View from parking lot.
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The Ivy Inn Restaurant

4.6
·491k reviews·,

A historic inn serving refined locavore American fare, The Ivy Inn offers a romantic, vintage ambiance and exceptional service.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

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View from parking lot.

The Ivy Inn Restaurant

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A historic inn serving refined locavore American fare, The Ivy Inn offers a romantic, vintage ambiance and exceptional service.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"The Ivy Inn nails that perfect balance of charm and fine dining—a Charlottesville gem."

TIP

Reserve in Advance

Make reservations for special occasions or busy nights to ensure a table.

Try Recommended Dishes

Explore popular choices like the Creamy Five Onion Soup or the Grilled Certified Angus Beef Tenderloin.

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Quick Facts

Closed·Opens Tuesday 5PM

Cuisine

American

Price

$$$

Phone

(434) 977-1222

Address

2244 Old Ivy Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA

Insta-Factor

Medium

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Romantic Ambiance in a Historic Inn

Romantic Ambiance in a Historic Inn

Experience fine dining in an early 19th-century house, offering a charming vintage atmosphere perfect for special occasions.

8 Romantic Restaurants in Charlottesville & Albemarle CountyGoogle Review
Exceptional Service and Attention

Exceptional Service and Attention

Diners consistently praise the impeccable and friendly service, with staff going above and beyond for a memorable experience.

Google Review+2
Culinary Excellence & Memorable Dishes

Culinary Excellence & Memorable Dishes

Savor high-quality locavore American fare, with standout dishes like lamb chops, filet mignon, and the famed sticky toffee pudding.

The Top Restaurants In Charlottesville, VirginiaBest Charlottesville VA Restaurants to Check OutGoogle Review+1
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

The Ivy you have my heart🫶🏻 #afternoontea #theivy #foodspots #theivyafternoontea #chillvibes
@cleanwith_kiraa
405 likes • 20.3K views

Reserve in Advance

Make reservations for special occasions or busy nights to ensure a table.

Try Recommended Dishes

Explore popular choices like the Creamy Five Onion Soup or the Grilled Certified Angus Beef Tenderloin.

🌷 2 course set menu £19.95 at The Ivy 🌷 📍 The Ivy @The Ivy Collection #londoneats #londonfoodguide #fooddiaries #musttryfoodlondon #theivy #setmenu #brasserie #britishfood #affordabledining
@traceynx
149 likes • 20.8K views
Lunch at The Ivy was delicious and did not disappoint. It’s worth going even for the toilets - the smell in there is amazing! 🤩 #birthday #weekend #theivy #comewithme #fyp
@claire_dunbar_wri
20 likes • 749 views

Visit During Off-Peak Hours

Consider a visit during less busy times for a more intimate dining experience.

Explore Nearby Attractions

Combine your meal with a visit to the University of Virginia or local wineries.

Step into elegance, where every detail tells a story of sophistication and style. ✨🪞 Dine in a space as exquisite as the flavors we serve—because at The Ivy, it’s not just a meal, it’s an experience. 🍴🌿 📍 Location: #3A Rookery Nook, Maraval 📞 Call: 1 (868) 610-7876 💬 WhatsApp: 1 (868) 374-5433 Come see why we’re not just a restaurant, but a work of art. 💖 #AwardWinningDesign #TheIvyExperience #Ste...
@theivysteakhousett
32 likes • 2.1K views

Tips

from all over the internet

Reserve in Advance

Make reservations for special occasions or busy nights to ensure a table.

Try Recommended Dishes

Explore popular choices like the Creamy Five Onion Soup or the Grilled Certified Angus Beef Tenderloin.

Visit During Off-Peak Hours

Consider a visit during less busy times for a more intimate dining experience.

Explore Nearby Attractions

Combine your meal with a visit to the University of Virginia or local wineries.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

The Ivy Inn Restaurant is lauded for its exceptional food quality, romantic vintage ambiance, and top-notch service. Many consider it the best restaurant in Charlottesville for special occasions, with standouts like the she-crab soup and lamb chops frequently praised. While on the pricier side, the culinary experience and overall atmosphere justify the cost for most diners, making it a highly recommended destination.

"Dined here for my birthday and left super happy! The food and service, both excellent. The setup is very cozy and even though there were a lot of people, it felt private due to the multi floor setting. Our server, Robert was awesome and he made some great suggestions. They started with some fresh warm bread, butter and a couple of mini pimento crostinis. Then we got a couple of cocktails and the mains. Their sticky toffee dessert was SO good. All in all, highly recommend!"

