Stumbled upon this place after strolling around downtown Norfolk. The area was surprisingly empty for a Friday night and everything tourist-type was closed at 5. Having given up on renting a lime bike to continue the adventure, I got hungry. The reviews were really good so decided to give it a try myself, and I was not disappointed! I sat at the bar as it was only me and the host/bartender/server was really kind and welcoming. A regular sat alone next to me as well, and was super helpful in recommending some dishes to try. Gave me the feeling that the place is one you go back to, and get to know the staff. I tried a little of everything but it was hard to stop myself because all tasted good. I ordered the tempura fried mushrooms, the shrimp pasta and the sticky pudding. I loved the food and would go back but I truly did not feel it was memorable or anything specifically special - the mushrooms were good, but I did not think the sauce added to the flavor profile; the shrimps were marinated beautifully and super juicy, and the pesto itself needed a bit of seasoning to my personal taste. However, what I would go for again is that sticky toffee pudding. I still think of it, and I wish I lived closer to eat it again. I even regretted leaving just enough space for the dessert because I would have ordered seconds for sure. The lady next to me asked how I was doing, and I was so focused I felt rude because I did not pay attention at all. read more

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Nice intimate setting when you walk in. You have to make reservations for dinner, but able to take walk-in if there are seating left. I order the pomemt cheese with everything and I couldn't stop! Then had the burger with fingerlings. The burger was tasty and juicy, plus it was half off night. The fingerling was cooked and seasoned so good just wished had more. The staff was spot on! Will definitely come back and try other dashes! read more

Codex - Burger with fingerlings. Yummy - New American Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Codex was great when they were located inside of Pendulum, but they're even better in the new location. We made reservations (through Resy) for 5:15 on a Tuesday evening. We had the place to ourselves for the majority of our time there, and our server was incredibly attentive and so helpful with suggestions. They offer a weekly happy hour from 5-7, including $2 off glasses of wine, a handful of $8 cocktails, $6 draft beers and well drinks, and discounts on some starters. We ordered quite a few items off the menu, but some of our favorites included the Brussels Sprouts (the Nuoc Cham makes them incredibly juicy and flavorful), the cauliflower, the duck, and the ribeye. Though the housemade pastas are always a safe bet as well! We ordered one of every dessert- almost getting everything but the Olive Oil Cake, but our server encouraged us to try that in lieu of one of the others because it was so good. We went with all 4, and much to our surprise the Olive Oil Cake did end up being the favorite of almost everyone at the table! (For the parents out there: I also want to add that we brought my 2 year old with us. He loves a wide variety of food and is accustomed to eating at all kinds of restaurants, but he's still a 2 year old who doesn't want to sit still for long periods of time. The staff was so sweet and did not mind him bopping around in our empty area and looking out the window. They also said they have high chairs available, and can make buttered noodles or a pared down cheeseburger for kids on request! So thankful for restaurants like this that let us continue to enjoy such high quality dining with a toddler in tow.) read more

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Codex was so good that I came here twice for my birthday month! I took my husband and my best friend here because it was just that tasty. Service was impeccable--it was busy both nights I was there but our servers were courteous, checked on us a lot, and gave great recommendations. I tried the mussels with focaccia bread (my husband's entree), and it was a favorite. I also tried the airline chicken breast and it was the perfect portion, very juicy. For my appetizer, I had the peach and Burrata, and everything was super fresh. Rounded out my dinner with the deconstructed key lime cheesecake. Also loved the ambiance, it felt special and modern without being stuffy. I also enjoyed the "Deep Black" gorgeous pottery dishes. Made the dishes taste and look even better! read more

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Very cool dining experience. The ambiance in the restaurant feels quite modern with the happenings of the kitchen being seen through a shaded glass wall near the bar. The service we experienced was good although at times it was hard to hear the staff. The food was incredibly tasteful as each dish had flavor pairings which were interesting yet complimentary. Would definitely go back for the sticky toffee pudding, but may pass on the chicken liver mousse next time. read more

