38 College Towns with Food Scenes So Good, You'll Want To Extend Your Stay

29. Charlottesville, Virginia – Jefferson's Palate & Modern Virginia Fare

Home to the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson’s "Academical Village," Charlottesville’s food scene elegantly blends rich history with vibrant, modern Virginian cuisine. Explore eateries championing ingredients from local Shenandoah Valley farms, sip on award-winning wines from the Monticello Wine Trail (Jefferson was a pioneering viticulturist!), and discover refined takes on Southern classics. From historic taverns near the lively Downtown Mall to innovative kitchens pushing culinary boundaries, "Cville" offers a sophisticated yet unpretentious taste of place, where farm-to-table isn't a trend but a centuries-old tradition deeply ingrained in its terroir.