Freemason Abbey Restaurant

American restaurant · Norfolk

Freemason Abbey Restaurant

American restaurant · Norfolk

1

209 W Freemason St, Norfolk, VA 23510

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Freemason Abbey Restaurant by null
Freemason Abbey Restaurant by null
Freemason Abbey Restaurant by null
Freemason Abbey Restaurant by null
Freemason Abbey Restaurant by null
Freemason Abbey Restaurant by null
Freemason Abbey Restaurant by null
Freemason Abbey Restaurant by null
Freemason Abbey Restaurant by null
Freemason Abbey Restaurant by null
Freemason Abbey Restaurant by null
Freemason Abbey Restaurant by null
Freemason Abbey Restaurant by null
Freemason Abbey Restaurant by null
Freemason Abbey Restaurant by null
Freemason Abbey Restaurant by null
Freemason Abbey Restaurant by null
Freemason Abbey Restaurant by null
Freemason Abbey Restaurant by null
Freemason Abbey Restaurant by null
Freemason Abbey Restaurant by null
Freemason Abbey Restaurant by null
Freemason Abbey Restaurant by null
Freemason Abbey Restaurant by null
Freemason Abbey Restaurant by null
Freemason Abbey Restaurant by null
Freemason Abbey Restaurant by null
Freemason Abbey Restaurant by null
Freemason Abbey Restaurant by null
Freemason Abbey Restaurant by null
Freemason Abbey Restaurant by null
Freemason Abbey Restaurant by null
Freemason Abbey Restaurant by null
Freemason Abbey Restaurant by null
Freemason Abbey Restaurant by null
Freemason Abbey Restaurant by null
Freemason Abbey Restaurant by null
Freemason Abbey Restaurant by null
Freemason Abbey Restaurant by null
Freemason Abbey Restaurant by null
Freemason Abbey Restaurant by null
Freemason Abbey Restaurant by null

Highlights

Historic church turned restaurant serving delicious She Crab soup  

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209 W Freemason St, Norfolk, VA 23510 Get directions

freemasonabbey.com
@freemasonabbey

$20–30

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209 W Freemason St, Norfolk, VA 23510 Get directions

+1 757 622 3966
freemasonabbey.com
@freemasonabbey

$20–30

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Last updated

Sep 6, 2025

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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.

https://freemasonabbey.com/
Best Restaurants in Norfolk (2025)
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X. B.

Google
Visited Freemason Abbey for the first time during restaurant week. The drinks are delicious. I had the blueberry sour and coconut mojito. The sour was better, but both were good. The melon salad was yummy. I also enjoyed the tequila lime shrimp was excellent. I tried the duck fried rice and it was good too. My friend sent the braised short rib back; it was dry and flavorless. The service is excellent! Chuck was our waiter and took very good care of us. The manager also checked on us, and two other serves cleared our dirty plates away. All in all, good first visit. Would come back to try the regular menu.

Jay Schimke

Google
Food was excellent. Got some take away and it was really good. I got the seafood fantasia, shrimp, scallops, onions, peppers and linguine, I added lump crab meat. I also got a 2oz sampler of the She Crab soup. Everything was just right, shrimp and scallops were not over cooked and everything was flavorful. I had an Old Fashion while I waited, my only recommendation is that they should use Luxardo cherries instead of the cheap maraschino cherries they use.

Mind Tienpasertkij

Google
My husband and I went for our 3 year anniversary and we enjoyed our food and the service here! Highly recommend to anyone who’s thinking about visiting. The food tastes amazing and the waitresses were welcoming and friendly. Also the history behind the place is also really cool. Everything we ordered, we really enjoyed! Reasonable prices for the portion as well.

