Tonic

I really struggled whether not to give this place a three-star rating or a two-star rating mostly because the portions were ridiculously small especially for the price. I ordered the shrimping grits it was $26 and it was like the portion size of an appetizer My wife ordered a salmon sandwich and there was more bread than salmon and I literally left hungry. Flavor of the food was okay he was fine it just wasn't enough of it and I'm not saying that you have to serve so much that someone's taking home dinner for the next night but I shouldn't leave hungry at any price. One thing that really got me which was just sort of threw me off a little bit was the hose was really adamant about people having reservations then was make it seem as if us not having reservations was going to be a big issue when there was literally one couple at the restaurant at the time I mean one other couple there and he was saying that there were some 6:00 reservations but we arrived at 5:00 technically 5:09 because I checked my watch. When we receded and eating another couple came and sat down and they didn't like where they were seated so they got up to move to another seat like two tables over and the guy came over and said oh no you can't move we have reservations and that don't mess up the seating or something to that effect and it seemed really really odd and overly aggressive considering that there was virtually no one there. By the time we left which was right around 6:00 there were a few people that started to come in but even after we had walked around for a big got dessert and came back it wasn't like the place was jam packed there was still plenty of seating in the place and I was sitting outdoors there was plenty of seating outdoors and for what I saw There was no one sitting indoors. I have to say I would not go back here The food was just okay the prices were high considering the amount of food that you got if I received a full-size normal portion that had me not leaving hungry I would have been fine with the dollar amount but because of the small amount of food I felt like it was way overpriced. I will say though I had a nice brown ale that was cold and good I mean it's hard to go wrong with a nice cold beer.

Glad we stopped at this establishment. We only had a drink and appetizer (feta spread with grilled bread) but loved the outdoor atmosphere and friendly service. There is also indoor seating. Feta spread was nicely flavored with lemon zest.

We've had several delicious meals at Tonic - we absolutely love the snack boards to start, and the ever-changing entrees are a hit every time - definitely appreciate the shift with the seasons. Plenty of gluten free options and the variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages is much appreciated. The outdoor seating is the cherry on top in nice weather!

I came in for a quiet brunch at the bar on a Saturday and was met with friendly staff and delicious food. The fried chicken sandwich was delish and light and airy with a challah bun and the crispiest chicken breading and my Bloody Mary had house pickled veggies. I’m looking forward to coming back to try the double smash burger next time!

The drink menu is INCREDIBLE. Very crafty, creative, flavorful, and interesting drinks. Definitely the best cocktail menu I have seen they use very high quality ingredients. The food was alright, it was plated very well and the presentation was on point. The food just didn’t live up to the presentation. Overall I will definitely come back here for drinks, but most likely not food.

Cute and intimate cocktail bar with sophisticated seasonal / local sourced inspired fare. We had fried fingerling potatoes sprinkled with cayenne pepper and a lemony aioli that was the perfect starter, then a fancy potato bisque drizzled with olive oil and pickled onions, and a snack board of our choice that did not disappoint. Crunchy grilled bread, roasted red pepper or butter and shallot spreads, fancy vinegar based deviled eggs with garlic chips, pickled red beets.. all so good. Capped off with our favorite drinks. This would be a great first date destination. Fall in love at the Tonic❤️

Tonic, a hidden gem of Cville? Tonic so far has not failed us. Early in the pandemic it was hit and miss, however we have gone back for brunch and dinner. So, its the kind of place that you should know about. The atmosphere, if you're sitting outdoor, its lovely especially in the fall, spring or winter cool, the cocktails are inventive, and selective. I personal am not a Gin fan, however they do have a different drink for everyone. Tequila, whiskey, vodka and an Aperol spritz. Also, drinks are reasonable for Cville. NOW, the food! Absolutely delicious. I ordered the spicy chicken sandwich, and not your average sandwich. They use a juicy, chicken thigh that’s perfectly seasoned and fried to perfection. I think double or triple breaded. SO MUCH CRUNCH FACTOR like, audible-in-a-quiet-room kind of crunch. The spice level hits a sweet and bold spice, just enough to wake up your taste buds, but balanced. The staff is very nice, however if a large party is there just be prepared, because they do the best they can, with what they have. if you got this far, sorry for no photos. I'm the person that will usually leave my phone at home, so I can have more engaging with my guest. Cheers everyone!

