The Shebeen Pub & Braai
247 Ridge McIntire Rd, Charlottesville, VA, 22903
The Shebeen Pub & Braai Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Charlottesville for healthy meals suggestion.
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Visit below restaurant in Charlottesville for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
247 Ridge McIntire Rd
Charlottesville, VA, 22903 - Phone (434) 296-3185
- Website https://www.shebeen.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 12
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Romantic
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Travis H.
I've been three times now and I think I've only tried the Peri-Peri chicken and the satay appetizer, but they're both delicious. Chicken is moist and the seasoning has a nice level of hot and sweet. The lentils are so-so, but the sautéed veggies are fresh, simple, and tasty. Wine ranges from inexpensive to fairly expensive, but is all good (though I'm no sommelier) and sometimes they run half-off specials! My coworker loved it as well. Unfortunately I can't remember which dish they had. Prices are very reasonable and service is quite good too.
(5)Jack B.
I went to this place not realizing how nice it would be, which allowed me to take full advantage of the excellent service/bread baskets while still feeling slightly uncomfortable about nobody at the table ordering any drinks beyond water. Though I spent more than I planned (the entrees ran between $14-24), the food was awesome and the portions were the perfect size for a husky young man who doesn't hesitate to immediately fill up on sweet rolls and whipped butter. The peri peri chicken had a nice bite, and the sides were perfectly seasoned: I was actually able to detect an aroma of anise in the rice, and I appreciate a menu that doesn't bullshit. Our server was very frank about his preferences, though obviously eager to push a bottle of wine and some appetizers on us -- I don't blame him, but given our budget we decided to stick to the dessert mints. The only thing I would seriously change is the outdoor lighting situation. They have an awesome covered patio area -- including a bar with rope swing chairs -- but you can't see shit! I could tell they're trying to avoid tacky Xmas lights and tiki torches, but it's not that romantic if the person sitting across from you is in total silhouette.
(4)Angelica R.
Best brunch I've had in cville!! Blueberry ricotta pancakes with lemon curd, need I say more? Ok I will the pub breakfast is a classic and will satisfy your taste buds and your belly! They also have pretty good bloody Mary's and mimosas. I've had brunch here at least 5 times, only had dinner once and it was divine!
(5)Jackie B.
What a major let down for a highly reviewed 4-star restaurant. I had such high hopes for The Shebeen after reading all the awesome reviews but I was really disappointed and left feeling like my wallet hurt without enjoying any of my meal. It was super busy and I don't know if the kitchen got behind and that played a role in the poor quality of the food, but my experience was lackluster at best. We started with the fried eggplant appetizer. It was served with a very bland yogurt sauce that seemed inappropriate due to the sweetness of the fried egg plant. We then ordered a side of the house "Voodoo" sauce to hopefully counteract the sweetness of the fried eggplant but that sauce was still too sweet. The eggplant itself seemed like it was good quality but it was extremely greasy and i thought the batter they fried it in was a bit too much. It didn't help that you could taste fish in the oil that the eggplant had been fried in. Gross! For my entree I ordered the Fish N Chips. Let me start by saying that I absolutely loooove fish n chips. I try it almost everywhere that offers it because when it's good its great! However the fish n chips at The Shebeen were gross to put it nicely. I was really surprised at how poorly the fish and chips (fries) were cooked given the numerous positive Yelp reviews for this specific entree. To start with, there was a solid hour wait between when our appetizer and our entree arrived. I chalked this up to the kitchen being slammed but when I got my fish n chips it became clear that it had been sitting under a heat lamp for quite awhile. The fish was super dry and the breading was so hard that I had to actually stab the fish with my knife (like a caveman) in order to cut into the fish. It seemed like the quality of the fish was high but it was so poorly cooked I couldn't enjoy it. The Virginian's Friday special of fish n chips is better than the Shebeen's, and HALF the price!! The fries were super oily and stale tasting. Five Guys can serve you up way better fries. On that note, McDonalds next door to The Shebeen probably can too. Our service was the icing on the cake to a disappointing dining experience. While our waiter was friendly, he was extremely frazzled and never made it back to check on how our entrees were. He also, based on the taste and dryness of my food, left our food under a heat lamp for awhile before serving it. The price point is way too high for the number of flaws in the preparation of the food. It seems like The Shebeen would have a lot of potential but its chef certainly needs a Cooking 101 class first. I won't return.
(2)Andy G.
This restaurant was okay. We had to move tables because "A party of 7" had to take our table even though the restaurant was sort of empty, not sure why we had to move. Then it took a while for our waitress to notice our new table and then we had to wait for our orders to be taken. Our waitress kept whispering to us instead of talking so it was very hard to understand her. Sometimes she would just look at us. It was a bit awkward. The food was pretty good. I had never had South African food before. The inside of the restaurant is really nice, the South African theme was cool.
(3)Charles M.
We like to meet friends and clients at Shebeen. I like the bread pudding (something I rarely eat). Great to have specialty restaurants like this in Charlottesville.
(4)J H.
First time having African food so I can't say I have anything to compare it to. Felt adventurous and had the lamb. Lamb has a strong aroma and if not done right can be very unedible to some people but luckily this wasn't the case. It was actually very delicious and quite juicy - loved the sauce paired with it. The sides though were only okay but still accomplished the task and either way I cleaned my plate. I'm always down for more ethnic food and this hit the spot. Especially as a newcomer to African cultured food I'm glad this was my first.
(4)F S.
Went on a Tuesday night around 5:30 PM. The place was empty other than four other guests in a booth and a handful of people smoking outside. The fried calamari appetizer was on the greasy side and the fried capers on top made the whole dish too salty. As far as entrees, the lamb curry potjie was a huge portion, but there wasn't much lamb, mostly vegetables in a thick, overly salty curry sauce. The Peri Peri chicken was juicy, but way too spicy for my taste. In all fairness, the waitress did warn me it would be spicy, but based on Peri Peri chicken experiences I had had at other restaurants, I wasn't expecting this degree of heat. The menu is somewhat overpriced given the casual ambiance and lack of curb appeal (located in a small shopping center).
(2)Steve G.
This place was outstanding! The only reason that I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is because of the water. Charlottesville is known for the bad water but at least make it cold. The waitress had no idea how any of the drinks were because she said she never had one. But, now for the food, .... excellent !! Let me start with, I am from Chicago... Home of some of the greatest ethnic food around. People from this area have no idea what good food is. If you are comparing the food to Mcdonalds and Five guys , then stick to your cheeseburgers and don't bother with the more eclectic dining. The spices were perfectly balanced yet exotic. If you appreciate good food, check it out!!
(4)George S.
You won't be disappointed with a meal at The Shebeen. We tried both a shrimp and lamb dish--on the whole, very tasty. The lamb was top-notch, cooked medium rare and served with samp and beans as well as yellow rice. The sides chosen for the peri-peri shrimp left a bit to be desired--a medley of veggies that weren't cooked for all too long and mashed potatoes that had no redeeming qualities. Service was fairly good and the dishes were appropriately priced for downtown Charlottesville, especially when considering portion size. Give it a shot--its worth the trip.
