Best local breakfast joint!! The workers are so so nice. The owner is usually there all the time and he's super nice. Just overall really good and simple food. The wait is never really long. The food comes pretty fast. I usually like their omelettes, I just create a custom one. Def love their pancakes, so yummy without extra stuff. Such reasonable prices for the quality and amount of food you get along with the service. read more

Enjoyed breakfast with my daughter's family. No wait on a Sunday morning although we saw a line as we were leaving. Good food with appropriate portions. Great service that was attentive but not intrusive. read more

Great food, it was packed but I didn't wait too long, I had the chicken and waffles, so good. I definitely loved that it was chicken tenders and not bone in chicken, which is good too but for conveniency, I enjoyed the tender a little better. The waitress was great she was so sweet and detailed. I definitely will go back for lunch read more

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Jeff was welcoming, got a table quickly, but the server was curt to the point of rudeness (two weekends in a row), So much so that when our friends joined us they decided not to order food and stuck to coffee. Great food, and a nice convenient local café,but living out a Seinfeld episode (you know the one I mean -- soup) just isn't worth it right now. Will try back in a while. read more

Traveling through the area and found this place for breakfast. The customer service is really first class, food was fresh and hot, coffee was good. I had the chicken fried chicken, two eggs over easy and toast. The portions are large, could have shared this as it was so big. The staff are keeping this place clean and I felt safe during the whole experience. Definitely worth checking out. Enjoy! read more

We came in with the Yelp breakfast club -- you never know how many of us Yelpers will show up for that, so I went over about 30 minutes early to warn them we might have 12-13. At first the woman looked super annoyed, but it turned out we had 6, and they were great about working to accommodate us. There was a wait the entire hour from when I first arrived to when we sat down. Tells you something about the food/service. The decor here is really chill - very mom & pop in orientation, with a lot of cool local beach artwork on display. Our server greeted us quickly and took our orders efficiently. I went with standard breakfast fare - eggs, hashbrowns, bacon, biscuit. Eggs and hashbrowns were okay, I was a little disappointed in the bacon - it's not as high quality as as I was hoping. The biscuit was the winner for me, perfectly light and flaky. Sort of a crime that they only had regular Smucker's jam packets because a fresh local jam would have been amazing on it. Other folks had some of the more intricate dishes and were raving about them - maybe that's where the magic is at. Our server was a little sparse, so it took time to get our food and any extra items we needed. It was busy though, and she did split all of our checks for us which was nice. This is one where I really wish Yelp had the half star, because I think this place was a solid 3.5. It's just that none of the food I chose wowed me to any great degree. Seemed like I could recreate it at home easily with key upgrades (like locally sourced bacon or jam). Prices were decent though and of course, breakfast club company can't be beat! read more

This place is amazing! Great food, great service. You can tell they really care. The place feels really homey and just like a diner. The menu has everything you can think of! The service is really fast. The waiters are really nice and caring. It's a really friendly environment. It's kid friendly as well. Definitely recommend read more

The absolute best breakfast and staff in NORFOLK!!!! Their tea is even amazing. I'm totally 100% satisfied with the quality of service I received. My food came out hot and cooked to perfection. read more

Yes, yes, yes!!! How in the world I've lived here since 2003 and never been here is beyond me. The service was great, the food was great and we will definitely be returning. read more

Great food and service. Nice menu selections, servers are attentive and friendly, The owner is hands on and we were seated as quickly as possible due to how there is often a large number of customers waiting. Great little breakfast and lunch spot located near East Beach and the base. They sell art from local artists featuring beach and ocean themes. Family friendly dining. read more