This is a new restaurant in Cville, securing the space formerly held by the Tin Whistle, across the street from the Police Station on Market St. A significant renovation has turned the indoors into a Swedish-themed space that is bright and open with a bar and about 6-8 tables, and the courtyard now boasts a large covered area with seating and a bar. Its quite pleasant and fresh. The menu offers a number of interesting appetizers, soups, salads, bowls, sandwiches and main plates, and they incorporate an eclectic selection of locally sourced, organic, vegan and gluten-free offerings like Virginia trout, cauliflower sandwiches, baked ricotta, grits, local chicken, and chickpea fritters. The bar is not extensive, but definitely capable, and offers a good number of specialty cocktails, beer, cider and a wonderful wine list. Chris, the bar mManager, and Jacob the very capable bar tender, are superbly friendly, knowledgeable and great ambassadors for the establishment. I had one of the best Negroni's I've ever had. I recommend reservations, and especially on weekends!

Phenomenal food, they actually know how to cook and really care about the food they produce. Very thoughtfully prepared with the utmost care and respect for the guest and ingredients. Flounder sandwich, perfectly battered and fried, tasty slaw and brioche bun. Sous vide deviled eggs to die for, love that hint of lemon zest. Great service. I could go on and on. Do yourself a favor and eat there NOW lol

Walking up this place has great ambiance, perfect for a first date. The indoor seating was closed but the outdoor seating was great. The menu was quite promising. Ordered a cucumber chamomile gin and tonic, which left something to be desired. We started with the blackberry salad which on the menu said it also included avocado but there was none on the salad-despite this the salad was great. Our mains were good but not great. The biggest issue I found here was despite our server being very nice while ordering she NEVER checked in on us after anything arrived, never refilled waters either. So although she was nice the service was not good as there were times we wanted to order something else and one of the entrees didn't arrive as it was ordered but our server never checked in. All things considered I think I would only come here to grab a salad or appetizer.

We had a lovely dinner to celebrate my birthday at Tonic! The staff were very attentive and fun, the drinks were aesthetic and refreshing, and the FOOD we started with the charcuterie board with sourdough, dips, and so many pickled vegetables. We had the chicken sandwich with the crispiest breading and the pulled pork was so juicy and smoky. We finished with the mango sorbet and berry compote; both were so fresh and delicious. Chef David came to our table and it's apparent from the quality of the food that he cares deeply about his craft. Highly recommend this spot and will be returning!

I simply can't say enough about this restaurant. It has a hip interior and an incredibly large patio for dining al fresco. I sat at the bar and was thoroughly entertained by the entire staff, but especially Wils. He was knowledgeable and engaging. He suggested a Portuguese red called Santar Vinho Tinto and it is worth getting again. I ate an entirely vegetarian meal and it was filling and tasty. I had the roasted peaches and whipped ricotta with basil and pistachios and the open-faced tomato sandwich with smashed avocado, feta, and roasted corn salad. Yum! Thanks again for feeding me.

Fresh and delicious. Just the right amount of food. The staff were so nice and accommodating. The outdoor seating and music made for an inviting and relaxing atmosphere. Just off the downtown strip this was an excellent choice to jump start our morning. You'll love it.

All the food here was so good. The crispy potatoes were so crispy. How do they do it? My family came here after the kitchen was closed, but they ended up still seating us and reopening the kitchen for us. I was extremely grateful since my kids were staaaaarving, and then for the food to be incredible? What luck! The staff was so attentive as well. Great cute spot with incredible food.

I took my wife and daughter to tonic this past week the celebrate daughter's graduation from UVA. When we arrived, we were greeted by very nice young man and was seated a very quickly. Our server was an equally nice young lady who was very pleasant and enjoyable interact with. We had some cocktails, which were very good. One in particular was called a Beet in a glass. We ordered several small plates for appetizers in ordered our main course. I ordered the fried chicken sandwich which was very good. My wife and daughter ordered entrées. They enjoyed very much as well. We sat on the patio and very much enjoyed Nicole breeze under wonderful Virginia spring evening. All in all Tonic is a great place To enjoy a good meal with friends and family. Just be prepared to drop much coin when the bill comes out.

