Zocalo
201 E Main St, Charlottesville, VA, 22902
Zocalo Menu
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Address :
201 E Main St
Charlottesville, VA, 22902 - Phone (434) 977-4944
- Website https://zocalo-restaurant.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Trendy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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Kevin M.
well howdy, country livin' was never like this! not being from this area, rolled in to Zocalo last saturday evening expecting good things. was not disappointed. we got started early, 7:00 and the place was half-empty. there was no problem with noise at that time. this is not a sophisicated area, and there are a few trucker hats and t shirts in the crowd. but the decor is plenty swanky. we had a vodka and a margarita and both were perfectly made. rolls served with oil. our server, elizabet, was right on the spot, very attentive but not obnoxious. we started with salads, jen could not stop talking about how GOOD the spinach was, with three fried clams. i was impressed. i ordered the drunken new york strip, jen had the duck. the steak was as good as i've tasted in some time -- perfectly seasoned with a chipotle demi-glaze. a pile of baby asparagus and polenta fries topped it. the duck was perfect as well. portions were plenty good sized. the location is dead center of a lively downtown. there is much to like here. what the city has done with that neighborhood is a great example of good planning. all in all, a fine experience. for two w drinks came in at $135. i made a point to speak to the manager who was quite knowledgeable and appreciative. will definitely be back.
(5)Dan P.
A group of four of us went to go have appetizers and drinks last Tuesday, July 31st at about 7:00pm. The weather was nice so we wanted to sit outside. When we requested a table outside (all were empty except one) we were told you could only have a table if you are having a full dinner. The hostess stated, "if we wanted to sit outside, we would have to sit around one table that wraps around a tree with other customers". We left and had a nice $200 appetizer and drink bill at another restaurant a few blocks away. When we walked back past Zocalo at 9:00pm there were only four outside tables with customers. I will not be back; if they turn away paying customers, apparently they don't need my business.
(1)Stephen P.
This is a great restaurant. Get the Key Lime Roasted Chicken: so so moist, with some kick to it (but not too bad) and a tasty "avocado salad" (i.e. guacamole). I have also had the salmon and enjoyed it a lot. There is no better place to be on the mall on a nice evening than the restaurant's large patio. Get a drink even if you aren't going to stick around for dinner--superb mojitos.
(4)Ben B.
Excellent flavor in both the food and the cocktails. My duck was cooked perfectly to order. I thought the biscotti martini was very creative and tasted remarkably close to actual biscotti. My wife and I shared the salad that comes with fried oysters. I appreciated their serving the salad on two plates as we had mentioned we planned to share it. The spinach was just right, the oysters were cooked well, and the dressing complemented everything well.
(4)Patrick K.
Really good food and very nice drink menu.
(4)Christopher A.
I'm a recent transplant from the Los Angeles area, and my girlfriend was leaving the next morning back to LA after spending my first week here in my new home for the next 2 years in Charlottesville. I wanted to take her out to a nice meal, the best C-Ville had to offer. After looking at yelp for some reviews, we settled on Zocalo, made some reservations, and went out. We were very disappointed. Let me throw a disclaimer out: I may sound like a food snob, but I'm not. I HATE food snobs. I don't need to compare everything I eat to LA , SF, or NY or even DC, but I'm looking at this from a value perspective. I've spent up to $600 for a dinner for 2, and as long as it was worth it, I'm totally fine with that. It all comes down to, is it worth the money I'm spending, and for Zocalo, the answer was a definite NO. First, we ordered wine, and we were surprised with the lack of local wine. C-ville (from what i heard) tried to trump up its wine chops, using that as one of its main sources of tourism and why c-ville was so awesome. Yet on the menu, there was only ONE choice. Wine selection otherwise was decent. We started out with the Tuna Tartar and the Ceasar Salad. Both are staples at any hoity toity fancy restaurant. They were fine, nothing to write home about. I got the Pork Tenderloin. Pork was cooked well, but the execution was really sloppy. It literally tasted like the pork was cooked with a jarred marmalade. The apricot chutney was way too sweet, and corn cakes weren't the best complimentary side dish. The chorizo greens was good, but again, the entire dish was just sloppy and the flavors didn't meld well together at all. Just really poorly done. GF got the seared duck, which she also said was nothing terrific. For dessert, we got the trio of sorbets. Holy crap was that horrible. The ginger sorbet tasted odd, the passion fruit was edible, and the last one, which I don't remember, made my entire face grimmace. In fact, we didn't take any pictures of food, but my GF took a picture of my facial expression while eating the sorbet. One was bitter, one was incredibly sour, and the last one was simply edible. Overall, after taking into account the fact we spend well over $100, this place was a bust. If this really is the best that C-Ville has to offer, I'll stick to the Waffle Houses and local small eateries for the next two years, and save my desire for really good cuisine for when I go back home to LA.
(2)Lauren B.
My mom and I came here on a quiet Wednesday night- the place wasn't packed, but certainly busy. They told us they had fresh watermelon purée that day, so my mom ordered a watermelon margarita, which was good but not great. I had a fresca negra- chile infused blackberry juice + vodka, it had a complex heat but it was perfect. I'm still dreaming of the yellow tomato and cucumber gazpacho, the best gazpacho I've ever consumed. I may have to write to Bon Appetit to get the recipe! We also shared the caesar (good) and the scallops (also good).
(4)Melody M.
We weren't able to eat here, but when we came in and realized that they weren't open for lunch, we were stewarded to another local place, introduced, and left with several other recommendations if their menu didn't meet our expectations. I can't speak for the food, but the service is amazing.
(5)Mike D.
Nice spot...great food Try the arugula beet salad-awesome
(4)Deborah R.
First of all, I am a vegetarian, so if you're looking for a meat-review, go away. If you're looking for a good review, period, welcome. I have eaten here maybe 25 or 30 times in groups of three to 10. It's so dang cozy in there, I prefer it, even when the weather is nice enough to eat outside. The service isn't slow IMHO, despite what other reviewers might have experienced. It's busy-a lot- and on the weekends? It's hoppin.' I am willing to wait a few extra minutes, knowing I am in a place that keeps 'em coming. The bar is fab; it looks like something in midtown, not Charlottesville, despite how 'foody' we think we are. The whole area is packed a lot. Check the schedule at the Paramount next door...if there is an event going on that evening, it'll be packed two hours before whatever is going on there starts, so plan accordingly. The best thing here to eat? Vegetarian or not, it's the Vella Jack Cheese Fritters. Don't order them and expect to split them. It's a mistake. You'll just be angry at the other person for getting your half. Really. The sauce that comes with them...I want it on everything. The Arugula Salad and Cheese Plate are good, too, but please...how can you mess those up? While the Black Bean and Corn Relleno is the only veg plate option (come on...it's either lasagna, some stupid portabello-mushroom thingy or a pasta dish 90% of the time for vegetarians, isn't it?), it's delicious and enjoyed by all. I have had it every time I have been there...and I still like it. It's super-spicy (if you're a, 'it's too spicy,' eater, go somewhere else) and if you're in the south, you know about grits. If you're not from here, this is a good intro. If you park in the lot closest to the restaurant and you're not a local, here's a tip: they tow; no grace period. Pay the damn fee, put the ticket on your dashboard and be done with it. Or park 5 blocks away. Take your pick. This place is great. Stable, solid service, great food that knows where it belongs and doesn't portend to be anything it isn't. A great on-the-mall or pre-Paramount choice.
(4)EM S.
Very good! Great people watching from the outdoor area. I definitely would recommend!
(4)Eveline A.
Great food, great atmosphere. It is upscale without being pretentious or stuffy. I came here last night with my husband as I'd remembered that I'd had a great dinner here the last time I'd visited Charlottesville and Zocalo did not disappoint. We started with the tuna tartare with red corn tostadas (about $10), which was quite good and substantial. The seared duck breast with carmelized manchego bread pudding and chard was also quite good ($22), but a little rich for my taste. The highlight of the meal were actually the polenta fritters that came with the Drunken NY Strip ($26), which my husband declared to be the best steak he'd ever had. All in all, a solid venue.
(4)Scott R.
Outdoor dining, see and be seen. We went late in the evening around 10:30 when many of the downtown mall restaurants had stopped serving food. We had spinach salad (fine, came with light and crispy fried oysters), cheese plate (disappointing) and New York strip (very nice, came with asparagus and polenta shapped like French toast sticks). The polenta was good, but disappointing since the menu said fries. We'll go back, but not in a big hurry.
(3)Greg S.
As Yelp says, this is as good as it gets. My wife and I had a meal here on Sunday night and it was fantastic. We ate at a place the day before in Staunton that was underwhelming so we were hopeful for a rebound dinner here, and Zocalo delivered. We called ahead and got a reservation an hour into the future with no issues. When we arrived we decided to sit on the patio overlooking C-ville's Downtown Mall. Great ambience! When I ducked into the restaurant to use the restroom I was really glad that we sat outside because Zocalo's interior is very industrial and sterile. Sitting outside the restaurant definitely took on more of a European feel so yeah, sit outside. Drinks wise I had a Jack and Coke and my wife had an alcohol free Mojito. Neither were too exciting (mine was a little watery and hers was crazy-sweet) but the food made up for it. So they brought out these rolls that were kinda sucky and we started wondering if they were a harbinger of the rest of the meal. Next, we got our appetizer, the Jack Cheese Vella Fritters. They blew us away. Fried balls of gooey cheese and a sweet/spicy sauce to dip them in. So dang good. For entrees I had a Grouper dish and my wife had a Duck dish. Both were excellent. I don't usually order fish, and I'm usually disappointed when I do, but the Grouper delivered. It came on a bed of risotto and was covered with shredded leeks. The whole thing was a combination of savory and tangy that worked very well. I tried my wife's duck, it had a nice crispy outside and was just chewy enough on the inside. I think the highlight of her meal was this little cheesy bread pudding that came on the side. Zocolo, zo good.
(5)Richard S.
I've been here twice--something I normally don't do for such a pricey restaurant. However, it does deserve a good review and I'm here to write one for it, especially since it was great both times. I've tried both the mussels and the tartare for an appetizer, and both are amazing (especially the tartare, though I must say the presentation is kind of odd in my opinion). I've had the salmon and the duck for entrees, both cooked very well and intriguingly enough, very well accompanied with interesting sides. I must say the flavors presented here are definitely one of a kind, and it most certainly works. The desserts might be the weakest part of the menu, but with that said they weren't horrible. They were interesting twists on common dessert items, such as a lemon creme brulee or fruit sorbet with interesting toppings, but the flavors themselves didn't quite compel me like the entrees or appetizers did. And of course, the service was both friendly and welcoming both times. I highly recommend this restaurant--arguably the best in the Downtown Mall.
(4)Mike T.
The manager Jeremy is one of the rudest people I've met. We were told when we arrived we needed to be done with dinner in two hours bc they "needed the table". When we left there were roughly 10-15 empty tables and we were well past their 8pm seating, meaning there was no shortage of available seating. Just horrible service. Mediocre food and extremely over priced. I'll never go back.
(1)John L.
Last night was my third time at Zocalo and I went this time with my parents (this was in small part due to Tavola not taking reservations and having an hour long wait). Zocalo is a little pricey, but their food is pretty consistently good. I've had the misfortune of being at Zocalo on a Friday one time previously (or maybe it was like Valentine's Day or something), and when there are a lot of people, Zocalo can get REALLY loud inside. Yesterday there were a moderate number of people and the ambience was nice and relaxed. This place does certain things pretty damned well. I generally don't like to go to a restaurant and order the same thing every time I go, but often times when I find something I like to eat, subsequent visits end up with me ordering something else to try new things, and I tend not like them as much. Three visits, and I've ordered the Spicy Tuna Tartare every time. The portion is really not worth the price, but I think it tastes so damn good. Duck breast - I can't remember (previous visit), but I remember enjoying my meal. Scallops - Three visits, ordered three times Drunken NY strip - portion was a little small, but was very good (especially polenta) Pork shank - braised perfectly, meat was so tender Key lime chicken - cooked extremely well, but just tasted like marinated chicken to me. So there you have it, the things I've tried. Yesterday I ordered the Key Lime Chicken, and frankly, I was a little disappointed. The only reason I ordered it was because I had tried everything else except for the fish dishes (I try not to order fish at restaurants because I eat it all the time at home), and honestly, it just tasted like citrus marinated chicken over a bed of rice and beans. Good, but not for 20 bucks. Everyone else ordered other things and thoroughly enjoyed their meals. I picked off of their plates on occasion to try things here and there, and I've come to the conclusion that regardless of my taste for certain dishes here, the food is cooked really well, and I mean consistently really well. Scallops are always crusted just enough on the outside and buttery on the inside, the chicken was slice-once-soft, the braised pork slid right off the bone, and the NY strip had a perfect cool red/pink center.
(4)Cax D.
Zocalo has easily become one of my favorite Charlottesville restaurants for a "fancy" meal. Their food is sinfully good, and the atmosphere is fantastic. I usually get the steak because I can't say no to the polenta fries that come with it. They also have good cocktails and a decent wine selection. Great date night spot!
(5)Ann L.
Not impressed. Wait staff or kitchen let the order drop . Not crowded but took forever. 1 in 4 liked entree. Third time there. Will not go again. Too many great choices on mall.
(2)Lucy S.
Was visiting VA a couple months ago and stopped here for dinner on my family's last night in town. I loved the atmosphere. The food was creative and tasty. The cocktail list wasa bit limited, but the drinks were really good---not your average cocktail. My Dad makes a mean Caipirinha and most restaurants can't replicate it, but this place was a very very close second! I loved the orchids all over the restaurant and the general theme. It was upscale bar/lounge but with a great home-y restaurant feel. If I'm in Charlottesville again, I will surely be returning! Also: Loved the free wifi and it may seem weird, but I sometimes judge restaurants on their bathroom presentation. LOVED LOVED LOVED their mosaic sinks!--I was here ~2 months ago and I STILL remember them :)
(4)J H.
Reccs Roasted Butternut Squash Soup Spinach Salad - The fried oysters are the star of this dish. Seared Duck Breast - New flavors to me and I was definitely satisfied. Nice upscale restaurant with quality environment and ambiance.
(4)Ana Z.
