The Ridley

Name: The Ridley
Address: 1106 W Main St, Charlottesville, VA, United States, 22903-2822
Telephone: (434) 984-8010
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 4

4.0

348 Reviews

$30 and under

Southern

Top Tags:

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.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Sep 25, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 28 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Cuisines
Southern, Seafood
Hours of operation
Mon–Thu, Sun 7:00 am–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 7:00 am–12:00 am
Phone number
(434) 984-8010
Website
http://www.theridleyva.com/
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Robert Anglin

Location
1106 W Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22903-2822
Neighborhood
Charlottesville
Parking details
Street Parking
Additional
Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Late Night, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wine

What 348 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.0

4 based on recent ratings

4Food
4Service
4.2Ambience
3.7Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Charlottesville
Great for brunch
Charlottesville
Good for business meals
Charlottesville
Innovative
Charlottesville
Good for groups
Charlottesville
Hot spot
Charlottesville
Lively
Charlottesville
Most Booked

348 Reviews

AM
AnasheM
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined 2 days ago
overall2food1service1ambience3
Food was cold, not very much taste. Kinda was disappointed with the Bourban Pasta, the “cajun” cream sauce was not what I had expected and could be a little more thicker, very watery. A guest of mine ordered collard greens with her meal and never received them. The broccolini was very dry and cold. The drinks overall was great
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OT
OpenTable Diner
San Antonio
3 reviews
1.0
3 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
overall1food1service1ambience1
Horrible. One hour to get a bowl of gumbo and chicken and waffles. Saw waitress one time. It was a Thursday night in half filled restaurant.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined 4 days ago
overall2food5service2ambience3
Really great food, but very slow service, which was especially surprising given that the restaurant was only at about 50-60% capacity. I don’t think it was the staff’s fault as they were nice and clearly working hard, I believe this restaurant is just understaffed.
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s
sienna
New York Area
7 reviews
vip
2.0
7 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
overall2food2service3ambience1
Though we had a reservation which we had been asked to confirm, we were greeted by someone by who said “I don’t know how you got this reservation we’re supposed to be full” and then found us a table. Not exactly welcoming!!!! Our server was lovely, but seriously stressed and overworked. We were seated in front of huge TVs showing horse racing. Luckily with no sound. We had no idea that this was a sports bar. It looked like it was a nice restaurant on the website and it was recommended by several people but the ambiance was very cold and industrial and with all that glass and metal it was very noisy though far from full. The drinks and food took forever to come. The drinks were warm, and the food was cold. then on the bill we were overcharged for three of the items. Once could be a mistake, but three times I think it’s deliberate. We asked for a correction, and they only corrected two out of the three items but we decided to just not fight it anymore, and paid the bill and left.
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SW
SWinston
Richmond
3 reviews
3.0
3 reviews
Dined on September 16, 2023
overall3food2service4ambience4
This was my third time dining at The Ridley for brunch. I was a bit disappointed in the quality of the food. On my first visit, the food was amazing -- hot, flavorful, beautifully presented. My subsequent visits were much less impressive. The food was barely warm, bland, and for an omelet, I was surprised to learn that the only cheese options were Mozzarella, Cheddar and American. I have not had lunch or dinner there, hopefully those menu items are much better.
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JC
JaneC
Richmond
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 15, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience4
Our first time at the Ridley. Good food & service. Too loud inside but we were lucky to get a beautiful seat outside. Especially loved the cornbread appetizer!
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JC
JaneC
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on September 7, 2023
overall2food3service1ambience4
The appetizers were good. Steaks and chicken were tough and hard to cut. Service was almost non existent except for when we flagged the manager. The place was not so busy so there was no reason for the inattention. There was no hostess or manager to speak with when we left.
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M
Mykhaylo
Richmond
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on August 20, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience4
Great food and service. Average prices. I will recommend The Ridleys to my friends.
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CH
ChrisH
Philadelphia
12 reviews
3.0
12 reviews
Dined on August 18, 2023
overall3food3service3ambience4
Food is just ok. Was much better a year ago. Location is great but would only recommend drinks.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on August 13, 2023
overall4food3service5ambience4
The service was excellent as there were only a few other parties in the restaurant. Despite there being a group at the bar there was very little noise since it is disconnected from the main seating area. The menu had some great options that is about average for Charlottesville pricing. I had the steakhouse burger which was good… but nothing really unique which was fine. Overall great experience may go back sometime in the future.
