I went to the Saturday brunch and was underwhelmed. Most of the food was bland or overcooked. The service was mediocre, and when we asked for capers, because they had run out on the buffet table, we were told that they couldn't refill the capers until all the food was taken out of the bowl the capers were in. We paid $200 for four people to eat brunch, but asking for 20 cents worth of capers was too big of an ask??? Save your money and eat somewhere else. 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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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

Overall a pretty good experience. You enter on the top floor and seat yourself, and I highly recommend sitting on the patio. The views add a special sparkle to your dinner, even on an extremely hot and humid day. Our server was great, making sure we never ran out of water and quickly bringing us new bottles and ice every few minutes. I started with a refreshing Blue Moon and a side order of brussels sprouts, which were my favorite--very crunchy and well-seasoned. I also had the plate of tenders, and there was more than enough to take home. I highly recommend bringing your out-of-town guests here for a delightful dining experience! read more

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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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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

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

Ambiance is terrific , service excellent , mahi tacos , burgers ... amazing ! Gumbo and brisket was not a fave of my friends , but price was affordable . Would go again for sure ! read more

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

I visited Grain while in Norfolk for a wedding. The atmosphere was beautiful, and we chose to sit outside. The website says $2 mimosas, however I believe this was updated to $3/each. We ended up getting the Main Mosa ($28) which came with one bottle of champagne, Oj, and the option of mango and/or raspberry sorbet (seasonal). It was delicious. The food was okay. I enjoyed the fresh waffle bar, and some of the dishes. They have a raw bar with different types of oysters, mussels, and shrimp. I love raw oysters but they did not look too appetizing; I looked around for a few minutes and decided against it. Our server was great though--super nice and attentive. She was working against the wind, which was blowing food and plates around. read more

Grain - Brunch drink menu - Beer Gardens Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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

Myself and 6 of my LSs dined here Saturday for brunch. We arrived right at noon and there was no wait and we were seated quickly. We were pretty hungry so some of us went right to the buffet and a few of us waited for our server, Van. From the beginning of our time there until we left Van was magnificent. He was funny and personable and gave us great attention. He was prompt as we ordered our mimosas and truly made us feel he cared about our patronage. 10/10 recommend him if you visit. I absolutely loved the variety of the brunch options. There was one side for breakfast (everything from fruit, bacon, potatoes, and cinnamon rolls) and another that served lunch/dinner items (to salads, Mac & cheese, and salmon). My favorites from the buffet were the steamed shrimp from the seafood area, the bbq brisket & sweet potatoes, and the cinnamon rolls. I also loved (and I tried both) the omelette and taco stations. Both staff there were nice and the food items were fresh delicious. The only bit of feedback I have was the turkey patties were a bit hard and dry but there was a lot of variety. The mimosas (OJ & Champagne) were $3 each and it really made this brunch experience a great value since the buffet was $31. There's even a free Photo Booth inside so we took advantage of that as well. Absolutely recommend this to others and would dine here again! read more

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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

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

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

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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Amazing atmosphere! Chris b. was very attentive and a blast! Will be sure to visit again when I'm in town!

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

Christopher I at the bar was very friendly and knowledgeable when I couldn't decide what I wanted to drink! I had the best time talking to him and the other bartender, Nick V. They are the best. Give them a raise. read more

I came here with a group of co workers to celebrate a going-away. This place is more of a fancy bar with slightly better/well presented finger food, which is not a bad thing. The atmosphere was welcoming & staff worked hard to accommodate everyone. The food menu is limited but drink menu is packed! In my opinion it's a little pricy for what they offer but not too bad. Would I come here again tho? Probably not. Good first experience read more

Grain - S - Beer Gardens Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

The idea of a rooftop brunch was appealing but, several snafus during this visit made it less than that. I'd suggest making a reservation as this place gets packed. Now for the buffet. They had an omelet station, noodle station and your typical brunch fare (Bacon, smoked salmon and etc.) In addition to that, they had fresh oysters, shrimp and clams. With buffet dining, there were hits and misses. But there's something for everyone to enjoy. I'll say both station attendants were less than friendly. One even told me he was about to leave...it was 2pm and there was no smile or laugh after he said it. Part of the draw of this places brunch is the 2.00 mimosas/bloody mary's that are supposed to be available till 3. After not being seated till 1:30, we were cut off at 2:10. My table was not small. We had 6 diners. The explanation? The waitress said her manager said something about the time. But every table around us kept being served mimosas. We were given the regular drink menu though. Lol. Now you may be asking about service. The hostess was a delight but, that's where the smiles and good energy ended. Grain teemed with staffers but, a lot of them looked over it. Our waitress looked stressed as she had several huge tables. If I ever was in the area, I'd visit again. The pricing is great but, I'd probably sit at the bar and avoid the egg and noodle stations. SYOY! Ps. Where were the scrambled eggs?! read more

