Eggplant Parmesan was fantastic. Excellent flavor, sliced very thin thus very tender. Great service. Looking forward to a return
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alibek Kenges
Seems a little overpriced for what you get... Food is just average - the best thing was the complementary basket of bread. Service was just 'meh', especially for the 20% tip that they surprise you with at the end... The atmosphere is very nice though...
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 2
Raphael
It was good. Service was great. Employees were attentive and kind. Prices were seemed about right (not too expensive) for being a nice looking restaurant on the downtown mall. Ordered pasta, pizza, and took home a tiramisu. They have a few vegetarian options. Complimentary bread was nice. Pizza was a good pizza. Pasta and tiramisu were bomb. Would definitely go back. Seems like it would be a nice spot for a summer lunch date where you eat outside. Also looked like they had a couple good cocktails, but didn’t order any this time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bill H.
Sal's is one of my "Go To" spots in Charlottesville . The food is excellent and plenty of it. The staff is very friendly and efficient. I really enjoyed my visit.
Ashleigh W.
If you're wondering why this restaurant is the only one in town with immediate seating, let me enlighten you: dining here is like being in an exclusive club where the secret password is 'I enjoy remarkably slow service and flavorless food.' A truly unique experience that answered all my questions about its popularity!
Nanci D.
Over the holidays I had the pleasure of eating at Sal's for the first time, and I don't regret it. The restaurant is very cozy, prices are reasonable, and the staff very attentive and friendly. As for the food, WOW. The calamari appetizer was cooked to perfection, nice and crispy. The manicotti was flavorful and a party in my mouth. I will definitely come back for both items, and also try new ones.
Joseph Stoos
BLUF: Overpriced for cheap frozen/boxes/bagged Italian food, served luke warm by wait staff that don't care.Food: Extremely expensive for obviously not fresh ingredients. Food came out warm, Mushrooms and shrimp were rubbery, chicken tasted frozen.Service: Server was very curt, and feels like they dismissed us from the get-go as not being good tippers likely due to our attire. Other tables got attention, and we frequently waited an extended amount of time for basic things from them such as, taking out order, clearing our food, getting the check. Other tables were getting quick service. Having worked wait staff that is the rudest thing you can do to a table.Atmosphere: The atmosphere was at least nice, I enjoyed the decor. What is keeping this from being 5 stars is because there were clearly far too many tables for the space as it was hard to maneuver and the bathroom smelled disgusting.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 2
Bill R.
Terrific food and service. Honest Italian cuisine without painted plates and bizarre ingredients.
Susan D.
Amazing Italian food. Homemade pasta. Good service. Clean dining area. We highly recommend this restaurant if you love Italian dishes!
Stephanie Boudreaux
Sals is not only THE BEST Italian restaurant, but over all one of my favorite restaurants in Charlottesville. Their menu comes from generations of family recipes, combined with love and a genuine desire to make people feel good through their food. The cozy atmosphere and warm staff create an environment that feels like I’m back in Italy. Ask Joellen for a wine recommendation and she will graciously pair you with a match made for your meal or pallet. The restaurant has been in the family for many years, and each generation (shout out to Joe!) takes their turn to run it with pride and a knowledge of what good Italian food is. Highly recommend this fantastic place!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mussels Marinara, Caprese, Caesar Salad, Bruschetta, Alfredo, Prosciutto and Fresh Mellon, Tiramisu, Antipasto, Gnocchi Allessandro, Bolognese, Chicken Marsala, Chicken Parmigiana, Meatballs, Garlic Bread, Emma Rosa, House Cheese Pizza, Mozzarella Sticks
We love Sal’s! Staff is always friendly and helpful and you feel like family when you are there. Joellen is always on point with recommendations and Joe’s food is timeless and always fantastic!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ryan Ray
From the moment you step into Sal's Caffe Italia in Charlottesville, VA, you are transported to a world where Italian culinary excellence and Virginia's warm hospitality blend seamlessly. This gem, nestled in the city's bustling heart, is a haven for food enthusiasts and casual diners alike.
I can not give Sal's Caffe high enough praise! We enjoyed delicious hand-tossed pizza, and were impressed by the fantastic selection of wine to make the perfect pairing! The owners are passionate about sharing their love for their authentic Italian cuisine, and that can be felt from the moment you enter the door! I can't wait to go back!
Sue C.
We dined at Sal's last evening. The restaurant is small but very inviting. Wait staff is excellent! We had the salmon, which was excellent, so was the house salad. Their hot bread served with oil and balsam vinegar was so good there was no need for dessert.
Annaliese M.
I have dined here twice now and have been happy with both my meals. It isn't the best Italian food I've ever eaten but it certainly gets the job done. Personally, I love the caesar salad. It is a generous portion and is well dressed - one of the better caesar's I have had in my life. The first time I ate here for dinner, I ordered the lobster ravioli. It was fine. I didn't love it but it was good. The pasta dough is definitely homemade which is a positive. The most recent time I've eaten here, I ordered the pasta bolognese and it was not that great, but again just fine. What keeps me going back here is the quick service and the yummy caesar salad. They also have great outdoor seating.
