Cool for kids
Our favorite spots for a tasty meal or a good beer—with little ones in tow Charlottesville overflows with great spots for a grown-up night out. But you don’t have to give up your social life just because you have kids. Parents with small children simply face a different calculus: Is there something on the menu the kids will eat? And even more importantly, something to keep them occupied so you can actually relax and enjoy your meal? We crowd-sourced this question and added our own favorites to give you a look at the best family-friendly places around town (because babysitters are expensive!).
tables on the outdoor patio. Grown-ups can finish off their margaritas and Tecates while their younger relations explore the porch swings and book installation across the grass at this IX Art Park spot.
Beer Run No kids’ menu per se, and yes, the beer is off limits. But locals prize the Carlton Road spot’s relaxed vibe, and outdoor picnic tables mean the wee ones have a little room to roam while you’re waiting for the food. Plus, the nachos are some of the best in town and the breakfast tacos are fun for all ages.
Kardinal Hall Open-air tables with flexible seating, plus bocce and ping pong, add up to a place where the whole family can stretch out and relax. The kids’ menu has the usual grilled cheese/chicken nuggets/hot dogs, plus organic carrot sticks and ranch dressing for the pintsized vegetarian in your life.
Bodo’s One preschooler we know sticks with butter on plain whole wheat, while another has been known to order liverwurst and onion. Either way, low prices, kid-friendly options, and seat-yourself dining rooms make this Charlottesville favorite a no-brainer for kids.
Roots Natural Kitchen Even picky eaters like food in bowls. And what’s not to like? The West Main Street spot combines delicious with healthy. Grab an entrée for yourself, and a bowl for your kid (under 12) is free. The Nook This Downtown Mall stalwart won’t be setting any speedy-service records, but the staff is nice to kids and, aside from the basic children’s menu, it has what must be the longest dedicated mac-andcheese menu in town. Diner staples like the BLT on toast are a step up in quality from standard greasy-spoon fare, and the outdoor patio is a short hop from the Virginia Discovery Museum carousel and the free speech chalkboard while you’re waiting for your meals to arrive.
Brazos Tacos Texas-style tacos, a sneaky-good chicken and tortilla soup, and chips with queso and guacamole are best enjoyed on a sunny day at picnic
22 Knife&Fork
TOM MCGOVERN
Brazos Tacos
Three Notch’d, Champion, and Random Row Who says breweries are just for beer drinkers? All three of these local craft taprooms have dedicated fans on the parent scene. Champion’s comfort food-oriented menu has pretzels and cheese dip and a hella-good hot dog, while Three Notch’d, with its kid-zone play area, serves an $8 children’s meal that includes an entrée, a side, and a scoop of Virginia-made Homestead Creamery ice cream. Random Row serves pizzas from the RVA’s Billy Pie, and has board games and a chalkboard coloring wall.
MORGAN SALYER
Firefly This lively restaurant/bar/arcade is perennially popular with families. Check out Firefly’s abundant games— from foosball to Donkey Kong—and its local food. Chase your chicken tenders and tater tots with a Shirley Temple from the dedicated kids’ drink menu.
Don’t monkey with the dog
There are some things that just can’t be elevated (and why would you want to try?). Enter the foot-long. Jak ’n Jil’s “famous” (as it says on the sign) version is best with the restaurant’s “always homemade” chili, a side of fries, and a shake. Open since 1944, the High Street spot hasn’t changed since we were kids.—CH