"Eat Breakfast Like a King, Lunch Like a Prince, and Dinner Like a Pauper" Adelle Davis If someone were to ask me what my favorite local breakfast place is...Sandfiddler Café would be my answer. I live for breakfast out on weekends and hate wasting time/money on somewhere that is subpar. You can easily spend $40+ on breakfast at other restaurants in the area. SF is located in the East Beach section of Norfolk which is about a 7 minute drive from my hood. I don't mind the short drive because I never frequent this end and is a fresh change of scenery and the East Beach neighborhood is precious! I love that they are family owned and operated. (Read bio in photo below) I feel good knowing that I am supporting the locals. There is usually a short wait on Saturdays but you usually get right in. A few recommendations: Not quite sure what they put in their French toast but it is fantastic. Love perhaps? Also if you are getting lunch order a side of ranch and fries...Or dang who cares order fries with breakfast! The décor is beachy, relaxed and super cute. Heck I love this place I am already looking forward the weekend! read more

Sandfiddler Cafe - Dear diners.... - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

I finally gave the Sandfiddler a shot and was not disappointed. While it's got the "small & local" vibe, it also has a surprisingly vast breakfast and lunch menu. The portions are served up hearty, quickly, and hot. I went for breakfast and ordered the East Beach breakfast. I was also pleasantly surprised to find scrapple on the menu (granted, scrapple isn't for everyone, and there're not many restaurants that have it on the menu). My plate came out heaping with a ton of well prepared food. The hash browns with onions were especially on point. I also took a slice of carrot cake home that's easily as good as any I've ever had. I'm not sure if that's a regular offering, but it should be. Bottom line: the Sandfiddler is way more than meets the eye. While relatively simple, it's extremely well executed! read more

Upon landing at Norfolk International my relative and I were hungry for breakfast but unfamiliar where to go. A local fireman highly recommended a real jewel called Sandfiddler Cafe. My desire for fresh crab was fulfilled by ordering a crab omelette and crab eggs benedict. At home I make my hollandaise from scratch but this sauce was absolutely excellent. Our server, #5 on our receipt, was very friendly, prompt and helpful making menu suggestions. Located in a small shopping center blocks from the Chesapeake Bay, this small but comfy beach themed lunch and breakfast cafe is a real winner. Kudos to longtime owner Jeff Cohen and his staff. read more

Locals breakfast spot with large menu and seasonal specials. With walls adorned with sea glass framed Mirrors, mermaid decor and all that's beachy the sandfiddler has been an East beach staple for years! They serve a mean breakfast and have plenty of parking! The only reason I gave them 4 stars instead of 5 is because during a business meeting after finishing breakfast my boss and I were asked to get up from our table while still finishing our meeting, there were no guests waiting to be seated and it really rubbed us the wrong way. I will say the owner wasn't in that day and I don't know if that would have happened if he was. I haven't been in since but I'm sure I can't stay away long. read more

It isn't the same since new owners took over. Quality of food and wait time have all suffered. Hopefully the new owners will be more attentive and it will return to its glory when it was one of the few good breakfast places in OV. read more

This restaurant was great service and food an atmosphere was awesome would recommend everyone to come here

The Sandfidler Cafe is one of my favorite breakfast places in the East Beach area. The food never fails to satisfy! My favorite is one of the Benedicts, any of them. Inside the menu the owner Jeff writes "Let me know if we can do even better." My only comment to him is to expand that way I won't have to wait! read more

So glad to be able to come back to this amazing spot. The food is always incredible and the staff is so friendly. A wonderful local establishment that really cares about the community it serves. Never pass up on the Chicken and Waffles or the Crab Benedict!! read more

Sandfiddler Cafe - Crab Benedict - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

We ate breakfast there and it was great.I had a large piece of country ham, scrambled eggs, home fries with onions and a bowl of watermelon.Pearl was our waitress and she was great.I can see why, you cant get in here on the weekend.Highly recommend. read more

Popular local spot for breakfast and lunch. The service was sufficient. It's the kind of place where the staff and regulars know each other by name. Recommended. read more

It's a very good local restaurant for breakfast and lunch. The staff is friendly and efficient. It's has the beach vibe to it. You can't go wrong with one. read more

Staff is super friendly and immediately ask you if you've been helped. They are very welcoming and have a huge sense of joy about them that brings a really nice atmosphere to match the cheery interior. I had the Greek omelet and loved the addition of peperoncinis!! read more

