Photo worthy go-to stop when walking around downtown Norfolk. Beautiful upscale bar with clearly…read moreexperienced bartenders!

Nice bar with an interesting list of signature cocktails. Bartenders are friendly but not very…read moreattentive. You can also order food from the Saltine restaurant next door.

Glass Light Restaurant was a 100 out of 10!!! It's located right behind the front desk of the…read morehotel. Very open, spacious, and of course artsy! The service made me feel like I was at a Michelin star restaurant. They were very attentive and never let your water run out. They replaced every utensil after each course. Very professional and charismatic. The FOOD let me tell you. We loved every. single. item. The complimentary appetizer was absolutely scrumptious. All the small plates (we got 3), plates licked clean. The asparagus? Perfection. Tuna tartare? Refreshing. Beef carpaccio? I don't usually like, but this I loved. My husband got the filet mignon and it was the best filet mignon we've ever tried. I got the seared scallops and it was soo good. We even thought that since it was more of a "fancy" place that the portions would be smaller, nope. They were so filling that we wanted dessert but had no room in our stomachs for it... We are already planning our next visit lol. Please go visit this place if you haven't already.

The appeal of this restaurant is definitely in the atmosphere. Celebrated our anniversary here and…read moreit was cool to be able to walk around with our wine and look at the art. Food wasn't bad but it wasn't amazing. Portions are kind of small. We left without any leftovers. Service was good

While exploring the city of Norfolk, we came to this restaurant to grab lunch. There was an…read moreadjacent parking garage that had 2 hours of free parking. The restaurant was located on first floor of the Hilton hotel. The interior of the place was immaculate. The dining space, corner booths all were designed so nicely. There was also a full service bar and a seafood raw bar for guests to sit and dine. From the menu we ordered charbroiled oysters, crab cake sandwich, grilled chicken sandwich and Maine lobster roll with clam chowder soup. All of the dishes were well made and had good taste. I also liked the grapefruit soda NA drink. Our server Haleigh was so amazing. I wish all servers took a course from her on how to converse and treat guests in a restaurant. Our dishes also came out in short time. Overall we had a fantastic lunch here and were very happy with our pick.

Been going here for a while, but think it's time I stop. Stopped in a for a bite to eat after a…read morehard day and ordered a dozen of oysters, a gin martini, and a "grilled" lobster. Never got the oysters and received a "boiled" lobster. When I asked about the lobster I was told (like I didn't know what I ordered) that I ordered a "broiled" lobster. Didn't have it in me to argue but had to ask for butter. Yep, I'm done and if you read my previous posts, I'm pretty fair. But when someone alludes to I lied about what I ordered and didn't deliver everything I asked for, then they are dead to me.

Came across Black Spice restaurant on a random Wednesday night and am so glad I did…read more Black Spice absolutely delivered on both flavor and presentation. The lemon drop martini was one of the highlights of the night -- smooth, refreshing, and perfectly balanced between sweet and tart without tasting overly sugary. Definitely one of the better lemon drops I've had lately. The Black Spice wings were packed with flavor. Crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and coated with a sauce that had the perfect mix of sweet heat and Caribbean-style seasoning. They were addictive. The lobster egg rolls were another standout. They were crispy, stuffed generously, and paired with a sauce that complemented the seafood really well without overpowering it. The lobster flavor actually came through, which isn't always the case at a lot of places. The cabbage was tender and seasoned with a tasty spice which was delicious. On top of the food, the atmosphere was stylish and energetic with great music and a fun crowd. Perfect spot for date night, brunch, or drinks with friends. Service slowed a little once the restaurant got busy, but overall the experience was worth it. The chef even blessed us with a sampling of a new catfish egg roll he is thinking of putting on the menu, and like everything else it was amazing and worthy of menu placement. Would definitely come back to try more of the menu

My friend and I decided to stop by Black Spice for dinner over the weekend. Since neither one of us…read morehad been, we couldn't wait to dine in. I called ahead of time and asked if they took walk ins and was told they didn't, so I made reservations for 6pm. With this restaurant being located off Granby St., I figured I'd better find the location first before finding parking. Upon arrival, I almost drove right past it. The only sign they had was a "Black Spice" sign in the window, which was very easy to miss. Thankfully, we found a close parking garage and it was a short walk to the restaurant. We were seated as soon as we walked in and the place was practically empty. Before getting settled, we asked if we could sit at the tables with a booth (for comfortable seating) but was told that those tables were reserved for parties of 3 or more. We understood, but funny enough, there were two (yes, two) ladies sitting at a nearby table with a booth! Insert side eye lol! We started with drinks and appetizers. The drinks were okay but not very strong. We ordered the CrabMac and the Lobster Egg Rolls. The CrabMac was good but the Egg Rolls seemed to miss the mark a bit, for me. I think they would've been better without the cheese. For our entrees, my friend ordered the Salmon and I ordered the Braised Short Ribs. My friend said her Salmon was okay but I wasn't a fan of the Short Ribs. They were covered with a very interesting, bbq sauce that I didn't quite enjoy. I've ordered Short Ribs before but I've never had them with such a thick, bbq sauce. The Mashed Potatoes were garlicky and very tasty and the Sautéed Spinach was so good, I ordered another side of it. Once we finished eating, we asked for the check and my bill came up to $91.80! I just knew they had given me the wrong bill lol! They automatically added 15% Gratuity on the bill without our knowledge. Our server was great so I was going to tip either way, it just would've been nice to be notified ahead of time. Unfortunately, there wasn't anything I ate that would justify spending that much lol! The staff were very nice but I'm sure I won't be returning again. By the way, no one ever came to sit at the table with the booth, so we definitely could've sat there. SMH!

