Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in Virginia

OpenTable

Updated October 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance in Virginia? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

The Wine Whisperer

5.0

5 (180)

$31 to $50

Wine Bar

Henrico

About the restaurant

The Wine Whisperer is a boutique wine shop and wine bar located in Richmond's Short Pump neighborhood. We speak wine and are passionate about sharing your new favorite bottle or glass with you!

Our wine bar is designed to offer a more immersive experience to our guests. Let our knowledgeable staff help you learn about your palate and curate a flight of wine just for you! Look for rotating by the glass and by the bottle lists, a selection of craft beers, and an expansive food menu that changes weekly and is designed to enhance the bottle of wine you're enjoying. For questions or to make a reservation for a larger party, please message us, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible!

Top review

Patty

Dined 3 days ago

Always a great time at the wine whisperer! Great service and great wine!🍷

Gold Course Clubhouse Grill

4.9

4.9 (87)

$30 and under

American

Colonial Williamsburg

About the restaurant

Keep up with the Joneses at the Clubhouse Grill.

Cap off a round on the Gold Course with a cold drink at the Horseshoe Bar, dine in the restaurant, or soak in views of the 18th hole from the outdoor terrace.

The Golden Horseshoe Clubhouse features the Golden Smoke Menu showcasing Virginia local oak smoked BBQ including brisket, pork, chicken, and weekly specials. Also available are delicious appetizers, vegetarian options, burgers, salads, and seasonal cobbler. A gathering place for golfers and guests alike, the Gold Course Clubhouse Grill offers a casual dining experience just minutes from more at Colonial Williamsburg Resorts.

Stop by the Gold Course Clubhouse Bar located downstairs for grab-and-go sandwiches, salad, and snack options.

Top review

Greg

Dined on Sep 28, 2024

Good casual spot with a good kitchen and excellent service in a beautiful setting.

Joshua Wilton House

4.9

4.9 (1081)

$50 and over

Contemporary French / American

Harrisonburg

About the restaurant

Located in an elegantly restored Victorian home in historic downtown Harrisonburg, the Joshua Wilton House is a bed & breakfast and fine dining destination. Executive Chef Tom French uses high quality ingredients sourced from the Shenandoah Valley to create a seasonal menu highlighting our local products . The full service bar includes signature cocktails, craft beers and an award-winning wine list. During the warmer months, seating is available on the outdoor brick patio. In the winter time, warm up in our lounge next to one of the original wood burning fireplaces and enjoy a cocktail before your meal. The Joshua Wilton House is also a private event and wedding venue, so please visit our website or call us for any special occasion you are celebrating!

Top review

Amy

Dined on Oct 3, 2024

Excellent dining experience. Staff are knowledgeable and very attentive. Food is outstanding and so are the cocktails. Highly recommend and will definitely be back

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Experience

Halloween Cocktail Class!

L'Opossum

4.9

4.9 (3087)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Richmond

About the restaurant

L'Opossum offers dinner Tuesday-Saturday for parties of one to a maximum of six guests. Multiple reservations booked on the same night to form a group larger than six guests are not permitted and will be canceled. Reservations for parties of one to four guests are allotted 2 hours. Parties of five to six guests are allotted 2.5 hours. Please be courteous to your fellow diners by arriving and leaving on time. L'Opossum patrons paying with cash, enjoy a 4% savings off menu prices. To view a sample menu, visit www.lopossum.com - Thank you!

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 3 days ago

It was perfect. The ambiance was quirky and dark - very cozy. The waitress was personable and attentive. Food delicious. Will come again.

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Popular dish

French Onion Dip Florentine

Popular dish

Lavender-limoncello

Zoes Steak & Seafood

4.9

4.9 (1596)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Virginia Beach

About the restaurant

AAA Four Diamond restaurant located at the Virginia Beach oceanfront, Zoës originally opened in 2003, and re-opened under new ownership on March 16, 2009. Renowned sommelier Marc Sauter, as well as devoted restaurant goers Bill and Joni Greene, to continue the Zoës legacy with the same great location, friendly staff, soothing ambience, and award-winning food and spirits.

