Tilman's — Restaurant in Charlottesville

To begin, my wife and I didn't know what to expect with this gem along the downtown pedestrian mall in Charlottesville, but it was an intriguing concept given the counter service for ordering. We're so glad we made the decision. They were quite attentive in the sense of bringing food and drinks out right away, refilling out water carafe and engaging in conversation when that was appropriate. As you can see from my photos, there's a bit of a store concept also here with unique food and beverage related products. Because we hadn't been here before, we did opt for reservations. It is worth noting that dining at the bar in the back was another option. We both had european style sandwiches which were quite delicious and on the lighter side, which is what we wanted this particular evening. That also helped to keep the cost down. The cocktail I had was lovely as well. This was a great example of being rewarded for being open to a new experience, which is what travel is (or should be) ultimately all about....

My husband and I had a private party at Tilman’s in December. It was a cocktail party to kick off our wedding weekend. The space was absolutely perfect, as we were able to move around tables to accommodate our guests standing and mingling. Additionally, Courtenay and Derek went way above and beyond. They suggested tons of ideas and helped plan our food and wine menu. They were flexible with allowing us to bring some of our own decorations as well! We meet several times before the event to ensure everything was perfect. The night was so special and they took care of everything, so I was able to relax and enjoy the evening. I 100% recommend Tilman’s if you are looking for a place to hold an intimate event with lots of delicious wine and cheese OR just to stop by to eat and drink if you're on the downtown mall! (Prosecco cocktails and pimento cheese...

Tilman's is a cheese and wine bar in the historic downtown mall and the only one of its type nearby. The front of the shop has a few seats and wine and cheese for sale for people who come in and out. The back has a bar and tables for dining.

My wife and I opted for the front tables since we had our 20-month-old (and it fit a high chair). You order up front and they deliver the food to your table.

The food itself was good. My wife ordered the Greek salad and I the fig panini. Both were flavorful. Our baby had the kids grilled cheese and fruit and enjoyed it. The pickle plate we started with and it comes with pickled pickles, beets, and asparagus.

We both had drinks and this is where they lacked. My sangria looked beautiful, but was bitter.

If you want cheese and wine, Tilman's is a worthy contender in...