Regional specialties are really excellent: shrimp & grits, and grilled oysters were top notch. Sweet potato bread pudding is worth a special trip. Friendly casual service. Nice enough ambience, gets loud when busy but fine at off-peak hours. read more

Stopped back in for their happy hour special and the pricing has gone up to 1.50 per wing and shrimp but still a great deal! Food was just as tasty and service was still great! It wasn't as crowded as our first visit, and same type of vibe and seating. Will return again for their great food and especially happy hour deals on the yummy shrimp both grilled and fried and their chicken wings! read more

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Happy happy hour! Very good! I spotted this restaurant one day while in Norfolk and wondered what they offered. To my surprise they had a board outside the door featuring weekly details. I did further research online and saw HH! I love love to try anyone's happy hour (HH) especially if food and drinks are offered. I'm thrilled to let you know this place has food and spirits, including: beer, wine and liquor! Yessss!! Reservations made and suggested. While we arrived at 4:00pm on a Saturday there was no wait but guests started to fill up the downstairs area quickly so to be safe make reservations. However the bar was wide open. Seated about 8. The space may sit 50 people comfortably including a full bar area. HH takes place 4 to 6pm, Wed thru Saturday I believe. Starting at 5pm you can order from the dinner menu. My husbae wanted dinner so we stayed until. He tried the shrimp burger with handcut fries. HH, we tried most of the food: Honey old bay wings Salmon bites Grilled shrimp Handcut fries Lemon drop Old fashioned First off, I love love handcut fries and Ordinaire yall made my tummy happy!! We ordered like 3 plates. Overload but totally worth every carb! Everything was good! Pack your patience because I believe everything is made to order. As a result your items may hit the table one entree at a time. IMO this was great pacing and gave us time to try and savor each appetizer without the temperature turning cold. My drinks including my husbae crown and sweet tea were on point. He wanted Sprite but it was unavailable. Nevertheless we will return soon! Parking wasn't an issue as we found free street parking steps from the restaurant. But Parking garages are nearby as well. Overall 10/10 Have fun and enjoy life :) read more

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My spouse and I visited Ordinaire during Restaurant Week for brunch. We did not have a reservation, but were lucky enough to get there just before noon and we got seated very quickly. The restaurant is chic in ambience, and the servers were courteous and attentive. Unfortunately from the time we ordered, it took over 30 minutes to get one entree, and then another 10 minutes to get the other entree we ordered (our meals came out separately). The taste and quality of the salmon and grits was good - though it was more shrimp and grits with bits of salmon sprinkled in. The wrap tasted nice and was very filling. Hopefully service will be more streamlined when we return, as the food was worth the wait. read more

Ordinaire - Restaurant week special salmon (and shrimp) grits - Seafood Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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My friend took us to this place for dinner and the food was so good! The staff was friendly and welcoming and the owner was very nice. The Cajun seafood pasta was sooo flavorful that I had to thank the chef personally. You should definitely check this place out when you're in Norfolk. read more

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Stopped into Ordinaire for some food and a drink after work. Our server was new but she wasn't friendly and looked annoyed that she had to be there. She did check on us throughout but her attitude gave off a bad vibe. We ordered the wings, deviled eggs, fries, and salmon bites. The food SLAYED. It was so freaking good. The salmon bites dipping sauce was *chef kiss* I ordered a southern sangria and it was nice. I wanted wine, however, they do not have a a big selection. I'm talking like one dry, one sweet and that's it. The bar was super cute when I looked online but I probably should have researched ahead to make sure they actually served drinks other than cocktails. Despite our waitress and lack of wine, the quality of the food more than made up for it. (4/5) read more

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Ordinare was around the corner from a hotel (The Glass Light) I was staying at so I decided to give them a try. It was around 7:30pm on a Friday. Upon arrival the lower level was empty with only one party seated. The restaurant appears to be two levels. They have some seats at the bar on the lower level and you can also see the cooks in the kitchen with the way it's set up. The lighting is dim but bright enough to still read the menu. Chairs are comfy and the place looks aesthetically pleasing. The hostess greeted us, asked if we had reservations we said no and then she seated us. The server said she would be right with us and after about 7 mins she came over to greet us and drop off water. I think the other party was just seated too and that's what took her a while. Then another 6 or 7 mins passed before she came back to take orders. Our server was Ziggy and she was pleasant. I was torn between two drinks and per Ziggy's recommendation I went with the Southern Sangria. For a starter I chose the she crab soup and for my entree I went with the glazed salmon that was paired with mashed potatoes and asparagus. I subbed the asparagus for brussel sprouts. The soup was a tad bit salty but still tasty. My entree was mid. The best part of it was the salmon. The salmon was moist, right flavor and piping hot. But sadly it was placed on top of warm mashed potatoes that had no memorable flavor and my brussel sprouts were overly cooked. It appeared as tho the sides were premade and the salmon was the only part made to order. This resulted in the food being different temps ranging from piping hot to lukewarm. The presentation of the food was ten out of ten but definitely lacking in flavor and temperature. As time went on more parties started to show up and then it became very loud coupled with the guests and the music playing. Overall decent experience. I would return but I'd try some different food items. My friend ordered a lemon drop, lamb chops and crab dip and she was pleased with her meal. Maybe I'll try that next time. read more

