Charlottesville Downtown Mall Food Crawl with C-ville Bites
I have lived in Charlottesville for over 15 years and consider it home. There are many reasons I love living here. For starters, the town is lovely and has something for everyone, whether you prefer outdoorsy hiking or winery hopping. There are tons of historical sites to visit (including three presidential homes), and there is a strong foodie scene. Plus, it is conveniently located in Central Virginia, making us only a little over an hour from Richmond and 2-3 hours (depending on traffic) from DC.
One of the many reasons I love living in Charlottesville is the food scene mentioned above. With approximately 30 restaurants in the downtown area alone, it is clear this is a town where we take our food seriously. As it can be overwhelming to know where to go when you first arrive, I highly recommend taking the Downtown Mall Food Crawl with C-ville Bites.
Charlottesville Downtown Mall Food Crawl with C-ville Bites
A Brief Background on C-ville Bites
C-ville Bites is a locally owned and operated food tour group created by industry veteran MJ Padilla. MJ brings over 15 years of working in the local food and hospitality scene to her newly founded company, where she is excited to highlight some of the flavors she loves most in Charlottesville.
MJ, founder and owner of Cville Bites.
As MJ continues to expand, she will be looking to bring more tour options, but currently, you can book the Charlottesville Downtown Food Crawl.
Drift Cville’s Experience with the Charlottesville Downtown Mall Food Crawl
When I found out about the food tour, I was so excited. Anytime I visit a new city, I try to book one, as it is a great way to get the lay of the land. However, I never thought to try one locally. When checking out their site (which is welcoming and charming), I realized I was familiar with MJ from her work at local restaurants, so I knew I could expect something well thought out.
My husband and I met up with our group on the Charlottesville Downtown Mall by the Ting Pavilion. We were a group of six, and MJ let me know she prefers to keep the group sizes small to encourage people to make new friends. As C-ville Bites has been keeping MJ busy, she also had her friend and colleague Marah alongside her for this tour, and the two of them did a great job bringing everyone out of their shells.
As MJ wants the tour to be more about the food and people, a fair amount of time is spent at the establishments rather than on the history of Charlottesville. While she does talk about the history and culture of the area, the tour is more about the food.
Locations and items offered are subject to change to showcase different restaurants, but the tour I took included four stops: Café Frank (a French-inspired Bistro), Market Street Wine (a wine shop), Brightside Beach Pub (a beach-themed pub), and The Bebedero (an Oaxacan eatery with tons of art).
Appetizers at Café Frank
Our first stop helped set the tone of the tour; Café Frank is a cute restaurant that makes you feel like you are somewhere in Europe instead of Charlottesville. Our group sat at the bar and was allowed to enjoy an Aperol Spritz, wine, or a beer. At the same time, we snacked on a collection of appetizers including crostini and Mushroom fritters with truffle oil and black garlic aioli. While enjoying a drink with our snacks, the group also had the opportunity to connect.
Enjoying my Aperol spritz at Café Frank.
Market Street Wines
After Café Frank, the group headed one street from the Downtown Mall to Market Street Wine. This basement shop seems unassuming until you get inside and see the vast collection of wines (as well as beer) on the premises. They offer regular wine tastings, and the tasting includes light snacks for our tour. it was fun learning about the wines we were tasting; our host was super knowledgeable and made the wine feel accessible.
A view of some of the wines at Market Street Wine.
Brightside Beach Pub
After enjoying our wine sampling, we headed to the main part of the Downtown Mall to Brightside Beach Pub. Located up a flight of stairs, this spot brings the beach to the mountains. Feel free to put on one of the leis used for decoration while sipping tropical drinks like pina coladas and tiki favorites. We enjoyed a variety of beach-themed beverages while indulging in chicken and beef sliders.
Enjoying a drink at Brightside.
The Bebedero
Our last stop was The Bebedero, a popular spot in Charlottesville. Known for their margaritas, they also have great desserts, which we enjoyed - the Margarita Pie was so good!
One of the things I love about this restaurant is the decor; from eclectic art to fun lighting, it creates a unique atmosphere.
The fun lighting at The Bebedero.
Cville Bites Food Tour Details
If you are coming to Charlottesville for a visit (or if you are a local wanting to try something fun and different), I highly recommend booking a tour with Cville Bites. Here are some of the important details you’ll need:
The price is currently listed at $115/person. This price includes savory bites, a specialty drink, a sweet treat, and a wine tasting with a mini-lesson. It also includes taxes and gratuity. You can purchase additional food and drink should you want more.
You can see available tour dates and times, as well as purchase your tickets, here. It takes roughly 2.5 - 3 hours to complete the tour and you’ll want to wear comfortable shoes for walking.
Until next time, cheers and happy touring!