Robert Swanson

Google
The Freemason Abby was on my found Top 10 of she crab soup in Hampton Roads area. There was lots of on street, pay by plate parking available. I found there is a lot next door and others available very close. Well the outside, the entrance and the interior are incredible ! 10 out of 10 for ambiance. Of course I started with the She Crab soup. Fantastic flavor on the thick side with lots of crab meat. It came with a piece of New York flat bread and a side bowl of fresh rolls. The lamb chops were tempting but went for a bowl of their French Onion soup. Equally as good. The Swiss cheese was different from the traditional Gruyere but as good. Made it an appetizer trifecta with the Bang Bang Shrimp. Crispy deep fried shrimp with a not spicy Thai Chili sauce. There was a dessert tray. Went with the Bread Pudding, no Key Lime pie tonight 😢 Huge piece but too full, eat it tomorrow. Overall, 10/10 for atmosphere, 10/10 for She Crab soup. 7/10 for the rest.

Yevheniia Kryzhevich

Google
It was a Very nice place to go to for a romantic date. You feel like it's a quiet church but in reality decent restaurant, food was amazing and not that expensive. Waiter was experienced and very very behaved. I would not recommend cocktails, wine is the way to go. Crab soup, sea bass, veggie curry 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟. Definitely will come back

Khalil Brooks

Google
I give the experience a 8.5/10, first time here. Surprised to hear this used to be a church, the aesthetic definitely matched. We came for lunch. I got the cocktail flight, it was pretty good & strong LOL! That spinach salad and she crab soup were the bomb 😋 the salmon special was okay, the sides lacked flavor and weren’t thoroughly cooked, the salmon was good, they had some kind of cinnamon glaze seasoning. We were there during happy hour as well, but you only can indulge if seated at the bar or patio.. they should change that rule lol!

Melanie E

Google
I had a tasty lunch here after reading the great reviews. They did not disappoint! Food: 5/5 - started with a bowl of their famous crab soup which was superb. It came with freshly baked mini biscuits. I had one of the staff’s favorite (my favorite) seafood quiche. There were plenty of seafood such as scallops & crab. I could taste the fresh spinach inside the quiche. It came with fresh fruit. Unfortunately I had no room for dessert. Note: they have a weekday lunch special which is a great value. Service: 5/5 - great service from Ian who was friendly and efficient. Thanks Ian! Atmosphere: 5+/5 - stunning interior especially the stained glass windows and high ceilings. A special historical place to dine at. Their hours are M- Thurs from 11 am to 9 pm; Fri & Sat from 11 am to 10 pm & Sun from 10 am to 8 pm. A fantastic venue for all occasions. They take reservations. If you love tasty and wholesome food, this is a must visit.

Tiago De Lima

Google
Best Salmon ever! Service was perfect! I went there for lunch at 3 pm, July 21st. I don't remember the waiter's name, unfortunately. But cheers to him and chef!The place is beautiful with a great atmosphere. I'll definitely be back.
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Arvin L.

Yelp
I had a tasty lunch here after reading the great reviews. They did not disappoint! Food: 5/5 - started with a bowl of their famous crab soup which was superb. It came with freshly baked mini biscuits. I had one of the staff's favorite (my favorite) seafood quiche. There were plenty of seafood such as scallops & crab. I could taste the fresh spinach inside the quiche. It came with fresh fruit. Unfortunately I had no room for dessert. Note: they have a weekday lunch special which is a great value. Service: 5/5 - great service from Ian who was friendly and efficient. Thanks Ian! Ambiance: 5+/5 - stunning interior especially the stained glass windows and high ceilings. A special historical place to dine at. Their hours are M- Thurs from 11 am to 9 pm; Fri & Sat from 11 am to 10 pm & Sun from 10 am to 8 pm. A fantastic venue for all occasions. They take reservations. If you love tasty and wholesome food, this is a must visit.
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Lee M.

Yelp
Decided to check this place out during restaurant week. The waitress was absolutely attentive and nice. She suggested a couple of her favorite drinks that were really good. The crab dip was amazing! The honey buttered chicken, mashed potatoes, asparagus were amazing! However, I will say the flavor for the asparagus was good but it was super tiny and thin that you could only partially eat it. I was a little bit disappointment because I love asparagus. The ambiance is very old but cute. I feel like I deserve a free crab dip due to the fact I could not fully enjoy my asparagus. Haha.
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Janine D.

