The Ridley

  4.1 – 555 reviews   • Southern restaurant (US)

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✔️Breakfast ✔️Brunch ✔️Lunch ✔️Dinner ✔️Dine in ✔️Take out ✔️Delivery The Ridley 22903

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The Ridley | Thompson Restaurants

Located within The Draftsman Hotel near The University of Virginia, The Ridley is Charlottesville’s destination for high-quality Southern fare, …

Our Menus — The Ridley

Located within The Draftsman Hotel near The University of Virginia, The Ridley is Charlottesville’s destination for high-quality Southern fare, …

The Ridley | Charlottesville VA – Facebook

Join us January 27th – February 2nd for a week of incredible dishes, perfectly paired with handcrafted cocktails, local beer, and fine wine.

Reviews

J Mclaughlin
Today was my first time at the Ridley and it won’t be the last. My server, Savanna provided great service and made sure we were taken care of along with Bridget. The food was amazing!!! I don’t think I will ever come across a cornbread skillet that comes close to the greatness at the Ridley. I also had, the pasta, beet salad, and rise and shine cocktail. All were a 10 out of 10!
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Kasey Bolling
The cornbread was the best I’ve ever had. The pasta was heavy on the garlic taste but it was still very good. Dessert was plain. Overall we had a very good experience and would most certainly go back!
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Emily Spradley
Amazing food. The cornbread was warm and moist. The pasta was also very very good; the chicken was slightly dry, but the sauce was wonderful. My boyfriend ordered the short-rib, and it might be the best I’ve ever had at a restaurant. Great experience.
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Kevin Artiaga
We stayed at the draftsman’s hotel and had a due entrance. The decor was modern and warm. I enjoyed the staff’s hospitality. The food was fantastic. It came prompt and hot. A staple for Charlottesville!
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Jessie Anderson
A group of us stopped in for a quick drink and our bartender/server, Savannah, talked us into getting little snack before we hit some wineries the honey cornbread — it was outstanding.

She was bright, cheerful, attentive, and very knowledgeable about both the drink menu and the food options. Her positive energy truly elevated our visit.

10/10 would come back just for the vibes and that cornbread!
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Heather Dwyer
Whatever you do, don’t order takeout from them. I’ve have repeated issues not getting what I ordered. I typically order the grilled chicken sandwich and ask for the sauce on the side (otherwise the bun gets soggy and falls apart), but only actually get that about 1 out of 4 times. One time I asked for bacon on my sandwich and they gave me a baggie of bacon pieces? I usually order the side salad instead of fries, but this last time I tried to place an order they had added a surcharge of $6 for the side salad. Please note, this “side salad” is nothing but a handful of mixed greens and dressing. It’s definitely not worth paying $30 for a chicken sandwich and a handful of greens.

The breaking point came with this most recent order where I once again asked for bacon on my sandwich. When I got back to my office, I realized there was no bacon. I called to see if I could simply get refunded the extra $3 I paid for the bacon. And they refused to refund me. They said I’d need to contact “whoever I ordered from”. I ordered from THEIR website directly, which is processed by Olo.com and the Olo.com site makes is clear that if there are any issues with your order you need to contact the restaurant directly, there is literally no contact form on that site.

So yeah…I wouldn’t spend another dime here if I was starving and it was the only place open.
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N Hostetler
Seven members of my family dined here to celebrate my birthday. The main entrees we ordered were delicious, but some of the sides weren’t as hot as we would’ve liked. The lava cakes tasted like a brownie and had zero “lava.” A disappointing birthday dessert for sure.

Our server was slow and not overly attentive. She was nice even if not cheerful and friendly, and certainly had the best intentions.

The restaurant had a really nice ambience, but there were small things that could have made it feel more upscale (to match the pricing and atmosphere). Like the server clearing our plates more quickly. Or taking our orders on a scratch pad instead of taking a long time to enter each item and entree in the little handheld device. Or pouring our water, etc.

I said I would eat there again, but my husband said he would decline a second visit.
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Ram Chico
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. The Oyster Rockefeller is also a highlight, tasting delightfully different from others I’ve tried, with a unique flavor profile that sets it apart.

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 dishes, they don’t taste bad—they just lack the texture to make them truly 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!
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Antoine Covington
Celebrated our 23rd anniversary at the Ridley. Everything was amazing, waiter, Edward was a young man and amazing! He was very patient with us as we figured out our order. Only downside was the greens were spicy (please remove the spicy element.. because the flavor was great!) and our friends didn’t like the deviled eggs. My salmon pasta was simply divine!!!! My husband’s lamb shank was tender and very good. My friend’s husband had the chicken and waffles and he loved it. Great place to eat and we will be back!!!! Atmosphere was elegant and perfect for our anniversary dinner. Great service, meal and ambience!!! Thank you!! ❤️❤️❤️
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Rob G
We ate both dinner and breakfast here. Two excellent meals! And the service was great! One server, Gail, was a UVA student, engaging and attentive and smart. The supervisor, Twanda, checked on us as we were eating breakfast. We got into a discussion about grits, and upon learning my wife’s view of them, RAN into the kitchen to bring her a small bowl of the Ridley’s. She has now become a grits fan. My omelet, big enough to feed two, was just cooked to perfection. One item to change . . . the bar’s signature Old Fashioned is made with Jim Beam . . . I told the bartender they needed to up their game, and she completely agreed . . . I had Knob Creek in mine. In any case, don’t miss a visit here!
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