Best Restaurants in Norfolk (2025)

A tiny Riverview “finer diner” where chef Stephen Marsh riffs on Mid-Atlantic produce and turns out a cult burger. Highlighted in Coastal Virginia Magazine’s 2024 Culinary Awards and praised by local critics, it remains a reservation-worthy essential.

Downtown’s intimate Italian bar-kitchen delivers pastas, seafood, and a late-night energy that regulars love. Featured by Coastal Virginia Magazine and confirmed open with current hours, it’s a go-to for date-night dining and serious amari.

Fine dining in a boutique inn near the Freemason District, known for thoughtful service, seasonal seafood, and a courtyard that feels like a city escape. Recognized by Coastal Virginia Magazine and consistently recommended by local food writers.

Playful and precise, this small Park Place restaurant centers raw fish, handmade pastas, and smart cocktails. Celebrated in Coastal Virginia Magazine’s 2024 Culinary Awards for its originality and for pushing the local scene forward.

A first-generation Asian American perspective on ramen and street food—bold broths, sticky wings, and fun cocktails. Praised in Coastal Virginia Magazine’s 2024 Culinary Awards and verified active with current hours and multiple listings.

An old-school drive-in where the Doumar family still makes waffle cones on a 1905 machine and serves chopped barbecue, limeades, and sundaes. A James Beard America’s Classics honoree and frequently featured by national media.

Family-run for decades in the Chelsea District, Orapax blends Greek classics, pizza, and weekly specials with a lively bar scene. A neighborhood fixture verified by its official site and praised by locals for generations.

Artisan bakery turned pizza destination—organic sourdough breads by day, wood-fired neo-Neapolitan pies later. Noted in Coastal Virginia Magazine’s dining guides and confirmed active with posted hours and multiple locations.

Mediterranean-leaning dishes served in an 1840s carriage house, with a loyal following for wine dinners and a breezy patio. Featured by the city’s tourism board and verified with current menus and brunch service.

Courtney White McQuarrie’s intimate spot channels rustic Europe—sharp technique, seasonal ingredients, and a serious Old World wine list. Recommended by Southern Living and recognized in Coastal Virginia Magazine’s culinary features.

Ghent’s longtime raw bar serves local oysters, seafood platters, and hearty pub fare with a solid craft beer list. Family-owned, actively operating, and frequently cited by local publications for casual seafood.

A Norfolk institution inside a renovated 1873 church, beloved for she-crab soup, seafood, and prime rib. Confirmed open with posted hours and frequently spotlighted by local tourism and media outlets.