Cancel

Open app

Search

Mockingbird

4.1 (108 reviews)
Closed 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM

Mockingbird Photos

Business Info

MOCKINGBIRD ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Classy
Good for groups
Happy hour specials
Outdoor seating

You might also consider

More like Mockingbird

Recommended Reviews - Mockingbird

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

Pork belly app
Emily M.

Absolutely delicious and well done! The ambiance is sweet and southern and the food is awesome! There is a variety of apps you could fill up on alone, or dine on the delicious entrees. Craft cocktails are done by the bartenders and the service is top notch. We made a reservation, but there was plenty of space at the bar around 5:30 that we didn't need the reservation to get a good seat. It was a great experience and we'll be back!

Local Bison Hanger Steak
Ara A.

First time here and it was very tasty. Started with the cocktail, bees knees. Then for dinner I had bison, i ordered it med rare but it was slightly overcooked but it didn't take away from the taste. The steak was very tender and flavored well. I switched the green beans side with the shaved Brussels but the quantity was lacking but tasted well.

Bison Hanger Steak with Mashed Potatoes and Okra

We had a great dinner before a concert at JPJ Arena. The staff were very friendly and were a nice balance of attentive and giving us space to enjoy our meal. I had the bison hanger steak which was perfectly cooked medium rare. My Dad had the shrimp and grits and our server was kind enough to quickly bring an extra order of grits when asked. The dessert I ordered was okay but I could have gone without. Would try their homemade ice cream instead if I go back.

Fried Green Tomatoes

Fabulous food! Sweet potato puree to die for, fried green tomatoes were wonderful. Hubby had bison hanger steak and loved it while daughter ate the salmon. Everything was so good, highly recommend!

Mississippi Mud Cup
Stephanie J.

Fried Green tomatoes- perfectly fried Pork belly- perfectly fried pork belly and the dressing from the salad pairs well. This dish was my favorite out of all items. More pieces of pork belly for the order would be nice Biscuits and honey butter- soft biscuit pairs well with the sweet butter Baked Mac and cheese- I like the noodle chosen for this dish but the dish was bland with a semi crunchy topping Not-so-classic pot roast- I chose this restaurant because I had the taste for pot roast. Presentation was beautiful and I loved the textures from the medium chunks of potatoes in the mashed potatoes to the tender fresh haricot verts. However, the beef was bland which was disappointing as the plate was priced at $28 Banana pudding- typical banana pudding Mississippi mud pie- too sweet for my liking but perfect for those who have a sweet tooth and love chocolate

crab rangoon
Renee P.

i don't eat american cuisine very often but this was yummy. very hearty and portion size was perfect imo the texture and flavors were toooo good would be a nice date night place!

Lauren M.

Great curb appeal. I would love to host an outdoor event here...the space is just warm and super inviting. The southern cuisine options drew us in, but the surprising real vegan keilbasa was a no-brainer for me & my vegan-eating foodie bae. I loved the bison steak, but it definitely could've used more salt to bring out that natural flavor. The corn muffins were unfortunately dry, but I love that the veggies had some fully vegan options. Just make sure you specific if thats what you want. The service was great. I'd go back and give them another chance; but there a quite a few good restaurants in Charlottesville so we'll see.

Flank steak with lime cilantro rice
Leslie G.

We chose to dine at Mockingbird the night prior to Valentine's Day. Staff was extremely pleasant and gave wonderful advice. The beer/wine selection was fabulous. We each had 2 beers which were very tasty. We ordered a biscuit basket with 5 biscuits and three toppings. We each ate one biscuit and really enjoyed it. We each had the flank steak special. My boyfriend's was cooked perfectly and he thoroughly enjoyed everything. Mine, unfortunately was a tad under the medium rare I ordered. Also the accompanied veggies were not warm. However I am not complaining because I should have mentioned it and did not. I am sure they would gladly have taken care of it. We also ordered dessert. We chose the apple raspberry crisp. It was a beautiful blend of flavors. I would recommend a different serving dish for this. It was served in a small footed dish with a plate under it. We had a hard time trying to eat it out of the dish so we poured it into the plate and enjoyed every bite. The decor and structure itself were gorgeous. The lighting and plants added a nice ambience. We would definitely visit again. Mockingbird again.

Our table wasn't ready when we arrived inexplicably on time. So we went to the bar where the bartender pretended to be nice but wasn't really. We had to order our drinks twice despite being hilariously funny the first time we ordered. We then decided to just stay at the bar because they wouldn't tell us where our table was so we could stare menacingly at the people fucking up our reservation. By the time we ordered our food and it actually arrived, lifetimes had passed and my once young looking friend had suddenly gained 30 pounds and her hair had turned gray. It was very strange because she used to be so young and pretty. We took the food to go at that point because we had shit to do. We ate the food drunkenly at home many hours later - except for the overpriced steak. That we fed to the dog - and inadvertently the baby when she found a chunk of it on the side table. 4/10, won't go back.