Yelp
This beautifully renovated historic church building is now the home of a wonderful restaurant. Located in the downtown area of Norfolk, it is easy to locate. After spending the morning aboard the USS Wisconsin, we walked over here for a late lunch. Not familiar with "She Crab Soup ", the waitress informed me that this is a dish they are known for! ..."when in Rome..." It was delicious!! I'm very happy I chose a bowl, rather than a cup My companion chose the Tuesday Special, Bang Bang Tacos which he thoroughly enjoyed. Our server couldn't have been nicer. Food and beverages were delivered promptly. I would highly recommend this place!
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Melanie E.

Yelp
I had a tasty lunch here after reading the great reviews. They did not disappoint! Food: 5/5 - started with a bowl of their famous crab soup which was superb. It came with freshly baked mini biscuits. I had one of the staff's favorite (my favorite) seafood quiche. There were plenty of seafood such as scallops & crab. I could taste the fresh spinach inside the quiche. It came with fresh fruit. Unfortunately I had no room for dessert. Note: they have a weekday lunch special which is a great value. Service: 5/5 - great service from Ian who was friendly and efficient. Thanks Ian! Ambiance: 5+/5 - stunning interior especially the stained glass windows and high ceilings. A special historical place to dine at. Their hours are M- Thurs from 11 am to 9 pm; Fri & Sat from 11 am to 10 pm & Sun from 10 am to 8 pm. A fantastic venue for all occasions. They take reservations. If you love tasty and wholesome food, this is a must visit.
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Carol D.

Yelp
Food (5/5): We had the special $36 3 course meal available in the month of April and split this. The Service (5/5): Dianne was nice and friendly server. Ambiance (4/4): Really cute renovation of a church.
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Christal B.

Yelp
The entire team is super hospitable. We came into town late, and they were closing in an hour, but I couldn't tell because they were very nice and paced well. The food was amazing.
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Stephanie A.

Yelp
I dined here during lunch on a weekday while I was in town for a work trip. There weren't too many options nearby, but this one's charming location in an old church and promise of delicious she crab soup made it worth a windy walk. I was seated upstairs and ordered the lunch combo of a cup of she crab soup and half a club sandwich. Both were delicious and combined to make a surprisingly filling meal. I didn't love the texture of the soup (very thick) but the flavor was tasty and there was loads of crab meat in it. The sandwich felt fresh and warm on a blistery day. I ended the meal with the bread pudding, which was slightly disappointing. It wasn't evenly heated, so it had some cold spots, and the flavor was perhaps to cinnamony and could have been a little sweeter. I did appreciate the whipping cream soak, though. And bread pudding is hard to find! I also must comment on my wonderful server, who was friendly and attentive. He provided great recommendations and made sure my soda glass was filled.
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Brittany K.

Yelp
What a fun experience! The history behind the building itself definitely attracted us. Given we are visitors to the Norfolk area, we were looking for something memorable and unique. We were lucky enough to come during restaurant week! We were warmly welcomed and found the staff to be attentive. Given the special price fixe, we indulged on three courses and had a nice variety around the table. I enjoyed the New York strip but found it more medium as opposed to medium rare as requested. I also found the string beens to be a tad chewy or under cooked. However the meal was overall pleasant. The bread pudding dessert was nice! I will certainly return on my next visit to Norfolk and sample my way around the menu!

Ivan C.

Yelp
Sad to say that the crab cake didn't look like a crab cake but more like a flat crab cake and the wild rice was under cooked. The fried calamari was over cooked along with the bang bang shrimp that barely had any flavor. The broiled seafood combo had an unusual taste and the Brussels sprouts were very charred.
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Brett D.

Yelp
(4.5/5) If you like she crab soup this restaurant is for you! My family and I were walking around and this Abbey caught our eye! We were happy to see it was actually a restaurant with a cool history. Our waitress was extremely nice and attentive. We started with some of their flavored iced teas and lemonades which were fun to try! I enjoyed the iced tea a bit more than the lemonade. The pomegranate iced tea was refreshing. We also tried the she crab soup, which was a clear favorite at the first taste. Very cream with a subtle spice, so delicious. Then, for our lunch my family and I ordered the fish and chips, fantasia, and Reuben sandwich. The fish and chips had Icelandic fish with a homemade sauce and some of the best fries I've had in a while (was my personal winner for our lunch). If you love seafood and old bay seasoning then the fantasia is a great choice for you! Lastly, the Reuben was pretty decent. A good amount of meat, but not as outstanding as the rest of the plates. However, the Russian dressing was clearly homemade and very good! If you're in the area this is a super fun restaurant to try out! Glad that we found it!
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Aleksandra B.

