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    Saffron Indian Bistro

    3.9 (280 reviews)
    ModerateIndian, Seafood
    Closed 11:30 am - 2:30 pm, 4:30 PM - 9:30 PM

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    SAFFRON INDIAN BISTRO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Classy
    Moderate noise

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    Entrance to restaurant
    Zachary D.

    A Bistro is defined as a simple restaurant and it is as advertised. Saffron has all of your Indian food hits with some unique specialties. Staff is friendly and fast with service. Ordering took time because they were out of all Indian beers and the wine I finally settled on was skunked which will be a loss of a star for them. It usually happens when bistro's don't seek much wine and they record a bottle without a special preservation stopper. Here's my three things: 1) Saffron has plenty of seating for large groups, and kitchen works fast so probably no problem serving a group. Great location helps with downtown lunch traffic too. 2) Prices are in line with all Indian Restaurants I have eaten at lately but an appetizer, main and glass of wine will put you around $45. 3) I had the veg samosa with a cilantro sauce that was fantastic 5/5. Main was my favorite Rogan Josh with lamb 4/5 (dry lamb and rice had toasted cumin but it didn't come through probably sat for a while). Good food!

    Mango Lassi
    Zarielle A.

    Went here on a Sunday during the downtown Norfolk restaurant week. The inside of the restaurant was nice and calm. It was pretty empty inside, just a couple other people were there that day so the atmosphere was quiet and enjoyable. The $35 dinner menu came with a choice of drink, appetizer, main course, and dessert. I selected a mango lassi, vegetable samosas, butter chicken with mild heat, basmati rice, and kheer dessert. My friend ordered a mango lassi, chicken pakora, butter chicken with medium heat, basmati rice, and kheer dessert. The food was absolutely delicious and filling. After we had our mango lassi drinks and appetizers, we could only eat about 3 bites each of our butter chicken and had to ask for to go boxes because we were already so full. The food was very filling. Everything was hot and tasted made to order. The staff were all friendly and nice as well. Definitely happy this spot was featured for downtown Norfolk restaurant week. Will be going back again! My overall rate of experience: 9.5/10

    Garlic Naan
    C C.

    Ordered DoorDash lunch today (Saturday). I'm a huge fan of Indian food and often cook it at home. I ordered chana masala, paneer korma, and garlic naan. It was all pretty good, but not the best I've ever had. Almost lacking in key flavors that I would expect in those dishes. It would have been nice if there was some fresh cilantro included as well. The prices are a too high for non-meat dishes, but I'm not sure if that's because of the restaurant location. I would order from them again and try something else, but I'd definitely be including some special requests.

    Marvin L.

    We walked in and was asked if we have dinner reservation, but they were able to accommodate. There's only one server working that night, not sure of the reason, and he was quite busy taking orders and seating people. The ambiance was great and cozy. We sat there for a good 15 minutes before asked to take our order. We had the lamb tikka masala, meat samosa, mix grilled platter, and mango lassi. The tikka masala was packed with flavors and the spiciness was bearably good. The mixed grill was a bit dry but packed with spices. The food was great but the lack of service was disappointing hence 3 stars for the food and zero for the service.

    Menu July 2022

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    2 months ago

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    2 years ago

    The food here is amazing. Restaurant is very charming and the service was excellent. This is our favorite Indian restaurant.

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    2 years ago

    Fresh, delicious, healthy, super friendly staff that took their time explaining the food and making recommendations!

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    2 years ago

    Great service and tasty food. Lots of items on the menu. Waiter took time to describe items and answer questions.

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    Amol C.

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    3 years ago

    Lovely dinner. Super fast service. Sign says they started lunch buffet last Saturday so looking forward to that.

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    8 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Consistently excellent. One of my favorite restaraunts. Honey ginger chicken and mixed tandoori grill are both favorites.

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    4 years ago

    Good Indian food in downtown Norfolk. Service was fast and attentive. Naan basket was yummy and our meals were tasty.

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    Page 1 of 7

    Ask the Community - Saffron Indian Bistro

    Is there fennel or fenugreek in your curry dishes?

    Fennel seeds are mouth freshener which is used certain dessert and fenugreek is spices which used entree's.

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    Stony’s Dockside Bar and Grill - Dockside shrimp appetizer, hushpuppies, crab cake with coleslaw appetizer and a house margarita. Delicious!

