Cafe Frank

What a fantastic meal in a lovely atmosphere with great staff. Our server was Claire, who was knowledgeable, friendly, and professional. The food was awesome. We had the chicken/ham croquettes to start, which were quite the treat. For the main meal, we enjoyed the scallops and the skate. Both were amazing, and the sides were five stars. I would recommend this place highly. Make reservations. :)

We came here when for their happy hour and had some of their appetizers which were behind the glass case at the inside front of the restaurant. We sat at the bar. The staff were friendly and helpful. Our server even gave us a drink sample. My favorite appetizers were the lobster egg and the salmon roll. Their entrees looked too. We also got a couple of their desserts, a rose dessert and a cheesecake. The rose dessert was surprisingly good— and I don’t normally like the taste of rose. The cheesecake was unique and different from regular cheesecake. Since the space is limited inside, I recommend getting a reservation. We just happened to come at a good time when there weren’t many people. They also have a small patio. Lovely little French restaurant in the downtown mall.

One of the BEST restaurants in town hands down!!! Bar service is out of this world 🤩 (check out their daily aperitif hour) John and Kate rock it. Service staff is phenomenal and don't get me started with their farm to table seasonal menus. HIGHLY recommend when visiting downtown Charlottesville! p.s try the paté

Top notch service, unique outdoor bar experience, love the uva decorations given last nights home game win. Will be back for more carbonara and calamari

It is nice to see a real restaurant land in Charlottesville! From the wine and appetizers to the desert and desert wine, everything was exceptional! All aspects of the meal were executed with amazing skill. The mussels, steak Diane, and the chicken were all delightful, the sauces and method cooked were on point. Only the ivy inn and the now closed downtown grill come close to the quality and execution of the frank.

All around, great experience! Drinks were well-balanced, mains and dessert were superb and very filling, service was excellent.

A gorgeous French restaurant on Charlottesville’s downtown mall with a kitchen serving up a wagyu steak dish (5/5) that deserves attention. The daily special spinach dish (5/5) was so tasty our table unanimously agreed it was fire. I also can highly recommend the shrimp and grits dish (5/5).

I had a list of things to talk to my husband about over our dinner date at Café Frank last Saturday and I forgot them all the moment my lobster chowder arrived. Light, almost frothy broth, perfectly spiced with just a hint of peppery zing, with lovely, buttery chunks of lobster. I was in love. And I hadn't yet even met the mini BLT brioche that comes with it! (I gave the mini BLT to my husband because I'm in love with him, too). From that first sip of sublime soup, I knew everything we'd heard about Café Frank over the past year was true. It's an exceptional restaurant. The ambiance is warm and unpretentious. The service is outstanding. The wait staff took such good care of us and made us feel special, when really, it's the food that is the star. Chef DeBrito (I've never met him) is an artist. The ahi tuna ratatouille terrine was like a light-filled pane of stained glass. The Chateaubriand topped with a single lobster ravioli sat on my husband's plate like the domed crown of an Italian basilica. The heirloom tomato salad came with flaky morsels of Portuguese sardines that gleamed like silvery mica. Are my metaphors over the top? Yes. Does the food taste as good as it looks? Oh, yes. Every mouthful delivers surprising layers of taste and texture. This is food that wants to be noticed, that demands attention--like an intricately wrapped gift that you want to open slowly and carefully. My summer flounder (divine) came with a side of wax beans. Wax beans. They don't even sound interesting, do they? Pale yellow cousins of the haricot vert, they risk being mushy or just bland, at best. But at Café Frank, even the lowly wax bean shines. These wax beans were amazing. Laced with sofrito, I later learned. I could not get enough of them. Paired with the summer flounder, the crazy good wax beans made the flounder sing. Yeah, I know. Over the top. But for once, date night did not consist of me nattering on to my husband about the mundanities of our lives. Instead, I ended up waxing poetic about wax beans. I can't wait to go back.

Place had great character. It was very busy and the staff was extremely polite and helpful. Great service. The food was excellent. Bartender was excellent. Great wine list. Gave us awesome recommendations and history of the area. Super clean. Highly recommend

We were thrilled to try a new restaurant on the downtown mall. The menu, service (thanks Johnny!), and food were outstanding. We shared some beautiful aperitif - We'll definitely be back!

Rose pavlova is amazing! Lovely space with the best of French inspired cuisine. The Coq au Vin was fall off the bone tender. Heaven on earth for foodies!

Fabulous drinks! Amazing atmosphere. John is one hell of a bartender. Highly recommend.

The best restaurant in Charlottesville since Siren and the Back 40 closed. I love the cocktails. The coq au vin is amazing. You have to stop here.

