Zocalo

My fiancé and I went out to Zocalo and were absolutely blown away! Our server was very attentive and kind, checking in with us multiple times throughout the evening. Every single thing we ate was incredible, especially the spinach salad with fried oysters and halibut special with manchego risotto. Do yourself a favor and enjoy a date night out at this wonderful location!

A really amazing place at the downtown mall! Great Latin/spanish inspired cuisine. I was recently in Barcelona and all the dishes with manchego really took me back to eating there! My halibut was cooked perfectly with crispy skin! This was a daily special so I’m not sure how often it’s on the menu but I would recommend it if it is! My husband got the duck breast and for me it was a bit too sweet for a whole meal but he seemed to enjoy it. The savory bread pudding however was very very good! We had spent the day at the wineries so we didn’t get any drinks but both their cocktail and wine menu looked great, will definitely account for that next time!

Overall, it was pretty decent. The service was nice but so. The salmon and shrimp risotto were both pretty good nothing outstanding though. We also try their Apple cider bread, which tasted surprisingly light and good. I really really enjoy their Mojito. The desserts were fabulous. We got the Mexican chocolate bread, pudding, and the carrot cake. Both were wonderful.

We ate at Zocolo after a Sunday afternoon show. No wait when we strolled in. The food was exceptional, we were very impressed. My wife had the duck with spinach and onion bread pudding. I had the chili relleno with black beans and corn. The relleno was nicely spiced without being overly hot. I also tried the spicy lady to drink, very good and quite spicy.

What a great dining experience here at Zocalo. Our party was warmly received and served during our time. The food was outstanding. We enjoyed many offerings from the menu and everything was well done. This is a great place to dine when visiting the city.

We had such an amazing dining experience at Zocalo! The food was incredible - both in flavor and presentation. Feels like a very elevated dining experience that is still approachable. We particularly loved the salmon, tuna tartar and passionfruit flan, but everything was excellent. The chocolate taco was a fun and unique dessert!

Where to start, this is a MUST TRY when in Charlottesville, upscale romantic/party vibes. Upon entering we were greeted warmly by the hostess and we decided to sit at the bar, bartender was very knowledgeable and made some very delectable drinks, I don’t recall the name of the drinks but the one with Tajín on the rim was simply amazing! We tried a few of their deserts and what to say but it is the BEST Carrot cake I have ever tried! Perfect amount of sweetness and you can taste the freshness of the carrots! The Crema Catelana was just as amazing if not even better! First time I have truly enjoyed eating a custard. Chef Will and GM Victoria are doing an amazing job and can’t wait to go back and try more food! I highly recommend stopping by if you’re in town!

Everything was very good. The scallops were perfectly cooked and the presentation of the dish was stunning. My husband absolutely loved the fritters but I didn’t love their texture. The Mojito flight was good. For the kids meal, my child said it was the best buttered pasta and chicken they’d had. The service was excellent and the atmosphere was inviting. The bathroom was also very clean.

Tucked in a corner of the Downtown Mall, Zocalo served as a great Saturday dinner spot for my party of four. Despite not having a reservation, we were still seated promptly and service was attentive throughout our entire meal. There's plenty of tables for sit-down meals, and bar seating for quick bites with TVs to watch. The staff was super helpful when selecting between two options on their menu, which runs from specialty cocktails to classic Spanish-inspired dishes. I ordered the Passion Paradise for my drink, which had a great citrus base and perfect for those who enjoy more of a fruity beverage. I also tasted a few drinks my friends ordered, including a tamarind martini and a classic margarita. My personal favorite bite was their octopus, which was an excellent portion size and also well-made in terms of texture. The dish came with a paprika miso sauce that was absolutely decadent. We also shared the patatas bravas, which was their special of the day. The atmosphere and service overall made for a wonderful meal, and each plate came with a great presentation and taste.

A friend highly recommended Zocalo so we went for dinner. Delicious! My Sangria, wasn't good, first it was topped with sprite which I'm not used to. But it tasted like club soda - I assumed the sprite machine went out. In any case, the server happily got me a different drink. Otherwise, my second drink was pretty good. The food - oh my god! Super flavorful, everything complemented so well. And the basque cheesecake, to die for.

Service was great, food was terrible. Like, really terrible. Nothing was fresh -- all seemed either microwaved or had been sitting around for hours and was not served at the right temperature. Overpriced and not in any way worth it. Also a rat on the patio, which wasn't their fault but still gross.