    Stony’s Dockside Bar and Grill

    3.8(238 reviews)
    7.3 mi
    $$

    Let me start by saying: I walked into Stony's Dockside feeling like a stressed-out adult, and I…read morewalked out feeling like a seagull that just stole someone's french fry--victorious and oddly proud of myself. The vibe? Pure waterfront bliss. It's the kind of place where you half expect a dolphin to pop up and judge your drink choice (which it absolutely would approve of, by the way). The staff treated me like I'd been coming there every summer since 1998--even though this was my first time and I kept accidentally calling it "Stony's Dockyard" like I was boarding a ship. Now let's talk food. The crab cake.samdwich? So good I considered writing it a personal thank-you letter. The fries? Crispy enough to make me briefly question whether I should propose. The drinks? Let's just say after the second one, I was convinced I could parallel park a boat. Service was fast, friendly, and only mildly concerned when I said, "I'm ready for my transformation into a dockside legend." By the end of the meal, I was ready to move in. If they'd handed me a pillow, I'd be sleeping next to the deck like a happy barnacle. 10/10 would absolutely return, and next time I'm bringing more sunscreen, fewer responsibilities, and maybe a bib for the crab feast.

    Good location, average experience!!!!!!…read more I stopped by Stony's Dockside Bar and Grill and found the experience to be just okay. The waterfront setting is nice and definitely the highlight, but the food was hit or miss. Some items were tasty, while others felt overcooked and lacked flavor. Service was friendly but a bit slow, especially during busier hours. The atmosphere is relaxed and casual, making it a decent spot to hang out, but the overall quality didn't fully match the prices. It's an alright place to visit for the view and drinks, but there's room for improvement when it comes to food consistency and service!!!

    Photos
    Stony’s Dockside Bar and Grill
    Stony’s Dockside Bar and Grill - Oysters, calamari and crab dip.

    Oysters, calamari and crab dip.

    Stony’s Dockside Bar and Grill

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    The Atlantic - Oysters Chesapeake, garlic butter oysters, and oysters rockafellar

    The Atlantic

    4.5(1.2k reviews)
    17.1 mi
    $$

    Hands down the best happy hour in the city. I'd argue it's probably the best restaurant too. The…read moreraw oysters are killer, as are the cocktails. The best thing they ever did was to bring the short rib back! I recommend this place to literally anyone who asks for a rec. Be prepared for a wait unless you get to HH early on a random weekday.

    This past weekend my in laws were in town. We were on the boardwalk and they wanted oysters... I…read moresaid say less! I had been to The Atlantic years ago and had a great time. I think this time was even better! We arrived around 230 on a Saturday, lucky for us happy hour started at 3 and we had a 30 minute wait for 6 people. Literally perfect timing because no one was waiting before us and about 10-20 minutes later the waiting area became packed for that 3 o clock happy hour. Side note: happy hour is from 3-7, 7 days a week! The service was phenomenal, the whole staff was so nice and accommodating. While we waited for our table, we were able to order a cocktail from one of the waitresses. We also had a baby with a stroller and they made sure we had plenty of room once we were seated at our table. The food was amazing, I'm a fan of cooked oyster but i decided to be a little spontaneous and try them raw. I was pleasantly surprised at how fresh and clean tasting these oysters were. It reminded me of eating sashimi. My wife and father in law had the lobster rolls, they both loved them! My son had the double cheeseburger from the happy hour menu, literally cannot beat this deal. $6 double cheeseburger with fries on the boardwalk is unimaginable lol. I had the Nashville hot chicken, which was good but maybe could've used a little more flavor. But the quality of the sandwich as a whole was spot on. I really don't have any complaints, this was the highlight of our day. My in laws live in Wisconsin but they travel a bunch and they said that these oysters were some of the best they had ever had. They would never see 1$ oysters where they live, so I'm glad we were able to come here and create this memory together. If you've ever debated whether taking the trip to the strip is worth it, it is! Definitely check this place out!

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    The Atlantic - Fun staff!!!

    Fun staff!!!

    The Atlantic - Snow Crab Legs (MP) $2 happy hour beer 3-6pm daily

    Snow Crab Legs (MP) $2 happy hour beer 3-6pm daily

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    NARRAGANSETT

    The Fishin' Pig - Full Rack of Ribs w/ Two Sides only $13.99 on Tuesdays.

    The Fishin' Pig

    3.8(528 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    If you're planning to visit The Fishin' Pig on the corner of West 25th St., just know parking is a…read morelittle limited--but don't let that stop you. Park and take a short walk because it's absolutely worth it. From the moment you walk in, the customer service is warm and welcoming. It has that perfect blend of Southern charm mixed with youthful energy. It's honestly refreshing to be served by young adults who show such great respect and genuine hospitality. The food was excellent--fresh, well-seasoned, and served in generous portions. Everything tasted like it was prepared with care. Even the restroom was clean and fully stocked, which always says a lot about a place. Overall, it was a great experience, and I will definitely be back again.

