Nahida!!! She was amazing. So much hospitality and kindness when she served us at the bar. She truly made the experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Grace W.
Mahida is amazing made us great lemon drops queen give her a raise love her she made this experience worth it
Austin N.
We had a disappointing experience this evening. My spouse and I were excited to dine in Charlottesville for the first time, but left more frustrated than anything. There were several issues to highlight. First, five items, including half the entrees, were unavailable at 7pm on a Saturday evening. That’s completely unacceptable for a restaurant at this price point. After being told two of the items I ordered were unavailable, I settled for the scallops, but was disappointed once again. All elements of the dish were cold, to include the plate. Finally, service was quite slow with it taking over an hour to get our main courses.The lone bright spot of the evening was our waitress. She was very pleasant, but clearly overwhelmed and embarrassed from the situation she was in. We saw her profusely apologize to four or five tables for the poor food availability.Based off the many positive reviews they have, I hope it was just an off night for the restaurant. We probably won’t return though.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 3
Kate T
DO NOT EAT HERE! Genuinely one of the WORST and most shameful dining experiences I’ve ever had. We made a reservation for 6:30 and were seated on time, but we spent the next 30 minutes sitting there without a server taking our drink order. After getting drinks, it was another 25 minutes before the waitress came back to take our food order. At no point did any service staff even acknowledge us during this. When we got our food (finally) it was extremely mid-tier and disappointing considering the wait time. Service was deplorable, and our waitress was extremely rude. My mother dropped her napkin and asked for a new one—the waitress never brought it. My sister asked for her leftovers to go—the waitress took her food to “box it up” and never brought it back. The only thing she did manage to bring to our table was a hell of an attitude. I have always been a faithful tipper and have never left a dinner without tipping wait staff, but had the tip not been already included in the final price (which I’m sure they do because they certainly wouldn’t earn tips based on quality service), I wouldn’t have left her a single cent. Horrible, horrible, horrible. Do NOT waste your time or your money. Go eat at McDonald’s if you must, I’m sure their service and workers are much more agreeable.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Greg Lyons
John the waiter was fantastic and the food was outstanding! The filet special and the NY strip were cooked to perfection....very tasty. Brussel sprouts as a side were great. We had an awesome experience!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rebecca W.
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!
Tiffany L.
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.
Caroline W.
Food and service was amazing. Drinks were also great. Overall a great experience for a quick weekend getaway.
Lauren Truitt
All I wanted was this song request. And yet the DJs act like they’re in Ibiza. You’re not above us. You could’ve given into my request at one in the morning when barely anyone was here but no, you let your pride get in the way. The bar service there were only two girls working New Year’s. God helped them on the volume. They did amazing shout out to them. I couldn’t tip them enough. Life is short and I get that you cling to whatever you need to but those working the music/DJ stand get over yourself. The ones that keep you alive are your fans and I am not a fan of any of you that work here. I make a lot of money and I work hard for what I do and when I spend money I’m ready to spend it on those who are worth it. But today not worth it on the music side. I might as well have been at a cosmic bowling event.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 3
Larry Bidwell
We just left after an hour and a half waiting on our entrees. No one checked on us; no one stopped by to let us know where our meal was.We arrived 20 minutes early and offered to have a drink at the bar. “No we have a table ready.” Then, we sat for 25 minutes before anyone even stopped by the table. Meanwhile, people who came in after us were waited on.I asked to see the manager after an hour and a half and still no meal. Her “excuse” for poor service: we ordered an appetizer.Too many “hip” staff and not enough people who care about their work.The worst part was the manager wrongfully saying we were rude to the wait staff.WORST DINING EXPERIENCE EVER!!! We will never eat there again and will post where we can how bad our service and experience was. Worst part: it was our anniversary and less than 3 weeks ago, midweek, we ate there. Service was slow, but not like last night.Not sure how this young lady got to be named manager—no customer service skills at all.Ridiculous that you spend over $150 on such a pitiful dining experience.Who owns this dump?
