Hamiltons' At First & Main, Charlottesville, VA

Hamiltons' At First & Main

Name: Hamiltons' At First & Main
Address: 101 West Main Street, Charlottesville, VA, United States, 22902
Telephone: (434) 295-6649
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 4.7

4.7

2027 Reviews

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Top Tags:

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.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Oct 3, 2023

8:00 PM

Booked 39 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Cuisines
Contemporary American, American
Hours of operation
Lunch Wed–Sat 11:30 am–2:30 pm Dinner Tue–Sat 4:00 pm–8:00 pm
Phone number
(434) 295-6649
Website
http://www.hamiltonsrestaurant.com/home.html
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Owned/operated by
Women
Executive chef
Hunter Harding

Location
101 West Main Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902
Neighborhood
Charlottesville
Cross street
1st Street
Parking details
None
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

Popular dishes

Vegetarian Soup of the Day$4.00
ask your server or give us a phone call to find out the soup du jour
- Cup$4.00
- Bowl$7.00
Blue Crab and Corn Chowder$5.00
with bacon and chives
- Cup$5.00
- Bowl$9.00
Virginia Ham Biscuits$8.00
buttermilk biscuits with Kite's country ham, pickled peaches, arugula and Pommery mustard aioli (x2)
Lamb Meatballs$12.00
in harissa sauce with crumbled feta
Grilled Local Mushrooms$12.00
with rosemary, Caromont Farm Chevre and a honey-balsamic vinaigrette
Crispy Fried Oysters$13.00
with a sweet cabbage slaw and Tobasco aioli
Blackened Sea Scallops$14.00
with an avocado puree and citrus supremes
Vegetarian Springrolls$10.00
with pickled local kohlrabi and sweet Thai chilis

Salads

House Salad Vinaigrette$6.00
with house ginger-soy dressing, cucumbers, and tomatoes
Mixed Greens$13.00
with cornmeal-crusted goat cheese, spiced Virginia pecans, sun-dried tomatoes and ancho chili vinaigrette
- BIG$13.00
- LITTLE$9.00
Steak Salad$22.00
grilled local beef top sirloin over mixed greens, with cherry tomatoes, marinated mushrooms, cucumber, croutons and blue cheese dressing

Entrees

Shrimp and Grits$29.00
shrimp poached in chardonnay and lemon with Woodson's Mill creamy grits, smoked Roma tomato confit, and fresh arugula
Vegetarian "Blue Plate" Special$22.00
ask your server for today's special
Fish of the Day$31.00
Grilled Swordfish with with baba ganoush, charred broccoli, pickled local mushrooms and smoked olive oil
- Market Price$31.00
Pan-Roasted Jumbo Lump Crabcakes$35.00
over herbed basmati rice with sauteed spinach, and remoulade
Wild Mushroom and Herb Ravioli$28.00
with Italian sausage bolognese and shaved parmesan
Grilled Chicken Breast$29.00
with black-eyed pea hummus, grilled corn salad, and salsa verde
Grilled Local Dry-Aged Beef Tenderloin$37.00
with crushed rainbow new potatoes, roasted malibu carrots, housemade steak sauce, and crispy leeks
Grilled Ancho Marinated Pork Chop$31.00
with a yellow stoneground grit souffle, sauteed haricots verts, and dijon vinaigrette

Desserts

Gearharts Fine Chocolate Flourless Chocolate Torte$7.00
Coconut Kahlua Panna Cotta$7.00
Trio of Granitas in a Brandysnap Cup$7.00
Lemon Meringue Tart$7.00
Local Vanilla Ice Cream$6.00

What 2,027 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.8Service
4.5Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Charlottesville
Best Overall
Charlottesville
Best Service
Charlottesville
Best Ambiance
Charlottesville
Good for business meals
Charlottesville
Healthy
Charlottesville
Neighborhood gem
Charlottesville
Great for outdoor dining
Charlottesville
Romantic
Charlottesville
Most Booked

