The Alley Light in Charlottesville - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

Where to start. The entire night was incredibly disappointing. Although it might be cute not to have a sign outside to find this place, it was stressful when trying to be on time for our reservation. We booked this place weeks ago to celebrate a birthday. After reading so much about it we were all excited. We even spent the evening before writing down things we wanted to order. We sat on time, and ordered. We had 4 "share plates" arrive literally 2/3 minutes apart, there was no room on our table. We were told it is because they have a small kitchen and the order must leave the kitchen as soon as it's ready. Well I'm sorry NO, that's not ok, that means someone is not doing their job. We didn't need 4 plates in minutes. That meant all of our dishes arrive in the first 15 mins we sat down. Isn’t the entire point of French cuisine was to be able to relax and enjoy. The marinated calamari had so much vinegar it as barely edible. We are guessing since it was rather fishy, that was how they mask the fishy taste, calamari should not have a fishy taste. There were exactly 5 pieces of calamari the size of a nickel in the entire order. The anchovy fennel special was a search and rescue to find ANY anchovies. My husband made a joke and said maybe the anchovies were in the calamari and that’s why it tasted fishy. This was far from the magical night we had hoped for. We left and went around the corner Franks Cafe and enjoyed a relaxed and lovely few small dishes and dessert. Our romantic night seemed to be incredibly hurried, from the time we sat until we left was less than an hour. Not cool at all.

I got married last weekend and we chose The Alley Light to be our wedding dinner. It was absolutely perfect! One of the things by husband and I connect on is the entire dining experience: food, drink, atmosphere, and staff. I can say without hesitation that this was the absolute best experience of all 4 that we've ever had. Every single dish we had was absolutely phenomenal! Definitely some of the best food we've ever had. The drinks were delicious, creative, and beautiful. The bartenders were truly excellent. The atmosphere and the vibe felt very upscale speakeasy which I loved. But the best part was the staff as a whole. Every single person was welcoming, fun, excited to share in the experience with us, and just overall wonderful. We couldn't have asked for a better experience. If you ever have something special to celebrate The Alley Light is a perfect choice to celebrate with you. Thank you so much to everyone who contributed to our very memorable experience. We can't tell you how much it meant. ❤️

I only went for drinks and an appetizer. I absolutely loved the dealers choice. I got to try something new each time and it never disappointed. It was my first time to a speakeasy so lesson learned - reserve in advance if you don't want to wait because the area is incredibly small, but such a nice atmosphere with friendly staff.

This place is fabulous. Don’t let the outside for you. One of the best small plate meals we’ve had. Salmon steak steak, Tatar and risotto fabulous. Also the halibut. The reich dessert to die for. Highly recommend!

We were in town for just a night and this place was recommended to us and we had a little trouble finding it but a quick phone call to the restaurant got us there. It was actually part of the fun. The food and service and cocktails here were absolutely wonderful. We were super hungry and ordered a bunch of small plates and the best for us were the scallops, the tenderloin, the goat cheese/endive salad and the chocolate giant macaron dessert. They make their own Limoncello in house which was delicious, and my Barbie cocktail was perfectly crafted.

Amazing restaurant and bar hard to find but very worth the look!

I absolutely loved this place. Very cozy and efficient customer service. The food was outstanding.

We had an awesome experience this weekend at the Alley Light. From the moment we walked in we were taken care of with the most attentive service. The servers were amazing and informative. The food was outstanding and beautifully served. Our taste buds were tantalized with each course and we were left incredibly satisfied and not feeling overstuffed. The cocktails were amazing and worthy of a slow sipping that satisfied and fulfilled our taste sensations! What a great, relaxing and fulfilling experience. Definitely one to return to!

Underseasoned for me. Ask for salt.

The drinks here are incredibly unique and fun, and the night feels like an entire exciting experience. Highly recommend for date night or night out with a few friends

Awesome food! And everything else!