This restaurant is wonderful! The food was fantastic and the service was amazing. The atmosphere has such a cool vibe, we can't wait to go back. We tried the Pulpo (octopus) and loved it!! The fritters never disappoint and I LOVE the seared duck. Everyone in our group loved their meals! Thanks Zocolo for such a great evening!

The ambiance and decor are lovely and the food was delicious. I was out with some friends for a girls night on the patio and we shared the kale salad and tuna tartare to start. Both appetizers were yummy! The dressing on the kale salad was especially delicious. I followed the reviews and ordered the black bean & corn relleno although it is not normally what I would choose. I am so glad I went out of my comfort zone, it was so flavorful and delicious!!! Be careful though, the filling is VERY hot and I burned my mouth. The other ladies I was with chose the duck and shrimp risotto, everyone enjoyed their meal. Overall a wonderful experience & we will be coming back. The service was good and they even let us move inside and hang out after we paid because it was pouring rain, so kind & appreciated.

Wow! What an amazing way to start our vacation! Yay us and thank-you to the entire Zocalo team! Everyone from the host to our dinner attendant were friendly, seemed to be proud of the place and the food was impressively prepared and presented. The Spanish influence was tasted in every dish. We had the octopus, muscles, lamb meatballs and crispy Brussels sprouts with a pitcher of Sangria. It was a beautiful evening and the patio provided the perfect backdrop for the best meal we've had in a very long time.

Disappointing experience after 20+ years of supporting this once great restaurant. My wife and I went to Zocalo for many years pre -kids and then it became a family favorite for birthdays and other special occasions. The day after Christmas our now grown daughters asked if we could go there as a family, and we did. Food overall was ok, but not as tasty as it has been in this restaurant's prime. However, "hot" appetizers and sides came out cold. Both salads were overdressed. Most notable was the poor service. Water glasses were left unfilled for the entire meal until we finally flagged down a hostess. Dirty dishes were not cleared. Our waitress was present with us infrequently but managed to pre - add a 20% tip to the bill. I'm hopeful that this was just an off night and that Zocalo will turn around. In the meantime, Charlottesville is full of many good alternatives.

Such a fun concept! I came here with some friends for food truck food and drinks. The atmosphere is lively unique. I ended up ordering tacos from a taco truck on site. They were very reasonably priced, the tortillas were fresh, the meat was delicious. They gave me a great hot sauce to use upon request. We also ordered sashimi from a Japanese food truck. The fish was fresh, cut and arranged neatly and very tasty. I ordered a margarita inside Zocalo. There were several food trucks, so there were options for anyone in our party. Also very good! Can't wait to come back here again this summer!

Zocalo is a very very well established restaurant in Charlottesville, Virginia with consistently good service food and atmosphere Have always had a wonderful meal and a nice time whenever dining here

I'm in Charlottesville for business and met a colleague here for a work dinner. For a Saturday night the inside dining area was a bit empty, but I think the patio was busier. We split the cheese fritters, kale salad, spicy tuna tartare appetizers and the salmon entree. Everything was amazing! Presentation was lovely and each dish had a lot of flavor and good textures. My only complaint about the whole meal is that the salmon was cooked well done. I guess I should have asked for it medium, but I assume at nicer restaurants that's a given for salmon. Hope I can come back on another work trip and try some more dishes--everything on the menu sounded delicious.

This restaurant is an excellent example of a venue with great "bones" but horrible management. The staff tries hard but you can tell that their training and operational processes make McDonald's look like a Michelin 3 star. Examples include delayed/missing orders, desserts that fell through because their sorbet melted, and mussels that gave us food poisoning. We also paid 3x the other better restaurants in town. Stay away!

We have lived in Charlottesville over a decade and somehow just now made it to Zocalo. Awesome food, solid service and super good margaritas. I have since learned there is a new owner so if you previously tried it, you might want to give it another shot. First visit was with my daughter, found out the steak w/ grilled asparagus was solid, but when paired w/ manchego bread pudding- its even better. On another visit shared a salad topped w/ fried oysters, house margaritas and the gazpacho. All were outstanding. An excellent addition to Charlottesville's already long list of great restaurants.

Zocalo has suffered neglect and needs a thorough cleaning inside. Now I know why more people eat outside Food is covered in mystery with sauces and spices to hide quality. Will not return

Zocalo has great food but it's a little pricey. The Shrimp risotto could use a little more shrimp and risotto. The duck is perfect. The drinks could use a slightly larger glass. Quantity and quality should both count, don't sacrifice one for another

Amazing service! She was very nice and polite with me and my family The food was delicious my favorite was the drunken New York strip the steak juicy and it had so much flavor to it!!! And the place felt so welcoming and relaxing for me a great place for family!