I just discovered this place and I loved it. Tasteful interior, masculine metropolitan style, with a subtle touch of industrial. The light is perfectly dimmed to delightful cosines, without being too dark. We started with assorted cheeses, not a lot of kinds, but so delicious that I forced myself to linger on each bite, so that I could enjoy it longer. Ordered the lam for main course. It was out of this world. Cooked to perfection, juicy and delicious. Came with delicious sides and sauces - a combinations of tastes and textures that makes you roll your eyes with pleasure. The portions are small (French brasserie style) but amazingly enough that you end up feeling too full for desert. Bottom line, great experience! A little pricey for my wallet, but that will not keep me from going back. I want to try everything on that menu, eventually.
(5)Gail W.
Perfect anniversary dinner, seated outside on a beautiful evening. As great as the entrees were (salmon for him, duck breast for me), the artisanal cheese plate was the standout, with its presentation and inspiring blends of tastes and textures. Service was attentive but not smothering. I don't care for the atmosphere inside, but outside suited us superbly.
(4)Lydia H.
Lived in Charlottesville for 5 years, and this was my favorite restaurant. I only ever ordered the key lime chicken (with black bean rice and avocado salad), and it was unfailingly delicious every time. Juicy, well-seasoned chicken with well-flavored sides. The restaurant ambiance was also excellent-- upscale with understated, cool decor. What more could I ask for? Also tried mussels for the first time ever here-- not bad! (And this is coming from someone who is not a very adventurous eater, especially when it comes to seafood, so that's saying something!)
(5)Neel T.
I started with the Zocalo Burro Cocktail which was delicious. We ordered the chicken and salmon which both came out extremely quickly. The presentation was great and both tasted amazing. Portion size was perfect. I think the salmon was better than the chicken. The sauce with the chicken wasn't as good as the salmon's and the rice/beans could have used more spice and salt.
(5)Travis P.
One of the best dinners I have in a while! The food here is very interesting,unique, and tasted wonderful. It was also fairly priced considering how unique the flavors were. Our server was friendly, attentive, and gave us great advice on the area for after dinner drinks! I will definitely be returning here next time I find myself in Charlottesville.
(5)Krissy M.
YUM! Hubs and I joined some of our friends for a double date here last weekend. We had an early reservation, and so were seated immediately. The menu itself was brief, but intriguing. We decided to all get a fun drink + share a cheese platter to start off with (very good!) I cannot recall the names of everything people ordered, but between the 4 of us, there were the following entrees: flounder, scallops, duck, and my entree: the black bean and corn relleno. YUM! All the entrees were plated beautifully and had wonderful flavors. The prices were a little high, but to be expected for the atmosphere and location.
(4)Artcha W.
The hubby and I had a great dinner. This is a super late review because we actually were there last Sept when the weather was warmer. We had our dinner on the patio where we enjoyed the view of people walking along the mall. The good and mixed drinks were great! The most memorable thing was my scallops. They were huge, soft, and sweet. I will definitely return again for future date nights.
(4)Katherine M.
The menu here is very interesting, overall the food was good, and the waitstaff was helpful. My only complaint is that the portions are a bit too large for such rich food! Try: Chili Relleno and the Cheese Fritters
(3)Lisa N.
A nice upscale restaurant at the heart of downtown Cville. I ordered the scallops (4 for $24...) and my friend ordered the seared duck. Both were delicious. Service was average (it took a while to bring out the food, but that was probably because my party was large) and decor was nice. (+) selection, atmosphere, location (-) price, service
(3)Andy H.
I live just outside of Washington, DC and the food at Zocalo is as good or better than the best restaurants DC has to offer at a fraction of the price. The food is spectacular and the service was equally good. I was very impressed with the variety of menu options and their wine and drinks list are excellent. The Drunken NY Strip with polenta and asparagus was delicious and the Chili Dusted Sea Scallops were the best we have ever had. The atmosphere was laid back and friendly and the bar was a great place to get a drink before dinner. My wife and I will dining here each time we are in Charlottesville.
(5)Lisa G.
Another Charlottesville institution that's way overrated (and overpriced). A little bit of food (that's just average in taste) for a whole lot of money and pretentious service.
(2)Emily D.
This is one of the best restaurants in Charlottesville. The black bean chile relleno is amazing as is the tuna tartare and polenta fries. The mussels come in a broth that is so flavorful--don't let them take the plate until you get every drop! They have an extensive list of specialty cocktails that use fresh juices that are really tasty. Reservations are helpful as it gets crowded.
(5)Renee B.
My review is somewhat biased because it's only based on drinks and the vegetarian entree' but this is my favorite *nice* restaurant in cville. Delicious mixed drinks, good wine selection, nice staff, and the most inventive and delicious veg menu item I've seen in town. Everyone I take here loves their meal and drinks. I would highly recommend, especially for vegetarians looking for something different.
(5)Mary T.
We had a great meal here a couple of weeks ago with a friend from out-of-town who was staying at the Omni - 3 of us and everyone was happy with what they ordered. I had the scallops and they were some of the best ever. WE sat in the part by the fireplace which is quiet and easy to talk. The only reason not to give it a 5 star is that it can be loud if you sit in the main section. Service was great.
(4)Ronda D.
I just finished a meal here, and I was not impressed. The service was very slow. I only wanted a glass of water to drink and the water didn't come until 15 minutes later when my meal arrived. I ordered the seared duck and the meal was slightly warm at most. The sides were tasty, but the duck was kind of rubbery and I was disappointed at how raw it was on the inside. There's slightly pink and then there is pink, and I think of duck like chicken, where pink is just wrong. The bread rolls and oil came after the meal was delivered, which I thought was weird. I love bread and would have enjoyed that as I waited on my food (and water). My waiter took forever to check on me and my water glass wasn't refilled until I was eating my dessert, despite being empty for a long time. I ordered the sorbet for dessert. It was a mix of interesting flavors, but some of it was half melted by the time it arrived. This place seemed like it could be so much more, but unfortunately, they are lacking in many areas. I won't be returning.
(2)Jennifer R.
Wow...what is it about the attitude at these upscale restaurants in this mall? After a day of traveling and walking we showed up at opening, 5:30. Said we wanted drinks and apps. They wouldn't give us a table 'because those are for dining patrons'. Placed us at a reserved table with the understanding we would have to leave when those patrons arrived. I have a photo showing the empty place and the service ignoring us and waiting for us to down our drinks and leave. Up the mall further to find 2 more places who happily welcomed us and we spent a great deal of money on food, drinks and the staff who know how to treat travelers.
(1)Becca C.
I haven't eaten at Zocalo, only came in for cocktails. It's got that vibe...inviting, good service, and a fantastic location on the Downtown mall. I'd like to go back if I'm ever in Cville again.
(4)Elizabeth A.
7 girls in town for a bachelorette, we had the best dinner at zocalo last night. Everything was delicious, portions were huge and service was AMAZING! Great recommendations, deftly kept our water glasses full, provided garbage bags for us to turn into ponchos to protect us from the torrential rain and so friendly on top of it all. We all had the best time in Cville and I will definitely be bringing my husband back to town and zocalo soon!
(5)Jeremy G.
For a small town, Charlottesville has a lot of good restaurants. Zocalo (from what I have heard) is considered one of the better ones. It certainly has the right location (outdoor seating on the downtown mall). Things started out great - spicy tuna tartar (rocked) and a cheese plate (I'm a sucker for cheeses). My main dish failed me though. I asked for the waiter's advice and he said "the Drunken NY Strip Steak made him stop being a vegetarian." How could I argue with that??? The meat was juicy and tender but the sauce was so strong that it didn't really matter. I tend to like sauces but I also think they should complement the underlying food... in this case it dominated it. I know it's a "drunken steak" but that shouldn't mean I need to be drunk to like it. I sampled some of the other dishes: Black Bean and Corn Relleno and the Key Lime Free Range Chicken. They were better but not outstanding. Loved the atmosphere and liked the service and hopefully next time I'll dig the entrees more.
(3)Paul C.
Very good food. A nice change from the many Charlottesville upscale restaurants which all seem to serve new American/new southern cuisine. Lots of spice and bold flavors. Unfortunately the service was quite slow, and the noise level was a little much. All and all an great meal though.
(4)John P.
My girlfriend and I went there for New Year's Eve dinner. The service was good, despite being quite busy. We had mussels in a spicy broth, a wonderful "drunken" steak, and superb cocktails. I had a drink with jalapeno in it which is up there for one of the best cocktails I have ever had. Definitely would go back if I'm in town again.
(4)Chelsea M.
Drove straight from DC to C-ville and walked in on a Friday night bracing myself for a long wait, if not because this place looked adorable, because it was a big UVA weekend (Foxfields). Amazingly, there was no wait and we were seated immediately at a lounge table, which is essentially a two-top on a raised stage facing the bar. Given that we were reservation-less on a Friday, I'm ok with that. It was our server's first day and she was an all-star. Very sweet and knew a great deal about the menu- per usual, I asked a lot of questions and changed my order 2 minutes after making it. I know, I know- I am a true test for any server, let alone a newbie. My tuna tartare was good (not that spicy, as advertised, to my surprise), but the star starter was the mussels. My Caesar salad with polenta croutons was delish and the NY drunke strip was also a hit. Mojitos here are a go, the greyhound was too sweet. Service with a smile, upscale atmosphere without the 'tude, I'm a fan and would definitely go back the next time I'm in town.
(4)Brett H.
One of the best meals I've had in recent memory. I had the duck and my girlfriend had the chicken. Service was good and quick, even with a crowded dining room.
(5)John F.
Smoked trout, greens, radishes, and a potato pancake made for an awesome salad. Cheese fritters were amazing. Scallops with Thai chili sauce really good.
(5)Kate S.
I was lucky to get a $100 gift certificate to Zocalo, so I took my boyfriend out for a fancy meal. We did the whole nine yards: wine, appetizers, entrees, and dessert. It was a really nice experience. The décor was chic and the atmosphere was more than casual, but not pretentious. For two people who rarely go out on fancy dates, we still felt comfortable at Zocalo. We both started with the butternut squash soup, which was silky and perfectly spiced. We both enjoyed our chili-dusted scallops (me) and drunken NY strip steak (him). The plates were pretty but also generously portioned, although we were still left with room for some yummy passion fruit semifrio dessert. The two of us spent just about exactly $100, maybe a bit more, so it's definitely not cheap. But it's an excellent choice for a special occasion, and make sure to get a reservation because it took us a few tries before we finally got a table!
(5)Eric M.
I guess it's good. I feel a little pressured to rate this high because it is one of the nicer places in C'ville. I would rate Zinc above Zocalo. That said, they have an above average wine list and a great drink menu. The food is interesting, but their menu hasn't evolved lately.
(3)Ellen D.
I went to Zocalo for dinner with a group of seven picky eaters & we were all VERY pleased with our meals. The Roasted Butternut Squash Soup was delicious as was the Vella Jack Cheese Fritters, and the Drunken NY Strip. The fritters came with this amazing sauce- equally sweet & spicy- YUMMY. We ordered a Spanish bottle of wine that was very tasty, but my favorite drink was a strawberry mojito; it was perfectly made & lacked the overwhelming mint taste that usually accompanies most mojitos. Just a touch of mint :) This restaurant is a bit expensive if you go for apps, entrees, & drinks- but hey, you get what you pay for!
(4)JK L.
We stopped by for drinks only. Dirty martini with jalapeno was awesome and bartenders were very friendly.
(4)Les B.
A group of us went here a few weeks ago. The food was very, very good. We ate inside because it was still kind of hot and humid outside. I would much rather have eaten outside because the inside of the restaurant is dark and dreary and there is nothing to look at. It was a very slow Sunday evening and the service was ok, not great considering how slow they were. The key lime chicken entree was very good, a huge portion, and the salmon entree was also good. The watermelon salad was very good, also a large portion. We all enjoyed our entrees very much. I would come back again the next time I'm in the Charlottesville area and I would definitely try to sit outside to people-watch! The menu here is small yet unique.
(4)Liz M.
We ate here on Friday night and ordered the drunken NY strip and the pan seared grouper. Both were excellent. The atmosphere is exciting and fun. Lots of waiters running back and forth, serving the large number of tables. Great waitress, too. Highly recommend it.
(4)Beth K.
Really great seafood - love sitting outside when the weather is nice or ordering drinks inside at the bar.
(4)Jessica M.
Ive been to Zocalo many times for drinks (their mojitos and gray hounds are some of the best in town), but never for dinner and went for the first time Friday night. I'm a vegetarian, so I have to say, the menu is not the most vegetarian-friendly, which might be a reason I would give it a lower review, but the few veggie dishes I had were outstanding. We got the cheese fritters to start with and they are like little gourmet mac and cheese balls that had the most perfect crust, which apparenly is just how the cheese fries up when you cook it. I also was crazy about my roasted pepper, which Im sorry I cant remember the name of the dish now, but it was amazing (and the only veggie entree). I was nervous bc its a stuffed jalapeno pepper but it was the perfected degree of spiceness and the smoked tomato grits underneath were incredible as well and the perfect compliment. We also had an amazing, congenial waiter, that was ready to help us with anything, even on a busy Friday night. The one sad thing about Zocalo is that they hardly ever change their menu, but honestly if they keep making the dishes I got as well as they do I wont need to go back for anything else.
(5)RJ C.
We went to Zocalo on a whim tonight. It was hot outside (unusually so) and we decided to walk on the mall and choose a restaurant. Our history is that when Zocalo first opened, we went there and had a "special" that ranked amonth the best meals ever eaten. We were hooked and went there weekly for a couple of years. But the spcials waned and the menu never changed and the quality deteriorated a bit. Tonight was a disappointment. The spinach salad with oysters was excellent. The steak was marginal at best. The polenta fries were WAY over-cooked to the point that they crumbled into dry curmbs when cut with a fork. The scallops, I am told were quite good. The server was efficient to excess. The entire meal, which we hoped to be leisurely and with many drinks on an otherwise boring evening, was over in much less than an hour...and we effectively were "booted" from the restaurant. When we finished our rolls (one each), the server grabbed the plates and olive oil without even a question as to whether or not we'd like another roll (T minus 15 minutes and first drink gone). I'd rank the quality of the fook in the 25th percentile, the value (not cheap) in the 10th percentile and the service....well, it depends on what you're looking for. If you want the efficiency of a Mexican restaurant where you're asked to order your entre with your initial drinks, it was great. If you want casual/leisurely dining on a hot Saturday night, with drinks and chat, it sucked eggs.....you can place it where you think it should go with regard to percentile. All in all, it was a huge disappointment and a mistake.