Unfortunately we were unable to be seated even though I saw that vacant tables were available. We were told to come back in 40 minutes which we did and we were then told to wait another 20-30 minutes so we decided to go to another restaurant that wanted to serve us. Over many years of visiting the restaurants in the Charlottesville area this establishment refused to seat my and my wife for some odd reason which was a first. There are many great restaurants in the Charlottesville area particularly to bring family and clients with great food and service but this isn’t one of them.

We had a parents night out here on a Saturday night and it was such a lovely time. We’d planned on two rounds but just had to stay for a third because they were so good. We put our fate in the bartenders hands choosing the dealers choice and we were not disappointed, in fact that was our favorite round of the evening. The cheese plate was also great, full of delicious cheeses you’d likely not just pick out on your own.

My first and last time here. While having a wonderful bar selection is a good idea, having folks behind the bar who don’t know the difference between bourbon and gin is just not well planned, but the real embarrassment for this place is having the gaul to charge $3 for an ice cube, seriously?!? And then to have a snotty attitude towards a guest when “defending” the many days it takes to make said ice cube. What a joke!

This restaurant is interestingly hidden in an alley. Maybe it's obscure for a reason and prides itself in the look of an alley light without any signage. The host called us and wondered if we were lost finding this restaurant. He told us he would go looking for us which was an impressive gesture one that we have not encountered with any restaurant. It was a nice touch. We came on a graduation weekend for a UVA so the price was a fixed price menu. We had the Short rib ravioli's pasta tasted undercooked but could just be the way the pasta was made. It was not soft and tender although the inside short rib was tasty. The scallops were deliciously seared with interesting flavors. We all had the beef tenderloin which was delicious in flavor seared perfectly and served with mash potatoes and greens. The duck confit was pretty decent. The cod with asparagus was tasty only if the sauce was drizzled on it. The cod itself could have benefited from a little bit more flavoring or more of the sauce on it would make it tastier. Dessert was a chocolate mousse which was rich in flavor. Cocktails here are perfectly crafted. We got the margarita and it was very good.

Extremely overpriced allocated bourbons. You can get the same, with better service for 1/3 or less the cost 2 blocks away. I gave this place several tries. It is all hype. Price gouging at it's worst. Don't be fooled.

This is a wonderful restaurant. The drinks were great, the food was stupendous, and the bourbon selection was vast. We will definitely be returning!

Excellent food and great guidance from our server. We probably ordered too much but everything was wonderful. Highly recommend the carrots!

First, the good things! The atmosphere was lovely and the service was excellent from both our server and the bartender. The cocktails were very good. Now the bad…Unfortunately, the food was unimpressive, not well seasoned, and honestly disappointing. In fairness, we expressed our dissatisfaction in the food and graciously, our bill was reduced. The issue is we were looking for an exceptional meal for a special occasion. After reading many reviews and looking forward to a great night out, it was disappointing. We won’t be returning.

The Alley Light has been an absolute delight each time I have dined there. The atmosphere is dimly lit with light music in a smaller room giving off the feeling of having a private space. The bartenders are phenomenal and the dealer’s choice drinks are always perfectly on the nose without being overly expensive. The food is also amazing and comes out fairly quickly even while they were busy. The waiters are attentive and personable. All around highly recommend!!

Anna banana was the most amazing server and the food was absolutely delicious!!!! Highly recommended!

Spent $400 for four people to leave hungry. The dealers choice cocktails were uncreative...a whiskey sour and a boulevardier? Really? The food we got was pretty good, not not amazing, but the portions were embarrassingly small.

Leaving a review so I don't forget to come back here again, next time we are in town. Creative and delicious menu, crafty cocktails and an NYC Speakeasy atmosphere - what more can you want? Try every single item on the menu!

Very good and reasonable (in terms of price). The service is top-notch

It took us a little while to find this place in a little alley with no signage, but we'll worth the effort. Loved the speakeasy vibe. Service and food were excellent. Will definitely return when back in Charlottesville.

Didn't have food. Just drinks. But did the dealers choice and they were AWESOME!