Wow! First time and now under new ownership. Food was outstanding. Nice menu with various options. Server was attentive to dietary restrictions and was informative with the menu. The layout and lovely decor added to the experience of the meal. Patio dining space is huge and festive at night. A must try or try again with the new owner Will!

Many of us went here for an anniversary dinner and appetizers were fantastic and dinner was excellent!!!!! The Chef even came out to wish them a Happy Anniversary!!! Great service too. Carol D.

Chef Wilfredo. Sorry bud you suck as a business person. We are so upset. Drove an hour an a half from Fredericksburg, va to zocalo. Called on our way and made reservations for two at 6:00 pm. Upon arrival they could not find us on the reservations and told us that we needed to sit for an hour an a half while waiting for an available seat. The owner chef Wilfredo can stay behind the kitchen because he has no place managing a restaurant. There was not a floor manager or anyone to help make a common sense decision. Ended going across the street for a burger.

Zocalo is an absolute must go when in Charlottesville. We have celebrated birthdays and other special occasions over the last year there and the food and service are always just perfect. We are just so excited for brunch on the patio with warmer weather here as its one of my family's favorite things to do on the weekend.

We enjoyed a meal from the tapas menu as well as the regular dinner menu tonight, with mojitos that reflected the charming Latin atmosphere of the restaurant. The pulpo and the pumpkin soup, tuna tostadas and shrimp dishes were all excellently prepared and beautifully presented. Highly recommend!

Came for a date night with my husband and enjoyed our variety of appetizers and entrees. Super easy to book (and then change) our reservation online. Service was great and the restaurant has a cozy, easy-going vibe.

Overdue to revisit. I love it here. Food is great. Drinks are great. Staff operates like a functional family. lol Very good vibes. I'm looking at the picture and salivating. Will be reordering that, and whatever new masterpiece the bartender mixes up. At this point, I trust that I'll enjoy what's put in front of me. I've yet to be disappointed.

I just moved to Charlottesville and was out for a stroll on Saturday when I saw Zocalo offered brunch. I stopped in knowing nothing about the restaurant and was highly impressed. It was beautiful and clean. I was sat immediately close to the fireplace, had excellent service, and a wonderful meal. I will be back for sure!

Food was excellent. Server was professional and friendly but did not understand why the request to have a quieter corner was refused. The rest of the restaurant had many empty tables with tea lights and no customers. Thankfully the tables around cleared after mid- meal.

DJ sucks. Went on a Saturday. Bartenders and security are FANTASTIC. Preston and Anna are AMAZING!!! Jemel and Saun are the best! Unfortunate because DJ won't take requests because "he's not a wedding DJ". He's rude and doesn't listen to the crowd

I stopped in for drinks one evening while walking the Downtown Mall area and I did this because the outside was rather energetic and packed, I opted to sit inside at the bar though. The bartender was friendly and made small talk while taking my order. Aside from that, I didn't see him much during my stay, as he was focused on another couple at the bar where the lady was asking many questions about various drinks and how they're made. I tried a caipirinha for my drink and their Spicy Tuna Tartare as a snack. The Tuna came out quickly and it was just ok... not a lot of flavor and definitely not spicy. The drink was decent, but tasted like it had simple syrup instead of sugar, a caipirinha is supposed to have sugar in it. The rest of the menu looked interesting, but I wasn't quite feeling being there, so I decided to cash out and head somewhere better for dinner.

Came here on a perfect night while visiting Charlottesville from up north. The atmosphere outside was perfect. Great to have drinks and such a beautiful tree strung with lights that give a nice ambience. Went with a mezcal margarita which was just the right amount of smokiness. Picked polenta fries as our appetizer and they were the perfect little bite before our meal. Great to share. Both my husband and I got the special which was a red snapper with pineapple and asparagus. I dream of this meal. Seriously! So great. Wish we didn't have to drive 5 hours to come back!

I'd highly recommend this place. We had our special dinner here as we liked the menu here best. 1. Reservations: recommended They have both outdoor and indoor sitting. Inside is quite dark, which is not what I like but it can create this rather intimate feeling. 2. Food - great We loved our dinner and dessert here a lot. - Spicy tuna tartare: great! Looks so beautiful and it does have a little kick to it but not very spicy - The scallops were perfectly done. The plantain was a surprise and it tasted amazing - Drunken steak: comes medium rare and was good - chocolate lava cake for dessert was a perfect finish 3. Drinks Old fashioned comes with some mezcal and makes the taste weird. I totally didn't like it. Classic mojito was great, very refreshing 4. Service - polite, swift and professional 5. Parking- a bit of a walk is needed. I love it, so it was great for us.

