look forward to come back to this restaurant as they looked forward to have me again! read more

Our first impression was a little concerning since they were already fully booked for the night and we didn't have reservations. But the staff was great and found us a spot in the bar area. Service from Micheal C was great. He took great care of us on what looked like a busy night. The drinks were great. I had a couple Smokey the Bee and my gf had a mango margarita. These were creative and delicious drinks. Michael was very good about making sure we had more if we wanted, but not being pushy! But you are thinking about the food. We had baby back ribs, trout, and cobia. While plating might not be up to Michelin standards, the food was! The ribs were smoked to perfection with the meat falling off the bone! Both fish were tasty and seasoned to perfection. Skin was crispy, meat was moist. Side dishes were all very good as well. I had to edit this section since my gf feels her sides were superb, not merely very good. We were just in town for the weekend, but if you are visiting Charlottesville, be sure to give Maya a chance! Ok read more

Maya was a great surprise for dinner when our original plans fell through. We are not overly familiar with the area, and only found Maya while walking down the Main Street. Based on the name, I would have assumed it was more of a Southwestern style restaurant, but it is more Southern Local food. We luckily saw other people arriving, and realized the main door is on the side of the building (not the front). We decided to sit at the bar, and the bartender helping us we very nice, offering multiple recommendations. I decided on the hanger steak with mac and cheese and brussel sprouts. It was all AMAZING. The building was cozy. There is an upstairs portion I didn't see; the downstairs area is relatively small. There also is a covered heated patio area. read more

Maya - Hanger steak with Brussels and Mac - Southern Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

Visited last night to celebrate our wedding anniversary and had a fantastic experience. Outdoor dining only right now during the COVID-19 pandemic under a covered pop-up tent with lights. There's no heat, but the weather was pleasant so that was OK. Just keep this in mind as the temps get cooler! The cocktail menu is extensive, I'll have to remember to try something next time I'm there since I opted to just have wine but my husband had a mule and he said it was great. Ordered pimento cheese fritters based on all the positive reviews and WOW those were awesome! I also love fried green tomatoes so we got those as well. Both fantastic, but if I had to choose a favorite it was definitely the pimento cheese fritters - make sure you try those! For most entrees on the menu, you select two sides. We each picked different ones to try: whipped potatoes, cheddar drop biscuits, macaroni and cheese, and glazed carrots. The biscuits and macaroni and cheese were probably my favorite, but you couldn't go wrong here. For entrees, I got the crab cakes and my husband got the fried chicken. The meal was paced nicely and we really enjoyed our food. We were too full for dessert, but we'll have to remember to save room next time! read more

Be advised that the front door is a trick. So is the side door closest to the front door. You must actually enter through the BACK side door. I almost left and went to another restaurant just out of frustration trying to get in alone. When I approached the bar, the bartender just looked at me. You'd think I'd be greeted with a, "Hello" or "What can I get for you?" Nope. I purposely stared back just long enough for it to be uncomfortable, still waiting for her to say something, then finally gave in and asked for a menu. Geez. Ordered the trout, mashed potatoes and Brussels sprouts. It came out fairly quickly, and all were decent, and apparently local ingredients. Also ordered the carrot cake for dessert. Okay, but not incredible. Laughably small portion for $7. Other than that, the ambiance is kinda nice. Cozy. Intimate. Warm. I like it. The menu is good... lots of things to choose from, all of which read appetizing. The food overall is good enough, but not amazing. Might be more amazing if there were more of it on the plate. I'd probably give Maya 4 stars if the service were less... weird. read more

Maya - $7 Anemic slice of carrot cake - Southern Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

I was working in Charlottesville and wanted to have a nice, local dinner my first night in town. I arrived shortly before 7 PM on a Monday evening and was able to get a seat at the bar (I was dining solo). The restaurant wasn't too busy, probably because it was a weeknight, but there were a few other diners at the bar. Luckily, I got in just a few minutes before happy hour ended, so was able to order some pretty reasonably-priced "snacks" from the happy hour menu for about $3-$4 each, including pulled pork on cornbread, brussels sprouts, and mac 'n' cheese. Getting 3 of these snacks was sufficient to make a pretty filling dinner. Everything came out pretty quickly and was really tasty. The pulled pork was very tender and flavorful, and the portions of the brussels sprouts and mac 'n' cheese were generous. The mac 'n' cheese was creamy but I might be used to a more sharp-flavored cheese, so the flavor was a bit muted here in comparison. Overall, I was pleased with the quality, amount, and variety of food I was able to get for the reduced happy hour prices. In the end, my biggest splurge was on dessert, which was $7. The dessert special of the day was strawberry shortcake, but I ultimately opted for the peanut butter fluff pie based on the recommendation of the bartender, Lisa. The pie was delicious, very melt-in-your-mouth and served with honey drizzled on the plate. It was a pretty small slice, but since it was also really sweet, I was satisfied by the time I finished it. The service was friendly and relaxed; I wouldn't come here if you're in a rush or anything, since they do seem to (rightfully) give you time to enjoy yourself without checking in overly frequently. All the staff I interacted with were super friendly, and they seemed to know many of the regular customers really well. The atmosphere was very warm and inviting, and not at all intimidating for solo diners either. My total meal, including tax and 20% tip, was less than $19. I would love to return whenever I'm back in town, maybe to try some of the regular dinner menu. read more

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The food was good, but the happy hour promotions were misleading. Ambiance was fair and service somewhat slow, but food was good.