Yelp
As a die-hard Potterhead, I had to check out this Potter-themed menu! I began my magical journey with two enchanting cocktails: The Curse and The Spirit. Each was deliciously crafted, with flavors that danced on my taste buds like a Quidditch match in the air. The Curse packed a delightful punch, while The Spirit offered a refreshing twist that would make even the most stoic house elf smile. For my main course, I indulged in the Screaming Shack Pie--a shepherd's pie that would make even Mrs. Weasley proud! The well-seasoned meat was like a warm hug, and the crust was flaky enough to enchant anyone who took a bite. Every spoonful was pure wizardry. From appetizers to desserts, every dish was a nod to the beloved series. The creativity and attention to detail were simply spellbinding. I even had the chance to enjoy some of the classic pastries which were simply delicious. The staff was excellent! We were dressed in our wizards robes so when we were leaving the staff gave my son a wand and some awesome Harry Potter stickers. He was over the moon. Our waiter was very nice, accommodating and cheerful. Whether you're a Muggle or a wizard, this Harry Potter-themed dinner is sure to charm your socks off--no wand required!
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Jordan B.

Yelp
My husband surprised me with dinner at this spot. I admittedly hadn't heard of it, but what a pleasant find. First the location is very cool- an old church turned restaurant with lots of charm and character. We had a reservation so we're immediately seated. Looks like they highly recommend reservations based on signs at host stand and website! Our server, Justin, was very very attentive. He checked in often and gave a lot of great recommendations when asked. A full cocktail menu, wine choices and more! It's pretty cool they offer a cocktail flight of some of their staples! We both had the prime rib, which was the special of the night, and we're both so happy with the choice. The portion was large and cooked well. We had the creme brûlée and their version of an espresso martini for dessert- so good.
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Garrett B.

Yelp
Really good food in a cool old church. Definitely make reservations here, they wouldn't seat us on a Thursday night, we got lucky and found bar seats together. The she crab soup is really good.

Cathy C.

Yelp
The ambiance was relaxing, the service was excellent, and the food was absolutely delicious. We will definitely be back again. At this first visit we had the crab cake platter with a shot of she crab soup and Asiago chicken.
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Glen H.

Yelp
Nice looking place set inside an old church. There was a stained glass window from the original church inside the bar area. We went during lunch and had a good meal with the hostess and waiter telling us the history of the place and how they made certain dishes. I got the half sandwich and soup, both of which were really tasty. My wife got the she-crab soup which she enjoyed - it's a specialty of the house - but I wouldn't touch it with with a ten foot pole.
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William W.

Yelp
We were passing through Norfolk on vacation and wanted a nice meal in the city. Freemason Abbey was one of the highest rated spots on Google, so we booked a reservation and hoped it would live up to its reputation. FYI: on a week night, the crowd is sufficiently sparse and a reservation isn't really required. The restaurant occupies the space of a former Presbyterian church dating back to 1873, so the historical significance is certainly intriguing. But the interior looks like it hasn't been updated since the '80s and feels quite dated (and not in a historical way). While the prices on the menu indicate the upscale nature of Freemason Abbey, the decor certainly does not. The calamari appetizer is awful, chewy rings in a questionable batter that makes me think they bought them in the freezer section of a grocery store and heated them in a microwave. The crab cake entree is pricey, and certainly filled with ample crabmeat. But they're just not that good, especially for a region of the U.S. known for mastering this dish. Worst of all, the servers let the water glasses go empty and rarely refill them, a cardinal sin of waiting tables. There was one bright spot beyond the delicious rolls. The She Crab Soup is advertised as an award-winning concoction, and indeed it's one of the best bisques? I've ever tasted. Rich, flavorful, with a lot of crabmeat and tremendous depth, it's a really winner. But a meal that runs $60 per person including tax and tip should be noticeably better than this. We feel that Freemason Abbey is serving subpar food at exorbitant prices. Either don't go or just order the soup!
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Ruby S.

