Best Lunch Restaurants in Charlottesville

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodMexicanPizzeria

Regions

Charlottesville

Neighborhoods

Charlottesville

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for fine wines

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

20 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

A photo of Black Cow Chophouse restaurant

1. Black Cow Chophouse

4.8

Exceptional(611)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Steakhouse • Charlottesville

Booked 47 times today

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.

A photo of Hamiltons' At First & Main restaurant

2. Hamiltons' At First & Main

4.7

Exceptional(2438)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • Charlottesville

Booked 15 times today

Contemporary Fine Dining in Charlottesville, Virginia Located in the heart of Charlottesville’s Downtown district, Hamiltons’ is the perfect spot for a delicious afternoon lunch or a romantic evening dinner. A cheerful, cozy atmosphere and attentive service ensure our guests enjoy an outstanding dining experience, be they Charlottesville natives, out-of-town visitors, or University students and staff. We also feature outdoor patio seating seasonally, providing our guests the opportunity to dine amidst the bustle of the Downtown Mall.

3. Cafe Frank

4.7

Exceptional(392)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary French / American • Charlottesville

Booked 11 times today

Café Frank is a vibrant, intimate Franco-Italian restaurant and cocktail bar on Charlottesville's Historic Downtown Pedestrian Mall. We can't wait to serve you!

4. The Conservatory

4.1

Excellent(20)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Charlottesville

Inspired by the comforts, legacy, and bounty of the region. Experience a new restaurant and bar concept, specializing in innovative cocktails and small shareable plates flavored by local cuisine. Guests are encouraged to unwind by the patio firepit, sip drinks at the bar, and socialize at leisure throughout the open concept space

A photo of Hillock Neighborhood Kitchen restaurant

5. Hillock Neighborhood Kitchen

3.9

Excellent(15)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Charlottesville

Hillock Neighborhood Kitchen offers Breakfast and Lunch in a casual restaurant overlooking Charlottesville's Downtown Pedestrian Mall. Our outdoor patio is a perfect place for seasonal outdoor dining!- Breakfast and Lunch- Complimentary Omni Hotel parking

6. The Bebedero

4.2

Awesome(111)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Charlottesville

Booked 3 times today

The Bebedero is a Mexican restaurant serving a blend of traditional flavors with contemporary fusions. The eatery has a vibrant and energetic ambience and is adorned with bright hues in a chic modern style. The artistic style interiors and friendly staff members make The Bebedero a wonderful place to enjoy the tasty food with background music and southwestern fashion. The restaurant also offers outdoor seating for a more relaxed environment.The Bebedero has a full alcohol bar to enjoy food with drinks. Stew de albondigas, del mar stew, chile relleno, snapper a la parrila and pumpkin seed pipianon are known to be some of the popular entrée menu items. The restaurant also has scrumptious appetizers, kids' menu, shared plates and dessert variety. The Governor's new guidelines require all alcohol service to be suspended at 10pm. You may still sit and dine, but after ten pm no alcoholic beverages can still be on your table.

7. The Local

4.4

Awesome(2619)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • Charlottesville

Booked 22 times today

UVA Graduation Weekend: May 17-19: Please see experience listed belowCome visit and experience The Local!We believe everyone should experience meals that feature delicately prepared fresh local ingredients in a great atmosphere. In our corner of the world, everyone's a Local. EAT, DRINK, & BE LOCAL.Note that when selecting outside, you will be in a covered area.

8. Maya

4.7

Exceptional(1572)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Southern • Charlottesville

Booked 18 times today

Maya is now accepting reservations from 4:30-8:30 every day as well as curbside take out orders during the same hours. Enjoy happy hour at the bar from 4:30-7 or our late night bar Thursday through Saturday. Please visit our homepage to see our updated selections daily. Please call if you require a reservation over 8 guests or specialized seating requests. Seating preferences will be honored based on volume and staffing. Located in the center of Charlottesville Virginia’s Midtown, MAYA serves dinner 7 days a week. Our made from scratch menu is prepared daily in honor of the Old Southern Kitchen.

9. Birch & Bloom

4.1

Excellent(364)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Steakhouse • Charlottesville

Booked 16 times today

We’re captivated by the natural beauty and bounty of Virginia. That’s why our menu is much more than a traditional steakhouse: terrific cuts, of course, complimented by locally caught seafood, sides fresh from the farmers market, and award-winning wine from across the globe. We’re not just for celebrating, and we’re not just a steakhouse: we’re the sophisticated dining experience that every steakhouse wants to be when it grows up. Valet parking is available, free for the first two hours with validation. Street parking is also available without a permit after 5pm daily and on the weekends.

10. The Ridley

4.3

Awesome(561)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Southern • Charlottesville

Booked 9 times today

The Ridley is THE destination for upscale-casual dining and fresh seafood offerings in Charlottesville, Virginia. Located within The Draftsmen boutique hotel, The Ridley combines convenience and accessibility with an unparalleled dining experience. As one of Charlottesville’s Black-owned restaurants, the concept pays homage to Dr. Walter N. Ridley, the first Black student to graduate from The University of Virginia and receive a graduate degree from any major, historically white public university in the South.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

C
Chris
Asheville / Western North Carolina •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Fantastic food, service all wrapped in a great experience.
More info
Black Cow ChophousePrice: Expensive• Steakhouse• Charlottesville
•
4.8
N
Nancy
Southwest Florida •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
This was our first visit to Hamilton’s and had a delicious dinner. The service was great and my Shrimp and Grits was generous and very tasty. My husband had the mushroom ravioli and enjoyed every morsel. We did not have any dessert but the choices looked good. Will be going again.
More info
Hamiltons' At First & MainPrice: Moderate• Contemporary American• Charlottesville
•
4.7
K
Keith
Cleveland / Akron / Canton •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Exceptional Restaurant Week experience with great cuisine and service!
More info
Cafe FrankPrice: Expensive• Contemporary French / American• Charlottesville
•
4.7
R
Rosemary
Washington, D.C. Area •3 reviews
4.0
Dined on Jun 19, 2025
A cozy dining ambience at the Omni Hotel! Food was delicious and fairly price. Service was cordial and professional.
More info
Hillock Neighborhood KitchenPrice: Moderate• American• Charlottesville
•
3.9
T
Terry
Coastal North Carolina •8 reviews
4.0
Dined on May 14, 2025
Do not order the Smoked Trout Tartine. It was in actuality two scoops of very salty trout sitting on two small pieces of toast. Terrible!
More info
The ConservatoryPrice: Expensive• American• Charlottesville
•
4.1

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