(2)Chloe C.
The best thing about Zocalo is its fully stocked bar and delicious cocktails. I went recently for dinner, and was underwhelmed by the selection of entrees. There was only one vegetarian entree, and everything else looked like a heavy platter of meat. I ordered the "drunken strip steak," which tasted like it had been bathed in barbecue sauce. The side of asparagus was also bland and didn't complement the flavor of the steak at all. Not what I was hoping (or expecting) for a $26 menu item. On a more positive note, their appetizers are huge and tasty (especially the caesar), and their desserts are well worth it, too. I'll definitely go back for the drinks, maybe for a small bite, but never again for dinner.
(3)Leslie K.
The bar scene is fancy-schmancy. Meaning, you'll pay $9 a drink. In the winter it's freezing, primarily because they open all the doors to kick you out at last call. I've never had food here but maybe one day I will, the menu looks good, but pricey. People are usually dressed nicely in here. It can get really loud.
(3)H. C.
By far, the BEST restaurant on the downtown mall!!! Great flavor combinations and solid variety on the menu. The polenta fries are FANTASTIC and the tuna tartar is some of the best I've ever had (and I'm a sushi addict!). Also a big fan of the mixed drinks...a very eclectic mix of both sweet and savory (the Dirty Spicy is a wonderful dinner martini...perfect amount of heat from fresh jalapeno).
(5)Joe A.
great apps and wine choice; in an expansive seating area; entree was not inspired nor completely cooked; we left early for gealto...enjoyed overall but not a super experience
(3)Michelle D.
Pricey and worth it. Beautiful presentation and a great combination of flavors. We started with the spinach salad, which they split for us on two plates. It came stacked and oh so yummy. I had the scallops in one of the best light sauces I've ever had, sounds spicy, but isn't, just very flavorful. My husband had the duck. Prepared perfectly and again, very flavorful. The veggies that came with we also fab. Highly recommended. We sat on the patio, it was really nice to be in the open on the walking mall.
(5)Diana R.
Hands down best restaurant in Charlottesville! The menu is innovative and delicious, the service is friendly, prices are reasonable- I only wish it didn't have a lounge/bar ambience, rather than a nice restaurant feel. Love the outdoor seating, though. I highly recommend the mussels, tuna tartate and scallops- sooo good!
(4)Jason D.
We were walking on the downtown mall and randomly chose this place. Definitely turned out to be a pleasant surprise. The spinach salad with fried mussels had a unique tasty dressing. I got the grouper, served with a outstanding side of sweet pea risotto. My wife got a beef dish that was thinly sliced with some sort of chipotle sauce. Beef was perfectly cooked, but the sauce was a little strong... fortunately most of the sauce was around the meat, so you could adjust to your taste. And finally, the lemon creme brûlée was very nicely prepared. If we're in town again, we.will definitely go back.
(5)Lindsay T.
If my Bubbe asks the waitress to get the recipe for her dish, this has to be an AMAZING restaurant. Nestled on the downtown mall, it's one of a handful of places that make you forget you're in the middle of Virginia to think you're in Manhattan. Great place to lounge for cocktails and appetizers, and obviously a great place to bring the parents.
(5)Tan W.
Zocalo could do with a personality upgrade. I've had drinks here several times, but never food. The drinks are pricey at about $9-11, and are an interesting mix, some tasty, some not as much. It's a nice place in Cville to go for a more grown-up feel. Don't expect any music worth noting, and it doesn't feel very loungy, but it's a good place to go if you have a group of people who wanna hang out and catch up over a few drinks.
(3)Emily G.
zany, tasty, polenta fries...but all food was exquisite...room feels a little too industrial for my taste...but barely noticed because i was in food heaven.
(5)Pragna H.
First time here to open the weekend getaway in Charlottesville. Food, ambiance, and service were pretty much top notch. I liked that the fact that they asked if the patron would like some bread to begin their meal. Why waste, if the patrons aren't interested? We sure were and devoured the bread which came piping hot from the oven. Crusty on the outside and soft on the inside. As appetizers, we got the mussels and the cheese fritters. The mussels were among the best I have ever had and I eat a lot of lot of mussels. The broth had very complex notes of spices and heat. I didn't know what to do with the grilled tortilla though. It doesn't help in sopping up the yummy broth. The fritters lived up to their promise - crispy shell holding a gooey inside. The sauce was spicy as well with bold notes of paprika. I got the duck breast and my companion got the steak. I wasn't a big fan of the sauce for the steak, but the polenta fries that came with the steaks hit the spot. Seems like Zocalo does a good job with its fried foods! My duck breast was simply amazing! The skin was crispy with the fat under it rendered away. The meat was tender. The sauce was sweet and spicy which complemented both the bacon chards and the duck. The manchego bread pudding was not my fave, but it's a personal preference. The bottom got soggy because of the sauce. I ate the crispy top and enjoyed it thoroughly. Would definitely go back given the opportunity! A truly memorable meal and highly recommended if you are looking for a casual-ish dinner that you are going to have fond memories of for a long time!
(4)Donald M.
First time eating here on Friday 7 Aug. Dined with friends who are locals and were familiar with the restaurant. Haven't given many 5 star ratings, but this place deserved it. Ate on the outside patio. Service was excellent, although I think it's kind of cheap to make bread "complimentary upon request". Other than the bread everything was excellent Tuna tartar appetizer was to die for. Entree's of duck, steak, and salmon (can't remember the fourth) where excellently prepared with unusual but equally tasteful sides accompanying each main course. The selection of wines were mostly all from South America, but the red blend that we chose was very, very nice. While enjoying all of this great food, we were entertained by street jugglers performing on the mall right outside the restaurant. Walked inside. The atmosphere was very inviting and it looked like it would have been just as pleasant to dine inside as out Great experience and would definitely recommend this establishment to anyone.
(5)Alex B.
Great flavors! Solid portions. Chile rellleno is baller, the steak is super tender, and the drinks are great. Server Emily was super professional and efficient . Great job all around .
(5)Agnes L.
Visited this place twice - once on a double date and another time for a girls' night during Restaurant Week. Both visits had it's pluses and minuses. This review is based on my most recent visit during RW for the $36-prefixed menu. App: *Roasted Carrot Soup - My fav part of the whole meal because it was so concentrated with flavor and very fresh. Entree: *Yellow Tomato Cioppino - Very light broth and didn't taste as much of the salsa verde but the seafood was a good portion. Dessert: *Coconut Flan - Disappointing as I've made flan with my family growing up (Filipino version). This was cloyingly sweet and didn't have the hit of spice I craved from the menu description of "chili coconut flakes" that would have balanced it. Besides the lack of spice/flavor on some dishes (something I wouldn't expect in Latin food), I'm also docking stars because a) I distinctly remember that the restaurant ran out of basic ingredients (like bread) the first time I visited. b) Service took too long (granted it was a weekend during RW) but we felt a bit ignored when we tried to get lemon or straws for our waters, or the bill at the end.
(2)Victoria N.
Came here for the Zy.De.Co. night and the food was great! They had a different menu, but for 50$ I was able to get nearly everything on the menu and it was enough to split between my boyfriend and me. The only problem was that the music was WAYYY too loud, I couldn't hear the waitress or even myself talk. Besides that, service was fine, nothing spectacular.
(4)David M.
Is it possible to have a bad meal at Zocalo...I don't think so. Wife's birthday dinner featured Chipotle Pork Tenderloin for two of us, Salmon for the wife, and Chicken for the boys. Every thing was great. Service excellent, a little loud inside, too windy outside where we normally sit. If you haven't been to Zocalo, do your self a favor the next time you're on the Downtown Mall.
(5)Liz J.
It was difficult to eat here without breaking the bank, but we managed to do it. We ordered a salad and an entree to share, and a glass of wine each. The full bottles of wine were a little outside of our price range. We weren't too hungry, so the small salad and entree were enough for both of us, but on a normal day, I would have been a bit disappointed in the size of my salad. The arugula salad was your typical arugula salad with beets and cheese that is popping up on menus everywhere. The black bean and corn relleno was a really good entree that I had never had before, and it was quite interesting. I would definitely try it whether or not you are specifically looking for something vegetarian. Service was a little slow, especially for a Sunday night with few people sitting inside (most were outside). We didn't get our bread until after our entrees arrived, which was a bit strange, although we didn't have to wait too long for our dinner to begin with. Our server didn't seem too happy that we didn't order a full three course meal for each of us and multiple drinks, but otherwise, we had a pretty nice time.
(3)Robert M.
We had a fantastic time at Zocalo last night! It was our first time in Charlottesville and I was a bit worried. The past 25 years of my life have been spent in San Francisco and Portland, OR, both very much food cities. We were very pleasantly surprised!! Our server Sheri (sp?) was awesome! We ordered and ate a lot of food. We started with 3 apps. The watermelon salad was extremely bright and very tasty with just a hint of spice. The chili broth steamed mussels were incredible, especially with extra bread for dipping!! The spicy tuna tartar was fantastic. We each then had the yellow tomato and cucumber gazpacho with shrimp salad, probably one of the best gazpachos I've ever had! We should have stopped there, but we did not. Next came the chili dusted sea scallops with a wonderful carrot-vanilla sauce., seared duck breast with a manchego bread pudding & Swiss chard. Also ordered was the spinach salad with masa fried oysters and warm cider bacon vinaigrette. The entire experience was fantastic! We were also given pointers of other area spots that are popular with locals. If I ever return to Charlottesville, I will be stopping in to Zocalo again.
(5)Erica R.
The food at Zocalo is well-prepared and tasty. I recommend the free range lime chicken although my date got the scallops and they were also really good. This restaurant is good for those of us who are dairy and gluten free. The atmosphere is very warm and romantic. The only thing that really sucks is the parking situation. We couldn't find any close parking and had to walk pretty far in the cold but it was worth it!
(4)Alex M.
The tuna tartare is so so good! Great atmosphere, really tasty and nicely presented food, and good service. It is a little pricey, but in my opinion it is the best meal you will get in C'ville for the price. That is just the way prices for good food work here.
(4)Grace M.
Zocalo was pretty good. But with the reviews I was expecting it to be outstandingly delicious--it was just good. We had the cheese fritters to start which were tasty but the sauce was a little bit like sweet chili sauce from the bottle and they were a touch on the cold side. I had the duck because I saw such good reviews (I don't normally order duck but everyone was raving)--too sweet for my liking and a little bit too greasy. It was cooked nearly perfectly though and the greens and the grit cake that came on the side were pretty good. Dining partner had steak--cooked perfectly but again the sauce tasted a little bit like it was out of a bottle. Polenta fries were interesting in concept but a little bland. They did have a pretty decent selection of wine, beer and cocktails. The server was nice but a tad slow overall. The food was fairly priced and the atmosphere is nice. Overall, because I don't live in C-ville, I'd say I probably wouldn't rush back, but I wouldn't protest if someone wanted to take me there. Seems like a great place to just grab a drink and an app.
(3)Nicolette F.
My husband and I went here last night during our mini-vacation in Charlottesville. A few highlights: 1. The service is wonderful! We had a great attentive waiter (Nick) who made sure we had a fantastic evening (and we did). 2. You have to get the Roasted Butternut Squash Soup. It was so good that my husband wanted to "try it" and then never gave it back. 3. The Seared Duck Breast is like Thanksgiving 2.0: hearty, delicious and filling. 4. I also enjoyed the Spicy Tuna Tartar (the appetizer that took my soup's place after it was stolen), but make sure your waiter brings you more chips.
(4)Christina S.
My coworkers and I were looking for a place to get dinner together on Friday night, during prime dining hours. After being told an hour wait time at some places on the mall, we came to Zocalo. Zocalo is an industrial looking space, which makes me a lot of noise. We couldn't hear each other at all, and I had a huge headache by the end of my dinner. Luckily the food was delicious. I got the sear duck breast (manchego & caramelized onion bread pudding, bacon braised swiss chard, chipotle port compote), which was incredible. The duck was a little tough to cut through, but every part of this dish worked. It was one of the most delicious things I've eaten in a very long time. Despite the noise levels, Zocalo serves great food. Everyone in my party was raving about their dishes. I will definitely be back!
(4)Daniel D.
Damn, this is one of the best restaurants I've tried in Charlottesville thus far. The experience starts as soon as you walk in the restaurant; the hostess if ready to take you to your table, as you walk through a brick exposed walls. The restaurant offers a wide variety of drinks ranging from cocktails to wines from around the world. Then come the appetizers we tried two different dishes that night and both were exceptional, with very refined flavors. Each appetizer can be shared between 2-3 people and everyone can enjoy a little bit. As for the main dish I tried the drunken steak, and it was delicious. Even though main dish portions are not huge, I believe they are enough. And this experience wouldn't be complete without dessert, we tried a lemon creme brulee and it was amazing. Overall, this is a 1 page menu restaurant, meaning that every single dish you try will hit the tastebuds in the right places. All the dishes have a little bit of latin american inspiration while being very refined dishes. I would recommend this restaurant for people going out with couples, and with a group of friends who enjoy refined food.
(5)Brandy Q.
Overall service was good - not overwhelming great, but solid / good. The food was very good! I had scallops which were perfectly cooked and well seasoned. Would definitely go again! My husband had the seared duck which he loved. The compote and the bread pudding were both excellent accompaniments. Despite my appreciation for outdoor seating, we ate inside as it was less crowded and I did read other reviews which said the atmosphere was loud. Indoors, when less crowded and sitting between the bar and the front outdoor seating area is a good place to sit. Not too much noise however your server passes by regularly so any request can be addressed fairly quickly.
(4)Gia M.