My girlfriends and I came here on a Saturday night for dinner. We did make reservations but they weren't super busy so we could've walked in probably. The host was slightly rude but didn't take it too personally. We got seated outside under the heat lamps, which they were able to turn up for us cause it was a bit cold. Theres an outdoor seating area and indoor seating which isn't too big. Our server was very friendly. For cocktails, I did the Cuke drink which was very good - vodka, cucumber juice, lemon, and one other ingredient I can't remember. For appetizer, we did the crispy potatoes which wasn't bad, a bit on the dry side but still good. For dinner, I ordered the oven roasted chicken. The waiter accidentally told them the red snapper which he was very apologetic about and actually took my entree off the check. The chicken itself was okay, it didn't seem cooked all the way once I cut in cause there was blood. Not a lot of meat came off either it was mostly bone or fat. The bed of rice and chick peas the chicken was on was good. I don't think I would get it again though, and try the steak instead. But very appreciative that our server tried to make things right. For dessert we tried their milk + honey panicotta which wasn't for us. Overall, cute atmosphere, great cocktails, and our server was super friendly but didn't love the food.

The short - Tonic is a cute spot that offers a surprisingly large tap selection given the size of its location and a unique menu boasting selections like ceviches, pickled small dishes, and brunch-y items. I can't speak on their entrees because we opted for smaller plates. We chose their board where you order a bunch of different small items (breads, pickles, veggies, etc.) and their shrimp ceviche. Both were yummy and prepared very well. My one criticism about the board was that we ordered the grilled sourdough and it was quite hard, so I would've loved to see it cooked a bit less, but that's me nitpicking for my personal preferences. The ceviche had great flavor and came with saltine cracker which helped balance out the acidity of the ceviche flavor.I found that where Tonic shines is in their drink selection. They have a large draft selection and other non-alcoholic libations. I tried the elderberry/rosehip kombucha and it was delicious (which is a relief, because it was $8 for 16oz). The service staff were all kind, pleasant, and attentive. Tonic feels like a hip spot with their modern-feeling decor and furniture. They also have a cute outdoor area (with fans) for those that want to enjoy a nice day. I loved stopping by Tonic after a little walk around Downtown Charlottesville. I would recommend checking it out!

Super cute asthetic, fresh and interesting food, nice servers but the prices are pretty steep. We loved the eggplant spread, pickled eggs, and ceviche. I had French press decaf coffee which was yummy and my partner had kombucha on tap.

The food, ambience and service were incredible! Had the scrambled toast- creamiest eggs and most delicious sourdough I have had. The carrot cake was incredible too!

Sadly, an out of town friend always books a reservation here whenever she comes to town. She loves outdoor seating and knows she can get a reservation on a Saturday even when booking last minute. Our party's main courses never fail to come out at different times, one person might get their entree 25 minutes before another and so on. Drinks are fair but the food is maybe some of the worst restaurant food I have ever eaten. The deviled eggs taste like they came from a grab and go section at a gas station, the salad is 99% wet greens despite what other accompaniments are described on the menu and I'm not sure what the greens are wet with - not likely salad dressing because there's no discernible taste. The last time we went my husband ordered their smash burger that wasn't a smash burger; topped with kale for the greens and had an unseasoned un smashed likely frozen patty that reminded me of bad school lunchroom cafeteria food. I'm not sure how this place stays open, the potatoes are the only menu item we've tried that isn't borderline disgusting. If not for the potatoes it would seem like there is no official chef, just someone that assembles and microwaves cheap grocery store items.

Arrived for a savory dinner after seeing a movie at the Paramount... Lovely patio with beautiful water feature flowers, plants... Servers extremely attentive in the beginning however, at the end of the meal we were forgotten, and we had to go inside to ask for our bill Food was delicious, except not served hot which I prefer it was lukewarm to tepid... Had a wonderfully savory meal that I was craving... Shrimp with brussels sprouts with savory grits... My friend had gumbo I had a nice Mocktail that was not the most flavorful. I would've liked it to be more flavorful. The dessert was marvelous, marmalade cream cheese, carrot cake, yummy

Loooved the food there! Everything was flavourful and fresh! Potatoes - my personal favourite. Service is nice and pretty fast

The food was very great! I got the Brussels and grits and they were very uniquely herbal. The carrot cake was also delicious. I was a bit worried about sitting outside, but the patio area is quite nice.

