For starters we got the burrata and the halibut ceviche -- both were incredible. The ceviche especially was SO good. For dinner we had the mountain trout and honestly it was the best trout I've ever had, perfectly cooked and full of flavor. The angus steak was also absolutely mouthwatering. By the time dessert came we were already full, but still couldn't resist the sticky toffee cake and the chocolate bread pudding, and I'm glad we didn't skip them because both were amazing. Everything was rich and satisfying without feeling overly heavy or leaving us bloated afterward, which I really appreciated. Our server was so sweet and attentive the entire night, and the interior of the restaurant is cozy, charming, and just really inviting. Definitely recommend and we'll absolutely be back every time we're in town. read more

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Very nice restaurant, feel like you are eating in someone's home. Chief is Greek, so many dishes have interesting twists. We ordered the shrimp and grits, lobster bisque, pork belly as appetizers; bisques and mac & cheese as sides. For dinner, we ordered the lamb, the chicken cordon blue and spinach & artichoke ravioli. For dessert, we got the chocolate bread pudding and key lime pie. All were delicious and the service was very good. There is a parking lot. Beware they don't have high chairs for kids, if bring a child, they let you bring the stroller in. read more

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I don't often give five star reviews, but this place was fabulous. First, private parking in Charlottesville. That's better than catnip to a favored pet. Service is prompt but not pushy. The waitstaff knows the menu and gives insightful recommendations. If you dine upstairs it's rather quiet, but it's intimate enough for a date anywhere in the inn. The appetizers were serviceable though we actually enjoyed a shared salad more. Portions are appropriate and easily shared. The same is true of the desserts. Save room for the desserts! Do not go expecting a deal - meals are priced for men in blazers, women in dresses, and mood lighting. Went for Valentines and will be back for another date night. read more

Wonderful restaurant with solid food and stellar service. I took my partner here for his birthday and I'm so glad I did! First off, we received a complimentary toast with champagne . Then, we received a personalized menu with my partner's name with cute balloon logo. So many good options on the menu!! We ordered three appetizers and the waiter offered to split the portions for us which we greatly appreciated. My partner ordered the steak (medium rare) and it was soooo tender. I got the pork dish which had delicious sides too. Even though we were extremely full, they gave us complimentary dessert with my partner's name written on cursive. Honestly the service was top tier. The ambiance was cozy and romantic with old Charlottesville vibes. I definitely would come again for a special event!!! read more

The Ivy Inn - Grilled Double H Farm Pork Ribeye - New American Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

SERVICE We strolled in after making a reservation an hour before close...(and by the end it was clear that we were being unconsciously pushed out? We weren't even offered dessert menus and had to ask for it????) Our orders were put in quick and came out quick. FOOD Everything was excellent despite the air of some attitude and perhaps tiredness from the late shift. Otherwise, we loved the food and the overall experience! AMBIANCE Cute gem of a spot. Cozy and seems so homey! Loved the feel of it. read more

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Truly outstanding! My wife and I came here for our anniversary dinner and everything was spot on! Staff was warm, welcoming and attentive throughout the meal. The venue is absolutely delightful-an 18th century house with intimate lighting and colorful artwork throughout the space. The food was simply out of this world! I had the rack of lamb and my wife had halibut with risotto. Both looked beautiful on the plate and tasted even better. Each had a depth of flavor that you just don't find in your run-of-the-mill casual dining establishment. Quick FYI, portion sizes are not especially large, so plan on getting an appetizer, salad, entree and dessert if you're a big eater like myself. My wife was fine with just a salad and her entree, but I encouraged her to get an appetizer as well--for more variety and so I could taste some of her items without depriving her. Another FYI, all this quality doesn't come cheap, but it was worth every penny! A completely satisfying experience from beginning to end. Can't wait to go back!!! read more

Fantastic service with Robert. Food was delicious, with beautiful presentation and flavor read more

The Ivy Inn - Individual Key Lime Pie - New American Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

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Great food! Everything was great, but the tuna appetizer was the best thing on the menu. I enjoyed the pork belly and beet salad too. I got the scallops for the main course and they were also very good. Tried others' food and thought all the entrees were outstanding. The chocolate chocolate chocolate dessert was my favorite. I did not like the peanut chocolate ice cream so much only because it was pretty plain. But the other desserts were all very good. I did feel like the staff weren't the friendliest but all good. read more

Excellent service, food, and attention to detail. Will come back and recommend to friends and family visiting Charlottesville.

