UPDATE 02/06/2014: I visited again at the suggestion of a friend. They seem to have done some cleaning, although the icky booths were still in use. We ended up ordering off of the pub menu and I was fairly pleased with my portobello burger. Nothing to write home about, but I feel that 18$ for a mushroom burger and two beers is a pretty darn good deal. Now the bad: we were greeted as soon as we walked in the door, but the waitress told us she could not seat us just yet. We waited an additional ten minutes as she straightened the seats to the right of the door. As in, she was literally just placing the tables at right angles. For ten minutes. Finally, she sat us at one of those tables. The waitress seemed to forget we were there. Repeatedly. And the owner of the restaurant was chatting loudly with a table next to us about the restaurant (one of the diners at that table was a reviewer for a newspaper), while my dining companion and I waited on water, beer, the check, etc. All in all, it appears their food quality has gone up, they've done a bit more with the sanitation, but the overall experience still leaves a bit to be desired. Original review: They have a decent beer selection and a fairly broad menu, but none of the food I have ever tried there has been anything to write home about. Also, they really need to shut down for a few days and do an intensive deep cleaning. The inside of the place is just gross with layers of crud. read more

I've eaten here several times, but my last visit was outstanding. We ate with family in a Saturday night. Our server Deidre was outstanding, perhaps the best service I've had in years. They even brought my dog water and a treat. We got a burger, shrimp and grits, BLT salad and fish and chips, and all were outstanding. read more

Poor experience. Service was lacking - while somewhat attentive, our server never smiled once or asked us anything more than "Are you ready?" The risotto was quite bland (I think they may have forgotten to add the cheese) and my husband's burger was dry. Keep walking, if you're strolling for somewhere to eat on the mall. read more

Delicious. I promised if you try it you will be very happy you did....ask for Robin - she's an excellent server. read more

I hadn't been to Rapture in years but we had a gift card and went back. The food was ok. I had chicken with collards and gruyere that the waiter raved about. The chicken was so dry, it was not good at all. My husband thought his chorizo was good but not great. The kicker here is that we ordered two drinks, they were fine. When the bill came, we were charged for the liquor they added to the drinks. We did not ask for alcohol upgrades. My hisband got a sazerac and was told they only had one type of rye (how can you even upcharge when it's the only rye you have?). It just took an experience that was kind of "meh" anyway and added a really bad taste at the end. We will likely not return. read more

We're huge fans of this place. We've never had a bad experience in more than 10 visits. The menu is always changing and they are very vegetarian and vegan friendly. The service is also great and staff is very friendly! Highly recommended. 5 stars! read more

I want to like this place more, but it's missing something. The food is inventive and good, but not great - not delicious. And the atmosphere is certainly less than ideal, unless of course you're eating outside on the mall, which is what I opted for after sitting inside just once. I wouldn't necessarily recommend this place to a friend, but I'll think about it and get back to you. In the meantime, support your local farmers! read more

While visiting Charlottesville in October we were walking through the area and wanted a seat outside. Everyone was taken and very full, except here. We were a little hesitant since it does not get the best reviews, but we're both glad that we stopped in! We chose the bacon-wrapped meatloaf and the burger- both were delicious choices. I liked that the meals weren't super huge- and we enjoyed a lovely Saturday afternoon people watching and enjoying great beers. Their beer list is great- with lots of local/Virginia beers. The service might need to improve a bit though- we were forgotten at times (especially when I was out of a drink and eating). read more

This is the worst service I've ever received. Writing this currently from the table because we've been here for over 2 hours and have been waiting a ridiculous amount of time for every step of this meal. It's been 30 minutes since we asked for our checks, so I almost felt like I had nothing better to do than write this review. read more

It was fun until a security guard creepily hit on one of my friends. Service was otherwise ok considering how crowded it was.