Eggplant Parmesan was fantastic. Excellent flavor, sliced very thin thus very tender. Great service. Looking forward to a return
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Seems a little overpriced for what you get... Food is just average - the best thing was the complementary basket of bread. Service was just 'meh', especially for the 20% tip that they surprise you with at the end... The atmosphere is very nice though...
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 2
It was good. Service was great. Employees were attentive and kind. Prices were seemed about right (not too expensive) for being a nice looking restaurant on the downtown mall. Ordered pasta, pizza, and took home a tiramisu. They have a few vegetarian options. Complimentary bread was nice. Pizza was a good pizza. Pasta and tiramisu were bomb. Would definitely go back. Seems like it would be a nice spot for a summer lunch date where you eat outside. Also looked like they had a couple good cocktails, but didn’t order any this time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sal's is one of my "Go To" spots in Charlottesville . The food is excellent and plenty of it. The staff is very friendly and efficient. I really enjoyed my visit.
If you're wondering why this restaurant is the only one in town with immediate seating, let me enlighten you: dining here is like being in an exclusive club where the secret password is 'I enjoy remarkably slow service and flavorless food.' A truly unique experience that answered all my questions about its popularity!
Over the holidays I had the pleasure of eating at Sal's for the first time, and I don't regret it. The restaurant is very cozy, prices are reasonable, and the staff very attentive and friendly. As for the food, WOW. The calamari appetizer was cooked to perfection, nice and crispy. The manicotti was flavorful and a party in my mouth. I will definitely come back for both items, and also try new ones.
BLUF: Overpriced for cheap frozen/boxes/bagged Italian food, served luke warm by wait staff that don't care.Food: Extremely expensive for obviously not fresh ingredients. Food came out warm, Mushrooms and shrimp were rubbery, chicken tasted frozen.Service: Server was very curt, and feels like they dismissed us from the get-go as not being good tippers likely due to our attire. Other tables got attention, and we frequently waited an extended amount of time for basic things from them such as, taking out order, clearing our food, getting the check. Other tables were getting quick service. Having worked wait staff that is the rudest thing you can do to a table.Atmosphere: The atmosphere was at least nice, I enjoyed the decor. What is keeping this from being 5 stars is because there were clearly far too many tables for the space as it was hard to maneuver and the bathroom smelled disgusting.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 2
Terrific food and service. Honest Italian cuisine without painted plates and bizarre ingredients.
Amazing Italian food. Homemade pasta. Good service. Clean dining area. We highly recommend this restaurant if you love Italian dishes!
Sals is not only THE BEST Italian restaurant, but over all one of my favorite restaurants in Charlottesville. Their menu comes from generations of family recipes, combined with love and a genuine desire to make people feel good through their food. The cozy atmosphere and warm staff create an environment that feels like I’m back in Italy. Ask Joellen for a wine recommendation and she will graciously pair you with a match made for your meal or pallet. The restaurant has been in the family for many years, and each generation (shout out to Joe!) takes their turn to run it with pride and a knowledge of what good Italian food is. Highly recommend this fantastic place!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mussels Marinara, Caprese, Caesar Salad, Bruschetta, Alfredo, Prosciutto and Fresh Mellon, Tiramisu, Antipasto, Gnocchi Allessandro, Bolognese, Chicken Marsala, Chicken Parmigiana, Meatballs, Garlic Bread, Emma Rosa, House Cheese Pizza, Mozzarella Sticks
Restaurantji Recommends
We love Sal’s! Staff is always friendly and helpful and you feel like family when you are there. Joellen is always on point with recommendations and Joe’s food is timeless and always fantastic!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
From the moment you step into Sal's Caffe Italia in Charlottesville, VA, you are transported to a world where Italian culinary excellence and Virginia's warm hospitality blend seamlessly. This gem, nestled in the city's bustling heart, is a haven for food enthusiasts and casual diners alike.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Calamari Fritte, Bruschetta, Bolognese, Chicken Marsala, Chicken Parmigiana, Garlic Bread, Calamari
I can not give Sal's Caffe high enough praise! We enjoyed delicious hand-tossed pizza, and were impressed by the fantastic selection of wine to make the perfect pairing! The owners are passionate about sharing their love for their authentic Italian cuisine, and that can be felt from the moment you enter the door! I can't wait to go back!
We dined at Sal's last evening. The restaurant is small but very inviting. Wait staff is excellent! We had the salmon, which was excellent, so was the house salad. Their hot bread served with oil and balsam vinegar was so good there was no need for dessert.
I have dined here twice now and have been happy with both my meals. It isn't the best Italian food I've ever eaten but it certainly gets the job done. Personally, I love the caesar salad. It is a generous portion and is well dressed - one of the better caesar's I have had in my life. The first time I ate here for dinner, I ordered the lobster ravioli. It was fine. I didn't love it but it was good. The pasta dough is definitely homemade which is a positive. The most recent time I've eaten here, I ordered the pasta bolognese and it was not that great, but again just fine. What keeps me going back here is the quick service and the yummy caesar salad. They also have great outdoor seating.