Virginia, United States Food Guide: 10 American food Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Portsmouth

July 29, 2020 Kaleigh Reichenbach

Reviews on American food in Portsmouth, Virginia, United States. Portsmouth is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 95,535. It is part of the Hampton Roads metropolitan area.
Things to do in Portsmouth

10. Byrd & Baldwin Bro Steakhouse

116 Brooke Ave, Norfolk, VA 23510-1804 American, Steakhouse Dinner, Drinks, Late Night Takeout, Wheelchair Accessible, Reservations, Private Dining, Seating, Parking Available, Valet Parking, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service [email protected] +1 757-222-9191 http://www.byrdbaldwin.com/
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 197 reviews

Byrd & Baldwin Bro Steakhouse

Located in a historic 1906 building in the heart of Downtown Norfolk, Byrd & Baldwin Brothers is proud to serve the finest steaks in our area. Our traditional, yet creative menu includes first quality steaks,chops,seafood & poultry, served by our experien

Reviewed By 222KevinB

We visited while at a business conference in Norfolk and it was an outstanding place. The server we had was very knowledgeable and professional. The food was awesome as we all had different cuts of steak from the menu.Again, if ever in Norfolk please make a reservation, I highly recommend it!

9. Fish & Slips

10 Crawford Pkwy, Portsmouth, VA 23704-2606 American, Bar, Seafood Lunch, Dinner, Brunch Takeout, Seating, Television, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Table Service, Outdoor Seating, Highchairs Available +1 757-998-6631 https://www.fishnslips.com/
Food
Service
Value
Overall Ratings

4 based on 100 reviews

Fish & Slips

Offering an extensive menu for Lunch and Dinner, with fresh seafood specials, salads, sandwiches, burgers, and more, with comfort food you'll love. In addition to a large selection of fried, steamed or broiled seafood, including fresh, locally caught fish

Reviewed By Rick H

My family came in for the weekend to celebrate Fathers Day and my birthday. We had been to Fish and Slips a few weeks ago and had a nice lunch so we decided to take the family for seafood and the view of the Norfolk Harbor. 3 of the 5 of us ordered dishes with fried oysters. The waitress came back after 5 minutes to tell me that they did not have fried oysters for my hamburger. I was disappointed and surprised that at 2:00 p.m. that a seafood restaurant and raw bar was out of oysters. About 5 minutes later she comes back to inform the other oyster orderers that they would not have oysters either. Why she did not inform all of us together is a mystery but we all had to change our orders. 2 of us got hamburgers and the other got shrimp tacos. Not what we had set our mind for and a poorly managed notification of running out of a staple at a seafood restaurant. So we waited for our food. 2 hamburgers, 2 tacos and a half pound of steamed shrimp. The tacos and hamburgers came out together. The person with the steamed shrimp had to wait another 10 minutes. It takes more time to cook steamed shrimp than a hand burger? Waitress did say that they were on the way but no real updates on why they were delayed. I asked her to bring the manager over to talk with us. A few minutes later, Ashley a server and bar tender comes over and explains that all servers were caught off guard with running out of oysters. My question was why 3 hours after opening for lunch. Would make sense later at night. I then asked why it took longer to steam shrimp than cook a hamburger and she said that their steamer was old and not consistent. This is a seafood restaurant and raw bar. She offered us desert and I asked for a check adjustment because they could not deliver what was on the menu. She gave us 15% off only on the oyster orders and said that the Executive Chef would not approve of her giving more. If they can't steam seafood and serve the seafood on the menu, they have problems in the kitchen and the Executive Chef is not a very good manager of his kitchen.. When they send their very nice but overwhelmed servers to deal with poor performance and management in the kitchen, Management/ownership is to blame. Really disappointing lunch on what was supposed to be a special celebration with my family.

8. d'egg diner

204 E Main St, Norfolk, VA 23510-1608 American, Diner Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch Takeout, Seating, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Table Service [email protected] +1 757-626-3447 http://www.deggnorfolk.com
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 331 reviews

d'egg diner

The top breakfast destination in Downtown Norfolk since 2003. Early weekday dining specials and ABC available. All fresh juices and a juice bar.

Reviewed By Stephen R

D'egg is a pleasant restaurant for those tired of your typical hotel food with hotel prices, or just a decent breakfast away from home. I had the Virginia Beach Benedict, $10, an english muffin with spinach, tomato, avocado, and red pepper. It was accompanied with a large potion of home fries. The benedict was very good and the home fries were delivered hot. Service was good, making way for a filling, enjoyable experience.

7. Grain

100 E Main Street 5th Floor, Norfolk, VA 23510 American, Bar, Pub Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Late Night, Drinks Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Valet Parking, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Validated Parking, Live Music [email protected] +1 757-763-6279 https://grainnorfolk.com
Food
Service
Value
Overall Ratings

4 based on 405 reviews

Grain

At Grain, we're elevating the beer garden concept, all the way to the roof of the Hilton Norfolk The Main to be exact. With one of the best selections of craft beer in Norfolk, this rooftop lounge brings the indoors out and the outdoors in with an open ai

Reviewed By Kevin B

Came in toward end of happy hour. Ordered fried pickles. Good pickle flavor but pickles are sliced length wise very thin so one bite and pickle comes out leaving behind breading. Ordered burger with bacon, onion. Menu was accurate for ingredients. No dress and had to ask for mayonnaise and mustard. Was cooked perfect with medium pink. Slaw instead of fries. Slaw had more vinegar than I'm used to. Interacted with server only who was pleasant and provided great service. Atmosphere is nice but loud.Thank you for your visit and review. Please let us know how we can improve and get 5 stars!! Please email at [email protected]

