Absolutely fantastic! The service from hostess to wait staff was top notch and the food was absolutely amazing. We'll be back every time we visit the area. read more

Orhun and his staff create a fabulous dining experience. The ambiance is warm and welcoming. The servers are attentive. We've eaten at this restaurant 3 times and the food has been consistently excellent. Tarik, the executive chef, has created an eclectic and unique menu that's both unique and enticing. Everything we've tried has been delicious. I can't recommend it enough. read more

Excellent food. Good service despite crowded Restaurant. Hard to book a table! Hope to eat there again.

One of the better meals I've had in Cville in quite a while. Couldn't recommend it more highly! Great service as well, very attentive staff. read more

Smyrna - Mediterranean Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

Fantastic dinner! Amazing service and food. We ordered a lot of food, and we all shared. Highly recommend! read more

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Great Mediterranean food , everything was super tasty. The skewers were the highlight as well as the dips. Friendliest service you can get. Definitely coming back read more

Smyrna - Mediterranean Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

Great Mediterranean/Turkish restaurant. Excellent service, well-paced without the rush. So hard to decide what to order. Started with meze trio; charred eggplant, hummus and yogurt-goat cheese dips with plenty of warm bread. Followed with curried pumpkin soup. Warm spices were perfect for a chilly night. Mains were chicken skewers and fishermen's stew. Chicken was tender and moist. Stew was perfect with shellfish and rockfish in a light and flavorful saffron broth. If you're in Charlottesville, you must try this exceptional restaurant. read more

We had such a phenomenal meal here. We got the mezze trio, beet salad, crudo, fries, chicken skewer, and lamb meatball skewer. Everything was fantastic. Shockingly, the beets -- wide ribbons marinaded and sprinkled with crushed hazelnuts -- were the don't miss item (and a comp for some reason? Thanks!). Service was great -- attentive without being intrusive. One of the best meals I've had in a while. read more

Our waitress was amazing! She was knowledgeable about the menu and very helpful. We got the fried calamari which was delicious and perfectly cooked. You must get the meze trio so so good. I got the chicken skewers, the chicken was juicy and seasoned to perfection. I added the brussel sprouts which they also were cooked perfectly. You also HAVE to get the manti dumplings they are so so good. You just have to go. We had a group so we could all try everything which was a great idea! read more

If you're looking for a date night spot- this is it. We had the grandparents in town to babysit, so my husband and I wanted to go somewhere that we wouldn't typically take kids. This was a great find! We sat at the bar because we hadn't made reservations (bar seating is first come, first served but you can order from the full menu). They were clearly busy but no one seemed rushed or flustered. Everyone who helped us from the host, to the bartender, to the people delivering the food was both friendly and knowledgeable. Definitely some of the better service we've had recently. For drinks my husband had the Smyrna lager and I had the Negroni. Admittedly it was the first time Ive ever tried one, but it was delicious. For starters we got the Mezeh trio, an order of the bread (which came with dipping oil) and the raki balik. I'm not usually a fan of eggplant but all 3 parts of the trio were fantastic. The Raki balik was also on point! My husband who does not usually like raw fish even thought it was good- which is saying a lot. For our mains my husband had the burger and I had the manti dumplings, both of which were also amazing! We've only lived in Charlottesville for about a year, but I'd say this is the best food we've had here so far. We'll definitely be back, and recommend to others! read more

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Fantastic food and bar. Great service. Recommend. Really enjoyed it and will be back.

Wow! What a surprise! We had a nice variety octopus, oysters, rockfish and hummus trio. All were delicious! Service was fast and courteous. We will be back soon! read more

Amazing! Literally everything we ordered was so delicious! Butternut soup, beet salad (best I've ever had) Dip trio, dumplings (my favorite dish) and all 3 skewers PLUS baklava cheesecake., literally heaven! so clean, cute, great service and yummy! read more

We had such a phenomenal meal here. We got the mezze trio, beet salad, crudo, fries, chicken skewer, and lamb meatball skewer. Everything was fantastic. Shockingly, the beets -- wide ribbons marinaded and sprinkled with crushed hazelnuts -- were the don't miss item (and a comp for some reason? Thanks!). Service was great -- attentive without being intrusive. One of the best meals I've had in a while. read more

