Diners' Choice: Best Value restaurants in Charlottesville

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best value restaurants in Charlottesville? 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!

Forked on Main

4.8

4.8 (176)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Orange

About the restaurant

Forked on Main is a casual contemporary eatery, located in the historic Sparks building on Main Street in Orange, VA. Walk in the door and you’re instantly faced with the hostess stand and a decision – a fork in the road. Take a right and you enter a light-filled dining room that can seat couples, families or even private parties. Take a left, and you’re ensconced in the lounge, perfect for a casual mid-day coffee, a happy hour drink with co-workers or a night out on Main Street with friends.

Top review

RachelVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Lovely restaurant in Orange. Nice vibe. But not that busy. Was surprised that the chicken Provençal was a cream sauce, as we were expecting a red sauce. On investigation that is a way to do it, but the menu didn’t indicate that was the preparation. (It was ok for my husband, but I don’t do cream dishes and I would have had to send back). The pork belly wraps were tasty, but the pork belly should have been crisper. We asked for the veggie sides to come out ahead of the mains. They came with the mains which made it more awkward to eat. The asparagus was aggressively seasoned. (Almost too salty). The roasted parsnips looked and tasted more like carrots (I have not had purple and bright orange parsnips). Fettuccini bolognese was delicious … noise made noodles were very good. We were told chef owner was on vacation. Considering the lack of good restaurants in this area I would cautiously recommend Did not try deserts.

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4.8

4.8 (126)

$31 to $50

Southern

Orange

About the restaurant

Spoon & Spindle is located in historic Orange, Virginia in a nearly 100 year old silk mill. Spearheaded by Chef Kyler Rudy, Spoon & Spindle serves seasonal menus for brunch, lunch, & dinner as well as ever-updating craft cocktails, local wines, and unique beers. Our Spring/Summer 2025 lunch/dinner menu features fun new dishes like a Loaded Mac & Cheese, Shrimp Toast, All American Burger, and Crab Linguine. For brunch, we have menu stapes like fresh from scratch Eggs Benedict, Chicken & Waffles, and Breakfast Fried Rice. You'll also find house made desserts to finish off your meal. Our unique menu, intimate dining room, and uber friendly staff keep our regulars coming back to see what we have on special each day.

Top review

Scott

Dined 7 days ago

Our waitress Kim was very helpful and her service was top notch.

The Farmhouse at Veritas

4.9

4.9 (1056)

$50 and over

Farm-to-table

Charlottesville

About the restaurant

Please inform us of any dietary restrictions at least 48 hours prior to reservation time.
No children or pets allowed for any reservations

DINNER: Plan to arrive at 6:15 pm for a glass of bubbly and be seated for dinner at 6:30 pm. Dinner is four courses, each one paired with wine. The cost is $120.00 per person prix fixe

Top review

Carolyn

Dined 3 days ago

The meal we had at The Farmhouse was one of the best meals we have EVER had. From the beautiful farmhouse and surrounding scenery to the sweet women that waited/served us to meeting the chef ,and then dining on this wonderful meal, we had the best of time,

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Experience

The Farmhouse Wine Paired Dinner

The Ivy Inn Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (3928)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Charlottesville

About the restaurant

Seasonal Local American Cuisine. We use many local products from local farmers. We are located about a mile west of the University of Virginia campus. Historic old home turned into a restaurant. Three small intimate dining rooms upstairs, one on the ground floor and a large weather protected patio. In the winter the Patio is heated. Family owned since 1995. Special diet needs met upon request.

Top review

Leslyn

Dined 4 days ago

Everything was wonderful. Patio setting, food, drinks and service.

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Popular dish

Key Lime Pie

Popular dish

Potato Gnocchi Bolognese

Popular dish

Grilled Certified Angus Beef Tenderloin

Public Fish & Oyster

4.8

4.8 (2744)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Charlottesville

About the restaurant

Public Fish and Oyster serves only the freshest and responsibly sourced seafood. We believe in the complete dining experience and our knowledgeable staff is eager to provide you with the best dining experience Charlottesville has to offer.