Not-So-Classic Pot Roast

I'm we needed a new place to try and we're able to get in last Saturday evening. We had a great table right in the front window. Service was fast and efficient. Food was great.

Local Bison Hanger Steak--it was so tender and delicious!! I can't wait to have it again!
Michelle F.

Stopped here on a whim. We ate at the bar. Service was friendly and fast. The food was delicious and they had a nice selection big wines and mixed drinks. The restaurant is quaint, old brick, rustic, cozy and clean and fresh. Will definitely be returning.

jackfruit BBQ
Emily B.

Mockingbird was an amazing dining experience. It is in the Belmont area which is great for avoiding the crowds of downtown Charlottesville and the corner but heads up is that you usually still need a reservation on busy weekends! I also love that they have their own private parking lot. Last time I was here the biscuits were recommended to me. The biscuits are so soft and the spreads are amazing. I believe you can order as many biscuits as you want to order the spreads too. It's a great deal! Mockingbird is a nice dining experience that serves other southern US food as well. The jackfruit BBQ was amazing and I also loved the crawfish pi boy. I had never had one of these before and it was well done! Portion size varies so be sure to ask your wait staff if you are concerned about this. They even gave us a birthday dessert and we're so accommodating for our large group. The bathrooms are super clean and the bar is beautiful. You can't go wrong sitting inside or outside.

Bison Hanger Steak with mash potato's and green beans
John G.

First timer's here. We went on a Thursday evening. This place is located in the Belmont district. Bring your wallet. No reservations are required but recommended. The place has charm. We were seated promptly. Service was excellent. My wife got the Salmon. I got the Bison Hanger Steak. Everything was excellent. We both cleaned our plate. Not one compliant. I would definitely go again. I bet this place is rocking on Friday or Saturday evening.

Fried green tomatoes

See all

19 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

21 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1
Photo of E A.
1
49
23

4 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 month ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Ara A.
221
1148
5001

1 month ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 hours ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 hours ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

21 days ago

Bartender was attentive, food was cooked perfectly with homely vibes. Restaurant has extensive outdoor seating.

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Jean E.
124
14
1

21 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

11 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

10 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Jim H.
0
40
22

9 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 1

3 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 2
Photo of Emma F.
254
17
1

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 2
Love this 3
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1
Photo of J E.
127
3663
13113

3 years ago

Helpful 8
Thanks 2
Love this 5
Oh no 1

3 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Al S.
68
56
139

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Bill M.
163
6
2

9 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 3

Ask the Community - Mockingbird

You might also consider

Southern Crescent Galley and Bar - Shrimp poboy

Southern Crescent Galley and Bar

(115 reviews)

$$

Excellent food and good cocktails. Their indoor space is really cozy and was nicely decorated for…read moreChristmas.

I posted this revues on Google and also sent an email to the restaurant explaining how frustrating…read moreour experience was. They neither responded to my email nor the review with any sort of explanation or apology which suggests that they don't really care. So I'll share this on Yelp too so others are aware of their poor customer service. We visited this restaurant with a group of seven and were excited to try it, especially because the outdoor seating area looked like a great spot for dinner. Unfortunately, the experience ended up being very disappointing. Service was extremely slow and disorganized from the start. About 15 minutes after ordering, a different waitress brought food to our table that we hadn't ordered, then quickly took it away without much explanation. From there, things only got worse. Our meals came out slowly over the course of 30-45 minutes, just one or two plates at a time, with no communication about the delays. Our four-year-old waited nearly 45 minutes for a simple order of fish sticks. Even basic service was lacking. We had to ask multiple times for something as simple as an apple juice refill, and it still took far too long to arrive. Toward the end of the meal, our waitress stopped checking on our table altogether, which made it difficult to order dessert. The food itself was pretty good, which is the only reason this isn't a one-star review. However, the poor service and lack of attentiveness completely overshadowed the experience. Overall, it was frustrating and disappointing, and we don't plan to return.

tavola

tavola

(450 reviews)

$$$

Tavola just gets it right. Everything feels thoughtful and homemade, the kind of cooking that's…read morequietly confident and leaves a real impression. The burrata is a must. Don't overthink it, just order it. The seasonal salad was honestly one of my favorite things on the table, so fresh and balanced, exactly what a good salad should be. The beet salad with goat cheese was unbelievable. The pastas were beautiful. Rich and perfectly cooked without ever feeling heavy, the kind of dish you eat slowly because you don't want it to end.the pasta noodles truly felt like we were in Italy. David took such good care of us. Warm and attentive without ever being intrusive, the kind of service that makes dinner feel like a real occasion. Only thing I'd skip is the bread pudding. Not bad, it just didn't belong at the same table as everything else. Get more pasta instead. We're already talking about going back and we live out of state! Some places just stay with you.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