We have been here on several occasions and I feel confident in writing a review. The fusion of French and Italian cuisine is fantastic! First of all: this is the best duck I’ve ever had - period. I have had it in Paris, at other restaurants in places like NYC/ Chicago/ Atlanta, and at home - nothing even comes close. I would come here just for the duck confit. My partner has had the halibut and the pork and highly recommends both. But among other things, the atmosphere and the service are wonderful. Dillon is always welcoming and has recommendations for a variety of tastes. I have a food allergy and they are more than accommodating (call ahead if you have an allergy and they will be transparent about their food processes and what they can do for you). The most recent visit he knew what drink I like and with a specific customization - and asked if that was what I wanted as we sat down. He also remembered I have a food allergy and had already notified the kitchen when our reservation was on their evening list. The bartender for each time was very friendly and suggested things we might like. You’ll never be rushed and you’ll have a fantastic meal in a great environment. We have made a reservation for the next month every time we are about to leave - and we have been thrilled every time! Plan to spend a while enjoying the food and drinks - it’s worth the investment of both time and money! Entrees will be about $30-$40/ person; drinks are $10-$15 each; appetizers and desserts are about $15-$20 (and shareable). (If you get a cocktail AND a drink with the meal AND a dessert with another beverage, expect just over $100/ person plus tip; if you get water and just an entree, you’ll be looking at under $50/ person including tip.)

Had the most delightful dinner sitting at the bar. The best service, delicious meal and warm , charming atmosphere. Highly recommend!

My wife and I went here for my birthday and we had a wonderful experience. French Onion soup, Steak Frites, and Creme Brulee. All of our food was exceptional, and the service was exactly what we were hoping for, unpretentious yet attentive. We had an excellent wine recommendation from the sommelier who was also our server. The atmosphere was clean and buzzy, as a cafe should be, and we felt Cafe Frank was one of the best restaurants we've been to in the Charlottesville area. Definitely would recommend, and I hope to return. Update: Came back a year later for our anniversary, still amazing. The chef is fantastic. We tried the cherry gelato for dessert and we're extremely pleased!

Out of town, had anniversary dinner here during restaurant week. Everything from food to service to cocktails was a huge hit. Our waiter (thank you Dillon!!!!) was a pro - super attentive. Came over with a napkin before I noticed once fell from my lap. They made my wife an improvised cocktail based on her tastes. Duck confit was out of this world. Sad we are leaving town today. Cheers, Cafe Frank!

Best duck I’ve had period. Cassie and Dylan were more than entertaining and we will be back for more!

Terrific restaurant. Top service and delicious quality food. In the day of restaurant charging so staff has a living wage, quality is compromised. Not so here! It is our go to restaurant in Charlottesville. Check it out!

Had a lovely dinner to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Food was fresh, delicious and well prepared. Server was super friendly and attentive. Nice atmosphere, and located in Historic Downtown Mall.

I had the privilege of attending the soft open years ago which was a lovely experience, and Cafe Frank remains a favorite place to treat myself. I love bringing out of town friends in when they visit, too, because it's an often overlooked gem on the mall, and I can always count on the staff to deliver an excellent meal and high quality service. P.S. - If the halibut is still on the menu when you pop by, do yourself a favor and go for it!

Naihia is the best bartender from VA to Delaware (I checked). The apps were great and the staff was the best!

Excellent meal. Lamb special and baked Alaska were great.

I stepped out of my comfort zone to try some new food tonight. Word spread that Cafe Frank was having a Filipino pop-up, so I "popped" in. Despite being nearly full I was seated quickly. I started with a Red Horse beer which was very good and proceeded to get the Kare Kare wings as an appetizer. The wings despite being sauced in a delightful peanut sauce were still crispy and perfectly cooked. After I finished with the wings my pork adobo arrived and it too, was delicious. The rice was perfect and even though it was just rice, you'd be surprised how something simple as rice can make or break a dish. The pork was delicious and perfectly cooked along with the quail eggs and the broth was amazing. I'd definitely come to these pop-ups in the future. My only regret is that I didn't double order everything so I could have it for lunch tomorrow. Congratulations on a job well done.

Cafe Frank is consistently one of the best places to get a meal in Charlottesville. The food is meticulously prepared and perfectly seasoned. The attention to detail is so impressive every time. Service and atmosphere are terrific. Excellent cocktails and wine list. The current pre-fixe dinner menu (don't miss the parmesan soup and the coq au vin) is one of the best meals I've had in years.

Wow! What a wonderful dining experience! Staff was knowlegeable and delightful! Food was absolutely delicious! We will make this a must on every visit to Charlottesville! It was so awesome to dine safely with Celiac. ❤️

We had the seared scallops with squid ink risotto. Excellent! The service was awesome! Shout out to Kate, who took care of us. Love the location. Definitely will be back and bring everyone!

The seating is cozy. I had the steak and it was cooked perfectly and it was melt in your mouth. The fries are great in the sauce. The passion fruit sorbet is tart but refreshing.

For anyone that reads my posts and reviews they know that service to me is first and foremost. The food here was amazing worth every penny and then some. From the appetizers to the main meal to the desserts all of it fantastic! The service was over the top! I don't think it would have mattered what the food was because the service was so so good. We felt so seen and heard and acknowledged and supported I would recommend them to anyone. It was my husband and I and two friends and they made us all feel like we mattered which is important in customer service. In a matter of fact my husband and I have decided to do our 20-year anniversary celebration there because we were so so impressed! Great great job loved every aspect of it.

