Omar's Carriage House

American restaurant · Norfolk

Omar's Carriage House

American restaurant · Norfolk

1

313 W Bute St, Norfolk, VA 23510

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Omar's Carriage House by null
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Omar's Carriage House by null
Omar's Carriage House by null
Omar's Carriage House by null
Omar's Carriage House by null
Omar's Carriage House by null
Omar's Carriage House by null
Omar's Carriage House by null
Omar's Carriage House by null
Omar's Carriage House by null
Omar's Carriage House by null
Omar's Carriage House by null
Omar's Carriage House by null
Omar's Carriage House by null
Omar's Carriage House by null
Omar's Carriage House by null
Omar's Carriage House by null
Omar's Carriage House by null
Omar's Carriage House by null
Omar's Carriage House by null
Omar's Carriage House by null
Omar's Carriage House by null
Omar's Carriage House by null
Omar's Carriage House by null
Omar's Carriage House by null
Omar's Carriage House by null
Omar's Carriage House by null
Omar's Carriage House by null
Omar's Carriage House by null
Omar's Carriage House by null
Omar's Carriage House by null
Omar's Carriage House by null
Omar's Carriage House by null
Omar's Carriage House by null
Omar's Carriage House by null
Omar's Carriage House by null
Omar's Carriage House by null
Omar's Carriage House by null

Highlights

New American bistro with Moroccan & global accents  

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313 W Bute St, Norfolk, VA 23510 Get directions

omarscarriagehouse.com
@omarscarriagehouse

$$ · Menu

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313 W Bute St, Norfolk, VA 23510 Get directions

+1 757 622 4990
omarscarriagehouse.com
@omarscarriagehouse

$$ · Menu

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Last updated

Sep 1, 2025

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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.

https://www.visitnorfolk.com/blog/36-hours-in-norfolk-and-virginia-beach/
Best Restaurants in Norfolk (2025)
View Postcard for Omar's Carriage House

brianna beckwith

Google
Great dining! great price! great food! Very impressed by the quality of food and quantity. Typically portion sizes for me in America are way too big and I can’t finish them here. The portions were just right and I was able to try all appetizers and entries I want. The food itself had lots of thought and care put into it. Not only did a taste amazing you could tell it was high quality as well. For 4 appetizers, 2 entries and 2 desserts, We payed 140$. which is reasonable for the amount we ordered (including a daily special). Location was also cute and we were able to walk to the water afterwards. would highly recommend this place especially the duck tacos!!!!

Vanessa L.

Google
Fantastic bartender Morgan, is sweet knowledgeable and overall amazing. Menu looks beautiful and restaurant ambiance and decor is rustic and lovely. Owner is onsite to make sure everything is to par. My concerns include hard salty butter for the table bread, butter does not need to be cooled. Secondly the octopus is soggy, it should be charred and carefully placed upon the accoutrements. Otherwise great drinks and menu cant wait to be back!

Alex

Google
Came here for my engagement brunch, it was so lovely! Such a romantic space with great service, great food, and a wonderful atmosphere. Locally owned by a norfolk family, we are looking forward to trying out their dinner. Thanks Omar and team, you guys made the day special!

Austin Ferguson

Google
Jon was fantastic—he crafted a perfectly balanced Old Fashioned and also made a refreshing berry mojito mocktail that really hit the spot. I visited during Restaurant Week and was genuinely impressed by the experience. To start, I sampled the shrimp sriracha dish. While it only came with three shrimp, the flavor was excellent and the fresh watermelon added a nice touch. I also tried the fried green tomatoes, which were beautifully paired with a well-executed balsamic reduction and crisp arugula. For the main courses, the chili crisp shrimp noodles stood out with a satisfying level of spice—not overwhelming, but enough to make an impression. The hanger steak and frites were cooked well and full of flavor. As for dessert, the key lime pie was light, fresh, and elegantly plated—but the real standout was the strawberry shortcake, which stole the show. Overall, a delightful experience with thoughtful flavors and great service.

Nyarinda Aduma-Kelly

Google
Great date night eatery. Omar's has a wonderful atmosphere and so many delicious food choices on their menu. The food is well prepared and Beautifully presented. We had the rock fish and lamb, and enjoyed them both. This was our second time visiting and it was a pleasure meeting Omar!

Roger Hopper

Google
Fantastic brunch! Great food, service, atmosphere, and value. Very nice house coffee cake amuse-bouche, which paired perfectly with their house coffee blend, as did their delicious house donuts! Moroccan Tagine was unique and flavorful, and creme brûlée French toast was outstanding, and absolute must-try! Can't wait to go back for dinner! Update 03/2025 - So good, had to bring the in-laws for brunch, and Omar's continues to impress! Excellent lattes, which pair perfectly with house coffee cake amuse-bouche. Strawberry donuts are a wonderful must-try! Excellent veggie omelette, Funky French Toast is another must-try, especially if you have a sweet tooth, very unique and delicious with pan-fried brioche and Nutella! Fried chicken benny is one of the best egg Benedicts to be found, and the Monte Cristo is very nice as well.