What a great place! Yes it might be hard to find but that is part of the charm. I have eaten in restaurants with James Beard award winning chefs and multiple stars but this dinner went beyond my expectations. Yes you need reservations. Yes the place is full but I never felt rushed (like they were anxious to turn the table). What they did to a humble carrot dish left me wanting to be a vegetarian!!! However their beef tartare made be rejoice that I wasn’t!! Micha has to be a magical bartender, don’t hesitate to simply tell the waitstaff your flavor profile and left him work his magic. I must return to Cville if for no other reason than to enjoy another heavenly dinner.

Food was good. Didn’t like the foie gras (it was mixed with veal into this…meatloaf-esque slice…not a fan. It’s a terrine style. Not for me). The bone marrow was the highlight. Very good. The beef tenderloin was not as good as the waiter made it sound. It was a nice two medallions of beef. Nothing to write home about. The leek…pâté thing that came with the beef was interesting. Like good interesting. The drinks were solid but I would hope so for $18 a drink. All in all a meh experience for a decently pricey place. I think this restaurant (supposedly a speak easy style?) is pretending to…aspiring to be more than it is. It’s a good restaurant. And I’d recommend trying them out if you have a couple hundred dollars to burn. But it’s not a MUST try.

Amazing food and cocktails! Definitely a must visit

Such a fun birthday dinner! Definitely a top 5 favorite! Sat in the “club” chairs near the window which was a nice setting! My drink the Wanda was wonderful!

I would come back to Charlottesville just to go here again! We stopped in for a nightcap, spent the whole night drooling over the specials menu on the wall, and made a reservation to come back for dinner the next day. Terrific cocktails, outstanding food, and impressive selection of dessert wines and digestifs.

Our favorite restaurant in Charlottesville!

One of the best meals I’ve ever had. The drinks were to die for. The experience was a 10/10 the entire way through. Our server Andrew was amazing and very personable. We will definitely be back!

Great small plate experience. We eat here every time we are in the area.

One of our favorite spots in Charlottesville. Great jazz ambiance, friendly staff, and excellent food and cocktails. Especially love when we come in and there are new menu items on the board! We'll see you again soon!

We went early, 5 PM, and were able to sit at the bar. Had the 2 best Manhattans (Elija Craig Rye) in my life. the bartenders are fun and put on a great show. it is an experience that our party thoroughly enjoyed!

Fantastic all around. Great vibes, and an incredible bar. Highly recommend the dealers choice. Give the bartender some simple parameters and they will whip you up an amazing cocktail.

An authentic French restaurant just off the Downtown Mall. Great plates to share! Several vegetarian options. Amazing desserts! Call to ask exactly where the entrance is - it’s a little hidden from the street!

How do I put this…coming from 14+ years in NYC. This place is the best in C’ville. Screw common house or any other 2nd tier place on the “mall.” Go here. No where else. Best bartenders. Best chefs/menu(s). Best hospitality.

This is a great restaurant with good service on the food was delicious, it was, however, very difficult to find with practically no indications to get in the door. Be persistent, because it was worth it!

This place deserves all of the hype it gets. Thank you for making my birthday special!

The restaurant is unique, a speakeasy atmosphere, no name on the door, located in a small alley. So you have to know where you are going in order to find this place. The waiter explains, with some pride that the restaurant is "tapas style". Okay, but in this case tapas style means that one waiter takes your order, another brings the individual plates when they are prepared in the kitchen. And no one follows up to see whether the order is complete. And since you've been warned that the service is "tapas style", when your food doesn't arrive, you're not sure whether there's a problem or that your particular order is taking longer to prepare. Then all of a sudden everyone else has finished eating and your order still has not arrived. Eventually the waiter comes around to ask if we want anything else and I explain that I still haven't received my main course. Mistakes happen, but the reason for the 1 star rating for service was the waiters response was "well I told you that the service was tapas style", again with condescension, no apology. I guess it was my fault for not realizing that tapas style means that you may or may not receive your order. We left, I assume that the tenderloin was delicious, I'll never know.

