Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in Charlottesville

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

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!

Black Cow Chophouse

4.9

4.9 (483)

$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

LizVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Great food. Very very very delicious! Real food that feeds the soul. Service is great as well. Attention to detail and good ability to to serve courses in order and when table is ready. Small recommendations would be to fry foods in lard/tallow as opposed to seed oils. And as I age--I find the bar top tables and chairs to be uncomfortable; but there are lower chairs available--you may want to request them if bar top seating is uncomfortable. I never like paying fine dining prices and then being seated at a bar height table-but for this restaurant-- the food is so good I go with the seating flow! Highly recommend!

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4.8

4.8 (1085)

$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

Will

Dined 3 days ago

Great vibes and fantastic food. Would recommend to anyone.

Public Fish & Oyster

4.8

4.8 (2617)

$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

+Liz

Dined 4 days ago

As always, excellent service and delicious food! Can’t wait to go back

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Popular dish

Seared Sea Scallops

Popular dish

Buttermilk Fried Oysters

C&O

4.8

4.8 (848)

$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

MarkVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Our first visit to C&O in several years. It used to be one of our favorite C'ville restaurants and, after yesterday's dinner, that ranking hasn't changed. A spectacular meal. A great selection of expertly-prepared starters ("Did someone say 'sweetbreads'?") and mains. Creative cocktails and a well-constructed (and fairly priced) wine list. And an outstanding waiter who has worked at C&O for over 2 decades - a professional that makes a dinner at C&O the type of fine dining, yet relaxed, experienced that it is.

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Popular dish

Tenderloin of Beef

Popular dish

Duck Confit and Ricotta Gnocchi

Popular dish

Pan Roasted Scallops

Hamiltons' At First & Main

4.7

4.7 (2328)

$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

Toni

Dined 3 days ago

My daughter & I both got beef tenderloin & the entire dinner, including the sides, were incredible. We would highly recommend this entree!

Duners Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (2205)

$31 to $50

American

Charlottesville

About the restaurant

Duner's, brought to you by Ten Course Hospitality, is a casual fine dining restaurant located five miles west of Charlottesville in the village of Ivy, Virginia. Our menu changes daily, allowing our chefs to use the best ingredients seasonally available. We have an extensive wine list, a full bar and a very experienced service staff. Established in 1983, our goal has always been to serve great food in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Our portions are generous, our ingredients are the finest and we want everyone who walks in the door to become a regular customer!

Top review

Phil

Dined 1 day ago

Excellent dinner to celebrate a birthday! All meals were delicious especially the Brussels sprouts! Wow what flavor! Great service and a great evening!

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Popular dish

Pan Seared Beef Tenderloin

4.7

4.7 (329)

$31 to $50

Contemporary French / American

Charlottesville

About the restaurant

Café Frank is a vibrant, intimate Franco-Italian restaurant and cocktail bar on Charlottesville's Historic Downtown Pedestrian Mall. We can't wait to serve you!

Top review

GeneVIP

Dined 2 days ago

It's as if a nice little bistro from Paris was air-dropped in Charlottesville. A splendid dining experience with a superb menu, smartly chosen wine list, and a great location. Staff is just super and the chef outdid himself with the seafood offerings.

The Good Sport

4.4

4.4 (94)

$30 and under

Pub

Charlottesville

About the restaurant

The Good Sport delivers classic tavern fare, local craft beer and a sense of familiarity in a warm and relaxed setting – the perfect pre- and post-game spot, or a reprise after a long workday. This gathering place serves up comforting classics, such as Wagyu Brisket Slider with hydro watercress, fresh grated horseradish crème and shaved onion, along with a classic Fried Chicken Sandwich, with kimchi slaw, chili crisp mayo and pickled cucumbers. A large selection of signature cocktails, as well as whiskeys, local wines, and other spirits rounds out the bar experience. Valet parking is available, free for the first two hours with validation. Street parking is also available without a permit after 5pm daily and on the weekends.

Top review

Andrea

Dined on Oct 31, 2024

Smash burger and fries were both fabulous!! Service was great.

The Ridley

4.1

4.1 (500)

$30 and under

Southern

Charlottesville

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Ram

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

The Ridley offers a mix of strengths and little areas for improvement, but overall, it’s a spot worth visiting, especially for its warm atmosphere and accommodating service. As someone who isn’t a Southern food expert but is quickly becoming a fan, I found this experience enjoyable and eye-opening. The Skillet Cornbread is a standout dish—rich, flavorful, and perfectly baked. The ribeye is cooked to the requested doneness and absolutely delicious, while the lava cake is rich, decadent, and the perfect end to the meal. The Chef’s Seasonal Crème Brûlée is fantastic, with a satisfyingly crunchy crust and a delightful surprise at the bottom. Some dishes could use a bit more refinement. The Fried Wings in Phoenix Rub lack flavor, and while the chicken isn’t notably fresh, it thankfully doesn’t have an off taste. I’m looking forward to trying the maple BBQ rub next time for comparison. The gumbo is decent but not extraordinary, and the blackened salmon is unfortunately dry, which diminishes its potential. But then again, as someone who is not familiar with Southern Dish, they don’t taste bad, they just lack texture for them to be memorable. The service is impeccable. The staff is attentive and accommodating, with Lucas standing out for his professionalism and attentiveness. Their hospitality added to the enjoyment of our meal. The Ridley shines in its standout items and excellent service. It’s a place we’ll happily recommend to friends and family visiting the area. Looking forward to our next visit!

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Experience

Christmas Day Buffets at The Ridley!

Experience

New Year’s Menu at The Ridley ✨

Birch & Bloom

4.1

4.1 (294)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Charlottesville

About the restaurant

We’re captivated by the natural beauty and bounty of Virginia. That’s why our menu is much more than a traditional steakhouse: terrific cuts, of course, complimented by locally caught seafood, sides fresh from the farmers market, and award-winning wine from across the globe. We’re not just for celebrating, and we’re not just a steakhouse: we’re the sophisticated dining experience that every steakhouse wants to be when it grows up. Valet parking is available, free for the first two hours with validation. Street parking is also available without a permit after 5pm daily and on the weekends.

Top review

VIRGINIA

Dined on Dec 4, 2024

The crabcakes and caramelized carrots were delicious and the service by Dante was delightful.

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Experience

January Tasting Menu

Experience

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