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After walking through the waterside and being disappointed with the choices there, we decided on visiting Grain solely based on their outward appearance. We were not sure what we were getting into but we are still very happy that we did stop there. It's a situated on the outside of the fifth floor so you have a wonderful view of the area. Your choice to sit inside or on the outside patio. We chose the outside due to the view and the weather. We opened with adult beverages, their Manhattan was perfectly made! My wife ordered a glass of wine truly enjoyed it. For our main courses, my wife ordered there crispy fried chicken sandwich with cheese and bacon, and I there gumbo. I thought my gumbo was absolutely delicious! It was huge and tasty! My wife really enjoyed her crispy fried chicken sandwich as well! If we were ever in the area, I'm sure we would stop by again! read more

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Standing at the bar, right in front of the bartenders face for minutes being ignored. I watched her serve several other people who came after me. I asked can I get a drink next, she said yes and still went to two other customers. Even the male bartender with the leg sleeve tattoo walked past multiple times serving others. Ridiculously bad bartending service. No tip tonight. read more

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

While staying at the Hilton, friends and I ate here twice. Once for happy hour and once for breakfast. Happy hour - we ordered some apps: pretzel, friend pickles, bang bang shrimp, and buffalo chicken dp. All were very good and sitting in the patio was amazing. We did Sunday brunch and didn't believe the price for $32, plus &3 mimosas. I would pay $80 for the same brunch in Scottsdale Arizona. So many different choices. Omelet bar, taco bar, breakfast food, lunch food, seafood. Totally recommend. read more

This restaurant is a rooftop spot located in the Hilton Norfolk Main. My sorority's regional conference was held there recently and many sorors, including myself, stayed there over the long weekend and tried out the restaurants in it. The service, ambiance and decor was good. We went the first time for a late lunch. The waiters were knowledgeable, professional and accommodating. The gumbo, that my soror was kind enough to share a little of with us, was very tasty and well seasoned without being overly salty. I had the tuna tacos, they come in a flight of 3, and they were flavorful with fresh ingredients. The prices felt reasonable- however, I live in New York City so take from that what you will. Lol. I went again later that evening, it was a Thursday night, and there was a live musician singing various covers. I'm a huge fan of live music and performances so enjoyed that and others seemed to too. Seems like a cool place to meet up after work with your girls for drinks and a bite to eat or on the weekends for outdoor rooftop vibes during the warm months and good food. I also saw what looked like some business dinners, co-workers meeting up, or a work moral boosting dinner with some groups of patrons. read more

Not a good experience. Food was ok, wait staff was good. Management was poor. Hospitality and booking was incompetent and horrible. I was booking a 25-30 person reservation for a special family event. I made contact with the restaurant two weeks in advance. Response was slow and got slower once I had secured a reservation. Sara Wagner was the contact, absolutely JV. I got my dental doctorate pulling teeth to get answers to questions that should have been standard FAQ. Order was incorrect by numbers and items. It was shitty. I initially asked for 1130 and she let me know they open at 12 so I agreed to 12, they were not ready until 1215 and didn't even notify me and my guest who were shoved into the corner of a small waiting area with nothing to do when we were ready it took us asking. Food was ok, fairly marginal. Drinks were twice the going rate. I spent nearly 3000 dollars with them and left feeling like a bother to them. DO NOT RECOMMEND!!! read more

Had drinks & an app tonight with Lexi & Chris B serving us. Couldn't have asked for a better experience! The bar was clean at all times, the drinks were amazing & both bartenders were on top of it! read more

Th is trip was not on point. My girlfriend had the shrimp tacos with a burnt tortilla and the side salad that came with it was bland like eating paper. My brussels sprouts were salty to the point I need to down 2 glasses of water before my blood pressure went through the roof. The habanero garlic, chicken wings the young lady when I asked for them she said they're really spicy. No they were not. It tasted like straight brown sugar no habanero no cake no nothing. I was highly disappointed this trip as we normally come here at least once a month this time whoever was in the back did not have their head in the game. They were just slinging food just to be slinging food. read more

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Smash burger was tasty and $5 special, can't beat that. We sat at the bar and Rachel was amazing. Very friendly and recommended a great beer. The views are everything here, highly recommend going here on a nice day when you can enjoy the patio. read more

This is a real chilled spot for a brunch averaging $31 per person, you have a lot of options and it doesn't look or taste like fake food. The place is nice more of a cabin feel earth tone vibe and the staff is really friendly . read more

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A must visit location. Great food, great atmosphere and the bartender Lexi makes you feel like family. Definitely recommend if you are in the Norfolk / VA Beach area. read more

I'm finding a trend around this area that needs to be broken...modernly decorated restaurants that lack true culinary substance. Grain is unfortunately no different. I came here with my husband for brunch today. We were seated right away and told they have nothing but the $31 buffet, which is made up of flavorless potatoes and run-of-the -mill breakfast items (mostly). They did have some more creative items, like coconut rice with curried stew which was actually kind of nice. The service was fine, nothing to write home about. Our table was dirty as they led us to it and a waiter promptly cleaned it, but we had to dust our chairs off ourselves. They should have subtracted $5 from the bill just for that. Don't dine here. Come for a beer and maybe some views and leave thanking yourself you didn't drop more $$ read more