Came here last night for the salsa dancing only. Didn't have any of the food or drink so I can't comment on that. Salsa lessons start at 8pm. Dancing at 9pm. We went for the class - it never hurts to review the basics. It was $8 for guys and $5 for gals. Pricey in my opinion, but maybe that's the Charlottesville way. The class was alright. I don't think the instructor was smooth in transitions and the couple didn't seem to be on the same page. The dancing scene was great. I come with my own dancing partner, but there was a good amount of people around and people were switching partners. If you come solo, you'll definitely have someone to dance with. I imagine it may get more crowded when UVA classes are in session. With thay in mind, parking may be harder. I didn't have a problem. The music was a mix. Mostly salsa, but we were able to enjoy some bachata and even a merengue song. They had strobe lights that were perfect, they weren't overly bright or annoying. Overall it was a great salsa Sunday for my husband and I! read more

I love Rapture. I always have. But the last time I went, May 14th, the service was some of the worst service I have ever had. The host sat us and helped us to move some tables around to fit everyone comfortable - great! Once we were situated though, 3 separate servers walked by the table, made eye contact, and continued on their mission....to pull out their phones and share some sort of funny photo - or something. I had to physically motion for a server to come over, and I had to ask if she would please bring some water for the table. She rolled her eyes and turned around and arrived with 4 glasses, not 5 - the number of people at the table. Once we got our drinks and placed the order, all was great. Our server seemed like she was new to serving or something - we just had to prompt her if/when we needed something from the kitchen. I'll go back - I just hope they get their game back before summer starts and the mall gets busy again! read more

I attended a private event at Rapture, and it was held in the early evening on the dance floor. It was a farewell event, and there was very poor lighting for taking goodbye photos. The rest of the place was empty, not a customer sitting inside, so I'm not sure why the event was held in that part of the establishment. I've always thought of Rapture as a late night place, and that's exactly what it felt like on the dance floor. The event was catered with a lot of tiny bites that were just okay. The one positive was that the bartender was very kind and accommodating to the group. Based on this event, I'm pretty sure that I won't be returning for the food nor the ambiance. read more

Normally for a Sunday brunch, I would've gone to Pigeon Hole, but because the line was obnoxiously long there, I decided to take my parents downtown instead. The line for Rapture looked busy, so my Dad suggested that we go there (if it's busy, the food must be good, right?). We decided to sit inside instead of waiting the 30 minute wait to sit outside, and the dim lighting wasn't ideal for brunch, but we were hungry and wanted food now. Food was slow, service was slow, which was inevitable given how busy the restaurant was. The food was pretty good-- I had the two eggs, biscuit, cajun potatoes, and cheesy grits, all of which were delicious. The grits were my favorite, slightly bland for my taste, but nothing a little salt couldn't fix. My Mom ordered the same, and my Dad ordered the lamb dish that came with two of the smallest lamb chops I had ever seen, two eggs, and grits. The lamb was really delicious, flavorful, and high quality--I just wish there had been more of it. However, when my dad initially cut into the meat, it was raw. We complained to a waitress who had walked by our table (because of course, our waiter neglected us because he was so busy), and she tried to convince us that it wasn't raw and supposed to be that way....I'm pretty sure I know raw meat when I see it. With a little fuss, she sent the dish back and got a new one that we were all pretty pleased with. The food was slightly overpriced, but typical for a restaurant on the Downtown Mall. Probably not the best brunch option to take my parents to, especially since our whole meal took about 1.5 hours with all the waiting time, and we were sightly crunched for time. Food was good, though, but I won't come back again. read more

Solid 4 stars for the food and outdoor seating on the mall during the warmer months. The entrees are decent sized, as are the salads. HAVE THE SHRIMP AND GRITS. Apps are a little more toward the amuse-buche size but still pretty delicious. Don't expect stellar service. The shrimp and grits are some of the best I've ever had. Everything was exceptionally tasty and seasoned perfectly. Will definitely be back for dinner! read more

We went for brunch on a Sunday. We were able to sit outside which was really nice. The service was great. We had a Bloody Mary which was homemade and had great flavor. The food was fresh and unique. Definitely a good little spot! read more

This place has always been delicious and fun! I ate the best burger I've had in a really really long time. Scratch that, it was the best burger I've had. The staff was nice and I liked the atmosphere. The front is built for fine dining while the back and upper floor is more like a pub. Recommended! read more

