Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in Charlottesville

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2025

Looking for the best overall 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!

The Farmhouse at Veritas

4.9

4.9 (1039)

$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

JenniferVIP

Dined on Apr 25, 2025

Another amazing experience here, this time with friends. And I didn't know about a dietary restriction of one friend until we arrived and the amazing chef made "on the spot" changes, so we all had a perfectly lovely evening! We will be back!

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Experience

The Farmhouse Wine Paired Dinner

Spoon & Spindle

4.9

4.9 (115)

$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

SheaVIP

Dined 3 days ago

A consistently good time at Spoon and Spindle. The food never disappoints, the service is wonderful. It is one of our favorite meals in Orange, VA!

The Ivy Inn Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (3908)

$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

ElizabethVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Everything was wonderful! The food was absolutely delicious and the service was fantastic.

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Popular dish

Key Lime Pie

Popular dish

Potato Gnocchi Bolognese

Popular dish

Grilled Certified Angus Beef Tenderloin

C&O

4.9

4.9 (897)

$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

StephanieVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Another great time at C and O! Good and service are always amazing! Highly recommend.

Black Cow Chophouse

4.9

4.9 (562)

$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

Chris

Dined 6 days ago

We had a truly exceptional experience at Black Cow Chophouse for my wife’s birthday dinner. From the moment we arrived, the hospitality stood out—Thomas at the host stand made an instant connection with my wife over equestrian, and the team seamlessly accommodated our last-minute switch to outdoor seating. The food was outstanding, but what made the evening unforgettable was our server, John. His attention to detail and thoughtful service made the night incredibly special. We’ll absolutely be back—this place delivers not just a great meal, but a memorable experience.

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4.8

4.8 (172)

$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

Amy

Dined on Apr 23, 2025

Our favorite in Orange! Exceptional food and great service.

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Experience

BURGERS & BREWS

Experience

MOTHER'S DAY BRUNCH 2025

Experience

Sunday Sauce!

Ten

4.8

4.8 (1119)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Charlottesville

About the restaurant

Ten is a modern Japanese tapas style restaurant, centrally located on Charlottesville's Downtown Mall.

Since 2006, Ten has served a variety of both traditional and original cuisine.

Chef Pei Jen Chang sources ingredients from the finest local, regional, and international sea and farm purveyors, and strives to offer fare that will appeal to the gamut of culinary palates.

Our bar menu boasts an extensive wine list, an assortment of imported and local craft beers, as well as one of the largest collections of sake in Virginia. In addition, we offer a unique selection of libations, such as hand-crafted Asian inspired cocktails, assembled using inventive, authentic ingredients, or a 'Sake Flight', which allows for the subtle, intricate flavors of three selected varietals to be experienced.

The meaning of the Japanese word 'Ten' is 'heaven' or 'celebration', and our highest goal is to create an elevated, adventurous, and intimate dining experie

Top review

michelle

Dined 5 days ago

All amazing but tables close together and noisy The food and service is on point, though! Highly recommend!!!

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Experience

2025 UVA Graduation Prix Fixe Menu - $75.00

Fleurie

4.8

4.8 (1870)

$50 and over

French

Charlottesville

About the restaurant

Serving Dinner Tuesday - Saturday.
Daily Prix-Fixe 3-Course Menu ($115) with optional Wine Pairings ($79)
Fleurie offers patio and indoor dining by reservation.
Please make sure to select your desired seating area when booking.

Join us at Fleurie Restaurant for a contemporary French fine dining experience, located just off Charlottesville's charming Downtown Mall on 3rd Street. Fleurie's elegant atmosphere, stellar wine list, and innovative menu are sure to produce an unforgettable meal. Fleurie is the perfect place to celebrate special occasions or simply enjoy masterfully prepared dishes and intimate service.

Top review

Liz

Dined 4 days ago

The food was abundant, beautiful, creative, and delicious!! The service was excellent! The wine recommendations were personalized and perfectly matched to our food.

Public Fish & Oyster

4.8

4.8 (2706)

$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

Cindy

Dined 3 days ago

Our waiter was great and attentive. Food was delicious.

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2025 UVA Graduation Weekend May 16th-18th

Hamiltons' At First & Main

4.8

4.8 (2397)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Charlottesville

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Elizabeth

Dined 4 days ago

Good dining for an occasion, take the time to enjoy the food and service.

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Blue Crab and Corn Chowder

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