Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in Charlottesville

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots 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!

Public Fish & Oyster

4.8

4.8 (2746)

$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

DavidVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Delicious seafood and excellent service. Great wine selection. Plan ahead because they seem to book up well in advance

Forked on Main

4.8

4.8 (176)

$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

RachelVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Lovely restaurant in Orange. Nice vibe. But not that busy. Was surprised that the chicken Provençal was a cream sauce, as we were expecting a red sauce. On investigation that is a way to do it, but the menu didn’t indicate that was the preparation. (It was ok for my husband, but I don’t do cream dishes and I would have had to send back). The pork belly wraps were tasty, but the pork belly should have been crisper. We asked for the veggie sides to come out ahead of the mains. They came with the mains which made it more awkward to eat. The asparagus was aggressively seasoned. (Almost too salty). The roasted parsnips looked and tasted more like carrots (I have not had purple and bright orange parsnips). Fettuccini bolognese was delicious … noise made noodles were very good. We were told chef owner was on vacation. Considering the lack of good restaurants in this area I would cautiously recommend Did not try deserts.

Discover more

4.8

4.8 (581)

$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

THERESAVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Thank you John for amazing service, knowledge, certainly better than PLugers Your Manhattan Couple

Ten

4.7

4.7 (1133)

$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

Taulsa

Dined 2 days ago

Great experience as always good. The sashimi was amazing .the staff was mindful and very knowledgeable

Rapture

4.7

4.7 (237)

$30 and under

Southern

Charlottesville

About the restaurant

Rapture features playful, farm-to-table Southern cuisine in a swank-but-cozy atmosphere. We have outdoor dining, billiards tables, and live music several nights a week.

Top review

cindyVIP

Dined on May 17, 2025

Ate outside. Excellent service and very good food.

Mockingbird

4.5

4.5 (12)

$30 and under

Southern

Charlottesville

About the restaurant

Mockingbird: Where Southern Charm Meets Virginia Bounty

Located in Charlottesville's Belmont neighborhood, Mockingbird is a destination for those who appreciate Southern cuisine with a modern twist. Chef Melissa Close-Hart, an Alabamian, passionately crafts a menu that highlights Virginia's fresh, seasonal ingredients while honoring Southern flavors.

Step into our beautifully restored 19th-century building and enjoy a lively bar and inviting atmosphere. Sunlight fills the space, showcasing exposed brick walls and elegant wood floors. Choose between cozy indoor seating or vibrant outdoor patio to soak in the neighborhood's charm.

Our menu features Southern classics reimagined with creativity. Start with our signature biscuit basket, served with honey butter, pepper jelly, and apple butter. For appetizers, try the fried green tomatoes with whipped pimento cheese or crispy Double H Farms pork belly. For main course, savor our Southern shrimp and grits, featuring NOLA-style BBQ shrimp.

Top review

Barry

Dined on May 30, 2025

We had two couples, including two people with different allergies. The waitress did a great job navigating the menu with us to be sure we'd all have a great meal without killing anyone. The specials were special and the chef was flexible and clearly talented. The food was delicious and the drinks were excellent. We brought a bottle of wine with us and paid the corkage fee. A great time was had by all of us. We'll be back soon!!

Emmy Squared Pizza - Charlottesville

4.4

4.4 (7)

$30 and under

Pizzeria

Charlottesville

About the restaurant

Founded on an unconditional love of well-made food, we use only the highest quality ingredients for our famous Detroit-style pizzas. As Emmy Squared has grown, we’ve continued to make fans and receive accolades along the way, including winning Nashville’s Battle of the Burger, being recognized as one of "The Best New Burgers in NYC" (Gothamist) and one of the "20 Best Burgers in NYC" (Infatuation). Besides award-winning pizzas and burgers, you’ll find delectable appetizers, sandwiches, and salads on our extensive menu. We look forward to welcoming you to Emmy Squared Charlottesville and sharing our unique take on American “comfort food.”

Top review

Ann

Dined on May 18, 2025

Emmy is a nice addition to Cville. We will return. Very nice menu choices and love the addition of seasonal specials. The crust was delicious, but I would like to have more sauce next visit and hope that is an option, even if a cost. Thank you!

The Melting Pot - Charlottesville

4.3

4.3 (1192)

$31 to $50

Fondue

Charlottesville

About the restaurant

Here fondue becomes a memorable four-course dining experience, where you can really dip into something different. Enjoy a choice of four flavorful fondue cooking styles and a variety of tasty entrees, including tender beef, boneless breast of chicken, duck, lobster, shrimp, scallops, salmon and much more. All are available in many different combinations with a variety of special dipping sauces. Cheese fondues can be ordered separately and are included with the purchase of any combination dinner. Along with every entrée, you’ll get breads, savory vegetables, and even a choice of three different fresh salads. As if that’s not enough to whet your appetite, you’ll also love the Melting Pot’s wide selection of creamy, mouth-watering chocolate fondue desserts. In addition to the Melting Pot’s ever expanding fondue menu, there’s also a growing list of fine wines. So come, relax and dip into an exciting new experience at the Melting Pot.

Top review

Leigh

Dined on May 17, 2025

It was really fun! We were there for 2 hours and it was great time for our family to spend together.

Discover more

Experience

Standard Reservation

The Bebedero

4.2

4.2 (109)

$30 and under

Mexican

Charlottesville

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Spence

Dined on May 14, 2025

Great live music! Service could’ve been a bit more attentive but food was great as always.

Milk & Honey - Charlottesville

3.7

3.7 (33)

$30 and under

Southern

Charlottesville

About the restaurant

Milk & Honey invites you to experience the vibrant flavors of New Orleans right in Virginia. This Southern-inspired brunch spot offers a unique twist on classic dishes. Savor our award-winning Shrimp & Grits, enjoy the delightful Chicken & Waffles, or indulge in the decadent Rum Chata French Toast. Each dish is made with fresh, high-quality ingredients and a passion for culinary creativity. Whether you're in the mood for traditional Southern comfort food or something with a modern twist, Milk & Honey has options for everyone. Our diverse menu caters to all tastes and dietary preferences, ensuring a satisfying meal any time of day. Join us at Milk & Honey to celebrate the rich heritage of Southern cuisine with a contemporary touch. Our dedication to quality and memorable dining experiences has made us a favorite for those seeking the best in Southern brunch.

Top review

Jim

Dined on May 6, 2025

The whole experience was very enjoyable. I ordered the Shrimp and grits and not only were they delicious but the portion size was good. Had a great dinner with my daughter.

Explore Diners' Choice best of Charlottesville

Explore more Diners' Choice lists