For my friend's bachelorette the one place she was super excited to try in Charlottesville was the Ivy inn. We came here on our first night in town and it was truly fabulous. The spot was cozy and had just a great atmosphere. The food and the service was all great. If I'm ever back in town, I would absolutely come here and would definitely recommend it. read more

The Ivy Inn - New American Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

Had a lovely dinner here after moving in our daughter for college. Solid wine list. Nice atmosphere. Charming and romantic. We started with some soups and a greek salad - all excellent. My daughter had the filet mignon. It was expertly prepared at medium rare. I had the halibut which was delicious and my wife had some vegetarian options. Lovely dinner. My wife and daughter ordered a couple deserts and loved them. Dinner for 3 with tip ran about $300. We'll be back. read more

We're so glad we decided to come here for our anniversary dinner. The ambiance and service was spectacular. They really took great care of us. The food was delicious. We tried several items on the menu. The wine was great, it's been a while since we visited so I can't recall the exact name but it was a cab sauvignon. We tried a pasta (app size) and it was delicious - certainly would have gotten this as a whole meal. For my entree, I got the beef tenderloin and it was great. Only small complaint id have is that it was a bit on the salty side. everything was so filling and we ended the night with the creme brûlée. They even wrote "happy anniversary" on the plate for us. Great evening and would certainly return here again!! read more

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They don't make enough stars to rate the excellence of Ivy Inn. Excellent - every time, every dish, every server. Book well in advance to enjoy Charlottesville's premiere restaurant. read more

Perfect place to celebrate my birthday with my husband. He was in a wheelchair and with some advance phone calls, they accommodated us perfectly. The food was wonderful and the service exception. Highly recommend. read more

What a wonderful meal and evening! Visiting our cousins and they brought us here! Teresa was our server and she was incredible! Fun, professional, always knowing our needs!! Make sure to get the ham biscuits! Fabulous meals were the strip, tenderloin, gnocchi and stuffed chicken! Deserts included ice cream and the blueberry peach crisp! Heaven!! Don't miss this wonderful place and ask for Teresa!!! read more

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Dining at the ivy inn was the perfect spot for a special night. My boyfriend and I celebrated an anniversary and were super pleased with the food and dining experience. Our waiter was able to make some great recommendations for us which we really appreciated. Both entrees were so delicious. read more

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Delicious cocktails, attentive service, and plenty of menu options. The restaurant is also well accommodating to dietary restrictions. Shoutout to the oysters and pork belly, both were amazing! read more

The Ivy Inn - Oysters - New American Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

Service was great! Food was on another level. They bring out a little treat before the courses that the chef recommends. We had a scoop of pimento cheese and because I am gluten free the served it on celery. They brought out a sorbet at the end too. Had the trout - one of their staples. It was delicious. The autumn salad was amazing. Be sure to make reservations. read more

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One of the best spots in Cville for sure. I especially like the outdoor seating area that's heated in case it's chilly. Service is usually fantastic as well. Just took my Dad for his bday and had a great experience. They gave us free champagne and a desert with his name spelled out in chocolate syrup. Nice touch! read more

The Ivy Inn - Coconut Cake - New American Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

The atmosphere was quaint and cozy. The food had a few issues. The appetizers were good portions, fair price. The salad is à la carte. It was so small and disappointing. My main dish was swordfish at $35. It was very small and dry. Definitely a huge disappointment. Even eating some bread, I wasn't full. The overall price was extremely high. The staff were dressed in jeans, t-shirts with kitchen aprons. Definitely not an upscale look, more like a diner. I will not go back. read more

Expensive restaurant that has trouble getting an order right. I ordered rack of lamb, got served beef tenderloin. By the time my dinner partner had finished his meal, no lamb had arrived. We waited a few minutes more, asked for the check, and left. read more

Great dining at the Ivy Inn - family group of 8 over the holidays in December and a business group of 15 in February. Both dinners were great experiences from the menu selection, to the service, and ultimately the food itself. Highly recommend - if visiting UVA - very close to campus. read more

I don't have enough superlatives in recommending the Ivy Inn--truly one of the very best restaurants I've experienced . We get to the Charlottesville area a couple of times each year, and an evening meal at the Inn has become a must. The food and preparation, the service and interaction by the wait staff and hosts, cocktails and desserts, and the charming atmosphere are all exceptional. Last night's Pork Rib-eye, salad, and key lime pie were all delicious. My dinner guests enjoyed their halibut, trout, and crab cake--all more than ample and memorable. We shared the tasty ham biscuits as an appetizer. Dinner at the Ivy Inn was a perfect way to enjoy a meal and friendship of highest quality. read more

