Stunning Views at Rooftop Charlottesville: Is the Food Worth the Trip?

Located above The Doyle Hotel, Rooftop Charlottesville offers stunning views and a menu filled with upscale snacks and impressive cocktails. My friend and I visited to check out the special Restaurant Week offerings, selecting a three-course meal for a reasonable $35. Despite the appealing atmosphere and price, we left feeling underwhelmed by the food.

Just a quick five-minute drive or 20-minute walk from the Rotunda, Rooftop Charlottesville is now a part of The Doyle after its renovation in 2024. They focus on using seasonal ingredients sourced from local farms. The rooftop bar is open Wednesday to Sunday, offering guests a chance to relax with a drink and a nice view.

The lobby of The Doyle has a warm and inviting vibe, showcasing local artwork and quirky furniture that give it a unique boutique feel. One highlight was the pink elevator, which added a touch of luxury to the space.

During our winter visit, we noticed that modifications to the rooftop limited views of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Only indoor seating was available, and we found the restaurant eerily empty, with just four of us dining that evening.

For my appetizer, I chose the “Hail, Caesar” salad priced at $12. As a Caesar salad enthusiast, I had high hopes but was let down. The salad was oversized and topped with a thick layer of Parmesan that hid the rest of the ingredients. While the dressing was light, it didn’t pack much flavor. The homemade challah croutons, however, were nicely seasoned and saved the dish a bit.

For my main course, I picked the Royale with Cheese, a double cheeseburger with caramelized onions, lettuce, and a housemade dijonaise for $21. I was excited about the blend of beef and bacon in the patties, but sadly, it lacked much flavor. The dijonaise did provide a nice tang, but the fries, served in a cute mini basket, were undercooked and needed more seasoning. Overall, I wouldn’t order this combo again.

My friend opted for the “Let’s Taco ‘bout it” shrimp tacos for $17, which turned out to be the highlight of our meal. These tacos were topped with grilled shrimp and a tasty apple-fennel slaw, blending sweet and earthy flavors well. Although they were supposed to include micro cilantro, there were only a few sprigs. The chipotle mayo added a pleasant kick, making the tacos enjoyable, though a bit greasy.

To wrap up our meal, we tried the “Nuts For You” pecan pie, which featured chocolate, caramel, and pretzels on a dense crust, topped with vanilla ice cream. While I was excited for a twist on the classic dessert, the flavors didn’t mesh well, leaving the dish feeling sticky and overwhelming rather than delightful.

The potential for a great experience at Rooftop Charlottesville is clear, especially on a warm summer day. However, my winter visit didn’t show the kitchen at its best. The staff were friendly and attentive, but the food didn’t live up to the “upscale bar bites” promise. At $35 for our meal, we definitely got a lot of food, but I question how satisfying the dishes would be at their regular prices.