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    First Gate

    5.0 (1 review)
    Closed 9:00 am - 7:00 pm

    First Gate Photos

    FIRST GATE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    7 years ago

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    Sultan Kebab

    Sultan Kebab

    4.4
    (412 reviews)
    36.1 mi
    $$

    If you enjoy Turkish food this place is one of our favorites. It's been our kids' first choices…read moresince they were little and has remained as such into young adulthood. Service is good and ambiance simple. Worth a stop just off the downtown mall.

    I tend to go here with family when we visit Charlottesville and have other things to do in town…read more(catch a UVA game, movie, etc.). Even when they were very busy, the wait for a seat is rather short. It's mainly four-top seats but they can push together tables as needed. There's music always playing and not a lot of padding to soften noise so I'd call the location "average" loud. Downtown Charlottesville doesn't really do free parking. You can park at the next corner in open parking to the left or paid parking to the right. But we're talking $2 or so, not a bank-breaking experience and with lots of shopping across the street it's worth staking out a spot and then walking the area. What I like: The food is tasty. The appetizers are solid. There's a large enough menu that you can always try something new. And the portions are ample enough to share. What I'm not so fond of: The waitstaff spend a lot of time at the front scrolling on their phones. They aren't too keen on refilling your drinks either. I say this as someone who has eaten here about a dozen times. Also, I don't normally mind cameras, but there are enough blinking lights on cameras to make it feel more like a jewelry store than a restaurant. That said, if you are not in a hurry, want some good food in solid portions, and plan to do some shopping or window shopping downtown, this has been my go-to place for years.

    Photos
    Restaurant
    Restaurant
    Adana + chicken platter
    Adana + chicken platter
    Sultan Kebab

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    Afghan Kabob Cville

    Afghan Kabob Cville

    4.1
    (255 reviews)
    34.5 mi
    $$

    This is my second time here when we travel and I cant believe how much delicious food we get. The…read morechicken and vegetables are delicately seasoned and wonderful. Wish I could eat this everyday! Also great service.

    Thursday, 5.15.2025. Lunch, Afghan Kabob. Charlottesville, VA. I had just had a medical procedure…read moreat the University of Virginia Hospital that resulted in following a liquids-only diet for the past 36 hours. My husband and I close this restaurant to break my fast. We were greeted quickly by the hostess who led us to booth seating, and gave us menus. There was no need though, as we had already spotted the all-you-can-eat buffet. We requested only water to go with our meals; she quickly brought a carafe of chilled water and two glasses. This is a generous buffet with many selections for a complete meal, from soup and salad to dessert. There was a good variety of both meat and vegetarian options. Our FAVORITES included the fresh mixed chickpea salad (the chick peas, cucumbers, tomato, onion, parsley); lamb curry (which featured tender boneless and tender meat); rice pilau with raisins and carrots; borani badenjan (eggplant curry. Tip: drizzle yogurt on this);; bamia (okra) curry; firnee milk pudding (dessert); and the addictive dooth pati chai (spiced milk tea). There were also some items that we didn't enjoy as much but were still good. For instance, the chicken kofta meatballs, while nicely spiced, were very dry. And, the nan bread was disappointing. (There were also many additional good choices on the buffet that are not listed here). The ambiance in the restaurant is comfortable, with many paintings and decorations from Afghanistan. Some tables are in a side room, ideal for small groups or privacy. We noticed, but didn't visit, a downstairs shop with Afghan carpets and other goods. Plus, there's a shop on the side that sells groceries. Parking is plentiful and free. The lunch buffet was $17.99 each, plus VA sales tax (6.3%), city meals tax (5.3%), credit card service free (3.5%), and tip (variable). There are cheaper options available if you order from the menu. We would return when next in Charlottesville.

    Photos
    Partial view of interior plus buffet. 5.15.2025.
    Partial view of interior plus buffet. 5.15.2025.
    Boneless Chicken Kabob with Kadu (Butternut Squash)
    Boneless Chicken Kabob with Kadu (Butternut Squash)
    Wall art above booths. 5.15.2025.

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    Wall art above booths. 5.15.2025.
    Magpie Diner

    Magpie Diner

    4.5
    (224 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    Eclectic energy! We…read morewere steered here for lunch, based on its Yelp reviews. Thank you, again, Yelp. The waitstaff was more than pleasant, they were fun. I think it was because they enjoyed working there. Or, at least it give them a chance to eat some really tasty food. I had their Cubano Tartine. That's kind of like an omelet with the ingredients of a Cubano sandwich, except for the roll, mixed in. (And yes, I get that the cooking process is a bit different.) ' Anyway, this Cubano Tartine shows up on a plate in front of me. I dig in and keep digging. The ingredients, ham, cheese, pickles, etc, were plentiful and delicious. They were sitting on an ample slice of their sourdough bread. That was the first issue. It was IMPOSSIBLE to cut. I guess I could have asked for a steak knife or maybe a power tool. But, there was so much other stuff that I was able to have a very filling meal without it. The other issue was that the lightly dressed side salad was doused in dressing. Again, didn't complain because, for me, it wasn't a problem during this visit. Issues aside, if I come back to Hagerstown, I'll look for an excuse to come back.

    I was coming home from the Homestead and stopped off in Harrisonburg. I asked AI for the best…read morebreakfast sandwich in town, and boy was it right! Simply put, the bodega breakfast sandwich might be the best breakfast sandwich I've ever eaten. I took it to eat on the road and was startled about how delicious it was. The freshly baked (you can tell) brioche bun with everything bagel seasoning on top added a great salty taste to go along with the tasty stuff inside. I've traveled all over the country for work for 20+ years, and like I said, this might be the best breakfast sandwich I've ever had! To top it off, the staff was super nice.

    Photos
    Entrance and dining area.
    Entrance and dining area.
    Chorizo Bowl with fried egg
    Chorizo Bowl with fried egg
    Bar

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    Bar

    First Gate - halal - Updated August 2026

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