We are from out of town and looking for a place to have dinner. This place came up and sounded great. I'd say when we pulled into the parking lot we were a bit skeptical because it was right next to a 7-11. I'm glad we decided to go in. The bar area is what you see first. The restaurant side was very nice and comfortable. The menu not huge but good choices. Service was friendly. We placed and order for the charcoal roasted oysters and to say they were good is not a sufficient description. They were so delicious and flavorful that we ordered another batch! At one point the owner came out to discuss a change he needed to make with our order. We talked with him about how wonderful the oysters were and the last time we had ones near this good was many years ago in New Orleans. He told us how he went there and tried many and came up with his recipe. We eat at lots of different types restaurants (diners, dives & high end) and I have to say our standards are high for good food. I'm a decent cook and know good food can be had anywhere but not everywhere. This meal was the most enjoyable that we have had in a very long time. I highly recommend you go. Oh! Our waitress, Natalie, was sweet, friendly and helpful! read more

Amazing food and great service! Ambiance was great and the seafood was fresh! Will be coming back here again for my seafood and a local hangout. read more

Five stars for the scallops! One of my favorite meals during our summer in Norfolk. We didn't dine in at restaurants much because it's tricky with a toddler, but we got plenty of delivery and takeout. I enjoyed the seafood pasta and my husband enjoyed the seared scallops so much I ordered them again several weeks later. We'd probably be regulars if we stayed in the area. read more

Swell At OV - Scallop appetizer - Bars Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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What a great experience. Excellent food, excellent service. What can I say. Awesome place in a new area for me read more

Our meal was so delicious. We enjoyed the vibe of the place and the service was great. We will definitely go back.

Last weekend, we went to Swell at OV for dinner. I've driven by it several times and I have apparently been missing out on some great food. The interior had a clean modern look. We were greeted and seated quickly after arriving. I selected the St. Jacques Scallops for my meal! It was wonderful! The scallops tasted fresh and the sauce that went with it tasted amazing. For dessert, I had the strawberry cheesecake! It was rich and delicious! I would recommend trying Swell! The food, service, and overall experience is worth it! read more

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Wow! What a nice little hidden gem. Y'all know I love the locals haha! Met some family members from PA here. Crazy thing is they found the spot. It's chill little area with a bar and kitchen. The food is very delicious. Plenty of seafood options. Our server was kind and she took good care of us. We did not have to wait long on our food to arrive. Oh yea, I like their wine selection. read more

Swell At OV - Cheeseburger meal - Bars Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

The scallops st Jacques is definitely a must try! It was our favorite. The restaurant is next to a 7 Eleven but don't let that stop you from visiting. read more

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This place is tucked away in ocean view near the pier. It offers bar seating and dinning room seating. I was greeted by the person working the bar. The bang bang shrimp were good, the sauce made the dish. The crab cake was okay, I had one last year from here and it was meatier and tasted better. read more

Swell At OV - Bang Bang Shrimp - Bars Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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OUTSTANDING shrimp. Delighted to find this unassuming gem on Willoughby Spit. The next time the HRBT is at a standstill, do yourself a favor and wait it out here with a brew and some fresh-caught seafood instead of sweltering in the car. read more

This!!! Isn't it wonderful that I finally stumbled upon a local spot that is convenient for me?! I needed a relaxing spot to hide and this is it!!! It's tucked away, so not too many people know about this hidden gem. In fact, I'm hesitant to write its exact location because I'm being selfish and don't want to ruin my secret spot. But... I dare say... the owner was nice enough to let me place a late night order without any grief. And his recommendation was the soft shell crabs, which I got as a platter. I was surprisingly... not disappointed!!! I will happily admit, I have driven out to the Eastern Shore for some soft shell crabs. I'm not that bougie, but I know what I like... Again, it's a local spot. And for the time being, my new favorite hideout. read more

Swell At OV - Soft shell crabs - Bars Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Tucked away on West Ocean View this fairly new restaurant is a gem... To my surprise Swell has been open for less than a year and quickly becoming a locals fave for fresh seafood dishes served with sides of chill & relaxed beachy atmosphere. I met my sisters for lunch on a Saturday and there was no crowds or long waits like most places. We decided to grab a stool at the bar and was quickly greeted by our bartender... she made us some mean Passion Fruit mimosas that were absolutely delicious. I opted for the shrimp and grits and added. Crab cake for an additional $12.99. My sisters both ordered the Fresh Cod Fish Sandwich that was served with fries. The food was Excellent! I can be a bit particular about my shrimp and grits! I must admit that was pleasantly surprised with Swell's rendition of my all time favorite comfort meal. I literally scraped the plate clean.. ( don't judge me ) I also sampled the Fried Fish Sandwich and it was delicious. The catch of the day was fresh cod and you could tell that this fish was Fresh and not frozen. The fries were seasoned well and quite good.. read more

Swell At OV - Bars Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Don't come here if you are allergic to smoke. Guy next to me at the bar smoking a vape. I guess he is cool with the staff because no one says anything. I know ordinance doesn't say you can't "vape" inside but most places understand those of us with sensitivies and dont allow it. Please pass this place by and check out the two other places nearby. Much better. read more

More than just a bar. The food is excellent. The owner is very friendly. "I will return."