Great friendly and fun atmosphere. Staff are all wonderful. Food is well put together, awesome presentation with great variety to suit nearly everyone. Love the small plate menu. Great fun with friends and family. read more

Played a show at Rapture last night. Food was great. Bartender was un-friendly and pretty much a dick. Acted as if he didn't want anyone to order anything from him. Otherwise the beer tasted like beer and the food was good. read more

Great cocktail menu, and pretty good food. The deviled eggs had a little too much mustard, and the sweet potato tots were good. I got the shrimp and grits which were good but could have used a little more greens or acid to cut the richness of the grits. We had 12 people in our group, and the waitress was very patient and attentive. read more

Eggs Benny was amazing (the hollandaise sauce was excellent!!) Bloody Mary was OK. Would come back and deff do brunch again!

I love this place! I eat here every time I come to town. The menu changes seasonally so there are always new things to try. I found that they source locally as much as they can. There is a southern slant to some of the offerings. I had the blackened red snapper last week, best I have ever had the crust and seasonings were perfect. Can't wait to visit again! read more

I had poached eggs with prosciutto and pesto for Sunday brunch. It was pretty good, although the wait staff was a bit slow.

Went for breakfast. Had a variation of eggs Benedict. It was delicious! Service was also first rate. Only reason for 4 stars is that my homefries were slightly cold. read more

Pick one of the seasonal specials...the chefs/cooks know how to utilize local ingredients. Very nice waitstaff and I always appreciate it when a chef/cook comes out of the kitchen to see how the meal is going. read more

The look of the place does not suggest your going to get a great culinary experience, but the menu looked interesting so we went for it. Plenty of distracting noise coming from the back bar area. Yes my side of the booth desperately needed some new springs and coverings. But our waitress was friendly, prompt, and accommodating. And the food was all delicious-loved the deviled eggs-will be trying to recreate their version at home. Caesar salad was crisp, dressing tasty. The shrimp and grits were a very satisfying dish. Don't let appearances dissuade you-check out what their kitchen is putting out. read more

We stumbled into Rapture last night while trying to find a "late" 9:00 dinner on a Sunday. It would seem that not many places in Cville stay open late and I'm glad since otherwise we would not have found this place. The front looked empty, but the fun was in the back. We sat at the center bar and had a great farm to table meal.... The tuna with lentils and kale was delicious, but the pork meatloaf was the bomb. Presentation was fantastic and it was more like dining in a nice restaurant than a quirky bar with pool tables. They were teaching salsa in the back room, and you have to check out the basement. I'm not telling exactly what you will find, but I bet there are some strange stories. So if you are ever looking for a great experience in Cville with some killer food, drop on into this place.... read more

Great food and service. Went for brunch and I ordered the veggie omelette and the vegetables were very fresh. My husband ordered the baton rouge Benedict and the poached egg was perfect. Loved the place and ambiance and the staff was very friendly and accommodating. Definitely recommend this place. read more

I had a great time here this weekend and the food was fantastic. The service was good and I had a fun time for New Year's.

Excellent food. I had a grass-fed juicy burger with excellent fries. Other people's plates looked just as good. Service was decent. They brought a dog a bowl full of water for a customer sitting in their ample outdoor area in the middle of the mall. Just what I was looking for today. read more

Fun & upbeat! Food rocks! Music is great! The bartenders are on top of their game!! Love the candle in the bathroom and there is always toilet paper!!! read more

We discovered this place accidentally while walking around the plaza area. The restaurant interior is cozy, nice but not too formal. I immediately felt welcome. The lighting is low but not too low and they play good background music (Talking Heads). We went for the valentine's weekend menu. The truffle and oyster soup was amazing. I had a steak with frites that could match any steak at Peter Luger's or Smith and Wollensky. My wife had scallops with risotto that were equally delicious. They have a great selection of craft beers and local wines. The service was excellent. Our very cute waitress was attentive but not intrusive. She had suggestions on menu items and was knowledgable about different beers. You could tell she enjoyed her work and made our visit worthwhile. Rapture is a well run restaurant with inventive dishes and incredibly fresh ingredients. I loved my visit to Rapture. read more