We went to tavola tonight for my partners birthday and overall we had a good time and would be…read moreback. Between us, we did 3 cocktails, 2 apps, 2 entrees and 2 desserts and the bill came to about $220 tax and tip included. The restaurant had their main door closed (maybe they always do?) so we entered through a narrow back alley entrance into their bar. Parking is kinda tough. We did arrive a few mins early to our reservation and watched a table of 2 and 4 get seated before us which was a bit frustrating (it seemed like the host knew them and maybe they were given preference). Additionally, despite the reservation saying it was for my partners birthday it was not mentioned while we were being sat or by our server during our meal. Other restaurants in town (particularly Orzo and C&O) are really good about noticing these reservation notes and ensuring they are acknowledged. Both restaurants have also provided complimentary dessert or champagne and so it was a bit of a bummer it seemed to not be noticed at all. The ambiance was also much louder than we expected. Unfortunately we got sat next to 4 very drunk rowdy women which can't be helped but we could hardly hear each other over how loud the room was. The vibe was more of a nice dinner out with friends than romantic intimate dinner we hoped for. The music was upbeat and funky. Not a bad thing just maybe a misfit for what we were hoping for this evening. I haven't been here before so it might have been nicer to be sat in a quieter corner since it was just the two of us (not sure if that would have been possible). Our server Ginger was nice. She did provide a list of special for the evening which we ordered a few of. Food wise, tavola, in my opinion, certainly beats mockingbird or the local which are its two neighboring restaurants I've been to. It's actually not even a close comparison the food is significantly better imo. For starters we had the fried artichoke in aioli. Delicious - 5/5. Only problem was there wasn't more of it! The bread was from alb baking co and was served with olive oil. It was fine. Not the best bread or oil I've had. For drinks we had the alpine air (gin, pear, lemon, rosemary I think) and some pear cocktail (pear simple, Tito's, maybe pear liqueur?). My partner had an espresso martini with dessert. All cocktails were 5/5. Very good. For entrees we had the duck rotini and the pork special with collard greens and potatos au gratin. The rotini duck was interesting. I liked the flavor profile of duck, cocoa (in the pasta), pickled chiles and mushroom. I did feel like the flavor combination was so rich I wish they would have been a little more bold with the cocoa flavor. To be honest, it got lost and was completely overpowered by the mushroom flavor in the sauce. The sauce itself felt more of like a butter and fell a bit flat. The duck was chopped into small pieces and I just felt like the execution of this dish didn't do the ingredients justice. I wish they had done a braised duck breast in maybe a cocoa-orange sauce as I thought the cocoa duck combination was quite smart. I felt like the pasta version of these flavors just fell a bit flat and ended up feeling a bit bland as the mushroom was the only prominent note. Overall, I'd give this a 3/5. Neither of us were wowed by it but I think the flavors are ambitious and interesting. The pork on the other hand was fabulous. The pork was cooked perfectly in what felt like a wine reduction and was incredibly tender, no knife needed. The potatoes au gratin were a tad on the underdone side and had a bit more bite than maybe I expected but the flavor with the caramelized onion on top was fabulous. The collard greens are some of the best I've ever had. I love collard greens and am quite picky and these were amazing. I wanted a whole plate of them. 5/5. We ordered Brussels and pancetta on the side and this was also a 5/5. Very good. For dessert we had the tiramisu and the cheese plate. The tiramisu, frankly, was a 2/5. The lady fingers were totally soaking and the dessert was actually just a wet blob. The texture was just not good. The cheese plate was fine, 3/5. It was served with grilled crostini, cherries and candied walnuts. The cheeses themselves were a soft maybe goat cheese, what felt like pepper jack, and then two hard cheeses similar to Parmesan. None of them were particularly flavorful or compelling. I wish the plate had been served with some sort of jelly or sweet spread to accompany the cheeses as I felt the bread nut cheese combo was a bit too dry. Overall, I would say the main foods we had were very good and I think next time we may try their more traditional italian pastas like the carbonara or the bucatini. Overall I think the food here is very good and we would be back.

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

Smyrna

(115 reviews)

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!

Excellent place, nice and cozy with great service. Have been here twice- once on a girls trip and…read moreonce driving through for dinner. We recently enjoyed an amazing beet ribbon salad and hamachi with melon and Meyer lemon. They were stand outs! We also enjoy the octopus and mante dumplings. The octopus could have been a bit more tender. We love the place as it has many healthy options with tons of great flavor. Previously I had also tried the dips which was outstanding. I do wish they were served with pita but the bread is tasty. The baklava cheesecake is also a great ending! We didn't have room this time but we will be back again! The prices are on point for the qualify and what we are used to. Positions are appropriate for the price. The staff is very friendly and they coursed the plates properly for us. In a sea of many French and heavy restaurants... Definitely put this on your must eats while visiting for a welcome change.

Mockingbird - southern - Updated May 2026

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