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    Black Spice

    3.9 (41 reviews)
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    Shrimp and grits
    Shilisa D.

    Stopped by on a Sunday afternoon for Brunch, and we were seated immediately. It wasn't crowded at all, only about six were seated. Parking can be an issue off or on Granby Street so plan accordingly. Jenny was our server and she seemed a little discombobulated and new to serving. It took her forever to take our order and her attentiveness was lacking. Now to the food, chef Tonya did her thing. The banana-pecan waffles were delicious. The waffles were light and fluffy. The shrimp and grits were scrumptious. The grits were cooked to perfection and not gritty.

    Black Spice Burger
    Jackie S.

    10/10 must visit. Don't judge a book by its cover haha. There isn't a ton of seating, but the food is absolutely crazy good! Best Burger I ever had! The portion size for the fries was small, but they were so good and filling I ended up not caring haha. The cocktails were amazingggg. Their special spices are killer. Service was super friendly, a touch slow, but seriously a must stop!

    Bread pudding
    Thiane G.

    I visited this restaurant during restaurant week and loved the food. I decided it would be great to visit with friends for a brunch. We were seated right away when we arrived. The brunch menu had a lot of great options. I went with the shrimp and grits with a side of breakfast potatoes. It was amazing! One of the best shrimp and grits plate I've had. The food is flavorful, fresh, and presented nicely. We finished the meal with some of their bread pudding. Looking forward to my next visit!

    Parmesan Crusted Chicken Braised Short Rib
    Leira S.

    Was recommended this place and it has been on our date night bucket list since then. Unfortunately it did not surpass our standards which I did not believe are far too high to reach. The atmosphere is really cute and artistic as there is a mural and a consistent vibe throughout the restaurant. Our service was definitely not the best as we have received being that the hostess was also the bartender, waitress, and working the entire floor by also going in to the kitchen. We ordered : Black Spice Wings - Deliciously seasoned and not overly salty to which I have experienced far more often than not. These are our favorite to what we had ordered. Parmesan Crusted Chicken - This dish was oddly wet upon arrival? It seems as though this dish was prepared and/or frozen ahead of time then baked. Considering the hardened ends of rice that the chicken was stuffed with. Braised Short Ribs - The meat in this was extremely tough to which only having received a fork in a napkin was not helpful in the slightest. The mashed potatoes it was accompanied by were also not seasoned in the slightest. I would like to note that it was incredibly noticeable how we were not put in regards of our waitress as she did not check in on our table once we had received any of our items. As the night went on and the restaurant emptied , the singular waitress seated another couple directly next to us, which would not have been an issue had we received the same type of care as the rest. We also did not receive any type of napkins or silverware until asked , especially once receiving finger foods which I find that very odd.

    Red snapper  Blackberry margarita
    Zie B.

    This plate was $35. Not worth the price at all. The greens tasted liked canned greens. The fish was okay. The service was okay. We were a party of 3 and we all received our plates at different times. The decor was nice, but the lighting was too bright. Overall, honestly I do not recommend.

    Dominique M.

    This place did not disappoint. For girls night last night me and my homegirl had a great time in this establishment. Cookie our waitress was excellent. We even meet the chef DJ and he was awesome. But the food was great too. We ordered the crab fondue and the lobster eggrolls. Cookies suggested to dip the eggroll in fondue and that was great. For an entree I got the lamb chops and the glaze on them was on point. This is a great lil date night spot .

    Crab mac and cheese
    Chastity C.

    Black Spice is truly a hidden gem in downtown Norfolk. While it's a smaller, more intimate spot, the atmosphere feels welcoming and cozy. The bartender--who also served our table--was fantastic, offering friendly, attentive service that made the experience even better. Their happy hour is a great deal, featuring 50 % off appetizers that are hard to pass up. I ordered the seafood mac and cheese and the wings, and both were absolutely delicious--rich, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. I'll definitely be returning to enjoy more of what this spot has to offer.

    Strawberry Thyme Margarita
    Kristen T.

