Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in Charlottesville

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

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!

Ten

4.9

4.9 (1064)

$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

Jeff

Dined 6 days ago

Just outstanding! Food selection and quality is absolutely on point. Will be back again and again. The drive from Richmond is well worth it!

Fleurie

4.9

4.9 (1804)

$50 and over

French

Charlottesville

About the restaurant

Serving Dinner Tuesday - Saturday.
Daily Prix-Fixe 3-Course Menu ($109) with optional Wine Pairings ($75+)
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

Paulvip

Dined on Aug 27, 2024

Chef de Brito is a national treasure, and under his supervision Fleurie has become the finest restaurant in Central Virginia. The occasion was a wedding anniversary plus two birthdays, and the kitchen was up to the challenges. Just a dazzling evening.

The Ivy Inn Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (3740)

$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

Bill

Dined 4 days ago

The best dining experience we have had in Charlottesville. We will be back often!

C&O

4.8

4.8 (811)

$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

Sofia

Dined 2 days ago

the best food ever & best service - can’t wait to come back!!

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Popular dish

Tenderloin of Beef

Popular dish

Duck Confit and Ricotta Gnocchi

Popular dish

Pan Roasted Scallops

Public Fish & Oyster

4.8

4.8 (2533)

$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

Wendyvip

Dined 3 days ago

As usual, everything was perfect! The crab pasta was particularly excellent.

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Popular dish

Seared Sea Scallops

Popular dish

Buttermilk Fried Oysters

Black Cow Chophouse

4.8

4.8 (423)

$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. We take our food

Top review

karen

Dined 2 days ago

The filet was melt in your mouth delicious. Cognac peppercorn sauce was ok, I’ve had better. My husband loved the bone in pork chop recommended by our waitress.

Spoon & Spindle

4.7

4.7 (47)

$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 Zachary Andrews, Spoon & Spindle serves seasonal menus for brunch, lunch, & dinner as well as ever-updating craft cocktails, local wines, and unique beers. Our current menu includes fan favorites like the Quail Lewis, a Manchester Farms quail dish honoring Chef Edna Lewis and her contributions to southern cuisine. Our current Chef's Specials also include Beef Wellington, Southern Fish & Chips, soul-warming Pot Pie Skillet, and much more. Our popular brunch menu includes favorites like the Hangover Hash, Biscuit Benedict, Breakfast Burritos, Chocolate Cremeux Crepes, and much, much more. 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

Morganvip

Dined on Aug 30, 2024

The best place to eat in the area by far. The noodle dish and the short ribs are especially good.

Palladio

4.7

4.7 (502)

$31 to $50

Italian

Gordonsville

About the restaurant

The elegant balance we value in wine, the quality of celebration inherent in its welcome, inspire palate harmonies that are Virginian in resources and Northern Italian in perspective, in country dining of vivacity and refinement. Here the estate of wine is inhabited at its most seamless and complete, sustained behind the scenes by the rarest collaboration of colleagues gifted in cuisine, viticulture, horticulture and service. Luxury on-site accommodations available at our 1804 Inn and Cottages. For additional information, please visit our website www.bbvwine.com.

Top review

Sandy

Dined on Sep 6, 2024

The restaurant was quaint and welcoming. It was a beautiful evening with a nice breeze. The setting was very romantic and the perfect spot to celebrate our 41st wedding anniversary. The food was delicious and the wine complimented the meal. It was an overall memorable evening.

Aberdeen Barn - Charlottesville

4.7

4.7 (1735)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Charlottesville

About the restaurant

Established in 1965 as Charlottesville's premier steakhouse, dinner the Barn has become a Charlottesville tradition. Serving only the finest Certified Angus Steaks, award winning Roast Prime Rib, exceptional seafood, fine wines and a full bar.
We are open Wednesday - Saturday for inside dining, curbside pickup and outside seating when weather permits.
Please call for reservations for parties over 10 people 434-296-4630.
We look forward to seeing you.

Top review

Cory

Dined on Sep 6, 2024

Best Steak in Charlottesville by far! We come here everytime we are in Charlottesville!

Hamiltons' At First & Main

4.7

4.7 (2265)

$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

Laura

Dined 7 days ago

Great service! Excellent server who was informative and fun. The food - vegetarian spring rolls then beef tenderloin with asparagus & mashed potatoes - was outstanding, as always. This is one dish they always hit out of the park. Great wine list, as well, with quite reasonable prices and a friendly pour.

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Blue Crab and Corn Chowder

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