Zocalo is an example of some really fine cuisine and great drinks. While my dinner companion and I only ordered salads (we just weren't hungry enough for a full dinner), I was roundly impressed. I ordered an arugula salad that arrived with sliced beets, goat cheese, and pine nuts, with a very light vinaigrette of some sort drizzled on top. It was so yummy and the arugula had that perfect crunch that I love. I've never eaten beets in a salad before, and while I feel like my teeth probably turned red, it was definitely worth it. My companion had a salad that arrived with fried oysters and they sure looked tasty! As for the drinks, I was in the mood for a margarita and was blown away by the different choices that Zocalo offers for cocktail customization. I decided to go for the blood orange margarita, which was a little more tart than I am used to, but my oh my was it strong and good. I nursed it as long as I could without letting the ice water it down. I would eat here again if I had the money to splurge (or if there was a nice date involved), but I could easily return for drinks at another time. The restaurant has a lounge-y sort of vibe near the bar that's great for happy hour cocktails.
(4)Traci G.
We ate here a few months ago but the meal is still memorable. It was a beautiful evening so we sat outdoors. Highly recommend this if possible. Our food was all excellent- not one complaint about any dish. We started with the mussels in chili sauce. Very tasty. For entrees our table had the scallops, drunken steak, and grilled salmon. All were delicious but I think the salmon and goat cheese couscous won as the best! Our server was very attentive and gave us some excellent wine recommendations. We will definitely go back when in town!
(5)Hanoch R.
good and nice high end restaurant in downtown Main Street Charlottesville va got for starters the tuna and the cheese balls and for main the salmon. all nicely and cordially served.
(5)C C.
Overall, I was a big fan of Zocalo. The atmosphere is fun and lively, if a bit on the loud side. Service was excellent; our waitress was friendly and helpful without over-exerting herself into our evening. The timing of the meal was great and she was also on hand filling up water glasses and clearing empty plates and utensils. I had a Loose Goose martini; it was sweet yet tangy from fresh lemon juice; it was shaken just right. I had the Vella Jack Cheese Fritters as an appetizer; the crunch outside from being fried was great and the sauce was nice... but overall, they were just OK. I didn't bother to finish them and would not order again. As an entree, I had a pork porterhouse with pineapple jalapeno gastrique; it was served with chorizo braised collards and mashed sweet potatoes, but I asked for the smoked tomato grits instead. YUM! The pork was cooked expertly and was perfectly seasoned. The gastrique added some sweetness as well as spice and acidity; it was really excellent. The smoked tomato grits were awesome; creamy and course and the smoked tomato flavor added some real interest. The collards were wonderful, but I didn't get a lot of chorizo flavor. Overall, it all worked really well together and I thoroughly enjoyed my meal. We ordered a Mexican chocolate bread pudding and a lemon creme brulee for the table. The creme brulee was good but the bread pudding was really excellent! Moist and rich, but not overpowering. DEFINITELY would order again.
(4)Jason G.
My partner and I ate at Zocalo while we were in Charlottesville for the weekend, and overall I felt it had good food with limited selections in a fun atmosphere. The floor plan of this entire restaurant is open, so the vibe is is noisy and busy. We were seated in the corner, but I assume being in the middle of the restaurant can get pretty loud with nothing to block voices from nearby tables. Their drink menu was large, but not that great. I enjoy trying different cocktails and creations when I go to restaurants, so I figured I would stick with cocktails and not wine. I'm not normally a mango drinker, but one of their cocktails had chili sugar, so I decided to try that out. What I thought would be a sweet and spicy kind of drink was just sweet. I got no hint of chili or spice at all, and I was just basically drinking a mango purée. No thanks. The food was hit or miss for us. For appetizer, the cheese fritters were bland to me, but my partner like them. And we didn't even bother finishing the mussels, because they were small muscles and drenched in tomato sauce. The duck confit was fine, but nothing special. For entree, I had the rockfish with the rocket salad on top and specifically asked for them to take away the tomatillo sauce on the bottom. I'm glad I did, because I saw another example of the rockfish with the tomatillo sauce,and it just turned into a soggy mess. The rockfish was fine, but not really seasoned and it was missable. I will say that my partner's scallops were absolutely delicious. Some of the best scallops I had in a very long time. The portion was four large scallops, over some kind of potato cake, and it was a very very good dish. I had the crème brûlée for dessert, and it was well-executed, but not much else. Overall, because this was my first foray into downtown Charlottesville, I don't know whether I cannot recommend this restaurant over the other offerings on the main street. My meal wasn't amazing, so I'm certainly not in a rush to go back to Zocalo.
(3)Patrick T.
Me: Excuse me. This martini has a hair coming out of the olive. Bartender: (After third excuse me). Looking up from iPhone: what? Me: repeat about hair in martini Bartender: I don't see it but I will give you a new drink Waiter: I can tell you this it is not the bartender's hair! Cause that is what matters. Could you do a worse job on service. Maybe this is common enough there they are nonchalant.., Stay away!
(1)E D.
My husband and I enjoyed everything about it. Charlottesville has many great restaurants... This one is underrated.
(4)Sneha P.
I've always wanted to try this restaurant and wasn't disappointed! Although the menu is limited, the chicken and salmon dishes we ordered were excellent. Chicken was cooked well and flavorful but the salmon dish stole the night. It was juicy and had the perfect amount of flavoring and was bedded on top of couscous tossed in a light creamy sauce... Delicious! The food is on the pricier side for the quantity but this is a great place to try at least once if in cville.
(4)Brittany B.
Good food, good service, great location and fun atmosphere. They sat our large group and provided great service to all. The food was savory and well spiced. The drink menu was diverse and fun. After dinner, we went to the Whisky Jar to see the band. Millers is also closely located.
(4)Han V.
I really enjoyed the food during my last visit here. The "spicy" tuna tartar wasn't that spicy in my opinion but I thought that it was a nice start to the meal. My lamb over creamed corn and mint sauce was perfectly cooked and was a really interesting combination of flavors. My friend's scallops were cooked nicely and were beautifully presented. My friend's duck dish was nice and tender and they gave a good portion of duck. The new york strip I tried was cooked well but I don't think that it was worth the $30 price tag. The only angst about my experience here was that despite making a reservation, my party was placed in the back corner of restaurant. This in turn led to slower, inattentive service. Overall, the food and location make this place worth it. Service on the other hand, could have been much better for this type of establishment. Food: 4 Value: 4 Service: 2.5 Overall: 3.5
(4)Amber M.
I really enjoyed this place. It was the first time I've ever had food like this. It is not American as yelp has it listed. The atmosphere it a bit classy but you can wear casual clothing. The restaurant is very spacious and even has outdoor seating! The hosts are pleasant and so are the waiters. I ordered the salmon plate which was simply amazing. The goat cheese couscous definitely was different but tasted great. I'll definitely be going back!
(5)Brittany J.
O M G. By far the best dining experience I've had in 2012. Made particularly excellent by the superlative service! Came here with a birthday party of 12 and boy were they ready. Our server was phenomenal. She knew the menu forwards, backwards, and inside out, made awesome suggestions, and made sure every guest was satisfied. She even split checks. For a party of 12. FROM MEMORY. The awesomeness glinting off of her blonde messy bun is blinding. I love establishments that feature local artists as the decor. I'm not sure if the pieces were for sale, but the interior is very inviting; great for pictures and first dates. The food. I tried a couple different things, and overall had a great experience. Surprisingly good mussels this far south (with an amazing broth we sopped up with the delicious warm dinner rolls). I also had the manchego bread pudding. That is death row last meal level eating. If I knew I was never going to eat another thing I would DEFINITELY request it. I also had scallops that had some sort of chili powder seasoning thing happening. Yes, yes, and yes. I ate well past fullness just because the flavors were so worth it. Drinks, also amazing. Literally everything off of the cocktail menu I ordered and tried (about 3 or 4 things) was delicious. The party shared two desserts, one in some sort of amazing Bailey's sauce that I would've enjoyed much more if I hadn't already been so full. I have already suggested to several people that are going to Charlottesville, thinking of going to Charlottesville, wanting to go to Charlottesville, that they stop by this place. It alone is worth the trip from DC.
(5)David D.
Great spot on the C'ville downtown mall... Didn't see much of the inside of the restaurant (we were seated on the patio), but it appeared to be inviting... Restaurant handled a party of 7 seamlessly. Service was smooth and entrees arrived at the same time, all piping hot... Our party had a range of entrees and all were excellent -- very flavorful and artfully presented.... Good choices of local beer (always key)...
(4)R L.
If you've never been to Zocalo or have a really big group, then it's probably a decent place to go. Service is quite good, nice central location and food is fine. Otherwise, there aren't a lot of great reasons to go back. The menu is essentially the exact same since the place opened. The wine pours are half size. I could go on, but you get the point. There are too many other places in Cville to go to that are a better overall experience. I'm crossing it off the list for now. Hopefully, they'll decide to stop milking the place for what it's worth.
(2)Jeannette B.
My dinner party was looking to share some light-ish fare (instead of dinner entrees), and we loved the small plates featured on the menu at Zocalo. The vella jack cheese fritters were a major hit at our table, as were the herb polenta fries and smoked tomato grits. We sat inside and while things were a bit loud and rowdy for my taste, we enjoyed ourselves nonetheless. If the weather is cooperative, I would opt for outdoor seating instead.
(4)Vivian C.
***4.5 Stars For starters, the spicy tuna tartar was fantastic! To pair with a cylindrical cutout of tuna tartar were some delicate easter-red chips made for hands-on scooping. The combination of crispiness and sashimi tuna with spiced garnishes allowed for a development of flavors. With each bite, it just got better. For entrées, I chose the Seared Duck Breast, while my date leaned towards the Drunken New York Strip. I was so amazed at how all the food groups came in sync with each other. Though cooked to a perfect medium, the duck was not easily sliced. It required quite a chew on my part, but this didn't affect the quality of the dish itself, given that the caramelized onion bread pudding, braised chard, and the chipotle port compote were magnifico!
(4)Daniel A.
Spicy Tuna tartare was a little spicier than I would like... It almost overpowered the tuna itself Gazpacho was very good and refreshing, the use of good quality olive oil really shined in this dish. The quality of the mussels were not the best we've ever had but the broth was VERY flavorful. Pan seared rockfish over fried risotto The relleno seemed to be a popular dish. 4 of the next 10 dishes that came out were the relleno so it's definitely on my list the next time I'm in Charlottesville.
(4)John H.
A long time downtown favorite for me. Service is hit & miss. Cocktails are second best downtown and food tasty. Eat early as bar heats up quickly.
(4)Peter M.
Fantastic food. The salmon and goat cheese and green chili couscous was sooooo good. The fried cheese balls are awesome too. Drinks also high end.
(5)Jennifer M.
Got last minute reservations for the weekend before Valentine's day when someone cancelled. I was so happy! I don't typically like mussels, but the mussels in a type of garlic chili broth are amazing!!! They're savory and aren't gritty/sandy! Pretty big portion to share between two people... although you'll be left still be wanting more of these tasty shellfishies because they're just that darn good. My bf had the salmon and I had the duck. We disagreed on who's dish was better, but at least we both loved it! I typically don't like spinach either (yes, picky eater here) but the spinach that came with the duck was very palatable. Duck was cooked perfectly, not too fatty, and tasted of perfection! It definitely fits the bill (pun intended) Zocalo is fine dining with a casual atmosphere. So really, it's whatever you want it to be! They're very accommodating anyways with great recommendations. I want to come back soon!
(5)Craig D.
I had an awful experience at this place. I went here with some friends recently on a Saturday night to have a few drinks. We were tame and minding our own business sitting at a table. As soon as two o'clock hit the bartender yelled that they were closed and came directly over to our table and ripped away the full beers she had just sold my friend for the group less than 10 minutes earlier. If that's not enough, she came directly back and literally ripped drinks out of our hands without warning. She did not ask for them, she took or demanded. Keep in Mind this is about 2:04 at this point. The proceeded to try to rip my quarter full pint from my hand and I refused. She pitched a fit saying she could lose her job. I bartenders for two years not long ago and find this whole situation ridiculous. I've never witnessed such an abrupt and rude closing. She could have asked for us to kindly finish our drinks and make towards the door. She could have been respectful. Frankly, she was unnecessarily rude and my friends and I left zocalo with a horrible taste jn our mouth. Don't come here if you are looking for a cool laid back bar in the mall. I will not be back.
(1)Mike H.
Had Valentine's Day dinner here with my wife. A bit noisy, but I love the atmosphere and decor. The food was near perfect. It was the best pork I've ever had. The flavors were wonderfully complimentary, and kept me thinking "wow" from the first bite to the last. Definitely our new favorite restaurant.
(5)Maryann C.
Went to Zocalo for Valentine's day (and the first time) and loved it! Even though it was busy, the service was great. The food was fantastic. We had the cheese fritters, the spicy tuna tartar, braised pork, and rockfish (the risotto cake underneath was the best). I'm not a huge fan of lighting that's so dim, but everything else was great!
(5)Riley W.
While the menu is limited, most of the choices sounded good to me. I had the Scallops. They were fantastic. The sauce is slightly sweet and when combined with the plantains, spinach and scallop created a wonderful taste. The scallops were large and cooked to perfection, just short of crispy. I was here on a Wednesday night and had a great dinner. Since the place was only about half full, I was seated next to the fire place which was nice considering how cold it was outside. The service was first rate, checking once In a while on me without being annoying. The food was top notch and the service great. They earned the 5 stars.
(5)Lauren B.
If the host wasn't so incompetent we could have eaten here. We walked in and asked for a table of two. Instead of saying we have a table available or I'm sorry we don't have anything available for tonight, he said we could have a table but only if we could be out in an hour and a half because reservations would be coming in. Ok, we're quick eaters, but never having been to this restaurant before how am I supposed to know how long it is going to take the kitchen and the server? Isn't that his job as the host to be able to manage walk-ins and reservations? So we get shown to a table by a running fireplace and try to sit down but it is just way too hot. It's 70+ degrees outside and they have a fireplace running! The couple behind us declined to sit over there too after we said it was too hot they said it would definitely be too hot for them to sit over there. We go back to the host stand and they show us what other tables we could sit at. We are shown to a round table in the bar area with a booth on one side. We ask if we can sit on the other side at a table with 2 chairs, but evidently those all were reserved. The restaurant is practically empty! So instead we'd have to sit 2 people on the booth side at this small, tiny circular table in the bar section for dinner seeing they didn't offer to get us a chair for the other side. Realizing this was already quickly becoming a restaurant failure with incompetent hosts who were less than accommodating and pretty much couldn't do their job of managing tables and the flow of the EMPTY restaurant we decided to leave before it became even worse! Maybe this place is ok if you have reservations considering it appears they save your table for the entire night!
