Best Restaurants that are Worth The Drive in Culpeper

Beautiful place and the food, service and overall experience were above expectations.

We've heard of C&O for years, in the same hushed tones reserved for family secrets and arcane initiations. It's a must, a Charlottesville icon. It's dark and glorious and defies definition or explanation. Go, you Charlottesvillian. Don't ask or argue. Just go. Having been for our first time, I can safely say: we get it now. My fiancee and I had reservations Halloween night. We were ushered past gas lamps and a thick door into a dreamscape of candles, oak paneling, and thoughtful, talented staff (all in coordinated ghostly wedding apparel). We were given a corner table in a downstairs bar teeming with delicious smells and happy regulars. This place is clearly redolent in happy memories and good history. We split house bread, superb cocktails in last-century coupe glasses, steak chinois and duck confit gnocchi that was delicious beyond worss. C&O felt transportive, something special, magical, and meaningful, like a church or hidden garden. The place it holds in the hearts of Charlottesville makes complete sense now. I cannot recommend C&O more highly.

Magnolias at the Mill was excellent. Then again, that's what we've come to expect. Visit after visit, meal after meal. Our daughter turned 39, and we gave her a choice of any restaurant for dinner. She chose Magnolias. The whole experience starts at the front desk as we walked in. The staff is always so pleasant, and are willing to help out in a way possible. In our case, due to mobility issues, my wife can't climb stairs and neither of us can get in and out of a booth comfortably. It's never a problem. The hostess that seated us had a special menu for our daughter with her name, age, and best wishes. It's just a nice, personal touch. Our waitress, Emily, told us she was fairly new, but you wouldn't know it from the service she gave or her attitude. For dietary reasons we had several requests to modify the orders. Emily got everything correct. If i ran any type of customer service business I would try to hire her away. Luckily, I don't. Magnolias is safe. All this and I haven't even mentioned the food yet. Spoiler Alert: It was great! There's a new appetizer with mushrooms stuffed with crab imperial. Excellent. My wife and I got the prime rib, our daughter the swordfish special. No drama with the food. Everything was perfect and delicious. This was a really nice experience for our daughter's birthday. Many thanks to everyone who made it special.

Excellent food and service. The new owners have elevated the experience, bravo!

Loved everything! Best brunch burger ever! Highly recommend