We lucked out and stayed in one of the nicest Hiltons in the area. Three of the popular restaurants…read morereside in this Hilton. The one that stands out is Grain. Located on the 5th floor of this high rise hotel, Grain has indoor and outdoor space. The outdoor space is super cute with its comfy couches and yard games. In the winter(not now) there are table top fire pits. The view is of the surrounding buildings. Inside is the sweet spot because the staff excels. We were there during the day and then at last call in the evening. Both times, the staff went out of their way to make sure we were serviced. We only came for drinks but prices were very reasonable. Since we had F&B credit, we used it for cocktails.

The fish and chips were decent. It's a staple meal of mine that I use (along with tuna melts) to…read morecompare apples to apples across restaurants. I do live in San Diego so take my opinion on the seafood with a *grain* (no pun intended) of salt. However, one might also think Norfolk would be a good city for seafood. Service and atmosphere were 10/10. I mean, it has a rooftop with a view. What more do you need?

We found ourselves in downtown Norfolk and opted for dinner at Gershwin's on Granby Street…read more Gershwin's continues to deliver a polished dining experience, pairing New Orleans-inspired cuisine with attentive, professional service. It's the kind of establishment that understands both execution and consistency--two qualities that are increasingly rare and always appreciated. The shrimp and grits remains a signature highlight. The Creole sauce offers a restrained heat, balanced by a layered depth of flavor that speaks to careful preparation rather than excess. The shrimp are properly cooked, retaining a delicate snap, while the stone-ground grits provide a well-seasoned, creamy foundation. Each component is thoughtfully prepared, and together they form a cohesive dish that feels both composed and satisfying--an authentic nod to Cajun tradition without unnecessary embellishment. Gershwin's stands as a reliable fixture in the downtown dining scene. For those seeking a refined take on Southern and New Orleans classics, it is well worth the visit--and a strong example of the quality found within Norfolk's local restaurant community.

It would be zero stars if possible. And I can honestly say that I've eaten in restaurants across…read morethe world and the US, at many different price points and this was hands down the worst culinary experience of my life. If this restaurant was in an area that was even moderately competitive they would have been put out of business. The bar seems adequate but it was almost like they stopped serving food and forgot to tell anyone. I swear I'm not making this up, this actually happened: 1) it took over 2.5 hours for the entrees to come out. One came out so early that by the time the second set came out they were already done. 2) The only appetizer that was ordered that actually came out, arrived after the entree was done. 3) One person's order had to be changed 5x because the waiter kept coming back to say they're out. When his pork chop finally arrived, it was undercooked and not eatable. 4) Nothing was offered in any way as a comp, nor any real apology If you go, be wary. There is no way they were this thoroughly incompetent in every single aspect of the food services industry without practice.

This was a great dining experience with great food, a nice atmosphere and a very good server!…read more We stopped into try a few bites and loved the food that we tried: The mojo pork taco The shredded Jamaican jerk chicken taco The spring rolls Everything had great flavor and was fresh! Want to go back and try more of their delicious food! It's not overly large inside so coming at an off time (right at 4) we were able to get a seat but I bet it can get busy! They do have outside dining so if it's not too hot or cold there is that option!

We visited on a Wednesday evening around 7pm with a party of three. We ordered two Sapporos, a…read moreshrimp sandwich, an order of Vang rolls, and two garlic noodles. The restaurant was fairly empty, with only three other tables occupied, so we were surprised by the length of the wait. Our two canned Sapporos didn't arrive until about 30 minutes after ordering. The shrimp sandwich took approximately 45 minutes, and the Vang rolls arrived after about an hour. After waiting an hour, we were informed that the garlic shrimp for our garlic noodles was unavailable, despite it being part of our original order. Unfortunately, the Vang rolls were so salty that we couldn't finish them. Throughout the meal, our water glasses were never refilled, and there was little communication about the delays or unavailable menu items. After roughly 90 minutes of waiting, multiple delays, and learning that several items were unavailable, we decided to pay for what we had received the two Sapporos, the shrimp sandwich, and the Vang rolls, which came to about $70. Perhaps we visited on an off night, but the combination of the slow service, poor communication, unavailable menu items, and disappointing food quality made for a frustrating experience. Based on this visit, I don't see myself returning. +1 Vibe +0 Taste +0 Presentation +0 Service +0 Value