I was taken out to dinner by seven friends while visiting the university. Our group of eight had an excellent time at an indoor table near the front of the house. (It was wet outside, so we needed to be indoors.) I liked the menu and definitely appreciated the eclectic wine list, which had bottles from Spain, Latin America, California and Oregon. We ordered a verdejo and a rioja, both of which were delicious. I started with a lump crab salad that was one of the daily specials. It was served with thin rice chips and proved to be a big winner. My main dish was the duck breast, which I liked well enough. (It's one of the standard items from the regular menu and presumably has been described by other Yelpers.) I was so happy with dinner that I even went for dessert -- very unusual for me. I got the trio of sorbets and loved all three of the scoops.

The recent changes at Zocalo are phenomenal! I popped in to try the new tapas menu and we tried many of the delicious items. The food was out of this world and the bartender made perfect drinks. Service was top notch and I can't wait to go back! A solid 12 /10 for food, drinks, and service

The zocalo margarita has different flavors and was super tasty and sweet!! This place is definitely overpriced. The chocolate cake had a really weird aftertaste. Service was quick ambiance is very nice.

We had reservations for Valentine's Day at Zocolo. We had an early dinner when they first opened at 5pm. We had only eaten there once during restaurant week a few years ago. We were excited to try their regular menu. When we were seated we saw they had a special 3-course dinner menu along with their regular menu offerings. We both decided the 3 course meal was the way to go. The first course was Tangier oysters. They were shucked and served well with a vinaigrette. They tasted great, very smooth going down. The second course was a little out of my comfort zone. I went with the "Chicken" and Waffles which was actually fried quail. It was my first time eating quail. It had a nice taste, albeit more difficult to eat. The corn based waffle with the chocolate mole was very filling. The dessert course was a lava cake that had the flavor of a spice cake. It was listed as a "molten" lava cake. The cake was very tasty although there was no lava. It had the molten down because it was served HOT! Overall we had a great meal. Service was attentive even with a large party near us. We parked in the lot right outside the downtown mall which made it an easy in and out. We will return to actually try the "real" menu soon!

Zocalo on a Thursday was a bit quiet, but the service was good. We've been here a lot over the years and the place once was very popular. The food is consistent which is why we like to return. They have had the same core dishes for a while. There was a seasonal special as well as large cocktail and drink menu. We got the chicken, pork tenderloin, and some sides. Get the cheese fritters which are a classic. The chicken was great and on the spicy side (however, everything is a too spicy and overshadowing the foods flavor). The drinks were good however the crushed ice was odd. The restaurant did not have regular ice. Honestly just turning up the lights a little would help this place.

The scallops themselves were cooked to perfection and tasted fantastic, but the vanilla sauce on the dish was too sweet and didn't match the chili dusted scallop flavor. The plaintains were also a little heavy. If I were to go back I would want to try the duck, but it's not at the top of my list. Mojito flight was tasty and unique though!

Disappointing experience. The food was alright I guess but the service leaves something to be desired. We had a big group, but needed the check split and they got very difficult about it. It wasn't an experience I'd like to repeat. Many other places on the downtown strip will split checks for larger groups so you're better off just going to one of those.

On a freezing winter evening, my husband and I scored the perfect seats beside the fireplace where we warmed up with spicy mezcal cocktails. Both of our entrees were innovative and absolutely delicious. And the espresso martinis we had for dessert provided both the perfect ending to dinner and just enough illusionary warmth to make our walk next door to the Paramount Theater at least bearable, maybe even pleasant. This was our first trip to Zocalo, but it definitely won't be our last!

Had my first meal at Zocalo this week, I have to say I was very surprised. Not to say that I wasn't expecting it to be good...but every dish was spectacular. The menu was very friendly and it was hard to pick what I wanted! The Brussel sprouts were amazing, some of the best I have ever had. The tuna tartare was a solid portion and had great flavor. We just kept ordering things as we realized it was all so good! I would have gotten more photos but we were digging in before I had time. The scallops were cooked to perfection and loved the addition of the tortilla strips that added some crunch! Our waitress was very well rehearsed with the menu and drink/wine pairings. All in all it was a great meal, my only complaint was the ambiance / atmosphere is a bit unfitting/ lacking. But the food and service (which always matters most!!) was fantastic.