    Black Spice has been on my list of restaurants to try, so we decided to check it out during Downtown Norfolk restaurant week! Food, drinks, and service were 10/10! We dined off the restaurant week menu and had a 3 course meal. We tried the shrimp toast, curry chicken eggrolls, the rib eye, seafood stuffed salmon, and the lemon blueberry bread pudding. EVERYTHING was amazing! We also had the strawberry thyme margarita and the burnt orange smash (both tequila based), and neither disappointed. The bartender, Tam, knows how to make a drink! Everything came out fresh and fast. The restaurant has a nice, relaxing vibe to it. I took a look at their regular menu and definitely plan to visit again!

    Lobster egg rolls
    Keani W.

    I loved everything that came to the table! It is a small restaurant and I believe the person working up front was both waitressing and bartending. With that being said service was a little slow but we weren't in a rush and my party was enjoying the jazz music playing and each other's company. Both the waitress and the chef were cool and made sure to check in anytime they walked by. The chef brought out something they had created and let us try. If they add it to the menu I would definitely order it. We came during happy hour and their lemon drops and appetizers were half off. We ordered lobster egg rolls, wings, crab Mac and the salmon fondue for the table. I ordered the Jerk Snapper for my entree and subbed the plantain mash for regular mashed potatoes. Everything came out hot and the flavors were on point! I took the rest my entree for lunch today and it just as good reheated. I'm definitely going back to try more menu items. The only thing I wish was the egg roll was a little crispier. I think the juiciness of the filling played a big part in that but I still enjoyed it and the sauce that came on the side. I really don't think you can miss by going to Black Spice.

    Entry
    Candice P.

    Black Spice truly shines in its culinary offerings. We started our meal with the Lobster Egg Rolls which were sweet little bites of heaven. They are packed with succulent lobster meat, perfectly seasoned, and wrapped in a crispy shell. They come with a sweet dipping sauce that perfectly compliments the flavors. For my entree I had the Salmon which was cooked perfectly and served on a bed of the best sweet potatoes I've had this year. Black Spice is a must visit for anyone visiting the Waterside district looking for a delicious experience.

    Braised short rib that was delicious. Incredibly tender and the mash potatoes and gravy were delicious.
    Todd V.

    They have been opened for about a year. The first time we tried going there they asked us to come back in 30 minutes because the staff did not show up. So we went somewhere else. Tonight, the bartender was also the entire wait staff, food server, bus person, bar back, and janitor. It took 15 minutes to place our drink and food order. 20 minutes later we got our espresso martini and Diet Coke. Another 20 minutes to get our food. We had to flag down the bartender to get our check, but it came out immediately. The restaurant was really warm and even the bartender was fanning herself along with a couple of customers. The food, however, was very good. My wife ordered the jerk snapper. They were out of snapper and offered salmon instead. It was really good, but the snapper would have been a better fish for the jerk sauce. Not a lot of salmon running in Jamaica. I had the braised short ribs with nothing but positive comments on that. It was flavorful and fall off the bone tender. I picked Black Spice because they had bread pudding on the menu. Unfortunately, they did not have it tonight. I was really disappointed. My recommendation is this. They are obviously having staffing issues. Go for the good food, and be prepared for the slow service.

    Garlic Parmesan Fries

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    Had brunch at this charming little restaurant a few weeks ago. Customer service was great. Food was even better! Will be back again.

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    Gershwin's - French onion soup

    Gershwin's

    3.7(343 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    •$$$

    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.

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    Gershwin's
    Gershwin's - Filet mignon and green beans

    Filet mignon and green beans

    Gershwin's - Pre concert drinks

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    Pre concert drinks

    Vang Go Bistro - Gift Certificate The Experiment

    Vang Go Bistro

    4.7(99 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    •$$
    Family-owned & operated
    Free parking

    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

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    Vang Go Bistro - Gift Cert $25

    Gift Cert $25

    Vang Go Bistro - Gift Certificates

    Gift Certificates

    Vang Go Bistro - Side of Pickled Bean Sprouts

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    Side of Pickled Bean Sprouts

    Toast - Bloody Marys done right!  Pick your poison.  All of our variations help you sing the high octaves!

