Visiting historic Michie Tavern

In an area as historic as Charlottesville, it is understandable that people would want to dine in a historic tavern. Luckily for locals and visitors alike there is Michie Tavern. With its location within an easy drive of Monticello and Highland, it is a natural choice.

Michie Tavern has a long and interesting history. The main section of the building dates to 1784 and though it was originally an “ordinary” it was not at its current location. In 1927 a local business woman, Mrs. Mark Henderson, purchased the tavern and moved it to its present site. Her motives were as much preservation as business. The building was dismantled, pieces numbered and it was moved 17-miles. It reopened in 1928 as a museum.

Today, while there is a museum there, depending on the time of year, you may be given a tour of the premises or may be given a folder to do a self-guided tour. Michie Tavern is also a great place to eat lunch. It is a destination in its own right and people come from all over the country and the world to partake of their hospitality.

The menu is pretty much the same every day with an occasional change for special events. In case you think that might be boring, rest assured, the food is so good and the variety so extensive that you will never think that there is anything that needs to be added to the menu.

The food at Michie Tavern is served cafeteria style. You pick up your charger and silverware and pass by the food being offered. Southern fried chicken, marinated baked chicken, hand-pulled pork barbecue, black-eyed peas, stewed tomatoes, mashed potatoes with gravy, hot green beans, coleslaw, whole baby beets, biscuits, and cornbread. All of it is exceptionally well presented and cooked. As if this wasn’t enough, wenches will come by and replenish any particular food item that you would like more of. Beverages and delicious desserts, including peach cobbler are offered at an additional charge.

Dining is offered both inside and out. The atmosphere is very historic even though this is not really the historic part of the building. After you finish dining, there are some additional buildings which are worth a visit on the property including several shops and a general store. It really is no wonder that Michie Tavern is a not to be missed destination in Charlottesville.


There are special holiday events that are so popular that it is not really worth mentioning them because they sell out within hours of the tickets being released. It seems that the locals know what a good thing they have in their midst.