Really enjoyable visit. This is probably the best restaurant on Willoughby Spit.Terrific appetizers were the bang bang shrimp and the fish bites. Our entrées were shrimp and grits and seared scallops. Both were really delicious. I did think that my grits were a tad undercooked in as much as I like grits smooth and creamy, but the spice and richness was outstanding. Staff was friendly and accommodating and it was enjoyable sitting at the bar and chatting with one of the owners. Parking is easy. read more

Swell At OV - Shrimp and grits - Bars Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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Food was soo good. Service was exceptional. Ambiance was small but perfect. One of the best crab cakes in Oceanview. The mashed potatoes were so creamy and flavorful. Drinks and mint was perfectly fresh in my drink. My only con is that I wish it was a larger seating area. The people and friendly and and not pushy with the service. I've been back twice. read more

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We stopped in because this restaurant is new-ish to the area and right up the street from where we were staying. It was Kentucky Derby Day but they didn't have the pre-race on so we asked for a channel change and were quickly accommodated. Fun place! Bar up front with a dozen tables to the right of the front door. All seats are able to see the TV. Definitely a sports bar vibe. We ordered shrimp that were quickly served and very good. Pricing was a little high for drinks but I think we are dealing with location-location-location. read more

Swell At OV - Shrimp - Bars Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Best shrimp in the area and on Sunday they have a special price...highly recommend...fast and friendly service from Maddie... There's also always a game on the big screen tv if you want to watch a game on the weekend read more

THIS! This is exactly what was needed in Ocean View! It's brand new, it's beautiful, the staff is super friendly and the food is fantastic. Never before in OV has a place checked all those boxes, except for a couple of breakfast only places. If you are looking for a great lunch or dinner option, THIS is your place! I had a hankering for seared scallops after seeing a few pics on social media, so we decided to give it a try. There are a few scallop options on the menu, and I went with Scallops St. Jacques. I'm glad I did! 6 huge, sweet perfectly seared scallops over a bed of mashed potatoes in a Brandy Parmesan cream sauce. Yes please! Absolutely nothing negative to say about this one, though it is a little heavy. Since the menu changes frequently, I would love to see these perfect scallops in a garlic butter type sauce maybe over pasta this summer. Hubby had the only steak on the menu - a HUGE and beautiful NY Strip. He loves his steak rare, and it's hard for places to get that right, especially with such a thick cut. But the chef did not disappoint! It was a perfect rare all the way through. It came with those yummy mashed potatoes and broccolini. Fantastic! I love the open kitchen. Watching chefs perform their craft is something I really love (isn't that why we all watch the food network?!). The menu is small, and everything is cooked to order. Again, it changes frequently. I'd love to see it expanded just a bit to include side salads, maybe a dinner salad option and one or two more meat choices. The menu is very seafood heavy, but hey, we are at the beach! Overall this is a very welcome and MUCH needed addition to Ocean View. We are already planning to be regulars! read more

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Ribs are fire!!! Crab dip is also yummy! Will be back to try more. Quiet and good chill vibes! Way better than the other ratchet options in the Willoughby area! read more

Just had dinner at Swell Restaurant in OV, AMAZING!! Great oysters, crab dip and pretzels was one of the best we've had. Rob's lobster mac and cheese is sooo good with tons of lobster! I cant remeber the name of the other lobster pasta but he couldnt even finish it all. Overall great experience with great drinks! Great locally owned spot. read more

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Came here thinking this would be your normal dinner. Was coming up here to go to a basketball camp and we had a house 2 minutes from here so we decided to give it a try. We thought it would be like any other restaurant but it was phenomenal. I had the best food ever and the food came out so fast. The worker was so nice and kind. It's a great place and super comfy. Recommend this place! read more

Place was amazing. Oysters, burger, vibes. Will be back and will be referring to other people. Thank you!

We really enjoyed Swell, getting a high-quality meal for a reasonable price in a relaxed atmosphere. The menu had some great options, and the specials were extensive and impressive. I ordered a 1.5 lb whole lobster, which was great and really reasonably priced at $32. I'd pay almost that much for one live at the grocery store. My wife had the fried shimp, and along with being really good was impressed that she got 18 in an order. The grilled oysters app was also delcious, topped with melted parmesan. Swell also has a good selection of local beers, and a decent and readonable wine list. It's tucked away in Willoughby next to a 711, but it's worth seeking out for sure. They're a great addition to OV, and we will definitely be back. read more

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THE BEST SPOT in the seven cities. Amazing service and the food is top shelf. Beachy vibes with really good food.

