Charlottesville, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – The latest edition of the Charlottesville 29 has officially been revealed, highlighting the city’s top 29 essential restaurants for 2025. Simon Davidson, the food writer behind the list, joined Civil Right Now Live to talk through this year’s picks. “The whole concept is, if there were only 29 restaurants in Charlottesville, what would be the ideal 29?” Davidson said during the interview.

This year’s list includes two notable newcomers: Högwaller Brewing and Guajiros. Davidson praised Högwaller for its modern take on the smash burger and dedication to local sourcing, noting, “Their beef comes from a farm just miles away from Timber Creek… their buns are baked locally by Carters.” Meanwhile, Guajiros—run by a Nicaraguan American family—earned its spot with its vibrant energy, evolving menu, and dedicated following. “They seemed thrilled… to serve and to sort of spread their joy,” Davidson shared, calling it one of the happiest places in town.

As the Charlottesville food scene continues to grow, Davidson emphasized the difficulty in making the annual list. “And there’s so many where I would say you know, wow, if that restaurant is not one of the community’s 29 essential restaurants, that must be pretty amazing food community,” he said. With its mix of newcomers and mainstays, the 2025 edition of the Charlottesville 29 once again celebrates the city’s rich culinary diversity.

Listen to the full conversation here: