Amazing hidden gem in our favorite vacation town. Understand that this is very much farm to table, made to order, slightly upscale and a lovely curated dining experience that you probably should make reservations for. This is not a place you would walk in off the beach to. The owner has her hands in everything from creating the weekly menu to waiting tables herself. She is a lovely woman, very direct but also very excited to share her process and her culture. The plates are small, but pack a punch. My husband and I shared a starter, two first course dishes, a single second course dish, and two desserts. We were satisfied, but certainly could have ate more because the food was amazing! My favorite was the burrata appetizer. The combination of flavors in this was unreal. Balsamic with some sort of pesto tasting tomato sauce and local sun dried tomatoes? I don't even know but I'll remember it forever. The creamy risotto we ordered combined flavors of leeks, fennel, and an amazing sausage that was hidden in there somewhere. My husband commented that the scallops we had in our second course were the best of his life, absolutely perfectly seared and the owner kindly told us how she did them. The arugula was huge and definitely local as I've never seen arugula like this in the grocery store. It was topped with a blueberry vinaigrette the owner made that was out of this world. The food brought us back to our time in Italy and we spent dinner talking about that trip. It really brought us back! Don't miss this charming little place while you're in town if you can swing it. read more

Ambrogia Caffe’ & Enoteca - Burrata appetizer - Italian Near Me - Cape Charles, Virginia

Everything about Ambrogia is amazing! The server made helpful recommendations and we loved each of her suggestions. The space is small but thoughtful and intimate, like a boutique restaurant. The meal was probably one of my all time favorites!! There was a complex dimension to the taste of the food and each course plated beautifully. Our party of four talked about our amazing experience long after we left! read more

My hotel fell through and we had to continue to Norfolk to get a room. I called an hour before our reservation to cancel. Owner would not return our $20 "reservation fee". I feel like somebody just stole $20 bucks from me. I'm sure the food is good. Just won't be back. read more

Miserably uncomfortable chairs. Snooty owner. Food is nice but insufficient, you will leave HUNGRY. Too pricey for what you get. This restaurant really needs to improve. The potential is there. Maybe new management?? read more

I booked dinner and a lunch here when my husband and I came for a long weekend. This is a small cafe ran buy a former oceanographer who decided to stay in Cape Charles. She was nice but they had only three people working so we're turning away people if they didn't have a reservation. I could tell she was burnt out from the summer and in need of a break. For the dinner, I got burrata and my husband ordered a fig an prosciutto special. The figs were raw with a slice of prosciutto put into each one. The burrata was as expected. We also got wine flights, which was nice. The owner's boyfriend was helping and came outside where we were sitting to explain the wine. For our entrees we got scallops, which were great but didn't come with a side, so it was just three scallops with the sauce on a plate. Just be aware the portions are small. My husband ordered a branding special, and again just fish on a plate with nothing else. The next day we came back for lunch and we each got a sandwich and we shared a bottle of white wine. I also got some hot Assam tea. This place has so much potential and they just need to staff up and consider what they should serve with the mains. My husband and I also ate at Hook at Harvey's and for the same price got a main with sides, a much better value. read more

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Yum! Excellent service and a small, cozy place with warm and friendly staff. I remember eating here years ago (probably 5 or so now) and it must've been under other ownership. Now, it's upgraded inside and bright and friendly - with a constantly rotating small menu with local fresh ingredients. The owner herself waited on us and was attentive, friendly, and kind. She's clearly very proud of this business, and very hands on. The food was phenomenal. We started with fresh focaccia served with oil and vinegar. I chose the asparagus risotto while my husband went with the fresh fish which was flounder. The fish was SO good. I ate most of it, but I also loved the risotto. For dessert, we got a warm delicious French press and one of the two tiramisu flavors (my fav dessert ever) - I chose the chocolate pistachio and it was a large, and beautiful piece. We spoke to the owner for a bit before we left and she mentioned that she changes the menu weekly so it's never the same and it's always a fresh, new take on something. I love that. A+ meal and wonderful service. read more