Yelp
Wanted a delicious lunch after morning errands & realized it was Norfolk restaurant week so we finally came to Freemason! I have been here before broadway shows just to stop at the bar but have been wanting to dine here for a while. For restaurant week we got an appetizer & entree. The she crab soup was truly some of the best I've had! And the season salad was refreshing. The entrees were absolutely delicious, my husband could not stop raving about the chicken! I love how the inside is decorated and it just sets a really nice mood. Our waitress was very kind & attentive. They run specials all the time. This is definitely the perfect spot for a date night!
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Brian K.

Yelp
I've never been to Norfolk but went here for business and the food was really good and service was prompt. It was a really neat setting to being in an old church. If I come back to Norfolk, I would definitely stop by here again.

Kaileigh P.

Yelp
This is a great stop! There's a range of price options in the menu and they all seem quite reasonable, plus I was pleasantly surprised that they refilled my lemonade for free. The interior is also very cool to sit in and we had great service.
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Kayla C.

Yelp
I felt like this place was a hidden gem! I really enjoyed their shecrab soup. I enjoyed the vibes, the venue, and all the character in the restaurant. All it was missing was the ambience of live music. I really enjoyed the location as well and just so you know there's free parking in the back!
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Young K.

Yelp
I do have to point out right away that the service here was very very slow. I spent almost three hours here because the service was really slow. We got appetizers She Crab Soup and Bang Bang shrimp. I was so hungry by this point that I forgot to take a picture of the appetizers and had to order a salad on the side with my entree. My fiance who got the scallop orzo said that it was very heavy in the stomach and it was a lot more food than he thought it would be. Seafood Fantasia was pretty good because I appreciated the amount of vegetables were in the dish, but it was a little bit more salty than I liked it to be. Because the service was so slow, we didn't have time for dessert, which was a bummer because I wanted to try their dessert. The seasonal sangria was the best part of the restaurant. I also have to point out that our waitress was very aggressive because she would splatter water or sauce everywhere when she would hand us our food or place our drinks on the table. They have their own parking lot in downtown Norfolk, which is convenient around that area.
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Ray K.

Yelp
This was one of my favorite places to visit for my birthday. It is located in the perfect place. I learned it was an old church that was turned into a restaurant. The staff are very kind and attentive. The vibe was very chill and calming. It was not loud at all. Food was simply delicious. I love when I don't have any left overs !
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David T.

Yelp
The ambiance is amazing!!!! Cool vibe in an old church. Located a convenient corner in downtown Norfolk but centered so it's perfect. The pasta had all the right ingredients except flavor. It was a bit bland. The She Crab soup on the other hand was delicious. I could've had that alone- I made it for restaurant week which was a 3 course meal for $35. A great deal. I did order an Old Fashion- it was not at all good. Tasted more like sugar than actual bourbon. There was too much ice in the Old Fashion. I drink Old Fashions everywhere I go- so I found another place after this called 456 Fish- their Old Fashions with the perfect single square ice cube. You can learn from them for sure. But besides that the service at the Abbey is very friendly.
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Ryan V.

Yelp
Came for restaurant week really wanted the lamb but it was unavailable. Went with the she crab soup and stir instead. Also had an expresso martini. The stir fry was well seasoned and just spicy enough. The drink was great. Bartender was very attnetive. The she crap was not what I expected could have been better.
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William H.

Yelp
Best soup I have ever had. I can't believe I am writing a review based on soup. I stopped in due to the aesthetic. Figured I'd look at their bar selection check out the menu. Ended up deciding to have a single malt scotch tried the soup of the day, a $6 clam chowder. I love clam chowder. It was the best clam chowder I had ever had. I ordered the cup, and regretted not ordering the bowl for $1 more. But I decided to try their She Crab Soup. I am not exaggerating, there is no hyperbole, when I say that was the singular best soup I have had in my short 33 years. Atmosphere: 10/10 Food: ? (But they have wild game selections on Friday) Soup: 12/10, immaculate, I wish I lived in this state and could eat here daily. Ian was a fantastic server. Can't wait to eat here again
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Jack S.