This might be THE best food in Charlottesville. This was only my second time eating here, but the food is the star. The service was on the level of just okay, but the food more than makes up for that. read more

Maya - Cheese fritters.. Soooo good. - Southern Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

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Had a great dinner here. The trout is delicious as are the fritters and the chilly willy. Service was very good. Unfortunately I failed to take any pictures. read more

Food took very long to get to the table and it wasn't even a full house! Still delicious. I had the short rib appetizer with Brussels sprouts and Mac and cheese, and highly recommend all three. My mom's baby back ribs were tender and flavorful. We ordered $5 of cornbread for the table... 2 small prices that had clearly been reheated because the tops had been burnt. It had great flavor, but was disappointing that it wasn't fresh; definitely not worth $2.50 a piece. We finished with the upside down pumpkin cheesecake which was fantastic! Would come back, but is pricey for what you get. read more

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This is Southern food done very well in the heart of Charlottesville downtown. 1. Drinks: Fantastic cocktails with a great selection of spicy, sweet, strong, and bitter cocktails. Both my SO and I really enjoyed our drinks! 2. Food: Awesome takes on classic Southern food. Fried oysters were nice and crispy with not too much brine and/or salitness. I really enjoyed the gumbo, which had a great smokiness and richness to it without being too overbearing. Additionally, the sides were nothing short of excellent. Really liked the fresh homemade cornbread and the mashed potatoes were heavenly. Awesome service and management! read more

I wish I remembered the server's name because she was friendly and good. She also was funny and blocked the sun from my eyes when she came to the table. The cheese fritters were delicious with the pepper jelly and the mac and cheese was definitely above average. It was a nice spot to enjoy a beer and some apps in the late afternoon. I recommend Maya! read more

Maya is a nice spot to grab a drink, but it's dinner menu is definitely too expensive for average food. When my friends and I arrived, we admired the atmosphere of the whole restaurant. The exposed brick walls and spherical hanging lights set a relaxing and picturesque aesthetic. The bartender was friendly and played great throwback music that made happy hour fun and entertaining. There is bar seating as well as both indoor and outdoor seating, so the restaurant can provide for multiple different types of ambiance based off of customer preference. We came for the $12 Tuesday deal, which includes an entree with two sides. This sounded like a bargain, so we were excited for our meal. Given that $12 was already such a steep discount from the restaurant's typical prices, I definitely think the food is overpriced for what the portions and flavors offer. I ordered chicken fried chicken with broccoli and mac & cheese. I was disappointed by the small portions and underwhelmed by the flavors of my food. The chicken was bland, and it was simply a thin fried chicken cutlet. The mac & cheese was also bland, as it was very milky and lacked any distinct sharp cheese or spice flavors. My friends and I left hungry and ready for a second dinner. read more

Maya - Southern Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

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My husband and I were greeted warmly by Mary, who took care of us and guided us through our amazing experience. We're not drinkers, so we had Elderberry Mocktails. They were REALLY good. The atmosphere was cozy but trendy. For our apps, we enjoyed the Pimento Fritters, Fried Oysters and Pork Belly. All three were fantastic. Our entrees were the NY Strip and also the ribs. Both entrees came with beautifully flavored collards and whipped potatoes. Just phenomenal. I give Mary 10/10 for her suggestions, friendliness and making our experience special. Maya was really great. We highly recommend! Marquis and Juli Jayne read more

The main reason for the update was that the service was fantastic. The food, I actually ordered the trout again, was still awesome.

Maya is a cute little restaurant off of Main St in Charlottesville. Came here for dinner on a Friday evening around 6 and didn't have a problem getting a table (they have a whole second floor of tables). The ambiance is great for small groups and dates. They have a great selection of cocktails, wines, and beers. I got a drink with Smirnoff, soda, and grapefruit juice (I can't remember the name) but it was a great pick-sweet fruity flavor but not sickly sweet. For dinner, I had the crusted catfish with broccoli and sweet potatoes (you pick any two sides to go with each entree)- catfish came with this amazing cream based sauce, broccoli was steamed and flavored with garlic, and sweet potatoes were thin, crispy, and salty. Perfect portion size-didn't feel like I had eaten too much but was satisfied after finishing most of my plate. Also tried a bite of a crab cake with chow chow and it was amazing too! You really can't go wrong with Maya. read more