So disappointed! Perhaps I just ordered the wrong thing, however, the portions size were crazy tiny. Ordered the ricotta-beet salad expecting a salad of ricotta and beet on a bed of greens. Got a few tiny leaves, a small portion of cheese and beets - certainly not a lunch-size salad. Since I was still hungry, I ordered the vanilla bean rice pudding. Sounded good. But, it showed up in a tiny glass cup with so little that I sent it back - no way I would pay $7 for that. To be fair, it looked as so some orders, such as hamburgers, were normal size. However, I don't think I'll be going back unless this gets fixed!!! read more

Turned a great night with lots of friends into a horrible night. The Bartender was the most rude and unprofessional bartender I have ever met in my life! I've traveled all over the world and have never experienced such horrible service. After a simple request to change the music, the bartender should have simply said we are not going to change the music tonight in a professional manner. Instead he proceeds to use profanity towards paying female customers. Additionally, he proceeds to use profanity towards the group saying good luck trying to get me out of here I have been here for years. With a group of around 10 people, after that service we will never spend another dime in Rapture and will make sure to spread the word. read more

Great hot open faced turkey sandwich. Not what I expected as gravy was more of a brown mushroom, rather than traditional Turkey gravy. But I loved it. Reasonable $5 drafts with good selection including local brews. Only complaint our table had was some of our dishes weren't hot when they arrived. For the price and atmosphere, seems like a good solid joint. read more

Ate at Rapture again this past weekend. Previously, I've been there for brunch or salad, and sat outside, went a couple times in the middle of the day for a beer at the main bar, and have gone there dancing 2 other times. The meals were good, if a little high in price. A friend was our server, so she did a good job. Can't speak for the rest of the serving staff. BUT this last visit was quite something else. A couple days after eating there, I was checking my bank account online. I had two bills at Rapture that night - one from the dining area and one from the bar in the back, where the "club" section is. My bank account had a 3rd charge, posted hours after the first two, and hours after I'd left the restaurant, for an additional $230+. My other two bills totaled under $50. Additionally, the bar tender in the back charged me $19 for two draft Bass Ales. He had friends in the "club" that night, so I'm sure I ended up paying for a couple of their drinks. I didn't dispute it at the bar, but called the bar manager the later in the week to complain. As for the main bar, in the middle of the restaurant, it has a nice atmosphere, but the regular bartender is rude - like you're being a pain in the neck sitting there and asking for a beer. I've been to the "club" section in the back 3 times. Every time, it slowly morphs from a pretty decent atmosphere to a group of thugs as the night wears on. If you're dancing with your lady, they try to edge you off the floor so they can move in. If you're married an are just out for some dancing and fun - don't even bother with this joint. I'd rather go to Club 216, where no wanna-be gang-bangers will bodily try to back you off the floor with their best attempt at threatening looks while their friends surround your wife to try and grind. My final review of Rapture - rude staff, crooked staff... both in the dining room ($230 extra charge on my card) and at the bar (charged me double for drinks), and crap crowd in the "club." I must say, after this last visit, I will never be visiting Rapture again. Ever. If I could give it zero stars, i would. read more

Brunch here is great also they make a mean cuban. The bar and trivia night is pretty great....I would have given five stars. But Mr. Zappa is the reason they got 4 instead of 5. He might be the worst Bartender in charlottesville. The guy sucks. I'm not sure he is just Danny Glover Lethal Weapon "I'm too old for this shit" or if it's his thing but he should just stop. read more

I really like the atmosphere of this place. The bar is great and the music is always good! Nice place to meet interesting people! I've been there quite a few times and I always have fun. read more

Don't go here for brunch... the food was cold and service was slow. Not impressed!

Came to get a cocktail and play pool. Was charged more for the cocktail than the menu indicated, and the cocktail was sloppy and sub par. Wouldn't come back intentionally read more