Sometimes it's naan that calls your name. Other times, it's the siren song of a Latin American steak. The Charlottesville dining scene is a melting pot of international influences, and we are here for it!
One of the newest additions to the Charlottesville dining scene, South and Central is a carnivore’s dream come true, and it’s not just steaks, though that’s the specialty. The menu features small plates like lamb chop lollipops and grilled octopus, too.
The ultimate grab-and-go lunch or dinner, Otto Turkish Street Food is the perfect addition to the downtown dining scene. Choose a pita sandwich, a wrap or a bowl, choose your protein—chicken doner, steak doner or falafel— and pile it all high with various sides like sumac onion, pickled cucumbers and hummus and choose your sauce. Eat in or take it out and have a downtown picnic.
Known by locals as the place for authentic Afghan cuisine, you can try Quabuli palow (traditional Afghan seasoned rice over lamb with carrot and raisins) and sip on doogh (a yogurt shake with dry mint.) A tip: they don’t have an ABC license, so if you want wine with your meal, bring your own bottle and they’ll just charge a corking fee.
Those who’ve tried good Indian food know that it can quickly become a craving. When that craving strikes in Charlottesville, Milan is ready to meet your needs. Butter chicken, tandoori shrimp, plenty of warm naan. Oh, and don’t forget to order a mango lassi. Mmmmm!
When Peter Chang popped up in Charlottesville some years back, he made quite a splash. Here was a celebrated Chinese chef who’d won fawning praise in the New York Times popping up at a strip mall restaurant in a small Southern town. Well, Chang has moved on to open other locations, but he left his mark here at Peter Chang China Grill, and he still shows up from time to time. Dishes like boneless whole fish, tea smoked duck and dry fried eggplant keep customers coming back!