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Underwhelming experience... poor customer service and mid food. The she crab soup was absolutely inedible.. won't return read more

Ordinaire - Salmon was ok. Nothing special - Seafood Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

First timer. Waited at the door to be seated at a table hostess ask us to have a seat on the bench. Another hostess came and seated the party that came after us when we had been waiting about 15 minutes already with no one even acknowledging us. I told her that we were there first but she proceeded to seat them. She did comeback and seated us after that. Online happy hours 3-7; however, on Yelp it had 3-6 pm. We decided not to stay and left. After that experience it put a bad taste in my mouth and refused to spend my money at that establishment. Not sure if I will go back or not. read more

I was very disappointed with my experience at Ordinaire. The service was extremely slow, and the staff seemed uninterested in helping customers. We waited a long time to be seated, the waitress finally came over,and looked over us and sat someone else. The owner or floor manager looked over at us and never acknowledged us. Once seated, it took far too long for someone to take our order we left The staff did not offer an apology or show any concern for the inconvenience. Overall, the lack of attention, poor communication, and unprofessional customer service made for an unpleasant experience. I understand that restaurants can have busy days, but basic courtesy and customer care should always be a priority. Unfortunately, based on this experience, I would not recommend this restaurant and do not plan to return. read more

1st time here, came for a brunch date with a friend. Started with a French 75 which is my go to brunch drink. For food we had the shrimp and grit and the lamb chops and grits. The grits and sausage were tasty but not hot temp wise. The fried shrimp was a unique combination with grits but it worked well. The lamb chops were very good and seasoned well. Very good 1st experience, looking forward to coming back! read more

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The restaurant has a great ambiance with excellent service. Our company waitress, Xi, was delightful and attentive. We were there for happy hour, reasonable prices, and good drinks. I had a lemon drop and charbroiled oysters, which were very good. However, the happy hour food menu was minimal, and customers should be able to order full meals during happy hours. Once the happy hour ended, I ordered the Caesar salad with salmon. However, the salmon wasn't cooked all the way through. But I will definitely return, the service and drinks were excellent. read more

Ordinaire - Lemon drop martini - Seafood Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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I came to this spot for a Vibes event hosted Rob Hill and decided to try there food while I was there. I ordered the wings and the presentation and taste of it was all so good! The service was also good. I did not have to wait long for my food and our waiter constantly checked up on us. read more

Ordinaire - Ordinaire Wings - Seafood Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

This place is amazing from The excellent food, to the professional service and the ambience. First time in Norfolk and Ordinaire is a must eat must visit. We enjoyed our conversation with the head chef...this was a gem that made our trip memorable read more

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This establishment is located off Plume Street where the old Brothers restaurant used to be. I spent a while at the front door before someone acknowledged me. Once seated, Jasmine was a great waitress. We had the salmon bites, wings, Marconi and cheese, she crab soup. The salmon bites and wings were really good, packed with flavor and fresh. The she crab soup was really salty. The Mac and cheese lacked the cheesy flavor that I'm use to. read more

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I enjoy this resturaunt! They have a great happy hour menu with reasonable prices! I love the honey and old bay chicken wings! The service is quick, and the waitress continue to ensure I was happy. I highly recommend this restaurant ! read more

Service was excellent, food was top tier and the ambiance was a great vibe! This is my third time there I've gone twice for dinner and once for brunch. My favorite was a Chefs special Tuscan Chicken and the Shrimp.and Grits. I have nothing but good things to say! read more

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Immaculate food, service is outstanding and quick. Atmosphere is classy with a hint of romantic feeling. Favorite foods include : grilled shrimp, wagyu burger, apple fritter, garlic Parmesan wings, and MAN the SHE CRAB SOUP is chefs kiss ! Award winning(actual fact). read more

