Sam&#x27;s Kitchen

I wish I took pictures of the food because all 7 of us got something different and everything was…read moreamazing. We had coffee and lattes and they were all good. I'm mentioning this because the amount of breakfast places with shit coffee is wild. So not only good food, but excellent coffee. Brioche French toast bananas foster - the bananas foster syrup was the bomb. Nutella and Strawberry Crepes - they were huge and so good! Chicken and Waffles- fried crispy bone in chicken is yue only way to go. My teen son eat every crumb. Avocado Toast with egg and smoked salmon - my husband loved it. Avocado Egg Bake - cooked perfectly and so good. Buttermilk pancakes for fluffy and great flavor. They offer real maple syrup, bananas foster syrup if you're fancy and then regular (fake) syrup.

We really enjoyed our anniversary brunch. The peach spritz was delicious and was not too sweet. I…read moreloved the fried green tomatoes. My husband got Eggs Benedict and found it truly tasty, even when he reheated some the next day. The potatoes were well cooked and flavorful. It was a cooler, dryer day so we were able to eat on the porch. It was perfect and reminiscent of our wedding day 44 years prior.

Interior

Fried green tomato Benedict

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Inside

MarieBette Cafe and Bakery

4.4(667 reviews)

3.5 mi

A local recommended that I check out MarieBette Cafe for an afternoon pick me up and I am so glad…read morethat we decided to visit! This cute little European inspired coffee shop makes a MEAN peach matcha made with a housemade syrup from locally-picked peaches. Honestly, it doesn't get any better than that! We were also on the search for their famous pretzel croissant but unfortunately it was sold out (and usually sells out earlier in the day). We will definitely have to come back again to try.

My favorite sourdough and pastry in past 10 years and I didn't know why kept me out from posting…read morethis review. might want to keeps for myself and enjoy every single time when stopped by even 2 hours aways. All I wanted to say about Mariebette was superior in all bake goods. great support for local businesses. Keeps it up and expand more location

Inside

Egg & cheese on croissant

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Guajiros Miami Eatery

4.8(411 reviews)

3.9 mi

I decided to choose Guajiros as the restaurant that we grabbed breakfast from before leaving…read moreCharlottesville, and I am so glad that we did. The ambience was such a vibe with food to match. The waitress was sweet and patient assisting us with questions before we ordered. I got a Cafecito and a guava Pastelito to start. The cafecito was bold and sweet and the Pastelito was super flaky. We also tried the chicken empanadas which were easily some of the best we had. We ended up making a second order to go. We also ordered the El Nacional which had scrambled eggs with chorizo, avocado, sweet plantains, refried beans, pickled onions and bread with crema and cojita. Everything was delicious including their tropical Palmer which had hibiscus tea and homemade limeade. I will definitely be visiting again!!!

I drove from Richmond to try this spot after hearing rave reviews. I'm originally from South…read moreFlorida and Richmond has ZERO Cuban food that's worth having (if you suggest kuba kuba you do not know Cuban food). I honestly did really enjoy the food. The Cuban was delicious as were the appts. The environment was inviting and eclectic and the service was attentive, friendly, and warm. I would definitely go back.

Bar

Ham Croquetas

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Michlada

Oakhurst Café

4.2(244 reviews)

4.3 mi

Very cute little spot on a side street near UVA grounds. The espresso bar was really good and…read morebreakfast was divine. Service was friendly and attentive. I had the little breakfast biscuits with ham and some scrambled eggs - both were perfect. I've been thinking about those biscuits since that meal, actually. I will definitely be back. They do take reservations but we went a little later in the morning and walked in.

Lovely and Tasty!!! Wonderful experience from greeting to leaving. Meant to take a picture of the…read morefood but so tasty so gone! We had a scone, French Toast and Avocado Toast, and shared around the table. " Ooooo Mmmm Taste this!" Excellent Service!

Inside

Fall Special: duck confit hash.