Met up with one of my daughter's friends who goes to UVA at Tonic. It was a perfect day to sit on the patio. Service was top notch. We all ordered salads, wedge and Waldorf. My daughter's friend said it was a great place to hang with friends for drinks and charcuterie

Tonic was so cute! They were very dog friendly, bringing a bowl to our table for my pup. You order at the register, which was a tad confusing since there's a bar outside, too. The patio is spacious, especially compared to the seating options indoors. Both are very cute I ordered the tomato sandwich, and must say that it was very enjoyable. I'd happily order it again. Parking was a bit of a challenge, given that it's really only street parking, but I'm sure that's something you get used to.

Tonic is the ultimate farm to table inviting modern day American eatery with simply amazing cocktails. This place is super inviting for people of all situations (with kids, on awkward dates with the girl you met a spin class, or hanging out with your dog). I been here 2 times with true locals who love this place and I see why. 1. Food - just very real and fresh all American yet close to the farm feeling menu. 2. Cocktails - this is where they really shine. Poloma is to die for! 3. Service - they endure the heat and the awkward physical set up of the place to come with a smile and really make it memorable. Great for: a. Kids (assuming they somewhat behave themselves) b. Pets c. 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and basically all dates d. Family e. Out of town guests. Terrible for: a. Breakups (too nice) b. The date with the girl from James Madison University (your UVA friends will spot you and ask questions) c. People who don't like outdoor dining (where it really shines)

While doing a day trip to Charlottesville, we decided to stop in at Tonic (recommendation from a wine bar we were at earlier during the day). This place was absolutely amazing and a whole vibe. We opted to sit outside, although it was hot, they had the fans going so it wasn't too bad. Our server was Chris, who was really informative about the menu as well as gave us some ideas of what else to explore during our stay. Shrimp was really fresh and prepared perfectly. Paired really well with the crackers. Simple and rewarding. Chips and dip were average. I personally didn't care too much for the dip. However, others in my group liked it. Drinks were so good. The bartenders really take pride in the liquor they use and the drink creations they make. Open face tomato sandwhich HIT THE SPOT! It was fresh and all the ingredients went well together. I asked if I could have sausage on the side, which the kitchen agreed! Yay! It was really good too. All in all, when i come back to Charlottesville I will be visiting again. So many other things I want to try on the menu.

We were in town for a wedding and decided to try this restaurant after reading positive reviews about it. The atmosphere was nice and the service was very friendly. Our party ordered the Brussels with Heirloom Grits, the Open Face Tomato Sandwich, and a small plate Whipped Ricotta with Pickled Plums. The Tomato Sandwich was excellent and fresh as was the small plate Whipped Ricotta dish. We enjoyed the sour dough bread in both of these menu items. The Brussels and Grits was good, but the grit to other ingredient ratio in the recipe was off. There were not enough grits. It also could have used a little more seasoning. My daughter gave it a 6 out of 10. My husband was not a huge fan of the Salmon Burger - he said it was very fishy tasting and quite mushy in texture. He rated it a 3 out of 10.

The outside seating is awesome. The inside is small but cute. Interesting menu. Our server was attentive. Have recommended it to others already.

Highly recommend for anyone visiting Charlottesville! The food is soooooo good! Try the peach and ricotta appetizer with the grilled sourdough. The drinks are amazing but the best part is the outdoor seating and the EXCELLENT service. We can't wait to return.

This venue is more of a gin/cocktail speciality place than a traditional restaurant. It's just a wonderful place to go for drinks and then order exotic food with amazing ingredients, most of which are local. The restaurant menu has a choice for the vegan, vegetarian, paleo, and gluten intolerant. So if you have people in your party that have issues with certain types of foods, never fear; there is something on the menu for everyone. Their specialty drinks revolve around different types of gin (who knew!), as well as delicious rye cocktail, and beer on tap. If you want to get a plain old martini, you can order that too. The bar staff did a great job at keeping us entertained. We had dropped in to just have a drink at the bar, but the drinks were so good we decided we needed food. We were pleasantly surprised with what was presented. The beet salad was delicious and my companion had the sweet potato dish that looked like something out of gourmet magazine. We had lots of fun with the staff. We will be going back again to sample more of the items on the menu and to have another yummy cocktail surprise.