2,027 Reviews

OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
6 reviews
vip
5.0
6 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Paul the server was excellent. Personable. Friendly. Professional.
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M
Mary
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 4 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience4
Great meal. Fantastic service. Certainly worth a stop.
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P
Pkslmcs
Richmond
9 reviews
5.0
9 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
From the moment we walked into Hamiltons' we felt well taken care of. The food was excellent and the service was supreme. ' As it turned out, I accidentally left my credit card there after dinner. When I discovered it missing this morning, I called and the card was safely stored and waiting for me to pick up.
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w
willgoagain
Charleston
51 reviews
vip
5.0
51 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Willgoback Our server Paul was extremely knowledgeable and the crab corn chowder plus the lamb meatballs and ham biscuits were stellar
Is this helpful?
PJ
PJ12
Richmond
16 reviews
5.0
16 reviews
Dined on September 22, 2023
overall5food5service4ambience5
Restaurant is beautiful and well laid out. Shrimp and grits were awesome. Service was good but not 5-star level in comparison to other restaurants. I would go back...
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C
Chris
Washington DC
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on September 20, 2023
overall3food4service3ambience4
A friend was in Charlottesville for business, so we drove down from Fredericksburg for dinner. The food was good, but not remarkable. I ordered the lamb meatballs and the crab cakes. The meatballs were good. The crab cakes had no filler, but I found them to be dry. My wife had the shrimp and grits. The shrimp were good sized, but there weren't very many of them. The grits were done well. For dessert, we had the flourless chocolate torte, which was incredible! The service was very slow. The waiter forgot to put in our appetizer order, despite writing it down when we ordered it. They came out with our entree. We had to wait quite a while for a check, too. I'd go back, but I wouldn't pick it.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on September 16, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Lovely meal and attentive service. We sat outside and listened to the trio performing on the downtown mall. Our server, Paul took good care of us as we sipped a good glass of wine.
Is this helpful?
RM
RitaM
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on September 16, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience4
Serve was excellent. I had corn and crab soup. Also shrimp and grits. While tasty both could have been warmer! U would definitely return.
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c
cvillellk
Seattle
11 reviews
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on September 15, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
From cocktails through dessert, everything was delicious. I eat beef perhaps twice a year, but this local, grass-fed tenderloin was amazing. I’ll return for this one day.
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RM
RogerM
Washington DC
13 reviews
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on September 14, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
A wonderful lunch experience at Hamilton's. The highlight was the fried oysters appetizer. So good we ordered a second helping to complement our entrees. Really nice outdoor table on a beautiful day and our server was very engaging and attentive. Another of a long line of great meals at Hamilton's!
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B
Bernice
Richmond
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on September 13, 2023
overall2food3service2ambience2
We found Hamilton's on a list of Charlottesville's 'quiet restaurants.' It was in fact one of the noisiest restaurants we've ever experienced. Conversation at our table of four was impossible. The food was good but overpriced. The service was theatrical but neither thoughtful nor prompt. Not a happy birthday celebration.
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MS
MelissaS
Richmond
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 13, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
It was our first visit to Hamiltons'. We were in town for a concert and wanted to enjoy a nice meal before the show. Hamiltons' was ideal: very close to Ting Pavillion, wonderful entrée selections, outstanding service, and the quality of the food was among the best I've had in a long time. We will be back!
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GT
GrantT
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on September 13, 2023
overall4food5service5ambience3
Vegetarian dish was outstanding. Excellent service.
Is this helpful?
LL
LeslieL
Washington DC
73 reviews
vip
3.0
73 reviews
Dined on September 8, 2023
overall3food3service5ambience4
The vegetarian option was very average which I don’t expect from this restaurant. The beef dish was much better. The outdoor space is ok.
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MG
MayG
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 8, 2023
overall5food4service4ambience5
Hamilton's is my favorite restaurant. We ordered 3 different lunch meals. The vegetarian meal was the best. A kabob order was particularly small. An Indonesian item was unusually large.
Is this helpful?
LL
LeeL
Richmond
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 6, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
A great place for a business lunch--just the right amount of service.
Is this helpful?
CL
CelesteL
Philadelphia
28 reviews
vip
5.0
28 reviews
Dined on September 2, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great service; very attentive. The crab chowder was INCREDIBLE!! It was packed with crabmeat. The crabcakes, shrimp n grits, beef special were all delicious. Nice wines,too. Definitely a great spot.
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BM
BethM
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on September 2, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience4
Have been multiple times and it’s always a good experience
Is this helpful?
B
Bear
Washington DC
48 reviews
5.0
48 reviews
Dined on September 2, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Second time there... both times were very very good. Great menu offerings, and the food is terrific. Drinks are also superb. Will be our "go to" place in C'ville.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 1, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
As always we had a fabulous meal at Hamilton on main. We sat on the mall outside and watched the passersby. It is pricey but the food is always fantastic and you won’t get a meal like this anywhere else. Small menu that’s done to perfection. Love Hamilton’s.