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Cuban espresso

The Nook

3.8(176 reviews)

4.0 mi

The toughest part of dining here is figuring out what to select off their amazing menu. We wanted…read morebreakfast, so after sharing the yummy avocado toast, my husband had the hash which had the crispy bits in it that make hash so good, my Brother had sausage gravy that was beyond rich and I had a bright and light Greek omelet. Just note the omelet did not come with toast, but the potatoes were darn good. I encourage you giving it a whirl. It's been around for 75 years for a reason!

Good food, service and ambiance. Busy but not long waiting lines. In great location downtown with…read morethe street closed down and turned into a outdoor eating area if you prefer eating outdoors instead of inside. Seats indoors are wood bench like. Hard on the rear-end unless you have some cushioning in your backside. We had the eggs Benedict with shaved corned beef and hollandaise sauce and breakfast potatoes. We also had 2 pancakes. All was good overall. The pancakes could have been cooked a bit longer as they were mushy inside (uncooked batter). The potatoes were a bit too salty and greasy but the peppers were slightly uncooked the way we like them. Overall a good place to eat.

Wood booth example

Avocado Toast Bruschetta and a poutine tater tot "bowl".

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Cod

Exchange Cafe

4.6(58 reviews)

11.8 mi

Stopped by here on the way to Luray from Richmond. Awesome little Brunch spot by Baboursville…read moreWinery. Excellent little spot with great ambiance! Staff very friendly and helpful! Love how everyone was very personable - felt very much like a family atmosphere! Food was great! My wife had the Salmon Market Salad and I had the Chicken and Waffles with Cheese Grits on the side! Very good all around! Kinda pricey, but which restaurant with similar quality isn't? Highly recommend if you're in the area for brunch!

Excellent service! We stopped by the place right next door and had such a great experience. They…read moreserved us our drinks with no problem at all, even close to closing time, and were kind enough to provide plastic cups so we could take them to go. Friendly, accommodating, and great customer service. Definitely appreciated the hospitality and will be back!

Outdoor seating options

Hummus Platter

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Outside seating (wow!)

Belle

4.3(156 reviews)

4.3 mi

Wonderful bakery with very tasty sandwiches in a cozy atmosphere and friendly staff…read more I had the Breakfast Sandwich #3, which has avocado, folded scrambled egg, and lettuce on a rich, savory-friendly brioche bun (I had the chili paste on the side and used some to complement the food). The warm bun had a slightly earthy flavor that complemented the sandwich insides - what a treat. I also bought a baguette that was so tasty and it was mostly eaten by the end of the day - fresh and with a light flour taste Yum!

Whenever anyone visited me in Charlottesville, I always made them go to Belle to try one of their…read moresourdough bread sandwiches and baked goods. They never disappointed any one of my guests! Lines can get lengthy during the UVA school year on weekend brunch hours, but the sandwiches are just worth the wait year round. Outdoor and indoor seating are offered here. The service staff are always great and patient with the everyone they serve. My personal favorite is the #6 WITH an egg!

Seating

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Full view menu

Oakhurst Inn

3.7(62 reviews)

4.3 mi

•$$$

Fantastic experience. Wife and I did a 2 night stay and enjoyed every minute. Although there are…read moreseveral buildings, we stayed in the "main house" which was so convenient. The bar, front desk, valet and pool just steps away. The staff were like family and accommodations very comfortable. Many thanks to Antonio at the desk/valet, Tyler the bar manager and Tyler Cupec Director of Rooms for making it a trip worthy of a not only a 5 star review but also a future return as well.

It's such a lovely property, which is why the incompetent management is such a shame…read more There was never more than 1 person available to handle everything from the bar to valet to reservations. If you needed literally anything, it was a hassle to find someone to help. We were charged almost $60 for 3 glasses of wine after being told it would be $6 a glass. We waited 20 minutes for these same glasses of wine, during which the staff member was unable to locate 2 matching wine glasses or a wine bottle opener. The same staff member also offered us wine from bottles opened 2+ weeks ago--I wonder if we would have been charged less for the old wine... Several common areas were never cleaned. There was a small trashcan that contained smelling, rotting food trash that remained untouched for the entirety of our stay. Again, such a shame and disappointment that such a lovely property in a great location is so poorly run. Has lots of potential but unfortunately failed to meet that potential for us. You'd find better service at a Marriott.