(1)Krissy M.
YUM! Hubs and I joined some of our friends for a double date here last weekend. We had an early reservation, and so were seated immediately. The menu itself was brief, but intriguing. We decided to all get a fun drink + share a cheese platter to start off with (very good!) I cannot recall the names of everything people ordered, but between the 4 of us, there were the following entrees: flounder, scallops, duck, and my entree: the black bean and corn relleno. YUM! All the entrees were plated beautifully and had wonderful flavors. The prices were a little high, but to be expected for the atmosphere and location.
(4)Artcha W.
The hubby and I had a great dinner. This is a super late review because we actually were there last Sept when the weather was warmer. We had our dinner on the patio where we enjoyed the view of people walking along the mall. The good and mixed drinks were great! The most memorable thing was my scallops. They were huge, soft, and sweet. I will definitely return again for future date nights.
(4)Katherine M.
The menu here is very interesting, overall the food was good, and the waitstaff was helpful. My only complaint is that the portions are a bit too large for such rich food! Try: Chili Relleno and the Cheese Fritters
(3)Lisa N.
A nice upscale restaurant at the heart of downtown Cville. I ordered the scallops (4 for $24...) and my friend ordered the seared duck. Both were delicious. Service was average (it took a while to bring out the food, but that was probably because my party was large) and decor was nice. (+) selection, atmosphere, location (-) price, service
(3)Andy H.
I live just outside of Washington, DC and the food at Zocalo is as good or better than the best restaurants DC has to offer at a fraction of the price. The food is spectacular and the service was equally good. I was very impressed with the variety of menu options and their wine and drinks list are excellent. The Drunken NY Strip with polenta and asparagus was delicious and the Chili Dusted Sea Scallops were the best we have ever had. The atmosphere was laid back and friendly and the bar was a great place to get a drink before dinner. My wife and I will dining here each time we are in Charlottesville.
(5)Lisa G.
Another Charlottesville institution that's way overrated (and overpriced). A little bit of food (that's just average in taste) for a whole lot of money and pretentious service.
(2)Emily D.
This is one of the best restaurants in Charlottesville. The black bean chile relleno is amazing as is the tuna tartare and polenta fries. The mussels come in a broth that is so flavorful--don't let them take the plate until you get every drop! They have an extensive list of specialty cocktails that use fresh juices that are really tasty. Reservations are helpful as it gets crowded.
(5)Pragna H.
First time here to open the weekend getaway in Charlottesville. Food, ambiance, and service were pretty much top notch. I liked that the fact that they asked if the patron would like some bread to begin their meal. Why waste, if the patrons aren't interested? We sure were and devoured the bread which came piping hot from the oven. Crusty on the outside and soft on the inside. As appetizers, we got the mussels and the cheese fritters. The mussels were among the best I have ever had and I eat a lot of lot of mussels. The broth had very complex notes of spices and heat. I didn't know what to do with the grilled tortilla though. It doesn't help in sopping up the yummy broth. The fritters lived up to their promise - crispy shell holding a gooey inside. The sauce was spicy as well with bold notes of paprika. I got the duck breast and my companion got the steak. I wasn't a big fan of the sauce for the steak, but the polenta fries that came with the steaks hit the spot. Seems like Zocalo does a good job with its fried foods! My duck breast was simply amazing! The skin was crispy with the fat under it rendered away. The meat was tender. The sauce was sweet and spicy which complemented both the bacon chards and the duck. The manchego bread pudding was not my fave, but it's a personal preference. The bottom got soggy because of the sauce. I ate the crispy top and enjoyed it thoroughly. Would definitely go back given the opportunity! A truly memorable meal and highly recommended if you are looking for a casual-ish dinner that you are going to have fond memories of for a long time!
(4)Donald M.
First time eating here on Friday 7 Aug. Dined with friends who are locals and were familiar with the restaurant. Haven't given many 5 star ratings, but this place deserved it. Ate on the outside patio. Service was excellent, although I think it's kind of cheap to make bread "complimentary upon request". Other than the bread everything was excellent Tuna tartar appetizer was to die for. Entree's of duck, steak, and salmon (can't remember the fourth) where excellently prepared with unusual but equally tasteful sides accompanying each main course. The selection of wines were mostly all from South America, but the red blend that we chose was very, very nice. While enjoying all of this great food, we were entertained by street jugglers performing on the mall right outside the restaurant. Walked inside. The atmosphere was very inviting and it looked like it would have been just as pleasant to dine inside as out Great experience and would definitely recommend this establishment to anyone.
(5)Alex B.
Great flavors! Solid portions. Chile rellleno is baller, the steak is super tender, and the drinks are great. Server Emily was super professional and efficient . Great job all around .
(5)Nicolette F.
My husband and I went here last night during our mini-vacation in Charlottesville. A few highlights: 1. The service is wonderful! We had a great attentive waiter (Nick) who made sure we had a fantastic evening (and we did). 2. You have to get the Roasted Butternut Squash Soup. It was so good that my husband wanted to "try it" and then never gave it back. 3. The Seared Duck Breast is like Thanksgiving 2.0: hearty, delicious and filling. 4. I also enjoyed the Spicy Tuna Tartar (the appetizer that took my soup's place after it was stolen), but make sure your waiter brings you more chips.
(4)Agnes L.
Visited this place twice - once on a double date and another time for a girls' night during Restaurant Week. Both visits had it's pluses and minuses. This review is based on my most recent visit during RW for the $36-prefixed menu. App: *Roasted Carrot Soup - My fav part of the whole meal because it was so concentrated with flavor and very fresh. Entree: *Yellow Tomato Cioppino - Very light broth and didn't taste as much of the salsa verde but the seafood was a good portion. Dessert: *Coconut Flan - Disappointing as I've made flan with my family growing up (Filipino version). This was cloyingly sweet and didn't have the hit of spice I craved from the menu description of "chili coconut flakes" that would have balanced it. Besides the lack of spice/flavor on some dishes (something I wouldn't expect in Latin food), I'm also docking stars because a) I distinctly remember that the restaurant ran out of basic ingredients (like bread) the first time I visited. b) Service took too long (granted it was a weekend during RW) but we felt a bit ignored when we tried to get lemon or straws for our waters, or the bill at the end.
(2)Victoria N.
Came here for the Zy.De.Co. night and the food was great! They had a different menu, but for 50$ I was able to get nearly everything on the menu and it was enough to split between my boyfriend and me. The only problem was that the music was WAYYY too loud, I couldn't hear the waitress or even myself talk. Besides that, service was fine, nothing spectacular.
(4)David M.
Is it possible to have a bad meal at Zocalo...I don't think so. Wife's birthday dinner featured Chipotle Pork Tenderloin for two of us, Salmon for the wife, and Chicken for the boys. Every thing was great. Service excellent, a little loud inside, too windy outside where we normally sit. If you haven't been to Zocalo, do your self a favor the next time you're on the Downtown Mall.
(5)Liz J.
It was difficult to eat here without breaking the bank, but we managed to do it. We ordered a salad and an entree to share, and a glass of wine each. The full bottles of wine were a little outside of our price range. We weren't too hungry, so the small salad and entree were enough for both of us, but on a normal day, I would have been a bit disappointed in the size of my salad. The arugula salad was your typical arugula salad with beets and cheese that is popping up on menus everywhere. The black bean and corn relleno was a really good entree that I had never had before, and it was quite interesting. I would definitely try it whether or not you are specifically looking for something vegetarian. Service was a little slow, especially for a Sunday night with few people sitting inside (most were outside). We didn't get our bread until after our entrees arrived, which was a bit strange, although we didn't have to wait too long for our dinner to begin with. Our server didn't seem too happy that we didn't order a full three course meal for each of us and multiple drinks, but otherwise, we had a pretty nice time.
(3)Robert M.
We had a fantastic time at Zocalo last night! It was our first time in Charlottesville and I was a bit worried. The past 25 years of my life have been spent in San Francisco and Portland, OR, both very much food cities. We were very pleasantly surprised!! Our server Sheri (sp?) was awesome! We ordered and ate a lot of food. We started with 3 apps. The watermelon salad was extremely bright and very tasty with just a hint of spice. The chili broth steamed mussels were incredible, especially with extra bread for dipping!! The spicy tuna tartar was fantastic. We each then had the yellow tomato and cucumber gazpacho with shrimp salad, probably one of the best gazpachos I've ever had! We should have stopped there, but we did not. Next came the chili dusted sea scallops with a wonderful carrot-vanilla sauce., seared duck breast with a manchego bread pudding & Swiss chard. Also ordered was the spinach salad with masa fried oysters and warm cider bacon vinaigrette. The entire experience was fantastic! We were also given pointers of other area spots that are popular with locals. If I ever return to Charlottesville, I will be stopping in to Zocalo again.
(5)Erica R.
The food at Zocalo is well-prepared and tasty. I recommend the free range lime chicken although my date got the scallops and they were also really good. This restaurant is good for those of us who are dairy and gluten free. The atmosphere is very warm and romantic. The only thing that really sucks is the parking situation. We couldn't find any close parking and had to walk pretty far in the cold but it was worth it!
(4)Alex M.
The tuna tartare is so so good! Great atmosphere, really tasty and nicely presented food, and good service. It is a little pricey, but in my opinion it is the best meal you will get in C'ville for the price. That is just the way prices for good food work here.
(4)Grace M.
Zocalo was pretty good. But with the reviews I was expecting it to be outstandingly delicious--it was just good. We had the cheese fritters to start which were tasty but the sauce was a little bit like sweet chili sauce from the bottle and they were a touch on the cold side. I had the duck because I saw such good reviews (I don't normally order duck but everyone was raving)--too sweet for my liking and a little bit too greasy. It was cooked nearly perfectly though and the greens and the grit cake that came on the side were pretty good. Dining partner had steak--cooked perfectly but again the sauce tasted a little bit like it was out of a bottle. Polenta fries were interesting in concept but a little bland. They did have a pretty decent selection of wine, beer and cocktails. The server was nice but a tad slow overall. The food was fairly priced and the atmosphere is nice. Overall, because I don't live in C-ville, I'd say I probably wouldn't rush back, but I wouldn't protest if someone wanted to take me there. Seems like a great place to just grab a drink and an app.
(3)Renee B.
My review is somewhat biased because it's only based on drinks and the vegetarian entree' but this is my favorite *nice* restaurant in cville. Delicious mixed drinks, good wine selection, nice staff, and the most inventive and delicious veg menu item I've seen in town. Everyone I take here loves their meal and drinks. I would highly recommend, especially for vegetarians looking for something different.
(5)Mary T.
We had a great meal here a couple of weeks ago with a friend from out-of-town who was staying at the Omni - 3 of us and everyone was happy with what they ordered. I had the scallops and they were some of the best ever. WE sat in the part by the fireplace which is quiet and easy to talk. The only reason not to give it a 5 star is that it can be loud if you sit in the main section. Service was great.
(4)Ronda D.
I just finished a meal here, and I was not impressed. The service was very slow. I only wanted a glass of water to drink and the water didn't come until 15 minutes later when my meal arrived. I ordered the seared duck and the meal was slightly warm at most. The sides were tasty, but the duck was kind of rubbery and I was disappointed at how raw it was on the inside. There's slightly pink and then there is pink, and I think of duck like chicken, where pink is just wrong. The bread rolls and oil came after the meal was delivered, which I thought was weird. I love bread and would have enjoyed that as I waited on my food (and water). My waiter took forever to check on me and my water glass wasn't refilled until I was eating my dessert, despite being empty for a long time. I ordered the sorbet for dessert. It was a mix of interesting flavors, but some of it was half melted by the time it arrived. This place seemed like it could be so much more, but unfortunately, they are lacking in many areas. I won't be returning.
(2)Jennifer R.
Wow...what is it about the attitude at these upscale restaurants in this mall? After a day of traveling and walking we showed up at opening, 5:30. Said we wanted drinks and apps. They wouldn't give us a table 'because those are for dining patrons'. Placed us at a reserved table with the understanding we would have to leave when those patrons arrived. I have a photo showing the empty place and the service ignoring us and waiting for us to down our drinks and leave. Up the mall further to find 2 more places who happily welcomed us and we spent a great deal of money on food, drinks and the staff who know how to treat travelers.
(1)Becca C.
I haven't eaten at Zocalo, only came in for cocktails. It's got that vibe...inviting, good service, and a fantastic location on the Downtown mall. I'd like to go back if I'm ever in Cville again.
(4)Elizabeth A.
7 girls in town for a bachelorette, we had the best dinner at zocalo last night. Everything was delicious, portions were huge and service was AMAZING! Great recommendations, deftly kept our water glasses full, provided garbage bags for us to turn into ponchos to protect us from the torrential rain and so friendly on top of it all. We all had the best time in Cville and I will definitely be bringing my husband back to town and zocalo soon!
(5)Kevin M.
well howdy, country livin' was never like this! not being from this area, rolled in to Zocalo last saturday evening expecting good things. was not disappointed. we got started early, 7:00 and the place was half-empty. there was no problem with noise at that time. this is not a sophisicated area, and there are a few trucker hats and t shirts in the crowd. but the decor is plenty swanky. we had a vodka and a margarita and both were perfectly made. rolls served with oil. our server, elizabet, was right on the spot, very attentive but not obnoxious. we started with salads, jen could not stop talking about how GOOD the spinach was, with three fried clams. i was impressed. i ordered the drunken new york strip, jen had the duck. the steak was as good as i've tasted in some time -- perfectly seasoned with a chipotle demi-glaze. a pile of baby asparagus and polenta fries topped it. the duck was perfect as well. portions were plenty good sized. the location is dead center of a lively downtown. there is much to like here. what the city has done with that neighborhood is a great example of good planning. all in all, a fine experience. for two w drinks came in at $135. i made a point to speak to the manager who was quite knowledgeable and appreciative. will definitely be back.
(5)Dan P.
A group of four of us went to go have appetizers and drinks last Tuesday, July 31st at about 7:00pm. The weather was nice so we wanted to sit outside. When we requested a table outside (all were empty except one) we were told you could only have a table if you are having a full dinner. The hostess stated, "if we wanted to sit outside, we would have to sit around one table that wraps around a tree with other customers". We left and had a nice $200 appetizer and drink bill at another restaurant a few blocks away. When we walked back past Zocalo at 9:00pm there were only four outside tables with customers. I will not be back; if they turn away paying customers, apparently they don't need my business.
