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 went to Toast in Norfolk for a holiday party and it ended up being such a fun spot! The space is…read moresmall but really cute, which made the whole night feel cozy and easygoing rather than overly formal. The food spread was honestly great. There were tons of appetizers to snack on throughout the night. Hummus and pita, charcuterie, chips with salsa and queso, all the good, crowd pleasing stuff done well. Everything was fresh and easy to grab, which worked perfectly for a party setting. The best part by far was the taco bar. I had the beef tacos and they were seriously some of the best tacos I've had in a while. The beef was super flavorful and cooked perfectly, and I definitely went back for more than one. You know it's good when everyone keeps circling back for seconds. Even though I was there for a private event, I really liked the vibe of the place. It feels like somewhere you could easily pop in with friends, grab a drink, and hang out without it feeling stuffy or rushed. I only had wine, so I haven't tried their cocktails yet, but that's definitely next on my list. If the food is any indication, I'm sure the drinks won't disappoint. This is a great spot for events, but also seems like a solid go-to for a laid-back night out. I'll definitely be back!

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

Nice bar with an interesting list of signature cocktails. Bartenders are friendly but not very…read moreattentive. You can also order food from the Saltine restaurant next door.

Went here last night with a friend…read more It's located in the first floor of the Main in Downtown Norfolk right next to the Saltine restaurant. The bar has a very rich and relaxing environment. It's very modern yet with a classic vibe. Sorta steam punk esque if you will. I had several classes of Jameson (my favorite) and my friend tried the Violette and the Mr. Pink (play on a Negroni) which were both very good. We also shared some Old Bay French fries which were very yummy. The service was great! The bartender was very knowledgeable about the drinks and was even able to offer substitutions for ingredients in the drinks. We stayed until the lights came on and the manager kindly told us it was time to go lol. Love the experience!

First of all can I just say WOW!…read more We were excited at the first because we thought the Neat Bird from Chesapeake had a new location in Norfolk Colley Avenue but there chicken sandwich was even delicious here too with a different owner! We met the owner, he is a cool band guy with a mustache name Dand. The drinks he made for us were so good and so was the way he talked with his staff and the way they worked together. My parner and I had seen that they pride themselfes on Scottish eggs, which we were lucky to try and it was also very delicious! We like that they have the vibe and also a board with many events of the community on the wall to check out while you sip on a delicious expresso martini. Good job to the Bird! now dont go opening another restaurant in Chesapeake or we will all be very confused!

We had a very nice lunch at The Bird…read more We walked in and were greeted by the bartender who explained how everything worked. It was our first visit (there will be another!) so we appreciated that. The eggs were done perfectly which can be challenging. Not here they were perfectly cooked. I want to make another trip and try dinner! Good job!

We stopped by Craft on Colley, located at 4110 Colley Avenue in the heart of Norfolk, just north of…read moreGhent. Kendall, our bartender, took great care of us throughout the afternoon. Friendly, attentive service without being overbearing is always appreciated, and she struck that balance perfectly. My wife ordered the Red Curry Bowl with blackened chicken, baby bok choy, radishes, carrots, green onions, cilantro, and rice noodles in a rich red curry coconut broth. This dish was both aesthetically pleasing and delicious. The vegetables were fresh, the broth was flavorful without being overpowering, and the generous portion made for a hearty meal. In fact, there was simply too much to finish, which is rarely something to complain about. She thoroughly enjoyed it. I chose The Richmond, a fried chicken sandwich topped with pimento cheese, bacon, jalapeños, Mike's Hot Honey, spicy aioli, lettuce, and tomato on a potato bun, served with fresh-cut fries. The chicken itself was excellent, and the fries were crispy, fresh, and plentiful. Where the sandwich lost me was in its identity. There was so much happening between the pimento cheese, spicy aioli, bacon, jalapeños, and hot honey that each ingredient seemed to compete with the others rather than complement them. Somewhere along the way, it crossed the Rubicon from a Nashville hot chicken sandwich into something entirely different. That's not necessarily a bad thing. It simply wasn't for me. I finished it, and I certainly didn't dislike it, but I wouldn't order it again. Sometimes restraint is the better part of culinary creativity, and I think this sandwich would benefit from letting one or two of its ingredients take center stage instead of asking them all to share the spotlight. Overall, we enjoyed our visit. Good food, generous portions, excellent service, and a relaxed atmosphere make Craft on Colley a place we'll happily return to. While my sandwich wasn't quite a home run, my wife's meal more than made up for it.