Taylor Strubhar

Google
We had the Wagyu burger, hummus, dates, crab cakes, and bread pudding. Pretty good overall.

Amanda Ridolfi

Google
Stopped in Omar’s on a Sunday 9/29 around 11am. It was surprisingly slow paced for the time of day. We were the only customers inside the dining room (other patrons were on the patio). Our waitress was friendly and answered all of our questions. Unfortunately, during the meal we were able to overhear staff carry on personal conversations which was not ideal (bordering unprofessional behavior with customers around). I ordered chicken & waffles, my boyfriend ordered a hot chicken sandwich (can’t recall the actual menu name for it) and we also shared an order of strawberry donuts. Everything was really good and came out in a timely manner. I wish we had tried this place on a busier morning to really tell the difference in service and quality. Atmosphere is a 3 ⭐️ due to the decor being kind of dated & the staffs lack of discretion during our experience.
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Toni A.

Yelp
Omar's Carriage House is a nice little spot in Norfolk. The outdoor patio is cute, and it is especially nice on a warm spring/summer day. The inside gives a cottage core vibe. The service is wonderful, and everyone is so nice. This place has a nice American-Moroccan style menu. The first time we came here we got the Moroccan Tagine, and it came in a wonderful clay pot. The flavors were so savory, we had to come back. This time we got the mussels frites which the sauce was sooooooo good you could almost drink it. Nice and creamy, pairing well with the fries and mussels. The Belgium endive salad had wonderful flavors, creamy zest with dates and cranberries. It was a little pricey for what it is worth. The escargot was creamy, similar to spinach artichoke dip. They already removed the shells before serving, and I would say the sauce covers the taste of snail. The paella was delicious, so savory and the seafood pairings were so good. My favorite was the scallops. The garlic chive butter was really tasty with the bread. Although the bread was a little too crunchy overall. A must try in the Norfolk area! Thank you for having us~
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Dena W.

Yelp
A Brunch Gem - Delicious Food, Great Drinks, and Excellent Service Omar's Carriage House knows how to do brunch right. I made a reservation and was greeted immediately upon arrival. While I waited for the rest of my party, I sat at the bar and ordered an espresso martini--it was absolutely delicious, smooth, and expertly made. For brunch, I had the Funky French Toast with Nutella and bananas wow. It was rich, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. I left completely full and happy. Our group of six all received their meals at the same time, and every single dish was spot on. Not a single complaint from anyone at the table. A quick tip: When making a reservation, request downstairs seating if you have anyone with mobility issues. There is an upstairs section, and we were originally assigned there, but the staff kindly accommodated us downstairs without any issue. Between the excellent service, amazing food, and cozy atmosphere, I'll definitely be back. Highly recommend!
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Lisa O.

Yelp
The Best Burger.(period) The service was professional: very attentive. Attention to details The ambiance was refined and cozy. Do yourself a favor and try for yourself, and may you hunger like me for another Best Burger.
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Young K.

Yelp
Highly recommend as a date night here and make a reservation ahead of time. We came here during restaurant week, but we will come back here again to try more food. Everything we ate felt super healthy and not heavy in our stomachs and the service was quick as well. The mussel appetizer was the most FLAVORFUL dish I have eaten in a long time. Parking here is street parking, but they also have a small parking lot for the restaurant.
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Janice T.

Yelp
I had won a gift card on IG and Yasmine expeditiously responded to my email regarding making a reservation this evening. They open 5pm Mon- Sat; 10am -2pm on Sunday. Yasmine was so nice & presented me with the beautiful gold envelope with the gift certificate upon being seated. Ambiance : It is an old carriage house from the 1940s. The original hay chute is open to the first floor but there are bars and a barrier for safety for those dining upstairs or downstairs. It's a charming quaint restaurant with character & simple elegance. For those that want to enjoy happy hour from 4pm-6pm there is a bar & large covered back patio seating. I am unsure if the upstairs is strictly for private events but Yasmine allowed us to look upstairs. It's a great space to hold an intimate wedding, birthday, bridal or baby shower or any special occasion. There isn't an elevator to the second floor & the restrooms are located downstairs. SERVICE: We dined on a Wednesday at 6pm and it wasn't crowded or super busy. Maybe due to the rain/poor weather but it was nice to dine in a quiet atmosphere. It was a very pleasant and calm enjoyable dining experience. Tables were bussed quickly & efficiently in a non disruptive manner. Our server Chris was pleasant and helpful with the menu. He also informed us it's burger night on Wednesdays: $10 burgers & $15 or $17 for bison burgers, as well as listed the specials-duck confit tacos or wonton something. He also checked in on us. Food: apps: Labneh - a new appetizer that has scallion pancakes with a yogurt dip with cucumber, tomato salad & zaatar. 5/5 flavorful comes with 8 triangles of scallion pancakes. complimentary bread roll each with garlic butter delicious! Slightly firm on the outside, soft on the inside (how I like it). MMMMMM.. good! 5/5 Potato chip encrusted flounder - a good portion, the creamed kale & roasted garlic was tasty. Chicken tagine- which was cooked in a tagine and arrived with its cover & presented once the cover was taken off. The chicken was so tender the bones came off easily. It came with saffron rice and it was very filling. We both couldn't finish our entrées so we boxed them to go. They do offer mocktails. I had the blueberry lemonade which was made from scratch. Desserts: My sister & I split the bread pudding. It was large enough and honestly if I had ordered it just for myself, it would have been too much. It's perfect for sharing, soft and soaked with English cream sauce & chocolate drizzle and whip cream. It was really good. All their desserts are made in house. Burger- I ordered one to go for my husband. It's a great restaurant for a calm, simple elegant atmosphere with history & wonderful food! Parking : street parking & valet parking Just make sure to read the street signs.
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Niyah H.

