Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in Virginia

OpenTable

Updated 05 November 2024

Looking for the best overall restaurants in Virginia? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses 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!

The Wine Whisperer

5.0

5 (195)

$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

Laneé

Dined 2 days ago

Overall wonderful experience! Owners and staff are kind and attentive. Great place to enjoy celebrating loved ones or a nice date.

Zoes Steak & Seafood

5.0

5 (1605)

$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

Carmina

Dined on 27 Nov 2024

I had never been to this restaurant before and had planned a surprise, special dinner for my husband on our anniversary. Zoes Steak and Seafood blew it out of the park for us with their service, food, and overall experience. I’m not one to write reviews, but they were too outstanding to not. Planning something for your loved one? They got you covered and highly recommend them.

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4.9

4.9 (83)

$31 to $50

Italian

Virginia Beach

About the restaurant

Welcome to The Veranda Trattoria, where the warm embrace of traditional Italian hospitality meets the sun-kissed shores of Virginia Beach. Nestled in the heart of this vibrant coastal city, our trattoria invites you on a culinary journey that combines the richness of Italian flavors with the laid-back charm of beachside living
The atmosphere is a perfect blend of rustic elegance and coastal comfort, creating a welcoming space for both intimate dinners and lively gatherings.
The Veranda Trattoria is not just a restaurant; it's a place where friends and family come together to savor exceptional food, share stories, and create lasting memories. Whether you're seeking a romantic date, a family celebration, or a casual dinner with friends, our trattoria is the perfect setting for every occasion

Top review

davidvip

Dined 5 days ago

Everything about The Veranda is outstanding. From the service to the food, it has to be rated as one of the top Italian restaurants in Tidewater.

Al Fresco Italian Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (1045)

$30 and under

Italian

Newport News

About the restaurant

Al Fresco Restaurant lets you feast on a bountiful array of Italian specialties. The outstanding menu, featuring pasta, chicken, veal and seafood, highlights a spectrum of lavish Italian specialties that are sure to please discriminating palates. Al Fresco Restaurant was planned with the summer in mind. An outdoor patio with a warm breeze and cold drinks are a perfect combination.

Top review

Randolph

Dined on 27 Nov 2024

The service was good and we were seated on time for our reservation. The table we were seated at was right next to the reception stand. On retrospect I should have asked for a different table as the people who were picking up orders would stand there at the desk while we were eating. A little uncomfortable. That particular table is not in a good place. The restaurant was semi busy but the wait staff was quick with the drink order and taking our appetizer order. The 4 star rating is for the time it took to get the appetizers and entrees. The shrimp and sausage was delicious but the calamari, although tender, had an almost bread like coating instead of a flakey crust. The bread sticks did not come out until the salads were brought out, not something I am used to but every restaurant does things different. The entrees also took a while to come out and were warm as if they had been ready for a while. The food was delicious. We ordered the Pollo Principessa, which instead of artichoke hearts had peas and asparagus. It was delicious but not what was stated in the menu. Also ordered was the Rustico which my son was also delicious. The third entree ordered was Pollo Parmigiana which my fiancée found lacking in the quality of the chicken. We felt as if being first time customers we did not receive the same level of attention as the regular customers who came in with and after us. Overall we had enjoyable time and with a few changes it would be a 5 star experience.

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Mizuno Japanese Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (665)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Virginia Beach

About the restaurant

Mizuno Japanese Restaurant is a family-run business that first opened in 1996. Located in Virginia Beach, Mizuno is embedded in a seafood hotspot, only 25 miles south of the Eastern Shore of Virginia and the Chesapeake Bay, and 158 miles south of Hatteras, North Carolina. Chef-owner Wataru Mizuno feels blessed to be a sushi chef in a culinary trifecta like Virginia Beach. Mizuno and his team take advantage of the restaurant's access to local sources by artfully composing daily specials that feature fresh shrimp, yellowfin tuna, bluefin tuna, flounder, blue crabs and oysters, to name a few. The hook's simple. Mizuno resists complicated sauces and excessive ingredients. Instead, he flavors scallops from the world famous Chesapeake Bay, adding nothing more, at times, than a dash of citrus and a pinch of sea salt. Wataru Mizuno: Chef/Owner Born in Japan, Wataru Mizuno received his formal training in Tokyo, as an apprentice under master Teruo Sato.

Top review

Johnvip

Dined on 17 Nov 2024

Always a great experience.

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Popular dish

Sushi & Sashimi

Alexander's - Roanoke

4.9

4.9 (1485)

$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

Cathyvip

Dined 6 days ago

Always fantastic! Prices are up, wanting this restaurant to succeed! We were there for 2 and a half hours. Busy Friday, good to see!

Stella's - Richmond

4.9

4.9 (2965)

$30 and under

Greek

Richmond

About the restaurant

Stella’s honors rustic & modern Greek cuisine, bringing the freshest ingredients & Mediterranean fare table side.

Top review

Loree

Dined on 25 Nov 2024

Outstanding service and delicious food! One of our favorite places to eat in Richmond

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5.0

5 (130)

$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

Annie

Dined on 23 Nov 2024

Absolutely amazing experience at Tulsi!!! Excellent

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

Leaping Lizard Cafe

4.9

4.9 (1283)

$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

Mel

Dined 3 days ago

Consistently delicious over the years. Updated fare that is fresh, delicious, and worth the parking hassle.

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