Chances are, if you ask someone in the city of Charlottesville about the Dairy Market’s location they will not only know exactly what you are talking about but they will likely also have a story to share about its history. I personally remember it as the place I first tried a beer from Three Notch’d Brewery - forever changing my world - but I had no idea the history the space truly held for both the county and the city. Through all of the reminiscing you get the sense of what this place has meant to the community over the decades and why its repurposing is so important.

Dairy Market Charlottesville

The Dairy Market’s roots in the Charlottesville community started over 100 years ago with the formation of the Monticello Ice Cream Company. By the 1930s the company was a fully functioning dairy producing 30 flavors of ice cream, 140 different products and 2100 gallons of milk per hour. In desperate need of a production facility, the iconic Monticello Dairy building opened in 1937. Designed by Elmer Buruss, the dairy would run for 48 years before ceasing operations in 1985 due to a change of ownership.

While the space would continue to be home to a number of local businesses (like Three Notch’d and the infamous McGrady’s Pub) throughout the years, the glory days of it being a community focal point seemed long gone and parts of the building would fall to disarray. It wouldn’t be until 2017 that the former Monticello Dairy building would be given new life when purchased by Stony Point Development Group.

Their mission? To revamp the building as a modern food hall that pays homage to the building’s roots while driving a new sense of community and promoting entrepreneurship.

Something for Everyone: A Carnivore & a Vegan Walk Into a (Dairy) Market

The Dairy Market was an ambitious project under normal circumstances; add in a pandemic and it was hard to tell how their soft opening would go in December of 2020. However, it turned out they had exactly what the community was craving.

Dairy Market Charlottesville Restaurants

Overall, the Market is made up of 18 merchants - 16 currently operational - and consisting of 13 food merchants, 1 brewery, 1 full-service restaurant, 1 full-service bar and 2 retail stalls. The space is tailored to promote Virginia farm-to-table restaurants while offering minority entrepreneurs a space of their own; of the vendors, 22% are women owned and 33% are minority owned.

Ali Basha

If you are looking for Iraqi/Mediterranean food, this is the spot for you! With options for vegetarians and carnivores alike, you can expect flavorful food made fresh daily.

Basta Pasta

Who knew you could freshly made pasta at a Dairy Market? With Basta Pasta, you can fill up on homemade pasta with plenty of vegan and gluten free options also available. Pick your pasta, your protein, and your sauces for a delicious and comforting meal.

Chimm St.

While a lot of the Dairy Market vendors focus more on local, Chimm St. (sister restaurant to Chimm Taste and Thai Cuisine & Noodle House) brings Thailand to Dairy Market. Chimm means "taste" in Thai and Chimm St. brings tons of flavor to the Dairy Market with their authentic street food. Try their steamed soy beans (edamame) with their house chili salt and fried garlic blend for a healthier snack option.

Citizen Burger Stand

Sometimes you just want a burger and fast, but that doesn’t mean you want to settle for a chain. Citizen Burger Stand brings fast and delicious burgers to Dairy Market, a scaled down version of their flagship Citizen Burger Bar. Sticking with the theme of local farm-to-table, they use locally produced ingredients for a pure solid burger. Try a Mini with a side of truffle fries and you’ll be golden.

Dino’s Pizza

Any proper market hall should offer a great pizza and Dino’s brings that to Dairy Market. Using a wood oven, the pizzas are fantastic. Try the Hooville, a delicious white pizza with a ricotta base, mushrooms, spinach and garlic. Their pizzas can also be made gluten-free and vegan. If you are wanting something a bit lighter they also offer a variety of salads and bowls to mix it up a bit.

Eleva Coffee

From farm-to-table we move onto farm-to-cup with the Eleva coffee stand. Hailing from Brooklyn, this coffee company follows the adage of "Love Your Coffee, Make a Difference" and they make a difference by promoting the small farming communities responsible for good coffee. I prefer Dirty Chai but they have fun signature drinks like Clockwork Orange and their Rose Latte.

GRN Burger

Next up is Grn Burger, a great spot elevating the standard American burger by making delicious plant-based versions. While some meat eaters might doubt a burger without meat could ever be enjoyed, trust me - their Make it Hot Burger with habanero sauce is enough to make any meat lover change their mind. Their fries are great but the GRN Salad is my preferred item. The simple salad of arugula, parmesan, lemon and olive oil is a great balance to the spicy burger.

Maizal

If tacos are more your style, the newest addition to Dairy Market is the vendor for you. Maizal offers Latin American Street Food with a selection of 35 bases, proteins, toppings and sauces. My personal favorite is to combine mixed greens, cilantro rice, black beans, braised chicken, pico de gallo, corn, cucumber, guacamole and habanero sauce for a delicious bowl.

Manila Street

Just like Angelic’s Kitchen, Manila Street also got their start on the food truck scene with Little Manila. Serving Filipino food, Manila Street focuses on authentic flavors with dishes like Lumpia (similar to spring rolls), Chicken Adobo and Pork Belly BBQ. For a sweet treat, save room for their Carioca, which is a traditional Filipino dessert made into balls using sweet rice and coconut.

Mashu Festival

Perhaps the most colorful of all of the vendors when it comes to decor, you’ll be sure to spot Mashu Festival. The foods here are steeped in Japanese culture and the ingredients are fresh and delicious. You’ll find several types of Ramen on their menu but the Spicy Miso Ramen is my pick. Don’t forget to grab Boba Milk Tea!