Yelp
My favorite thing about Omar's is the ambiance. It feels like 1800's Norfolk which puts you in a different place in time. We started off with water and bread, which was good but needed the garlic butter to amplify it. The seared duck was amazing and filling. Wanted to try dessert but didn't have much room for it. Overall, I will be back to try the brunch when back home.
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Christine N.

Yelp
The food was amazing such great selections. Highly recommend there espresso martini and wine selection. Staff was amazing great service. Went with girlfriends we had such a great time. Loved the atmosphere. We'll definitely recommend.
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Tracey H.

Yelp
Food - palatable, Ambiance - adequate, Service - abysmal. My experience at Omars was not a pleasant one. I was refused a table change when a similar table became available, as I was uncomfortable at the one I was at and told the server as much. An attempt was made to assuage my discomfort and when I told the server that I was still uncomfortable, it fell on deaf ears. I never raised my voice, nor was I rude towards the server, however, mid dining, we got a new server. While mid dining, during our appetizer course, we were offered a new table by the hostess, at which point I declined because I didn't want to disrupt my guest with moving tables mid meal. This was not the point to offer a table change, that was prior to my meal arriving. All the while, the manager or owner, not certain of his role, never came over to our table to see how we were doing. Near the end of our meal during the desert, the manager or owner finally found a google map to our table and asked my guest how everything was going. When I conveyed my dissatisfaction with my overall experience, he said, "Ok, Thank you" and walked away. I was flabbergasted and gobsmacked by this reaction. No 'I'm sorry you are not having a good evening', NOTHING. I was not looking for any recompense whatsoever, just acknowledgement from the person who should be more concerned with their patrons enjoyment and experience at their establishment. I don't want to say it was racism that I experienced, but it was a very close adjacent. This was my first time at this establishment, as well as my last.
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Ara A.

Yelp
Omar's does somethings well while other things fall short. Showed up for brunch with a friend, started with the homemade donuts and it was delicious made fresh. Ordered the breakfast burger med rare and it showed up medium well at best. I dislike overcooked burgers hence why I ordered it a certain way. My friend had the BEC bacon egg n croissant, well the bacon was burnt and the croissant was burnt. They had the nerve to serve that burnt dish to her...smh. She was nice enough not to return it. This was very avoidable.
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Sally C.

Yelp
For a foodie, I was in heaven. Omar's is special, delightful, unique and nostalgic with delicious food, awesome service and a lovely atmosphere. My friend and I were practically giddy to finally eat here. We were sat immediately on a Tuesday night around 6. It did start to get busier later. The inside is so cute with seat covers, plates that don't match and a hole in the ceiling to keep the integrity of the original building. Ok...not a hole but where they used to drop the hay from the 2nd floor to the 1st since it was a carriage house. It's all protected so no one will fall. Izzy was wonderful and very patient with us. We started with an endive salad. Wonderful flavors and despite all that is in the salad it was very mild tasting. It even had gorgonzola cheese and a lemon Dijon dressing. For entrees we had to try the Moroccan Chicken Tangine and seared tuna. Wow!! Wonderful presentation especially the chicken. The meat fell off the bone. The tuna was perfectly cooked. We also got some bread and garlic butter with our meal. This was probably one of my top 10 favorite meals and experiences I have had. Highly recommend. They do have a burger special on Wednesday nights. I will be back for that. They also have a HH until 6. They have a patio but I feel like all the charm is inside. We had a wonderful experience and just when we thought it couldn't get better, Chris the Assistant Manager brought over some champagne since it was our 1st time. Nice touch on the customer service. The only con is parking since you are in Norfolk. But they do have valet parking. I cannot wait to go back.
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Swarna M.

Yelp
I can't believe I have lived in Hampton Roads for more than 20 yrs and have never eaten here! This gem of a restaurant is in an actual carriage house! There is a warm inviting dining downstairs with bar and kitchen on same floor. And after a short but steep walk up some stairs, a smaller dining room upstairs(I would not recommend the upstairs for people with balance issues or using assistive devices). Wine/cocktails/beer on draft all available as well as $5 mocktails. I started with a nice tart lemon strawberry mocktail. Our server was attentive and answered any questions we had and kept our water glasses full. Started with Moroccan sampler platter and bastilla-sweet/savory chicken in flaky phyllo dough. It was delicious, the cinnamon made it interesting! Sampler included warm toasted pita triangles, hummus, olives and eggplant "caviar"- ground up almonds with eggplant. My husband and I split the chicken tagine entree which was so tender we did not need a knife. Lemony with saffron rice it was more than enough. All amazing so far but the highlight of the meal was dessert ! Made in house by one woman-Miss Marilyn. So many mouth watering options, we finally decided on warm apple tart w/caramel sauce & vanilla ice cream and Key Lime pie Apple tart was a generous size with 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream and perfect amt of caramel-hot out of the oven. Unbelievably good! Key lime pie had a buttery graham cracker crust and it was sitting in a beautiful lemon sauce. Tart and refreshing! Overall, a wonderful meal at Omar's and will definitely be back for the patio happy hour, Moroccan Mondays or a celebratory meal with family and( friends!
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Belle A.