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Date Night at what LITERALLY needs to be a world famous restaurant.... Sampled them for brunch once a few months ago and knew we needed a special night here one day. And they did NOT disappoint...from the service, to the music, the ambiance, and omg the FOOOOD Best dinner I've had this year. The flavor... ‍ Please try this place if you're in town or make the trip! It's worth it! Lots of local night life within walking distance as well to keep the night going! read more

Ordinaire - She crab soup. Theeeee Best ever - Seafood Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Come for the food...eat it slow to savor every bite. Then, order some more TO GO because when you get home, you are going to wish you did! That's what our experience was like at Ordinaire recently. We ordered an array of options--lamb chop lollipops, burgers, wings, Brussel sprouts, oysters, and salmon bites. Everyone had the same reaction after one bite--the proverbial SHAKE YOUR HEAD move. You know, that thing you do when food is so good, you have to slowly shake your head in wonderment! That's what it was like when we ate at this place! Every morsel of every piece of food that went into our mouths transfixed us into a state of euphoria! So why the 4 stars? The service was not on par with the food. Because there were already two large parties downstairs, our party had to eat upstairs. And they just lacked the staff to handle that. And when I say upstairs I mean THERE ARE A LOT OF STAIRS! And the waitstaff had to traverse that every time they brought us our food. It had to be exhausting. I don't see Ordinaire being in this location for long. The food here is that good that they will have to find a larger location sooner rather than later. Let's just hope their next location does not have an upstairs, or at least an upstairs that has an elevator! The long wait time and the short staff will not keep me away--the food is just that good that I am going to give them another and another and ANOTHER try! read more

Ordinaire - It's our first time here! Yay!! - Seafood Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Ordinaire has been a place I've wanted to try ever since it's grand opening so I grabbed my girlfriend and we decided to dine in on a Saturday evening. I called and made reservations ahead of time for 7pm, uncertain of how busy it may be on a Saturday but when I arrived at 7pm, it wasn't busy at all. The lady at the front was very pleasant and welcomed us in. Our server stopped by our table right away. I asked her for some good drink recommendations and she mentioned that the Southern Sangria was pretty popular, so I ordered that and it was very tasty! Since I scanned the menu prior to arriving, the Chargrilled Local Oysters were definitely something I wanted to try. From having thoroughly enjoyed them in New Orleans, I figured they were going to be just as good. We also decided on the Deviled Eggs as well. For our entree, we both ordered the Ordinaire Glazed Salmon. Our appetizers came out fairly quickly. Unfortunately, the oysters were a bit disappointing. They were the smallest oysters I've ever had and the taste was mediocre. The Deviled Eggs were okay, the added bacon did help give it some flavor. My friend's entree came out first and for some reason, there was a mix up in the kitchen because I didn't get my food until at least 15 mins after her. We both ordered the same thing so I was a bit unsure as to how the mixup happened but they were very apologetic. The salmon was pretty small, in my opinion, and was a bit underwhelming. It also could've used more flavor. It did come glazed but most of the glaze was underneath the mashed potatoes, which made them very sweet. The mashed potatoes seemed to be a tad bit watery but did have good flavor. The Brussels sprouts were also glazed and tasted pretty good. The decor and vibe of this restaurant is absolutely wonderful and I could see myself stopping in for drinks but the food missed the mark for me. If I do visit again, I hope I have a better experience. read more

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The food here is amazing!!! Every entree I tried was flavorful and so delicious. I enjoyed the staff. They were friendly and helpful. The restaurant is gorgeous! Super clean and move decor. I can't decide on a fav everything was excellent read more

Food was delicious! One of the best pasta and soup I've had since being here. And I'm a hard critic! Very flavorful w/ a twist of spice. I'd lick the bowl if I wasn't in public Definitely would recommend 1000000 time. The people were nice and welcoming as well. The atmosphere is very chill w/good music. read more

Ordinaire - She Crab Soup - Seafood Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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A Hidden Gem in Downtown Norfolk -- Ordinaire is Extraordinary! I just happened to be walking through downtown Norfolk when I stumbled upon Ordinaire, and let me tell you -- what a happy accident! From the moment I walked in, the warm energy and aroma of authentic Gullah-inspired dishes told me I was in for something special. Since everything I tried was exceptional, I'll skip trying to pick favorites and just share my lineup -- because honestly, you'll want to order them all: Honey Lemon Garlic Chicken Wings - Crispy, sticky perfection with the perfect balance of sweet and tangy. I could've easily eaten a dozen by myself. Okra Soup - Comfort in a bowl. Rich, flavorful, and deeply satisfying -- it tastes like a hug from someone's Southern grandma. Chargrilled Local Oysters - Smoky, buttery, and beautifully seasoned -- Norfolk seafood at its best. LOW COUNTRY SHRIMP & GRITS - Yes, I'm shouting it in all caps because... it's a MUST TRY! Creamy, savory, and packed with layers of flavor -- hands down one of the best I've ever had. Cajun Seafood Pasta - A delightful kick of spice, loaded with shrimp and crab, tossed in a sauce that's downright addictive. Gullah Red Rice - Perfectly seasoned, with just the right amount of heat and soul. It tied the entire meal together. Ordinaire captures the heart and heritage of Gullah cuisine in every bite. The service was warm, the vibe was welcoming, and the food -- unforgettable. Pro tip: Come hungry, bring friends, and prepare to fall in love with every dish. read more