Together, their hope is to offer their guests a wonderful dining experience that has a comfortable, familiar atmosphere, yet that special touch of class that makes Zoës “the place to go when you absolutely must impress your guests.”

Reservations are recommended but walk-ins are always welcome.

Zoës is a completely non-smoking establishment.

Top review

barbaravip

Dined on Oct 4, 2024

wonderful wonderful wonderful.... our favorite restaurant. The food, the service and staff are top notch. Truly a magical time every visit

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4.7

4.7 (3110)

$50 and over

Farm-to-table

Floyd

About the restaurant

Family owned and operated in our 45th year of service. Chef Oshie is the third generation of the Morrisette family and trained at the Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley, where he explored his passion for food and wine. Today Chef Oshie and his team masterfully create beautiful and delicious dishes that bring back the elegance and delight of fine dining in a comfortable atmosphere. Food pairings complement our award-winning wines in a fine dining experience. Sit fireside in winter or take in the view from the patio in warmer months, chosen by OpenTable diners as among the best in America. More than a dining experience, we invite guests to linger, enjoying the wine, views, and service long after dinner is over. Come be our guests....
** If you can not get a reservation through Open Table it means that we are fully booked. Please call 540-593-2865 to speak to reservation specialist or be put on the waitlist. Melissa Morrisette

Top review

philip

Dined 7 days ago

A fabulous setting with wonderful food and flawless service.

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Popular dish

Filet Mignon

Popular dish

Fried Brussels Sprouts

Popular dish

Ribeye Steak

The Baker’s Wife Bistro + Bar

4.8

4.8 (15)

$31 to $50

American

Norfolk

About the restaurant

French and American Style Cuisine; An Upscale Restaurant with an Urban Flare

Top review

Ryan

Dined 6 days ago

Emily our server was fantastic! Thanks for everything, we can’t wait to come back!

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Experience

Wine Tasting Lunch and Learn! October 12-11am

Experience

Gourmet Tasting with the Chef

Lucky

4.9

4.9 (1331)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Roanoke

About the restaurant

Farm to Table Comfort Food with a commitment to using local sustainable products, paired with innovative cocktails, eclectic wine selections, and a massive spirits list.

Top review

Rodney

Dined on Sep 28, 2024

Very lively atmosphere (in a good way), great food and cocktails, very good service. Lucky is a great place to eat. My favorite was the fried green tomato starter. My wife has the New z York strip and it was perfect. We love Lucky.

Leaping Lizard Cafe

4.9

4.9 (1258)

$30 and under

American

Virginia Beach

About the restaurant

Situated under a canopy of old growth trees on Lake Joyce, this natural gem serves seasonal fare from tidal Virginia. The menu reflects freshness with a distinct emphasis on showcasing the inherent colors and flavors of the ingredients. The cafe's bakery provides all its breads and deserts and is open for retail on the weekends. This fresh approach to food done in a natural and unpretentious setting has been a local favorite for twelve years. If you don't see your desired time slot available give us a call.

Top review

Raymievip

Dined on Oct 1, 2024

I had the crab cake Benedict, which was wonderful. Perfectly poached eggs. My husband had the sausage and pepper omelet. He loves it. We were less impressed with the Bloody Mary’s, however. The mango vodka was a little off-putting. But we love Lizard and will be back!

Heirloom

4.9

4.9 (1995)

$31 to $50

Farm-to-table

Virginia Beach

About the restaurant

Heirloom is a creative farm-to-table restaurant that focuses on elevated local recipes from Virginia.

We partner with local farmers and waterman to bring the freshest ingredients to our table. We offer seafood-driven and locally minded menus focused on quality and seasonality. Heirloom features a mindful bar program with classically influenced cocktails made with carefully selected ingredients and innovative technique. The wine program will be sourced from all over the world, with a spotlight on exciting Virginia wine. We are proud to possess an approachable and diverse list, with bottles for every palate and price point.

Top review

Jonathan

Dined 4 days ago

Food was wonderful and the service was even better. Everyone from the hostess to the waitress, food runners, and bartenders were all exceptional. Will go back and could not recommend enough, what a gem.

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Southern Fried Chicken

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