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The flavors and top-notch service of Codex are alive and well at their new location on Granby street. Let me just say this. We are all living in stressful times right now. Businesses are struggling and a lot of people are too. Knowing this I've been giving more relaxed reviews over the past year when things aren't exactly up to par. My time at Codex reminded me of what a true 5-star restaurant experience is. My friends and I had a reservation for 5:45 but the majority of our party was delayed because they were stuck in tunnel traffic. Of course, panic ensued. Worried we would miss our reservation and lose our table I showed up early and asked for some help figuring out the situation. The hostess Stephanie saved the day by being gracious and understanding. I don't know what she did but they managed to shuffle other reservations so we could keep our table for as long as we needed. This kind and warm service quickly set the tone for the rest of the evening. By the end of the meal, my friends and I had thoroughly worked our way up and down the menu. All together we tried the pimento, grilled sourdough & nduja, sweet potato, and brussels sprouts. We ended up ordering two orders of the pimento because it was practically gone by the time it hit the table. The everything crackers are a wonderful addition and we were grateful to receive more when we ran out. For my entrée, I had the crab & butternut squash agnolotti. Not one dish disappointed. My jovial table was quiet for the first time when our entrees arrived as everyone was so delighted with their meal. Don't waste another minute considering Codex as an option for your meal. Go and enjoy! read more

Codex - Toffee pudding dessert - New American Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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The burger was amazing! The staff was accommodating and the restaurant had a great vibe.

Came with my fiancé to celebrate our engagement, and we had a very nice time! Our drinks took a little while to come out, but they were very yummy, if not particularly unique. We ordered the funnel cake, oyster mushrooms, and short ribs. The funnel cake was not bad, but more weird than it was yummy. The mushrooms were very good--a little spicy, but delicious. We could have used more of the sauce! The real star was the short ribs, which were delicious. We took about half home, and it might have been even better when we reheated it! So tender and flavorful, we wished we had even more left. I'll always remember Codex as part of a very special day, and we'd love to come back and try more of the menu! read more

This was our first stop after officially moving to the area back in January! Cannot wait to come back for more! Everything was delicious and the service was great! The mezcal old fashioned was my favorite cocktail by far! If you haven't been you need to! Can't wait to try a KoBros x Codex brunch sometime too! read more

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Professional. Beautiful ambiance. Delightful food. This restaurant although small is mighty! Went in for a late night dinner (930pm) on Saturday and the restaurant was low lit and the music was sooo good! We were greeted with a warm smile and phenomenal recommendations. My friend and I shared the Nduja and it was so different but soooo good. For our entrees she had the beef short rib and I had the pork chop. There was nothing on our plates we did not enjoy! The meals were comforting and also a good portion. Didn't get to snap any pics because we were famished. Would certainly return here in a heartbeat! read more

Codex is the bomb. It is a French cuisine restaurant with a cool urban motif. French food isn't my vibe but they did it well. The menu is somewhat limited but don't think that means a boring meal. The deep fried oyster mushrooms rocked me and the pimento cheese was solid. For main entrees it has representation from the meat, seafood, pasta, and Vegan groups. The service is top notch. The waitstaff was eager to help me make the right choice and they were on top of the cocktails! Speaking of which the cocktail list was excellent. They were very imaginative and tasty. The ambiance is subtle and warm, perfect for a date night out. Be warned it's a small restaurant and it fills up fast so make reservations. Griffon the bartender was amazing read more

The food was amazing! It's a very small restaurant so definitely make a reservation. The high open ceiling makes it very hard to hear, but it's got a very cool look in the restaurant. Wr started with the roasted cauliflower and the bread, both were to die for! Our entrees were the short ribs and fett, both were great but the short ribs were definitely the star. Finished off with the crème brûlée and that was very good as well. read more

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This restaurant is next f"%$ing level GOOD!!!! So we ordered the olive bread and Brussels as an appetizer. The Brussels tasted like they were made with Jesus Tears!! Juciey and packed with flavor! As our main course we had the Ribeye(cooked medium), Short Rib, and Ricotta Gnudi Pasta dish! I'm not f'in around, EVERYTHING was cooked to perfection. Stephanie was our server and her wine knowledge was second to none. This place is REAL! Dinner for 2 with wine and tip $230 read more

Absolutely love this place. Nice little added touch- at the top of each menu they have "Happy Birthday" or "Happy Anniversary" whatever your reservation is made for. Appetizer was tempura oyster mushrooms. They were seasoned perfectly and the ranch sauce was amazing. For dinner I had mussels (even though on the app menu) and my friend had the lamb ragu. The mussels were not the best I've ever had, but they were good with a nice hearty portion. The Lamb Ragu was fantastic. Such a rich dish. We also had the sticky toffee pudding for dessert which was so good I forgot to take a picture. Can't wait to come back!! read more