Yelp
$2.50 for ice in my drink!! (On top of the $9 for liquor) First and last visit. Waiter was very good, but stretched way too thing, gone way too long. Had to WAIT to get a steak knife with the dinner cooling in front of me!
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Paula C.

Yelp
To start service was good. Bartender very attentive. Wait staff, PJ same. All the reason for the 3 stars is from the seevers. Ordered apps, dinner and drinks. She crab soup was good but was served warm, not hot. Crab hushpuppies was the only course served at the proper temperature. Still eating soup, entrees come out. Big pet peeve for me. However, food that they were so rushed to serve, again, only warm, not hot. Meanwhile, still waiting on our drinks. They are served after we receive our dinner. So disappointed with the meal. Ordered the smoke gouda and steak tips. May have tasted better if the meal was served hot. Half the cheese wasn't even melted. My husband had the crab cakes. Again not hot!! Will not be going back
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Christina T.

Yelp
Lacked luster in ambiance and food. Prime Rib was tough to cut and definitely not med rare. Veggies were hard and mashed potatoes were cold. The awarding winning She Crab soup had the consistency of mayonnaise and was most likely simmering in a crockpot for a few days. Waitress was nice and not at fault for the disappointing food.

Maria H.

Yelp
We didn't enjoy the food here. The filet mignon was not tasteful and didn't seem to be sirloin. Seafood fantasia: too much pasta only few seafood pieces. But the worst, we were waiting one hour to get the food. No worthy.

Gary H.

Yelp
Ambiance is very good, food was good. Service for drinks and food was painfully slow. Very long wait time for whatever we ordered. This was a graduation party that was really ruined.

Ronald M.

Yelp
I was a fan before the remodeling of the structure. The wait staff could use some help!!!
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Danielle V.

Yelp
This place is sooo pretty. It has been around since the 19th century and was once a church. It has the high cathedral ceilings and stained glass windows. They reinvented the inside and now it has a huge dining room and a small bar area. We got a high top in the bar and ordered an app and a meal to split. The shrimp dish we had was fantastic. The beef caprese was okay but not my favorite. They have a great menu and if I lived her this would be a frequent stop!
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Amanda E.

Yelp
This is the second time I've been here, and each time it's been a great experience! We did get a reservation ahead of time (good thing we did). To start, Morgan our server was amazing. She was able to switch our seats from a table to a booth. She was very accommodating and attentive the entire meal. We sat upstairs, and it was such a neat experience. This time I ordered one of the Christmas specials, but they have prime rib on the menu (it's just called something different for the Christmas menu). The prime rib, smashed potatoes, and balsamic Brussel sprouts were so good! We also got the artichoke dip appetizer. I didn't get a picture of that because we dug in as soon as it was set down lol. That was also really flavorful!
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Kasi M.

Yelp
This place was just ok for me. It had it highs and lows. What they do well: -service -soup -bread The things that need attention: - we were the only family in there and we got put upstairs in the darkest, dingiest of corners. I legit couldn't see -the veggies had WAY to much seasoning and the seasoning overall was just a complete miss -the prices were high esp for the portions and this area I personally wouldn't recommend or return. Just wasn't for us.
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Robert C.

Yelp
Was directed to this restaurant by a local but we were very disappointed with the meal. The prime rib did not look like the picture on this site - very fatty and thin. The chicken in the chicken Asiago was very dry. There's a bunch of other places to try next time.

Casey R.

Yelp
I enjoyed the food, the hospitality, and the look of the building. Unfortunately, COVID 19 had an impact and it is shut down now.
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Starlite C.

Yelp
The food isn't the main character here...the setting is. I prefer to sit upstairs in the evening for the full effect of being in an old church. It's so fun to go here if you're already downtown doing things. They have a parking area. It's not the most accessible location downtown so considering that if you're making decisions. The service is always 100, with special care taken to consider people who have speech impediments, limited hearing etc. the Staff is just exceptional when we have gone with a group, large or small. Fun for dates or a work meeting or just a decent dinner.

