Diners' Choice: Contemporary American restaurants in Virginia

OpenTable

Updated 05 November 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Contemporary American cuisine in Virginia? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyses more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favourites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

L'Opossum

4.9

4.9 (3167)

$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

Truman

Dined 2 days ago

Amazing food and drink! Went for my birthday and had a great time. The halibut, potato leek soup, and the cocktails were perfect!

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Popular dish

French Onion Dip Florentine

Popular dish

Lavender-limoncello

Fat Canary

4.9

4.9 (4873)

$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 2 months in advance. Open daily for dinner, a hostess is available during the day to take reservations by phone.

Top review

Deborah

Dined on 26 Nov 2024

Best rabbit ever! And special entree of rockfish over chili mashed potatoes terrific

Terrapin Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (1500)

$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

Alex

Dined on 27 Nov 2024

Excellent experience! Food was great and eye catching. Oysters are the best in VA Beach. The Dumplings with Kimchi were delicious. The Beet Salad was outstanding. Courtney was a very communicative and responsive server, very friendly! We will definitely be back.

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Josper 6 oz Filet Mignon

The Ivy Inn Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (3821)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Charlottesville

About the restaurant

Seasonal Local American Cuisine. We use many local products from local farmers. We are located about a mile west of the University of Virginia campus. Historic old home turned into a restaurant. Three small intimate dining rooms upstairs, one on the ground floor and a large weather protected patio. In the winter the Patio is heated. Family owned since 1995. Special diet needs met upon request.

Top review

Rick

Dined 2 days ago

Waiter was very good. Never hurried us and gave a lot of suggestions. Very polite and conscientious.

Lucky

4.9

4.9 (1348)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Roanoke

About the restaurant

Farm to Table Comfort Food with a commitment to using local sustainable products, paired with innovative cocktails, eclectic wine selections, and a massive spirits list.

Top review

Stevenvip

Dined 5 days ago

Lucky is our favorite spot in Roanoke for a cozy, comforting dinner or craft cocktail at the lovely bar. The service is warm and homey but also efficient and attentive. There are so many wonderful dishes to choose from, but we love the insanely great fried chicken, low-country shrimp and grits, African peanut stew, sweet potatoes bathed in a kimchi-miso glaze and Brussels sprouts--you see? It's impossible to pick a single favorite. The one dish that didn't wow us was the smoked meatloaf, which had the taste and texture of something like kielbasa. Not bad, but not what I was expecting. The bar can make almost anything you want but it's worth trying the specials. One of my faves, occasionally on the special cocktail menu, is their pitch-perfect Vieux Carré. One other tip: the wine-by-the-glass selections are a little sparse, so we like going with a group that is open to sharing food and ordering a bottle of wine or two.

Eat. An American Bistro

4.8

4.8 (1256)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Virginia Beach

About the restaurant

*ONLINE RESERVATIONS FILL UP FIRST, PLEASE CALL RESTAURANT FOR IN HOUSE AVAILABILITY*

Parking is available, please see one of our team members with assistance on parking instructions.

Deemed "One of the 30 Places to Eat Before You Die" by writer Lorraine Eaton, this local gem converts first-time guests into long-time fans on a daily basis.

The intimate location (great for a date), tucked away at the north end of the Virginia Beach oceanfront, has become a local favorite. The eclectic menu has something for everyone, including creative renditions of steaks, fresh fish and seafood, possibly the best burger you'll ever have, vegetarian and more. Plus, there's a chalkboard of daily specials, and a full list of wines, craft beers and cocktails.

We apply a supplemental fee to credit card transactions*

Top review

Amy

Dined on 20 Nov 2024

We truly enjoyed the food and cocktails. Staff was attentive, professional, knowledgeable, and helpful. The meal was pricey but the portions were large and food quality was excellent.

Bistro on Main

4.8

4.8 (554)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Lexington

About the restaurant

Bistro On Main is an American food outlet serving contemporary flavors. Within walking distance from downtown, the place has a country style charm with warm ambience and friendly atmosphere. The restaurant has a casual setup and comfortable seating arrangement with cozy corners. Bistro On Main is a good place to dine out with friends, family and go on a date.

Bistro On Main has a full alcohol bar to enjoy the fine selection of drinks with a diverse palate.

Top review

Stephanie

Dined on 9 Nov 2024

Grilled salmon and French roasted chicken were absolutely delicious!

Cochon on 2nd

4.8

4.8 (2789)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Williamsburg

About the restaurant

With innovative cuisine, genuine hospitality and a welcoming atmosphere, Cochon on 2nd is a place where fine cuisine meets approachable comforts. We work hard to find the perfect selection of ingredients that create a memorable dining experience. Our chef-driven restaurant, located in Williamsburg, Virginia, offers rotating menus of food creations that make this a top choice when dining in the Hampton Roads area. Our unique concept is perfect for both special occasions and everyday dining.

Whether you’re planning a family dinner, a night out with friends, or a gastronomy treat for out-of-town guests, we believe Cochon on 2nd will become your favorite dining destination.

Top review

Johnvip

Dined 6 days ago

Best place to eat in Williamsburg. Great food, great ambiance, and real Southern charm.

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Popular dish

Cochon Crab Cake

Table 50

4.7

4.7 (1295)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Roanoke

About the restaurant

Dining room and bar seating available Tuesday-Sunday.
Visit our menu online at www.table50va.com

For parties of 6 or more people, please contact Table 50 directly to make your reservation at 540.904.2350.

Table 50 in Roanoke offers a fine dining experience. Visit us for dinner or reserve our restaurant for a private party and we will do everything to make you feel welcome.

Classic techniques; local ingredients. Affordable, hand-picked wines from around the world. Customized menus for any event. Award-winning cuisine. Make a reservation today!

Top review

Bill

Dined 5 days ago

Can’t wait to go back. The food was great. The service was amazing. I could become a regular here if I lived in town.

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Popular dish

Inner Harbor Crab Cakes

Popular dish

Chocolate Mousse Torte

Popular dish

Blackened Ahi Tuna

Hamiltons' At First & Main

4.7

4.7 (2314)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Charlottesville

About the restaurant

Contemporary Fine Dining in Charlottesville, Virginia Located in the heart of Charlottesville’s Downtown district, Hamiltons’ is the perfect spot for a delicious afternoon lunch or a romantic evening dinner. A cheerful, cozy atmosphere and attentive service ensure our guests enjoy an outstanding dining experience, be they Charlottesville natives, out-of-town visitors, or University students and staff. We also feature outdoor patio seating seasonally, providing our guests the opportunity to dine amidst the bustle of the Downtown Mall.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 2 days ago

Second visit - didn’t disappoint. We were in early, so it was quiet and not as busy as our last visit. My wife had crab cakes (big, flavorful, not a lot of filler). I had the trout - super tasty. Be sure to get the chocolate flourless cake - this is the best dessert we have had (including chocolate in Belgium).

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