(1)Stephen P.
This is a great restaurant. Get the Key Lime Roasted Chicken: so so moist, with some kick to it (but not too bad) and a tasty "avocado salad" (i.e. guacamole). I have also had the salmon and enjoyed it a lot. There is no better place to be on the mall on a nice evening than the restaurant's large patio. Get a drink even if you aren't going to stick around for dinner--superb mojitos.
(4)Ellen D.
I went to Zocalo for dinner with a group of seven picky eaters & we were all VERY pleased with our meals. The Roasted Butternut Squash Soup was delicious as was the Vella Jack Cheese Fritters, and the Drunken NY Strip. The fritters came with this amazing sauce- equally sweet & spicy- YUMMY. We ordered a Spanish bottle of wine that was very tasty, but my favorite drink was a strawberry mojito; it was perfectly made & lacked the overwhelming mint taste that usually accompanies most mojitos. Just a touch of mint :) This restaurant is a bit expensive if you go for apps, entrees, & drinks- but hey, you get what you pay for!
(4)JK L.
We stopped by for drinks only. Dirty martini with jalapeno was awesome and bartenders were very friendly.
(4)Christopher A.
I'm a recent transplant from the Los Angeles area, and my girlfriend was leaving the next morning back to LA after spending my first week here in my new home for the next 2 years in Charlottesville. I wanted to take her out to a nice meal, the best C-Ville had to offer. After looking at yelp for some reviews, we settled on Zocalo, made some reservations, and went out. We were very disappointed. Let me throw a disclaimer out: I may sound like a food snob, but I'm not. I HATE food snobs. I don't need to compare everything I eat to LA , SF, or NY or even DC, but I'm looking at this from a value perspective. I've spent up to $600 for a dinner for 2, and as long as it was worth it, I'm totally fine with that. It all comes down to, is it worth the money I'm spending, and for Zocalo, the answer was a definite NO. First, we ordered wine, and we were surprised with the lack of local wine. C-ville (from what i heard) tried to trump up its wine chops, using that as one of its main sources of tourism and why c-ville was so awesome. Yet on the menu, there was only ONE choice. Wine selection otherwise was decent. We started out with the Tuna Tartar and the Ceasar Salad. Both are staples at any hoity toity fancy restaurant. They were fine, nothing to write home about. I got the Pork Tenderloin. Pork was cooked well, but the execution was really sloppy. It literally tasted like the pork was cooked with a jarred marmalade. The apricot chutney was way too sweet, and corn cakes weren't the best complimentary side dish. The chorizo greens was good, but again, the entire dish was just sloppy and the flavors didn't meld well together at all. Just really poorly done. GF got the seared duck, which she also said was nothing terrific. For dessert, we got the trio of sorbets. Holy crap was that horrible. The ginger sorbet tasted odd, the passion fruit was edible, and the last one, which I don't remember, made my entire face grimmace. In fact, we didn't take any pictures of food, but my GF took a picture of my facial expression while eating the sorbet. One was bitter, one was incredibly sour, and the last one was simply edible. Overall, after taking into account the fact we spend well over $100, this place was a bust. If this really is the best that C-Ville has to offer, I'll stick to the Waffle Houses and local small eateries for the next two years, and save my desire for really good cuisine for when I go back home to LA.
(2)Lauren B.
My mom and I came here on a quiet Wednesday night- the place wasn't packed, but certainly busy. They told us they had fresh watermelon purée that day, so my mom ordered a watermelon margarita, which was good but not great. I had a fresca negra- chile infused blackberry juice + vodka, it had a complex heat but it was perfect. I'm still dreaming of the yellow tomato and cucumber gazpacho, the best gazpacho I've ever consumed. I may have to write to Bon Appetit to get the recipe! We also shared the caesar (good) and the scallops (also good).
(4)Melody M.
We weren't able to eat here, but when we came in and realized that they weren't open for lunch, we were stewarded to another local place, introduced, and left with several other recommendations if their menu didn't meet our expectations. I can't speak for the food, but the service is amazing.
(5)Mike D.
Nice spot...great food Try the arugula beet salad-awesome
(4)Deborah R.
First of all, I am a vegetarian, so if you're looking for a meat-review, go away. If you're looking for a good review, period, welcome. I have eaten here maybe 25 or 30 times in groups of three to 10. It's so dang cozy in there, I prefer it, even when the weather is nice enough to eat outside. The service isn't slow IMHO, despite what other reviewers might have experienced. It's busy-a lot- and on the weekends? It's hoppin.' I am willing to wait a few extra minutes, knowing I am in a place that keeps 'em coming. The bar is fab; it looks like something in midtown, not Charlottesville, despite how 'foody' we think we are. The whole area is packed a lot. Check the schedule at the Paramount next door...if there is an event going on that evening, it'll be packed two hours before whatever is going on there starts, so plan accordingly. The best thing here to eat? Vegetarian or not, it's the Vella Jack Cheese Fritters. Don't order them and expect to split them. It's a mistake. You'll just be angry at the other person for getting your half. Really. The sauce that comes with them...I want it on everything. The Arugula Salad and Cheese Plate are good, too, but please...how can you mess those up? While the Black Bean and Corn Relleno is the only veg plate option (come on...it's either lasagna, some stupid portabello-mushroom thingy or a pasta dish 90% of the time for vegetarians, isn't it?), it's delicious and enjoyed by all. I have had it every time I have been there...and I still like it. It's super-spicy (if you're a, 'it's too spicy,' eater, go somewhere else) and if you're in the south, you know about grits. If you're not from here, this is a good intro. If you park in the lot closest to the restaurant and you're not a local, here's a tip: they tow; no grace period. Pay the damn fee, put the ticket on your dashboard and be done with it. Or park 5 blocks away. Take your pick. This place is great. Stable, solid service, great food that knows where it belongs and doesn't portend to be anything it isn't. A great on-the-mall or pre-Paramount choice.
(4)EM S.
Very good! Great people watching from the outdoor area. I definitely would recommend!
(4)Mike T.
The manager Jeremy is one of the rudest people I've met. We were told when we arrived we needed to be done with dinner in two hours bc they "needed the table". When we left there were roughly 10-15 empty tables and we were well past their 8pm seating, meaning there was no shortage of available seating. Just horrible service. Mediocre food and extremely over priced. I'll never go back.
(1)Kate S.
I was lucky to get a $100 gift certificate to Zocalo, so I took my boyfriend out for a fancy meal. We did the whole nine yards: wine, appetizers, entrees, and dessert. It was a really nice experience. The décor was chic and the atmosphere was more than casual, but not pretentious. For two people who rarely go out on fancy dates, we still felt comfortable at Zocalo. We both started with the butternut squash soup, which was silky and perfectly spiced. We both enjoyed our chili-dusted scallops (me) and drunken NY strip steak (him). The plates were pretty but also generously portioned, although we were still left with room for some yummy passion fruit semifrio dessert. The two of us spent just about exactly $100, maybe a bit more, so it's definitely not cheap. But it's an excellent choice for a special occasion, and make sure to get a reservation because it took us a few tries before we finally got a table!
(5)Greg S.
As Yelp says, this is as good as it gets. My wife and I had a meal here on Sunday night and it was fantastic. We ate at a place the day before in Staunton that was underwhelming so we were hopeful for a rebound dinner here, and Zocalo delivered. We called ahead and got a reservation an hour into the future with no issues. When we arrived we decided to sit on the patio overlooking C-ville's Downtown Mall. Great ambience! When I ducked into the restaurant to use the restroom I was really glad that we sat outside because Zocalo's interior is very industrial and sterile. Sitting outside the restaurant definitely took on more of a European feel so yeah, sit outside. Drinks wise I had a Jack and Coke and my wife had an alcohol free Mojito. Neither were too exciting (mine was a little watery and hers was crazy-sweet) but the food made up for it. So they brought out these rolls that were kinda sucky and we started wondering if they were a harbinger of the rest of the meal. Next, we got our appetizer, the Jack Cheese Vella Fritters. They blew us away. Fried balls of gooey cheese and a sweet/spicy sauce to dip them in. So dang good. For entrees I had a Grouper dish and my wife had a Duck dish. Both were excellent. I don't usually order fish, and I'm usually disappointed when I do, but the Grouper delivered. It came on a bed of risotto and was covered with shredded leeks. The whole thing was a combination of savory and tangy that worked very well. I tried my wife's duck, it had a nice crispy outside and was just chewy enough on the inside. I think the highlight of her meal was this little cheesy bread pudding that came on the side. Zocolo, zo good.
(5)Richard S.
I've been here twice--something I normally don't do for such a pricey restaurant. However, it does deserve a good review and I'm here to write one for it, especially since it was great both times. I've tried both the mussels and the tartare for an appetizer, and both are amazing (especially the tartare, though I must say the presentation is kind of odd in my opinion). I've had the salmon and the duck for entrees, both cooked very well and intriguingly enough, very well accompanied with interesting sides. I must say the flavors presented here are definitely one of a kind, and it most certainly works. The desserts might be the weakest part of the menu, but with that said they weren't horrible. They were interesting twists on common dessert items, such as a lemon creme brulee or fruit sorbet with interesting toppings, but the flavors themselves didn't quite compel me like the entrees or appetizers did. And of course, the service was both friendly and welcoming both times. I highly recommend this restaurant--arguably the best in the Downtown Mall.
(4)Eric M.
I guess it's good. I feel a little pressured to rate this high because it is one of the nicer places in C'ville. I would rate Zinc above Zocalo. That said, they have an above average wine list and a great drink menu. The food is interesting, but their menu hasn't evolved lately.
(3)Jeremy G.
For a small town, Charlottesville has a lot of good restaurants. Zocalo (from what I have heard) is considered one of the better ones. It certainly has the right location (outdoor seating on the downtown mall). Things started out great - spicy tuna tartar (rocked) and a cheese plate (I'm a sucker for cheeses). My main dish failed me though. I asked for the waiter's advice and he said "the Drunken NY Strip Steak made him stop being a vegetarian." How could I argue with that??? The meat was juicy and tender but the sauce was so strong that it didn't really matter. I tend to like sauces but I also think they should complement the underlying food... in this case it dominated it. I know it's a "drunken steak" but that shouldn't mean I need to be drunk to like it. I sampled some of the other dishes: Black Bean and Corn Relleno and the Key Lime Free Range Chicken. They were better but not outstanding. Loved the atmosphere and liked the service and hopefully next time I'll dig the entrees more.
(3)Paul C.
Very good food. A nice change from the many Charlottesville upscale restaurants which all seem to serve new American/new southern cuisine. Lots of spice and bold flavors. Unfortunately the service was quite slow, and the noise level was a little much. All and all an great meal though.
(4)John P.
My girlfriend and I went there for New Year's Eve dinner. The service was good, despite being quite busy. We had mussels in a spicy broth, a wonderful "drunken" steak, and superb cocktails. I had a drink with jalapeno in it which is up there for one of the best cocktails I have ever had. Definitely would go back if I'm in town again.
(4)Chelsea M.
Drove straight from DC to C-ville and walked in on a Friday night bracing myself for a long wait, if not because this place looked adorable, because it was a big UVA weekend (Foxfields). Amazingly, there was no wait and we were seated immediately at a lounge table, which is essentially a two-top on a raised stage facing the bar. Given that we were reservation-less on a Friday, I'm ok with that. It was our server's first day and she was an all-star. Very sweet and knew a great deal about the menu- per usual, I asked a lot of questions and changed my order 2 minutes after making it. I know, I know- I am a true test for any server, let alone a newbie. My tuna tartare was good (not that spicy, as advertised, to my surprise), but the star starter was the mussels. My Caesar salad with polenta croutons was delish and the NY drunke strip was also a hit. Mojitos here are a go, the greyhound was too sweet. Service with a smile, upscale atmosphere without the 'tude, I'm a fan and would definitely go back the next time I'm in town.
(4)Brett H.
One of the best meals I've had in recent memory. I had the duck and my girlfriend had the chicken. Service was good and quick, even with a crowded dining room.
(5)John F.
Smoked trout, greens, radishes, and a potato pancake made for an awesome salad. Cheese fritters were amazing. Scallops with Thai chili sauce really good.
(5)Les B.
A group of us went here a few weeks ago. The food was very, very good. We ate inside because it was still kind of hot and humid outside. I would much rather have eaten outside because the inside of the restaurant is dark and dreary and there is nothing to look at. It was a very slow Sunday evening and the service was ok, not great considering how slow they were. The key lime chicken entree was very good, a huge portion, and the salmon entree was also good. The watermelon salad was very good, also a large portion. We all enjoyed our entrees very much. I would come back again the next time I'm in the Charlottesville area and I would definitely try to sit outside to people-watch! The menu here is small yet unique.
(4)Liz M.
We ate here on Friday night and ordered the drunken NY strip and the pan seared grouper. Both were excellent. The atmosphere is exciting and fun. Lots of waiters running back and forth, serving the large number of tables. Great waitress, too. Highly recommend it.
(4)Beth K.
Really great seafood - love sitting outside when the weather is nice or ordering drinks inside at the bar.
(4)Ben B.
Excellent flavor in both the food and the cocktails. My duck was cooked perfectly to order. I thought the biscotti martini was very creative and tasted remarkably close to actual biscotti. My wife and I shared the salad that comes with fried oysters. I appreciated their serving the salad on two plates as we had mentioned we planned to share it. The spinach was just right, the oysters were cooked well, and the dressing complemented everything well.
(4)Patrick K.
Really good food and very nice drink menu.
(4)Jessica M.
Ive been to Zocalo many times for drinks (their mojitos and gray hounds are some of the best in town), but never for dinner and went for the first time Friday night. I'm a vegetarian, so I have to say, the menu is not the most vegetarian-friendly, which might be a reason I would give it a lower review, but the few veggie dishes I had were outstanding. We got the cheese fritters to start with and they are like little gourmet mac and cheese balls that had the most perfect crust, which apparenly is just how the cheese fries up when you cook it. I also was crazy about my roasted pepper, which Im sorry I cant remember the name of the dish now, but it was amazing (and the only veggie entree). I was nervous bc its a stuffed jalapeno pepper but it was the perfected degree of spiceness and the smoked tomato grits underneath were incredible as well and the perfect compliment. We also had an amazing, congenial waiter, that was ready to help us with anything, even on a busy Friday night. The one sad thing about Zocalo is that they hardly ever change their menu, but honestly if they keep making the dishes I got as well as they do I wont need to go back for anything else.
