C&O

Nice restaurant for the occasion. Cool interior with brick walls and dim light, very intimate atmosphere. The food was excellent. We tried steak chinois, duck confit with gnocchi, and the scallops, all were delicate and delightful. The crowd pleaser lava cake was also amazing.

Prepare to be amazed! Every bite was unsurpassed. From the mouthwatering fresh home made bread and imported French butter to the savory steak special. Be sure to save some room for the rhubarb and strawberry custard. I will warn that such culinary excellence comes with a price so be prepared to spend more than your average meal.

A very delicious dinner again tonight! Everything is so flavorful and creative. The wild mushroom ravioli starter was suburb. I had the lamb chop special and my husband had the steak Chinois. Both were fab and the service is perfectly attentive. It quiet so you can talk, which is nice. My only minor issue is that the temperature fluctuates between freezing and warm. Looking forward to going back

This is a cozy place that's great for special occasions. The first floor is more dimly lit, quiet, and romantic, and I wish we would have specified that we wanted a seat there. Instead, we sat upstairs in a larger, and while not unpleasant, awkward room with a few other couples and one large group (8 or 10) who were boisterously celebrating something. They weren't obnoxious, but with the way the room was laid out, we still weren't able to escape from the constant sound of their conversation. Our dinner was very good; it was perfectly cooked and seasoned - but the dessert was out of this world. I dream about that toffee pudding. Overall, we had a really good time and will definitely come back!

The atmosphere is alone worth the experience! Loved the music, lighting and setting. The food was phenomenal. The Filet steak was the best I've ever had. Also, I really enjoyed the Rob Roy cocktail and chocolate bread pudding dessert. Was a fantastic dinner with my wife and great experience overall!

Food was consistently delicious, service was very good, and the physical space is very pleasant. As you walk in there is a wood stove with good smelling wood. The natural heat stays with you and the smell of natural wood permeates all throughout. The only complaint would be some very uncomfortable chairs. Scallops were barely warm, cool inside. The bread that is given out is plain with plain butter. Just mixing some herbs into the butter would improve that experience.

First off, I prefer the upstairs dining area, it's very homey and spacious lovely place to dine. The food is probably my favorite food to eat in Charlottesville by far. I try to come here once a month, but can be a little heavy for the wallet. For appetizers I love the seared scallops (to die for), the beef carpaccio or the beef tartare So far the entres that have absolutely blown me away are the filet of beef, veal chop, and pan roasted halibut. But a lot of the other entres such as the steak chinois or braised lamb are good too. Sometimes lamb was a little dry but delicious still. These entres are in rotation sometimes but I have not been disappointed thus far by the new entres or the consistent entres. Alongside the main dishes, the side orders of vegetables were also delicious having mushrooms and Brussel sprouts with the steaks was a great pairing. Lastly desserts. I love the sticky toffee pudding. That is all.

C&O is such a fantastic restaurant! Amazing for special occasions or just when you want to treat yourself, I've been twice in several years and both times were great. This time my fiancé and I were celebrating our engagement with family and it was incredible! We had the scallop and crab appetizers, the duck gnocchi, lamb, and a swordfish special, and absolutely everything was perfect and incredibly delicious. Our server was great and attentive and everything was fantastic.

Atmosphere and service were professional and excellent. Cozy and charming throughout with nice levels of music and crowd chatter. The server recommended a different cocktail based on what I was going to eat which was very helpful. The best part was the mushroom side. It was the best bite of food I’ve ever eaten, borderline magical and out of body experience eating it. Rich and texturally interesting with crispiness, smoothness, char, sweetness, and umami. Unreal and will be going back just for that dish.

Great little restaurant with an awesome atmosphere and delicious food. We ordered some apps and drinks. The beef carpaccio was delicious and the crunchy patato hash contrasting the flavorful beef slices. And the greens and cheese on top. It was a great bite of flavor and texture. The duck confit dish was also bursting with all kinds of great flavor. Smoked mozzarella went perfectly with the peaches. Every dish was well balanced and prepared to perfection. Would definitely come back and try other items on the menu next time.

This place 100% lives up to its reputation! We were looking for a nice place to get dinner to celebrate my birthday, and wound up here because of the other reviews, and C&O did not disappoint! Everything we had was absolutely delicious! We chose to split everything to try more items, so we had the brussel sprouts (which were amazing - I don't know how they managed to get them so fresh tasting, with no hint of bitterness, just lightly seasoned), the rabbit ragu (which was the special that day, with a wonderfully rich sauce and incredibly tender and moist rabbit), the steak chinoise (which is a classic on their menu and was mouthwateringly tasty), and the coupe ellery (which was a beautiful balance of sweet and tangy that finished off the meal perfectly)! They very considerately plated our entree and dessert separately so we could share it easily, so the portion sizes may look small from the photos, but it was very filling. The fresh bread at the beginning was also warm and just very good. The service was also impeccable! I don't think my water glass ever got more than halfway empty (and I tend to drink quite a bit of water), and they checked in just frequently enough to make sure we were taken care of, without interrupting our conversations. We sat upstairs, which was lovely, with lots of windows, with a rose at each table. It was just very quaint and traditional and cozy. Very much enjoyed our visit and will definitely be back!