It is always a good idea to read Trip Advisor reviews in advance of going somewhere. In this case, we were advised that this restaurant may be hard to find. Indeed, it was but we had scoped it out a couple days in advance of our reservation. This atmosphere is reminiscent of a speakeasy (hence the "hidden" location down an alley with no signage. The atmosphere could have been improved by adding some Tiffany lamps. I would have also enjoyed listening to a 3 piece band to accompany our dinner. it was nonetheless fun. Specials are shown on their large chalkboard. The mussels that I had were delicious and the cheese board offerings were also good.

Best restaurant !!!! Food was soooo good, and servers were really nice . I definitely coming back soon !

Always love visiting. Their food is wonderful. They're a tapas style restaurant & they bring out the plates as they are ready, not all at the same time. So, everything is always fresh & hot. I thought I should mention it because it is a little unconventional to what a lot of people are used to.

I can not even begin to compliment Alley Light and its owner Chris enough! We just had my son and daughter in laws rehearsal dinner and Welcome Party there and tuly it was a 10 STAR experience. The food was out of this world---it was the tenderest beef we ever tasted, Scallops outstanding, cauliflour soup extraordinaire, salad was to die for good, lamb carpaccio so delish----every single plate/appetizer they made, our guests said they wanted to lick the plate---thats how good it was. And the cocktails and bar----outstanding!!! They could tell you and make any drink and knew everything for your cocktail/wine/champagne pleasure. The wait staff----absolutely the best!! They were so accommodating and knew the answer to any question about the cuisine. And Chris, the owner, was a dream to work with and went above and beyond----truly!!! The chef----whoa!! We are talking---Inn at Little Washington delicious and beautiful presentation---believe me, I am picky and this is a night like no other. I understand she is also the owner, Chris' wife. It ended up a most memorable experience (beyond our dreams) to kick off the whole weekend celebration. The bridal couple and all of us were thrilled. We will be back and we have told everyone we know. If you are in Charlottesville---put this on your Must Do List!! You will thank me!!

I went here just for drinks and the cocktail was so good. Will visit again!

Great setting and menu options. 3 stars though because of the arrogant bartender that treated my wife and I, as well as other patrons at the bar, like ignorant peasants not worth her time. Visibly irritated by us not ordering additional drinks and ignored us until we left. If she gets her act together, then its a 5 star.

Get the goat cheese and fennel small plate and the scallops large plate. Amazing.

How every restaurant should be! Food is delicious, we’ll balanced and beautiful. Service is warm, efficient and non-pretentious. Atmosphere is wonderful. We loved all of our dishes, food came out quickly and cocktails were perfectly crafted. Cannot say enough great things about this place, best meal we’ve had in years.

I can't not express how lovely and incredible this place is! I came last night for my birthday and I very much am a food conesour and have high expectations based on atmosphere and prices a restaurant has. I was beyond blown away. I sincerely cried at how delicious and flavorful my food was. We had several menu items and all were enticing, inviting, balanced, and beautifully plated. My significant other isn't much for dessert and was so shocked and over joyed by how delicate, rich, and artistically crafted the passion fruit cheesecake was-it is NOTHING like you expect and everything you did not know you were missing in your life. The wait staff were informative, kind, and knowledgeable- which is always a treat. Our craft drinks we ordered were so exceptional, they were unexpectedly flavorful in a way I'd not previously experienced but worked together extricately and balanced beautifully. Overall, this was by far the best dining experience I've ever encountered, and I could not have had a more gratifying and enjoyable experience. Thank you so much for this spectacular evening.

5 stars just doesn't do it justice. The Alley Light is the Greatest dining experience I've ever had. Took my girlfriend for a birthday dinner, atmosphere, food, service and drinks were exceptional. The food and drinks were perfect! Delicious balanced and fresh. Our server, Anna, was kind, attentive and knowledgeable. She made us feel like VIP's. The atmosphere is so vintage and cozy, I never wanted to leave. I am a cocktail aficionado and these were perfection. Prices weren't cheap to be sure, but worth every penny and totally fair for the quality of everything. I literally cannot say anything negative about my experience there. Bravo team!