(4)Josh K.
Not to be missed. The first thing you notice is the decor and ambiance. Earth tones are complimented by the beat driven, yet subtle, SA music. Soft lighting sets the mood for a great meal. The true beauty of The Shebeen is the food. Complex, rich flavors balanced by sweet accents of fruits and crisp vegetables. Try the peri-peri chicken for a spicy, juicy and flavorful entree. We also enjoyed the mealie pap as a side; think grits with a cheesy finish. For desert, the malva pudding is a memorable way to end your meal. Finally, the service is attentive without being intrusive. Our waitress knew the menu and was always ready with a food or wine suggestion.
(4)Kris K.
Here for brunch on 7/1 - the day after they regained power from the 6/29 Derecho. We began our meal with strong, fresh coffee and delicious yeast rolls with whipped butter. Entrees: DH had the sadza cakes (AMAZING) and I the goat cheese fritatta and breakfast potatoes (also excellent). My potatoes were thick-cut and tasted of browned butter, but weren't greasy. The fritatta was fluffy, the goat cheese creamy and flavorful and the creamed leeks on top were divine (you must like leeks; strong flavor). Our server asked if we wanted to wait for the fresh polenta for the sadza cakes. We weren't in a rush and discovered about 30 minutes (and like a million mini yeast rolls later) that it was worth the wait. DH took one bite and proclaimed the sadza cakes the ultimate comfort food. The hospitality was unmatched and we were visited a few times by the owner. Our waitress was friendly and efficient. We will definitely return to The Shebeen the next time we visit Charlottesville.
(5)Kasey S.
I have never had even close to a bad meal here. The appetizers are really the only thing that wasn't stellar (had the sampler). The drink menu is extensive, with lots of great beers on tap. One time we got cocktails and they were a great blend of old tastes mixed the new (Pim's Cup was delicious). Wines are fairly priced with many great options. The pies are wonderful, great flavors and VERY filling. Steaks, chicken, fish all cooked perfectly. Lots of novel flavors in everything. Service is always cheerful and attentive. Can get crowded at times, but the bar is always inviting.
(5)Marcia B.
We just had one of the most amazing lunches we've had in a long time at a restaurant. We were enroute from Blacksburg to Northern VA and were Yelping for a place we could stop for a bite and watch a bit of Sunday football. At 1st glance thought Shebeen was just another Irish pub, but then the reviews clued me into that Shebeen is a South African pub. Our GPS had us go around the block a few times before we found it, but upon entering and seeing the big leather chairs, well worn rugs, cozy wooden walls and a well worn bar with a hammered copper facing, we knew at the very least we'd be comfy & cozy. We were disappointed when handed a brunch menu, but quickly realized there was also non-brunch fare to choose from. Good beer and South African wine selection. I enjoyed the Excelsior Chardonnay and my husband had a tasty IPA. We started with a cup of the curried corn soup and the soup of the day which was a carrot Ginger. Both were excellent but they need to add the carrot soup as a regular menu item. It warmed our tummies!!! I had the mussels which were good but even better when I stirred in some voodoo sauce which is a chipotle BBQ type sauce and just a little spicy. tHe bread was really good. You need to ask for some voodoo sauce on the side. My husband had the Durban Chicken and OMG was it GOOD. Melt in your mouth tender juicy chicken over an extremely creamy polenta and a sauce of deliciousness. It comes with the Voodoo sauce and curried mango chutney. I cannot wait to go back for the dinner menu! The service was great. Wish there was a place like this in Northern VA.
(5)Samira C.
We had a group of five with varying levels of exposure to South African Food. We each picked something different from the menu and everyone loved everything they ordered (and tasted off someone else's plate!). From the soup to the desserts - everything was delicious!
(5)Shawn C.
Went there for my daughter's birthday. It was wonderful. The vegetarian menu is very small but she and her friend were able to enjoy what they got. The bartender could have been a bit nicer. We asked the server if we should settle at the bar or the table and she said table but the bartender disagreed by saying "She doesn't work over here". Otherwise we truly enjoyed it.
(4)karen k.
We went to brunch and I noted my coffee cup was dirty on the inside, so they brought another (dirty) and finaly a third that was clean. I then got my meal..... not 1/2 hour after leaving I was sick as a dog. Note I was perfectly healthy before eating there. Hum... was it just dirty un clean habits or was I intentianly poisoned? Either way I'm not going back. And warn you, if you complain to the server you are liable to come down with disintary!
(1)Amy N.
One of my favorite restaurants on the planet. I have been known to drive far, far out of my way (think: across state lines) for dinner and a glass at the Shebeen. The location's a little odd, tucked away behind a Lowe's I think, but it's perfect from the second you walk in until you have to leave, with one longing look at the wine and dessert menus. Everything from the braai is phenomenal, and the durban chicken and west african ground nut stew (vegetarian) are particularly delicious. Even the non-adventurous eater will find plenty to eat, and the wine list is exceptional. If you're even sort of in the Charlottesville area, don't skip the Shebeen. I can't wait to go back!
(5)Lisa G.
A group of five of us dined at The Shebeen over five years ago for an early dinner... and haven't been back. Not only was the service awful -- they acted like they didn't even want us to be there -- but the food wasn't even memorable. Only one of us liked the food, which was a lamb dish. Ambiance, particularly curb appeal, also leaves a lot to be desired.
(1)Nick M.
OVERALL: 3/5 Decent classed up pub food. Worth visiting but nothing exceptional. I have and will go back. FOOD: 3/5 Mix of South African themed pub food. Durban Chicken and Peri Peri Chicken are great. Lamb Potjie is ok, a bit too salty. Good portion size, but you are paying for it at about 15+ per entrees. SERVICE: 3/5 Variable, I've had good and more average. Nothing has ever really put me off about the service. AMBIENCE: 4/5 Nice indoor eating area, sort of like a classy pub. There is a covered outdoor area which is nice, but, as one reviewer noted serves as a smoking area. This makes other guests less inclined to enjoy it. They have live music some nights which is pretty hit or miss. There isn't really a stage area, the band just sort of set up a few tables away. Great music, but it was way too loud because of the proximity, not really conducive to dinner conversation. We left shortly after. BAR: 4/5 Good place to come for a pub style drink. They have Tusker Lager if you feel the need to sample some African beer.
(3)Craig M.
Hard to find. The sosatie was fantastic as was the Durban spiced chicken. Highly recommended. Their online menu is a bit outdated and the entrees are a little bit pricier than listed online.
(4)Chong Yu L.
Very cozy South African restaurant, the waitress was attentive, the food style was similar to some Arabic food. Many seats and sofa inside, with LED TVs. The entrance was a little bit small though.
(5)Reanna S.
I would love to tell you about the food, but that would have meant that we actually had some type of service. No one ever came to take any type of order from us. We sat there for over 20 minutes while the staff took care over every table around us. Without any type of explaination of the lack of service. I actually felt like we were purposefully being ignored. I will definetly not be giving them a seconf chance to to be rude to us again.
(1)Ro S.