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s
sneakers
Washington DC
39 reviews
5.0
39 reviews
Dined on August 10, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great cocktails and excellent appetizers. The burger was also very tasty.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Richmond
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 4, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Definitely loved the shrimp and grits! The restaurant was clean and staff were very professional as well.
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KW
KarenW
Richmond
4 reviews
2.0
4 reviews
Dined on July 29, 2023
overall2food3service2ambience4
Came out of town for dinner on 7/28 .. mind you the website stated a cville restaurant week (which was 17-30 )menu… $35 4 app, main coarse & dessert..asked about it when seated and waiter told us, oh no,that’s over …it was last week! So that rubbed me the wrong way. As I felt he lied to our face!…so that was my first impression! Doubt if I try it again.
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LY
LynnY
Atlantic City
26 reviews
vip
5.0
26 reviews
Dined on July 28, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The Ridley has a sophisticated vibe for dinner with a cool bar. The food was delicious and our server was attentive and knowledgeable. I would recommend to anyone staying in Charlottesville. It was within walking distance of our hotel and is also located in lobby of the The Draftsman hotel. I liked that we could walk there.
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DC
DCVisitor
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on July 27, 2023
overall5food5service4ambience3
Would be great to update the specials as you change your menu- we were really interested in the published restaurant week just to learn that it was a typo and no longer offered during the seating process.
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CM
CherylM
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on July 23, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food was very good…pricing s little high especially for the cocktails but they have an excellent chef, bartender, and staff..definitely will go back!
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e
elizabetha
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on July 23, 2023
overall4food5service3ambience5
Food was great, service was just very slow.
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VA
VAwoman
Richmond
7 reviews
1.0
7 reviews
Dined on July 23, 2023
overall1food2service2ambience3
This place is very overrated. We waited 35 minutes for our order to come. The succotash was dry. The crab cakes did not impress and the salmon (served on something very strange) was mediocre. The price was high and the pleasure was low. Would not return. The only up side was the staff were accommodating but not attentive.
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JS
JulieS
Richmond
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on July 23, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food was amazing. I went during Restaurant Week and we know lots of places just slap some food on to a plate but I have to admit that was not the case here. The steak was cooked to perfection and much bigger than I expected. The salad was fresh and the croutons were delicious. The banana bread pudding was a pleasant surprise as I'm not usually a desert eater but I couldn't stop after the first bite.
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LM
LMD1
Washington DC
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on July 23, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Everything was delicious. The service was perfect.
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S
Sandie
Richmond
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on July 22, 2023
overall3food3service3ambience3
My dinner was fine. My husbands was not. He got chicken and it was a drumstick. No seasoning. Waiter was not very attentive. Probably won’t return.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on July 21, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Anna was fantastic! Portions and flavors were spot on. Cocktails were delicious. Overall great experience
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B
Bummer
Richmond
14 reviews
5.0
14 reviews
Dined on July 21, 2023
overall5food3service5ambience3
Restaurant week special of a "cast iron" chicken was exciting. Thinking of a nice crispy dark caramelized skin, only to have a blond, rubbery skin with ZERO seasoning. Also, the swiss chard was not rinsed well as every bite was sandy, so I stopped eating the chard after 3 bites, soooo disappointing. However, the blackened catfish with collard greens was amazing! Everything about this dish was perfection.
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a
ayekantspehl
London
4 reviews
4.0
4 reviews
Dined on July 21, 2023
overall4food4service3ambience4
Great place for a business lunch or for a small celebration. The food is good and the beverage selection is decent. I always enjoy a meal at the Ridley.
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JG
JeffG
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on July 20, 2023
overall3food3service3ambience4
I was a somewhat disappointed in our visit to the Ridley. The staff and servers were polite and helpful, but the food to table was slow. Two of us had the restaurant week surf and turf special. The watermelon and peach salad was good and presentation was nice. The main course - a ribeye, shrimp, and mashed potatoes were just ok. The steak was tough and the shrimp over-seasoned and salty. I didn’t even eat all of my steak. The food was not hot. Our friend’s Ridley burger looked much more appetizing. Dessert, banana bread pudding was tasty. Given it was Restaurant week in Charlottesville, I expected more.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Memphis/West TN
