Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Charlottesville

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes 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 (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

Richard

Dined 3 days ago

Great fresh fish and seafood. It does not disappoint! Great service as well.

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Popular dish

Seared Sea Scallops

Popular dish

Buttermilk Fried Oysters

Maya

4.7

4.7 (1505)

$31 to $50

Southern

Charlottesville

About the restaurant

Maya is now accepting reservations from 4:30-8:30 Monday through Saturday as well as curbside take out orders during the same hours. Please visit our homepage to see our updated selections daily. Please call if you require a reservation over 8 guests. Seating preferences will be honored based on volume and staffing.

Located in the center of Charlottesville Virginia’s Midtown, MAYA serves dinner 6 days a week. Our “made from scratch” menu is prepared daily in honor of the Old Southern Kitchen.

Top review

JoAnnVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Always delicious, always great service. Our favorite!

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Popular dish

Pimento Cheese Fritters

4.5

4.5 (2523)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Charlottesville

About the restaurant

UVA Graduation Weekend: May 17-19: Please see experience listed below

Come visit and experience The Local!

We believe everyone should experience meals that feature delicately prepared fresh local ingredients in a great atmosphere. In our corner of the world, everyone's a Local. EAT, DRINK, & BE LOCAL.

Note that when selecting outside, you will be in a covered area.

Top review

Beth

Dined 7 days ago

Excellent food! Excellent service I like how they have servers for clear dedicated spaces

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UVA Graduation Weekend

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.

Fig Bistro

4.3

4.3 (58)

$30 and under

Southern

Charlottesville

About the restaurant

Fig offers innovative southern cuisine with an emphasis on organic locally sourced product. Fig featuring vegan, vegetarian and gluten free dishes as well classic and creative New Orleans cocktails.

Top review

SusanVIP

Dined on Nov 24, 2024

After 3 years of going to multiple restaurants in Charlottesville, FIGhas become our go-to place for consistently GREAT food and service. Food Is Good.

1799 at The Clifton

4.3

4.3 (742)

$50 and over

Farm-to-table

Charlottesville

About the restaurant

We are serving a wonderful ala carte menu with many delicious & unique options. We have an award winning wine list, and cocktail menu available as well - ask about our 'smoked' cocktails.

Set in a charming and historic house on a ridge overlooking The Rivanna River in Charlottesville, Virginia, 1799 at The Clifton is committed to cooking beautiful, locally sourced food in a warm yet chic atmosphere. Michelin Starred Chef Matthew Bousquet and his team are dedicated to giving you the best of new Piedmont cooking in a special way. Come and explore the offerings of our Chef’s seasonal menus, featuring the bounty of our own organic vegetable and herb garden. We look forward to making your visit truly memorable! Please make any requests on seating preferences, using the reservation notes. We will do our absolute best to accommodate all request based on availability.

Top review

Matthew

Dined on Dec 9, 2024

The only glitch that I had at this restaurant was that they didn’t have my open table reservation. Fortunately, we were able to get a table regardless.

matchbox Charlottesville

4.1

4.1 (197)

$30 and under

American

Charlottesville

About the restaurant

From its prime perch in The Shops at Stonefield, matchbox will delight neighborhood workers, visitors, and residents with a casual, welcoming spot for a quick weekday lunch, lively happy hour, bottomless weekend brunch, and dinner for both date nights and groups. Owned by Maurice Kelly, a technologist and former Navy Intelligence Officer turned restaurateur, Matchbox Charlottesville opens this winter, boasting artisanal pizzas, creative American bistro fare, and a come-as-you-are vibe.

A definitive element of the Matchbox dining experience is the custom pizza oven that fires up signature thin-crust pizzas within minutes, and its surrounding pizza bar that offers a front-row view of the action. The bar at Matchbox is a focal point of the dining experience.. Hand-painted murals from local artists add further context to the neighborhood, and bring in a touch of personality as well.

Top review

MaryVIP

Dined on Oct 11, 2024

We had a group of 8 in town for a football game. Matt was our server and did a great job. Three of us enjoyed a unique fig & black pepper old fashioned. Everyone’s food was delicious- fried shrimp, fish & chips, pizza, burgers (regular size & mini), salad, onion straws, salmon. We’ll remember it and hope to return.

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 ✨

Ralph Sampson's ATR

3.5

3.5 (316)

$31 to $50

American

Charlottesville

About the restaurant

BIG FLAVORS FOR THE BIG GAME (FROM THE ORIGINAL BIG MAN)
Whether you’re pre-gaming with burgers and wings or celebrating a big win with premium steaks and seafood, our menu has you (and your team) covered.

LOCAL EATS, LOCAL BREWS (FROM A LOCAL LEGEND)
Proudly featuring “Ralph’s Big Juicy” — a citrusy India Pale Ale made in collaboration with Three Notch’d Brewing Company.

“IT’S ALWAYS BEEN A DREAM OF MINE”
An upscale sports bar experience years in the making conveniently located in the heart of Charlottesville, Virginia.

Top review

KathyVIP

Dined on Nov 29, 2024

Our waiter was very polite and attentive. The kitchen/ food was fair. Slow…

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Experience

Tip-Off the New Year with Brunch at Ralph’s! 🏀

Experience

New Year’s Day Ballin’ Brunch Buffet at Ralph's

Experience

NYE at Ralph Sampson’s American Tap Room!

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