Rustic decor and somewhat small space but somehow adds to the ambiance. Food was incredible. The sirloin and deserts were standouts. Definitely expensive but you get what you pay for here. Validate parking is a nice bonus

I rarely offer 5 stars and this was well deserved. Cleverly crafted cocktails. Friendly and conversational staff. Very comfortable atmosphere. Diverting appetizers. The Steak Chinoise was particularly a knockout and was given an excellent pairing with it upon request. Good COVID-conscious practices. Will absolutely be back again.

The C & O was a great find. Originally known as a “greasy spoon,” the restaurant is a culinary delight. Our waiter, Greg, was very knowledgeable and helpful. We started with the Shaved Surryano Ham appetizer & bread. We then ordered the Potato Crusted Scottish Salmon & the Dry Rubbed Prime Beef Striploin. Everything was exceptional, but I particularly liked the marinated heirloom tomatoes. Definitely worth the price if you find yourself in Charlottesville.

This place has always been my favorite restaurant in Charlottesville. I was back in the area for work related purposes for an extended period of time recently, so of course I had to go. The person hosting was a bit rude, but they were absolutely slammed, so I can understand the frenzy of a busy Friday night, and myself and my friend didn't have a reservation. We got bar seating in the basement, and the bartender was amazing, he made great cocktails, fun personality , and had a very colorful and hilarious tie on that we got a kick out of. The beef carpaccio is out of this world, and I got a salad and a delicious braised beef entree with potatoes that was just incredible. I'm very happy to see my favorite place in town is still this good and serving food at such a high level. I told all my friends at work to go here, and they all loved it too. I'll be back next time I'm in Charlottesville again, for sure.

Elegant food in a rustic repurposed space: tiny place, the inside was a narrow alley, now covered with exposed beam ceiling; there's also a beautiful outside covered patio. A short selection of well-made house cocktails (yellow chartreuse martini) and carefully chosen wines including a Sicilian orange we enjoyed. Carefully executed and flavorful starters and mains with intense flavors. Helpful and discrete staff. Everything was very well done, a place where we could relax and be taken care of.

Love the ambiance! So quiet and cozy. We went for our 10 year anniversary and we were served complimentary champagne. Extensive wine list and full bar. French cuisine. Amazing steak chinoise, which is their signature dish. Creme brulee is to die for! Impeccable service!

AMAZING!! It was my birthday and they put a candle in my dessert. Brian the chef served us like kings. I ate the salmon and it was juicy and crispy in the outside. But let me tell you… THE DESSERT ARE DELICIOUS!!! Almond cake and the strawberry pistachios ice cream OMG!! Sarah our waiters was super kind and detailed. I 100% recommend this place!

Favorite spot in Charlottesville. Dinner was superb, highly recommend the gnocchi, tagliatelle, and scallops. These are all starters but was the prefect amount for a party of two. Every detail was taken care of, service was attentive and quick to suggest restaurant favorites.

One of the best experiences we've ever had

My Fiancé and I are NEVER disappointed with ANY DISH Here. This is the one restaurant EVER that I could just pick something on the menu and its just excellent. This is our Favorite place ever and we just love the kindness from staff, the atmosphere and especially the food. We definitely would like them to cater our wedding. This place is an absolute treasure and we will always love it.

The atmosphere was wonderful and the food was incredible. My husband and I went to celebrate our 5th anniversary and we were met with complimentary champagne to help us celebrate! We had the duck confit and scallop appetizers which were both absolutely divine. For dinner, we both had red meat which was cooked to perfection (rare and medium rare as we requested). Even with a later reservation, the staff was so kind and attentive. With all of this combined, C & O really made our anniversary one to remember!

A five-star dining experience from start to finish! We had the best seat in the house (in my opinion) at the window on the third floor overlooking its iconic marquee. Cool, old building serving French-inspired fare with an impressive wine list and attentive service. The New York strip is a must! It melts in your mouth with its caramelized shallots and peppercorn-black truffle demi-glace.

So good!! This is truly like a speakeasy, exposed walls, shaky tables and all, which is a great vibe and makes it even more special that the food is so good and elegant. Best beef carpaccio I’ve ever had. We loved everything we ordered!

Enjoyed a special occasion dinner here this weekend. The food was delicious, the wait staff were courteous, prompt, and attentive. The place was recommended to us and I would recommend it, too.

From the street C&O is very unassuming, but as soon as you walk in the front door you know your in for a treat. The atmosphere and vibe of C&O is unprecedented and the food will have your tastebuds dancing from first to last bite. In town for work and this was our first visit and we are already looking forward to coming back soon.