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I don't visit Norfolk often due to many reasons. Happened to find this gem, was blown away by the ambience. Seating, and quality of service. 10/10! Very sleek and modern atmosphere. We ordered flank steak and pork shoulder both were very different but both were prepared beautifully. The flank steak is fresh with flavors refreshing while the pork shoulder is comforting. If you are in the area stop by. Make a reservation as it fills up quickly and seating is slightly limited. read more

A friend recommended this restaurant and it really hit the spot. As a table we shared some delicious apps - carrots, cauliflower, mussels and peach Burrata. All of them were delicious. For main courses we selected their ribeye, chicken and crab cakes. I really enjoyed the succotash like side that came with the crab cakes. I highly recommend visiting for some unique drinks and apps! read more

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Bottom line up front: A modern American restaurant with a more upscale menu of unique pairings and flavors but a casual ambiance. Be prepared to wait a little while for your food even with a reservation. From the time we ordered, it took about an hour to receive our food. Three friends and I had a reservation on a Thurs evening to try out their extensive restaurant week menu. We were greeted with kindness and our server was gracious enough to let us order our first round of drinks 2 mins before Happy Hour ended. We each ordered 3 courses and tried each other's plates. Some food items shined brighter than others: Stars: -Fettuccine: You are probably thinking, "I've had fettuccine lots of times before, this can't taste any different right?" Wrong. This has a very fresh, made-in-house taste so I didn't feel too stuffed eating this! -Charcoal Chicken: Charred to perfection, and was not dry at all. Loved the chimichurri-like sauce it paired with -Chocolate sponge cake: TO DIE for. I'm not a chocolate person, but this dessert didn't feel too heavy and wasn't too sweet. -Brussels: Crispy and loved the peanut pairing that topped it off -Pork presse: So flavorful and fell right off the bone So-So: -Duck breast: Great flavor but a little too tender -Peach crumble: Ice cream melted too fast because the peaches were too hot -Sticky toffee pudding: TOO RICH and TOO sweet. read more

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Great atmosphere, service and food. Sorry for lack of details. The menu is creative and it is in a great walkable area downtown

We got the mussels, oysters, oysters mushroom for appetizer. My husband got the burger and I got the fettuccine for our entrees. The appetizers overall were very good. I REALLY like their oysters. The sauce they put on top makes the oyster taste even better. I thought their take on oyster mushroom was very creative & definitely made for a really tasty snack. Can't say the same for our entrees. The burger was average, nothing to rave about, nothing special. The fettuccine was good but it was way too salty for my liking. If it has been a little less salty, it would have been great. We came right when they open so no wait, but by the time we left it was pretty full. The restaurant has a really cute ambiance. Overall, we had a good experience and would return to give it another try. read more

Great tasty food, nice atmosphere and pleasant staff. Definitely recommend the Olive Oil Cake as well. read more

Codex - Delicious!! Pasta dish with shrimp, asparagus, radish, mint, buratta and some type of ramps pesto sauce - New American Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Very pleasant ambiance and fantastic service. My husband and I went for dinner prior to a show at Chrysler Hall and it was delicious and an easy walk. We had the Brussels, the charcoal chicken, the hanger steak, and the olive oil cake along with drinks. We thoroughly enjoyed all the food! I would highly recommend going to Codex. I suggest making a reservation if your interested in going. read more

Codex - Hanger Steak - New American Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Our dinner was so delicious. We really enjoyed the atmosphere in the neighborhood feel restaurant.

This place had great reviews and was close to my hotel so I had to check it out. Granby street is such a fun area. The food and service were fantastic and I highly recommend this restaurant. I got the Fett and the pimento cheese. The crackers were amazing and the Fett... the Fett! So. Good! read more

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The food is good, the service is good! I had the flounder, which was light yet filling. The sweet potato was garnished with fresh herbs. The brussel sprouts were delicious. The massaged kale salad was ok - I wish the kale was able to breakdown in the dressing a little more. I also enjoyed the toffee pudding cake, which is a light sugary dream!!! It was so good I should've ordered some coffee to accompany it! read more

