The Ridley

The Ridley is the house restaurant of the elegant Draftsman Hotel. With both indoor and outdoor seating on West Main Street, The Ridley is located one block from the UVA Medical Center and UVA’s Central Grounds.

Named for Walter Nathaniel Ridley, UVA’s first African-American graduate in 1953, The Ridley is UVA Alumnus Warren Thompson’s (Darden ’83) culinary homage to the trail-blazing Virginia educator.

The Ridley describes its experience as “Black-Owned Experiential Southern Cuisine & Crafted Cocktails.”  To be certain, the cocktail scene here is one of the best in town. The Ridley’s unique menu emphasizes seafood in flavors from Charleston to New Orleans but you’ll also find hearty steaks and chops. Sides to complement your main course are rich and creamy, including crispy fried brussels sprouts, grilled broccolini, and parm truffle fries.

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, The Ridley is also an excellent choice for a weekend brunch. It’s convenient to all that’s central to UVA and Charlottesville with an elegance that has become our town’s hospitality brand.

See our review of The Ridley HERE.

See the Complete Charlottesville Guide to Dining here.