Food is good and the staff is friendly and responsive. The outdoor dining area is a home run. Drinks are tasty.

My apps were very good. The parsnip soup was delicious. The pork chop dinner was also delicious. The gnocchi's unfortunately were dry. We Are outside and the overhead heaters worked fine. Our server seemed a bit tired.

Great outdoor space! The food is amazing and the service is 5 star. Highly recommend this place especially with our weather getting nicer.

Wonderful food! Excellent service and beautiful ambience. I highly recommend the crispy oyster mushrooms Po-boy! It's so crispy and flavorful. Also the honey bee NA drink is the perfect pairing.

We met here yesterday for an early dinner and it was a treat. Made a reservation which was easy enough. We sat inside, but the outside had a lovely set up which was partially covered. Our server was quick and helpful. Happy hour is 4-6 during weeknights. Happy hour deals are okay. They have "happy hour food" on their happy hour menu but it is not a different price from the actual menu so that's funny. Food was great and while it's a smaller menu, it's nice to have a lot of lighter and veg options, even for meat eaters. Crispy potatoes were so good, especially the sauce. The salmon burger was filling without being heavy. They have a wide selection if you'd like to build your own charcuterie. Drinks were tasty enough, on the smaller side, my g&t was a little watered down but the Bee's Knees was wonderful.

"Great atmosphere, friendly staff, and a wide variety of menu options. The food was delicious and arrived quickly. Definitely a place I'll be coming back to!"

So this place is very pretty and the staff are very nice. The ambiance is very relaxed but a bit posh. The drinks were delicious! But the food, that's where is all kind of falls apart. There are not a lot of options for the tapas. The entrees were interesting. Everything on the menu had something pickled. We got the grilled sourdough and cheese. The house chips and dip. I was very underwhelmed. And it was so expensive! Almost 60 dollars for two drinks and two appetizers. I'm not sure we will be back. They did say the menu changes weekly. So hopefully it will be things not so pickled and more option for savory and sweet.

My friend and I ate at Tonic for Charlottesville restaurant week. It was a good experience all around; the service was quick and the patio was really comfortable, thanks to the heat lamps. My favorite item I tried from the restaurant week menu was the beet soup. It was unique and flavorful. The farm fresh salad was also really tasty and I especially liked the sourdough croutons. The grits with brussel sprouts was a bit disappointing; it lacked seasoning all around. I was also disappointed by the blood orange gin and tonic, which ended up being just a gin and tonic with a slice of dried blood orange as garnish. The price point was also a bit high for what we ultimately got.

We visited Tonic on what was probably the nicest day of weather this year, so that definitely factored into our experience. For cocktails we ordered a "wabbit-season," a G&T, a beet drink and an "al Pastor." All were fantastic but the Wabbit-season was the standout favorite. The charcuterie board was great and had unique flavors. The pork belly sandwich was really top-tier good! Service was great too. All in all, we can't recommend Tonic enough--especially on a nice day!

Great food. Cool little outdoor area. Nice service. Had the salmon burger. Good choice

Came here for a friend's birthday and we had a great time. We went in February when it was cold and were seated in their heated tent. The staff were nice and brought out blankets for us! I enjoyed the selection of drinks that they have and decided to try the Hot Toddy because it was cold outside. It was great! I'd like to come back and try their other drinks some other time. The snack board was good but I wasn't too impressed with anything on the board.

Great food and service. Super friendly staff. Outside patio was beautiful. Had a Waldorf salad and a dirty martini. Martini was pretty strong to me, but still good. Salad was very good. Will be back.

Saturday after the brunch crowd in Charlottesville....its actually hard to find a decent place that is open. TONIC IS A GODSEND. Not only did they have the perfect menu (lots of snacks and drinks) but they are super friendly, fast, and have a peaceful atmosphere. I plan to make this my go to meet up for after the farmers markets. We got the big snack board with a little bit of everything. The beans and ham were my mom's favorite and I was killing the Feta spread and pickled cauliflower...and the butter... The next best thing is by far the Brussels sprouts...I'd order this every time if they have it. Drinks were good.. but I was too distracted by the amazing food to really focus on those..