We were in town and a friend recommended the Kobros coffee so we went to Toast. I'm glad we did…read more It's a cute place with an outdoor space with benches and lots of plant life. The place inside is very cute and reminds me of a nice punk pop bar. The bar wraps around and there's some tables and a side table that we sat at to eat. I ordered one of their specialty coffees and it is quite the journey but I enjoyed it with the ginger beer and the coffee. My quiche was fluffy and delicious. It jiggled when I tapped it and the side salad tasted great with dill in it and it brightened up things. The combination of both was great. The crust on the quiche was nice as well. My spouse enjoyed their sandwich but didn't realize there was mustard so he ended up just using the chips to eat his egg and sausage. His egg was also fluffy. The patrons that came seemed friendly and you can tell who are locals since they greeted by name often. I love that this place is open. They also have local wine you can purchase. Next time we're back in town, we will visit again.

I didn't get pictures of the drinks or food but TRUST it's a vibe. Great customer service, tasty…read morecocktails and The Fresh Start/Smoked Salmon & tots were hefty and delicious. I'll definitely be back when I come back home. Keep the good vibes going!

The Harbor Club is on the second floor of Watersides main building and I went there to pick up my…read morepacket a few days ago for the race weekend. It was clean, large and spacious. Easy to find and there is plenty of nearby parking in the garages downtown.

So it's day two of the opening of the Waterside District Marketplace…read more We dined at The Harbor Club on the second floor and I believe this is the only bar/restaurant/Lounge on the second floor and it's beautifully designed! it has an outdoor patio as well ... views of the Elizabeth River ....boats docking and sailing you can see the ferry dock as well as the American Rover it's just beautiful and I'm sure it's even nicer at night when they turn on the lights and you see the glow from the water and the skyline... breathtaking. This is exciting for Norfolk Waterside the second third time around... hopefully it's going to be here to stay. The Harbour Club is definitely going to be a special asset to the District. Very sexy in here! We dined in for their happy hour. We were able to check in with one of the party host for an extended happy hour instead of it being until 7 pm with our yellow wristbands it was extended until 9 p.m. Drink specials only! Happy hour included draft specials, Margaritas were $5 and well drinks I believe for $4 and wine was $4 as well no food specials. This restaurant only features tapas so it's basically meant to come: chill, take a bite of something and just enjoy the atmosphere. I'm not sure if they play music but I can see where as they would push the lounge table and chair's back or take up the chairs and tables and have an open dance floor So excited to see how the night life will be in here. We arrived a little after 5pm... traffic was crazy on Waterside Dr. The atmosphere oozes high energy!! We sat at the bar (large bar) where our bartender was Katharine AKA Kate and she made us some grrrrreat Margaritas!! She's legit see her if you're in here!! The restrooms are on the outside of the restaurant so it's a short walk. If you want to dine on the patio you can do that as well. The Baja tacos which I had were absolutely good I didn't know they had onions on them but other than that they were still good. The harbor sliders they were very good as well with a handful of chips that I believe are homemade... cost $50 so you can't beat that looking forward. TVs are positioned around the perimeter of the club. And there are two bars located inside this club. The wait staff seems a little scattered but they managed to care for all. Parking is available via: the garages, meter parking. The food did take a lonnnnng to come. I'm not not sure why. While time was passing by we were high off of the energy in the club! Tapas and a full bar can be found here... mostly seafood. So much enthusiasm and high energy in the atmosphere where as time went by super fast but still the food should have came out a little bit sooner than what it did.

Food was really good! The lobster gnocchi was flavorful. They have a huge assortment of whisky so…read moreif you're a whisky lover I would recommend getting the whisky flight. The restaurant was really small and I recommend making a reservation in advance if you want to go. Otherwise, they will turn you away.

I was in town a couple of weeks ago, Hanging out with my brothers and we were looking for a place…read moreto grab a bite and some drinks with friends. So we ended up choosing Luce. This spot definitely got a nice date night vibe to it. Darkly lit. Super chill hostess but limited seating. There are maybe 6 to 8 tables total including a L shape bar that you can pull up to which is exactly where we sat. The bartender was really on point the night we visited. Immediately took our order, gave us a quick perusal of the drinks, and then promptly poured three different types of spirits, a wine for my first brother, a vodka and cranberry for my second and a whiskey flight that they had on the special for myself. We enjoyed all three. In terms of food, we ordered a couple of different appetizers, including the pizza. And I actually was hoping we were going to order dinner because all of the entrees that we saw hit the bar around us looked fantastic. We ended up connecting with a really cool local business owner by the name of Sonny, who is also at the bar having a bit of dinner before heading back to his Shop. That made the overall night even better. This is definitely a spotI will be checking out when I'm back in town.