I've visited Zocalo on multiple occasions, and they consistently provide great food and service. Everyone is friendly and helpful. I also got a reservation for my family during graduation weekend, and the pre-set menu offerings were, as with the rest of their menu, phenomenal. I cannot recommend Zocalo enough.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Grilled Salmon, Black Bean and Corn Relleno, Spicy Tuna Tartare
Alyza K
This was some of the best food if not the best food i’ve ever had. the jack cheese fritters were absolutely incredible. Our waitress Nahida was amazing as well. the strip steak was cooked to perfection and so was the seared duck my husband got. It was a great experience all in
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.
Grace P.
My parents wanted to take my s/o parents out to dinner while they were visiting. I chose Zocalo because I wanted delicious food, great drinks, and a quieter setting, so we could hear each other at dinner. I made an early reservation (5:30pm on a Saturday). My parents arrived early, so they had a drink at the bar. Their bar tab was easily transferred over to the table. The staff was friendly and very attentive. We had a nice table towards the back. The lighting was great (my parents probably would have complained if the lighting was too dim to see the menu). Zocalo has a standard menu with dishes that they have mastered, but I also I liked that they offered a seasonal menu with specials. Our drinks and appetizers came quickly. I made sure to get the cheese balls because those are a staple! The waiter was attentive and our waters were always full. My partner and dad got the duck. They were both very impressed with how perfectly it was cooked and how the sides complimented the dish. I ordered the octopus from the seasonal menu. It was delicious and the chef came out to ask for my honest feedback on the dish as it was new. The drunken steak and roasted chicken were also ordered and delicious. We had a wonderful night and it was so special to get both of the families together for a meal. As my parents get older, I find myself valuing a restaurant that is easily accessible for them, has good lighting, and is not too loud. Charlottesville has so many incredible restaurants but I feel like sometimes Zocalo gets forgotten about or overlooked. Zocalo is a delicious Charlottesville staple. Great food, great drinks, great service!!
Amanda L.
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
Nahida!!! She was amazing. So much hospitality and kindness when she served us at the bar. She truly made the experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mahida is amazing made us great lemon drops queen give her a raise love her she made this experience worth it
We had a disappointing experience this evening. My spouse and I were excited to dine in Charlottesville for the first time, but left more frustrated than anything. There were several issues to highlight. First, five items, including half the entrees, were unavailable at 7pm on a Saturday evening. That’s completely unacceptable for a restaurant at this price point. After being told two of the items I ordered were unavailable, I settled for the scallops, but was disappointed once again. All elements of the dish were cold, to include the plate. Finally, service was quite slow with it taking over an hour to get our main courses.The lone bright spot of the evening was our waitress. She was very pleasant, but clearly overwhelmed and embarrassed from the situation she was in. We saw her profusely apologize to four or five tables for the poor food availability.Based off the many positive reviews they have, I hope it was just an off night for the restaurant. We probably won’t return though.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 3
DO NOT EAT HERE! Genuinely one of the WORST and most shameful dining experiences I’ve ever had. We made a reservation for 6:30 and were seated on time, but we spent the next 30 minutes sitting there without a server taking our drink order. After getting drinks, it was another 25 minutes before the waitress came back to take our food order. At no point did any service staff even acknowledge us during this. When we got our food (finally) it was extremely mid-tier and disappointing considering the wait time. Service was deplorable, and our waitress was extremely rude. My mother dropped her napkin and asked for a new one—the waitress never brought it. My sister asked for her leftovers to go—the waitress took her food to “box it up” and never brought it back. The only thing she did manage to bring to our table was a hell of an attitude. I have always been a faithful tipper and have never left a dinner without tipping wait staff, but had the tip not been already included in the final price (which I’m sure they do because they certainly wouldn’t earn tips based on quality service), I wouldn’t have left her a single cent. Horrible, horrible, horrible. Do NOT waste your time or your money. Go eat at McDonald’s if you must, I’m sure their service and workers are much more agreeable.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
John the waiter was fantastic and the food was outstanding! The filet special and the NY strip were cooked to perfection....very tasty. Brussel sprouts as a side were great. We had an awesome experience!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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!
