Charlottesville, Virginia, may have more Thomas Jefferson memorabilia than anywhere else nationwide, but locals know the surrounding wine region and lush land provide Charlottesville with delicious ingredients and the best restaurants. The vibrant brunch scene and creative comfort-food menus have even caught the attention of Buzzfeed, which recently included Charlottesville in its list of most underrated food cities nationwide. With so many mainstays to return to and new chefs joining every day, here’s the best of Charlottesville catering to get your next order started.
1. Zoe’s Kitchen (973 Emmet St. N)
Zoe’s Kitchen is Charlottesville catering’s one-stop shop for orders large and small. Boxed lunches of power bowls, sandwiches, and salads are available along with appetizer platters and buffet trays. Regularly updated catering packages reflect seasonal holidays, making Zoe’s ideal for office party planning. And with designated gluten-free and vegan menus, those on the guest list with dietary restrictions feel safe and satiated, too.
2. Mellow Mushroom (1321 W Main St.)
Mellow Mushroom is not just a super-chill name. It brings the Charlottesville catering scene a unique twist on comforting classics. Appetizers like oven-roasted wings, garlic bread, and pretzels in flavors including garlic-butter-parmesan and cinnamon-sugar-honey start an order off right. Pizzas like the Holy Shiitake and Funky Q Chicken add fun to any midday lunch and learn. Salads, calzones, and hoagies combine equally creative ingredients. It’s an eclectic menu sure to make mouths happy.
3. Duck Donuts (2075 Bond St.)
If it gets glazed, topped, or drizzled, then Duck Donuts makes it. Their fresh from the fryer donuts are crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and finished to order. Order one or a dozen at a time, in catering packages aptly named Little Ducklings or Hungry Duckling Quackage. Flavors run the gamut from maple icing to chopped bacon pieces toppings, to salted caramel drizzle. Donut holes, bagels, muffins, and breakfast sandwiches are up for order, too. And all come labeled with vegetarian and nut allergy ingredients, keeping everyone super safe. You’ll quack to that.
4. Tropical Smoothie Cafe (1954 Rio Hill Center)
Tropical Smoothie Café boasts flavorful food made with bold and healthy ingredients. Charlottesville catering customers love how their signature sandwiches, wraps, salads, and smoothies all come distinctly labeled. Boxed lunch and party tray orders are a breeze. Superfoods like acai and pomegranate shake up smoothies made with whey, soy, or pea proteins. And classics like Strawberry Banana and Peanut Butter Cup put the sweetest sweet tooth at ease.
5. Uzzwal Khadka (310 E Main St.)
Uzzwal Khadka is known throughout Charlottesville for authentic Indian dishes made from bright, fresh ingredients. Crispy samosas and pakoras, creamy simmered curries, and fiery vindaloo offer both northern and southern India’s exotic flavors and subtle tastes. The tempting menu of naan, roti, paratha, and kulcha breads and chutney and pickle sides make for a celebration all on their own. It’s welcoming, warm food everyone can enjoy.
6. The College Inn (1511 University Ave.)
Sometimes you just need wings, mozzarella sticks, cold cuts, and chicken Parmigiana to get you through the day. Sometimes you need such comfort foods to feed groups of ten or one hundred at a time. That’s when you need College Inn. A Charlottesville staple since the 1950s, their classic pizza and Italian entrees deliver plenty of flavor. And with almost seventy years of experience feeding crowds large and small, they deliver your order perfectly every time.
7. Mezeh (2010 Bond St.)
Mezeh uses all natural and fresh ingredients in their Mediterranean cuisine. Boxed lunches and a la carte orders of spit-roasted chicken and beef shawarma, falafel, and shredded lamb come bold in flavor with no unnecessary sugar, salt, or fat. The extensive menu of flavorful salads and spreads includes hummus, couscous, and tabbouleh. It’s one of the best restaurants in Charlottesville for healthy eats — and amazing pita bread.
8. BurritOh! (540 Radford Ln.)
A fajita bar, a salad bar, and sides of chips, salsa, and guacamole. That’s what BurritOh! offers in their simple menu of tasty eats made from hyper-fresh ingredients. Locals appreciate the ease of ordering, and how the clean operation extends to delivery and their dining space. When simpler truly is better, it’s BurritOh! time.
9. The Cavalier Diner (1403 Emmet St N.)
For one of the best restaurants in Charlottesville for classic diner fare, call upon The Cavalier Diner. The breakfast buffet, in particular, can’t be beat. Yes, their stacked sandwiches and Italian and Greek entrees tempt, too. But who else boasts pancake flavor options like pecan, Dutch apple, strawberry, and chocolate chip, along with classic buttermilk and blueberry? Or, choose from egg, meat, and bread options in various catering packages, then add on biscuits and gravy, country ham, and grits. The options are endless. And that’s just what you need first thing in the morning.
10. Travinia Italian Kitchen (2075 Bond St.)
Travinia Italian Kitchen is known as one of the best restaurants in Charlottesville for perfect Italian dishes that have hungry guests overloading their plates. The Pasta Mia Nonna is a particular local favorite. The creamy combo of bowtie pasta with grilled chicken, mushrooms, roasted tomatoes, and Asiago cheese and garlic sauce never fails. A separate menu of gluten-free dishes opens the pasta world to anyone with dietary restrictions. And if you’re looking to balance cannoli with salad, you’ll find comfort in plenty of options there, too.
For breakfast, lunch, or dinner, the best restaurants in Charlottesville are delivering.