Ended up here for happy hour after another place downtown was closed for a private event. My husband & I were seated quickly. I loved the decor and the ambiance that they created here. We ordered drinks and appetizers off the happy hour menu. I got a lemon drop martini and my husband got an old fashion. After seeing some of the items being brought out to other guest we got 6 fried shrimp and 6 wings. I loved that they even allowed us to split the wing sauces! So we got honey old bay and buffalo. If there's brussel sprouts on the menu I usually try them lol. They were listed as aside on the regular menu so I got a order. The wings and shrimp came out pretty quickly. It took a little while to get the brussel sprouts. The shrimp were cooked & seasoned perfectly. The wings were a good size with great flavor. We got there around 5pm and closer to 6pm it was starting to fill up. The more guests that came, the longer it took for the waitress to check on us or receive additional orders. Overall it's a great spot for happy hour, ladies night or date night!! read more

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Upon being seated it took 15 mins to be greeted. One of the servers with a half up half down curly hair just kept walking past us didn't acknowledge us at all. Finally a young man from the back came and asked if we had been helped. He then went to her and made a remark im guessing so that she could come serve our table. She said something back to him and proceeded to do something else. Minutes later the young man then came to take our order. As a party of 8 came in, she proceeded to take their order as soon as they were sat. I feel as if she didn't take our order and serve us because it was only 2 vs 8 this is unacceptable. Aside from that, the food was good but due to the service I will never return here thanks to the server. read more

soooo , i may be the outlier here, but i will say ... it's probably because i didn't realize on sundays they only had a brunch menu and i was looking forward to "food food" (if that makes sense). first, i will say ... when you walk in, the atmosphere is beautiful. the restaurant is truly inviting and everything about it is a vibe. definitely picture worthy. i started off with a drink, and i believed i ordered the sangria. very refreshing. since they were on a brunch menu, and i wasn't really in the mood for breakfast food, i ordered the she crab soup with the mini crab cake. and when i say mini, they really could've kept it bc it was a joke. as far as the she crap soup itself, it was okay .. it has potential. i was expecting the soup itself to be a little heavier/thicker. so for me just solely ordering this for my meal, it didn't do much for me. i ended my meal with the cobbler . now that ... was amazing. now, as far as service goes ... i will start by saying our waitress was wonderful . and she really doesn't have much control over what happens in the kitchen. what i didn't like was we were a party of about 8 (we made reservations), and everyone's food came out at different times . like, literally one person would be done with their food by the time the other finally got their meal. so they could definitely work on the timing. i would say that i would try to give them another chance, but it would definitely have to be during their dinner service . read more

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Visited from Los Angeles and stumbled across this Norfolk Gem!!!! The food did not disappoint !! Amazing delicious food, good music and great service!! Shout out to our waiter who held it down for us!! Chef Fresh and Chef Buttah Love stole our hearts and tastes with their Gullah Cuisine!! Each appetizer and new menu items were a blessing to eat everything they brought to the table did not disappoint!! The Honey Garlic Wings were so phenomenal , I had to order more to go!! But that Seafood Pasta hands down THE BEST I've had, Pictures do not do it justice!! I'd visit Norfolk again just to come to Ordinaire!!! Shout out to the whole Ordinaire crew who held it down for me and my peers!! We were blessed by your food and vibes!! read more

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I hate to even give this place a bad review because the bar tender was so sweet but it definitely disappointed maybe all the good reviews had my expectations high but the mac was pretty but not good, same for the "glazed" salmon that had no flavor at all and no glaze, the oysters again no flavor at all just tasted like oysters with cheese on top , my BF said the sandwich was good but he had to add their sweet chili sauce to it , the wings were really good tho and the drinks were good. Our server, bless her heart, took 15-20 mins to get us waters after seating us, randoms were walking in and out the restaurant & we in Norfolk sooo that can make u a little nervous . The place was pretty but overall i was disappointed with high hopes.. read more