We came hear for our 16th anniversary and were not disappointed. The staff we interacted with were both friendly and professional. Connor is a beast and was on top of his game. I would recommend Alley Light to any and everyone.

The goatcheese and fennel appetizer was the best I have ever eaten... and I am very picky, the mule, which normally wouldn't be my first choice, was very good and unique. My second drink was incredible. You can tell the incredible thought that was put into each drink and each dish. I also love the realistic speakeasy elements of this place.

Best little place in C-ville. Coolest atmosphere. Great food, drinks and service.

The best cocktails in Charlottesville! The Lion’s Tail and New York Sour not to be missed!

Excellent fine dining experience in quirky semi-hidden location

Ya' gotta' know where that light in the alley is, 'cause there ain't no sign! But it is well worth finding. Wife and I had a very enjoyable dinner, in part due to our waiter, Andrew, who was very personable. The Potted Shrimp and the Seared Scallops were standouts. Wish we were closer to Charlottesville!

Truly a gem in fine cuisine. The best restaurant I've eaten in. Comparable to or better than Michelin cuisine I've had in NYC but significantly cheaper. We tried some unique dishes and enjoyed each one. You can tell that each dish was very thought out and every ingredient used enhances the food experience. What added to this was the atmosphere and the waitress Anna was excellent. She was very personable, friendly and not overbearing. I've been trying other higher end restaurants so far in CVille and they don't even compare. I could see myself coming here again and again.

Really good and unique - innovative and delicious. The French onion soup was great. I’m probably to old.

Best dining in Charlottesville! We enjoyed the goat cheese & fennel, sweetbreads, salmon & caviar, beef tenderloin, and scallops, which were all perfection! Then there were the exceptional cocktails by Conor - the hottest bartender in town!

A small restaurant tucked away in an alley (hence the name) is probably one of the best dining places in Cville. It serves small plates along with a few larger ones. Some of our favs were the beet risotto, tuna carpaccio and the scallops. But everything was good. Excellent Euro wine list. They only have a small number of tables so reserve in advance if you can. The prices are on the higher end but worth it.

Great food, great atmosphere. Definitely will back again.

Always a pleasure. Delicious and innovative craft cocktails, great wine list, heavenly munchies, cozy ambience, awesome staff.

Fantastic ambience and tasty cocktails. Loved the vegetable board- highly recommend it! One thing to be aware of- the kitchen is small so good comes out as it is ready. This means some folks may be finished before others get their meal. For that reason, I will save this spot for parties of 2-3.

Fantastic speakeasy in downtown Charlottesville! I loved the fact that there was no signage - easy to find but still has the classic speakeasy feel. Drinks were reasonably priced and delicious. Even though we didn't have a reservation they still let us come in an sit at the bar. Would recommend!

One of the best restaurant experiences I've ever had! The "Hidden" aspect of it made for a very memorable experience!

Our waiter Matt, the bartender Micah and GM Chris went above the call on service. Exceptional!

Muy deliciosa comida la atención excelente y ambiente fascinante

This is our go to spot in Charlottesville. The drinks and food never ever disappoints! Micah is definitely the most amazing bartender, so creative and balanced. I don't remember the Chef/owner's name, but the same could be said for her, creative and balanced and everything cooked to perfection!

Everything about The Alley Light is fantastic. The ambiance, the staff, and most importantly the food. The entrance is literally a door under a light in an alley. Inside you’ll find an inviting, intimate, and warm setting. Everyone we interacted with from the hostess, waiters, and bartenders were very polite and friendly. The food itself is amazing and probably the best dinner I’ve had all year. It’s definitely my new favorite restaurant in Virginia and a place everyone should try!

