Diners' Choice: Best Food restaurants in Virginia

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall cuisine in Virginia? 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!

Alexander's - Roanoke

4.9

4.9 (1498)

$31 to $50

American

Roanoke

About the restaurant

Alexander's is an oasis for award winning cuisine, wine, and craft cocktails. Over the years we've twice been awarded the Open Table Top 100 in the US restaurant designation and in 2018, Southern Living Magazine named us one of the Ten Most Romantic Restaurants in the South. Focusing on superb ingredients; fish, seafood, prime quality Virginia aged meats, and locally sourced organic produce, our cuisine showcases years of collaboration among some of the most talented chefs of our region. You'll be served in an atmosphere filled with romance, sophistication, modern & vintage jazz. It's old world charm with new world flavors!
Built in the 1880s as Roanoke's first office supply company, our vintage building has been transformed into a retro chic rendition of the classic urban restaurants of our great culinary cities. The art, furnishings, lighting, and mirrors are all found pieces of Roanoke's rich architectural history. So relax and let's start making your memories at Alexanders!

Top review

Michael

Dined 6 days ago

We eat at Alexander’s on special occasions (2-3 times a year) & it’s always exceptional !

Tulsi

5.0

5 (134)

$30 and under

Indian

Richmond

About the restaurant

Welcome to Tulsi
Tulsi, the queen of herbs, has been used in Indian cooking for hundreds of years. We are proud to bring this ayurvedic herb to the Carytown, Richmond community.

Top review

David

Dined on Dec 25, 2024

Great food, and prices. Friendly staff, but it was a crowded night so service was slow. But a good experience overall and we will be back

Fat Canary

4.9

4.9 (4896)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Williamsburg

About the restaurant

This high-energy bistro took over as Williamsburg's best restaurant as soon as it opened in 2003. The sophisticated but relaxed dining room has an open kitchen, which uses fresh, local ingredients for its creative American fare. Reservations for the dining room and the bar are recommended and may be made up to 61 days in advance. Open daily for dinner, a reservationist is available during the day to take reservations by phone.

All reservations are for Fat Canary. Downstairs at Fat Canary is no reservations and is a same day, in-person check-in for our waitlist.

Top review

MargaretVIP

Dined 5 days ago

So nice to know that this institution still exists, operating at the highest standards as it always has. Superb!

Carytown Indian Cuisine

4.8

4.8 (54)

$30 and under

Indian

Richmond

About the restaurant

Carytown Indian Cuisine is conveniently located in the vibrant neighborhood of Carytown in Richmond. We invite you to join us for a memorable dining experience. Discover the incredible flavors, warmth, and hospitality of India right here in Virginia.

Top review

Sarah

Dined on Jan 1, 2025

We always love our experience here! Friendly service, great atmosphere and fantastic food!

Black Cow Chophouse

4.9

4.9 (503)

$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

PeterVIP

Dined 6 days ago

This is a regular stop when I have to come into town for work. It’s just hard to get a reservation when the patio is closed (aka the winter!). Always get the filet and it is yet to disappoint (4 times and counting). There sauces are good - but the salt flakes are amazing. Highlights and compliments the natural flavors. Tried some new sides - both excellent. The mushroom ragot was great, but don’t need to get it again. The brussel sprouts were amazing and rivaled the smashed potatoes (my personal favorite). I will definitely be getting them again. If you like steak in a relaxed atmosphere, you will like this restaurant.

Discover more

4.9

4.9 (3203)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Richmond

About the restaurant

L'Opossum offers dinner Tuesday-Saturday for parties of one to a maximum of six guests. Multiple reservations booked on the same night to form a group larger than six guests are not permitted and will be canceled. Reservations for parties of one to four guests are allotted 2 hours. Parties of five to six guests are allotted 2.5 hours. Please be courteous to your fellow diners by arriving and leaving on time. L'Opossum patrons paying with cash, enjoy a 4% savings off menu prices. To view a sample menu, visit www.lopossum.com - Thank you!

Top review

Norma

Dined 1 day ago

Food was fabulous. Service excellent. Music swell. Can't wit to go again!