Ordinaire - Chucktown Chicken Sandwich - Seafood Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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I had to come Back and give another review as I'm sadly disappointed. Me and my coworker really love the food here but there is something that is off. So we wanted to introduce one of other coworkers to this lovely place. It says it opens at 11 we got there around noon. To the doors being locked. The owner came out and informed us that the person that runs the register was supposed to be in at 10 and that's why they couldn't open. UM your whole establishment is hurt by one person not showing up. To the point we left but we came back the next day it was up and running the food and service was great. Whelp the following week we took a stroll as yet another coworker wanted to try it out as we've raved about the food. It was 12:25 why yet again no lights doors lock. Why does this keep happening this is a great place food is on point but they can't get their ish together to be an establishment that is open on time. read more

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I can't say enough about this restaurant and their staff. We were planning a reception for a nonprofit that is setting up a new chapter in the Hampton Roads market, and decided to reach out to the owner of the Ordinaire to see if they could host. The owner Sonya (Charleston stand up!) was very gracious and helpful, securing their private upstairs room for our occasion, with minimal effort, and fuss. From there we came in about 30 minutes before the event were shown to our private room upstairs, and where we were supported by two excellent servers. Special shout out to Jordan! And the restaurant itself, is appointed and decorated beautifully with a very upscale look and feel. And the food was outstanding! We had a variety of the happy hour menu items, and then we decided to stay for dinner. From the fried or grilled shrimp to the Wings, everything was top notch. For dinner I had shrimp and grits, and was equally impressed with the quality of the food. This is definitely a restaurant I would highly recommend for anyone visiting from out of town, but more importantly, for those who live here and come downtown on the regular basis. This is definitely a can't miss spot. read more

So I can't give a full review since we didn't eat dinner there but I can say a few things. We were outside checking out the menu when the owner popped her head out and invited us in for a drink. Their cocktail menu is impressive. They have some very cool and creative drinks. The service was excellent as well. We had a great time chatting with the owner and the bartender. They were so incredibly nice. Despite being full they still managed to talk us into the peach cobbler. Let me tell you this is a must try if you stop by. It was wonderful. The place is open and airy with high ceilings and good mood lighting. They also have an upstairs area that is great for groups. We will definitely be back for dinner soon. read more

Ordinaire - Cocktail menu - Seafood Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Decided to have my husband's birthday dinner here last night after original restaurant fell through. I must say Ordinaire will be my first choice moving forward. They were accommodating and welcoming to our party of 10. We made reservations but showed up early for happy hour and we were still seated. Vince was our server but he was trying to keep up with all the tables...also food came out slow due to limited cooks/chefs. I saw an ad for help so please apply and help them out. We also appreciated that one of the owners, Kb, came to check on our table, major plus! Very nice experience and husband had the best dinner! Thank you, Ordinaire...we will be back. read more

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Visited after work mid week while a friend was in town from the Big Island. Our table of three was in the dining room with a table of one and another of two. Our server was very personable and helped with dish selections. Everything we had was a hit. One of the owners visited our table to introduce herself and talk about our experience. I personally love when owners and chefs socialize with diners. I feel more connected to the experience and the venue. I will be back on repeat. read more

Very disappointed by a workers favorite restaurant ever! Great service each time , food, and drinks

Loved the environment! Best place to eat prices are right the food was crazy good ! Loved the space service was fast !

Food, service, and ambiance were absolutely the best. This was my first visit but definitely will not be my last.

I had the best salmon and grits of my life at Ordinaire in downtown Norfolk. Beautiful space. Very friendly staff and chefs. Celebrity chef @chef_wimbo did his thing. The only regret I had was that I hadn't discovered them earlier during the week (plus I was working when they were open) so I couldn't eat their food more often. I used to travel to Atlanta just to go eat at one particular restaurant and now it seems I have to drive up to Norfolk instead. This was one week ago and I am not over that food. I wish I could eat it everyday. read more

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Thank you for an amazing holiday dinner for me and my team last night! The food and drinks were fantastic, and Vince gave us the best service! Everything we ate was delicious, and we can't wait to come back! read more

Ordinaire - Cajun seafood pasta. - Seafood Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Everything we tried had an AMAZING flavor. My husband said their Honey Old Fashioned was the best he has ever had. My steak and scrambled eggs were both exceptionally seasoned and cooked. The service was attentive and fantastic. We enjoyed the ambiance of Ordinaire. From the blow glass light fixture to the beautiful wallpaper we enjoyed the entire environment. I could not recommend trying Ordinaire more! read more

Ordinaire - Apple Bread Pudding - Seafood Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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