I recently had the pleasure of dining at Smyrna and I can say without a doubt it was one of the best restaurant experiences I've had in a long time. From start to finish, every aspect of the evening was exceptional. The food of course was delicious! The manti, in particular, was a phenomenal – fresh, delicious, and a perfect fusion of tradition and modernity with the Sharondale mushroom filling. I also found the atmosphere cozy/inviting. The music wasn’t overpowering, allowing for easy conversation, making it a fantastic spot for socializing. And, the wait staff were attentive and knowledgeable. They provided excellent recommendations and enhanced the overall dining experience. Looking forward to going back! If you're in the area, do yourself a favor and make a reservation—you won't be disappointed.

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Smyrna Restaurant in Charlottesville, and I must say, it was a truly delightful experience. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted warmly by the friendly staff, creating a welcoming atmosphere that set the tone for the rest of the evening. The restaurant's ambiance was cozy and inviting, with tasteful decor and soft lighting. The seating arrangements were comfortable, providing a relaxed setting for an enjoyable meal. It was evident that attention was paid to even the smallest details to ensure a pleasant dining experience. Now, let's talk about the food. Smyrna Restaurant exceeded my expectations in every way. The menu showcased a wide array of Mediterranean dishes, each crafted with care and expertise. I opted for fish, beef and lamb burger, and octopus, and all were cooked to perfection. The accompanying tofu, vegetables, and fries complemented the dish beautifully, demonstrating the chef's skillful artistry. Not only was the food delicious, but the presentation was also impressive. Each plate was carefully arranged with a vibrant assortment of colors and textures, making the dining experience visually appealing as well. The service at Smyrna Restaurant was outstanding. The waitstaff was attentive, knowledgeable, and eager to ensure that every need was met. They provided excellent recommendations and accommodated dietary preferences with grace and efficiency. In addition to the delectable cuisine and exceptional service, the prices at Smyrna Restaurant were reasonable, offering good value for the quality of food and overall experience. It's a place where you can indulge in a memorable dining experience without breaking the bank. To summarize, Smyrna Restaurant in Charlottesville is a hidden gem that offers an exceptional dining experience. With its inviting ambiance, flavorful Mediterranean cuisine, attentive service, and reasonable prices, it has certainly earned its place among the top culinary establishments in the area. Whether you're looking for a romantic evening out or a delightful meal with friends and family, Smyrna Restaurant is definitely worth a visit.

Had an awesome dinner! Ordered a trio of eggplant, hummus and yoghurt for appetizer. Then Chicken and beef skewers with The pasta and poached egg for my entree. Great service and delicious food. Pictures are dark but all delicious :). Definitely a must go when you visit Cville (also if you take a train this restaurant is by walking distance from the amtrak station!!). Went for another visit, and it still amazing dinner. Thanks to the staffs who let us still come in eventho we were late for our original reservation. We had Charred Octopus, Manti Dumpling and the Halibut. All were delicious

Absolutely 10/10 or better. The food is exceptionally good. We’ve eaten all over the world, and there have been few times that the flavors were bursting in my mouth like this. I’d have to say that my favorite was the beef skewer. The flavors!!! 💯 I preferred the pita over the actual bread although it was quite soft and hearty. We got the trio of dips. The yogurt one had something unusual in it, but it was amazing. I also loved each of the others. The dessert we tried was a perfectly sized chocolate tart. Scrumptious! Can’t wait to come back and bring friends! This place has earned its 5 star rating. Keep it up!! Good service too. (It’s a tad bit crowded if you’re at a table for 2. I’d prefer to be spaced out so as not to be distracted by the conversation of neighbors. )

What a wonderful meal. Everything was absolutely delicious. The cocktails were especially wonderful.

We came here to celebrate our first anniversary. Our server, Maria, gave us wonderful recommendations for which dishes to eat. We ended up getting the crudo, octopus, lamb meatballs, mushroom ravioli, and baklava cheesecake. They were all excellent! Bilal was also super attentive and the two of them really made our dinner feel special. We’ll definitely be back :)

Finally! This is undoubtedly the best restaurant in Charlottesville right now. And we are a tough bunch to please. From start to finish, the plates which we shared amongst our group of 4 foodies consistently impressed and inspired. SMYRNA is simply next level, blowing most other top restaurants out of the pond -- excelling in service, atmosphere, and passion in food eating and presentation. Bravo to the owners and staff! We will be back for sure, only recognizing that this restaurant will be harder to get a reservation soon.

Martin was an attentive server. Food was phenomenal. The chicken breast was juicy and cooked to perfection. The baklava cheesecake is a must have!