Yelp
As we stepped in from a dreary day into this cozy little nook, we were pleasantly greeted by the friendly host, Chris. The aroma wafting throughout the establishment evoked an immediate mouthwatering sensation reminiscent of the flavors of our trip to Morocco. We knew we had picked the right place as it was a cozy intimate atmosphere with dimmed lighting and upbeat but relaxing background music. We ordered the Labneh appetizer, potato chip encrusted flounder, the chicken tagine, and the bread pudding! The Labneh was packed full of flavor, with a savory yogurt, olive oil, and possibly goat cheese and other spices served with Zaatar scallion pancake wedges. The chicken tagine was so tender it came right off the bone and it, too, exuded a panoply of spices. The potato-chip encrusted flounder was light and had a thin crispy texture to balance the light flaky flounder. To top off our delicious dinner was a healthy serving of the mouth-watering bread pudding drizzled with English cream and dark, rich chocolate! The ambiance, the fare, and the service was outstanding and left us with one of the most satisfying dining experiences we have ever had! Chris was very accommodating and knowledgeable! He even made wonderful recommendations, which we ordered. So he was spot on about recommendations and are grateful we took him up on them! The bread pudding was light but decadently drizzled with cream anglaise and dark chocolate, which made for an impeccable conclusion to a robust and satisfying dinner. We also ordered blueberry lavender mocktail, which was quite refreshing!!! Highly recommend as the overall dining experience is second to none. The owner Yasmine was very nice to take the time to explain the history of Omar's Carriage House and how it has evolved. Cannot say enough great things about this place except that it is unparalleled when it comes to fine dining!
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Nickie E.

Yelp
Great service and food! Omar's is a neighborhood gem. He and his staff are like family. This is a beloved spot for neighbors and visitors. Brunch is great and so is dinner!
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Shira A.

Yelp
Delicious food with great vegetarian and vegan options. Excellent service and nice ambiance. Delicious drinks as well. Be sure to check out Moroccan Mondays for an even more extensive tagine menu. We really enjoyed it!
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Miss A.

Yelp
What can I say... we didn't go in with high expectations because we happened to be walking by and randomly stopped in... But, we certainly did not expect to be this disappointed. The meal started off with a bacon Bloody Mary & we would've been happier with a cup of V8. The eggs Benedict was served with half a plate of arugula, doused in olive oil, two sad looking English muffins, dry ham & a hollandaise with the consistency of water... The potatoes weren't seasoned & had to order separately (didn't come with the eggs bene) The only saving grace is that the staff was super nice and the eggs were runny. I hate leaving reviews like this, but come on guys do better.
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Sarena G.

Yelp
Not sure what happened this time, but compared to last time we did not enjoy our food, which is a bummer because last year during restaurant week we had the BEST food. We reserved and were sat in the patio area, which was fine for us, but it was DIRT QUIET and there were only two other people seated out there. There was no music... although I did see a speaker. Definitely kind of awkward. Heaters were spread around which was nice!!! The ambiance was pretty and calm. The servers were all nice. But the food.... The escargot (our first time ever trying any escargot) was VERY sour, vinegary, lemony. It was way over-powering and you couldn't enjoy it. The pumpkin shrimp soup was OK. It was not hot. I love hot soup... The entrees, we ordered the potato chip encrusted flounder and the duck. My boyfriend said the duck was just okay. He said it was much better our first time. My flounder had ZERO flavor ): It tasted oily like the original ruffles used to coat it. No seasoning. It needed ALOT. I really didn't even want to take it to go but my boyfriend said it was a waste of a lot of food if we didn't. I ordered the saffron rice on the side. That had NO flavor either ): I eat everything and honestly this just wasn't the best food. The drinks were good but they are over priced. I think we paid $14 each for our cocktails and they are TINY. Maybe worth $10 instead. The wines are around $10, which is OK. But still kinda pricey. We ordered lemon cake and chocolate mouse to go. The chocolate mouse had a weird hint of berries??? Otherwise I did eat it all and it was still good. The cake is in my refrigerator and I'll eat it tonight. I'm sure that's good, as they have had the same baker for forever. It's a gamble going here. It's expensive and not so worth it. Definitely try it during restaurant week instead and you'll save money too.
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Thiane G.