Barbara C.

Yelp
Wonderful restaurant Great food Fabulous staff This restaurant is housed in beautiful old church and still has its stained glass window.
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Bruce A.

Yelp
Ambiance was incredible, great food, and even better service. Our team met for a work dinner and loved everything from the drinks to the apps and all the way through dinner. Ps, don't forget a bread pudding for the table
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Heather B.

Yelp
How did so not know about this place! It's pay to talk to friends on where to dine. My friend recommended we eat at Freemason Abbey. I quickly went to Yelp and the internet to see what I was in for. I was totally for it. When we arrived we were seated immediately on the second floor in the corner at a round table that overlooks the 1st floor. It was the perfect spot! The interior was gorgeous, especially when it was decorated for the holidays. The architecture was stunning. Our waitress was amazing! Seriously. My small group of friends I was were big jokesters all night and she handled well. Jokesters in a nice polite way... nothing mean. Anywho... she was great. She helped us chose our meals. Our door was pretty good. It came out nice and hot. My favorite was the onion soup and the she crab soup. I enjoyed my vegetable curry as well. It had nice flavors throughout. I will definitely return.
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Yoonie L.

Yelp
I've heard so much about this place and it's been on my Norfolk hit list for a while. I was happy to have had the chance to check it out for a later dinner. - The Vibe - It was once an old church that they have since turned into a restaurant in 1989. The hostess gave us the whole spiel about the history and although it was interesting, I was distracted by the interior and also by my friends. I'll have to listen better next time and take notes LOL. The restaurant has two floors and it's just amazing to walk in and look at all the details of the stained glass windows and other elements. Beware though, I heard it was haunted in the wee hours. - Service- We got the corner table on the top floor and it was just the perfect place for us to sit. I enjoyed sitting there since I got a birds eye view of the bottom floor and got the feel of the high ceilings. Our server was fantastic, super patient and good humored. She was an absolute doll! - Noms - They have a simple 2 page menu with a holiday themed menu currently. They serve complimentary warmed rolls and butter. These were great! Our table ordered to the following: She crab soup - choice of cup or bowl, went with the latter and it's filled tot the brim, topped with a thin, hard, sesame type cracker. This is their award- winning soup and although it was good, there seemed to be too much sherry flavor for my personal preference and there really wasn't that much lump crab in there. French onion soup - French onion soup, however, for me was the clear winner of the two soups! Maybe I am biased because I love French onion soup (but I do love a good she crab soup too), but I really loved this one more than the crab soup! The broth was light and very flavorful, but not salty! The cheesy-ness and the bread. I got order envy since my friend ordered this one. Crab dip - this had a great flavor, nice and creamy, but I just wish there was a better melted cheese topping on this. They provided a decent amount of the toasted baguette slices so the ratio of dip to bread ratio was perfect! Shrimp pesto pasta - This was a good dish. Had some spinach, slices of mushrooms, and other veggies. Lot of cheese. Prime rib au jus - We made the mistake of ordering this medium, so by the time we ate it, it was just a bit overcooked. Nice thick piece though and nicely paired with creamy mashed potatoes and lightly sauteed vegetables. Vegetable curry bowl - can't comment on this as I didn't taste it, but it looked like a generous portion of curried vegetables served on a bed of rice. Chocolate mousse cake - LOVE chocolate and love mousse so this was a winner for me. It was probably a bit overkill to have dessert after the massive amount of food we ordered, but I still managed to finish it LOL! Overall, it's definitely an experience to dine at Freemason. The history and architecture alone, pulled me in. I appreciate the simple 2 page menu. They seem to do the dishes that they do offer, well. Stay safe, Friends!
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Jodie M.