I don’t know why this place doesn’t have more stars it’s amazing! Atmosphere is quiet and dimly lit but so quaint! Hubby and I celebrated my 35th a little early. Food impeccable we got the scallops to start so rich and buttery! I got the marinated flank steak and hubby got duck confite!

This place is amazing. Incredible meal, atmosphere, service, menu. Highly recommended you check this place out.

The C&O is mine and my husband’s favorite place to eat when we are in Charlottesville. The food and service is always fantastic.

We absolutely love this place. Everything about it is unique and wonderful. If you have the opportunity, definitely check it out. The duck confit gnocchi is out of this world!

We snagged one of the tables reserved for walk-ins. We both enjoyed our orders. The beets were amazing, as was the duck and salmon! Our waitress was cool as a cat and served us well and was pleasant and not overbearing or overattentive. The table we had was next to the bar. It was nice, but a touch on the louder side...but we didnt have any issues hearing each other.

Really unique and amazing place. Food was some of the best we’ve ever had. Service was impecable and the cocktails and wine were an excellent edition. Highly recommend coming here. We both had the salmon and got bread as an app. Also had the bread pudding for dessert which was fantastic. Atmosphere was unique and cozy. Immediately set the good vibes.

Went here for Valentine’s Day 2026 and it was very nice. Our server was awesome, unfortunately I forgot his name but he was a male with an accent. The food came out in perfect timing and it was magnificent. If I lived closer I would be a regular.

This is the best restaurant I have ever had. After living in NYC and LA, I would never have thought Charlottesville would give me my best dining experience yet. The homemade bread and salted butter with the crab cake are perfect starters. The Calabrian chili sauce has the perfect amount of kick. The duck confit and steak chinois were hands down the best dishes I’ve had in my life. The bread pudding is to die for! The service is impeccable. Bravo chef! Bravo staff! Bravo C&O! Must go!

We came here for a wedding anniversary celebration dinner, and the experience had its highs and lows. Right after we sat down, we were offered complimentary champagne to celebrate—a fantastic touch and a great way to set the mood. Thumbs up for that! For appetizers, we started with a shared salad, and they thoughtfully split it into two plates—another nice touch. Then came the Hamachi Crudo… wow! We’d return just for that dish. Absolutely delicious. Another big thumbs up. Unfortunately, the beef sirloin carpaccio was a total miss—two big thumbs down. The beef was buried under so many toppings that we could barely find it, and when we did, it completely lacked that signature carpaccio taste. The overpowering vinaigrette didn’t help either. In my opinion, this was not carpaccio. We returned the dish, and they removed it from the bill, which was the right move for a restaurant of this caliber. However, no manager came over to check in, which was disappointing. The Steak Chinois was flavorful but way too salty—we couldn’t finish it. We also ordered the Hand-Rolled Fettuccine as an entrée since none of the other main courses stood out to us. While the pasta itself was good, it was, again, overly salty. We ended up taking it home and adding our own noodles to balance the salt. On a positive note, dessert was fantastic! If we return, we’ll definitely ask for low-sodium options. One last thing—parking was a nightmare.

The table d'hote menu provided ample choice of a variety of options for appetizer, entree and dessert. The food preparation and presentation was very good. The service and dining area, however, was only average.

We had a great experience. The host was great about explaining seating options. We sat at the bar downstairs. The bread with salted butter was tasty. The beef carpaccio was on point...wonderful flavor. We ordered the beef carnoise and duck breast for dinner. The breast was hearty, but could have used more potatoes. Sticky toffee dessert melted in my mouth. I believe the whipped cream was homemade 😋

Solid cuisine. Enjoyed the nuanced dishes (i.e. French dishes with variations, creativity). The gnocchi was on point, consistency, temperature, flavor 👌. The table bread was also fantastic, whether made in house or from local bakery, well done. Cozy. If have to be critical (and feedback to the staff): Would have liked our server to be a little more knowledgeable about the menu; For the lamb and gnocchi dish, the difference in temperatures between the gnocchi and lamb was definitely noticeable(i.e. it was clear the lamb was waiting on the hot gnocchi) and I'm imagining that is not the intent; greater wine selection, for some major grapes there was only 1-2 options and having the minimum price point for a grape variety at $150 is a little limiting.

No vegetarian entrees were offered, so I was left having a bib salad and a pasta appetizer from these starters menu. In 2025, is it too much to ask for nice restaurants to actually have a good vegetarian entree on the menu? The The salad and pasta appetizer were nothing to write home about, but the sticky, toffee pudding dessert was delicious. Definitely not a first choice for vegetarians which is just fine but sometimes vegetarians have to accompany a larger party. So please do better with at least one real vegetarian option

My wife and I were so excited to come here after reading all the good reviews! So disappointed!! My meals were underwhelming for the cost. Service we also underwhelming - close to 20 minutes in between apps and main course. Just a big let down