    Went here Sunday after 7 pm for dinner. No wait time to be seated, but we didn't like the table we…read morewere originally sat at, which was in the middle of the room, so we did wait a few mins to be moved to a more comfortable booth instead. Staff were accommodating and friendly. The restaurant has a nice ambiance fit for an enjoyable fun night of drinks and food. To drink, I tried their $5 Cranberry Crush (7/10) it was refreshing and slushy, but not strong at all really just a slushy juice and the Georgia Peach (10/10) loved the flavor and was a decently strong drink. To eat, we started with the Pork Rinds appetizer (10/10) they were definitely fresh and flavorful; I loved the sauce that came with them. I also ordered the Catfish basket (5/10) I was excited when this came to the table because it looked as though it would taste good and was a great portion size; however, it didn't meet my expectations at all. There was no flavor to the fish or batter and the Mac and cheese was very much the same way, bland. Though I am giving a lower rating, I would come back for drinks and to possibly try a different food. Feel like I must've ordered the wrong thing or the cook was having a bad night? I have no clue, but I'm open to returning in the future. My overall rate of experience : 6/10

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    The Fishin' Pig
    The Fishin' Pig - Mac-n-Skillet with BBQ Chicken and Jalapeño Cornbread

    Mac-n-Skillet with BBQ Chicken and Jalapeño Cornbread

    The Fishin' Pig - The Pork & Catfish dinner w/ slaw & potato salad.

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    The Pork & Catfish dinner w/ slaw & potato salad.

    Red Crab Juicy Seafood - The closest is the Weekend Special ( can be order any day) and the furthest is the Low Country Boil

    Red Crab Juicy Seafood

    3.9(55 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    I came here hungry and left looking like I lost a seafood-based bar fight--and I mean that as a…read morecompliment. The crab arrived dripping in enough buttery spice to qualify as a controlled substance. By bite three, I'd abandoned dignity. By bite six, I was negotiating with my napkin like, "You've been with me this long, don't quit now." The seasoning crawls up on you--sweet, spicy, then suddenly you're sweating like you just ran PT in August. Service was fast, friendly, and impressively unfazed by the absolute chaos happening at our table. They've clearly seen things. Dark things. Crab things. Why four stars and not five? Because I smelled like Old Bay's unhinged cousin for the rest of the day, and my car now carries that scent as a memory. Also, the mess follows you home. Emotionally. Would I go back? Absolutely. Would I wear nicer clothes next time? Never again.

    Hello, When I…read morereceived the order and opened the sealed bag it was no rice in it. Also, the amount of food was barely enough to get full, keeping in mind that I paid $45. I got 1 corn, 3 potatoes , 7 shrimps, little dried lobster tail and bunch of crablegs all soaked in oil. That was my second time ever trying Red Crab. Comparing how much food I received the first time, second time felt like it was half for what I paid for for. Never ordering again from you. I don't want to feel like I was scammed when I eat my food.

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    Red Crab Juicy Seafood - Bar area

    Bar area

    Red Crab Juicy Seafood - F1. Fried Shrimp Basket

    F1. Fried Shrimp Basket

    Red Crab Juicy Seafood - Bar area

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    Bar area

    No Frill Bar and Grill - Cup o' Chili

    No Frill Bar and Grill

    4.4(1.1k reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    It's been a while since I last reviewed the No Frill Bar and Grill located just off Colley Avenue…read morein the Ghent section of Norfolk. This local favorite has maintained a loyal following since opening its doors in 1987, and after one visit it's easy to understand why. Having grown up in Norfolk, I still make the trip over from Chesapeake from time to time because some places are simply worth returning to. Our favorite bartender Lauren is always friendly, attentive, and helpful with menu suggestions if you're undecided. She also happens to make a fantastic drink, which certainly never hurts. My wife ordered the Sesame Shrimp Salad consisting of fried butterflied shrimp, organic mixed greens, fresh vegetables, mandarin oranges, crispy wontons, and their house Red Dragon dressing. The presentation alone was impressive, but the flavor balance is what truly stood out. In fact, she enjoyed it so much that I never even managed to get a taste myself, which is saying something. I decided on the Shrimp Platter and the portion size alone was enough to get my attention. The shrimp were fried to a perfect golden brown, served piping hot, and properly seasoned throughout. The crinkle-cut fries delivered that ideal contrast of crispy exterior and soft potato center, while the coleslaw brought a refreshing balance of sweetness and acidity that tied the entire plate together beautifully. No Frill continues to prove that you do not need unnecessary gimmicks when the food, service, and consistency speak for themselves. If you enjoy well-prepared comfort food served by people who genuinely care about the experience, this Norfolk institution remains well worth the visit.

    My husband and I enjoy No Frill when you're in the mood for just that -- no frill, laid back, good…read morecomfort food. the portions are huge and it's always consistent. The service is always great and the hosts/servers are always friendly. Our go to is the meatloaf. when you're looking for a good ol' comfort food - that's the best. They also have amazing desserts that are worth a try. We found this restaurant good for families (including our toddler)! Food was toddler approved!

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    No Frill Bar and Grill - Inside No Frill - Norfolk

    Inside No Frill - Norfolk

    No Frill Bar and Grill
    No Frill Bar and Grill - Club sandwich

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    Club sandwich

    Saffron Indian Bistro - indpak - Updated May 2026

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