Yelp
Every restaurant week, Freemason Abbey is my first stop. Sometimes it's my only stop if I don't have the time or budget to frequently go out to eat, but it's definitely a must. This season I went for lunch. The $15 2-course meal lets you choose between a garden salad to start or a bread pudding to finish. I usually go for the bread pudding. For the main courses, there was a Philly cheesesteak, salmon quiche, chicken piccata, and a lemon pepper citrus roughy. There were even drinks on the restaurant week menu as follows: a margarita and a health[T]. I ordered the tea, which had health benefits due to its inclusion of turmeric, and it was delicious! I was debating between the fish and chicken, but I ended up choosing the chicken because of the sides it came with. The smashed potatoes and asparagus paired very well with the lemon caper sauce that topped the pan fried chicken. The chicken was tender and juicy with some crisp on the outside. I didn't finish it all because I was saving room for dessert and I was honestly almost full after my cup of she crab soup and the complimentary bread! So everything was boxed up before I received my bread pudding. It has the perfect amount of sweetness that wasn't overwhelming to the tastebuds. I should've ordered more bread before I left because it would've been nice to have some to enjoy at home with my leftovers. But service was good, I came in right before the lunch rush. I was very happy with my restaurant week selection. I've had many hits, and very few misses. Maybe I can finesse another visit for dinner lol. Thanks, Freemason Abbey!
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Elizabeth V.

Yelp
Food was delicious and we loved the festive atmosphere! Our server was friendly and prompt. I had the stuffed pork chop and my hubs had the Prime Rib. We also shared the beef stew soup and key lime pie dessert. Classic comfort food! Will be back!
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Jesse B.

Yelp
I dream of the seafood fantasia. Drinks are ok but the food makes up for it, servers are kind and it's in the coolest old church. Will be back every time we are visiting!!!

Ed B.

Yelp
Neat location with decent food and reasonable prices. Interesting and novel. I would go again
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Nicole M.

Yelp
Such an awesome experience! Upon entering you feel like your in a 5 star restaurant. Beautiful inside and everyone is so friendly . Our server, Hays, was top notch. Very attentive and helpful. Food was amazing. Forgot to take pictures but I had Chicken Asiago. The cream sauce was the best I've had. Broccoli was perfect. Rolls served before food were amazing. Super soft and good flavor without anything on them. My husband had the combination of Filet Mignon, shrimp and scallops. He said I was delicious. Highly recommend this for fine dining. Prices are a little high, but worth it.
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Brayson C.

Yelp
Went a few weeks ago with my girlfriend for a late lunch date! Service was good even with there still being quite a few guests, so kudos there! I got a cup of French Onion Soup for an appetizer with the Cuban Sandwich as my entree - I felt the meats were very dry, but taste-wise everything was on-par with my hope. The French Onion soup was delicious, I just wish I had more. We also tried a watermelon basil cocktail (uncertain on the name), which was good, just felt there was too much basil which was overpowering any other flavor (could be worse since basil is enjoyable). Would/will definitely come back and try other things (maybe a dinner, instead)!
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Xavier C.

Yelp
Make reservations first! Went here for breakfast/brunch with my parents and if you've never been out here, it's def worth coming to check it out for at least the ambiance and the experience of the place. The service has always been top notch here. Friendly, attentive, and just super helpful. They're always wonderful to meet and welcoming to the establishment. If you have such an awesome place and service, why only 4 stars? Well, it really comes down to the food. With such high expectations (I mean it's setup that way), you expect the food to be super amazing as well. Unfortunately, I can't say I've ever had anything that completely blew my mind. Is it good? Sure... is it amazing? Not quite. If they could just turn up their food game, it'd be a solid winner overall. Food Taste: 3.75 Overall Service: 5 Value of food to cost: 4 Facility: 5 Ambiance: Exceptionally unique place. They converted an old church to a restaurant. It has a historic feel to it and it's Repeat customer: yes Dog Friendly: no
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Mike E.

Yelp
Food: 5/5 Freemason Abbey served up some of the best comfort food we've had this year. They do this with fantastic presentation and an insanely reasonable price point. Service: 5/5 Beyond professional and friendly service! We were amazed to be treated to a fine dining experience at 3pm on a Tuesday. Environment: 5/5 This place deserves a 6/5 and may just be the coolest looking restaurant of all time. The renovated church kept some of its charm without being overwhelming. Overall a top 3 restaurant of 2022!