Yelp
I've been to Omar's a couple times for different meals. So far I've tried the shrimp and grits for brunch and the wagyu burger and shrimp tacos for dinner. The shrimp and grits were underwhelming since the grits were undercooked and didn't have much flavor. The wagyu burger is usually my go to and it's really good. Just wish they would add lettuce and tomato to it. The shrimp tacos were a bit "meh". They weren't terrible but the flavor was off and it was very soggy because of the slaw they added. I've definitely had better shrimp tacos in my life. The French fries were perfect though and the sauce they came with was great. Overall, I would consider Omar's pretty middle of the road in terms of their dishes. Not bad but not good enough to justify the higher price point that it has.
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Lauren P.

Yelp
This is a wonderful choice for a date night or an intimate get together. The food, service, and atmosphere is flawless. My absolute favorite dish that is hard to find elsewhere is the Mussels Frites. It has a mix perfectly cooked mussels and crispy shoestring fries that soak up the creamy gorgonzola sauce. We each ordered our own of this appetizer - it's that good. Then, we split the Waygu burger with gorgonzola cheese and caramelized onions. This was cooked to perfection for our liking. We added a side of the Maque Choux to try. This was a Cajun blend of corn and onions and was delicious. They also come out with fresh bread and garlic butter to start so after all our dishes we were plenty full. The atmosphere is unique with old timey decor inside. They have clothes on the tables and chairs but the prices are not outrages like you would find at other high end restaurants. They have happy hour during the week but I recommend getting a reservation whenever you plan to go. What's special with the service is that your waiter or waitress is usually also your bartender. We tried an Expresso martini, regular martini, and two different old fashioneds. All were well made.
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Kimberly B.

Yelp
Oh my goodness, WHERE HAVE I BEEN? This place is absolutely beautiful and has amazing food. I was nervous we weren't going to get a seat without a reservation, but we did easily because we got there as soon as they opened. I've always wanted to try Moroccan food and it did not disappoint. Absolutely everything I ate was so good, I almost overate wanted to try more. The Bastilla* 10000/5 I've never had anything like this before! I did not know sweet chicken would taste good! I'm definitely ordering this again. Chicken Tagine* 5/5 my friend ordered it and said the chicken was good and falling off the bones! Seared Duck Breast Meal 4.8/5 the duck was cooked to perfection. All of the flavors paired really wear. Only think is I believe I received couscous instead of risotto, which is ok; I just typically don't eat couscous. Chocolate mousse 10000/5 my friend got this and just about licked the glass clean lol Chocolate German Cake 10000/5 it was perfectly balanced! Overall I had an amazing experience. Our server Brittney informed us that she was new, but she has so many suggestions and was an overall wonderful server. Please support a local Moroccan business and consider donating to relief efforts from recent natural disasters!
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Jennifer D.

Yelp
Went to Omar's for my birthday last night. This is the third time I've been, but I haven't been in many, many years. The food was amazing! I got the 3 goat cheese dates with pistachio and balsamic glaze for an appetizer. THEY WERE AMAZING. (Not pictured) My husband had a delicious mocktail with mint and blueberry (also not pictured). The main course and dessert were both amazing. Our waitress was lovely!! The decorations for winter/Christmas were charming. We made reservations, and I'm glad we did. The restaurant was busy, but even in the small room it didn't feel cramped or loud. Really love it here. It is pricey. With everything our total was almost $300 (with 4 alcoholic drinks, 2 appts, 2 main dishes, 1 dessert). It was such a treat though. The waitress heard it was my birthday and put a candle in the dessert, which was just so sweet!!! Would highly recommend it here for any special occasion. I felt so loved.

Thomas F.

Yelp
Went to Omar's this evening (11/02/24), arriving about 9pm for a nightcap. We ordered one glass of wine, a beer, as well as a couple appetizers. All was fine. They close at 10 pm. Ten minutes prior to closing we were asked if would like to order another drink--yes, and clearly that was the wrong decision. We were served the drinks but were confronted with yawning faces and a surly atmosphere of hurry up and get off the premises. They clearly were happy to take our money but also get us out the door--we gulped our drinks and paid the bill at 9:57pm. We are local (and for anyone)--this customer treatment is insulting. Update: Omars responded quickly to the above critique and apologized for the service. While they offered redress, it is unnecessary--we appreciate they just made the effort to respond.
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Marilyn S.

Yelp
I would actually say 4.5 stars. We really enjoyed our evening here but there were a couple of things I thought needed improvement. We made reservations for 6:00 and had no trouble the day before valentine's day. We were greeted and seated promptly. We got several small plates. The stuffed dates, IMO, needed more than the bed of arugula they were served on to offset the extreme richness of the bacon dates and cheese. We got hummus, olives and pita (I ordered it with the eggplant part) which was very tasty but the pita was neither soft nor toasted an yet still a bit hard. The gougeres were not to my taste but my husband liked them. The ceasar salad was crisp and well dressed. My husband enjoyed his brie burger, cooked medium per his request, but thought the mushrooms on it were a bit too much. He said the truffle fries were very good. We both enjoyed the rich dense German chocolate cake! It was decorated for valentine's day but was maybe a bit bright and loud for those wishing and intimate night out. Still, we enjoyed our dinner and our server Kendal was a delight. Oh and she herself made my drink called, I think, crimson desire, which was delicious.
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Tamara D.

