I had the pleasure of visiting Grain two times within the past week, and both times were great. First of all, this is a spectacular venue. It is on the 5th Floor of the Hilton Norfolk Main, and it is a massive venue with lots of indoor and outdoor space, with a beautiful fire pit in the outdoor area for chilly nights. I first went for lunch on 04/27/2026, and it was open seating. Our service was pleasant, quick and very courteous. I had the buffalo chicken spring rolls, which were so yummy and I also had some of the Philly steak grain fries. I also attended a private company event/dinner on that same evening. For that, the food was catered and was equally delicious -- but had some things you will not find on the regular menu. Again, an overall great visit x2, and I would definitely return again. A great place to go with friends. read more

Atmospherically speaking, Grain is top notch. Both the indoor and outdoor seating areas are chic, comfortable, and offer excellent views. The bar is located right in the center of it all and there are so many beers on tap plus fun cocktails! I visit the area on business and whenever I do, I always make a stop at Grain due to its convenient location in our usual Hilton, plus we really do have such fun here! The service is friendly and relaxed. I never feel rushed despite how busy they get. In terms of food, I have to admit it's pretty average. I recommend it for drinks and appetizers or a late bite. Every dinner I've had has been a bit lackluster. Not bad, but not great or memorable either. I tried the blackened chicken tacos this week which were a bit dry and I found the cucumber salad a strange side dish for tacos. Also had a smash burger which was overcooked. That said, the bar bites and apps were good! Mozzarella sticks, wings, fries, and dips are satisfying. All in all, I call it a 3.5/5. It's a fun spot that I continue to enjoy with my colleagues! read more

Grain - Blackened Chicken Tacos - Beer Gardens Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Avoid this bar at all costs. The service is terrible although they don't mean to be but it is what it is. The hostess is most unfriendly in making you think you are lucky to get a seat. She dead *ss stares at you like she is judging whether the next group of people are going to be better than you. Our server was friendly but had a great disappearing act that was legendary... Drop off waters, take drink order, and dessert order. Thanks to the runner who came to the table and like a deer in the headlights asked who gets the drinks that he doesn't know what's in the glass. The strawberry cheesecake which is made in house looked like salmon pate and tasted like Pepto Bismol. Yes, we had them take the cheesecake off the check because it was not edible. The best and only reason to visit this place is to check out the view and scenery from the rooftop area outside. read more

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Overall experience was nice! Great vibe! Live band for brunch Sunday. Had a great view and was fairly good. Some foods was not as hot as I wanted. The egg station always seemed to have a line. Great service! Love the all you can eat shrimp and oysters. Maybe one day, they'll do crab legs. Will most likely come back for another brunch Sunday. read more

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In addition Chris provides great service. And they still have the amazing smash burger that is still only $5. (Best deal I know of) read more

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Grain has to be my favorite spot in the 757 for a chill night out or for brunch! I somehow always get lucky and don't have to wait too long to be seated. I went to brunch the other week & got one of their mimosa flights! Had a kick to it, but it was tasty. I also love the jolly rancher drink they have! I couldn't wait to take the picture, so it's missing one haha. I'd also like to add, BEST SMASH BURGER EVER! I sometimes just got for that! read more

Grain - Mimosa Flight - Beer Gardens Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

The Grain is such a fun spot in Norfolk! This beer garden is located on the 5th floor, inside the Hilton. It has both indoor and outdoor seating, which makes it perfect for any weather. It was a breezy 72 degree night when we stopped by for a drink and sitting outside was so nice, especially by the fire, which made it even better. I went on a night when they had a DJ, and the vibe was great. Lively, but still chill enough to hang out and talk with friends. Some people were celebrating birthdays, others were just there for a drink and to relax! It's a place you can do it all. They have a huge selection of craft beers, including plenty of local options. I tried one from New Realm and it was excellent. There's also a free photo booth, which was a cute way to grab some fun pictures with friends! Love a way to keep the mems. Although we didn't eat, I definitely want to come back for brunch soon. We scoped out the menu and heard from the bartender that brunch is awesome! I'll definitely be back soon. read more

