Discover International Cuisine in Charlottesville, Virginia

Voted as one of the best culinary towns in the South by The Local Palate in 2024, Charlottesville and Albemarle County offer a culinary community bursting with the flavors of the world. Charlottesville routinely tops national lists like best places to live, which draws people from around the world to come to Charlottesville and share their culture and cuisine with the community. As a result, cuisine in Charlottesville features a greater variety than ever before.  

Breakfast: Cou Cou Rachou  

Concentrating on traditional French, Cou Cou Rachou serves coffee and pastries, both savory and sweet, in a quaint café space. The menu features high-quality, local ingredients, and they work with local millers. While Cou Cou Rachou is best known for its incredible buttery pastries, the espresso bar alone is worth a visit to the storefront. Whether you’re ordering an espresso, flat white, or cafe au lait, pair it with a fresh-baked croissant or quiche, and enjoy it on their covered patio.   

Lunch: Pearl Island 

Pikliz is one of the signature foods of Haiti and was the starting point for Sober Pierre when he set out to share the food of Haiti with Charlottesville. In 2013, he started selling jars of the spicy, pickled condiment he makes from a family recipe of cabbage, carrots, onions, vinegar, lime and orange juices, and habanero. That morphed into a food stand at farmers’ markets, and in 2016 he opened a café dedicated to serving food inspired by Haiti and other Caribbean islands. Pearl Island warrants a visit for platters of slow roasted pork, jerk chicken, sous poulet, and braised oxtail on Fridays.  

Wine Time: Gabriele Rausse Winery  

While his own roots reach deep into the ancient walls of Vicenza, Italy, Gabriele Rausse—the world-renowned father of Virginia wine—has personally instilled new roots into more than 100 wineries and vineyards across the state of Virginia since his arrival in 1976. Despite this recognition, Gabriele Rausse Winery displays unassuming hospitality reminiscent of European house vineyards. The tasting room is tucked within the forest, creating an intimate sanctuary in the woods where you can enjoy historic Virginia wines from the cellar of a true expert himself. 

Dinner: Conmole   

For those who prefer their Mexican cuisine refined and can live without chips and salsa, Conmole is the spot. In the hip, tree-lined neighborhood of Belmont, Benos Bustamante opened a tiny restaurant celebrating the food of his native Oaxaca. Recipes draw from Bustamante’s mother and grandmother, with highlights being the moles that give the restaurant its name. While each mole is distinct, ranging from mole negro to mole verde, each variety shares in an undeniable depth of flavor.  

Where to Stay

Charlottesville and Albemarle County offer a range of lodging options, from luxury resorts to your favorite chain hotels to cozy inns and B&Bs at scenic wineries, plus a selection of vacation rentals, cabins, and cottages. Plan your stay today at VisitCharlottesville.org

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