Best Seafood Restaurants in Charlottesville

Delicious seafood in a fun atmosphere. Gets quieter once happy hour ends.

Not as good as a few weeks back. Food is still solid, although it's odd that coffee is made by the bar. And they were clearly short-staffed. May pause on going back for a little while.

Always enjoy our dinners here. Our go to steakhouse!

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!

Overall, five star. Nitpicks: we both had surf and turf. Wife’s steak was overcooked, more than requested medium rare. They offered to replace it but that would be wasteful. Accompanying shrimp were peel and eat which was unexpected. Otherwise, no complaints. We would go again if in the area. The inn was a great place to stay.