We enjoyed our drinks and dinner at Tonic. They do a good job of having specialty cocktails. We ordered the "bees knees" and I have to say, it was the best one I ever had. The menu is so unique that there was an ingredient in every dish that I didn't know and had to ask about. That might be a drawback for some people as it is a bit risky ordering something with unknown ingredients. The outside space is pretty awesome with heaters and another bar. It was a little cold for our visit this time but we have sat out there in the past.

One of my favorite restaurants in 757 right now. All the drinks are so good. I highly recommend their Apples to oranges or the Negroni, since it is a two drink minimum. The speakeasy is my favorite part. The decor and vibes are everything you would expect and then some. Great customer service.. Overall excellence establishment for a sexy and sultry date night.

Everything is perfect about this restaurant!! The service is amazing, the food is beyond amazing, it's light fresh, healthy and delicious!! The ambiance is fun funk clean and fresh! Also amazing cocktails!

Great outdoor seating and good service. I ordered the grits w/ shaved brussel sprouts, grits were delish but the brussel sprouts were bitter and burned (not crisp & browned). I picked some of them out, but still had the burnt taste for a while.

With a nice patio and seasonal, local ingredients this is great location to try if you want refreshing take American cuisine. My meal was not perfect but the positives out weighted the negatives. I can't emphasize enough how nice the outdoor space is. With spring here this is a wonderful place to have a professional lunch or a date. If you are feeling adventurous with pickles then you will find many things on the menu to try. My soup and chicken sandwich both came with different pickled ingredients and there menu has different vinegared veggies all through it. There were areas for them to work on. First, the table seating and ordering at the counter system is confusing and there is no one out front to explain it. I found myself in a small pile of people all trying to figure out what to do. Second, the protein portions are small so coming here starving would probably be a mistake. Finally, there were two pieces of plastic in my sandwich... not a good look for a place priding itself on fresh and healthy food. In the end, I think it is worth a try and I am glad I stopped by on a beautiful spring day.

Setting is nice, but menu selection is limited. Food is overpriced for the small portions. The shrimp fritters barely had shrimp, mostly filler and can't believe they charge $16 just for grits & veggies. We were still hungry after lunch. Disappointing.

Not special by any means. Small drink selection for a place named after a drink.... Definitely overpriced too. 2 beers, an app, and 2 entrees came to $100 with tip. If the food were flavored a bit more thoughtfully and less of a cramped indoor atmosphere maybe it would've been worth something close to the 100 bucks we spent

Stopped in for a quick drink on my walk home. Ordered the sweater weather and it was SO yummy. A tad expensive ($14 with tax), but really good! The service was great. I had my dog with me and the young woman, who I'm pretty sure was off the clock and about to go home, sat me and took my order. Great first experience and excited to go back.

I tried the build your own sampler platter. It was yummy. Although a side of toast really should be included-not extra cost. Happy hour starts at 3 pm. Cute outside tables and décoré. The pickled shrimp were tasty. The root veggies were turnips- would have preferred a mix of veggies. I'd return.

We mystery writers were in town for the Virginia Festival of Book and wanted to gather for happy hour outside. Tonic was the perfect location. Great drinks, affordable prices and delicious snacks. The service was polite and accommodating for this group of 11-14. The vibe was much more relaxed that the middle of downtown Charlottesville.

Decent place downtown. Food was fine. Cocktails were innovative. They have a nice patio outside which can imagine would be bustling over summer months!

5/5 for cocktails, no doubt. They are creative and delicious every time. I would argue they are the best in Charlottesville. I think that alone is worth the 5 star review since generally we don't order food. In the past, we have been underwhelmed by the food, but it doesn't stop us from going. Perfect place for a post-dinner cocktail.

Lovely, relaxed yet elegant vibe inside and out at this new restaurant with interesting, well-made drinks and a simple menu of mostly rich vegetarian dishes with a few fish and pork choices. Had the salmon burger and onion soup, and mushroom toast. Would definitely return.