    Toast

    4.4(425 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    •$$
    Full bar
    Happy hour specials

    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!

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    Toast - Night out done well.

    Night out done well.

    Toast - Coconut macaroon is low key best dessert snack out there.  Dunk it!

    Coconut macaroon is low key best dessert snack out there. Dunk it!

    Toast - 2 Negroni variations.

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    2 Negroni variations.

    The Harbor Club

    The Harbor Club

    3.3(24 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    •$$$

    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.

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    The Harbor Club
    The Harbor Club
    The Harbor Club - Cheers Aaron

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    Cheers Aaron

    Luce - This delightful dessert is served warm

    Luce

    4.5(604 reviews)
    0.0 mi
    •$$$

    Date night with hubby before seeing a play, so Luce was the perfect location. We didn't have…read morereservations but only a 30 min wait. The hostess / waitress was great. We ordered bruschetta, mussels and the tenderloin. Everything was delicious, especially the mussels, but the tenderloin was medium rare when we asked it to be medium, the sauce was STRONG - so we scraped it and used the left over sauce from the mussels. Not sure if I'd order the tenderloin again but highly recommended the rest.

    The food at Luce was absolutely phenomenal! We started with the toasted goat cheese and pesto,…read morebruschetta, and clams in brodo. Everything was delicious, but the goat cheese with pesto was easily our favorite! For our main courses, we ordered the pinsa margherita, hunter's sausage, and lobster and prosecco gnocchi. The hunter's sausage was the standout for us, but honestly, you can't go wrong with any of these dishes! The restaurant itself is on the smaller side, but that adds to its charm. The ambiance is cozy and intimate, with a warm, inviting atmosphere that makes it perfect for a date night or a nice evening out. We were lucky enough to grab seats at the bar without a wait, but next time we'll definitely be making reservations in advance to get a table. Overall, the food, ambiance, and entire dining experience were amazing. Luce is absolutely worth a visit, and we'll definitely be back!

    Photos
    Luce - Bar

    Bar

    Luce - Prosciutto pinsa

    Prosciutto pinsa

    Luce - Old fashion

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    Old fashion

    Stripers Waterside

    Stripers Waterside

    3.1(300 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    •$$

    Went here for a light lunch date. It was quiet and has nice views. We started with martinis. He…read morehad a salad that I will obsess over until I get it again. Butter lettuce, pork belly, goat cheese, apples and candied pecans with a maple, bacon and honey dressing ! Oh my goodness it was so good. My equally delicious shrimp taco wrap with bang bang sauce and an Asian slaw. Fresh and delicious! Service was very quick and pleasant! We'll be back!

    Joslyn took excellent care of me on my time here! She was very knowledgeable about the menu and…read moretook her suggestions on all! And she was so right! I started with a dozen raw oysters (because I could!). They were really big, fresh, and flavorful. I asked for extra horseradish and it was also very fresh. Perfect. I also got the fish tacos and she crab soup as my mains. Good Lord, the tacos were so big and delish. The sauce on the was really fresh and the veggies were crisp too. The fries were nicely seasoned and, for me, they really complimented the fish nicely. The soup was also very good. Tho the chunks of crab were smaller that other soups I've had, there was plenty of crab there! The flavor was super great too. No complaints here at all. And Joslyn was ALWAYS there and very attentive! And take her advice when ordering. She knows what she's talking about. She makes a great margarita too! Really a great place on the water. I'll be bs k for sure and don't be misled when you walk into the larger building and it's kinda quiet. Just head to the back side and you'll find the place. You'll be glad you did! Thanks Joslyn for a great visit. Hope to be back soon!

    Photos
    Stripers Waterside
    Stripers Waterside
    Stripers Waterside

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    Black Spice - seafood - Updated September 2026

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