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I was somewhat excited to know that Cape Charles had an Italian restaurant something more than the pizza place, which by the way is very good. A friend of mine said that they had a wonderful dinner. So I said let's check it out. First, having to make a reservation and a deposit it seems like that is becoming more frequent at some of the better restaurants. So we arrived about five minutes before our reservation and was greeted promptly and pleasantly a table was ready for us. As I'm sitting down, taking a look at the table, I noticed a paper napkin, fork, knife, and plastic mats. Once sitting noticing the metal chairs not so comfortable, but I guess just OK. Server in the other young lady made everybody feel welcome and hearing the conversation at other tables from them it's all about the experience. I always want to have a great experience, but the food is as important. I did order an appetizer and it was tasty and then we waited nearly an hour in our server came and asked what were we thinking for dessert. Oh, I did leave out. She did stop by once or twice to fill our classes with a bottle of wine that we ordered. The tapwater would've been fine if it would've been chilled, but it wasn't. Back to her asking about dessert. I told her we'd take a look once we got her meal. She looked at me like you haven't had your meal now it's the server was paying any attention to us. She would've known we hadn't had her meal. I began to really stew at that point. Within about 10 minutes food to arrive. Scallops were tasty whatever my wife ordered with crab. You could barely find any crab or taste it. The owner walked by and asked how everything was and she said something about the server asking about the start before we even had her meal. There was no apology. I couldn't wait to get out of there. One of the other servers walked by and I said I'd like to have my check she brought back a check and I attempted to hand her my credit card and she said somebody would come by with an iPad. Another 10 minutes I then paid with a credit card. My tip should have. Reflected the service, but I went with the 20%. As I hit the 20% I noticed it was three dollars more than what it should have been then I realized that was calculated off the total price, including tax not a good move. This is not an upscale restaurant. The service was terrible and the food was not that great. And the fact that I waited an hour to be asked about dessert and hadn't had my food with no apology leads me to this scathing negative review. Word-of-mouth is more powerful than anything and I will share that just I like I would, if it was delicious. read more

Had a reservation anticipating a lovely dinner. Could not stay past appetizer course because seating on small metal camp style chairs so uncomfortable that sitting in them became unbearable. When we asked for check so that we could leave and explained why owner became irate and very unprofessional. Cafe tries to be upscale but falls short ... paper napkins, cheap uncomfortable furnishings, including metal chairs and small two top tables being utilized for four top, plastic placemats akin to shelf liner are all less than impressive coupled with long delay in service of even appetizers and salads makes for an overall miserable experience certainly not worth the trouble to make a reservation or the overpriced food. We left and went two blocks down the street for an upscale bistro experience in an intimate setting with cushy booths, perfect lighting and gourmet food cooked to perfection coupled with attentive service and impeccable manners. read more

Lovely intimate restaurant with super friendly hostess/waitress/owner (?). The menu is small and focuses on quality not quantity. I think she doesn't quite understand tho and we wanted to do family-style with a pasta first and the the dish (primo /secondi? Or something like that) but both came out together. No matter. All yummy. There are definitely regulars here and our dessert was accented by one of these couples coming and speaking Italian with the hostess. Made it even more like Italy! Will definitely be back next time in town. read more

Great food, laughably small portions, and service with a side of attitude. We came for a birthday dinner with high hopes--recommended by a local friend who'd loved the food. And yes, the food was good... if you're into tasting menus disguised as full portions. The affogato? More like an espresso accident in a thimble. Decor was minimalist to a fault--think cold metal chairs and zero charm. But fine, we weren't here for the feng shui. What really soured the night was the service. We made a 5pm reservation for a relaxed dinner. Between the three of us: wine, appetizers, entrees, dessert--the works. But by the time we finished our mains, the owner/manager was hovering like we were squatting. We asked for a few minutes to decide on dessert. Her reply: "Only a little more." Noted. I asked for a birthday candle on the tiramisu. "It's her birthday," I said. Cue the blank stare. No candle. No smile. Just vibes. Entrees were limited to scallops or halibut, except--plot twist--no halibut. Just flounder. Asked for a side of veggies with the scallops. Response? "No." Just that. Nothing else. We kept it cool... until our server slammed the check down while we were still sipping wine. Two minutes later, she asked us to finish our drinks outside--even though there were empty tables and no one waiting. We weren't lingering; we were literally still drinking. Bottom line: come for the food, stay for the passive aggression. Or better yet--don't. read more