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A
Alessandra
Richmond
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on September 1, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
To be on the outside patio was a wonderful experience
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EM
ElaineM
Richmond
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on August 29, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fabulous food, fabulous service.....a wonderful special occasion restaurant!
Is this helpful?
CN
CNNE
Philadelphia
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on August 26, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
This restaurant consistently has great food and the service is outstanding. The wine list has different wines for all the fine food that they serve.
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M
Maggieliz
Richmond
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on August 26, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The meals were superb as was the service. We hosted our British friends who also thoroughly enjoyed the e evening out.
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BD
BobD
Richmond
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on August 25, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
This restaurant is consistently outstanding. It is family owned by people who give back to the community as well as providing a wonderful regular menu and great specials. There is always something tha will appeal to anyone who visits. Te staff is well trained, patient and friendly.
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PJ
PollyJ
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 25, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Their Jumbo Crab Cake is a constant delicious staple at Hamilton's. Their staff is professional, knowledgeable, and friendly. Dining at Hamilton's is an incredible delight.
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JS
JohnS
Exclusive
6 reviews
4.0
6 reviews
Dined on August 25, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience4
HAMILTON'S is a place we return to and it always offer pleasant dining.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Raleigh
13 reviews
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on August 23, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Ate on the patio with beautiful weather, excellent service, and exquisite food. Highly recommend.
Is this helpful?
j
jwpilgreen
Richmond
12 reviews
vip
5.0
12 reviews
Dined on August 23, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Always enjoy Hamilton’s!! Paul is the very best!!!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Richmond
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on August 19, 2023
overall5food4service5ambience4
We had a great meal and an oustanding server! Wine, cocktail & bourbon lists were all extensive & interesting. Great location on the mall.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Richmond
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on August 18, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Hadn’t been to Hamiltons in awhile- Covid, etc. We were celebrating a friends belated Bday. She had never been to Hamiltons and really wanted to try it. My group ordered a special (lobster crabmeat pasta with an Alfredo sauce) and we all agreed it was amazing! Lunch portion was just right size. It was busy with many tables in and out filled. Seemed to be just two waiters Our waiter, Chris, was very busy taking care of guests in and out. Despite it he was very attentive! Because it was a special occasion I had brought a dessert from Cake Bloom to celebrate. I approached Chris and asked if would be ok. I left it with him and he later brought it to the table at the appropriate time. He even sliced a strawberry and placed a candle on it for decoration. I completely forgot about bringing candles. Can’t say enough about great everything was. Thanks so much
Is this helpful?
CF
CharlesF
Charlotte
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on August 17, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food was excellent and locally sourced. The waiter was attentive, superb, and fluid. Quiet atmosphere. Great experience.
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G
Greatdinner
Philadelphia
15 reviews
5.0
15 reviews
Dined on August 17, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Perfect spot for lunch when visiting UVa including excellent summer soups
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on August 16, 2023
overall3food5service3ambience4
Made a reservation for a booth. It was freezing inside asked to sit outside , tables were available. Was not moved.
Is this helpful?
RS
RitaS
Washington DC
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on August 12, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Overall restaurant was very good. The waitress was exceptional. Food was creative.
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DH
DougH
Orlando
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on August 12, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The staff ensured that the evening was perfect. I proposed to my future wife. They had the flowers I sent to the restaurant waiting on the table. The food was amazing and the service impeccable. We were at the restaurant very early in the evening so it was not loud, very few diners. I have visited during a busy lunch in the past. I highly recommend Hamilton’s.
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JM
JeffreyM
Naples
11 reviews
vip
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on August 9, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
The food was delicious, and the service was not too fast or too slow.
Is this helpful?
JA
JamesA
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 9, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Excellent food and service. Vegetarian Soup and Blue Plate Special were particularly good.
Is this helpful?
RT
RichardT
Coastal Georgia
8 reviews
vip
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on August 8, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We had a cup of the corn and crab chowder that was delicious and loaded with crab. The fried oysters and beef tenderloin were also excellent! The waitress was friendly and very professional.
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EC
ElizabethC
Washington DC
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on August 5, 2023
overall5food5service3ambience5
Great cocktails! Appetizers were amazing. The server let me try a few wines before selecting one
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Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing
- Surfaces sanitized between seatings
- Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
- Sealed or wrapped utensils used
- Common areas deep-cleaned daily
- Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
- Contactless payment available
Physical distancing
- Limited number of seated diners
- Distancing maintained in common areas