Chaotic service, mediocre food. I dined here for my birthday hoping for a special meal and experience but was very disappointed. Nobody even acknowledged my birthday even though it was noted on the reservation, only that it was our first time dining there so we got a novice waitress who was overwhelmed. We were sat in the middle of a chaotic dining room and our waitress told us the cassoulet would take 45 minutes but it came out in 10 - and was not very good - and we didn’t get our wine until after we finished eating the cassoulet which was our main. We spent over $250 and we weren’t even acknowledged when we left, seems the manager was more interested on doting on a single regular client. We had a much better experience the previous night at the Clifton Inn’s restaurant where the food and service were superb.

What a great restaurant! Fantastic food, drink, ambience and service. Will be back!

Awful service, mediocre food. I dined here for my birthday and was very disappointed. Nobody even acknowledged my birthday even though it was noted on the reservation, only that it was our first time dining there so we got a novice waitress who was overwhelmed. She told us the cassoulet would take 45 minutes but it came out in 10 - and was not very good - and we didn’t get our wine until after we finished the main course. We spent over $250 and we weren’t even acknowledged when we left. We had a much better experience the previous night at the Clifton where the food and service were superb. We won’t be returning.

The Alley Light was recommended to our daughter, who is new to Charlottesville, by two different people. To say we had trouble finding it is an understatement. Once inside, we were happy that we persisted. The dining room is so nice. There is a bar on one end and a fireplace on the other. Our server, Anna, was so personable and informative. We really enjoyed the food and the cocktails. We had multiple shareable plates. The seafood board was especially good. The mushroom crepe and the the fish-stuffed piquillo peppers were our favorites. Our least favorite was the butternut squash risotto. It was too sweet for us. Highly recommend.

Alley Light, 6 star cocktail bar. Didn't eat, but the food menu looked 7 stars... Just wow. Beyond fun, beyond professional

Unimpressed. Small portions. Not good attitudes. Bad parking Limited veggie option. Easy to tell chef not veghie.

The Alley Light is superb. After moseying down a nondescript alley and being drawn to a solitary light like a moth, you will enter the threshold to the magical world of the best cocktails most dare not dream of. Our bartender (Andrea) was incredible. She knew all of the classics and took my fiancée down a rabbit hole of Mezcal cocktails throughout our dinner. Yes, dinner. The food is PHENOMENAL. The Tuna Carpaccio is the best we have ever had. A must for sure. We don’t often stop in Charlottesville, but when we do this will be our spot for sure. Thank you!!

Fantastic cocktails, phenomenal service, great food. Can’t go wrong.

This little restaurant is definitely a hidden gem! I loved the dim lit style and fireplace. The service was amazing as well. We shared plates amongst 5 of us and it was a great way to try a little of everything! I was a little disappointed that my drip coffee was never refilled and my friend was a little disappointed by her tea preparation but those struggles were not overpowering, I definitely recommend trying this unique restaurant. 😊

A phenomenal recommendation! Cozy and intimate in the best way. You wouldn't even know this place exists unless you were looking for it. Amazing small plates and cocktails. On the higher end price wise but worth the experience if you can afford it.

I want to like Alley Light, but the last two times where have tried to drink here the staff says that the bar is “full” and won’t let anyone stand behind the bar stools. I tried to buy drinks for the 8 people waiting and was told no. Very odd.

Fabulous food and the service was spectacular. They even re-created a favorite cocktail from a trip long ago. Cannot explain how much I enjoyed this magical place.

We had a great time. The Beef Tartar was fantastic. My personal favorite was the tomato tarts.

We didn't make a reservation, so we arrived right at 5pm and got a seat at the bar. It ended up being perfect. Our bartender, Nicky, was very attentive and gave great recommendations. The scallops were truly amazing. Nicky is a talented mixologist and made us some off-menu deliciousness based on our preferences. Overall great experience. It's the best mix of classy and casual.

Excellent food and service! Lots of fun! Highly recommend this establishment.

Dined here to celebrate my birthday with my wife. The food was excellent, particularly the beef tenderloin. We also had the halibut, cauliflower soup, and endive salad. The temperature innthe restaurant was too hot. We mentioned it to the server, but she said the a/c was cranking as high as it would go. The other aspects of the service that weren't quite as good was the soda was really watery and no effort was made to make the dinner special despite mentioning we were there to celebrate a birthday. Would still return but the experience could have been slightly better.