Dog treats provided

Lay back and read a book from your own private collection.

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Enjoy one of our many library lounges with free wi-fi throughout the property.

Moose's by the Creek

4.6(367 reviews)

5.1 mi

This will unfortunately be my last review of Moose's before its unfortunate closing. This trip…read moresurely did not disappoint. We got to sit "side by side" which was kind of similar to sitting on the couch at home. In this configuration we saw numerous local regulars come and give each server an envelope with what we presume to be a thank you to their dedicated service. It was also the first time I met the owners. One was so enthusiastic that she made a comment of my unique eye and had to show me her "child" that had the exact same one. These interactions alone embody why this place will be so missed. I wish good luck to everyone here in there new adventures!

We finally got to try the lunch menu at this place. It was solid. Service was a little slow, but…read morethey told you that when you entered. The kitchen was a bit backed up, but it was all good. My wife and I both got the Club Sandwich with waters and the bill out the door was 20 + tip. You can't beat that. Keep up the great work you folks are doing !

Ribs with Baked Beans, Corn on the Cob and a Dinner Roll

Shrimp & Grits

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Botanical Fare

4.9(86 reviews)

4.0 mi

Awesome spot. Love the food, decor, friendly service. My kids loved the waffles. Great coffee…read more Location is terrific as well. We are making a detour on a road trip just so we can go back here next week and try it again! Side note: I also took my baby to get changed in bathroom and appreciated 1) they had great changing table for baby and 2) the bathroom was clean and tidy!

Amazing restaurant with delicious vegan food, good service, and inclusive environment. A safe space…read morewith fantastic fare. One of our favorites. Worth the stop even if you don't know much about vegan food, you will not be disappointed.

Ample indoor seating

Cold sesame noodle bowl

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Oat milk Latte

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

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12 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Kyle E.

11 years ago

HOLY FREAKING CRAP. This place is legitimately the worst anything, not just restaurant, but freaking ANYTHING I have ever experienced. So help me God, it is as if the owner secretly went out and attached various metal instruments to the senior citizen population in town while they slept and then fired up some ridiculously huge electromagnet hidden under the Woodbrook Shopping Center which forces every freaking near death corpse to come to this pigsty every freaking day. It's like the White Walker attack on Hardhome in Game of Thrones, except with baby boomers and mush brains. Kill me. The food is crap. I got an Alaskan Pancake, and the pancake was colder than the freaking ice cream. I'm pretty the wait staff has confused this place for a landfill, as I have never experienced such a mass amount of human trash before. Good lord. If you are in a position to shut this toilet, then for God's sake flush this turd down the drain. read more

Mary S.

8 years ago

I went here once and it was more than enough for me. The food was super bland and tasteless. I can see why its mostly visited by people in their golden years. The servers kept going out front to smoke which was a big turn off. The servers would them come to our table reeking of cigarettes. the floors were dirty like the had not been properly cleaned in a decade. the decor is confusing and out dated. I got the fried chicken with macaroni and cheese and macaroni salad. the mac & cheese was super greasy and the cheese was separated and the macaroni salad had a sour vinegar taste like it was spoiled. I did not finish anything. Woodgrill has better food. read more

Mark L.

8 years ago

In the start I can say, the atmosphere is really great and it gives you a great vibe. The staff, waiters are also very attentive, they know everything on their fingerstips (that helps a lot). But what is lacking is the taste in the food. The food is not bad but it does not gives you the happy feeling while eating. And certainly they need to add a signature dish which really adds more flavor to the menu. Otherwise, I don't mind coming back to this place with my family on Sunday afternoon for brunch. read more

Heidi H.

10 years ago

AMAZING food! If your in Cville you have to try this place out. It's a Cville treasure with down home cooking. The owner and staff are friendly and just wonderful. I highly recommend it! You can have breakfast all day long and the pricing for the food is out of this world affordable. You MuST try this place! read more

Kevin C.