(5)RJ C.
We went to Zocalo on a whim tonight. It was hot outside (unusually so) and we decided to walk on the mall and choose a restaurant. Our history is that when Zocalo first opened, we went there and had a "special" that ranked amonth the best meals ever eaten. We were hooked and went there weekly for a couple of years. But the spcials waned and the menu never changed and the quality deteriorated a bit. Tonight was a disappointment. The spinach salad with oysters was excellent. The steak was marginal at best. The polenta fries were WAY over-cooked to the point that they crumbled into dry curmbs when cut with a fork. The scallops, I am told were quite good. The server was efficient to excess. The entire meal, which we hoped to be leisurely and with many drinks on an otherwise boring evening, was over in much less than an hour...and we effectively were "booted" from the restaurant. When we finished our rolls (one each), the server grabbed the plates and olive oil without even a question as to whether or not we'd like another roll (T minus 15 minutes and first drink gone). I'd rank the quality of the fook in the 25th percentile, the value (not cheap) in the 10th percentile and the service....well, it depends on what you're looking for. If you want the efficiency of a Mexican restaurant where you're asked to order your entre with your initial drinks, it was great. If you want casual/leisurely dining on a hot Saturday night, with drinks and chat, it sucked eggs.....you can place it where you think it should go with regard to percentile. All in all, it was a huge disappointment and a mistake.
(2)Chloe C.
The best thing about Zocalo is its fully stocked bar and delicious cocktails. I went recently for dinner, and was underwhelmed by the selection of entrees. There was only one vegetarian entree, and everything else looked like a heavy platter of meat. I ordered the "drunken strip steak," which tasted like it had been bathed in barbecue sauce. The side of asparagus was also bland and didn't complement the flavor of the steak at all. Not what I was hoping (or expecting) for a $26 menu item. On a more positive note, their appetizers are huge and tasty (especially the caesar), and their desserts are well worth it, too. I'll definitely go back for the drinks, maybe for a small bite, but never again for dinner.
(3)Eveline A.
Great food, great atmosphere. It is upscale without being pretentious or stuffy. I came here last night with my husband as I'd remembered that I'd had a great dinner here the last time I'd visited Charlottesville and Zocalo did not disappoint. We started with the tuna tartare with red corn tostadas (about $10), which was quite good and substantial. The seared duck breast with carmelized manchego bread pudding and chard was also quite good ($22), but a little rich for my taste. The highlight of the meal were actually the polenta fritters that came with the Drunken NY Strip ($26), which my husband declared to be the best steak he'd ever had. All in all, a solid venue.
(4)Scott R.
Outdoor dining, see and be seen. We went late in the evening around 10:30 when many of the downtown mall restaurants had stopped serving food. We had spinach salad (fine, came with light and crispy fried oysters), cheese plate (disappointing) and New York strip (very nice, came with asparagus and polenta shapped like French toast sticks). The polenta was good, but disappointing since the menu said fries. We'll go back, but not in a big hurry.
(3)Leslie K.
The bar scene is fancy-schmancy. Meaning, you'll pay $9 a drink. In the winter it's freezing, primarily because they open all the doors to kick you out at last call. I've never had food here but maybe one day I will, the menu looks good, but pricey. People are usually dressed nicely in here. It can get really loud.
(3)H. C.
By far, the BEST restaurant on the downtown mall!!! Great flavor combinations and solid variety on the menu. The polenta fries are FANTASTIC and the tuna tartar is some of the best I've ever had (and I'm a sushi addict!). Also a big fan of the mixed drinks...a very eclectic mix of both sweet and savory (the Dirty Spicy is a wonderful dinner martini...perfect amount of heat from fresh jalapeno).
(5)Joe A.
great apps and wine choice; in an expansive seating area; entree was not inspired nor completely cooked; we left early for gealto...enjoyed overall but not a super experience
(3)Michelle D.
Pricey and worth it. Beautiful presentation and a great combination of flavors. We started with the spinach salad, which they split for us on two plates. It came stacked and oh so yummy. I had the scallops in one of the best light sauces I've ever had, sounds spicy, but isn't, just very flavorful. My husband had the duck. Prepared perfectly and again, very flavorful. The veggies that came with we also fab. Highly recommended. We sat on the patio, it was really nice to be in the open on the walking mall.
(5)Diana R.
Hands down best restaurant in Charlottesville! The menu is innovative and delicious, the service is friendly, prices are reasonable- I only wish it didn't have a lounge/bar ambience, rather than a nice restaurant feel. Love the outdoor seating, though. I highly recommend the mussels, tuna tartate and scallops- sooo good!
(4)Jason D.
We were walking on the downtown mall and randomly chose this place. Definitely turned out to be a pleasant surprise. The spinach salad with fried mussels had a unique tasty dressing. I got the grouper, served with a outstanding side of sweet pea risotto. My wife got a beef dish that was thinly sliced with some sort of chipotle sauce. Beef was perfectly cooked, but the sauce was a little strong... fortunately most of the sauce was around the meat, so you could adjust to your taste. And finally, the lemon creme brûlée was very nicely prepared. If we're in town again, we.will definitely go back.
(5)Lindsay T.
If my Bubbe asks the waitress to get the recipe for her dish, this has to be an AMAZING restaurant. Nestled on the downtown mall, it's one of a handful of places that make you forget you're in the middle of Virginia to think you're in Manhattan. Great place to lounge for cocktails and appetizers, and obviously a great place to bring the parents.
(5)Tan W.
Zocalo could do with a personality upgrade. I've had drinks here several times, but never food. The drinks are pricey at about $9-11, and are an interesting mix, some tasty, some not as much. It's a nice place in Cville to go for a more grown-up feel. Don't expect any music worth noting, and it doesn't feel very loungy, but it's a good place to go if you have a group of people who wanna hang out and catch up over a few drinks.
(3)Emily G.
zany, tasty, polenta fries...but all food was exquisite...room feels a little too industrial for my taste...but barely noticed because i was in food heaven.
(5)Christina S.
My coworkers and I were looking for a place to get dinner together on Friday night, during prime dining hours. After being told an hour wait time at some places on the mall, we came to Zocalo. Zocalo is an industrial looking space, which makes me a lot of noise. We couldn't hear each other at all, and I had a huge headache by the end of my dinner. Luckily the food was delicious. I got the sear duck breast (manchego & caramelized onion bread pudding, bacon braised swiss chard, chipotle port compote), which was incredible. The duck was a little tough to cut through, but every part of this dish worked. It was one of the most delicious things I've eaten in a very long time. Despite the noise levels, Zocalo serves great food. Everyone in my party was raving about their dishes. I will definitely be back!
(4)Daniel D.
Damn, this is one of the best restaurants I've tried in Charlottesville thus far. The experience starts as soon as you walk in the restaurant; the hostess if ready to take you to your table, as you walk through a brick exposed walls. The restaurant offers a wide variety of drinks ranging from cocktails to wines from around the world. Then come the appetizers we tried two different dishes that night and both were exceptional, with very refined flavors. Each appetizer can be shared between 2-3 people and everyone can enjoy a little bit. As for the main dish I tried the drunken steak, and it was delicious. Even though main dish portions are not huge, I believe they are enough. And this experience wouldn't be complete without dessert, we tried a lemon creme brulee and it was amazing. Overall, this is a 1 page menu restaurant, meaning that every single dish you try will hit the tastebuds in the right places. All the dishes have a little bit of latin american inspiration while being very refined dishes. I would recommend this restaurant for people going out with couples, and with a group of friends who enjoy refined food.
(5)Brandy Q.
Overall service was good - not overwhelming great, but solid / good. The food was very good! I had scallops which were perfectly cooked and well seasoned. Would definitely go again! My husband had the seared duck which he loved. The compote and the bread pudding were both excellent accompaniments. Despite my appreciation for outdoor seating, we ate inside as it was less crowded and I did read other reviews which said the atmosphere was loud. Indoors, when less crowded and sitting between the bar and the front outdoor seating area is a good place to sit. Not too much noise however your server passes by regularly so any request can be addressed fairly quickly.
(4)Gia M.
Zocalo is an example of some really fine cuisine and great drinks. While my dinner companion and I only ordered salads (we just weren't hungry enough for a full dinner), I was roundly impressed. I ordered an arugula salad that arrived with sliced beets, goat cheese, and pine nuts, with a very light vinaigrette of some sort drizzled on top. It was so yummy and the arugula had that perfect crunch that I love. I've never eaten beets in a salad before, and while I feel like my teeth probably turned red, it was definitely worth it. My companion had a salad that arrived with fried oysters and they sure looked tasty! As for the drinks, I was in the mood for a margarita and was blown away by the different choices that Zocalo offers for cocktail customization. I decided to go for the blood orange margarita, which was a little more tart than I am used to, but my oh my was it strong and good. I nursed it as long as I could without letting the ice water it down. I would eat here again if I had the money to splurge (or if there was a nice date involved), but I could easily return for drinks at another time. The restaurant has a lounge-y sort of vibe near the bar that's great for happy hour cocktails.
(4)Traci G.
We ate here a few months ago but the meal is still memorable. It was a beautiful evening so we sat outdoors. Highly recommend this if possible. Our food was all excellent- not one complaint about any dish. We started with the mussels in chili sauce. Very tasty. For entrees our table had the scallops, drunken steak, and grilled salmon. All were delicious but I think the salmon and goat cheese couscous won as the best! Our server was very attentive and gave us some excellent wine recommendations. We will definitely go back when in town!
(5)Jason G.
My partner and I ate at Zocalo while we were in Charlottesville for the weekend, and overall I felt it had good food with limited selections in a fun atmosphere. The floor plan of this entire restaurant is open, so the vibe is is noisy and busy. We were seated in the corner, but I assume being in the middle of the restaurant can get pretty loud with nothing to block voices from nearby tables. Their drink menu was large, but not that great. I enjoy trying different cocktails and creations when I go to restaurants, so I figured I would stick with cocktails and not wine. I'm not normally a mango drinker, but one of their cocktails had chili sugar, so I decided to try that out. What I thought would be a sweet and spicy kind of drink was just sweet. I got no hint of chili or spice at all, and I was just basically drinking a mango purée. No thanks. The food was hit or miss for us. For appetizer, the cheese fritters were bland to me, but my partner like them. And we didn't even bother finishing the mussels, because they were small muscles and drenched in tomato sauce. The duck confit was fine, but nothing special. For entree, I had the rockfish with the rocket salad on top and specifically asked for them to take away the tomatillo sauce on the bottom. I'm glad I did, because I saw another example of the rockfish with the tomatillo sauce,and it just turned into a soggy mess. The rockfish was fine, but not really seasoned and it was missable. I will say that my partner's scallops were absolutely delicious. Some of the best scallops I had in a very long time. The portion was four large scallops, over some kind of potato cake, and it was a very very good dish. I had the crème brûlée for dessert, and it was well-executed, but not much else. Overall, because this was my first foray into downtown Charlottesville, I don't know whether I cannot recommend this restaurant over the other offerings on the main street. My meal wasn't amazing, so I'm certainly not in a rush to go back to Zocalo.
(3)Patrick T.
Me: Excuse me. This martini has a hair coming out of the olive. Bartender: (After third excuse me). Looking up from iPhone: what? Me: repeat about hair in martini Bartender: I don't see it but I will give you a new drink Waiter: I can tell you this it is not the bartender's hair! Cause that is what matters. Could you do a worse job on service. Maybe this is common enough there they are nonchalant.., Stay away!
(1)E D.
My husband and I enjoyed everything about it. Charlottesville has many great restaurants... This one is underrated.
(4)Sneha P.
I've always wanted to try this restaurant and wasn't disappointed! Although the menu is limited, the chicken and salmon dishes we ordered were excellent. Chicken was cooked well and flavorful but the salmon dish stole the night. It was juicy and had the perfect amount of flavoring and was bedded on top of couscous tossed in a light creamy sauce... Delicious! The food is on the pricier side for the quantity but this is a great place to try at least once if in cville.
(4)Brittany B.
Good food, good service, great location and fun atmosphere. They sat our large group and provided great service to all. The food was savory and well spiced. The drink menu was diverse and fun. After dinner, we went to the Whisky Jar to see the band. Millers is also closely located.
(4)Hanoch R.
good and nice high end restaurant in downtown Main Street Charlottesville va got for starters the tuna and the cheese balls and for main the salmon. all nicely and cordially served.
(5)C C.
Overall, I was a big fan of Zocalo. The atmosphere is fun and lively, if a bit on the loud side. Service was excellent; our waitress was friendly and helpful without over-exerting herself into our evening. The timing of the meal was great and she was also on hand filling up water glasses and clearing empty plates and utensils. I had a Loose Goose martini; it was sweet yet tangy from fresh lemon juice; it was shaken just right. I had the Vella Jack Cheese Fritters as an appetizer; the crunch outside from being fried was great and the sauce was nice... but overall, they were just OK. I didn't bother to finish them and would not order again. As an entree, I had a pork porterhouse with pineapple jalapeno gastrique; it was served with chorizo braised collards and mashed sweet potatoes, but I asked for the smoked tomato grits instead. YUM! The pork was cooked expertly and was perfectly seasoned. The gastrique added some sweetness as well as spice and acidity; it was really excellent. The smoked tomato grits were awesome; creamy and course and the smoked tomato flavor added some real interest. The collards were wonderful, but I didn't get a lot of chorizo flavor. Overall, it all worked really well together and I thoroughly enjoyed my meal. We ordered a Mexican chocolate bread pudding and a lemon creme brulee for the table. The creme brulee was good but the bread pudding was really excellent! Moist and rich, but not overpowering. DEFINITELY would order again.
(4)Han V.