What a great restaurant! Chris and team run a delicious, innovative and customer friendly place. Our party had many small and larger plates, and not one failed to deliver. Chris made several spot on wine recommendations. I travel quite frequently (just back from UK and France) and categorically can say- You must eat at this restaurant!!

Great dining experience. Tasty cocktail options, even with the dealer’s choice, and variety of menu options. Loved their lump crab cake appetizer - what a delicious and refreshing twist! They also did a great job with their scallops. I’m not a crazy about scallops, but would easily order them again.

The food was amazing, service was great, and the alcohol was spot on. The bar tender made an off-menu drink for me that hit the spot and the bottle of wine we ordered was exactly what we were looking for. My favorite dish is the carrots but I also highly reccomend the pork belly and the risotto!

The second best meal I’ve had this year. Spectacular experience. The venue is unique and fancy/cozy. The staff are friendly and very helpful, they gave great recommendations. The food. Oh wow the food. I don’t think you can go wrong with the menu. The carrots, the crab, the scallops and the macaron for dessert were all incredible. The dishes are great for sharing, and if I could I would have tried everything. I’ll be dreaming about this meal until I can come back and enjoy it again.

Always a spectacular experience. The speakeasy access (go down a small alley off 2nd St NW, just south of Rev Soup; there is a light over a door, you need to push the door to go inside—it can be a little sticky) is unlike anything else in Cville and gives it a very local vibe. The atmosphere is warm and sophisticated but not uptight/overly fancy. I usually sit at the bar because the bartenders are so friendly and entertaining. My typical bartender, Nicky, always makes me feel welcome and she helps me find the perfect drink every time. I never feel rushed or pressured and I am sure that if I didn’t like something (which has never happened) they would make it right. She is really the perfect bartender, giving me space but also checking in and chatting when that’s what I feel like doing. The drinks are expertly crafted from housemade materials, right down to the ginger beer. Each drink comes in a really cool cup as well that matches the drink. The food is delicious too and you can always find a good seasonal pairing. On a rainy night, French onion soup and a drink by Nicky is my recipe for perfection.

Our experience here was a disappointment. Our server spoke only to my husband and we were at a table for two. She started to walk away after taking his order and I had to stop to place an order. I thought she might be new and nervous until I noticed that she smiled and interacted with other diners. My husband and the other diners she spoke to were White. I’m Black. I was the only POC dining at the restaurant. My meal was not ready when my husband’s arrived but it’s tapas and food is brought to the table as it’s ready. Twenty minutes later my husband asked if there was a problem with my meal and she responded that, “Some people take longer making vegetable boards than other.” I told her I would be putting her comment in my review and she walked away without saying anything. Three minutes later my meal arrived. When she brought it to the table she apologized to my husband for the delay.

One of the very best meals I've ever had. Can't wait to return.

Very confidential, better to book a table before coming. Great atmosphere and many options for a nice dinner, you will enjoy it!

Went for cocktails, super nice and homemade stuff

A perfect dinner! The menu is exciting, everyone was delighted with their own meals and each other’s, the Chef is so talented, and the servers and staff are personable and charming. 13/10! Save room for dessert.

Very difficult to find speakeasy but we'll worth the visit. Chill and relaxing upscale service with exceptional cocktails and unique cusine.

My favorite place in the area. The drinks, food, and atmosphere is perfect. Some of the best french food I’ve had outside of Paris! It's somewhere I come back to every year, and every dish is worth the price. Also, the service here is top notch.

Our first experience at the Alley Light was nothing short of exceptional. Not knowing anything before we entered, thank goodness for our waiter Conor who gave us the utmost best menu recommendations. We couldn’t have been more pleased with his service, the cocktails, or the food and were wowed with every bite. Definitely a must when in Charlottesville and request Conor if you go.