Location: Norfolk
Top Restaurants in Norfolk
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Where to Eat in Norfolk: The Best Restaurants and Bars
An early English settlement, Norfolk is filled with historic sites and monuments. Norfolk is also home to the oldest U.S. naval port, as well as the Battleship Wisconsin, which was in service from World War II through the Persian Gulf War. Locals and visitors head to Town Point Park for outdoor concerts and annual events such as the Bayou Boogaloo and Cajun Food Festival. Families enjoy relaxing in Norfolk Botanical Garden and touring the harbor on a 19th-century Mississippi riverboat.
Things to do in Norfolk
1. No Frill Bar and Grill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 715 reviews
Reviewed By Clint L
My wife and I have been her several times and it is always good. Great for a pre-show dinner, The Norva or Virginia Stage Company. Philly cheese steak and french dip are great. Service is always good. Drink menu could be better but have descent beers on tap.
2. Still
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 253 reviews
Reviewed By naturistcouple1234 - Washington DC, District of Columbia
Still is located in Old town portsmouth and has a great Speakeasy feel. The entrance to the restaurant is along a small side street and upon entering immediately descends down into the basement of the building. Short of taking the restaurant sign off the front, it is fairly easy to miss. The restaurant opens up in the basement into a fairly cozy space. There is a medium sized bar and the rest of the area is filled with small tables. The drinks are great. They are known for their bourbons, scotch, whiskey and whisky. And creative drinks made with these alcohols. The food here is also extremely good. The menu is served tapas style and are varied. It is not a spanish restaurant. We always enjoy coming to eat here especially to celebrate a special occasion.
3. Mannino's Italian Bistro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 367 reviews
The experienced Culinary team of Chefs John R. Mannino & John M. Mannino (Father & Son Respectively) have partnered with Sommelier Daris Gavin to open New "Olde World Style" Italian Bistros. The goal was to give patrons Great Italian food at a reasonable price point with wine choices to match. We are sure that the Mannino's Italian Bistro Family will work with great passion & attention to detail to try and ensure that our guest develop a sense of home and comfort while enjoying their dining experience. John R. spent time at many restaurants both locally (Nicholas' at the Omni, La Bella Italia, Cafe Society {Executive Chef}, Bodegas & 456 Fish) and nationally (Lacey's Restaurant/ Manhattan & East of Athens/ Long Island). John M Mannino is an Honors Graduate of Culinary Institute of America. He was the Executive Chef of Bodega & 4 5 6 Fish prior to opening Mannino's. John M also won the Inaugural 2012 Taste of Hampton Roads Iron Chef competition.
Reviewed By John S - Suffolk, Virginia
I took my wife here on Valentines day for dinner. We ordered Scampi Della Casa and Spaghetti and Meatballs. Soon sfter we were seated we were quickly joined by two other couples who were seated in close proximity to us creating a cramped dining experience. Our waitress, Courtney, took our order and seemed somewhat irritated that we chose not to order an appetizer or something to go with our dishes. After we declined she further offered that we could split a salad. Evidently she finally got the message as she did not offer any more options. She did however pour some olive oil and balsamic vinegar on a small plate but it took 3 requests to have some bread come to our table. Our dishes were delivered quickly and very good. The pasta was fresh tasting and the sauces excellent. The prices for the dishes did not match the portion sizes. The cost per plate suggests Manninos is a fine dining establishment.
4. Luce
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 139 reviews
Reviewed By Fred193 - New York City, New York
While in Norfolk from Manhattan, looking at condos downtown that might bring us here when we retire, leasing agents kept recommending we have dinner at least once at LUCE.....and they were right. LUCE is a great place in every way: menu, food, wine, service, hospitality, value. Owner (Tony), host (Angel), food and wine guide (Matt) all made us feel like visiting dignitaries (very NOT-Manhattan). We had wonderful clams and then scallops and then pasta and grilled bread and a nice bottle of wine for just at $100, a terrific value. We took food home, too full to enjoy at least one of the enormous desserts we saw being served. You need reservations: LUCE has about 6 tables plus a dozen or so seats at the bar, all laid out well so no one feels cramped (again, very NOT-Manhattan). Highly recommended.
