Duner’s
by Charlottesville29
4372 Ivy Road . Charlottesville, VA . (434) 293-8352
http://www.dunersrestaurant.com/
Why Duner’s?
After a turbulent two years, Duner’s landed on its feet. Though the longtime owner sold the restaurant in 2022, and its new owner passed away unexpectedly in 2023, the Charlottesville institution is now under the stewardship of chef-owner Christian Kelly. Few would be more capable of sustaining its legacy. With a background in fine dining at Clifton Inn and less fussy Southern fare at Maya, Kelly draws on both experiences to deliver the crowd-pleasing and refined cuisine that has attracted regulars to the Ivy icon for four decades. Long live Duner’s.
What to Order
The menu can change every day at Duner’s, and is conveniently posted online. Given the frequent changes, specific dish recommendations may be less helpful than suggested categories. Whatever you do, don’t skip dessert. One fixture at Duner’s has been Pastry Chef Linda Steiner, who has been with the restaurant since the 1990s. Below is a list of our suggestions and appearances in Five Finds on Friday, where a local chef or personality has named a Duner’s dish as one of the best in town.
Our Picks
- Fried Oysters
- Mussels
- Grilled Pork Chop
- Grilled Salmon
- Dessert
Five Finds on Friday Picks
- Fried Oysters – Mark Otis (Personal Chef); Tim Gearhart (Gearharts Fine Chocolates); Alex Toomy (Ragged Branch Distillery)
- Dumplings – Elaina Mangione (formerly, Mangione’s on Main)
- Crab Cakes – Michael McCarthy (Dr. Ho’s Humble Pie)
- Grilled Sea Scallops – Laurel Bennett (wife of UVa Men’s Basketball Coach Tony Bennett)
- Deep Fried Flounder – Natasha Lawler (Feeding the Frontline)
- ANY dessert – Trish Clinton (formerly, The BBQ Exchange)
- Chocolate Truffle Torte – Sarah Humphrey (Fellini’s)