611

8 years ago

Had an excellent breakfast here last week. All the food was fresh, homemade and the staff was very friendly! Not the most upscale or visually pleasing location around but, for good food, fast and friendly service, I would definitely say to give them a try!! read more

Tiffany R.

7 years ago

This is the second time I've come to eat at Sams & the food has been amazing! They are not very busy for dinner so I was able to get seated immediately. Service is fast & friendly -- but the food is the real treat. read more

David B.

6 months ago

Food is very good more original Homemade dishes, real potatoes, real eggs Breakfast is my favorite. The waitress are real nice and they try real hard. read more

gabe S.

2 months ago

Really good service, servers and workers are all very nice. The food was very good and would definitely recommend the Burger it was amazing.

Beckett B.

2 months ago

Super nice people and great food. Can't recommend enough, wonderful hospitality. They gave me a birthday desert and it made my day!

Lynne R.

14 years ago

I really love this place. So glad they re opened. DELICIOUS food, kind hearted owners.

Mike S.

7 years ago

The breakfast potatoes are awesome! The servers are always friendly and ready to serve.

Ray D.

4 years ago

Great food. Hometown service and cozy atmosphere. Love it!

Sam's Kitchen - diners - Updated October 2026

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The Villa Diner

3.9

(192 reviews)

Yum! We love the villa and their food is delicious and well made. This is classic breakfast diner…read morefood, so don't expect an avocado toast, frittata, charcuterie board vibe. This is a simple, no frills, pancake egg hash brown coffee kinda joint. This is NOT brunch - it's breakfast. No complications, just simple good food. My boyfriend's two favorite things are the biscuits and gravy and the French toast. He gets it every time and it's always good. I usually get a combo breakfast with scrambled eggs, sausage links, corned beef hash and hash browns. Can't be beat! The food is hot and delicious. The prices are totally reasonable so you'll have to wait awhile if you come in person especially on a weekend. Expect to wait up to an hour. If you don't want to do that you can also order delivery which I've done a few times. Overall, this is a great spot for simple hot and delicious breakfast!

We were looking for breakfast heading out of UVA family weekend and it this hit the spot! So much…read moreso, we forgot to take pictures of the food. Highlights include the 1) eggs: whether sunny side up or scrambled, delish and well-seasoned, 2) accompaniments on the table: jelly, butter, syrup, half and half, sugar, salt and pepper, hot sauce...didn't have to ask, 3) service was overworked but really kind and as responsive as they could be, 4) menu variety: they have something for everyone. Drawbacks: none. That all being said, this is absolutely solid but nothing unique to any diner. (That would be my only suggestion...like Penn state diner has grilled sticky buns...a unique dish would make this a stand-out)

Rylie's Diner

3.7

(105 reviews)

I eat here when ever I get a haircut and the food is Great, Ashley is the best server and I love…read morechatting with her.

Great food and service! Never had a bad meal. Breakfasts are awesome:)…read moreServers are exceptionally attentive and nice.

Korner Restaurant

4.4

(42 reviews)

What really sets this place apart are the PEOPLE! Some of the most amazing service and workers;…read morethey were all so insanely sweet and welcoming! I will definitely have to go back! I loved the wings so much and they gave me a big cup of ranch! Amazing.

Bangin' burger and onion rings. The double is too much unless thats what you're looking for…read more Reminds me of good country places back home in the SW of the state. Trying breakfast tomorrow

Stella, Bella & Lucy's

4.6

(134 reviews)

Consistently dependable, on time, professional and care. Thankful for finding Augusta Electric,…read morehave counted on multiple times, and every time have followed through with above service. Recently, shout out to Jordan and Zack helping with determining well problem not related to electricity. Narrowed down to who to contact next.

We have been twice now, once for lunch and another for breakfast service. Both times, we adored the…read moredecor and overall feel of the place. However, I have always hoped to have the other server... we were unlucky to have the same lady both times (so definitely not just a bad day) who does not return the warmth you try to give her. She seemed very irritated by any questions, gave us our bill after only a few questions, and was never to be seen again which was sad because we would probably have gotten a dessert if it wouldn't have felt like an inconvenience. inconvenience. For the food, it was very pretty! It is definitely made with love! Just... not a ton of flavor. The in-house Honey Dutch syrup was sweet but not the in the traditional way that one associates with vanilla and they don't offer any other alternatives so I don't recommend ordering the French Toast as they are quite dry. They would have been lovely with tbe SMALLEST amount of syrup. The fruit portion was incredibly generous however. My partner's breakfast plate was again, underwhelming but not bad.