A group of 20 of us dined here for dinner after a Football game. All of us agreed that the ambiance, the service and the food were excellent. A Cozy and sophisticated venue for locals and alumnae, reasonable prices.
(5)Sydney H.
The food was amazing, can only give four stars though because the service was sub par. Would maybe recommend eating at the bar.
(4)Katherine T.
This was our second visit to Shebeen. We are from out of town and appreciate a restaurant that is quiet enough that we can carry on a conversation with our local friends. The convenient location, free parking, friendly staff and excellent food are just a bonus! We will be back on our next visit to Charlottesville.
(4)Kathryn R.
The yelp 2 star rating exactly echoes my sentiment: "Meh, I've experienced better". We ordered the mussels and the Stellenbosch platter - mussels were overcooked and had a lot of broken shells (about half the meat were shell-less) which probably means it was previously frozen, not fresh. The sauce: do you want some mussels with your cream? What happened to aromatics and the sauce enhancing flavor? The appetizer sampler was way too greasy and the sauces were on the bland side. If it wasn't for the good service I really would give this restaurant a 1 star.
(2)Cara A.
Great place with really interesting food. It's only a block from the pedestrian mall and across from the Omni, but the entrance is a bit hidden from the street (same entrance as McDonalds, left side of the parking lot). I appreciated the multiple vegetarian options and really enjoyed the ground nut stew. My carnivorous companion was impressed by the steak, and we both enjoyed the beer and wine lists. The pedestrian mall seemed to have a lot of "upscale American" restaurants, and I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for something delicious and more unique.
(4)Beth M.
I like Shebeen, despite a few bad reviews I've seen on here. We went last weekend and the service was good (though busy), the food was great and libations tasty.
(4)Matthew W.
We walked in on a saturday night and there was no wait at 8:30 which I was glad to see after being turned away from the more trendy MAS restaurant. This place has a pretty cool African vibe going on but the only things that don't fit the theme are the tables and chairs. The food though was very tasty. I ordered the shepherd's pie. It was made with ground lamb and it was delicious. The mashed potatoes were creamy yet still light and the melted cheese on the top was great topped with their gravy. My mom got a lamb curry that was very tasty as well. It was accompanied by a nice corn souffle and both dishes also had some nice sauteed vegetables. So come on in to the Shebeen for some hearty African inspired food that will leave you satisfied and happy you came.
(4)Amanda M.
Mouth watering polenta dish (sadza cakes) perfectly paired with sundried tomatoes, eggplant and other veggies with a perfect drizzle of a Parmesan cream sauce is my favorite dish! My husband tasted it and said, "wow, I didn't even know I liked polenta!". The samosas are delicious as are the fish/chips with an easy to share 3 battered fish filets. We also tried the crab dip which is curried and served with plaintain chips. It rounded out our meal well, but didn't feel it packed as much flavor as the sadza cakes. A new favorite eatery for us!
(4)Eileen O.
Absolutely delicious. We went for my mom's birthday on the recommendation of some of her coworkers. Everything I tasted was great - for appetizers, the fried eggplant and the samosas were especially good (and part of an appetizer platter). I got the lamb curry pot jie for my entree. If you're not a fan of really spicy food, make sure to ask your server before ordering. This dish was HOT! Also of note - we were not the only group there with a toddler. This seems to be an OK place to take children.
(4)Ang S.
First time there tonight with 20 friends. Service was excellent. The sosati was quite tasty and cooked perfectly. The mealie pap was delicious. That said, the large cockroach we saw after dinner makes one wonder. But, we're campers and bugs are bugs...
(4)Tom J.
Different and very good, little pricy but worth it due to uniqueness.
(5)Wendy M.
Went for the first time last night and was thrilled with the find. Split the durban chicken and peri peri shrimp with my husband. Both were very good, but the mealie pap side stole the show. Great draft selection as well. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Stephanie C.
One of our favorite Cville restaurants. Get the sheppards pie!
(4)Mike M.
Went for first time for lunch last Saturday. Amazing. The fried calamari is the perfect appetizer - crispy, salty, lemony - so good! Got the fish and chips for an entree... but substituted a Greek salad instead of chips. It was a good choice. Salad was great. Fish was crispy and tender. The tartar sauce could be less chunky but it was still tasty. Def going back. Waitstaff was very nice.
(5)Kate S.
I went to the Shebeen once, and hated it. I got some sort of chicken dish, and all I remember is that the chicken was extremely fatty and made me very nauseous. I also went because I was promised traditional Irish music, but only one young 12 year old fiddler showed up. Nothing against her age, because 12 year olds can certainly be good, but she wasn't, and she was only there for about 10 minutes anyway. I hear great things about the Shebeen, so maybe it was just a bad night and I made a bad entrée choice. But it was bad enough that I don't even want to give it a second try.
(1)Gitanjali K.
2 syllables - yum may!
(5)Jeremy H.
One of my favorite places in C-ville. I love the Durban spiced chicken, and you can't go wrong with the fish & chips and an imperial pint of Guinness.
(4)Maria P.
This is a great restaurant tucked away on Ridge St. The atmosphere is warm, relaxing, and classy. This was my first visit here, and i always enjoy trying new food. I was not disappointed. We ordered the sampler appetizer and it was delicious!!! The Samosas especially!!! Yum! There were 3 of us and we ordered two of their lamb dinners (Sosatie and Lamb Curry Potjie) and the Durban Chicken. They were all very good and great proportions. For dessert we had the Chocolate Ganache which were a perfect finish! I was already full, so these little bit size pockets of chocolate hit the spot. THe staff were so friendly and attentive. We sat in their couch/coffee table seating which gave our dinner a very casual feel and it felt like we were at home. They also have booth and table seating and looked like they had plenty. They have a bar area that looks enjoyable too. Go try Shebeen! There are many new things for me to try on the menu and it's exciting to just try different things. They also have BRUNCH!! I haven't gone yet, but plan to... Try it - you won't be disappointed!
(4)David V.
Would've received 5 stars if not for the lack of service. The food was great! Very delicious! We asked to be seated outside despite the heat since it was frigid inside, but I think that was our mistake since no one else was out there. The waitress hardly ever came by - I had to get up and go ask for the check! If the food would have been horrible, this would be a much different review, but it wasn't! I had the Durban Spiced Chicken and it was amazing!
(4)Brad S.
Good food. Good place. Good menu. The only thing I did not like is that the best place to eat (outside) is the smoking area. I hope to return again soon.
(4)Meredith P.
Loved it!
(5)Dean R.