I'd been to Grain a couple of times before and always enjoyed the experience so we decided to stop in around 10pm for some food and drinks. Thankfully, there were a few open tables available so we decided to sit near the live cover band which were playing some really good songs and sounded awesome. After 10pm, there is a Late Night Menu with about 11 food and dessert options to choose from. Our server, Michelle, was super nice and shared that the Norfolk Cheesesteak was great so we decided on that. The Norfolk Cheesesteak consisted of sliced ribeye, peppers and onions with beer cheese and aioli on a hoagie roll! I also ordered a margarita as well because it's my favorite. The drinks came pretty fast and were strong but really good. The food came maybe a couple minutes after and let me tell you...Michelle did not steer us wrong! The cheesesteak was super outstanding!!! The meat was very tender and the beer cheese and aioli melted in with the onions and peppers tasted amazing! I literally ate the whole thing. Even the steak fries were seasoned and delicious! A definite 10/10! The Grain never disappoints. Special shout out to our server, Michelle, who really made our night fun and enjoyable! There is live music every Wednesday through Sunday so if you are looking for a nice place to chill, have a drink and eat good, definitely head to Grain. read more

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Had a chance to try out Grain during their Easter Sunday brunch buffet. I took my mom to celebrate the holiday and overall we had an excellent dining experience. Grain is located on the fifth floor of the Norfolk Hilton the Main. The entire venue is impressive as it's spacious, welcoming and beautiful overall. Grain has a rustic look and feel and it sports outdoor seating that overlooks the intersection of Granby & Main. I made reservations a few months ago and we were seated almost immediately despite arriving 15 minutes early. Our server, Nina, was quiet but kind, although an initial table visit took a bit. I waited at our table to order drinks while mom got up and made herself a plate. Nina still hadn't arrived when mom returned, but we were able to order drinks while I fixed my own plate. That was the only misfire during our visit, but waiting to order drinks wasn't a dealbreaker. Grain's buffet choices were quite impressive. They offered typical breakfast items - biscuits & gravy, sausage patties and links, hash browns. But they featured a made-to-order omelette station, a honey ham and prime rib station, baked chicken and rice, salmon ratatouille, smoked salmon, risotto, mashed potatoes & gravy, a shellfish section (shrimp, mussels, etc.), salad and an impressive dessert bar. So, for $40 a person, the variety is (likely) to be expected. Still, I came away impressed with the selection and conjured up enough tummy space for 3 plates of food. Mom then picked up a piece of carrot cake and a slice of a chocolate peanut butter cake for dessert. I split the latter while mom took 4-5 bites of the carrot cake (she liked the carrot cake, she was simply too full). Our experience at Grain was excellent. Nina was in and out because she was assigned a lot of tables, but she was attentive, helpful and quick with refills during her visits to our table. I forgot to mention - Grain has a stage for live music which, based on the schedule they displayed, occurs on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. There was a musician, though, performing during our visit who played an acoustic set of covers. I appreciated hearing The Cure ("Just Like Heaven") and Neil Young ("Harvest Moon"), among other well-known artists. Thank you, Grain, for a positive experience. I hope to dine there again soon and order from the regular menu. JV read more

Grain - Took mom to Grain for their Easter Sunday brunch buffet. They have an impressive spread - worth a try if you're hungry. - Beer Gardens Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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Food was chefs kiss. I got the fruit punch ale for a sippy and it was delish. For dinner me and the girls got a crab dip and that was a total hit. We also got the chicken tender basket (it can feed plenty) and fries. The ambiance was totally adorable. The waiter we had was so sweet and ontop of his service! read more

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

Might have a chance if the service existed. Aldo, I think our server was on drugs or mentally retarded. Never coming back. She claimed the kitchen was backed up, but I went and looked myself and there were no less than 30 completed dishes sitting on trays under heat lamps and no one running them. There's no systems in place, no one is trained front of house and there is zero sense of urgency. My drink sat empty over 15 before she could be bothered. The bartenders that I interacted with prior to being seated were good though. Fast, efficient and got it right. The servers are horrific. I guess if want to come and just get a drink at the bar, that might be ok. But that's it. read more

Noise = 90 decibels recorded. It's almost an occupational hazard to work in this establishment, our server telling us how loud it was. I have a certified noise app on my phone and recorded a peak of over 90db. That however is not my issue. My wife wanted to order gumbo and the waiter appropriately asked "do you like heat?" to which we replied "could we try a bite just to ensure?" and the waiter DID ask and was promptly told by management that there are no trials. That was a very reasonable ask as my wife is a cardiac patient and naturally we carefully monitor this. The smash burger was good, huge portion and done well. My wife's gumbo was so good, although very much a uniquely spiced version of what we'd call "classic" gumbo. All in all, we had hearing protectors (in ear types) in the truck and these made the visit enjoyable. I get it, bad acoustics, people talking loudly, add in copious alcohol and you get noise. I'm no prude and can accept that. What I cannot accept is their cavalier attitude towards a reasonable request to try something to ensure it's not too hot. We'll stay at this Hilton property again, but pass on Grain. read more