Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in Virginia

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for the best overall restaurants 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 favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

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

The Wine Whisperer

4.9

4.9 (214)

$31 to $50

Wine Bar

Henrico

About the restaurant

The Wine Whisperer is a wine shop and bistro located in Richmond's Short Pump neighborhood. We speak wine and are passionate about sharing your new favorite bottle or glass with you!

Our wine bar is designed to offer an immersive experience to our guests. Let our knowledgeable staff help you learn about your palate and curate a flight of wine just for you! Look for a rotating by the glass list, craft beers, more whiskey than you imagined, and an expansive food menu built for wine pairing. The intimate dining room is a perfect spot for a casual glass with friends or that special occasion date. Look for weekly wine tastings, monthly classes, and other special events that are uniquely Whisperer!

No reservations available? Give us a call or stop by; we save a number of tables each night for walk-in guests. For questions or to make a reservation for a larger party, please call or send a message.

Top review

DeborahVIP

Dined 1 day ago

WW just gets better and better! More choices, more variety, great events! Jenna and Ingrid and all the staff are fabulous!

Discover more

Experience

Stump the Somm Dinner: The Rematch

Alexander's - Roanoke

4.9

4.9 (1499)

$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

ScottVIP

Dined 1 day ago

As usual, it was a wonderful evening with fabulous food and drink. Unfortunately, there was a horrid table near us that complained about a corkage fee (who knew you could even bring your own bottle?!?!)…and they said they weren’t going to tip their waiter because of it. Disgusting. Anyway…our meal and service were superb. We are regulars and will continue to be.

Fat Canary

4.9

4.9 (4897)

$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

Ivy

Dined 1 day ago

Enjoyed the experience for a special birthday dinner. Wonderful!!!

Zoes Steak & Seafood

4.9

4.9 (1624)

$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

Erica

Dined 6 days ago

Unspeakable cuisine. Impeccable service. Can’t wait to visit again.

Discover more

4.9

4.9 (504)

$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

JoshuaVIP

Dined 3 days ago

This was an amazing meal. The server was excellent. The steaks were cooked perfect

Discover more

4.9

4.9 (3204)

$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 2 days 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 (9130)

$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

grace

Dined today

my husband and i come here all the time and never are disappointed ❤️it's a perfect place to bring friends and you are guaranteed a great time to enjoy food and drink together

The Melting Pot - Newport News

4.9

4.9 (833)

$31 to $50

Fondue

Newport News

About the restaurant

Our popular fondue restaurant is perfect for everyday occasions as well as birthdays, holidays, and special group events. From a romantic dinner with your one-and-only to a fun, after-movie dessert with friends, The Melting Pot Peninsula offers a dining experience like no other in Newport News. Customize your dining experience according to your tastes with a variety of cooking styles and freshly prepared salads with signature dressings, artisan cheese blends, and delicious individual entrée options, ranging from lobster to steak. And don’t forget dessert! We have several decadent chocolates to choose from, or you can ask about creating your own recipe.

Top review

albert

Dined 3 days ago

Great service and good food! We had a nice time celebrating a birthday.

Discover more

Experience

Valentine's Celebration

Leaping Lizard Cafe

4.9

4.9 (1291)

$30 and under

American

Virginia Beach

About the restaurant

Situated under a canopy of old growth trees on Lake Joyce, this natural gem serves seasonal fare from tidal Virginia. The menu reflects freshness with a distinct emphasis on showcasing the inherent colors and flavors of the ingredients. The cafe's bakery provides all its breads and deserts and is open for retail on the weekends. This fresh approach to food done in a natural and unpretentious setting has been a local favorite for twelve years. If you don't see your desired time slot available give us a call.

Top review

AngelaVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Excellent service, food and ambiance. A neighborhood gem.

Explore Diners' Choice best of Virginia

Explore more Diners' Choice lists