The Shebeen South African Pub & Braai's menu reads like a delicious wet dream. Cape mussels, huge salads topped with salmon, ground nut stew, Sosatie, and grilled specialties galore. My personal favorite is the Durban spiced chicken - two large chicken breasts with cumin, coriander, and cardamom skewered on large sugar canes. What could be better? The chicken's just a touch dry, but no worries, there's plenty of jus underneath to soak up. And if you need more flavor, it's served with a spicy voodoo sauce of kick - it might not seem like it, but wait for the afterbite-in-the-ass. And you'll keep coming back for more. The mielie pap and mango chutney cut the spice nicely, and the whole dish comes together in a really wonderful way. Looking for something more hearty? The steak pie is stick-to-your-ribs delicious. As already evidenced, the menu is certainly influenced by other cuisines. Indian samosas, Malaysian satays, and British fish and chips all make their way into the pub. Somehow, it all manages to work. The ambiance is wonderful as well. Inside, big plush leather couches welcome you an upscale pub setting, one where you wouldn't feel guilty kicking back with a beer or ordering something stiffer. Outside, the patio has a closed, private feeling, so although it's situated right in the parking lot of a strip mall, large wrought iron tables and chairs spaced comfortably apart from one another make you forget all about the traffic outside. Though a little bit pricey (averaging $17 per entree) it's worth every penny.
(4)Mindy T.
We really enjoy the Shebeen, though you sometimes have to wait for a table. We enjoyed sitting outside. The roasted red pepper hummus is very good with the warm, soft pita chips. I've had the peri-peri chicked several times, and I love the veggies and mashed potatoes that come with it. I love the rolls, and I believe the curry corn chowder is my absolute favorite. The prices are a little high, but the food is good. I wish I still lived close enough to eat there, but next time we're back in Charlottesville, I'll be here.
(4)Joyce K.
I've never tried South African food so I didn't know what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised by the spices incorporated in this cuisine. As we walked, the bar area was packed with people mingling with drinks in hand. Venture further into the restaurant and you'll find peace and quiet in a beautifully decorated dining room. The space is done up in honey brown wood, hardwood floors, beamed ceilings, and exotic urns and vases throughout. The menu was a little overwhelming since we didn't know what alot of the terms meant but the waiter was very helpful. We started with the Stellenbosch Sampler: Peri-peri wings (4), Samosas (2), Zambezi Satay (2), and Stuffed Mushrooms (2). Served with bleu cheese, mango chutney and peanut sauce. $12.95 The peri-peri wings weren't as spicy as I would have liked but the zambezi satay with the sauces was amazing. All the sauces were great and really aided in pimpin' out the appetizer which otherwise would've been bland. I ordered the Ginger Salmon Filet: Fresh Atlantic salmon marinated with ginger and garlic. Grilled and served with mango salsa. $15.95 It was pretty dry and nothing spectacular. The accompanying mash wasn't notable either. The meal was a little pricey and slightly disappointing. We were expecting to discover a new cuisine but it wasn't too exciting and none of the tastes were too distinctive.
(3)uber b.
Decided to try Shebeen on a whim, and it was a total treat. We ordered two entrees: (1) Lamb Sosatie. Fantastic meat, but the real star was the samp and beans, one of the most delicious legume preparations I've ever had. (2) Durban Spiced Chicken. Again, fantastic meat, but what really blew us away was the mealie pap, which are grits and huge quantities of butter, cream, and parmesan cheese. Mind blowing! The service could've been a smidge more attentive by the end of the mean, but nothing unreasonable.
(4)Paula H.
I have to say that it is very hard to please me; I am a good cook and I only want to go out to eat something that I have not made. I found Shebeen on yelp.com and we thought we would give it a try. The atmosphere was very nice and the bathrooms were clean and looked good. My husband ordered me a glass of Goats Do Roam 2009 and it was full of complicated flavors but smooth at the same time. We then shared the soup of the day, rice and shrimp, the shrimp were tough and over all the soup was just so so. Then we had shared an appetizer of fresh mozzerella with tomatoes, basil, pine nuts and a balsamic reduce dressing. It was outstanding. I ordered the Sadza cakes, all vegeterian and from the first bite, I had a party in my mouth. The flavors were out of this world and the meal was very satisfying! My husband ordered the Lamb curry Potjie and we both thought it was just ok... too intense on the cinnamon, my meal won the prize! Definitely would go back!
(4)Wilma S.
Very good, very authentic. The boerevors is perfect. The lamb sosaties are also delicious. The service was great and the atmosphere very comfortable. Only the disappointing koeksisters for desert kept them from getting a 5.
(4)Tosh K.
This place has pretty good food but the service is so hit or miss I've come not to rely on it. Even at the relatively small bar, the bartenders often try not to see me - what gives? I do appreciate them encouraging a soccer crowd when games are playing though.
(3)Jesse R.
Love this place. We were looking for something different while on vacation in the area and this definitely fit the bill. I love spicy and if you do as well I recommend anything peri peri on the menu. I had the Peri Peri chicken and it was outstanding. Perfectly cooked and an amazing heat that built over time. My wife had the steak pie and it was a homerun as well. Perfectly seasoned and the crust was flaky and tender. Nothing frozen or fake about this place. The bar was also clearly a hit. We did not stop by, but it was packed from the time we arrived until we left. Fair prices and good portions. Give this place a try and you will be pleased. An eclectic mix of cuisines that reflect the diverse culture of South Africa. I will be back for more.
(4)Scott P.
I really enjoyed the chance to sample South African cuisine... the dishes were unique and touched your palette with varying levels of spices. I had a pork special which was cooked on a cane stick. The outside was caramelized and spicy; this was in contrast to the inside where the meat had absorbed some of the sugar from the cane stick... very enjoyable. I would have liked to give a higher rating but the service was slow and forgetful with all of the outside seating. Also, my Merlot was very warm, as if it was not stored properly. I will give this place another chance later.
(3)Sarah M.
This is my favorite restaurant in C-ville so far. I went with my boyfriend and we got the sampler for an appetizer and it was great. I lived in South Africa for a bit and this place brought back so many great culinary memories. I had the peri-peri chicken and it was spiced to perfection. They have many options for sides and the portions are generous, which is great for left-overs. The ambiance and service were cozy. I will be going back here soon and highly recommend it!
(5)Valerie F.
Let me state for the record that my husband is South African so I am really biased here. That being said it was very authentic, except for the milktart (melktert) which was too hard compared to the one's I have had in SA. The muscles were awesome, as was the bobotie, and the bread. They had an excellent SA wine list (of wines we've had before just not at this place), but were missing the Castle & Savannah's I have come to expect at SA restaurants, even here in the US. It seemed like the braai (dry bbq) was the thing to have and it smelled awesome, but unfortunately we didn't have any :( I'd go back if I was in the area.
(4)Alex B.
The wings are great, as is the beer. One of the only places in the area that have viewing available for Rugby and soccer.
(5)Cathy D.
If you want to try innovative cuisine, come to Shebeen. Delicious South African fare. Lots of lamb dishes. They took the creme brulee off their menu :(
(5)Cindy P.
Completely agree with Joyce. I went in excited to try a different cuisine and ended up disappointed with the indistinct taste. The price fits the setting, ingredients, and ambiance...but not the taste. Didn't go into the bar area, but it was hoppin compared to the restaurant. Maybe they have good drinks? Eh, skip it and stick with something on the downtown mall.
(3)Jason J.
Hidden in a strip mall behind staples is this nice bar with some good food. The bartender knew everyone by name and what drinks they liked as soon as they walked in. I had the Durban chicken and yes it was good, but let's talk about those "grits" which were amazing. The brochette was good too. I was glad I walked the extra distance to give this place a try.