Went to Smyrna for restaurant week and it was so good! The kabocha squash soup was fantastic, the stuffed squid was delicious and OMG the baklava cheesecake is probably the best dessert I've ever had, and I usually hate cheesecake! Our server Cory was so nice and attentive! Wonderful service and atmosphere! Highly recommend this restaurant, especially if you are just passing through Charlottesville because you are unlikely to find such a unique and delicious Turkish restaurant elsewhere! read more

We had the charred eggplant, lamb kebab, and green salad. All were delicious and we would go back.

Best service, best food and best vibe. caring employees who are truly paying close attention to their customers. The bartender even came out from behind the bar to fill out water glasses. The food was over the top amazing!! we will be back for sure!! read more

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Wow. Everything we tried was beyond fantastic! Great service as well. Awards in their future.

Great new Cville spot! Warm, friendly atmosphere and staff. Had the burger - lamb & beef! Simply fabulous. Great fries with it, too! Wife had the Manti dish and we both kept stealing each other's food. The NY trained chef is a real bonus - try any of his starters or specials! D&H read more

Casual with a sophisticated menu best describes this restaurant. Food is artistically presented and in just the right portions that when you leave you are pleasantly full and not stuffed. All staff were professional, friendly, attentive but not overbearing. The owner visited the tables making sure every customer was satisfied and answered any questions. Highly recommend! For appetizers we had the charred octopus which was tender and charred perfectly. The tomato salad had a very thinly sliced and peeled tomato topped with peeled cherry tomatoes, strawberries, cheese, thin sliced sourdough crisps and greens with a pomegranate vinaigrette. The beef skewers melted in your mouth and are made with local beef. We were excited to see manti dumplings on the menu knowing they are time consuming to make. The perfect choice for a vegetarian meal. The burger, from local beef, was cooked perfectly as ordered and the aioli and sumac onions were a bonus. The tasty house fries were perfectly prepared served with homemade ketchup for dipping. For dessert we chose the panna cotta and almond frangipane both of which the flavors were perfectly balanced. The restaurant also has an extensive selection of alcohol as well as wines from all over. There is also a specialty drink menu. We will be back! read more

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Impeccable service, outstanding food. What more do you need to know. The seafood! The lamb! The bread! Everything we have ordered has been out of the world. read more

This place is amazing. The dining room is lovely, the service was friendly and knowledgeable, the cocktails were tasty, and the food was superb. With guidance from the server, our party of three started with the meze trio of charred eggplant, goat cheese dip, and hummus with grilled bread. Next up was the fried calamari, lightly breaded and perfectly fried, and charred octopus. For our main dishes, we all three shared the lamb skewers, dumplings, and the (according to my husband) the best burger he has ever had. Very highly recommended. We will be back often! read more

Every dish was absolutely delicious. We ate something from each part of the menu and there wasn't a single thing we didn't enjoy. Thoughtful food and service. We can't wait to go back again soon. read more

This place is all hype. I brought my mother here on her birthday and it was so disappointing! The decor is swanky -- dim lights, cool music, nice bar. So lots of mood points, but zero food points. We ordered the charred octopus and the meze trio to start, followed by lamb skewers, manti dumplings and fisherman guvec. For drinks, we had the kusco poison. The meze trio was blah--hummus and tzatziki/labneh seemed sourced out of packets, the eggplant was smoky but otherwise unremarkable in flavor. I baked better bread at home over the pandemic than what came with the dips. The drink was mostly champaign with a hint of something yuzu/citrous, but just too subtle to be lively. The worst part was the 40 min. wait before the mains arrived. The octopus was hard as a rubber hose. We were starving so we ate it. The rest of the items were passable, but nothing that Public Oyster, Mas, Orzo, Tavola, Oakhart Social, Petit Pois, C&O, and even Maya two doors down can't serve equivalents of in a heartbeat. The fish was the best item if I had to choose--it was perfectly cooked and the broth was complex. There is a rhythm to Aegean meze that involves generous quantities of tasty bites, some savory, some tart or sweet with delicate textures and light broths. Accompanied by lightly charred fishes and meats and some fragrant drinks. All doled out at a perfect pace. This place didn't come close to that dance. For the prices, Sultan Kebab (its sister restaurant) serves up fare that is actually worth what they charge. The chef was very gracious. Insisted on giving us a baklava cheesecake to make up for the disastrous octopus and the endless wait, but that cloying block of honey drenched pastry didn't make up for the lackluster experience. I grew up on Mediterranean food in that part of the world and this is nothing like it. Cville has too many good restaurants for this to be as buzzy as it is. read more