Take It Away

Rounding out the last of the counter service stands is the UVA staple Take It Away. Known for their quality sandwiches and house dressing, it’s hard to find people in Charlottesville who haven’t eaten at one of their locations. The Wertland Italian is a classic combo of Genoa Salami, swiss cheese, roasted tomatoes, red onions and banana peppers but it’s the french bread that makes this one special.

Moo Thru

One can’t forget the best part of the meal - dessert! Operating in the Charlottesville area since 2010, Moo Thru was founded by 4th generation dairy farmers so they know what they are doing. Moo Thru is now a favorite for families and UVA students alike. My personal favorite is Cake Batter with rainbow sprinkles. Nothing can beat that on a hot summer day in Charlottesville!

South & Central Latin Grill and Steakhouse

Of course, Dairy Market offers more than their counter service vendors. South & Central Latin Grill and Steakhouse is perfect for those wanting a sit down dinner. The carefully selected cuts of beef are wood fired and the accompanying dishes reflect Central and South American cuisine. The seasonal menu ensures the freshest tasting offerings. The recent grilled watermelon salad with mint and feta is just one example of how they utilize farm to table in inventive ways. They also offer a weekly Bachata Night on Thursdays for something unexpected to try.

The Milkman’s Bar

After dinner, grab a cocktail with a twist at Milkman’s Bar, where creativity is always on display and their drinks are works of art. The Senario, using Blue Ridge Vodka, is perfect for your Instagram Stories (it features a magic bubble) but Parts Unknown, a gin based drink, is beautiful and my personal favorite.

Starr Hill

However, if beer is more your speed, you can opt for the craft selections at Starr Hill along with their occasional live music and weekly trivia. Their sours are some of the best in town but I’m also very partial to their Little Red Roostarr varieties. Plus, they have a fantastic dog-friendly patio - my puppy Ollie is a huge fan (evidence above)!

Dairy Market Charlottesville Stores

In addition to having food options to suit everyone’s tastes, Dairy Market is also home to two great local stores, Brigid & Bess. Whether you’re looking for gifts from Virginia artisans or a great outfit to wear to dinner, you’ll want to check both of these out.

Brigid & Bess

Of course, it’s not just food you’ll find at Dairy Market. In need of a fun gift with local flavor? Be sure and check out the two retailers located within the Dairy Market. Brigid & Bess offers a wide range of home decor and gifts, including those from designers calling Central Virginia home. They also host special events and workshops on a regular basis so be sure and check them out.

Quattro Tizi

Across the hall from Brigid & Bess you’ll find Quattro Tizi. Formerly located on the downtown mall, this is your stop for upscale clothing for men and women, as well as other lifestyle items with a focus on organic and sustainable brands.They’ll be sure and keep you ahead of the fashion curve.

Dairy Market Hours

Dairy Market is open daily, but definitely refer to their website for specific vendor hours, as those vary.

Dairy Market hosts regular events (in addition to some special events throughout the year) and it’s always fun to check out their weekly offerings:

Mondays
- Music & Burger Night @ South and Central
  When: Mondays from 7:00 - 9:00 PM
  What: $12 chef special or build your own burger.
Tuesdays
- Family Game Night @ Dairy Market
  When: Tuesdays from 4:00 - 10:00 PM
  What: Enjoy games for all ages, from cornhole to jumbo jenga and everything in between!
- Taco Tuesday @ South & Central
  When: Thursdays from 4:00 - 10:00 PM
  What: $5 tacos, $10 margaritas, and $5 beers. Tacos rotate regularly.
- Vinyl Night @ Starr Hill
  When: Tuesdays from 4:00 - 9:00 PM
  What: BYO records to Starr Hill and get $1 off pints all night.
Wednesdays
- Steak Night @ South & Central
  When: Wednesdays from 4:00 - 10:00 PM
  What: Enjoy an 8oz Denver, Sirloin, or Flank steak for $10! All sides sold a la carte.
- Trivia Night @ Starr Hill
  When: Wednesdays from 7:00 - 9:00 PM
  What: Form your team of up to 6 and compete to win various prizes.

Fridays
- Live Music @ Starr Hill Brewery
  When: Fridays
  What: Check here for more details.

In addition to their weekly events, various others pop up along the way. From things like Sunday Drag Brunch at South & Central to a Pop Up Wine Tasting at Brigid & Bess, be sure and check out their calendar so as not to miss anything!

Is Dairy Market Pet Friendly?

As a dog owner, I’m always looking for pet friendly spots. While the inside of the venue is not pet friendly, the outside patio area is and it’s a great spot to bring your furry friend on a nice fall evening. There are water bowls to be found (including in front of Brigid & Bess) and Moo Thru even serves a Pup Cup.

Once the weather cools down, there are heaters to keep you warm and I always suggest bringing a blanket for cold outdoor seats. The only time I would not recommend bringing your pet is when it is raining, as there aren’t any coverings to keep you dry.

The Future of Dairy Market Charlottesville

Dairy Market is just getting started with their vision for building a new sense of community in Charlottesville. One way they’ll continue to do this is by offering regular events. You can easily check out what is being offered on their calendar.

In addition to the Market itself, it will continue to expand and build with office space, 1-2 bedroom apartments with great amenities at 10th & Dairy and The Brick Cellar, a site for special events which can host up to 300 people. With Charlottesville serving as a wedding destination, The Brick Cellar will surely grow as a great place to hold many important milestones.

Whether you are a local looking to celebrate all things Charlottesville in one location or someone visiting who wants to get a literal and figurative taste of the community, Dairy Market is where you’ll want to be. I hope to see you there!

Until next time, cheers and happy eating!

Dairy Market: Combining Past & Present for a New Future of Charlottesville