(5)Lori S.
In the past Shebeen had a freshness to their dishes. Flavorful and bright even if it was a meat dish. There was a sense of pride in the food and it's taste. Unfortunately, now the dishes are tired and taste out of the box. The sauce with my mussels was heavy and tasted like it was cooked with " I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" and old milk. My companion's lamb dish, one of their specialties, was over-cooked and tough. Not pleasant or satisfying. The cosmopolitans were lackluster. With so many options to choose from, my suggestion is to try somewhere else. Yes, the decor has a "hint" of Africa, but so what if you don't feel the dining experience's roar?
(1)Howard A.
Lunch is very consistent. Portions are large, flavor is solid and Simone and Joe treat me right. I'm personally prone to getting whatever the most heavily promoted menu item is, which in this case is the BBQ sandwich. The bread is sweetish (not my preference) and the pork is nicely cooked. There appears to be the option to sub a salad as a side which generally comes out elaborate for a side salad and larger than you'd expect at the price point. I've enjoyed this place quite a bit
(5)Jenny L.
This place is a gem! Home to the best shepherd's pie I've ever had -- I can't get enough of the slightly-burnt cheese on top, Ã la French onion soup. The samosas are delicious as well.
(4)Jay G.
One of the only South African place I have ever been to. Can vouch for authenticity of the food here. Very flavorful, very delicious and definitley worth the wait and price if and when they are very busy. Have gotten the Peri-Peri Chicken wings which are bomb, and got the Durban Spiced Chicken, both times, does not dissappoint.a good mixture of food textures, warmth of flavors and spiciness. The mango chutney is delicious. Pairs well with the dish and good enough that you can lick you plate clean. Highly recommended place if you'd like to try something exotic when you are in Cville
(5)Cheng X.
Came here during an event hosted by my grad school so we were served buffet style. Everything was amazing though! The meat was super flavorful, the veggies were crunchy and all the sauces were so savory! A lot of the food tasted very similar to Indian food flavor-wise. Two thumbs up for great food and plenty of parking. One star down because I really don't like restaurants that are so dark it's hard to even see who you're eating with.
(4)Victoria N.
Wowza. The Shebeen was delicious. Everything was absolutely full of so many different and wonderful flavors that just go together so well! I went for restaurant week and got Samosas, Durban chicken, and choco samosas. My friends got corn chowder and sosatie. We all tried eachothers and loved it. The mealie pap is so good, and the chicken was tender and.big. With the chutney and (not SUPER) spicy voodoo sauce, the chicken tasted so good. The sosatie lamb, rice and beans were also extremely good. The restaurant is dimly lit and intimate but we sat outside.and took pics on the adorable swings. Love this place!
(5)Simon E.
I had a great experience at Shebben last week. Great ambience, plenty of parking available, just a little too dark and noisy, but fried tempura appetizer was amazing, shepperds pie tasted really realy good too. My cousins had the vegetarian sazda cakes and was very impressed. Service was polite and attentive . Would def return.
(5)Daniel H.
Loved this place. Having been to South Africa, I was happy to see some of the foods that I loved while visiting. Glad to know I'll still be able to taste some of my favorites without having to cross the pond.
(5)Cody Y.
**Stop 1 of 7 on the Taste of Virginia Charlottesville Food Tour** This is a hidden gem that I fear too many people pass over due to its close proximity to the downtown mall. My girlfriend and I came here on a food tour, and I'm so happy we did because the food was AMAZING. The interior is decorated with a South African theme, with an indoor and outdoor bar area (the outdoor bar area has swings for seats at the bar), and a spacious and cozy inside. We both tried the Durban Spiced Chicken ($19) which was chicken breasts skewered on sugar cane, spiced with annatto, coriander & cumin, served over mealie pap (South African grit), with a side of spicy voodoo sauce and mango chutney. The chicken was cooked perfectly, and while I'm not a huge fan of grits, these grits were exquisite (it tasted closer to cheesy mashed potatoes). The best part of the meal was the sauces we were able to try - the mango chutney and voodoo sauce were delicious and complimented the chicken very well. The voodoo sauce was spicy without sacrificing flavor, and the mango chutney was good enough to just eat with a spoon. In sum, a really fantastic restaurant that shouldn't be overlooked. We will definitely be back here.
(5)Rachael I.
This place is kind of a hidden gem. It's part of a strip mall-esque type area, so you don't really notice it at first glance. But they have a great outdoor patio and a really cozy dining area inside. I discovered this place thanks to some great reviews on Yelp, and it did not disappoint. I went there three times and couldn't resist ordering the sosatie with mealie pap every single time. The sosatie is amazing. Order the lamb medium or medium-rare. It's tender and juicy and just falls to pieces. The accompanying chutney and cucumber yogurt are excellent complements. But the MEALIE PAP. This is basically like South Africa's version of grits. I grew up eating grits, and this is truly some of the best I've ever tasted. So cheesy, so flavorful, so comforting. The cocktails are also on point. The only issue I've ever had is the service. It's been very slow and inattentive most times I've been there. One time I ordered coffee, and I basically had to undergo a frantic arm-waving dance to get a server's attention for some cream, sugar, and a refill. Also, the curried crab dip had some good reviews, so I ordered it, but the plantain chips were extremely salty, and the dip was way too spicy. The combination of flavors was unappetizing. I still highly recommend coming here. Get the sosatie and the mealie pap and a few drinks while you're at it. You won't be disappointed.
(3)Harvey F.
Sunday brunch, 11am after a home football game. Food was good, tasty and enough, but the service was below par for the number of tables occupied. I was not sure if they didn't plan for the day to start that early or what. Wait staff very pleasant but not attentive, had to ask for coffee refills and then wait for it. Not sure if I will go back for brunch.
(3)Elizabeth W.
I came here when visiting my brother who lives in Charlottesville and I was excited to try it being that I've never had South African cuisine. I got the mussels which looked absolutely mouth watering but the taste didn't match up, I'd rather have the frozen kind you can buy at the grocery store. I only ate half because the taste was beginning to make me feel nauseous. Also, the service was terrible. The server wasn't attentive and their register is poorly placed right near the front door and the server thought it would be okay to leave our check with our cards sitting right out in the open by this register where anyone could walk by and walk straight out the door with them. The best thing about the overall experience was the wonderful bread they give you before your meal, probably the only reason I'd come back.
(2)Dee C.
Home away from home. Boere woers very good, just like home. Restaurant itself was very clean. Will be back. Fish & Chips gets the 4 stars rating... definitely prebattered and frozen and over priced for that reason.
(4)Emily H.
Amazing south African food with delicious flavors! We had shepherd's pie, lamb, and fish. The stuffed mushrooms appetizer is SO GOOD. The service was a bit slow but the Pinotage wine and food was worth the wait.
(4)Mariela R.
I ordered from today's special menu. The corn chowder was a great way to start my meal. The entree was a polenta cake topped with eggplant and mushrooms. Delicious! Be sure to order the bread pudding for dessert.
(5)Agnes L.