5. Handsome Biscuit
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 309 reviews
We are open 8am-2pm Tues-Sun. Let's Party!
Reviewed By Nick K
I just ate here for the first time and being from out of town I try to find hidden gems and this is definitely one of them. I had the Nashville Hot chicken sandwich and hashbrowns with cheese. Tasted amazing without needing anything extra.
Presentation-simple yet elegant. Very professional.
Price-For $12 bucks I walked away full and satisfied.
The staff were the friendliest people I've met in Norfolk so far.
Overall excellent.
6. The Bier Garden
Overall Ratings
4 based on 420 reviews
Reviewed By SouthSkookPorkchop - Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania
The food is good and as authentic as you will find and expect from any German themed place in the US. You often find the best German places close to military installations. They have an extensive beer menu and the atmosphere is pleasant and jovial. Food is average priced and the pretzel is filling. I thought the spaetzle was a little dry. Its a small venue and I was lucky to find a seat at the bar. Good service with knowledgeable staff for both the food and the beer.
7. Grilled Cheese Bistro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 206 reviews
Reviewed By James R - Virginia Beach, Virginia
My wife and I have been looking for an opportunity to try Grilled Cheese Bistro, as nearly every review we had read was very positive. The first time we went (at lunchtime), the place was jam-packed, with a wait of over half an hour. With two little girls in tow, that wasn’t going to happen, so we tried a place down the street.
Today, we decided to do a lunch date, just the two of us. When we arrived, the place was pretty packed and no one on staff was acknowledging anyone who came in. After about five minutes, my wife finally went up to one of the servers, who rather curtly said, “How many?” There was no greeting, just the impression that we were inconveniencing them by filling their restaurant with customers. They even managed to mix up the order of waiting customers, and it was only the honesty of customers that made sure the right people were seated at the right time.
Once we were finally seated, the service was much better. The grilled cheese sandwiches (my wife had “The Big O”, which was almost a dessert sandwich, and I had the “Don Quixote”, which is a savory blend of cheeses, grilled onions, mushrooms, olives, and red peppers) were prepared to perfection. The fries, which we ordered with their cinnamon cayenne topping, were crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and served piping hot with a chipotle aioli sauce.
Grilled Cheese Bistro is a fun place to eat with delicious food that is locally sourced. They do need to get a handle on how they deal with large crowds. Aside from that issue, this place would get a five-out-of-five rating from me.
8. Freemason Abbey Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1 reviews
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.<br><br>Freemason Abbey is closed New Years Day, 4th of July, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Reviewed By Richard B
It is very rich and tasty. Interior of the restaurant is very interesting and pretty. Stained glass and high ceilings are beautiful.
9. cafe europa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 128 reviews
Reviewed By rob1248
We've been to great French restaurants in DC, France and NYC but Cafe Europa is at the top of our list now. Starting with superb appetizers, mussels they raised the bar on how mussels should be prepared. The signature veal dish is worth having again and again. Good wine list and don't miss the desserts made by the owner. Finally the staff was superb. Owner chef and his wife create a wonderful relaxing atmosphere with first class food and service
For anyone in the D.C. METRO area, think about making a weekend of a visit to Portsmouth including a wonderful evening at cafe Europa
10. Cilantro Bangladeshi Bistro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 94 reviews
Reviewed By AtlantaDrummer - Kennesaw, GA
My wife, daughter, and I are up visiting our son and his family and they told us about this Bangladeshi restaurant they had previously tried. We love Indian, Thai, Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese, but we've never had Bangladeshi so we were all in. It's a little mom and pop hole in the wall that that you might miss if you blink. The interior is unassuming, but immediately we were greeted by friendly staff and the owner who took the time to answer all of our many questions about the various dishes. The food tasted like a cross between Indian and Thai and was absolutely flavorful and delicious. The Jhaal Beef was the best! The service was quick and friendly. I highly recommend giving Bangladeshi food at Cilantro a try if you like Asian food.