This Cafe is family owned / operated which is great cause you always always feel like family when you walk in . The food is always fresh and tasteful and even though they are in high demand they have NOT let their guards down to Covid! They are knowledgeable , safe and equipped to keep not only the staff safe but you as a guest ! Thank you Mr. Jeff ! To you and your team ! read more

Have never been disappointed eating here, it's an iconic part of OV! Not only Is the food delicious, but the excellent service makers you feel at home. read more

Awesome food awesome customer service The atmosphere here is perfect for the East Beach area. The owner makes you feel at home read more

Yelp Reviews did not disappoint! This cafe was AMAZING! Delicious food, excellent service, and nice military acknowledgement on Tuesdays and Thursday's...15% off your bill for Active Duty!!!! read more

Sandfiddler Cafe - Yummy Breakfast options!!! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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We went on a Sunday. After church. So you know any place that serves breakfast on a Sunday is going to be ridiculously packed. Sandfiddler was definitely packed but they kept momentum. Upon walking into the restaurant, I figured there'd be a pretty hefty wait because of the people seated in the lobby/waiting area but we were offered seats at the bar. SWEET! We sat and waited less than a minute before we were offered drinks and handed menus. After that it was sort of a blur but in a good way. We ordered our food and it didn't take long at all to get it out to us. Now I can credit the servers but really .. that kitchen was AMAZING! The head cook was calling out orders as soon as they came in and they were get'n it DONE SON! Seriously. I'm so glad we sat at the bar because I probably would not have witnessed the awesome kitchen staff doing their job and doing it so well. Not only was the service thoroughly impressive but my food was really good, too! As is typical when I go out for breakfast I usually get the Country Fried Steak (if it's on the menu) and it came with couple of perfectly done over easy eggs, delicious buttery and flaky biscuit and a bowl of the best grits I've had in a while. I can't say enough about this place. Its worth the wait (if you have to wait at all). We're totally going back. This place is great! read more

Sandfiddler Cafe - POG!!! Aka: Passion Orange Guava juice. Just lovely. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

I read Margaret M's review this morning and realized I haven't eaten breakfast yet and was pretty darn hungry. Let's check this place out. I'm so glad did. The Sandfiddler Cafe is located in the north east corner of Ocean View and easy to find in the only shopping center in that area. You can get there from East Ocean View Blvd or come up from Little Creek Road. You can't miss it. They serve breakfast and lunch during their daily hours of operation. We arrived around noon time and were immediately seated. It's a good thing we arrived when we did as the place literally filled up to the brim shortly after we were seated. That's a good sign. For breakfast this morning I had their meal called 'The Hungry Fisherman'. It consisted of 3 eggs any way you like, 2 sausages (patty or link), 2 pieces of bacon and either toast or a biscuit and a side. I choose the home fries with onions and cheddar cheese. Other side choices include, hash browns, grits, spiced apples, pancakes or fresh fruit. This breakfast was so filling I considered coming home and taking a nap. :) My guest had the 'Fiddler' French Toast combo with came with 4 pieces of French Toast, 2 eggs to order and 2 pieces of either bacon or sausage. The staff was very down home and friendly with lots of seating in both booths and a counter in the back by the kitchen. The restaurant is also decorated with a large variety of local beach art and nick knacks that are for sale. I can't wait to go back and try lunch sometime soon. read more