Exceptional. Everything was absolutely delicious, and the service was so nice. The octopus perfectly charred, the lamb meatballs were incredible. And while you can get hummus all over the place, theirs is next level. Incredible Aegean food. read more

This place is truly worth 5 stars. The food was divine and presented beautifully. Presentation was really out of this world. The drinks were unique and delicious. Service was excellent and thoughtful. The whole place was amazing!! Truly worth the 5 stars. If you haven't been you must go!! read more

Great place to bring friends and family visiting town. Good vibes and delicious food. I particularly like the lamb skewers and the manti dumplings. read more

We really enjoyed our dinner tonight at Smyrna. The food was delicious, our server extremely attentive and helpful, and the ambiance was lively but with the ability to carry on a conversation. Our party ordered many of the well loved items mentioned in previous reviews including the trio of dips, squash soup, and manti dumplings-it's easy to see why they are popular! We also got the fish stew and vegetable mains. Highly recommend for a tasty meal with great service and atmosphere read more

Excellent food, especially the fish stew! Our server was great and service was very friendly! One of our best meals this summer.

Smyrna has a warm, pleasant atmosphere and serves classic Turkish dishes that have been elevated in flavor and quality. The mezze trio was a fantastic start; each was delicious and the house bread is addictive. The calamari ticked all the boxes. The fisherman's gülaç was a great protein to split along with the manti dumplings. The chef excels at creating a wide variety of delicate, satisfying savory flavors. Will definitely go again and order more off the beaten path! read more

Excellent food, Super service. Very pricey. Food was extremely creative and high quality. Cocktails were amazing - even a straight up Single Malt Scotch. read more

Wonderful service and food. My favorite was the hummus as well as the beef skewers. The staff is so friendly and warm.

A great new addition to the Charlottesville dining scene! The service was some of the best we've ever had - Mark our waiter was very knowledgeable on all their dishes and wines and helped us pick out what was best. Our favorites were the lamb skewers, the Manti Dumplings, and the Charred Octopus. All were fantastic. I'd pass on the fried paella though. read more

One of the best meals I've had in cville in a while. Incredible food and cocktails, cozy ambiance, and overall creativity. Not knowing tons about it, I was so pleasantly surprised. Truly delish. The dumplings, meze trio, and season of the witch cocktail were standouts. read more

This restaurant really deserves a 5 star rating. The food (mezze, meatballs and calamari) was delicious and the cheesecake was killer good. The service was friendly and attentive and we enjoyed the interaction very much. Highly recommended. read more

Truly the best hummus I have ever tasted--and incredible homemade bread! To die for.

It was delicious and had unique food, great service, cool vibe. Would definitely return!

Great food, excellent service, excellent drinks, excellent wine list. Just a wonderful experience.

Best restaurant in Charlottesville! From the service to the ambiance to the food, it can't be beat. The Mezze Trio is perfect for sharing among 2-4 and then a couple skewers and apps can even make a meal. Haven't tried an entree yet but looking forward to next time. read more

Had a great experience at Smyrna. We sat at the bar because we did not have a reservation, and loved getting to chat with the bartender throughout the evening. Food was all insanely good - we started with the mezze trio and the grilled octopus, then shared the market salad, the lamb kebabs, and the manti dumplings. All so simple yet unique and flavorful. Cocktails were amazing too! Can't wait to be back - definitely in the top 3 meals we've had in Charlottesville. read more