Riverside North

3.7

(54 reviews)

Good old fashioned diner spot! The burger was really good and reasonably priced. The onion rings…read morewere crispy. All of the prices were great. Food came out fast and service was kind:

Best burgers and draft beer in town! Great service and environment. I've been a customer for…read morealmost 20 years. Multiple changes of ownership but always good time.

Tubby's Deli & Restaurant

4.0

(41 reviews)

This is a special place. Tubby's is located on what my friends and I colloquially refer to as…read more"Restaurant Road" which is the the stretch connecting the backside of downtown C'ville to Pantops. Other local gems include La Michoacana, Jak N' Jill's, Beer Run (kind of), Firefly, and the infamous Riverside Lunch. All (excluding Beer Run) have the same "back home feel" and really fit into the overall vibe that Pantops gives off. Entering Tubby's is like transporting back to an earlier time. Sights and smells are reminiscent of small-town burger joints; you know, the ones that probably have a gas station attached to them. The menu is broken down into subs/ melts/ burgers/ and then a whole second menu of "other stuff". Oh yeah, they have even somehow conjured up a spaghetti and meatball plate. The true glory in this place is not necessarily any particular sandwich, but in the overall experience. I can't actually describe it. I have tried the Italian twice (favorite so far), the turkey salami Swiss, and today the smoked ham bacon cheddar melt. While all of these sandwiches are fine, none of them have been outstanding by any means. They are what I would call "work day" sandwiches. I have yet to try the steak and cheese which I am assured is quite good. The real prize winner here is the fries. Very similar to Riverside, these fries are probably ordered from a purveyor of frozen goods, but somehow Tubby's makes these things addictive. Likely in part this is due to the copious amounts of seasoning (Old Bay?) that they put on them. They are skinny and stay crisp for at least an hour. Delish. The experience is rounded out by the ambience of the small venue. The employee who takes orders (same young lady for over the last year) has every choice/ option memorized when you order something that has options, and never actually looks you in the eye. All business. The staff in the back barely say anything except for yelling orders through the window every few minutes. The patrons are all sitting in small groups, whispering to each other about the woes of the work day and seemingly about how much longer they have to work before they can go home. This all changes when the food comes out. Smiles and again whispers, but this time with an air of relief, come pouring out. One man says "ohhhh yeahhh" so quiet I almost cannot hear it. But his face says everything. Silence ensues again. While the food at Tubby's is at best a high-par with the seasoned fries leading the wagon, there is nothing that can take away from the general feeling of goodness that slaps you in the face when you walk through the door. The sandwiches are fine. The fries are good. But the experience is one of a kind, and nearly impossible to describe. There is a reason this place has been open for 20+ years, and why the same patrons come back time and time again. Don't come here if you want the best sub or burger in town. You won't find it. Don't come if you expect the employees to cater to your every move. Come so you can order, sit down, eat, and then stare out the window and wonder why you are going to drive out of your way to come back here next month. I still haven't figured it out after my 4th visit. Oh, and per the review of another Yelp patron, get the honey mustard. There are two, but ask for the good one. They will know. It's delicious.

The sandwich was fine, but there are soooo many better sandwich places in cville. They just changed…read moreownership and are now doing Mexican food so maybe that will be better?

Crozet Crepe

4.6

(22 reviews)

Bypassing Charlottesville for the smaller town of Crozet, I found this shopping center stop. The…read moremenu is primarily crepes; they do offer gluten free batter but for those trying to really avoid animal products options will be limited. I tried an unusual combination for a sweet crepe: nutella with coconut and pineapple. Maybe it is actually eaten in Hawaii; a little strange but it works, and the crepe was quick and came with an even texture. A side salad to go with it was a reasonably good decision. They had outdoor seating, but with it approaching 90 degrees outside in the morning, I was glad they had plenty of air conditioned space inside.