This restaurant is one of the best in Charlottesville. The food never disappoints. The ambience quiet and cozy. You can actually have a conversation without yelling to be heard. read more

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Everything, from walking in the front door, the ambiance, good music and not overbearingly loud, drinks, food, waitstaff. We'll be back and makes me happy we live in Ivy. read more

What a birthday dinner to remember. Our server was very knowledgeable about the food and wines, he was able to direct us on the perfect wine to pair with dinner. The food was remarkable. We started with the empanadas and credo. For our mains we enjoyed the pork ribeye and beef tenderloin, both melted in your mouth and was very flavorful. read more

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We went to the Ivy Inn for my husband's birthday recently and had a great time with great food. This wasn't our first time going but the last time was I want to say the start of last year. My husband got a lamb dish and I got the beef tenderloin. I've had the beef tenderloin before and it's good. I suggest ordering it medium because the first time I ordered it medium well and it was a little too on the well side. Prior to ordering though our waitress was super nice and gave us a small bit of prosecco to toast my husband's birthday along with a sample of something new (they gave that to everyone though). After dinner we were offered the dessert menu but didn't end up getting anything (we had birthday cake at home haha) but she still brought out a small goodie of two mini cookies, which were delicious. So I wanted to take a star off (honestly just a half star if I could) but by benefit of a doubt I think it may have just been an off day. Our reservation was at 5:45 but we ended up getting there maybe like 7 minutes late (which I called to tell them too). I want to say we ordered shortly after 6 but didn't get our food till around 6:45. In between we did get the toaster, sample, and a couple bread pieces which helped. The last time we were there they were running pretty good so we will have to see the next time we go. I do definitely recommend going though. The food is really good, staff is really nice, and atmosphere is quiet and romantic. read more

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Really nice experience at The Ivy Inn for our anniversary. We went in not quite knowing what to expect since we had someone set up the reservation as a gift for us. Our server was great (and I feel terrible for not remembering his name.) Very sociable. Now unfortunately we had an unexpected late lunch so we realized appetizer, main, and dessert wasn't likely. We figured start with the main and go from there. They actually started with a small pimiento cheese "bite" which was nice. I usually do not like pimiento cheese, but this was good. Bread was also quite delicious with a nice, light texture. I went with a rockfish topped with crab over greens with baby potatoes. The fish was light and the big pieces of crab added a hint of sweetness. My wife had the filet that had a twice baked potato on the side. The only minor miss was we each ordered desserts (a bunch sounded really good) and we ended up with one, beautifully customized, to split. In the end it worked and we didn't have the other dessert on the bill. It was just more of an unexpected, "Did they forget?" moment. read more

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I was really excited to try this spot and it did not disappoint! I loved the concept of the restaurant: dishes are dependent on what ingredients are in season, which ensures only the freshest ingredients are used. The restaurant is very quaint and situated inside a house, adding to its charm. Dimly lit with beautiful music, it creates the perfect ambiance for a lovely night out. We sat down and were immediately blown away by the menu, which had many amazing dishes. With the help of our wonderful waitress, Glenda, we were able to make our selections. We started off with two drinks: Jack Gold and Bourbon Buck, both of which were really great and had a good balance of flavor. We opted for the Smoked Duck Breast and Shrimp 'n Grits for apps, the latter of which was a popular favorite and recommended by Glenda. The Smoked Duck Breast was really tasty and the duck was tender and well done. It paired well with the sauce and was an 8/10 for us. The Shrimp 'n Grits were amazing and we saw why it was a favorite! It was flavorful and the shrimp was cooked to perfection, making it a solid 10/10 for us! We couldn't decide for entrees and got three: Mustard-Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb, Cider Brined Grilled Pork Rib Chop, and Shrimp and Crabmeat Etouffee. The Rack of Lamb was the chef's speciality and was well seasoned. It was a bit drier than I preferred but it was tasty. The couscous and hummus were fantastic and added a blast of flavor to the dish. Overall, an 8/10. The Pork Rib Chop was more flavorful and was a bit more tender and succulent. The collard greens were a great complement to the dish and paired well. Overall, it was a 9/10. The Shrimp and Crabmeat Etouffee were hands down the best entree for us. It was packed with flavor and everything about the dish was perfect, from the seasoning to the shrimp to the portion. It was a solid 10/10! Lastly, we got Sticky Toffee Pudding for dessert, which is a personal favorite of mine. The cake was perfectly moist and the sauce wasn't overly sweet. It paired well with the ice cream and was a 9/10. Overall, this was a wonderful spot that I enjoyed and will visit again. Reservations are STRONGLY encouraged as it does fill up quickly because of how popular it is, and business casual dress is recommended. If you're in the area, I recommend stopping by and trying some of their delicious dishes. It's definitely worth it! read more

