Best Restaurants that are Worth The Drive in Virginia

Great ambiance, exceptional service, delicious food with good prices.

Le Yaca lived up to all the hype on social media, Trip Advisor, Yelp, and Open Table. I had booked our reservations 7 months out in advance of our Thanksgiving trip to Williamsburg. Every aspect of our dining experience was great. Check in was easy and pleasant and we were seated promptly. Our server, Gail was cheerful, friendly, knowledgeable, helpful, and professional. She guided us through the considerable selections and offered the special Belon oyster appetizer to add to our choices. The menu offered the choice of ordering à la carte, 2, 3 ($50 or $65 options), or 5 courses ($90). We opted for the 3 course selection (1 @ $50, 1 @ $65). My choice included a unique preparation of French onion soup (so velvety, cheesy and delicious!), a delicate, flavorful exquisitely prepared Scottish salmon with a buttery lemon sauce and thin, peeled lemon garnish served over a bed of perfectly cooked spinach. Good to the last delectable bite! My husband also enjoyed the French onion soup starter, then the coquilles St. Jacques, a beautifully baked dish of large scallops perfectly cooked with a cheesy crust. Asparagus was an accompaniment. We had also ordered a combination of baked and raw Belon oysters to share. Both were excellent—raw were sweet and plump; baked were also sweet served in a delicate light lemony butter sauce. Desserts were also good. One tiramisu and one very light lemon chiffon concoction served with strawberries and raspberry coulis. Le Yaca—a must for an exceptional dinner! Ask for Gail as your server. She was great!

What a great experience here. We had a reservation for 8 and the table was set up and ready for us. Also had an allergy and they were very accommodating. Everyone in our party enjoyed the food and had a great time here. Would recommend.

I had read raving reviews about Thanksgiving at the Boathouse/Short Pump, and they were right. The food was delicious, well prepared, the staff, very attentive and friendly. Our server Lucy was the best, always checking on us. If you're looking for a Thanksgiving buffet, this is the place.

A friend recommended to try Stella’s while visiting Richmond. Glad I did! Food , service, atmosphere was perfect. So many yummy things on the menu it was hard to not order it all. Will definitely bring going back next time I’m in town.