Dylan was phenomenal, a great conversationalist and spot on with service. We love a server who is present, but not over bearing. The meals were awesome, with plentiful serving sizes and fantastic pricing. Cannot recommend the Steak Frites enough! The fries were crispy and delicious while the steak was perfectly cooked and tender!

Nehire was the best bartender I've ever had. From Delaware to Florida no one compets. I'm in Orlando Florida where everyone drinks like a fish but nehire was best thing in my gills.

Amazing service, the waitress was super sweet and the service was fast! Food was very tasty and everything looks nice and clean. I always have a problem going into public restrooms but not here, very clean and very nice!

EDIT as of February 2025: After thoughtful and kind outreach from Jonathan and the team at Café Frank, I returned during Winter Restaurant Week to give it another try! Service by Dillon was great, he is friendly, candid, and helpful. Even on a busy evening, he made sure to check in with myself and the tables around me several times. My favorite course this time was probably the dessert, a take on creme brûlée with a lemon and cinnamon sugar twist. Other dishes included the orzo and kale soup, and the salmon main. I enjoyed both. Thanks for a great meal, great service, and an opportunity to give this restaurant a second chance. ____ Disappointed -- we wanted to try Cafe Frank for a long time and finally did during summer restaurant week. Service was great, but the food was not. My partner started with the chicken mousse, which did not look appetizing and was served with only two crostini. The beet gazpacho was not tasteful either, and the small piece of fish for the main was very dry and overcooked. The osso bucco was too salty and the risotto underneath was flavorless. And the panna cotta for dessert did not taste like panna cotta (it was not good). Too bad, because we really wanted to enjoy this spot

Just short of perfect marks. I tried to order 3 items (2 cocktails and a dessert) and they were sold out on an ingredient at the time I ordered, which was strange considering we started dinner early (5pm). Otherwise, the food and service were excellent. I had the sea bass special with braised piquillo peppers and chorizo velouté; the sauce was flavorful and the chef demonstrated their skill with searing quite nicely. Special marks as well for the Bukowski’s Widow cocktail.

The food (the duck, in my case) was delicious, but the menu was very limited...only about 6 main courses. Same with the appetizers. The service was excellent and the atmosphere was quite nice. Also, some of the prices, especially for the appetizers, were surprisingly high.

Relaxed bistro atmosphere. Tried mussels, fries and mixed fried seafood. Mussels small and needed more flavor, mixed seafood a bit greasy. Wine list per glass mediocre, beer list good. Service very good. Worth trying again for other entrees. A little pricey as is everything today.

I've been here a handful of times at this point and up until about a week ago the food and service had been phenomenal with very reasonable pricing. So credit where credit is do, I'd summarize my previous visits to a solid 4/5. Unfortunately, the latest visit was very lacking. To start off, the majority of prices had increased from just a few weeks prior which is unfortunate but I suppose understandable. My friend and I ordered 12 oysters which came out to $33, the Skate, and the Lamb. The oysters were good (the yuzu mignonette was not) and came out in a reasonable timeframe (~10min). Our entrees took an additional 40min from the appetizer which wasn't the waitress's fault (who was great despite the wait), but still undesirable. The lamb I ordered at rare/medium rare came out medium well/well done and tough, but still edible. The skate my friend ordered tasted, unfortunately, highly of ammonia. About halfway through, we scraped it into a napkin and tossed it. Since we had already waited a long time, we didn't ask for it to be remade and simply left after paying ($110 for oysters, two entrees, only water). Hopefully this was a hiccup and Cafe Frank will return to the quality that drew us to them time and time again previously.

The food was great. We had a very nice server named Cassie. Short staffed and we were under the impression we had a table for 3 hours for our large party. Our server told us at 2 that another party was waiting outside for the table. A person from that party approached our table to tell us they were waiting and we only had the table for 2 hours. Considering that they were short staffed service wasn’t quick and we were finishing dessert and drinks. We were kind enough to guzzle our drinks and finish our food. The man that approached our table was rude as we walked out… this was over a $600 tab. Even though we enjoyed our food and server, we will not return

Not good. The seafood was not fresh and the duck confit I had was not flavorful at all. It was so disappointing because the restaurant looked beautiful. With the price tag of the food on the menu, I expected much more but I don’t think I would ever come back.

Tried to give Café Frank a fair shot, but strike three. I don’t usually leave reviews until I’ve visited a place at least three times — and unfortunately, this third visit will be my last. The food is consistently underwhelming, both in quality and portion size. For the price point, you expect something memorable, but it just doesn’t deliver. The bar service is also lacking. A little more training or care behind the counter could go a long way in improving the experience. Really wanted to like this place, but after three chances, it’s clear it’s not for me.