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I was in Norfolk for the weekend staying at the Hilton until Monday. It was a Saturday rainy night, so my friend and I decided to stay in and visit "The Grain" which was located inside of the hotel on level 4M, I believe. Arrived at the front entrance and was greeted by security, which checked/scanned our ID's. Entered inside and man was it "LIT" the ambiance was nice, they a little bit of a treehouse/forest type of theme going on there. The place was jammed packed, and there were no chairs at the bar for sitting at all. There was a DJ playing and he was pretty good in my opinion. He had everyone on the dance floor; he also had a variety of music he played. The drinks were good; I had a few margaritas and also an order of wings, the wings were a bit too hot for me----and also didn't sit well with my stomach by the end of the night. My server was AMAZING!!!!! His name was Nathanial---- and boy did he have some pep in his step. He had a great professional, positive attitude. He was quick and very attentive; we were very pleased with his service. Returned again Sunday night and the vibe was a bit different but still cool. They had a guitarist performing, which isn't really my thing, but it was cool for a Sunday night. The place was pretty empty, and the bar was full of chairs today! I made my way to the bar for a drink, went outside for a few pictures on the amazing terrace and called it a night. If you're in Norfolk on a Saturday night, I would definitely recommend giving The Grain a try. read more

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Was a very quintessential rooftop bar Beautiful view of the water in downtown. First time here as I'm not from the area. I'd go again if I have another chance to come back. Not sure about the food because I just ordered an old fashioned -- but the old fashioned hit the spot. Ample amount of places to sit. read more

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So we tried Grain again after our last horrid visit. It was way better, Brian our server did a good job our food came out great and we had a decent visit. The strange thing is I wanted a cup of coffee with my lunch and they don't serve coffee except at Brunch. Many strange things here. read more

Everything about lunch here was mediocre. They advertise 50c wings Monday to Thursday from 12-3 but no where on flyer does it say it's JUST for the BBQ and asian flavors... that seems misleading when there are several wing flavors on the menu. No buffalo sauce? Okay, I decided to change my meal plan because I wasn't paying 2 bucks per wingette The best part of the meal was the bang bang shrimp, I did enjoy the breading as well as the sauce. The shrimps were large and cooked well. The citrus chicken tasted like it was made the night before and reheated in the microwave. It had a reheated or overcooked taste and texture I could not get past. The skin was slimy, slightly cold and the meat was very dry/crumbly. The sweet potato mash it came with was good and the fried brussels sprouts were okay, some were black and burnt to a crisp uneible and some pieces had green left. The restaurant opened late with a line of people waiting outside the doors and service was just ok. It was decorated quite cute for Christmas and the bathroom was clean. It was my birthday lunch and for $90 I am wishing we would have went else where. read more

We stopped by Grain around 5 PM on a Saturday and were pleasantly surprised--no wait, and the vibe was relaxed but lively. Big bonus: parking is now free for the first two hours in the garage (thank you, City of Norfolk!) and you no longer have to bother with validation. Our waitress was warm, attentive, and genuinely kind--great service from start to finish. I ordered the shrimp tacos, which came with two crispy, well-seasoned shrimp topped with slaw and pico de gallo. Tasty and satisfying, but the real star was the summer cucumber salad on the side--light, refreshing, and something I'd definitely come back for. My husband had the pulled pork sandwich, but unfortunately it missed the mark--no BBQ sauce and not much flavor, even with salt and pepper. Not his favorite. Also worth mentioning: the photo booth was up and running, which added a fun little touch to the night. All in all, a great spot with solid food, friendly service, and a chill rooftop atmosphere read more

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Came for brunch during our staycation at the hotel. Surprisingly it wasn't packed for Valentine's Day. We were seated quickly and provided the drink menu before checking out the buffet. It has been several years since I've gone to brunch here and I was surprised how good it still is. They still have a omelette station, and now they have a waffle station. There were breakfast items on one side and more lunch items on the other side. The frittata was very good and cooked well. There was plenty of bacon, a little on the extra crispy side but good. The crispy potatoes were one of my favs and the parmesan grits were really good too. The salmon was cooked well and my husband & I were both surprised by how well the green beans were cooked. My husband who loves raw oysters kept raving about how good they were. He said they were shucked to perfection. Definitely a nice brunch spot with option for everyone. Make sure you stop by the Photo Booth to commemorate your visit! read more

Grain - Beer Gardens Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

I've been to Grain many times since I've moved to the area. There is usually a dj there on the weekend and many nice areas to sit and enjoy a beverage. The fire pits outside on the deck were enjoyable on my recent visit! It's a beer garden, so definitely understand that if you order a cocktail the price will be higher than most restaurants in the area.There are tons of options for beer and ciders available. The food that I've tried at the Grain has been pretty good. Overall, it's an enjoyable place for dinner or a night out! read more

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The service was excellent food was amazing the music live was enjoyable I will be back read more