This place is a must! Authentic Italian cuisine and friendly, comfortable atmosphere. Upon arriving, I noted how small it was (about 6-8 tables inside) which added to the intimate feeling of eating in the owner's personal kitchen. Speaking of the owner, she couldn't have been more hospitable. Our glasses were never empty! The food was divine! We had the scallops, the fettuccini with crabmeat, and a housemade pasta dish with pancetta and broccolini. To end the meal, we had both types of tiramisu- chocolate pistachio and salted Carmel- both were perfection!! The food, the atmosphere, and most importantly the hospitality make this an establishment that every Cape Charles visitor must add to their list!!! read more

For $300 I'd expect something a little nicer. Cheap metal chairs, generic decor, creaky tables, music was not loud enough to drown out sound. Entire restaurant smelled a little strongly of grease. Outdoors had two worn tables with plastic vines. Awkward maneuvering just to sit down. There was a tv in the window that had a slideshow of the food which seemed a bit tacky? Service was ok but I never judge too much on that honestly. There was also a lack of options. A good handful of cold appetizers but only two options for "second course" (meals without protein) and two options for "third course" (meals with protein). All of this would've been totally fine if the food was incredible. But it was pretty bland. Nothing really stood out. The best meal on the table, the fettuccine with red pepper flakes was just... ok. Genera consensus was a little disappointing. I was surprised at the google reviews. read more

Ambrogia is one of the highlights of Cape Charles - Cristina and her team make every meal special. We always leave happy and full. Don't miss the boards! read more

Ambrogia Caffe’ & Enoteca - Italian wine! - Italian Near Me - Cape Charles, Virginia

Cristina does it again! We came here for my husband's birthday and couldn't decide so ended up with 3 entrees! It wasn't a bad choice. The flounder was perfect- delicate with a perfectly crisp exterior. The fettuccine was rich and to die for! Had a little pappardelle on the side and it was perfectly balanced with the beef and leeks. Wrapped up with chocolate panettone! Highly recommend!! read more

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This cozy little restaurant in Cape Charles is a must stop at. We made reservations for dinner on a Saturday night and are glad we did. We started out with the Salumi meat board which was excellent, then my wife had the Ravioli stuffed with Chicken and I had the Fettuccine with weygu beef. It was literally one of the best pastas I've had in years. We ended the evening with Terimisu and some wine. Christina was an excellent host and can not recommend this place enough. read more

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Great spot to end your night at cape charles. Sad to say not a lot of the restaurants in the area are open. This is one of the few that are still operating. Price is on the high end based on the portion they serve. Service is friendly. Outside seating available. read more

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I ate here two nights two years ago and have never forgotten it. Two of the best meals I've ever eaten. Ambrogia would be THE reason I would travel to Cape Charles again. Owner, service, food, wines -- delightfully memorable. read more

The food was apretty tasty. The menu is very small, but in line for a cafe. The area where they lose points, however? The attitude of the woman running the place. (I overheard another guest saying that she was the owner, but I cannot be sure.) She was rude, impatient, and condescending. When, at the end of the meal she noticed that my wife had only taken two bites of her sandwich, my wife stated that it had been okay, but had not been prepared as she had expected. The woman got defensive, argued with my wife, and then brought me the check. We will not be returning. read more

Ambrogia Caffe’ & Enoteca - Italian Near Me - Cape Charles, Virginia

Unique delicious food. Wonderful warm service. Nice wine selection. Knowledgeable staff. read more

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We stopped in for lunch around noon on a Saturday in July. The restaurant is small, and several tables were full, but we were still seated immediately. The interior is bright and welcoming, as are the owners. A very casual vibe in line with the rest of the Cape Charles area. I ordered one of the ciabatta panini options, and my husband had a piadina. It was a light meal with a small salad on the side, but that was perfect for us as we had several food and drink spots planned for the day. I would maybe recommend adding one of the other options to share for the table if you're hungry. I think the price point for lunch was good, for the quality of ingredients. My panini was supposed to have an artichoke pesto on it, however, and I'm not entirely sure it was there. I certainly would have liked to see more of that! Certainly worth trying. Their fresh pasta options for dinner look delicious. read more