The outdoor patio has a great atmosphere, so when my bestie and I had a girls night, we sat outside! To start, we split a bottle of wine and the cheese fritters- which were just ok. I then had the bone-in pork chop special which was delicious, and the potatoes on the side were nice and crispy. My friend had the duck, but before ordering she said she is normally very picky when it comes to duck and has only been happy with her duck once (don't ask me why she decided to order duck after all these experiences!). But this time was different! It was one of the best ducks she's had. I liked it, too, especially the compote with it.

So happy to be able to make a same day reservation online. Great meal! So much delicious flavor and beautifully presented. I had a taste of the yellow gazpacho, a Caesar salad, and the key lime chicken. The chicken was really tasty. Also loved the avocado salad on the side, and the sauce was so good. Our server (Nahida) was very sweet, enthusiastic, and attentive.

Stopped by for cocktails and appetizers. We had the mussels and a drink. Decent mussels but they charges for the extra two pieces of bread which seemed weird but whatever.

Dinner and drinks at Zocalo with my girls on a Saturday night. We went in and chose to sit at the bar, even though there was plenty of seating available when we arrived. The bar is full service and it is fun to sit at the bar sometimes; it felt right. I got the mezcal old fashioned: tasty and not too sweet, it was presented nicely and the orange slice in the drink looked and tasted good. It wasn't a blow my mind kind of cocktail but the mezcal was an interesting twist on the old fashioned and I'd drink it again. Then I split the salmon entree with my friend. We had been snacking all day and weren't super hungry, and our bartender told us they could split any of the entrees which is cool, because a $24 entree is just slightly intimidating if you don't think you'll be able to eat it all and aren't in the situation where getting a doggy bag is convenient (at least in my opinion because I can't stand the thought of wasted food!) It was the perfect portion for me that night, but in the future I could definitely eat the whole portion myself. Cool that they split without up-charging though, and the dish still came out plated very nicely to both of us. Place was kinda loud and dark, but it was a chill vibe and I could still hear my friends even across the length of the four of us at the bar. Bartender was friendly and helpful, and the hosts we interacted with briefly also seemed happy and nice. ---- We went back to zocalo a couple hours later for another drink, while waiting for dancing hour to arrive (it was still so early though it felt late; we're old) I got a spicy mezcal drink that I don't know the name of, because I just told the bartender to make something that he think I'd like after describing what I liked. It was pretty damn spicy, but good if you like that. Glad I finally went to zocalo --twice in one night--and I'd go back.

This is the first dance "club" bar I've found in Cville with a DJ and sadly the DJ was so bad.

My wife ordered a dinner salad with chicken added, but it came to the table without the chicken. The waiter apologized and ordered the chicken for the salad, plus she offered a dessert, which was declined. After a lengthy wait a chicken dinner arrived and we were billed for the chicken dinner. My wife just wanted the chicken for her salad. My Caesar salad seemed salty and spicy. When I tried to go inside to use the restroom I was told it was only for customers. We won't be back anytime soon. The extra chicken dinner was removed from our bill.

The food is amazing, the restaurant has a good vibe and all of the staff are super friendly.

Came here on restaurant week in January. Food was delicious. Had the salmon crunchy flautas and the flank steak. Both were delicious. Had the the churros for dessert and they were okay. Passion fruit mojito was delicious as well. Value wise for restaurant week, I thought it was a bit pricey, specially if you compare it to other restaurants participating in restaurant week. There are other restaurants that are a better deal for restaurant week but I would come back because the food and service speak for themselves

The. Salmon. Everyone talks about how amazing their salmon dish is so I finally tried it and now I crave it all the time. Zocalo is a cute spot on the downtown mall with an amazing menu and good service. It's one of my favorite spots for a girls night. A must try!!

The salmon was amazing. It was one of the best fish dishes I have had. The chicken was good, but I wasn't the biggest fan of the avocado salad. The farro + kale salad was perfect for my vegetarian friend. We really enjoyed this meal!!

What a great surprise! The food here is amazing. Everything our party of four all had different dishes and each one was excellent. Service was also friendly and prompt. We will be back next time we visit Charlottesville.

New chef. Zocalo has its mojo back! Awesome meal. Superb staff. Highly recommend the kale salad and the key lime chicken, my go-to dishes here, with a glass of Albariño. Grab a spot on the patio and enjoy!