We ordered drinks, oysters, 4 different entrees. Everything was delicious and the service was good.

Great spot to eat and go or sit and watch sports I like coming to This spot to eat there wings is the bomb read more

Had a taste for fried fish and stumbled across this place in OV, not much to look at, tucked away beside a 7-11, and the food was worth the drive.. the fish was awesome cooked perfectly and the portion size was perfect.. we had wings also and they were sneaky good definitely wing competition ready... service was awesome read more

I am glad Yelp! finally restored the ability to write reviews on Swell! Great lil restaurant & bar, just what the Spit needs! I went to Yelp! before I ordered to see fotos and recommendations from other Yelpers. I was shocked to see the reviews alleging horrible things...each time I have been to Swell, everyone was treated with respectful and courtesy. I received great service even though I came in very close to closing time. Food was tasty. Their chef came to ask how I liked my dinner after the kitchen closed. Welcome to the Spit! Recommendation: add a cheeseburger to the menu Lol Am I the only one thinking the Swell needs a burger? Lol read more

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Just had to put in a review for this place. Just awesome food and service. The owner Rob definitely understands food; having a decade or more experience in making it! And he's a very personable person. I live 5 hours away but get down here for business. I often go out of my way to eat here. Everything I've had has been super fresh and tasty. Very reasonable prices for this level of quality. Just a simple neighborhood coastal style bar and restaurant serving the best food! I love this place! read more

This is a cute little spot tucked away near a 7-eleven. They had clam strips on the menu and said they're Massachusetts clams. Being from the Massachusetts coast and a recent transplant, I had to try them out just to see. They were fresh and delicious. Probably the best I've ever had. The sauce wasn't a typical tartar sauce, it was so flavorful. I'll be going back soon. read more

We just love this place! Great atmosphere with fabulous food. Sometimes the steak will be medium instead of rare but other than that Rob and his team deliver quality dishes that are creative and delicious. Todd's Bourbon knowledge is spectacular! The staff is friendly, funny and always helpful. I do miss his mother's desserts though. read more

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The food and service was amazing. We have eaten seafood all over Tidewater since buying our home in East Beach, we have finally found the BEST as well as our SPOT! The owner was bartending and so friendly. If you are visiting or a local u must come here! I missed the pic of my crab cake dinner because i was so excited to dive right in! When in Tidewater make the effort to come by here! read more

Excellent service, beach atmosphere I've been here twice this week. The Philly Cheesesteak and buffalo shrimp are extremely well prepared. Recommend stopping in for lunch or dinner, open 7 days a week. read more

Swell At OV - Dinner menu - Bars Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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Food was DELICIOUS, service was amazing! Will definitely make this a regular spot!! Rob and his Team made the 64th Wedding Anniversary Celebration dinner for our parents stress free and incredibly relaxing! read more

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Had dinner here last night after nearly a month in Norfolk. Man, what was I waiting for? Kind of cold with steel chairs and open space but the food was presented and prepared exquisitely. I highly recommend Swell ~ read more

My mother-in-law and I went to lunch at Swell At OV today (7-5-23). It's a cozy place with a mid-century vibe and really comfortable "booth" seats; they aren't booths in the true sense of the word but the upholstered benches are very nice. My MIL ordered the shrimp po boy. It was dressed with remoulade and came with fries. She loved it, said the remoulade was wonderful. The fries, which I also had, were great: very crispy and served very hot. I ordered the Philly cheese steak and it was the best one I've ever had. It didn't have green peppers that I could tell, but I'm telling y'all, this thing was GREAT. It came piping hot. The chef used a combination of American and provolone cheeses. The beef was so tasty. Again, the fries are awesome. The chef was the server for the better part of the time we were there. Service wasn't the fastest but friendly and accommodating. By the time we left, another guy had shown up; he took up our plates and brought our check. I really liked Swell At OV. I can highly recommend it! read more

Dudeeee you have to come here.This was my second time and again this place exceeded my expectations. I brought my mom here on Sunday. It's very hard to please my mom when we go out But , we came here and she was so amazed she tipped the cook and the server. Presentation was good and my burger was fully cooked such a wonderful place. read more

Swell At OV - Swell burger and swell biscuit - Bars Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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Don't let the location of this place fool you. This is hands down one of the best restaurants in Norfolk currently. Everything on the menu is fresh and perfectly cooked. Delicious seafood, amazing steaks, and delectable deserts. Cannot make a stronger recommendation! read more

Excellent food and menu! Great chef and lot of variety. Good bar too. Recommend any of the shrimp appetizers, raw oysters, and stuffed flounder. Great wedge salad too. read more