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.
Food and service was amazing. Drinks were also great. Overall a great experience for a quick weekend getaway.
All I wanted was this song request. And yet the DJs act like they’re in Ibiza. You’re not above us. You could’ve given into my request at one in the morning when barely anyone was here but no, you let your pride get in the way. The bar service there were only two girls working New Year’s. God helped them on the volume. They did amazing shout out to them. I couldn’t tip them enough. Life is short and I get that you cling to whatever you need to but those working the music/DJ stand get over yourself. The ones that keep you alive are your fans and I am not a fan of any of you that work here. I make a lot of money and I work hard for what I do and when I spend money I’m ready to spend it on those who are worth it. But today not worth it on the music side. I might as well have been at a cosmic bowling event.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 3
We just left after an hour and a half waiting on our entrees. No one checked on us; no one stopped by to let us know where our meal was.We arrived 20 minutes early and offered to have a drink at the bar. “No we have a table ready.” Then, we sat for 25 minutes before anyone even stopped by the table. Meanwhile, people who came in after us were waited on.I asked to see the manager after an hour and a half and still no meal. Her “excuse” for poor service: we ordered an appetizer.Too many “hip” staff and not enough people who care about their work.The worst part was the manager wrongfully saying we were rude to the wait staff.WORST DINING EXPERIENCE EVER!!! We will never eat there again and will post where we can how bad our service and experience was. Worst part: it was our anniversary and less than 3 weeks ago, midweek, we ate there. Service was slow, but not like last night.Not sure how this young lady got to be named manager—no customer service skills at all.Ridiculous that you spend over $150 on such a pitiful dining experience.Who owns this dump?
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
I've visited Zocalo on multiple occasions, and they consistently provide great food and service. Everyone is friendly and helpful. I also got a reservation for my family during graduation weekend, and the pre-set menu offerings were, as with the rest of their menu, phenomenal. I cannot recommend Zocalo enough.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Grilled Salmon, Black Bean and Corn Relleno, Spicy Tuna Tartare
This was some of the best food if not the best food i’ve ever had. the jack cheese fritters were absolutely incredible. Our waitress Nahida was amazing as well. the strip steak was cooked to perfection and so was the seared duck my husband got. It was a great experience all in
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seared Duck Breast, Grilled Asparagus
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.
My parents wanted to take my s/o parents out to dinner while they were visiting. I chose Zocalo because I wanted delicious food, great drinks, and a quieter setting, so we could hear each other at dinner. I made an early reservation (5:30pm on a Saturday). My parents arrived early, so they had a drink at the bar. Their bar tab was easily transferred over to the table. The staff was friendly and very attentive. We had a nice table towards the back. The lighting was great (my parents probably would have complained if the lighting was too dim to see the menu). Zocalo has a standard menu with dishes that they have mastered, but I also I liked that they offered a seasonal menu with specials. Our drinks and appetizers came quickly. I made sure to get the cheese balls because those are a staple! The waiter was attentive and our waters were always full. My partner and dad got the duck. They were both very impressed with how perfectly it was cooked and how the sides complimented the dish. I ordered the octopus from the seasonal menu. It was delicious and the chef came out to ask for my honest feedback on the dish as it was new. The drunken steak and roasted chicken were also ordered and delicious. We had a wonderful night and it was so special to get both of the families together for a meal. As my parents get older, I find myself valuing a restaurant that is easily accessible for them, has good lighting, and is not too loud. Charlottesville has so many incredible restaurants but I feel like sometimes Zocalo gets forgotten about or overlooked. Zocalo is a delicious Charlottesville staple. Great food, great drinks, great service!!
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