Ten new or new-owner food businesses in Charlottesville had pre-opening health inspections from August to mid-October, from Speeds Public to Rockfish Brewing.

Last checked Oct. 18, 2026. Rebuilt monthly. This roundup comes from pre-opening and change-of-owner inspections on the Virginia Department of Health’s inspection portal, with each address checked against Census Bureau city boundaries so only places inside Charlottesville city limits are listed, and from the city’s open building permit records. An inspection is not an opening date; check with the business before you go.

Ten food businesses inside Charlottesville city limits had pre-opening or change-of-owner health inspections between Aug. 1 and Oct. 18, 2026, a step the Blue Ridge Health District takes before it permits a new food business. They range from Rockfish Brewing Company on Concord Avenue to a Jamaican food truck and a new tavern on South Street.

Starting a business?

  • Business license tax: Commissioner of the Revenue, 434-970-3160, City Hall lobby
  • Building permits and certificates of occupancy: Building Inspections, 434-970-3008
  • Zoning for your location: 434-970-3995
  • Food permits: Blue Ridge Health District, 434-972-6219

October

  • Rockfish Brewing Company, 600 Concord Ave. Pre-opening inspection Monday, Oct. 5, listed by the health department as a full service restaurant.
  • The Hideaway, 609 E. Market St. Pre-opening inspection Oct. 5; the inspector noted the application, plan review and menu were approved.
  • Cafe 88, 923 Preston Ave. A change-of-owner inspection on Oct. 2.

September

  • Acacia Blue, 221 Carlton Road. Pre-opening inspection Sept. 29.
  • Speeds Public, 111 E. Main St. Pre-opening inspection Sept. 24.
  • Rum Punch Jamaican, a food truck based at 522 Second St. SE. The health department approved the mobile unit and its menu on Sept. 19.
  • South Street Tavern, 106 South St. West. Pre-opening inspection Sept. 17.
  • Cloud Nine Asian Bistro and Bakery, a caterer working from a commissary kitchen at 1118 Preston Ave. Pre-opening inspection Sept. 3.

August

  • Coco Adventure Factory, 393 Hillsdale Drive. Pre-opening inspection Aug. 21.
  • Smoothie King, 973-B Emmet St. Pre-opening inspection Aug. 5.

Turn & Table Grill and Bar at 410 Golf Course Drive also had a pre-opening inspection on Oct. 1, but the address is in Albemarle County, outside the city.

Building work that may signal new businesses

The city’s permit records show commercial work started since Sept. 1 that can come before a new tenant moves in, though the records do not name the business:

  • tenant upfits at 206 W. Market St. and 1929 Arlington Blvd.
  • interior renovations at 101 E. Jefferson St., 325 Fourth St. NW, 1201 Avon St., 1115 Emmet St. N and 300 Ninth St. SW
  • occupant load permits at 923 E. Market St., 225 W. Main St. and 1301 Carlton Ave.
  • an addition at 300 Ridge St.

We will name these businesses when they announce their openings.

How we compile this list

Every restaurant, food truck and caterer in Virginia needs a health permit, and the district does a pre-opening inspection first, so the state’s inspection portal is the most complete public record of new food businesses. Retail stores and offices do not need that inspection, so they appear here only when they announce an opening themselves or show up in city records. Opening a business in Charlottesville? Tell us and send a link to your announcement.

What this means for you

  • New dining downtown: Speeds Public on East Main Street and The Hideaway on East Market Street.
  • Change of hands: Cafe 88 on Preston Avenue has new owners.
  • Check our restaurant inspections guide to read any of these reports.

Related guides: building permits and zoning and things to do this month.

Frequently asked questions

What new restaurants are opening in Charlottesville?

Places that had pre-opening health inspections from August to mid-October 2026 include Rockfish Brewing Company on Concord Avenue, The Hideaway on East Market Street, Acacia Blue on Carlton Road, Speeds Public on East Main Street and South Street Tavern.

How do you find out about new businesses in Charlottesville?

This roundup uses the Virginia Department of Health’s pre-opening inspections, which every new restaurant, food truck and caterer needs before it can open, plus the city’s building permit records. It is rebuilt monthly.

How do I get a business license in Charlottesville?

Through the city’s Commissioner of the Revenue, which handles the business license tax; call 434-970-3160. Food businesses also need a health permit from the Blue Ridge Health District, 434-972-6219.