Screening
- Sick staff prohibited in the workplace
- Staff is vaccinated

FAQs

You can order delivery directly from Hamiltons' At First & Main using the Order Online button. Hamiltons' At First & Main also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (434) 295-6649.

Hamiltons' At First & Main is rated 4.7 stars by 2027 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Oct 3, 2023

8:00 PM

Booked 39 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Hamiltons' At First & Main

101 West Main Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902

Additional information

Cross street
1st Street
Neighborhood
Charlottesville
Hours of operation
Lunch Wed–Sat 11:30 am–2:30 pm Dinner Tue–Sat 4:00 pm–8:00 pm
Cuisines
Contemporary American, American
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
None
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Owned/operated by
Women
Executive chef
Hunter Harding
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.hamiltonsrestaurant.com/home.html
Phone number
(434) 295-6649

Hamiltons' At First & Main

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

100 Virginia Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

50 Virginia Restaurants to Connect In For Mother's Day

Lamb Meatballs

Shrimp and Grits

Virginia Ham Biscuits

Soup, etc.

Vegetarian Soup of the Day$4.00

Blue Crab and Corn Chowder$5.00

Virginia Ham Biscuits$8.00

Lamb Meatballs$12.00

Grilled Local Mushrooms$12.00

Crispy Fried Oysters$13.00

Blackened Sea Scallops$14.00

Vegetarian Springrolls$10.00

Salads

House Salad Vinaigrette$6.00

Mixed Greens$13.00

Steak Salad$22.00

Entrees

Shrimp and Grits$29.00

Vegetarian "Blue Plate" Special$22.00

Fish of the Day$31.00

Pan-Roasted Jumbo Lump Crabcakes$35.00

Wild Mushroom and Herb Ravioli$28.00

Grilled Chicken Breast$29.00

Grilled Local Dry-Aged Beef Tenderloin$37.00

Grilled Ancho Marinated Pork Chop$31.00

Desserts

Gearharts Fine Chocolate Flourless Chocolate Torte$7.00

Coconut Kahlua Panna Cotta$7.00

Trio of Granitas in a Brandysnap Cup$7.00

Lemon Meringue Tart$7.00

Local Vanilla Ice Cream$6.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Cleaning & sanitizing

Physical distancing

Screening

FAQs

Does Hamiltons' At First & Main offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Hamiltons' At First & Main restaurant rated?

Is Hamiltons' At First & Main currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Featured in

100 Virginia Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

50 Virginia Restaurants to Connect In For Mother's Day