Diners' Choice: Good for special occasions restaurants in Charlottesville

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best special occasion 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 Ivy Inn Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (3835)

$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

JudithVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Excellent restaurant, nice atmosphere, wonderful service. Thoroughly enjoyed our leisurely dinner. All of the food was very well prepared.

The Farmhouse at Veritas

4.9

4.9 (1010)

$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

Julian

Dined on Nov 21, 2024

A wonderful dinner and evening. Attentive but not intrusive wait staff. We (6 of us) enjoyed the wine paired dinner. The food was superb, compliments to the Chef.

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Experience

The Farmhouse Wine Paired Dinner

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.

Fleurie

4.8

4.8 (1833)

$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

Brent

Dined 2 days ago

Fleurie continues to embody the highest standards of classic, yet still modern French and American dining, with outstanding food, décor and service. The food on the seasonally changing menu is always superb, with innovative twists that keep it interesting as well as delicious. The three-course prix-fixe menu, which also includes several additional gratis dishes, provides a wealth of choices, including nightly specials, and accommodates vegetarians as well as meat and fish eaters. The wine list is also tops, and the service and welcoming, comfortable ambiance could not be better. Fleurie remains our favorite spot by far for a celebration.

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

Aberdeen Barn - Charlottesville

4.5

4.5 (1752)

$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

Diana

Dined 2 days ago

Always enjoy our dinners here. Our go to steakhouse!

The Melting Pot - Charlottesville

4.4

4.4 (1222)

$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

Lliam

Dined 4 days ago

Wonderful evening with excellent food and great service

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Experience

Standard Reservation

Forked on Main

4.4

4.4 (150)

$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

pablo

Dined 2 days ago

Had a great dinner reasonably priced. And walked over to the bar for drinks dessert and live music overall great experience

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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

Charlottesville Restaurant Week

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