Definitely a must-try in the area and a go-to for when I have out-of-town visitors! I've gone a couple times and have honestly enjoyed everything I've eaten: Appetizers - *Liked - Curried Crab Dip: As soon as my husband and I saw this on the menu, we had to get it because it reminded us of all our favorite seafood dishes on the beaches of Thailand. There was an overwhelming amount of bread but we did appreciate that the pita chips were hot and crispy. The crab was creamy with the coconut milk with a decent amount of shredded meat. *Loved - Falsebay Crispies: I may have eaten more than my friend as I couldn't help but continually pop them into my mouth. It kind of reminded me of a gourmet version of popcorn shrimp as they were bigger in size and had a fluffy yet crunchy fried coating. The mayo and balsamic sauces with chives created a bold hit of flavors. Entrees- *Liked - West African Ground Nut Stew: Definitely filling enough as it contained potatoes and peanuts. It came with a side of basmati rice that was a bit of a throwaway. *Liked a lot - Durban Spiced Chicken: Yes! Here's comes the kick. Paired with the mango chutney, it was balanced enough for me. And I'm a sucker for roasted, crispy chicken skin. *Loved - Lamb Curry Potjie: The lamb was fork tender, flavorlful and plentiful, served in a cute little pot. A variety of sides with this one including veggies, yellow rice and corn muffin made this a real deal. This entrée is my idea of comfort food. Cocktails are yummy too and also affordably priced. Can't wait to try the other dishes and would love to do take-out some time as they have a $5 BBQ sandwich only available on the to-go menu.
(5)Maura U.
A group of friends and I had a lovely late night dinner last night. Service was a bit on the slow side, but that would be my only recommendation for improvement. The food? Delicious. The group started with the false bay crispies (fried shrimp I a tangy, somewhat hot sauce), stuffed mushrooms and calamari. The shrimp were slightly on the soggy side, but that may have been intentional. The calamari and stuffed mushrooms were perfect. I doubt, however, that a mayonnaise-based sauce is "traditional". I didn't care that much, though, because it was very flavorful and crispy. The entrees varied around the table, from lamb shepherd's pie to sosatie to peri-peri chicken. I could describe all reactions to the entrees, but I will just share mine and summarize that everyone was quite pleased. I had the sosatie, a sugar cane skewer of lamb cubes, accompanied by lentils and yellow rice. The combination of flavors on the plate was just right, and the presentation was delightful. The lamb was done to my specifications, and it was completed by my choice of cucumber mint yogurt or mango chutney-the most interesting pairing. It kept my taste buds alive! We completed our meal with a shared dessert of chocolate ganache samosas, which we did not need after a filling meal, but you know.... These could have been a bit better-we are dark chocolate snobs with very high standards. The portion size was good for three to four people. Just right for the after dinner palate pleaser. A quite enjoyable and different experience here in Virginia. I highly recommend a journey here if you're in the area.
(4)Rich S.
First time in Charlottesville on a vacation with the wife. Just so happens that this week is restaurant week so we decided to try something different. What a great choice we made. We both had the meat samosas which were fantastic. For our entrees I had chicken and my wife had lamb. The spice was just right, the meat was moist and well prepared and the portion size was great especially for restaurant week. Dessert was awesome...possibly the best bread pudding I have had. To top it off I had a local beer draught and it was only $3. Seriously how can you get any better than that. A great place to go and try something new. I bet you will make it a regular spot.
(4)Leah T.
The BEST calamari I have ever had. I am also not a big meat fan but my family ordered the shepherds pie, which they make with lamb instead of beef. WOW - it was outstanding! So delicious. If you ever find yourself in Charlottesville, the Shebeen is a MUST-visit!
(5)Evan P.
They have a pretty diverse mix of food and I've never had a bad meal here. The small sized pup salad is large enough to actually be a meal in itself. In addition, they generally have a good selection of beer with a couple regional options. For a casual lunch, I would recommend the chicken stinger sandwich.
(5)Natasha G.
This place is great for dinner with friends, family, or significant other. The atmosphere is a little dark, but it adds to the intimate ambiance. The menu is so diverse, and everything sounds delicious! During my visit here, we ordered the Durban chicken, beef samosas, and chicken satay. Based on this list, I would definitely say this restaurant is more for meat-eaters. The Durban chicken had such a depth of flavor; I felt I could eat it forever! The smooth grits underneath the chicken on sugar cane were really tasty when mixed with the sauces. One sauce was supposed to be "very spicy," but I found it only to be medium. Eating everything in one bite was the best. I was told the samosas were pretty good with the sauce (I don't eat beef), and the chicken satay was also pretty tasty. Mango chutney was a popular sauce with the dishes here; it was sweet and a great addition to the savory meat. The service here was decent. We sat near the bar, because the real dining area was closed as we arrived around 9pm. Parking is easy because the restaurant is located in a strip mall. Bottom line: the food is very satisfying here. The flavors are very comforting and different from anything you have ever experienced!
(4)Andrew I.
Temper this review knowing that I went on the night of the Women's World Cup final and the place was packed. We had a reservation thankfully or we would not have gotten a table. We chose this place because my wife is South African and we always like to see what we can get that taste like home. The service was slow, no surprise there, but there was no excuse for our server forgetting that we hadn't ordered our dinners or for our meat being over cooked. They did comp the poorly cooked dinner but if the service is slow I expect that my food is at least done right. I had the potjie which was very flavorful and authentic, but after that the menu was about as authentic to South African food as panda express is to Chinese food. This expended from the beer (The tried to pass off Tusker, which comes from a completely different country in Africa, as their only offering) to the dessert which was especially disappointing as South Africans do some amazing things with condensed milk. Don't get me wrong this place is fine, but don't go expecting much in the way of authentic South African food. The best part was watching Team USA win 5-2 on the projection TV.
(3)Damon F.
Wonderful treat of a place. We had interesting, but not bizzarre entrees from South Africa. I had the Durban Chicken which was good chicken to start with, but seasoned wonderfully with spices a bit like middle eastern, but a bit different. The meat samosas on the sampler platter were great - smaller and denser than indian samosas with more flavor. My wife's Sadza (polenta) cakes were flavorful and good, with great veggies. But more than the great food was the service. We asked about the crab dip to see if it was too mayo-y, and instead of answering they brought out a sample to try (too much mayo for us). We asked about some wines and they sent the bartender over with a taste of each. We ordered a kids burger with "chips" that were actually french fries (Brittish English) and it was immediately replaced, cheerfully. Great experience overall.
(5)Gary S.
The Peri Peri chicken was authentic! The chutney was fantastic. And overall it was a great experience. For anybody who's looking for a south African cuisine this place is excellent. They also have a good selection of local beer. I will definitely come back.
(4)Samy G.
Exquisite South Africa food. A long list of choices so you need to decide what to omit. We decided to omit burger choices! Sosatie and the Durban spice chicken. The lamb in sosatie was a little hard to chew but my friend liked it. Order lamb medium rare and you have to chew the sugar cane after finishing the meat of it.
(4)Edelina V.