Top review

ASHLEY

Dined 4 days ago

Great food and service. Definitely make sure you have a reservation. We did luckily but it was packed for a Tuesday.

Rapture

4.7

4.7 (237)

$30 and under

Southern

Charlottesville

About the restaurant

Rapture features playful, farm-to-table Southern cuisine in a swank-but-cozy atmosphere. We have outdoor dining, billiards tables, and live music several nights a week.

Top review

cindyVIP

Dined on May 17, 2025

Ate outside. Excellent service and very good food.

Black Cow Chophouse

4.8

4.8 (580)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Charlottesville

About the restaurant

Black Cow Chophouse is Charlottesville's spot for steaks, chops, fine wines, modern & classic cocktails and fun times. We feature a huge daily selection of both dry-aged and non dry-aged local and nationally sourced beef, as well as pork, game and lamb cuts. Our beverage program is carefully crafted and our hospitality is second to none. For the budget conscious, visit during our daily happy hour from 4:30 to 6:00 for Charlottesville's best steak deal and discounted drinks.

Top review

THERESAVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Thank you John for amazing service, knowledge, certainly better than PLugers Your Manhattan Couple

C&O

4.9

4.9 (910)

$50 and over

American

Charlottesville

About the restaurant

Dinner is served in our mezzanine, bistro and upstairs dining rooms, Tuesday through Saturday.
Reservations are for dinner only, please. Bar seats operate on a first come, first serve basis, and cannot be reserved.
We cannot accommodate parties larger than 10. Due to the layout of our restaurant, we are unable to accommodate pets on our patio.

Top review

MariannVIP

Dined on May 31, 2025

What a classy unique setting filled with wonderful staff! Everything was delicious, especially the halibut entree.

1799 at The Clifton

4.7

4.7 (787)

$50 and over

Farm-to-table

Charlottesville

About the restaurant

We are serving a wonderful ala carte menu with many delicious & unique options. We have an award winning wine list, and cocktail menu available as well - ask about our 'smoked' cocktails.

Set in a charming and historic house on a ridge overlooking The Rivanna River in Charlottesville, Virginia, 1799 at The Clifton is committed to cooking beautiful, locally sourced food in a warm yet chic atmosphere. Michelin Starred Chef Matthew Bousquet and his team are dedicated to giving you the best of new Piedmont cooking in a special way. Come and explore the offerings of our Chef’s seasonal menus, featuring the bounty of our own organic vegetable and herb garden. We look forward to making your visit truly memorable! Please make any requests on seating preferences, using the reservation notes. We will do our absolute best to accommodate all request based on availability.

Top review

Monica

Dined on May 26, 2025

Absolutely delicious Food with Amazing Service! The ambience is so beautiful with cozy library vibes. The Chef went above and beyond to make the evening special with a complimentary tuna tartare 🤤 as well as a delicious complimentary homemade strawberry pectin gummy to try before outstanding dessert also complimentary on the Clifton for our Friends 15 yr. anniversary. And they were so yummy we ordered two more to go for later. Not to mention the entrees and appetizers were out of this world with flavors. THANK YOU 1799 & The Clifton oh andddd they had on our menu Happy Anniversary For Our Friends it was such a special touch when we first sat down

Bad Luck Ramen Bar & North American Sake Brewery

4.7

4.7 (78)

$30 and under

Creative Japanese

Charlottesville

About the restaurant

Slurp some hot fresh ramen, swig some hand crafted sake or craft beer, eat some sushi rolls, and HAVE FUN! Exciting atmosphere with a great vibe, North American Sake Brewery is Virginias first and only sake brewery. We offer a huge selection of craft beer, slushies, seltzers, and a great happy hour! Dine on our famous rice bowls, or try our handmade dumplings. One of a kind place filled with people that are passionate about craft. Outdoor dinning available on our patio!

Top review

Allison

Dined on Apr 5, 2025

The ramen was amazing once again!! You have to try the Nas Original

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