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I have decreed (What?! I can decree if I want to) that any place that reminds me of home with either attitude, atmosphere, quality of service, quality of food or any combination of the above will automatically get five stars. Sandfiddler gets five stars. I started craving diner food on Friday, Its Tuesday now... Luckily The Sandfiddler is close to a project for work and I saw some very nice compliments from the other reviewers so I thought I would give it a try. I realize as I type this that the last review was over a year ago... so I am glad they are still going strong. "The Good" - Even though it was lunch time, I went for the breakfast platter that had two eggs, choice of meat, choice of side, choice of toast. I ended up with Two Eggs over easy, Dark Rye toast, homefries with onions, and Bacon. Wow was it good. - The glasses for drinks are supersized. More wide than tall but still saves the servers a trip from returning every five seconds to check on the drinks. - The menu is straight forward and not confusing where you find the same sandwich listed under four or five different sections. - Servers are fast and friendly and on the spot if you need to ask for anything. - The portions were just right, not to go all goldilocks on you, it just was filling without leaving that much on the plate. As good as it was you did not want to leave anything :). - The "nap factor" when you have a meal so good you need a nap afterwards... yep they have it. "The Meh" - This is just a cosmetic thing and not meant to take away from the awesomeness, but there is carpet on the floors, granted the carpet is clean but it goes back to the generational thing about having carpet in the dining room. My mom had carpet in her dining room until I was in college and found out I knew how to sand floors. That summer the carpet came up and the hardwood was shining within a week. Again personal preference and it is not going to stop me from going back. - The link to their website above is broken. "The Bad" - Its a little bit out of the way, or just the right spot for the tourists visiting the bay. It is well worth the trip and trust me will not have an effect on me returning. read more

Sandfiddler Cafe - Easy to find... and now they have flags on the side to bring in the tourists. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

My family and I stopped here yesterday on our way to the airport. We had our dog with us and we anticipated just ordering some food to go. The owner was outside on the phone, but he seemed to wrap up his call when my family took some seats outside with the dog and me and my husband went inside to order. The hostess was finishing up with a guest so we patiently waited our turn. The owner, however, was right behind us and we told him we just wanted to order food to go. He told us to just order at the bar, but then he seemed to have remembered the rest of our party outside and said 'wait, nevermind', found a nearby waitress, and told her that we had a party of 5, but to accommodate us since we had a dog waiting outside. She took our fairly large order and we told her we'd be outside. The owner then came out and just casually talked to my family. The waitress followed behind with our drinks and we paid. Our food was out not long afterward. The food was great, but the service was excellent. Sometimes, non dog friendly restaurants treat you as somewhat of a nuisance when you need slight accommodations, but we felt no different than any other party there. Our OBX vacation was a mix of poor food and subpar service, but lo and behold, we received great food and even better service at a nearby airport restaurant. I can't guarantee I'll be back in the area any time soon, but every restaurant owner in every town needs to visit this place and take a few notes! read more

I may have to give them another try another day. I was super excited by their menu. Literally was a book worth of food. I had half a waffle, which I only ate a quarter of and half a tuna melt. I know what you're thinking, best of both worlds. Food was good but not great. Customer service is good here, very welcoming and open. Must remember that it is a diner and set up as such. For now I give them 3 1/2 stars until I try them again. If you're looking for a diner for breakfast, lunch or brunch give this place a try. read more

Successful Yelp recommendation. This is probably one of the busiest diners in the area. However, they know exactly how to manage everything and take care of their customers despite the busy scenario. In my opinion, this is also one of the best spots for Sunday brunch. You don't have to worry about the parking space. At first, I was kind of confused because there are lots of things going. Hanging ornaments here and there. Arts and crafts seen in the wall. But its a decent place. Clean and well maintained. A friend and I, come here for brunch. I knew there will be que for the table because it's also Sunday. Indeed, the que was massive but we were advise to wait for 20 minutes which isn't that bad all. Anyhow, we got our table on time and directly assisted one of the server. I had the crab meat benedict served with hash brown on the side. Thought it was fine. The flavor was very complex. Everything perfectly blend. We also ordered 4 layer of carrot cake to shared with and I was blown away how insanely good it is. Probably, the highlight of my visit. Despite of the busy schedule, our server make sure that were both taking of. Hands down, the customer service is simply astonishing. I am not crazy though about this place but I would love to come here for another brunch. The food portion is well paid off. Your money is worth it. I highly recommend this place fellas!!! xxx read more