Yelp
Came here with my office as a office holiday dinner which was located upstairs and excellent. We enjoyed the exclusive privacy of private dining while also having excellent food and service. Would eat here Again. Every appetizer and entree was delicious!

Laura B.

Yelp
We were overwhelmed by the service we received from John. Stakes were high because of restaurant week and we know how busy the restaurant was, but food came out quickly. The food was hot, artistic and hearty. I'd like to add that this restaurant was very organized. Well done, Chef and the behind-the-scenes crew. We appreciated it so much!
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Trey B.

Yelp
The ambiance was good, the staff was friendly and the food came out pretty quickly. The reason for 3 stars were mainly for portion sizes. All the portions were so small. From the complimentary coffee cake, to the mimosas , to the entrees. Given the prices, we expected a bit more. Despite that, I would recommend this place.
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Bob R.

Yelp
It has been a while since our last visit to Omar's Carriage House located at 313 West Bute Street in the heart of Norfolk. The setting is eclectic and quite comfortable, especially the upstairs dining area. Our server Jamie was very attentive and helpful with menu questions and suggestions. My Wife ordered potato crisp flounder with Cous Cous, roasted root vegetables and a lemon basil aïoli for $20. The flounder was served piping hot and it was cooked perfectly. The potato crisp crust provided a crispy mouth feel without the guilt of a heavy batter. The Cous Cous was delicious as were the root vegetables combined within it. I ordered the Kobe Beef Burger Served with Gorgonzola, caramelized onions, garlic mayo and truffle fries for $12. This was an amazing Burger that was served piping hot and it was delicious. The Truffle Fries were served in a small fryer basket which made for a nice touch. They were both crispy and meaty and they were seasoned well. This was a fantastic dish and I enjoyed every bite. If you are looking for a great place to enjoy a wonderful meal, stop by Omar's Carriage House. You will be happy that you did and you can rest assured that you are supporting local business!!'
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Marilyn D.

Yelp
I really enjoyed this cute and cozy restaurant. I've been meaning to check it out for years and never got around it. I ordered the pineapple mojito and it was delicious; they use fresh pineapple and you can definitely tell. I ordered the Boursin Chicken and OMG this was DELICIOUS. The presentation was also gorgeous. The chicken was sooo moist and full of amazing flavors. My coworkers ordered the pan seared pork chop; bring your appetite because that's one huge pork chop. Another ordered the duck and flounder. I finished the night with a lemon coconut cake and it tasted like heaven. My only complaint was that they ordered appetizers and drinks before I got there and they also ordered a bottle of wine. Somehow they have old school register and the check was split in 4. Normally it wouldn't bother me, but I didn't eat muscles, tuna, nor did I drink wine and ended up having all of that partially on my bill. I feel each person should have had their own check unless specified in the beginning.

Danielle B.

Yelp
Food was delightful. Love the setting but dining room gets loud once full. Service was slow but I enjoyed it as an experience. It was Monday morrocan night and the chicken tagine was so tasty.
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Mary R.

Yelp
Best friend brunch for the win! Staff was amazing. Did you know they give you crumb cake while you wait for you food??? $3 mimosas? Give me 5 pls. It was also serendipitous! We went when they first introduced the fruity pebble waffles! Highly. Highly recommend that you order this! It will transport you back to your childhood! The crepe bretonne was delicious as well. Everything was so good I decided to order homemade donuts to go! This place is definitely a hidden gem!
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Brit C.

Yelp
1. Make a reservation. If you want to "walk-in" do it during off peak hours. I went while it was SNOWING and they had to fit us in because they were booked w/ reservations. Let me just say that I get the hype. The butternut squash bisque tasted like a perfect fall day. Creamy, sweet and savory all in the same bite. Just the perfect amount of all the fall flavors. Didn't get photos of dinner but friend got seared duck w/ gnocchi and root vegetables. I had NY strip w/ broccolini and saffron risotto. NY strip was much better and more flavorful in my opinion. Atmosphere is pretty intimate. Not good for large parties. Building used to be an actual carriage house. So it has lots of character.
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Roxanne C.

Yelp
Yes! Great place, great service, great brunch menu. This is something very special not to be missed! So much character and uniqueness is rare!
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Anne F.

Yelp
This review is long overdue. I came here in January for restaurant week, and I'm still thinking about that lamb burger. It was a weekday afternoon during restaurant week. My friend and I were sure to get there close to opening in case things got busy with the lunchtime rush. Our server was friendly, not overly warm, but attentive, and helpful. I ended up not ordering from the restaurant week menu because the lamb burger sounded more like my style vs. the one on the restaurant week menu. They still allowed me to substitute the garlic fries on the restaurant week menu. The setting is intimate, and the menu is large enough to find something you're hungry for without feeling overwhelmed. Parking can be a little tricky, but there is plenty if you are willing to circle. Just know that the small lot attached to Omar's is for the Inn guests and not for restaurant guests. I'd recommend reservations if you are dining here on a weekend evening. I'd be happy to return for a dinner experience to try more of their menu!
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Dana G.