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TL;DR: The food was so good. A little more upscale and higher price point, but worth it Came here with a group of 9 for dinner and everything was great. AMBIANCE (3/5): The setup was very interesting. Felt like you were walking into someone's house, but was very cozy. We were seating in the outdoor portion, under what seemed like a garage door. Didn't match the vibe that I was getting from the menu/everything else SERVICE (3.5/5): Service was very friendly and informative. Our particular server was very night, but a little forgetful about a few items, but not a huge deal. The time between apps and entrees was a little long, but I chalk it up to having a big party. FOOD (5/5): Complimentary Sliced Bread (5/5) and Rolls (4/5): I ate a whole basket on my own lol the whipped butter was also delicious Pork Belly Appetizer (5/5): So good. So tender, and came with collard greens and creamy grits, and a fried qual egg on top. Ham Biscuits (2.5/5): good shareable, but was bland Cider Brined Grilled Rib Pork Chop (5/5): So good. The chop was cooked perfectly, was tender, and seasoned to perfection. The pickled peaches were the perfect complement to the pork chop. Squash Casserole (3.5/5): Came with the pork chop. Tasted more like cheese than anything, but delicious nonetheless. Just wish it had a tiny bit more squash integrity. Everyone else also loved their food. We had a great time. Definitely worth a visit! read more

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Food was amazing. We were there to honor a cousin's 80th Birthday and the experience, food and service were top notch

If you are cruising Yelp for restaurant recommendations in Cville I'm sure you've seen comments such as 'The Ivy Inn is the best meal in Charlottesville!' and other accolades. I'll admit I was a bit skeptical as we've all been disappointed with overpriced establishments based on outdated reviews. Well, I'll tell you that isn't the case with The Ivy Inn! First of all, it is located off a small road which we've passed by several times on our way back to 29 from UVA. Had no idea it was there as it looks like a quaint old house. Very homey old town feel. You enter the restaurant and indeed it looks like somebody's home or an old time Inn. Numerous rooms both on the main floor and upstairs each with different size tables in them. We are escorted upstairs to a room with 4 tables...Quiet, semi private dining. Nice... Waitress is very pleasant, takes our drink orders and answers our questions. The menu has numerous tasty options....hard to choose...Our table of 4 decides on the following: Shrimp & Grits Blue Cheese and Asian Pear Salad Potato Gnocchi Bolognese Shrimp & Crab Etouffee Ivy Mixed Greens Lobster Linguine Wow...everything is absolutely delicious. Farm to table at its best. Even the bread service is top notch. We all agree that we had no complaints and as we taste each other's dishes, we all love it. I must say this is definitely the best meal we've had in Charlottesville and if there is a better one, we have to go there. Worth every dollar and we have 3.5 more years to keep coming. I encourage all visitors to Charlottesville to go to Ivy Inn... read more

Ivy Inn appears to be Old Charlottesville at its finest. The food is nothing short of delectable, the cocktails delicious, and the ambiance just perfect for any special occasion. It is the kind of place you take your parents with high taste when they come to town (we do!). It never disappoints. Service is always top notch, efficient, and kind. They truly go above and beyond with their customers, even going so far as to make custom menus for birthdays or special occasions. For my husband's birthday, they gave us some tasting champagne, which was a nice, unexpected touch. We have enjoyed numerous things from their menu, including the baked feta appetizer, numerous cuts of steak, and the lamb done many ways. The LAMB. I haven't mentioned, but the Mediterranean roots here are strong. I haven't ordered lamb out at a restaurant in years prior to coming to the Ivy Inn, and now I pretty much order it every time we come. They also compliment every meal with an amuse-bouche, which is a classy touch. We always enjoy the Rosemary's Baby cocktail and the Sticky Toffee for dessert. If you're looking for a steadily amazing date night spot or special occasion outing, look no further! read more