Discover more

Popular dish

French Onion Dip Florentine

Popular dish

Lavender-limoncello

Le Yaca - Williamsburg

4.9

4.9 (9127)

$31 to $50

French

Williamsburg

About the restaurant

Le Yaca began in 1964 in Courchevel, a tiny, country village in the French Alps. Daniele Bourderau & Gerard decided it would be fun to open a small restaurant. When friends learned of their plans, they told the hopeful restaurateurs they were crazy to think people would drive eight kilometers on a winding, icy road for dinner. Daniele and Gerard hesitated for three months and then decided, “yaca le faire,” a contraction of the French phrase “il n’y a qu’a le faire,” which basically means, “let’s do it.” They called the restaurant Le Yaca as a gag, but the name caught on with customers who were amused by the pun and contributed to the restaurant’s lore by inventing “yaca-isms” of their own: yaca y aller (let’s go). Daniele came to the United States and opened Le Yaca in Williamsburg. Daniel Abid bought Le Yaca in 2001. Daniel worked and trained in such prestigious places as “Le Pre Catelan” and “Lenotre” in Paris; “L’Amandier” and “Roger Verge," and to top it all off, “Alain Ducass

Top review

Anthony

Dined 6 days ago

Always a pleasure - Always wonderful - Always memorable - From our beautiful welcoming hostess - To our excellent waiter Ming - LeYaca is a French restaurant to be enjoyed.

Terrapin Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (1507)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Virginia Beach

About the restaurant

WE OFFER A CASH DISCOUNT OF 3%
Beginning in 2006, we have been serving the finest quality food to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Our goal, from day one has been to make damn good food, with honest ingredients while being kind to those we meet along the way.
We offer Terrace seating. Our Terrace is protected from inclement weather and heated for year round dining. It is NOT air conditioned. We do have ceiling fans and cooling fans for the warmer days.
We are proud to present our guests with a dinner menu free of hydrogenated oils, and high fructose corn syrup, yet full of flavor that only the freshest ingredients from local sources can provide.
At Terrapin restaurant, we are very passionate about supporting sustainable organic farmers and local watermen, as well as preserving the integrity of our menu and products.

Top review

StanVIP

Dined 7 days ago

We have loved this restaurant since it opened. When we visit Virginia Beach it is a must stop for us. Our meal and cocktails yesterday were no exception. The quality of the food remains high the preparation excellent and the service first rate.

Discover more

Josper 6 oz Filet Mignon

Spoon & Spindle

4.9

4.9 (78)

$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 Cochon de Bon, a French Creole inspired dish. Our current Chef's Specials also include Steak Frites, Étouffée, Crawfish Fried Rice, and much more. Our popular brunch menu includes favorites like the Hangover Hash, Ham Benedict, Breakfast Fried Rice, Chicken & Waffles, 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

Michele

Dined 4 days ago

This is a wonderful diamond in the rough. Food was amazing- breakfast fried rice to die for! Small and cozy. Lovely ambiance. Surprising assortment of creole Asian inspired food. Price point was perfect. Definitely making this a regular stop. We went for brunch- I’ll try dinner next. Lovely hidden gem.

Zoes Steak & Seafood

4.9

4.9 (1623)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Virginia Beach

About the restaurant

AAA Four Diamond restaurant located at the Virginia Beach oceanfront, Zoës originally opened in 2003, and re-opened under new ownership on March 16, 2009. Renowned sommelier Marc Sauter, as well as devoted restaurant goers Bill and Joni Greene, to continue the Zoës legacy with the same great location, friendly staff, soothing ambience, and award-winning food and spirits.

Together, their hope is to offer their guests a wonderful dining experience that has a comfortable, familiar atmosphere, yet that special touch of class that makes Zoës “the place to go when you absolutely must impress your guests.”

Reservations are recommended but walk-ins are always welcome.

Zoës is a completely non-smoking establishment.

Top review

Angelia

Dined 4 days ago

Zoe’s is exceptional! I love the food and the service is top notch. Jessica, one of the Managers along with is always friendly and makes sure our visit is perfect. We were celebrating my birthday and Zoe’s made it special!

Discover more

Explore Diners' Choice best of Virginia

Explore more Diners' Choice lists