Yelp
I've been meaning to try this place for many many years. So, I decided to treat my bf to a sweet little date night. Mainly because the outfit I wore to work that day was cute and I didn't want to waste it haha. He had the pork chop and I had the Paella. Be warned! That paella is a VERY large portion but it is VERY good! Hope to come here again as a cute "date" night with my mom
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James L.

Yelp
The Shakshouka is amazing. Served in the traditional way. Highly recommend this place.

Bonnie G.

Yelp
The food was great. Service was average. When I asked the server if I could have a salad instead of the truffle fries, she said yes. When it came time for the check, I was charged $8.00 for the salad. When I questioned her, she said "Omar said no." I think that's tacky. The restaurant was crowded and noisy. This is a shame, as I like supporting local restaurants and the food is really delicious.
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Alexandra R.

Yelp
We had a great brunch experience here, especially considering we had a group of 9 at 10:30 on a Sunday morning. We were the first people to arrive at the restaurant, and seemed to be the first people there in general. The restaurant is a very cozy, cutesy, country boho vibe. Does that make any sense? Don't quote me on that. The restaurant seemed to mostly fill up by 11, at which point the rest of our party had completely arrived. Our server, Kate, was so wonderful (and funny!) and got drink orders out as everyone arrived. They served two little plates of what seemed to be cinnamon coffee cake bites prior to any other food coming out, and those were a delicious little surprise! Our table ordered a good spread from the menu, and everything looked delicious. They have a good spread of standard breakfast options, some more unusual additions, and a little bit of Morrocan influence. I had to go with the Lobster Waffle: a puff pastry waffle filled with lobster and scallions, served on a bed of arugula and topped with a sherry cream sauce. It was wonderful! A great flavor combination, and something I've definitely never seen anywhere else. I wasn't drinking this time, but their brunch beverages were very reasonably priced! Overall Omar's checked off everything I'm usually looking for in a brunch spot: reasonably priced drinks, a good menu selection, good for groups! Check them out if you haven't already. (A heads up that parking is definitely available in the neighborhood, though maybe not right bu the restaurant. Give yourself a little bit of extra time to park just in case.)
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J G.

Yelp
This place is vintage but definitely gives you a little upscale vibes. The food is yummy and the ambiance is yummy but is very tight spatially.

Jeff S.

Yelp
Great food and ambiance, enjoyed Moroccan food including chicken, fish and a variety of appetizers, hope to come back when we return to Norfolk another time!
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Kelli G.

Yelp
Had the pleasure of coming here for a baby shower! The staff was incredible. Very polite and quick with service and so helpful! I got the hangover burger with truffle fries and a quite a few mimosas along with it. 10/10.
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Monica A.

Yelp
Hubby and I visited on a quiet Tuesday evening. I hears about this restaurant many years ago from a much loves, respected former coworker and friend, Sue. She has heard many dining and food stories from me about my own kitchen and upbringing in the NY restaurant business. So Omar's we right up my alley. Sue also gifted me with a authentic Tagine pot from Morocco. It was a wedding gift for her daughter, left in her house after the marriage failed. I'm gonna make a marriage with the pot! When I figure out how to make preserved lemons. Anyhoo.. there were a number of diners n such a small space.. some were leaving and the outside dining area was closed and kinda chilly out not to mention late. The menu was paper. I really came for the chicken tagine, they were out of it.. so I settled in for this Pasta dish hubby had a delicious soup de jour, Seafood soup, the menu mentioned crab and lobster, but I had to ask it was also made with deathly scallops. So that was a very had pass for me to taste it but he did say he enjoyed the cup. We were offered warm bread and butter to start, I enjoyed a glass of red wine which aptly came as the entire bottle. Don't threaten me with s goodtime. I really love the small feel of this restaurant, linen table clothes and napkins as well. That's just nice dining we

Jane W.

Yelp
This place tops ALL in the Tidewater area!!! Omar has risen from a waiter and manager at Elliot's restaurant. I highly recommend a reservation because he stays pretty busy. When my dad was alive he dined there, daily. Even arranged to pay for Omar to bring food when he was briefly hospitalized at Norfolk Sentara Dine Dine Dine there! Jane Willcox *****I
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Nicholas M.

Yelp
I recommend this place to friends and family often. Every meal has been memorable. Kinda feels like your dining with friends " in the know", about this special local treasure.
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Deborah W.

Yelp
Omar's never disappoints! This was our first time sitting in their outdoor patio, which is all enclosed. The seating was spread out nicely, chairs sturdy, and comfortable for our group of six. Sorry no pictures this time, but next time I will remember to take pictures before devouring their yummy food. I am Planning on going back for their Sunday Brunch with family for my birthday shortly. Street Parking is the biggest issue, but if you have good mobility, their delicious food, on point service and beautiful, calming ambiance is worth a three block walk. We are repeat customers, still working our way through their menu!
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Jonesha M.