This was one of the best dining experiences we’ve had in a long time. My husband made a reservation for my birthday dinner here last night, and all I can say is wow! It was our first time at Smyrna and we fully enjoyed the whole experience. The food was all amazing and our server was extremely kind and attentive. They gave us the pistachio baklava cheesecake for free since it was my birthday and it was delicious. We also tried the doner and the burger which we very much enjoyed as well. Can’t recommend this place enough. It will definitely be a go-to for special occasions.

Everything about this restaurant was absolutely amazing - the food, the service, and the atmosphere all impressed me greatly. The dishes we tried were exceptional. The Meze Trio was a delightful mix of flavors, while the Lamb Skewers were perfectly cooked, juicy, and packed with taste. The Manti Dumplings with mushrooms were unforgettable – I can't stop thinking about them! For dessert, we ordered the Baklava with Goat Cheesecake, which was simply excellent. I highly recommend this restaurant and would definitely visit again if I'm ever back in Charlottesville.

We picked Smyrna to celebrate our birthdays, and what a great experience. Every plate was delicious and special, perfect.

This place lived up to the hype. My date and I ordered and shared the octopus and ribeye steak that came with a tasty romaine side salad and potatoes. All of the food was immaculate

Not a big menu, but what I had was top notch, especially for the price. I ordered the lamb special, which was “lamb two ways” and consisted of two lamb chops cooked a perfect medium rare (meaning emphasis on the rare) and a pulled lamb shoulder which was (obviously) well done, and both were amazing. Cool bistro type vibe with excellent service. I think the limited menu is a strategic decision to keep prices affordable, so I applaud it! Great find!

Bottom line: Start to finish, the best restaurant and food experience my wife and I have ever had! We decided to grab dinner before heading up to our cabin up in Shanendoah, and had to trust the stellar 4.9⭐️ Google reviews - we can say absolutely that Smyrna’s online reputation is well earned. Not sure how they lost that 0.1 - what a crime. Friday night and the place was packed, but fortunately there were 2 seats at the bar for my wife and I (make a reservation!). Corey was tending bar and took great care of us - really helped to elevate our experience throughout the night. Really cool menu - these aren’t your standard faire, typical drinks and eats. My wife and I love going out to find new experiences and immediately from glancing at the menu it was clear the chef has curated something special to enjoy and wake up your senses from the routine. Cocktails - we ordered a Smyrna Sour and a Star Rose. Both phenomenal. The Smyrna sour has to be the best cocktail I’ve ever had. Pretty great start to the night. Food - While deciding what to order, the mid 50s couple sitting next to us were going on and on telling Corey that their entree was the best main course they have ever had. We raised our eyebrows at such a compliment and starting feeling that anticipation that we were in for something special. We ordered the lamb meatball skewer and ribeye for 2. Corey let us know that the ribeye takes about 35 minutes to prepare but we were having a great time already and happy to let the night simmer a bit. Shortly after, a server came out and offered us a couple of their Curried Kabocha Squash Soups, compliments of the chef while we waited for our ribeye. Let’s just say this isn’t something I would typically order - squash and I haven’t been on good terms since I was a kid. Friends…WOW. Mind blown and taste buds going wild. Incredible. Never had anything like it. The next day I’m sitting here and can still imagine it. It was official, we were already in the middle of a truly memorable culinary experience and were being served by a brilliant chef. Lamb meatball skewers came out next. Already feeling flooded with dopamine from my gorgeous date, and the amazing new flavors we have already had, I took a bite of this pita with some sort of garlic sauce, thin tangy cabbage, and a couple juicy, crusty-on-the-outside meatballs and I legit got tearful. I’m a tatted metal head, and I’m looking at my wife choked up at the bar after eating food. Every single thing we put in our mouths was next level 10/10 and I was just feeling overwhelmed. The show stopper tomahawk ribeye came out shortly after - I mean, time no longer had meaning at this point anyways. I was levitating. For sure one of the best steaks I’ve ever tasted. Stupid good. Drag your knife across the top crust, fatty melt in your mouth juicy delicious steak. Damn. Can I curse on a Google review? I’m really holding back as I would be dropping f bombs all across this review if I was really being transparent. Fingerling potatoes were insane. Charred lettuce wedge with some sort of vinaigrette. Bonkers. Incredibly satisfying. I don’t ever order dessert, but the night had been so wild I didnt want to leave anything on the table. Baklava cheesecake and a couple Turkish coffee martinis whipped up by my man Corey to finish off the most fun I have ever had eating out. If I write any more here I’m going to need a thesaurus to learn some new superlatives. Simply said, my wife and I strolled out of Smyrna last night feeling like we just made a core memory for our relationship and redefined what an amazing date night and eating experience should be. Our highest compliments to the chef and to Corey for a night we will never forget. Much Love, Joshua and Aubrey 🖤