Highest-rated fine dining restaurants in the Charlottesville area by diners

Written by:
July 29, 2025
Javier Volcan // Shutterstock

Highest-rated fine dining restaurants in the Charlottesville area by diners

Fine dining in the United States isn't what it used to be. Many customers are no longer interested in classic white tablecloths and 16-ounce New York strips; these days, it's all about cutting-edge culinary experiences.

Although steakhouses have defined fine dining in America since the 19th century, that started to change in the mid-1990s. Elite chefs like Thomas Keller and his three-Michelin-starred restaurant, French Laundry, unearthed a whole different kind of tasting experience (with 40 courses), and a new age of fine dining was born. Soon, prix fixe meals鈥攁 French style of serving with a set menu鈥攂ecame the norm for fine dining in the U.S.

Between the rise of chefs' tasting menus and consumers' continued desire to have diverse culinary experiences, the restaurants that grace the pages of top-tier restaurant reviewers like Zagat or the Michelin Guide look very different today than they did 30 years ago. Restaurant goers aren't just looking for high-quality food. They want the type of menu that will tell a story. They want creative ingredients they've never tried before. They want to be transported into a whole new world.

With so many innovative menus and restaurant experiences popping up across America, it can be challenging to choose where to go for a special evening. compiled a list of the highest-rated fine dining restaurants in the Charlottesville area using data from . Businesses were selected using Yelp's ranking system, which calculates an adjusted rating value that takes into account the number of ratings as well as the rating score itself.

Only businesses with at least five reviews and at least level 2 pricing (i.e., $$ to $$$$) were considered. Also, in an effort to highlight independent businesses and local chains, those with five or more locations nationally (based on Yelp data) were not included. Restaurants in certain lower-cost categories (like "diners," "buffets," and "food trucks") were excluded. Data is as of June 25, 2025.

Read on to find a potential restaurant for your next special meal out!

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#30. Bang!

- Rating: 3.9/5 (334 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 213 2nd St. Southwest Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Vegetarian, Asian Fusion, Tapas/Small Plates
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#29. Bizou

- Rating: 3.9/5 (321 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 119 West Main St. Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Wine Bars, Tapas/Small Plates
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#28. Michie Tavern

- Rating: 3.9/5 (388 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 683 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Landmarks & Historical Buildings, American, Tours
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#27. The Fitzroy

- Rating: 3.9/5 (227 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 120 East Main St. Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: American, Cocktail Bars, Breakfast & Brunch
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#26. Continental Divide

- Rating: 3.9/5 (231 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 811 West Main St. Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Mexican, Tex-Mex
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#25. Farm Bell Kitchen

- Rating: 4.0/5 (471 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1209 West Main St. Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Southern, Breakfast & Brunch, Coffee & Tea
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#24. Hamiltons' At First and Main

- Rating: 4.0/5 (276 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 101 West Main St. Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: New American, Cocktail Bars, Wine Bars
-

#23. Mellow Mushroom Charlottesville

- Rating: 4.0/5 (337 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1321 West Main St. Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Pizza, Bars, Sandwiches
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#22. The Melting Pot - Charlottesville

- Rating: 4.0/5 (135 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 501 Historic Downtown Mall Area East Water St. Historic Downtown Mall Area Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Fondue
-

#21. Petit Pois

- Rating: 4.0/5 (182 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 201 East Main St. Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: French
-

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#20. mezeh

- Rating: 4.0/5 (237 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2015 Bond St. Ste 180 Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Mediterranean, Halal, Salad
-

#19. Burtons Grill & Bar

- Rating: 4.0/5 (599 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2010 Bond St. Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: New American, Seafood, Gluten-Free
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#18. Wood Grill Buffet

- Rating: 4.0/5 (189 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 576 Branchlands Blvd. Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Steakhouses, American, Caterers
-

#17. Zocalo

- Rating: 4.0/5 (291 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 201 East Main St. Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: New American, Latin American
-

#16. Maya

- Rating: 4.1/5 (397 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 633 West Main St. Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Southern
-

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#15. El Puerto

- Rating: 4.1/5 (95 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2045 Barracks Road Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Mexican
-

#14. tavola

- Rating: 4.1/5 (436 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 826 Hinton Ave. Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Italian, Bars
-

#13. Afghan Kabob Cville

- Rating: 4.1/5 (238 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 400 Emmet St. North Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Afghan, Seafood
-

#12. Duner's Restaurant

- Rating: 4.1/5 (170 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 4372 Ivy Road Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: New American, Seafood
-

#11. Orzo Kitchen & Wine Bar

- Rating: 4.1/5 (391 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 416 West Main St. Main St. Market Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Wine Bars, Mediterranean, Italian
-

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#10. Thai Cuisine & Noodle House

- Rating: 4.2/5 (251 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2005 Commonwealth Drive Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Thai, Noodles, Soup
-

#9. C & O Restaurant

- Rating: 4.2/5 (302 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 515 East Water St. Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: New American
-

#8. Milan Indian Cuisine

- Rating: 4.3/5 (399 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1817 Emmet St. North Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Indian
-

#7. The Alley Light

- Rating: 4.3/5 (332 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 108 2nd St. Southwest Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Seafood, French
-

#6. LW's Livery Stable

- Rating: 4.3/5 (70 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 120 Old Preston Ave. Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: New American, Cocktail Bars, Pubs
-

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#5. Lampo

- Rating: 4.3/5 (534 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 205 Monticello Road Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Italian, Pizza, Beer, Wine & Spirits
-

#4. Poke Sushi Bowl

- Rating: 4.3/5 (79 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1104 Emmet St. North Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Poke, Ramen, Sushi Bars
-

#3. Kanak Indian Kitchen

- Rating: 4.5/5 (201 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 385 Merchant Walk Square Ste 400 Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Indian
-

#2. The Ivy Inn

- Rating: 4.5/5 (342 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 2244 Old Ivy Road Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: New American, Desserts
-

#1. Fleurie Restaurant

- Rating: 4.6/5 (243 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 108 3rd St. Northeast Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: French
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This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 319 metros.

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