Crozet, a small town about 20 minutes from Charlottesville, is a great place to visit while you are in town. While it is small and quaint, it has recently been growing, and now there is even a bit of a “downtown scene.”
As small as this little downtown may be, there is a building called Piedmont Place that has several great little spots to visit, all in one building. It’s actually an apartment building that hosts a floor with small businesses that are open to the public, plus a restaurant and a rooftop bar.
The main reason to visit Crozet? Wineries and breweries, like King Family Vineyards, Starr Hill, and Pro Re Nata. But, Piedmont Place is a great spot along your way. Today we’re featuring a few spots in Piedmont Place that we think will be worth your visit.
First, we have to say, we absolutely love the restaurant at Piedmont Place. It’s called Smoked, and it’s a BBQ style restaurant where you can even order family style (perfect if you’d like to take some food with you for a picnic at the winery!) But, we do suggest eating in the restaurant, too. The service is typically great, and the menu has so many delicious selections. Read more about the restaurant in a post we wrote about it last year.
Another stop that has been a recent favorite of ours is The Rooftop. It is a branch of the Smoked restaurant, but has its own menu (we’ve enjoyed everything we tried) and great cocktails and other drink options. The best part, of course, is the rooftop view of the Blue Ridge Mountains (we haven’t mentioned it yet, but Crozet is absolutely beautiful). This bar as a bit of a fancier feel, so a great opportunity to dress up for a night out, though not required!
We also love to visit the Blue Ridge Bottle Shop. If you don’t want to have a drink while you are out (or maybe you’ve already had a few at the breweries or wineries nearby), bring a 6 pack back to the Inn by stopping here. You can also have a drink at their bar or buy a growler. They have a great selection of unique beer, and even a small selection of other local goods. Make sure to check on the hours, as they do close somewhat early most days.
Crozet Creamery is a great stop for dessert if you enjoy ice cream. It’s a small, family owned ice cream shop with some of the most unique ice cream flavors around. The flavors are always rotating, but we’re betting you’ll find something you love!
If you’re feeling like shopping around after all of your eating or drinking, there’s even a cute little bookstore you can browse through. Like the bottle shop, it isn’t always open, but when it is, it’s a nice stop before you head back to the Inn.
Piedmont Place has been a great addition to the town of Crozet, and we recommend it for a nice evening out!