After much searching to find a replacement for Boars Head (whose food is sadly not even edible lately), we followed the high praise of Ivy Inn. Ivy Inn's food was better than Boars Head (which is a low bar), but still boring, not creative, and not tasty. The service was polite but stretched - they completely forgot to bring one of our entrees. The ambience was the best part of the evening. read more

I come to Charlottesville for work once a year. Well I haven't been here since 2018 and it has been too long. Partially due to the pandemic and partially because I couldn't get a reservation the last time I visited! Highly recommended to get recommendations because it's such a small place and in such high demand. I had the rack of lamb back in 2018 and have dreamt about it ever since. And it was just how I remembered. Cooked and seasoned to perfection. I started with a glass of cab sauv, a piece of fresh baked bread, and a chef's creation sample (I wish I could remember what it was because it was delicious). Had the rack of lamb as my entree (which was what dreams are made of, as I previously stated), and ended with the waiter-recommended key lime pie that was mouthwatering. Such a cozy, romantic vibe in this place - from the walkway up to where your seated. Just lovely. My waiter Mack was soft spoken but so sweet and had great recommendations. Can't wait to come back next year. read more

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Reliably good. There are few surprises to a repeat visit to the Ivy, pre, peri, or post Coronavirus. The ambiance is, still, fine dining in a Inn-like setting, ground floor or in smaller rooms up some ancient stairs. The mushroom salad endures, as does the rack of lamb, bison short rubs, winter vegetables etc. The bison short ribs, with a surrounding polenta are simply and excellently done. Dining partners complimented the rack of lamb and trout. Gumbo, an occasional appetizer? Skip it, if you've had any of the endless proper gumbos in New Orleans. You know better. Desserts? the key lime pie emerged as a convex half-bubble with a merengue hardhat top, presumably created in a mold of that shape...bit of a headscratcher, but pastry chefs are always trying to squeeze beyond their cages... Fine dining at a fine price. Where you'd impress visiting colleagues, seal family deals or special occasions, and splurge. read more

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We have loved every experience at the Ivy Inn! We choose to come for our special occasions (anniversaries, etc.) and it's always been memorable. The staff is so polite, attentive, and friendly. Everything we've eaten here has also been delicious. For our anniversaries, they've printed out a menu saying "happy anniversary" and we keep them each year as a keepsake. They also write "happy anniversary" on the dessert plates as well. When we've had to push back our reservation last minute, they've also been accommodating. Truly, around an amazing place to go for special occasions with your loved ones! read more

Probably one of the best meals I've had in Charlottesville especially if you're looking for a special occasion restaurant. The ambiance is quiet and all around lovely. The staff is attentive. The food is incredible. My beef tenderloin was perfectly cooked. Lamb chops, duck, and trout were also delicious. Great wine and cocktail list. We all loved everything about this restaurant. It is pricy! This is not going to be your weekly restaurant but if you're looking for somewhere nice in Charlottesville for a special occasion this is 100% my first choice. read more

The Ivy Inn - Decaf cappuccino made by the owner - New American Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

We've been to the Ivy Inn previously and had a splendid experience, however our most recent visit was far from that. We brought our two young children and were met with incredulous, bordering hostility from the staff almost from the moment we walked in. The hostess flatly told us no high chairs were available on the premises and gave us a look like she expected us to leave. We had been looking forward to this reservation and so decided to make do and get our travel stroller from the car so our baby could have a seat at the table with us. We understand that the Ivy Inn is an institution and favors a more mature crowd, however our children have dined with us at many 5 star restaurants and are incredibly well behaved so we were very put off by the lack of hospitality here. Our waitress had no beverage options or ideas for anything that could work for them and then provided crystal glass goblets for their water and milk. How is that sensible to anyone? She didn't suggest anything that would be enjoyable for them to eat since there wasn't a kids menu (we've had previous waiters offer on their own to make fruit plates for them). We don't expect special treatment for our kids but we also don't expect to be met with roadblocks at every single turn and attitude where we are paying to dine. Additionally, the food itself was nowhere near as good as it had been previously, which was also a huge let down. My dirty martini tasted like gasoline and I couldn't even finish it. However, the passion fruit coconut cake was delicious for dessert and they gave us an extra cookie with our check for the kids. read more

This place has gone down hill fast. I used to go a couple times a year years ago but last time we went, the food lacked appeal. The presentation was lazy. The food, particularly the pasta, was flavorless. read more