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Very sad experience. Quite frankly a long way from Italy in more ways than one. Pasta with little distinction in flavors. Oh yes, only a cup of pasta on a huge plate for thirty dollars. Overcooked pasta is really criminal. Save your time and money. Drive on by. You can find better. read more

Amazing customer service! We stopped in to grab a drink and chit chat with a family friend. I got an iced tea and my husband got a coffee. My tea was delightful! I ended up with about 12-16 ounces of freshly brewed mint tea. Gosh, I love mint tea. The mint tea here was light and fresh. My husband enjoy his coffee as well. The service was in point! They truly love their customers and want to make sure we are comfortable. We sat at the table for about 20 minutes, then heading back out to walk the town. The next time we are back we for sure want to try some food. Other reviews on Yelp rave about it and the photos look tremendous. read more

The owner of this restaurant audibly said "asshole" as I was walking away after inquiring if she had availability in her empty restaurant. I went back to ask her if I had heard her correctly. She denied it. I walked away. And certain I had heard what I did I returned. She admitted that she had and she was frustrated with people asking her that question because she had reservations. So she's not only a terrible person but also a liar. Please consider patronizing many of the other fine restaurants in Cape Charles. This woman does not deserve your business. read more

I recently had Ambrogia during a rehearsal dinner for a friends wedding. The service was great, had nice decor, and the food was pretty good. I had the entire menu, which included the Fettuccine pasta, Risotto, and Filet di Manzo. My favorite was the Fettuccine. Overall, one of the better restaurants in town considering the limited amount of options and good Italian food to try. read more

Ambrogia Caffe’ & Enoteca - Fettuccine, Risotto, Filetto di Manzo - Italian Near Me - Cape Charles, Virginia

People who worked here were nice! They have a tiny menu posted on the door, but be careful, you might get smacked in the face with the door if you're trying to read it! I ordered an iced cappuccino and it was delicious. Coffee was a bit overpriced but at least this is a small business and not a giant corporation. read more

the food was delicious!!! the service was speedy and kind. and the place was beautiful!!!! best food i've had in ages!!!!!!! read more

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Excellent cheese plate that was made gluten free. They did a fantastic job with it but I would not recommend Ambrogia for a meal if you are strictly gluten free, which is why I give it 3 stars (based solely on a gluten free perspective). read more

Ambrogia Caffe’ & Enoteca - Cheese plate made gluten free - Italian Near Me - Cape Charles, Virginia

Came for brunch to avoid a wait at the breakfast spot we were going to go to. So glad we did. Amazing food and coffee. The focaccia bread is amazing and the side salads were so light and delicious. Welcoming staff. Authentic Italian food. read more

My mom and I both had the mahi mahi and then shared the Tiramisu and they were both to die for! If you don't have time to wait and eat and enjoy your meal I wouldn't come here as it definitely took time to actually receive our meal and we both witnessed a family walk out but the servers were both very gracious and attentive the entire time. I definitely recommend a reservation and their coffee is delicious! read more

Ambrogia Caffe’ & Enoteca - Mahi mahi - Italian Near Me - Cape Charles, Virginia

What a find! In a neighborhood of great eateries, Ambrogia is a standout. Yeah, you're not familiar with the spelling but they say it's due to its Italian, rather than Greek, mythology root. The food is terrifically, unapologetically, legitimately Italian, not Italian American, Italian. Traditional Italian cuisine in an intimate setting with under ten tables gives you real personal service. I had snapper, she had scallops, with a burrata cheese appetizer, aperol spritzer, and a flight of great whites, we split a tiramisu to finish. Delightful little place with attentive servers. Enjoy! read more