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My husband found this place from inspecting their kitchen hood. He said they had the cleanest hood and kitchen he has seen in the Hampton Roads and wanted to try it out. I made reservations on the Resy app. Upon first impression the place is very modern, clean, cute, small and intimate. We were sat down instantly upon arrival. Our waitress was Stephanie. She was so sweet and personable. She recommended a really delicious drink called the Jubilee. First we ordered oysters. When it first came out I liked the presentation but a little sad there were only 3 for $9. However it was probably the best oysters ever. Whatever sauce was on it was sooo delicious. Then for dinner my husband and I ordered Rock Fish. We scrapped the plate, it was THAT good. To end off dinner we ordered desserts. Olive Oil cake with lemon flavored icing which doesn't sound good but was to die for!!!!! My husband enjoyed his Pots Du Creme, rich in chocolate. Overall amazing service. Nice intimate atmosphere. Drinks on point. Food came out quick and soooo mouth watering. Definitely a 5 star experience! read more

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Amazing restaurant. Staff were courteous and professional. Attentive and helpful. The food and menu were amazing. The flavors, combinations, and appearance were best of class. The restaurant is just the right size. Big enough to get a table but not so big you can't hear table conversation. Modern platings and a decent wine list. We will be back often. Thank you!!!! read more

I only leave reviews for exceptionally good or exceptionally bad service. Codex is exceptionally bad tasting food. Nice atmosphere, for the area, somewhat rude, childish staff singing along to music and standing around seemingly instead of being attentive to customer needs. It was restaurant week..:a friend and I were told we'd get 3 courses for 45, each course was really hard to stomach. I literally had one bite of each course bc nothing was good enough to finish. I'm visiting from New York and so I guess I have higher standards when it comes to food, but there are much better options in the area over in Ghent. I couldn't eat the al dente lamb ragu which we were told was the best dish on the menu, it was just not good. The lamb and the pasta just turns into one big mushy, mucusy mess. The mussels seemed like they were straight out of the freezer and into the microwave. 140 dollars later, I decided I'd warn others who simply just want some good food. read more

The ambiance, service, and food were amazing! The star of the night was the date cake which is one of the best desserts I've ever had. read more

Codex - Date cake - New American Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Had to stop by Codex and try their famous Codex burgers which did not disappoint. The burger is extremely juicy with a good helping of cheese and pickles, serving with a side of fingerling potatoes. Furthermore, it is very well priced for what you get. I will probably come back to Codex to try some other menu items, but it looks like it'll be tough to beat the value of this burger. I still have a few other places on my list to try a burger, but so far, this is my go-to burger. The service itself was attentive and the inside was clean and modern, a pretty good setting for a date night or group of friends. read more

Codex - Codex burger - New American Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

The service was fantastic, great recommendations from our waitress. The customer service was also phenomenal they were able to accommodate our large party. The food was delicious and well made. read more

Codex - Yuku oysters - New American Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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The location seems to be a meat market during the day. Loved the Brussel Sprouts!! You definitely should make a reservation. People are normally lined up and waiting. I had the pork shoulder. The food is definitely worth returning for. Desserts are a must! Unfortunately, they didn't have the dessert I wanted but the one we shared was still good. read more

(4) ~ very good overall food & service. Note: Reservations recommended & Parking Garage nearby. DRINKS: ** Water (tap) = (4) very good, must be filtered;) ** Sour Beer (local) = (4) very good FOOD: ** Pimento (Homemade) = (4.25) Very good ** Sticky Toffee Pudding = (4.25) Very good. Really like the Saltiness;) ** Grilled Sour Dough & Nduja = (4) very good ** Sweet Potatoes = (4) very tasty ** Burger = (4) very good read more

The food was good and the employees were all super nice. Only negative was the 20% automatic tip. Dislike this method of business, just charge more for food. read more

Codex - Short rib - New American Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

My favorite everything: best food, amazing service, immaculate ambience! It's hard to go to other restaurants now that I know this one exists read more

This was an amazing dining experience in every way possible. All of the food was top notch, creative, delicious, and executed to perfection. I'll start with the highlight. The Duck breast was probably the best duck dish I've ever had. The fat was slowly-rendered, making the skin unbelievably crispy and delicious, while the meat was still cooked a perfect medium temp. The accompanying vegetable medley was also really nice. My wife ordered the pork schnitzel, which was also cooked wonderfully with a crispy and tasty exterior without any dryness at all in the inside. The lemon caper sauce was also delicious, and the spinach salad on top was a nice touch. For dessert, we lucked out that they had a last minute replacement, because the chocolate-orange sponge cake was amazing. I rarely get excited about desserts, but this one was so special, we ordered an additional one to take home for tomorrow. Codex did everything flawlessly tonight. Their wine selection is excellent, with many quality choices in my public schoolteacher's budget. The service was also perfect: friendly, welcoming, well-informed and attentive. Our server Isaiah was really great, and the whole staff worked very well as a team. The atmosphere was comfortable, casual, and classy with any hint of pretentiousness. This was our first visit to Codex, but it certainly won't be our last. This is one of the very finest restaurants in the 757!!!! read more