Aishwarya Mahulikar

"The Ivy Inn nails that perfect balance of charm and fine dining. It’s the kind of spot you take your bougie Northern Virginia relatives to when you want to impress—and it absolutely delivers.

Yes, it’s on the pricier side, but the food justifies every dollar. The corn ravioli might be the best ravioli I’ve ever had—rich, flavorful, and perfectly balanced. The meats were cooked to perfection, and the trout? Hands down the best representation of fish I’ve ever tasted.

Served in a cozy, historic inn with great ambiance, Ivy Inn manages to feel both upscale and inviting. A Charlottesville gem."

Ahri A

"Excellent experience here from beginning to end. We are here visiting my niece who is graduating this spring and what a wonderful meal to celebrate her accomplishment.

We sampled many things on the menu and everything was excellent.

Creamy Five Onion Soup (with Country Ham & Membrillo Grilled Cheese) - excellent start with a rich, complex savory soup. I didn't even miss the mini grilled ham and cheese accompaniment they forgot :( But my wife enjoyed mine and hers with her serving of soup later in the meal.

Sweet Potato Empanadas (Black Beans, Chipotle Salsa, Avocado, Lime Cream) - I am not sure if this was the exact empanadas we had but they were excellent, especially the accompanying sauce.

The Ivy Mixed Greens (Beets, Cukes, Radishes, Vella Dry Jack Cheese, Creamy Basil Vinaigrette) - solid salad, great creamy dressing.

Stuffed Date Salad (Romaine, Kale, Radicchio, Goat Cheese, White Balsamic, Pistachios) - a little drier as a salad, couple have used some more balsamic but the goat cheese and dates were excellent.

Grilled Certified Angus Beef Tenderloin (Potato-Short Rib Pierogi, Creamed Greens, Cabernet Sauce) - excellent cut of steak, very tender and flavorful and loved the creamed greens and the pierogi was a nice touch.

Creamy Mac'n Three Cheese (Cheddar, Vlahotiri, Parmigiano) - my daughter and all of us loved their Mac n Cheese, hard to overstate how tasty this simple dish was.

Service was friendly, engaged, and helpful.

Atmosphere in this cozy, rustic but still refined setting was great."

Saminda Wijegunawardena

What People Like

Exceptional food quality and presentation
Romantic and charming vintage atmosphere
Impeccable and friendly service

What People Dislike

Frequently Asked Questions

The Ivy Inn Restaurant is considered upscale, with entrees and dishes generally reflecting a higher price point.

Yes, The Ivy Inn is highly recommended for special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries, with customized menus and champagne offered.

Google Review+1

Diners rave about the lamb chops, filet mignon, she-crab soup, and the sticky toffee pudding cake. Many also recommend the Creamy Five Onion Soup.

The Top Restaurants In Charlottesville, VirginiaGoogle Review+2

Yes, the restaurant is known for its superb wine selection, including many local offerings.

Google Review

The Ivy Inn offers a romantic, vintage atmosphere in a historic 19th-century house, providing a charming and intimate dining experience.

8 Romantic Restaurants in Charlottesville & Albemarle CountyList of Places for Fine Dining Worth Visiting in CvilleGoogle Review

It is recommended to make reservations in advance, especially for special occasions or during busy periods.

Google Review

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With a menu inspired by locally available ingredients, The Ivy Inn Restaurant is a family-owned restaurant that opens for dinner every evening from 5pm. Located just a short stroll from the University of Virginia, The Ivy Inn Restaurant is ideal for a lovely, relaxing dinner at the end of a busy day exploring the city. The menu is a mix of European and American-inspired dishes with a typical three-course meal consisting of a crab soup starter, mustard herb-crusted rack of lamb main course and an individual mini key lime pie for dessert.

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Executive Chef Angelo Vangelopoulos, the owner and operator of The Ivy Inn, launched his restaurant career at a very young age working for his father, Thomas, a Greek immigrant who came to the United States in search of the American dream. Chef Angelo continued his food education with trips to France, Italy and Greece, learning about the culture of food and wine in Europe. In 1995, Chef Angelo and his father went into business together and purchased The Ivy Inn Restaurant in Charlottesville.

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The Ivy Inn Restaurant in Charlottesville, VA, is a quintessential example of refined Southern dining with a touch of elegance. Established as a local favorite, this charming restaurant is renowned for its commitment to using fresh, seasonal ingredients to craft dishes that are both sophisticated and comforting. The Ivy Inn’s menu features a blend of classic Southern flavors and contemporary culinary techniques, with standout dishes such as the crispy fried chicken and shrimp and grits.

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