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on July 19, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience5
Although they were short staffed during restaurant week, Floyd was very attentive! The food was flavorful! Glad we visited while we were in town.
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BP
BarbaraP
Richmond
7 reviews
vip
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on July 15, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
This was a wonderful evening. The food was great, the staff was really friendly, and the ambiance was amazing.
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DB
DanB
Chicago
8 reviews
vip
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on July 4, 2023
overall5food5service4ambience4
Innovative food & drink menu and very friendly staff.
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CD
CvilleDiner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 28, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The Oysters Rockefeller shouldn't be missed. The service was attentive and efficient.
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T
Tash
San Francisco
16 reviews
5.0
16 reviews
Dined on June 22, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Had an excellent meal. Would definitely recommend.
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SL
SarahL
Columbus
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on June 18, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fantastic food! Great waiter and great cocktails.
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BD
BenjaminD
Richmond
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on June 17, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great find! Enjoyed it. A beautifully calm surprise with great old photos.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Indiana
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on June 10, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
- professional and courteous staff - clean dining area - prompt and knowledgable server staff - generous and delicious portions
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CN
CraigN
Cleveland
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on June 9, 2023
overall1food1service2ambience3
Food was awful and price point for food was way too high
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B
Bdsjd
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on May 28, 2023
overall2food1service5ambience2
Super garlicky Caesar salad....way too much garlic. Asked for medium and received rare steak. Regular French fries would have been nice. Chicken with mashed potatoes dish, chicken was dry...couldn't eat. Mac n cheese was wonderful I asked without the garlic bread crumbs glad I did. Chicken pasta dish was very good. Lights were too bright for dinner atmosphere. Service was wonderful. Nothing is begging me to go back there again....maybe brunch.
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TS
ThomasS
Atlanta Metro
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 28, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience3
It was cold inside Shrimp and Grits was fantastic!
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GO
GinnyO
San Diego
36 reviews
vip
3.0
36 reviews
Dined on May 27, 2023
overall3food3service3ambience3
Enjoyable brunch…need a little better furniture that is more comfortable
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W
Wimpymom
Atlanta Metro
8 reviews
3.0
8 reviews
Dined on May 24, 2023
overall3food3service3ambience5
Was looking forward to the crab cakes but they were not available. Had the lobster roll in instead. It was a lot of claw meat. Meh.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on May 20, 2023
overall2food3service2ambience4
Food was not prepared correctly, service experience was slow considering the available seating
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Richmond
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 14, 2023
overall4food4service3ambience4
Table service was slow but kitchen service was quick, as always, the food was great.
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Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing
- Surfaces sanitized between seatings
- Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
- Common areas deep-cleaned daily
Physical distancing
- Limited number of seated diners

Protective equipment
- Waitstaff wear masks
- Diners must wear masks unless eating or drinking

FAQs

The Ridley offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (434) 984-8010.

The Ridley is rated 4 stars by 348 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

Sep 25, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 28 times today

Order delivery or takeout

1106 W Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22903-2822

Additional information

Neighborhood
Charlottesville
Hours of operation
Mon–Thu, Sun 7:00 am–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 7:00 am–12:00 am
Cuisines
Southern, Seafood
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Street Parking
Executive chef
Robert Anglin
Additional
Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Late Night, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wine

Website
http://www.theridleyva.com/
Phone number
(434) 984-8010

The Ridley

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Menu

What 348 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing

Physical distancing

Protective equipment

FAQs

Does The Ridley offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is The Ridley restaurant rated?

Is The Ridley currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information