I really enjoyed the food during my last visit here. The "spicy" tuna tartar wasn't that spicy in my opinion but I thought that it was a nice start to the meal. My lamb over creamed corn and mint sauce was perfectly cooked and was a really interesting combination of flavors. My friend's scallops were cooked nicely and were beautifully presented. My friend's duck dish was nice and tender and they gave a good portion of duck. The new york strip I tried was cooked well but I don't think that it was worth the $30 price tag. The only angst about my experience here was that despite making a reservation, my party was placed in the back corner of restaurant. This in turn led to slower, inattentive service. Overall, the food and location make this place worth it. Service on the other hand, could have been much better for this type of establishment. Food: 4 Value: 4 Service: 2.5 Overall: 3.5
(4)Amber M.
I really enjoyed this place. It was the first time I've ever had food like this. It is not American as yelp has it listed. The atmosphere it a bit classy but you can wear casual clothing. The restaurant is very spacious and even has outdoor seating! The hosts are pleasant and so are the waiters. I ordered the salmon plate which was simply amazing. The goat cheese couscous definitely was different but tasted great. I'll definitely be going back!
(5)Brittany J.
O M G. By far the best dining experience I've had in 2012. Made particularly excellent by the superlative service! Came here with a birthday party of 12 and boy were they ready. Our server was phenomenal. She knew the menu forwards, backwards, and inside out, made awesome suggestions, and made sure every guest was satisfied. She even split checks. For a party of 12. FROM MEMORY. The awesomeness glinting off of her blonde messy bun is blinding. I love establishments that feature local artists as the decor. I'm not sure if the pieces were for sale, but the interior is very inviting; great for pictures and first dates. The food. I tried a couple different things, and overall had a great experience. Surprisingly good mussels this far south (with an amazing broth we sopped up with the delicious warm dinner rolls). I also had the manchego bread pudding. That is death row last meal level eating. If I knew I was never going to eat another thing I would DEFINITELY request it. I also had scallops that had some sort of chili powder seasoning thing happening. Yes, yes, and yes. I ate well past fullness just because the flavors were so worth it. Drinks, also amazing. Literally everything off of the cocktail menu I ordered and tried (about 3 or 4 things) was delicious. The party shared two desserts, one in some sort of amazing Bailey's sauce that I would've enjoyed much more if I hadn't already been so full. I have already suggested to several people that are going to Charlottesville, thinking of going to Charlottesville, wanting to go to Charlottesville, that they stop by this place. It alone is worth the trip from DC.
(5)David D.
Great spot on the C'ville downtown mall... Didn't see much of the inside of the restaurant (we were seated on the patio), but it appeared to be inviting... Restaurant handled a party of 7 seamlessly. Service was smooth and entrees arrived at the same time, all piping hot... Our party had a range of entrees and all were excellent -- very flavorful and artfully presented.... Good choices of local beer (always key)...
(4)R L.
If you've never been to Zocalo or have a really big group, then it's probably a decent place to go. Service is quite good, nice central location and food is fine. Otherwise, there aren't a lot of great reasons to go back. The menu is essentially the exact same since the place opened. The wine pours are half size. I could go on, but you get the point. There are too many other places in Cville to go to that are a better overall experience. I'm crossing it off the list for now. Hopefully, they'll decide to stop milking the place for what it's worth.
(2)Jeannette B.
My dinner party was looking to share some light-ish fare (instead of dinner entrees), and we loved the small plates featured on the menu at Zocalo. The vella jack cheese fritters were a major hit at our table, as were the herb polenta fries and smoked tomato grits. We sat inside and while things were a bit loud and rowdy for my taste, we enjoyed ourselves nonetheless. If the weather is cooperative, I would opt for outdoor seating instead.
(4)Vivian C.
***4.5 Stars For starters, the spicy tuna tartar was fantastic! To pair with a cylindrical cutout of tuna tartar were some delicate easter-red chips made for hands-on scooping. The combination of crispiness and sashimi tuna with spiced garnishes allowed for a development of flavors. With each bite, it just got better. For entrées, I chose the Seared Duck Breast, while my date leaned towards the Drunken New York Strip. I was so amazed at how all the food groups came in sync with each other. Though cooked to a perfect medium, the duck was not easily sliced. It required quite a chew on my part, but this didn't affect the quality of the dish itself, given that the caramelized onion bread pudding, braised chard, and the chipotle port compote were magnifico!
(4)Daniel A.
Spicy Tuna tartare was a little spicier than I would like... It almost overpowered the tuna itself Gazpacho was very good and refreshing, the use of good quality olive oil really shined in this dish. The quality of the mussels were not the best we've ever had but the broth was VERY flavorful. Pan seared rockfish over fried risotto The relleno seemed to be a popular dish. 4 of the next 10 dishes that came out were the relleno so it's definitely on my list the next time I'm in Charlottesville.
(4)John H.
A long time downtown favorite for me. Service is hit & miss. Cocktails are second best downtown and food tasty. Eat early as bar heats up quickly.
(4)Jennifer M.
Got last minute reservations for the weekend before Valentine's day when someone cancelled. I was so happy! I don't typically like mussels, but the mussels in a type of garlic chili broth are amazing!!! They're savory and aren't gritty/sandy! Pretty big portion to share between two people... although you'll be left still be wanting more of these tasty shellfishies because they're just that darn good. My bf had the salmon and I had the duck. We disagreed on who's dish was better, but at least we both loved it! I typically don't like spinach either (yes, picky eater here) but the spinach that came with the duck was very palatable. Duck was cooked perfectly, not too fatty, and tasted of perfection! It definitely fits the bill (pun intended) Zocalo is fine dining with a casual atmosphere. So really, it's whatever you want it to be! They're very accommodating anyways with great recommendations. I want to come back soon!
(5)Neel T.
I started with the Zocalo Burro Cocktail which was delicious. We ordered the chicken and salmon which both came out extremely quickly. The presentation was great and both tasted amazing. Portion size was perfect. I think the salmon was better than the chicken. The sauce with the chicken wasn't as good as the salmon's and the rice/beans could have used more spice and salt.
(5)Travis P.
One of the best dinners I have in a while! The food here is very interesting,unique, and tasted wonderful. It was also fairly priced considering how unique the flavors were. Our server was friendly, attentive, and gave us great advice on the area for after dinner drinks! I will definitely be returning here next time I find myself in Charlottesville.
(5)Craig D.
I had an awful experience at this place. I went here with some friends recently on a Saturday night to have a few drinks. We were tame and minding our own business sitting at a table. As soon as two o'clock hit the bartender yelled that they were closed and came directly over to our table and ripped away the full beers she had just sold my friend for the group less than 10 minutes earlier. If that's not enough, she came directly back and literally ripped drinks out of our hands without warning. She did not ask for them, she took or demanded. Keep in Mind this is about 2:04 at this point. The proceeded to try to rip my quarter full pint from my hand and I refused. She pitched a fit saying she could lose her job. I bartenders for two years not long ago and find this whole situation ridiculous. I've never witnessed such an abrupt and rude closing. She could have asked for us to kindly finish our drinks and make towards the door. She could have been respectful. Frankly, she was unnecessarily rude and my friends and I left zocalo with a horrible taste jn our mouth. Don't come here if you are looking for a cool laid back bar in the mall. I will not be back.
(1)Mike H.
Had Valentine's Day dinner here with my wife. A bit noisy, but I love the atmosphere and decor. The food was near perfect. It was the best pork I've ever had. The flavors were wonderfully complimentary, and kept me thinking "wow" from the first bite to the last. Definitely our new favorite restaurant.
(5)Maryann C.
Went to Zocalo for Valentine's day (and the first time) and loved it! Even though it was busy, the service was great. The food was fantastic. We had the cheese fritters, the spicy tuna tartar, braised pork, and rockfish (the risotto cake underneath was the best). I'm not a huge fan of lighting that's so dim, but everything else was great!
(5)Riley W.
While the menu is limited, most of the choices sounded good to me. I had the Scallops. They were fantastic. The sauce is slightly sweet and when combined with the plantains, spinach and scallop created a wonderful taste. The scallops were large and cooked to perfection, just short of crispy. I was here on a Wednesday night and had a great dinner. Since the place was only about half full, I was seated next to the fire place which was nice considering how cold it was outside. The service was first rate, checking once In a while on me without being annoying. The food was top notch and the service great. They earned the 5 stars.
(5)Peter M.
Fantastic food. The salmon and goat cheese and green chili couscous was sooooo good. The fried cheese balls are awesome too. Drinks also high end.
(5)J H.
Reccs Roasted Butternut Squash Soup Spinach Salad - The fried oysters are the star of this dish. Seared Duck Breast - New flavors to me and I was definitely satisfied. Nice upscale restaurant with quality environment and ambiance.
(4)Lauren B.
If the host wasn't so incompetent we could have eaten here. We walked in and asked for a table of two. Instead of saying we have a table available or I'm sorry we don't have anything available for tonight, he said we could have a table but only if we could be out in an hour and a half because reservations would be coming in. Ok, we're quick eaters, but never having been to this restaurant before how am I supposed to know how long it is going to take the kitchen and the server? Isn't that his job as the host to be able to manage walk-ins and reservations? So we get shown to a table by a running fireplace and try to sit down but it is just way too hot. It's 70+ degrees outside and they have a fireplace running! The couple behind us declined to sit over there too after we said it was too hot they said it would definitely be too hot for them to sit over there. We go back to the host stand and they show us what other tables we could sit at. We are shown to a round table in the bar area with a booth on one side. We ask if we can sit on the other side at a table with 2 chairs, but evidently those all were reserved. The restaurant is practically empty! So instead we'd have to sit 2 people on the booth side at this small, tiny circular table in the bar section for dinner seeing they didn't offer to get us a chair for the other side. Realizing this was already quickly becoming a restaurant failure with incompetent hosts who were less than accommodating and pretty much couldn't do their job of managing tables and the flow of the EMPTY restaurant we decided to leave before it became even worse! Maybe this place is ok if you have reservations considering it appears they save your table for the entire night!
(1)Ana Z.
I just discovered this place and I loved it. Tasteful interior, masculine metropolitan style, with a subtle touch of industrial. The light is perfectly dimmed to delightful cosines, without being too dark. We started with assorted cheeses, not a lot of kinds, but so delicious that I forced myself to linger on each bite, so that I could enjoy it longer. Ordered the lam for main course. It was out of this world. Cooked to perfection, juicy and delicious. Came with delicious sides and sauces - a combinations of tastes and textures that makes you roll your eyes with pleasure. The portions are small (French brasserie style) but amazingly enough that you end up feeling too full for desert. Bottom line, great experience! A little pricey for my wallet, but that will not keep me from going back. I want to try everything on that menu, eventually.
(5)Gail W.
Perfect anniversary dinner, seated outside on a beautiful evening. As great as the entrees were (salmon for him, duck breast for me), the artisanal cheese plate was the standout, with its presentation and inspiring blends of tastes and textures. Service was attentive but not smothering. I don't care for the atmosphere inside, but outside suited us superbly.
(4)Lydia H.
Lived in Charlottesville for 5 years, and this was my favorite restaurant. I only ever ordered the key lime chicken (with black bean rice and avocado salad), and it was unfailingly delicious every time. Juicy, well-seasoned chicken with well-flavored sides. The restaurant ambiance was also excellent-- upscale with understated, cool decor. What more could I ask for? Also tried mussels for the first time ever here-- not bad! (And this is coming from someone who is not a very adventurous eater, especially when it comes to seafood, so that's saying something!)
(5)John L.
Last night was my third time at Zocalo and I went this time with my parents (this was in small part due to Tavola not taking reservations and having an hour long wait). Zocalo is a little pricey, but their food is pretty consistently good. I've had the misfortune of being at Zocalo on a Friday one time previously (or maybe it was like Valentine's Day or something), and when there are a lot of people, Zocalo can get REALLY loud inside. Yesterday there were a moderate number of people and the ambience was nice and relaxed. This place does certain things pretty damned well. I generally don't like to go to a restaurant and order the same thing every time I go, but often times when I find something I like to eat, subsequent visits end up with me ordering something else to try new things, and I tend not like them as much. Three visits, and I've ordered the Spicy Tuna Tartare every time. The portion is really not worth the price, but I think it tastes so damn good. Duck breast - I can't remember (previous visit), but I remember enjoying my meal. Scallops - Three visits, ordered three times Drunken NY strip - portion was a little small, but was very good (especially polenta) Pork shank - braised perfectly, meat was so tender Key lime chicken - cooked extremely well, but just tasted like marinated chicken to me. So there you have it, the things I've tried. Yesterday I ordered the Key Lime Chicken, and frankly, I was a little disappointed. The only reason I ordered it was because I had tried everything else except for the fish dishes (I try not to order fish at restaurants because I eat it all the time at home), and honestly, it just tasted like citrus marinated chicken over a bed of rice and beans. Good, but not for 20 bucks. Everyone else ordered other things and thoroughly enjoyed their meals. I picked off of their plates on occasion to try things here and there, and I've come to the conclusion that regardless of my taste for certain dishes here, the food is cooked really well, and I mean consistently really well. Scallops are always crusted just enough on the outside and buttery on the inside, the chicken was slice-once-soft, the braised pork slid right off the bone, and the NY strip had a perfect cool red/pink center.
(4)Cax D.
Zocalo has easily become one of my favorite Charlottesville restaurants for a "fancy" meal. Their food is sinfully good, and the atmosphere is fantastic. I usually get the steak because I can't say no to the polenta fries that come with it. They also have good cocktails and a decent wine selection. Great date night spot!
(5)Ann L.
Not impressed. Wait staff or kitchen let the order drop . Not crowded but took forever. 1 in 4 liked entree. Third time there. Will not go again. Too many great choices on mall.
(2)Lucy S.
Was visiting VA a couple months ago and stopped here for dinner on my family's last night in town. I loved the atmosphere. The food was creative and tasty. The cocktail list wasa bit limited, but the drinks were really good---not your average cocktail. My Dad makes a mean Caipirinha and most restaurants can't replicate it, but this place was a very very close second! I loved the orchids all over the restaurant and the general theme. It was upscale bar/lounge but with a great home-y restaurant feel. If I'm in Charlottesville again, I will surely be returning! Also: Loved the free wifi and it may seem weird, but I sometimes judge restaurants on their bathroom presentation. LOVED LOVED LOVED their mosaic sinks!--I was here ~2 months ago and I STILL remember them :)
(4)