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Went here for dinner around 8 pm on a Thursday. It wasn't too crowded inside but all of the seating was taken in the outside area. We did wait about 10 mins since we wanted to sit outside. The table we were placed at didn't have any lighting above it at all, so we did have to ask the waitress if it was possible that she could fix the issue for us and she brought out two spotlights that she placed on the ground near the tree decor beside the table and it added a decent little bit of light, but really not much. Still appreciated her trying though. I ordered the Ale battered fish and chips (8/10) the fished had a good crunch on the skin and soft inside but both the fish and steak fries needed extra seasoning. Definitely needed the sauce that came with it. I also got the Sweet potato hash (5/10) it was dry, had some hard pieces, and also lacked flavor. Not what I was expecting at all. My sister got the Ahi tuna poke bowl (8/10) and it was decent, what you'd expect for a poke bowl. For drinks, we both got cranberry vodkas (10/10) no complaint there. I think if I do return, if there's no outside seating at the tables with lights or seating at the fire pit, then I'll just sit inside because eating in the dark, really wasn't cool and I'd definitely order something different to eat. My overall rating of experience : 6/10 read more

Grain - Ale battered fish and chips w/ Sweet potato hash, Ahi tuna poke bowl, and Cranberry vodka drinks - Beer Gardens Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Terrible service at the bar - beers weren't filled 3/4 way an terrible service. Food delivered - salad - without utensils or plates. My friends et her food back because if's was left under the heat lamp and coagulated. Restaurant was empty and it took 35 minutes to make apps. read more

Grain is a reliable rooftop bar experience. If you arrive early you can have an enjoyable dinner, later there is a dance floor. I have been on night when the city has fireworks which is enjoyable from the balcony. read more

Upon arriving on the perfect cloudy day, I noticed the amazing view right away! The menu didn't have a huge variety, so I ordered a house salad and fries. My friend ordered "bang bang" shrimp. I want to start by saying the salad had so many dead yellow leaves, that's all I could taste and the fries had "funnel cake" fries pieces in it which is kind of like an extra treat, lol. Now, "bang bang" shrimp is a go-to if you can't choose anything else and it was just "o-k". I assumed this restaurant wasn't known for their food, and maybe just the nice view. The final straw was the water... it had little pieces of what looked like dead skin in the water. The green bottle was glass and transparent so I could see the gunk inside the neck. I asked for another water, very respectfully and the guy came back with the SAME water just filled up. I knew because it had the same piece of gunk on the neck of the bottle. Our server was kind and attentive. I left disgusted and let down. My friend was so excited to check this place out but she was let down, sadly. read more

Overall a nice spot for drinks and socializing. Standard bar foods that were nothing a fry daddy could not whip out. Service was attentive. Not bad but nothing special if you have been to spots like this before. Some healthier options would not kill them. Carrots or celery is needed with wings IMO. read more

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Gumbo is the best thing in the world, gone back many times for it!! I don't know what was up with the hostess working tonight. Must've been having a bad night, but she was extremely rude and condescending. Great service and food besides her. read more

Very cool atmosphere with indoor/outdoor rooftop dining next to the Hilton, downtown Norfolk. You actually get to the restaurant thru the Hilton lobby elevators. We found a great seat, indoors, right next to the outdoor area, to the left of the entrance. Felt like we were outside with the comfort of not being in the line of the setting sun and 90 degree weather. Several diners were out on the patio enjoying the evening sun. The service was friendly and knowledgeable of the menu, but could have been a bit more attentive to refill our drinks. The food was amazing and all three of our entrees were perfectly cooked and presented. They have live entertainment ( certain nights) and happy hour weekdays 3-5pm. read more

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Grain has a nice rooftop inside the Hilton hotel and you can appreciate some really cool art and sculptures, once you take the escalator you'll find yourself with a pretty cool view of Norfolk's downtown and riverwalk. Grain has different flights; I got their Cider flight, and my favorites were pineapple cider and Austin cider. Very relaxing atmosphere and great place to hang out and see the sunset. read more

Grain - Beer Gardens Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Very good grain salad and fairly good fried picked and fried zucchini. Nice selection of beers, including some local. Very friendly and helpful server. Great views and a big old fireplace were comfortable on a very cold afternoon. read more

Grain - View from the patio and floor to ceiling windows on three sides. - Beer Gardens Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Loved this restaurant and will definitely go back! I had the shrimp tacos and the La Vida Mockarita, a super refreshing mocktail.... and, my hubby (aka my road dog) ordered the naked wings with French fries. Both excellent choices (though next time, I'll try the buffalo flavored wings). The food was fresh, piping hot and the portions were nicely sized! The live (one man) band was playing and the room was well lit and festive. The rooftop firepit was an excellent touch! Again, we'll be back!! read more

Grain - Beer Gardens Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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This is a pretty location to come to see the view and enjoy the outdoor rooftop area. I'd suggest it for a date night