Codex - Duck breast - New American Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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Ate here for the first time. The food was excellent, I learned something new about the cuisine on the menu. The service was great! The waitress was so polite and suggested dishes that were superb. The ambiance was perfect for dinner. read more

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We just moved to the area and are trying out restaurants. We had a wonderful time. The food was excellent, the drinks well made, and it had a great atmosphere. Will happily return! read more

The flavor and presentation of the food at Codex was impeccable. The staff was very attentive to your needs. The ambiance was perfect for either a celebration or a quick brunch with your friends. Lighting was great for pictures to post and print along with a visually pleasing and memorable meal. read more

Chef Ian Hock formerly of Shiptown and Esoteric opened Codex in mid January and is the Executive Chef. The restaurant shares space with Pendulum Fine Meats in the Ghent area of Norfolk. The hype has been strong after a soft opening in mid January. The business has its own parking, but it rarely seems to be enough. Off street parking is permitted on Shirley Ave. The lot on the few occasions I've visited has been clear of debris. The space is quiet and cozy with a long table in the center of the room that can seat 8-10. Diners most likely will share in a family style manner. A few other two seater tables are available. The building is old, maybe 1920's and provides a nice setting on the first floor. Wood floors and tall windows with crimson colored walls. The joint definitely has a warm atmosphere and is better suited to adults in my opinion. A huge refrigerated case contains beer and wine. The craft beer selection is excellent. My waitresses Stephanie and Kaitlin were helpful with recommendations and friendly the entire night. Even though I arrived 30 minutes prior to close I never felt rushed. Check-in and clearing was done after each course. Water refills were slow at times. My order...Main course / Pork Shoulder / salsa rojo, cilantro lime slaw, peanut. Paired w/ a Black Ridge Cabernet. The pork was so tender a knife was not required. The price point of $19 bargain. Scrumptious and 5 stars. First course / Chicken Liver Tart / pistachio crust, reisling glee. This was incredible and light. This could have been dessert. I loved it! 5 stars. Second course / Farroto / anson mills farro, mushrooms, ramps, carrots, peas, parmesan. The bowl had such depth a pop to each layer. A creative and well thought out dish that was a highlight. 5 stars. Dessert / Flourless coconut cake / chocolate ganache, sea salt & whipped cream. The presentation seemed off, but no denying the amazing taste. The strong coconut flavors with chocolate made this a memorable treat. 4/5 stars. As I finished off my glass of wine the owner of Pendulum Dylan sat beside me with his daughter. It was great to see his smiling face and reminded me I'm overdue to visit his quality meat shop. My bill was brought to me and processed without delay. I popped in the men's room located on the street side of the room. I found it clean with proper supplies. Hours Wed-Sat 630-10. It was a pleasure seeing you again Chef Hock and your hospitality was greatly appreciated. read more

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Once again, my wife and I took advantage of Downtown Norfolk's Summer Restaurant Week to visit a bistro we've never been to. First, Codex is a cozy intimate atmosphere, perfect for a couple's date. Service was impeccable. Every one of the wait staff ensured our water glasses stayed full and finished plates were removed. My wife started off with the small slice of prosciutto & onion tart. Small, but packed a lot of flavor. I ordered the tempura fried oyster mushrooms. This is an appetizer large enough to be shared as a couple. Wonderful idea and very delicious. For entrees, she had the Shrimp Radiatori, tender perfectly-cooked shrimp on a bed of radiatori pasta (pasta's shape) with ricotta and prosciutto. Excellent. I had the pork shoulder. Two nice slabs of fall apart folk-tender pork with Carolina rice and a mustard cream sauce. Another winner. For dessert, she had the Olive Oil Cake with a lemon drizzle. Simple cake that was moist and delicious. I ordered the Key Lime Pie Cheesecake. A great disappointment. Imagine a small dollop of something that resembles Jello cheesecake pudding with gram cracker crumbs on top, topped with a hard piece of meringue. Deconstructed cheesecake was not what I was expecting - reason for the 4-stars. In closing, everything was wonderful except that cheesecake. Skip it. read more