6. Freemason Abbey Restaurant

209 W Freemason St, Norfolk, VA 23510-1213 American, Seafood Lunch, Dinner, Brunch Television, Reservations, Seating, Parking Available, Free Off-Street Parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Accepts Discover, Accepts Cred [email protected] +1 757-622-3966 http://freemasonabbey.com
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 1202 reviews

Freemason Abbey Restaurant

Located in a 140 year-old renovated church, Freemason Abbey Restaurant has been a local's favorite in the heart of downtown Norfolk for 23 years. Freemason Abbey is closed New Years Day, 4th of July, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

Reviewed By sac63chevy

Our party of nine was searching for a good city restaurant after an early evening reception. Freemason Abbey was highly recommended by one of our group, so a reservation was made and this dining establishment delivered. The she crab and french onion soups were very tasty, the fried green tomatoes were delicious and house salad was very good. Our group tried main dishes of consisting of the stuffed pork chop, crab cakes, prime rib, and broiled seafood platter. All were outstanding dinner fare along with their accompaniments. Five of the group tried the old fashion bread pudding - it was delicious. Great food in a historical and different type of building structure than you normally would experience. Staff were accommodating, friendly and helpful. If you like exotic fare, visit the restaurant on its weekly ‘wild game night’.

5. Jack Brown's Beer and Burger Joint

131 Granby St, Norfolk, VA 23510-1603 American, Bar, Pub Lunch, Dinner, Late Night, Drinks Takeout, Seating, Television, Serves Alcohol, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Full Bar, Wine and Beer +1 757-961-7486 http://www.jackbrownsjoint.com/locations/norfolk
Food
Service
Value
Overall Ratings

4 based on 105 reviews

Jack Brown's Beer and Burger Joint

We offer over 100 craft beers and our award winning burger menu. We have beers from around the corner and from around the world. Let our highly trained staff guide you through our extensive menu, and experience the burger people love to talk about.

Reviewed By KB9MNN

We dropped in here for a quick lunch. Super selection of beers from all parts of the country. Burger was basic, hot and like mom made at home

4. Dock of the Bay

103 Constitution Ave, Portsmouth, VA 23704-1511 American, Seafood, Bar Lunch, Dinner Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Table Service, Reservations, Wheelchair Accessible, Waterfront +1 757-337-8604 http://dockofthebayva.com
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 127 reviews

Dock of the Bay

Reviewed By cmossva

My wife and I have dined at the Portsmouth location several times. THe food and service is always excellent. THe only con is the outside seating needs repair/updating. We will be going back again though. As for the Carrollton location, it is larger but the food is nowhere near the quality of the Portsmouth location.

3. Grilled Cheese Bistro

345 Granby St, Norfolk, VA 23510-1956 American Lunch, Dinner, Brunch Takeout, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Table Service, Live Music +1 757-233-2512 http://www.thegrilledcheesebistro.com
Food
Service
Value
Overall Ratings

4 based on 285 reviews

Grilled Cheese Bistro

Reviewed By Montana_Rustler

We had the parmesan fries and 2 different sandwiches. All excellent!! The fries alone were much more than 2 of us could eat. The sandwiches were hot, stuffed with cheese, and tasty. The bistro is small so seating is limited. Service was great but not obnoxious. Highly recommend.

2. Saltine

100 East Main Street, Norfolk, VA 23510 American, Bar, Seafood Lunch, Dinner, Late Night, Drinks Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Private Dining, Seating, Parking Available, Validated Parking, Valet Parking, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service [email protected] +1 757-763-6280 https://saltinenorfolk.com/
Food
Service
Value
Overall Ratings

5 based on 868 reviews

Saltine

A street level seafood restaurant in Downtown Norfolk, Saltine offers a chic, airy space for diners to savor seasonal shellfish, seafood and spirits. Enhancing the locally-sourced menu, the restaurant's black distressed millwork, old-world detailing, and

Reviewed By sac63chevy

I hosted six friends and business clients at this restaurant, based on its reputation with my friends and colleagues; I’m glad I did. The establishment was very good and accommodating. The service provided by Ben D and Steve was outstanding. The restaurant has an extensive wine list and the selected Erath Pinot Noir was delicious. The seafood appetizers of calamari, lobster hush puppies, and fantail shrimp were very tasty and filling. Our dishes of fresh tasting steamed lobster, shrimp and grits, tostado tuna, and grilled pork chop were spot on and filling. The lobster mac n cheese was heavy on the mac n cheese, go for the steamed lobster. We were so full from the appetizers and main courses, we didn’t get a chance to try the dessert menu. I was pleasantly surprised by the final bill as I truly expected it to be more. This restaurant is in my top ten for return visits.Thank you for joining us at Saltine and taking the time to write us a great review!

What to do and see in Portsmouth, United States: The Best Places and Tips

1. Still

450B Court St, Portsmouth, VA 23704-3604 American, Pub Lunch, Dinner, Late Night Reservations, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Table Service +1 757-332-7222 http://www.stilleats.com/
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 292 reviews

Still

Reviewed By vafedtraveller

A great restaurant in Old Towne recommended by Dawn at Mermaid's Porch B&B. Spouse and I enjoyed a number of different dishes including the sausage trilogy, mac & cheese, cajun pasta, and duck tacos. Everything was delicious and tasty in it's own right. Thought we would eat "light" but it was all so good... Finished off with two desserts- bread pudding and pecan pie. Just could not pass them up. We will be back again soon!

Portsmouth Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Portsmouth

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