Went for a quick appetizer as it was recommended by a local-mainly for the view. I went on a rainy day so didn't get to sit on patio but inside space is modern and almost doubles in size with outside space. I like the attempt to bring the outside in with the big trees (although fake). Isaiah was friendly and attentive. I got the pretzel and it was one of the best pretzels I have had. It wasn't as heavy as other pretzels and very large. The two dips with it weren't the best. Mustard was very grainy and wouldn't stick to pretzel and the cheese wasn't anything special. Would come back again to try more and try to sit outside. read more

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Just had the brunch at Grain in the Norfolk. What an outstanding experience. My waitress, Finch was second to none. The shrimp and oysters were on point and my omelette was to die for. Thanks for making our day special. read more

Grain - Beer Gardens Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Went on a Saturday night not expecting much but boy was I surprised! Great food (I got the bacon cheeseburger,) strong drinks (had my first Cosmo,) and was dancing to a really good DJ. Highly recommend! read more

It was a very nice restaurant, top floor of a hotel lobby. Definitely a nice hangout spot to eat/drink with friends. Not really my scene but I enjoyed the atmosphere and food choices were pretty good. read more

Grain - Beer Gardens Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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We love Grain. Great place to enjoy brunch, lunch, or just a few cocktails. The vibe is amazing - love the indoor / outdoor feel and the views are hard to beat for the area. read more

Expected big things from grain, and expectations did not meet the taste buds. The pretzel was bomb, the best pretzel I've ever eaten. The queso that accompanied the pretzel was very average. The shrimp tacos were disappointing, for me the sauce on the tacos was just way too sweet, and based on the description, I didn't expect that. The ribs are alright, they're cooked well, but the sauce is also fairly sweet. The location is great and atmosphere excellent. read more

Grain - Beer Gardens Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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Grain might be one of our new favorite spots in Norfolk! We sat inside due to the heat but the vibes were great, and the outdoor space looks like it will be really nice when it cools down a bit. We loved their beer selection and their curated flights. Our food was delicious too! The only complaint was my husband ordered a burger and didn't love the patty (said it seemed like it was frozen rather than formed in house). There are better burgers in Norfolk if that's what you're looking for. But the sides, apps, and my meal more than made up for it so we will definitely be back! read more

The ambiance was very nice and it was the perfect day for a rooftop brunch. The brunch was well stocked but not many options for the non meat eater. Even the salad and frittata had bacon in it. Very disappointed in the options available. I wish they would post the items online so you can check it out before you get there and spend a ton of money on mediocre food. Service was good and the food was well stocked. Would not recommend for brunch but it is a great place to get drinks and see the city. read more

Extremely disappointed with this spot. The only reason I'm rating 2 stars is bc it's convenient. My food was tasteless and cold. I never plan to return read more

I'm a sucker for happy hours with a big group, and I'm especially a sucker for happy hours with a big, giant soft pretzel and a beer. And on all those counts, Grain delivers! A cold bottle of Stella Artois and some chit chat with my neighbors, and then the huge soft pretzel came out, hanging on a metal hook atop a ceramic plate accompanied by a big ramekin of brown mustard. Woo hoo! I carefully pulled piece after piece of pretzel off the carcass, careful to keep it hanging from the hook. I slathered each piece in mustard, washed down with a cold Stella. Which would run out first, the pretzel or the beer? If you want a fun experience, Grain is the place for group outings and giant pretzels! read more

Grain - Giant soft pretzel - Beer Gardens Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

We came here for a weekend brunch twice - beautiful rooftop restaurant, but the food is just meh, definitely not worth the price. We did like the cheap bloody Maries and mimosas though. Service was fast and friendly. read more

The appetizers were very good had the bang bang shrimps and chicken tenders there honey mustard is a must try. The main courses were another story the brussels sprouts were too saturated in a vinegar that , and the cheese steak was cold with cheese that wasn't creamy. The smash burger was good , and the i will give our waiter jared a 10/10 he is so kind and helpful when we had allergy's and umbrella issues. Overall it's a pretty busy place and the rooftop is def a good place to visit when you want apps and drinks. read more

Grain - chicken Brussel sprouts and sweet potato - Beer Gardens Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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I had a date lunch with my wife during the week. Our server Jon was amazing. He was very friendly and answered all of our questions about the menu. Had a great meal and then enjoyed a cocktail on the excellent outdoor porch overlooking downtown. We will definitely return. read more

I really enjoyed this place. The food was delicious, and the vibe was fun and relaxed. We came in on a busy Sunday for brunch, but they seated us quickly, and the hostess was super friendly and welcoming. The brunch menu had a solid variety, and the drinks were just as good. Our server, Cammy, was fantastic. She was warm and attentive and made sure we were taken care of the whole time. Her friendly attitude and quick service made the experience even better. Big thanks to her for making our visit such a good one. read more