This was my first visit to Craft on Colley. The atmosphere is so cool. Their bar is amazing. They…read moreeven have a seating area out front that is covered and has a fire pit. I ordered the Noco. This dish is served with one piece of French toast cut in half, two meat s of your choice, eggs, choice of bread and choice of potatoes, grits or something else (can't remember what). The bartender didn't ask me what my other choice of meat was and when inquired he said "I just put you in for two orders of sausage". I thought was odd because I would have preferred the two selections. I did ask if one order of meat could be substituted for fruit, but he said that was more a side with the meal. Another thing that was odd is that I asked for the eggs to be scrambled hard, they were not. I cannot eat soft scrambled eggs, something about the texture just doesn't work for me. Although I will eat an over medium egg, either way that wasn't what I asked for. I will say that the bartender was friendly and that the patron who was sitting next to me was also friendly. I will probably give them another shot but maybe for dinner instead.

've been wanting to try FR8 House for months, and I'm SO glad I finally made it in! This place is…read moreseriously gorgeous. It's incredibly spacious with high ceilings, tons of natural light, and lots of beautiful details everywhere you look. The front patio is perfect for people watching or just enjoying some fresh air, with lots of space between tables (no awkward eavesdropping here). Inside, the vibe is super chill. There were quite a few people working on laptops, but it didn't feel stuffy or too quiet ... just a comfortable, low-key buzz that makes you want to stay a while. I started off with an iced americano topped with strawberry cold foam. The foam itself was a little thicker than I expected (it was more "whipped cream" than "cold foam"), but honestly, it was delicious. I'd totally order it again. The flavor combination is chef's kiss. A little sweet, a little tangy, and it adds something fun to a classic drink. For food, I went all in on the Box Car Sandwich. If you love grilled cheese, you HAVE to try this. Oozy pepperjack and cheddar, crispy bacon, tomato, avocado, all sandwiched between slices of perfect sourdough. And the special sauce on the side? I could have eaten it with a spoon. I have no idea what's in it, but I want a bottle to take home. I can't wait to come back here and give their espresso martini a try, and their pepperoni swirl pastry looked 10/10.

I love when a new coffee shop blows me away! Really enjoyed our visit to Fr8 House. First off, what…read morea cute area and cute building! Truly very comfortable and a great space. We got there early and enjoyed their sandwiches for breakfast. I wish they just had a description of the sandwich rather than having to ask the cashier, but she was very helpful and thorough. Our sandwiches were really good and the aioli they came with was AMAZING! As a self proclaimed coffee snob, the coffee was really good too. My husband enjoyed his (very hot) coffee and I enjoyed my coconut mocha. Overall great experience and we can't wait to go back!

So we have been here twice now. I'm going to give each one separately:…read moreFirst time: Came in after a VA Stage show so kinda late. Sat at the bar. Service was absolutely awesome. Bartender was incredibly attentive for having a full bar. We each had 2 different cocktails and both were distinctive and excellently crafted. We had shared a couple of the small plates and enjoyed them both. We enjoyed the place so much that we decided to come back with a group of 14 for All Lovers Eve. Second time: Made the reservation with ease. If you've ever made a group reservation you know how complicated some places make it. This was a large group and they were short handed. This lead to a slower service which actually worked out well for our group. We didn't mind the gaps. They put us in their back room (hint - GREAT for groups) there was a little confusion with the order to include an extra dish we didn't order. We still ate it and paid for it though. The staff was great with our large and rather disruptive group. The food was all excellent (local oysters on the half shell and the apple desert were my highlights). Multiple cocktails that were all wonderful. My only real negative was that there was a $50 "loyalty club " charge that was never mentioned and I didn't even notice on the $1200.00 bill. This is, I believe, some sort of credit card fee. Both times were good. Both times staff were wonderful. Both times we were comfortable. Give the place a try. I don't think you will regret it.

My reservations fell through at a different location, and I came about this restaurant online. Most…read moreplaces were booked on a Saturday night. However, I called 508 locals to see if they had any availability. The hostess told us to come on through. When I pulled up it wasn't too busy. They were welcoming and sat us right away. We had an awesome waiter. Judging from his accent, he was from Ireland. He was great. Very enthusiastic and attentive. I was pretty hungry. I ordered the crab cakes (great sauce and aioli), Brussels (hot honey with goat cheese and cranberries), junglebird drink (delicious, it wasn't overly sweet), and ribeye. All delicious. I was not disappointed. It was such a chill place. It wasn't overly loud. It was clean. I recommend.

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.