Ambrogia Caffe’ & Enoteca - Italian Near Me - Cape Charles, Virginia

Uploaded to Facebook Page of restaurant for maximum visibility, since it was demoted/not shown on yelp ***Writing here as I found this post was hidden or paid to be removed on Yelp*** 08/20/2022: A very late review of Ambrogia after processing the horrible experience. I was very excited to try to this out restaurant which all reviews rave as a gem in Cape Charles; that excitement was thoroughly squashed by owner Cristina Carollo. My date and I promptly arrived for our 5pm reservation and as the first guests asked to be seated away from the front door. This ended up becoming a disturbance, but at the time was not aware as I asked to use the restroom. Apparently, Cristina made some remarks to her staff with stern finger snaps that she would change our table to one adjacent to the kitchen, but that there will be high turnover of tables and time limits and that this would be an inconvenience she would stomach. Ok? I then proceed to ask about the menu and how appetizing everything sounds, already with selection in mind. My date took a bit to decide on his meal when out of nowhere Cristina exclaimed that since we were taking a bit to decide that it's apparent we were upset of the seating arrangement (we weren't, aside from the remarks). She then confronted my date, rudely, that if he was displeased, she could refund our reservation and we could go. That out of left field escalation made it abundantly apparent that we were not welcome. Cristina noticed my reaction, and then as if she regretted her words, turned to me to apologize and ask if there was anything she could do to make it up to us and convince us to stay. Shock and anger made me feel overwhelmingly nauseous, but I got over that and confronted Cristina on how rude and unnecessary her confrontation was and there was nothing else she could do to make it up. We promptly left Ambrogia and noticed the shock on the faces of a family seated behind us. I'm sure this restaurant's menu was incredible, but if any owner and staff can have guests wondering if they are welcome based on routine requests, that establishment should be avoided. We even left thinking if our sexual orientation or race was the issue, which is unacceptable. Avoid at all costs, there are plenty of other places worth your money and attention in Cape Charles! read more

The food and wine (and Prosecco!) Are excellent! And the service is amazing. This little cafe really provides a culinary experience in a small town! read more

Wow.... Could've been in Italy! The best Italian, authentic food I've ever had outside of Italy! read more

My wife and I had dinner here last night. Great experience. It is a small place with five 4-tops and one family table, but nicely appointed with great ambiance (last night they had Andrea Bocelli playing in the background at just the right volume). Cristina, the Italian owner, was very attentive and friendly, as was Jenny, our server. The menu is not expansive because it appears the chef concentrates on cooking a small, diverse menu well. I'd equate it to the experience of having a personal chef for the evening. Last night, they had a selection of charcuterie boards that looked delicious. For starters, we ordered a mixed board with interesting cheeses, Prosciutto, Salami, cured olives and a nice, large marinated artichoke. It was great. We ordered the scallops, which were perfectly cooked and seasoned, and the fettuccine with a pork ragu. As expected, the pasta was right on point. The best recommendation I can give is that we will be back. read more

The REAL Italian. Everything is home made and perfect! The focaccia beats my Italian aunt's from Brooklyn NY! The salad was delicious and the home made ravioli had me wanting more. Another reason to visit Cape Charles Virginia! Our waitress was very knowledgeable and provided exceptional service. Love this place! Can't wait to return! read more

I have to say after yet another perfect dinner that we still love Ambrosia. The risotto with asparagus was perfectly done. And the greatest revelation was negroni panna cotta. That is the best dessert I've had out in a year. Fettuccine with pork ragu was outstanding, with fresh pasta and deep flavor. Go! read more

Phenomenal board selection. Also the staff was very informative and helpful with wine pairing and service. Highly recommend the Salumi and Formaggi boards. Excellent Sunday brunch spot! read more

Ambrogia Caffe’ & Enoteca - For Maggie and Salumi Boards with Montepulciano Wine - Italian Near Me - Cape Charles, Virginia

Thought we would try based on the good reviews but left hungry and disappointed. The food wasn't bad but across the different dishes our group had it was mediocre. Portion sizes were definitely on the small size, oddly seasoned and not very hot. Ambiance was on the pretentious side, as were the prices. read more

Delightful! We were welcomed with open arms at this wonderful restaurant. We ate outside and they made us comfortable on that chilly day. We enjoyed our flavorful lunch but the star of the show was the terimasu. My hubby had room for dessert so he decided to go for one of his favorite dishes. He has sampled many over his lifetime. His first bite produced a "wow" The best ever in his opinion. The charming town of Cape Charles has a gem in this restaurant. read more

I went with the recommendation of several locals. This is as authentic Italian as you will find. The ravioli was to die for. The pasta was thin and light, yet firm and sturdy. The spinach and ricotta filling was plentiful, fresh and flavorful. The tiramisu was light and delicate but also very tasty. Everything including the salad, the desert and the wines offered by the glass were top notch. I'll be back... along with the locals. We read more