My friend and I came here for the first time for brunch on a Saturday, and we got seated right…read moreaway. Cute little restaurant. I did The Standard crepe which included eggs and bacon with a side of the house potatoes. My friend did the same but added cheddar and did sausage. We both wanted something sweet too so we got the french toast to split. It was delicious! Our waitress Carolyn was nice and attentive as well. Will def come back! They also have other foods besides just crepe for breakfast and lunch.

Red Rose Pub

4.4

(14 reviews)

Been here twice now for date nights, overall great food, great service, delicious fresh food. The…read moreburger is freaking amazing. I've ordered it twice to be honest. Parking is easy on the street. The main dining area can get kinda loud at peak hours with the walls being so close, so would recommend coming at off hours if you prefer a quieter atmosphere. Otherwise this has been our hidden gem and we look forward to round three!

I really wanted to like this place but they just need to be more consistent. Half of my party got…read moretheir food delivered quickly and they both enjoyed the salmon and the cut of the day which was NY strip (priced really well at only $30 which for anybody outside of VA knows that's a good deal). My mom however; received cold ribs which were really disappointing. Service was hit or miss and while it was friendly, we couldn't make eye contact with anybody to bring us water and to pay for our check. I had also gotten the deviled eggs with fried clams and the eggs were good but the fried part was very greasy.

Holly's Deli & Pub

4.1

(38 reviews)

Got lucky finding Holly's on our road-trip home. Not far from the interstate- and really great…read moreoptions for dinner! I went veggie with the Brussels sprouts stew and hubby went for pork burrito. We enjoyed the venue as well - laid back with lots to look at. Great service as well.

I came to Holly's twice in rapid succession not too long after moving to Charlottesville, then they…read moreclosed down (?) temporarily for renovations, and I was never sure what was actually going on. ("There's someone smoking outside, is it open? The sign says closed?") This dragged on for a few months, then finally they were clearly re-open! But I heard things had changed, so I was slightly hesitant to go back in case the Holly's I fell in love with was now a tattered dream. After some new reviews rolling in, I decided it was worth the trip back. It looks super nice and clean inside now! It was admittedly slightly dingy before, so way to go, Holly's. It seems like they still need to add some lighting; once the sun went down we were basically in darkness at our table. There was a fixture connection hanging empty above us, so I assume they are still adding things and finishing things up slowly. We were there on Thursday's "game meet-up," where the gamers of Cville crawl out from their holes and head to Holly's for a pint and a game or two with like-minded folks and friends. Our group, a party of five, came together and sat at a table to play our own game. It's a fun environment when the beer is flowing and all the tables around you are filled with various board games (think: catan, ticket to ride, pandemic, and many others I've never heard of). There was only one waitress who was also on the bar, so she was worked off her butt and would have benefitted immensely from even one other person to help. But because we had our game going, the slow service wasn't too much of an issue. Unfortunately my beloved, bigger than my head Club sandwich is off the menu, and they've streamlined their sides service with the sandwiches now, so you always get a side salad and fries unless you ask otherwise I guess. I got the reuben and it was huge, stuffed full, and delicious. I felt like the melty cheese wasn't as present as it could have been, but it was still good. The side salad is meager, but I'm always thankful for fresh greens when eating greasy sandwiches, so no complaints. The fries were hot and delicious. My husband got the BLTA, (a blt with avocado) and it was also huge and looked great. Definitely something I'd think about ordering another time, once I know tomatoes are in season. So, to wrap things up. Some menu changes left me a bit sad, but what they are delivering is still tasty and still priced fair especially for the portion you get. The service is friendly and the renovations made a nice difference. Still looks like a dive from the outside, but inside it's clean and tasteful. The bathroom upgrade is especially welcome and appreciated. Go. Avoid Thursday if you don't want to be crowded by gamers, or go on Thursday if you're into that. I assume other week nights aren't quite as hopping. Glad I finally returned to Holly's!

Jak'n Jil

3.8

(55 reviews)