I ate the ginger mango salmon with cheesy grits and lentils. I was so afraid the ginger was going to be overpowering, but it wasnt..just the opposite. Very yummy dish and super filling. My husband had the traditional peri peri chicken and also enjoyed it. Get a drink at the outside bar and swing before dinner, it's fun.
(5)Alex M.
4.0 star rating 7/24/2014 My first time there and what a great place. The atmosphere is lovely and totally different to other places I have experienced in Charlottesville. It really felt like something different! I went for restaurant week and chose to have the set menu as all the food on other people tables around me looked delicious. Starter - I ordered the False Bay Crispies. These are battered shrimp which have been lightly tossed in a fab sambal Mayo (whatever sambal is? I do not know but I want some more) with a drizel of a dark, salty, earth sauce. They were to die for! Main - I chose the Sosatie. A dish comprised of a generous serving of spiced, flame grilled lamb over a plate of samp and beans, and yellow rice. The flavors of each of the components perfectly complimented each other and it was a truly delicious dish. I could, and might, eat it again tonight. Desert - I ordered the Creme Brulee. This course was the only minor let down and I don't think it would have occurred if it were not restaurant week. The tops of the creme brulee had all been caramelized earlier in the evening, I imagine for efficiency purposes due to the increased level of customers this week, and they had lost the warm crispness that really makes a creme brulee pop! However, it was still very tasty and rounded the meal out well as the finishing flavor. The drink selections were good and the two cocktails I had were great. I will definitely be recommending it to friends and will return soon.
(4)Carrie S.
This dining experience was one of the worst I've had at Shebeen. There were 7 of us in our party at tables near the bar. We all ordered drinks but the waitress didn't come back to take our order until about 45 minutes later. In addition, we had to pass around a single menu and then remember what we wanted to order. One member of our party arrived a few minutes after we placed our orders. She waited almost an hour and then left, without so much as being served water or asked what she would like to drink. The waitress had an attitude when we ordered our meals. One person asked for some chicken on her salad and she got a retort that no matter what, it's $6 (could have been said nicely). Too bad the waitress did not listen well, because she had to pick every bit of onion off of her salad (thank God it wasn't an allergy). She also indicated she "might" not be able to split our checks. She printed the tabs incorrectly and then whined and snatched our tabs back since she would have to do it all over. We all except 1 ended up paying in cash because we feared mistakes on our credit cards. Luckily, this party is a positive group and we were sending away a dear friend... But otherwise, we all would have left. I arrived at 7pm and had no food until 830pm... And no refill on my water. We will be finding a new location for hanging out... Since we won't be returning.
(1)Adam Z.
The food here is delicious, has at least one wonderful vegetarian option (I've dined with vegetarians here who get the same dish every time), and a fish & chips option to those less adventurous and unwilling to try some of the less than standard dishes. Service is very friendly and reasonable quick. But there's a hole in the floor. A good sized hole that nobody seems to care about. There's a lawsuit waiting to happen with that.
(4)Sheila K.
This place has very wholesome food. I ate the Bunny Chow which is on the vegetarian menu, basically lentils in a bread bowl with veggies on the side. Everything was very delicious but be warned its pretty expensive. My dish was $18, which I thought was a bit steep for lentils in a bread bowl. However, you can definitely tell that things are very fresh and homemade, which adds to the appeal. The pomegranate margarita was also on point! So overall, not my favorite place in charlottesville but a good place to go every once in a while!
(4)Conan O.
Best Savory Brunch options in town! The Eggs Chesapeake and Green Eggs and Hammies cat be beat when it comes to variations on Eggs Benedict. The poached eggs are always perfect in their consistency, the hollandaise has the right edge of tartness and the ham is delicious. The Chesapeake is served over a Mealie Pap cake, very much like grits. The Hammies feature homemade bread which make a sandwich with the ham slice. The roasted potatoes are ideal for sopping up any leftover yolk or hollandaise. Big cups of rich coffee. On the sweet side of the menu, try the Angel Toast -- cream cheese stuffed or the pancakes. We go to brunch every Sunday - everywhere from Inn @ Willow Grove to Staunton - but Shebeen makes the rotation once a month Can't wait to try them for dinner
(5)Kevin A.
Having only read about S. African food (and sampling sausages years ago), I can't really say how authentic it is, but I was happy to be able to get tomato and onion relish and mealie pap in the States. My sausages and Malay corn chowder were excellent - food is easily 4 stars, maybe five. Service and decor weren't quite up to the expectations for a $30/person place in Charlottesville. We ate in the outdoor bar area, which was very cool - looks like something I'd expect on a farm outside of Capetown, but it overlooks the strip-mall parking lot and is fitted out with junky fans, TVs, and wobbly tables - missing the attention to detail that seems to have gone into the food. (I'll second someone else's comment about the doors: there are two, plus the bar entrance, and it's not entirely clear which one to use. The host's station is inside the door on the right.) Same could be said for the servers; ours were very friendly, but they didn't seem quite up-to-snuff for something at this price point in Charlottesville. Not that they forgot anything or that the service was slow - just that the whole operation didn't seem entirely coordinated. The food's definitely worth a visit just to sample a cuisine that is all too rare in the US, but it's not a place you'd frequent until they tighten up their game.
(4)Jonas S.
Really wasn't a huge fan of this place other than the ambiance. We went on a weekend night and it was busy and lively. The food, however, failed to impress and the server was quite gruff and inattentive. For the price, there are so many better restaurants in town, I'd avoid this one.
(2)H F.
We called ahead on our way to Shebeen to see what the wait times were, and possibly make a reservation. We were told there wasn't a wait, so no need for it. We arrived 10 mins later, only to be told the was an hour wait. Considering the fact that we didn't see anyone waiting, we felt like we were being lied to and left. Really horrible service and no apology or attempt to make things right on the part of the hostess. To think that we drove 30 mins out of our way from Skyline drive just eat there....never again!
(1)Gary M.
This place is consistently quite good. They occasionally have unusual specials that I find interesting. I've been there many times over the past four years; never had anything that wasn't first rate. Most recently one week ago.
(4)Annie R.
Came here for restaurant week with my boyfriend last night and we were highly disappointed. The dishes were small and lacking flavor. The only things we loved on the menu were the lamb samosas as well as the corn chowder-both were warm and yummy. However, the Durban chicken was bland and thin and matched the flavorless quality of the sadza cakes. The cakes were smothered in a sauce that was much too sweet. For dessert, we were disappointed with the dryness of the bread pudding. To top everything off, service was ridiculously slow even though the restaurant was not full. And unfortunately both of us spent the rest of the evening with upset stomachs. Will not be returning to this tasteless restaurant.
(2)Barbara G.
Let me start by saying that the food at Shebeen is delicious. It is billed as South African . Not being familiar with this type of food I couldn't tell you if it was authentic. We went with another couple. Two of us are vegetarian. Two carnivores. There are 2 vegetarian dishes on the menu. I can't remember the name of the one I ordered it came with a grain cake and also coconut curry soup. Both were simply delicious. My husband ordered lamb curry and he thought it was excellent. My girlfriends husband had lamb shanks and he was thrilled. My girlfriend ordered the same dish as I did. But here's the thing that does not work in Shabeen's favor. First it is extremely difficult to find. It is in a dark corner of a row of stores that are closed at night. But the thing that really hurts Shebeen is their servers. Our server was clueless and that is being kind. He couldn't tell us anything about the dishes and didn't offer to find out. Then just like that... He disappeared. No check. No asking for coffee or dessert ... He simply vanished. We had to get up and walk up to another server and ask for our bill. I would recommend this restaurant. Hopefully you won't get this server.