Sandfiddler Cafe - Crab meat benedict - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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In a strip mall in East Beach. Nothing fancy just simple diner food. Good service and they have nice fruit selection and lots of sides. Eggs were tasty. Easy parking. read more

Settled on Sandfiddler Cafe at East Beach in Norfolk, VA while in town for work. The interior apperance of the restaurant was neat, clean and well lite. For lunch I decide on the Crab Cakes with cole slaw and a side salad. The salad was a bag mix with no thought put into any additional ingredients. The crab cakes were ok, not great and not horrible. The service was fine. read more

Sandfiddler Cafe - Crab cakes with a side of cole slaw. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Tip: there is bar seating that you can go straight to if there is a wait. No one told us that, but we heard the manager tell another couple there was no wait seating at the bar after we had already been waiting for 20 minutes. If I had known, we would've been eating already! Now to food. This place is standard diner fare. I had the ultimate scramble, which was great and pretty much everything delicious about breakfast: ham, bacon, sausage, onion, green pepper, tomato and three eggs and hash browns scrambled together with cheese on top. I slathered it in Cholula. Husband got the chicken and waffles with raspberry chipotle sauce. The raspberry chipotle was the best thing on the table. The waffle was fluffy but not much flavor and the chicken tasted like frozen Tyson chicken strips with some seasoning on top. The coffee is standard diner coffee. All in all, not worth the 35 minute wait (1130 on a Sunday), not worth the drive out there, and not worth the terrible service. The reviews here about service are correct. If you aren't a regular, the staff seems annoyed to serve you which is so obvious when you see them smiling and laughing with their usual customers and offering no wait bar seating. The hostess was an older lady who can't spare a smile for a stranger, doesn't want you to be there, and can't wait for you to leave. The local art is nice to look at, but I doubt we will be back. read more

Leaving a review since I can't get anyone on the phone. I placed an order this morning and asked if someone could bring it to my car if I parked up next to the door. They said yes. They said it would be ready in 15 minutes, it took me 20 minutes to drive there. I parked out front (in front of the wall of windows where I saw multiple waitresses just standing there), called the restaurant, got put on hold for over 15 minutes, and finally just gave up waiting. I was not able yo go inside and couldn't get anyone on the phone. Please refund my money or I'll go through my card issuer. Super disappointed and won't be coming back. read more

Sandfiddler Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

We were staying in Sandbridge on Sandfiddler Rd so we thought we would Uber to the Sandfiddler Cafe where family already were sitting down. These Sandfiddler namesakes are not close at all but well worth the trip. Even the Uber driver said he eats there often. There must have been 12 of us meeting there and though they were busy, they were super accommodating in spite of our endless many dietary issues. The menu is extensive and varied. I tasted almost everybody's dishes. Omlette, burrito (I'm from Texas), Belgian waffle and more. Something all too perfect about the crispy hash browns but I forgot to ask. I could see the grill work and see they used all fresh ingredients. A gem and yet it's just a lil cafe. read more

First time at Sand Fiddler Cafe. Employees are very friendly. With big Saturday morning crowds we were seated surprisingly fast! Ordered the cheese blintzes with all three fruit options... OH MY!!! These were delicious! I am so coming back to get them again! My friend ordered the cheese lovers omelet and she loved it to. Nice little gem of a breakfast place in East Beach!!! read more

Sandfiddler Cafe - Cheese blintzes with fruit - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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Have you been to Sandfiddler lately? If not you need to go. They have doubled the size of the menu. I go for the Eggs Benedict. Now there are four kinds to choose from! I got the Irish Benedict with corned beef hash instead of the traditional Canadian bacon. Wow! What a taste. May be my new favorite. Love this place! read more

Sandfiddler Cafe - Why can't I rotate this photo? - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

We ate there this morning. The place was packed but surprisingly not noisy. The service was excellent. We had crab omelette, crab Benedict and two eggs sunny with bacon and hash browns. Side order of fruit fresh, chilled and delicious. Two thumbs up A+ read more

Sandfiddler Cafe - Order is up! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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