(4)Charlie X.
This is the perfect place for happy hour or if you're meeting the girls for dinner. The atmosphere inside and out is great! The salads here are really good! I usually top mine with the chicken. The wine selection is fantastic as well and pairs perfectly!
(5)Michelle D.
Good, hearty cuisine and portions--though each dish was kind of hit or miss. We had the curry soup (super delicious!!), the samosas (the best), the peri-peri chicken, and the sosatie. The flavors were interesting, but the chicken was over-cooked and rubbery, while the veggies in the sosatie had lost all of their texture from being cooked too long. Overall a good experience, I'd go back only for the appetizers though.
(3)Daniel O.
Great food! The Durban Chicken and lamb curry are both delicious. Make sure you get the voodoo sauce as well, it is amazing!
(4)BroSauce J.
"We went to Shebeen last night." I'd heard that so many freaking times I finally caved and went with a large group of people for dinner. I don't get the hype. Everyone's food was so boring I can't tell you what we ate. Everything was dry and bland and hardly "South African." The dining room reminded me of a Perkins trying to be ethnic. And this being Cville, the food was insanely overpriced. 23 dollar entrees? I don't think soooooooooo. There were also a lot of old people trying to be cool up in here. At least there were no screaming children. The bar looked cozy and interesting - I'm convinced when people says "we went to Shebeen last night" this is what they mean.
(2)Chalk F.
Arguably the best ethnic food in Charlottesville. The atmosphere is good, the wait staff is attentive, and the food is great. If you are dining alone, the bar area is a great place to enjoy as a party of one.
(5)Ashley S.
This place gives me the creeps. It's super dark and awkward with tables being extremely close together. The food is not that great either and the staff is not very friendly or all that knowledgeable.. The only reason I gave 2 stars instead of 1 is because their burger is pretty damn good.
(2)Susan B.
I have always enjoyed This restaurant. But last night. Not sure what it was. They seemed really disorganized. Service was slow and waitress was making a lot of excuses. It wasn't really busy either
(3)Efland A.
Great food. If you do not like it spicy, may want to consider talking to your server concerning the various spices. Great food.
(4)David D.
Food at the Shebeen is innovative and well-prepared. Coconut-Curry soup was highlight, as others have noted. Server was friendly and helpful, but the downside was that it took a looooong time for food to arrive -- the place did not appear to be jammed and we were not a big party. We came for lunch and ordered @ 12:30; food came to table at 1:30. I suppose that's workable for a leisurely dinner, but I expect that many will need to make a week-day lunch-break work -- we ended up late for a conference session. Perhaps just a one-day glitch, but if not they need to step up their game !
(3)Christina A.
I hate to say this but the quality of food has gone down considerably. I haven't had brunch here since the last time but the most recent dinner I had here was so lacking that I don't think I'll be back. Which makes me very sad because this used to be one of my favorite places to go. My boyfriend had the piri piri shrimp - underwhelming. My boyfriend's mother had the vegetarian polenta dish (sadza cakes), which though moderately tasty was tasty due only to the heavy use of parmesan cheese. His father had the fish and chips which were bland, though he seemed okay with it. And what used to be my favorite dish, the sosatie, was practically inedible - it was tough and nearly flavorless. The mango chutney was a letdown as well. The samp and beans was just gross and I remember enjoying it previously. Alas, Charlottesville has lost another good one.
(2)Lily L.
Time of Review: *October 6 @ 12:00pm, lunch for 8 Service: *Waitress - Super friendly, and even asked if she could split the bill for our large group without us prompting for it! Food Quality/Selection: * Was a tad disappointed that the brunch menu wasn't served on Saturday, but managed to get over it with the Boerie Burger. It was very good size, cooked per my liking (medium), and even came with a side - I chose salad, and loved that you could pick from any of their salads versus just getting the house salad. I especially liked the ability to add toppings to my burger like avocado! Cost: * Entrees ranged mostly from $10 - 14, which I think is a perfect match to the quality and volume of food that you are served.
(4)Pamela D.
Wonderful atmosphere. Wonderful food. Lousy service. Not only was the service very slow the whole meal, but the server knocked over my husband's wine glass, spilling red wine all over his brand new chino pants. My husband spent 20 mins. in the men's room rinsing them out, then had to wear them wet through the rest of our dinner. All we got was repeated "sorrys" from the server. Our waiter never said anything, so we suspected he didn't know what had happened. When the check arrived, there was no compensation for the error so my husband told the waiter what had happened and asked him what the restaurant's policy was. He didn't know; it was his first day on the job. He took our check back. Minutes later a woman arrived and handed it to us, saying nothing. Our two wine charges had been removed. Buyer Beware! Customers at a restaurant of this calibre deserve better service than what we got.
(3)Racheida L.
Their food is great! I've tried a variety of things and always pleased. Their chicken is my favorite however definitely on the spicy side for those who aren't used to it. The mango dressings helps mitigate the heat and adds extra flavor. Great customer service.
(5)Elizabeth N.
Went here for a late dinner and was surprised at how much I enjoyed the experience! Probably because I had no idea what to expect. Sampler platter to start, since we couldn't decide on what exactly to order. I would shove a small child for their samosa recipe. Main course was the tomato and peanut stew. Delicious and hearty! Dessert was a bread pudding with a marmalade topping. Yummmmmm. Would go back in a heartbeat. Very cool decor and the bar shows USMNT games. Bonus!
(5)Brandi P.
I went here as a going away dinner with co-workers. I don't have any experience with South African food and I was happy with my dish. I had the Sadza Cakes and it was delicious. The rest of the table had the salmon, mussels and a salad, all of which looked amazing. The service was great until it came time for the check, which took about 45 minutes. I'll definitely be back since this is a workplace favorite and I look forward to trying some other dishes.
(4)Gregg E.
I like the place. I like that it's out of the way. I've been here for lunch and brunch. The brunch didn't wow me, but I thought it was worth coming back. Lunch was nice. For some reason I want to like this place. I like the wine list - mostly South African wines, which are under-appreciated. The waitress was friendly, but when I asked her to provide some direction on my food choice she hesitated to help and then gave me the "everything's good" answer. Just a personal peeve, but I think servers should state their opinion and have experience with the food they're serving. Such answers don't help. My chicken sandwich was good. I just wish there was more Africa in the cooking. It seemed like most of the dishes were American with an African highlight, not the other way around. I think there's real potential to bust out some solid African entrees (there's a fair amount of representation on the apps list). But the food is good. Bottom line I like it. Maybe I spent way too much time in the bar that was in the same space in the '80s, but there's a nice vibe to the space and I think they're on the right track.
(4)