Yelp
I really wanted to love this place. I mean it's such a cute little place! The food just ok at best. I started off with the soup (I forgot what it was called) but it was good, nothing special. I then got the truffle tots which was probably the best thing I ate there. My main entree was the shrimp and grits. Now I am from the south and I may be biased, but I hold shrimp and grits to high standard. I'm pretty sure they served instant grits which is a big no no! I also got an $8 mimosa which I thought was pretty expensive. My friend got the Beyond burger which she thought was great though. The staff was very welcoming and our waiter was very knowledgeable about the menu. I always give places 2 tries before I rule them out so I will try it again one day.
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Pravash M.

Yelp
Returned to Omar's after a very long hiatus for Couples dinner on a Friday night. After being seated right away, the rest was downhill. Springtime, Orange Margarita and Sangria were refreshing but lacked any presence of alcohol - not what you want for $8 each. The 20th anniversary menu options seemed intriguing only to learn they weren't as advertised; waitress, who never introduced herself, said Mac n cheese wasn't being served as printed but fries were being substituted. When asked if I could get something else, she replied no substitutions were allowed?!? By the way, Mac n cheese was listed on their regular sides menu. Our table ordered the chimichurri steak, a chicken option, a burger, mussels and a lamb option. Though the dining room wasn't full, we waited ~40 minutes for our entrees. The burger was juicy, hot and topped with Gorgonzola for that melty taste/texture. All others were underwhelming, particularly lacking flavor. Peanut butter pie was small in size but pretty good taste/texture. The coconut lemon cake was a large slice but was heavy on the cake in the cake to frosting ratio; the lemon taste was very faint, dominated by the coconut. When you factor in the flickering lights throughout our entire dining experience, it's safe to say we will now enter another hiatus if we ever return at all....
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Dan H.

Yelp
When you're a single parent, time is of the essence. Especially when you want to take a night out to enjoy some food and beverage. Omar's is a staple in the heart of Norfolk. A mainstay of the culinary arts, Omar crafts entrees that thrill and excite the palate. We started off with Spicy Tuna Tatake, and mussels frites! Both were exceptional and I'm adding them to my Rolodex of things I'll go back for. I ordered the 16oz strip it was cooked beautifully med rare, with a bed of broccolini and a little round polenta cake. My date ordered the Duck which was exceptional!! We opted for the chili ate mousse dessert and we equally as thrilled with this selection. The service was took notch and Mattie our server did not disappoint with wine choices and recommendations!!
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BJ H.

Yelp
My group of 8 came here last night for Restaurant Week and found the experience to be hit and miss. The service was great until the end when we couldn't find our server to take our money. In all fairness, she was really busy. However, we waited 20 minutes for her to pick up our cards and then abut 15 minutes again for them to come back. We had a snafu with the reservation. When I made it I clearly said we needed to be on the first floor because some members could not climb the stairs. He assured me the table was located on the first floor. However, when we arrived we were told we would be sitting on the second floor. We objected and, at first, were told that was just how it was and we're left with the impression that if we didn't like it we could leave. Then another person intervened with the suggestion that the first floor table set up for 6 could be converted to 8 and they could accommodate us on the first floor after all. Thank you! As always, the parking situation was bad. They have created an outside dining area so the handful of parking spaces they had are now gone. So to the disabled diner I say you will need to be dropped at the door by your driver. Additionally, once inside there is a step down into the dining room. This is a charming old building that doesn't accommodate today's accessibility. The food was really hit and miss. The mussels frites were absolutely delicious. The best I have ever eaten. The chocolate mouse was excellent and a perfect ending to the meal. However, the NY strip steak was very tough and not cooked properly. I ordered my steak medium and it was served medium rare. I know that's popular but not my favorite. I can eat a medium rare steak but I won't enjoy it as much. The real problem was the toughness of the steak. The NY strip is my favorite cut and I have eaten many over the decades but this is the very first time I have ever encountered one that was tough and hard to chew. After three bites I just gave up and brought it home. I will shave it thinly to make it easier to consume. Also, the broccolini was under cooked. The stem was very, very hard and I actually had to take it out of my mouth. The risotto was nothing special but the best thing on the plate. We all had tough steak and we just ended up taking it home where it can receive a makeover. The coffee was really very good. In fact, much better than I usually encounter in a restaurant. As I said earlier, the food was hit and miss. When I consider the whole experience and try to balance the good and bad, I give Omar's 3 Stars but I won't be returning anytime soon.
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Christian E.

Yelp
Let me tell you- Omar's Carriage house is a splendid restaurant in downtown Norfolk. Where else will you get a delicious Moroccan feast in a nice quaint setting? NOWHERE. My girlfriend and I got their bastilla for an appetizer and we thought it was an interesting dish. We didn't know cinnamon and chicken go oh so well together. The drinks were amazing too! Figs really go well for a mule cocktail Our main dishes were the Moroccan chicken and boursin chicken. EXPLOSION OF FLAVOR. Creamy and herby at the same time. Only gave a 4/5 due to boss lady being bossy while they decorate for Halloween. Soured our anniversary a little bit, but it gave the restaurant some attitude. Idk.
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J David H.

Yelp
Lunch for the first time at Omar's Carriage House. A cozy and nostalgic location dating to 1850's in the historic Freemason District of Norfolk. Omar's is nestled among historic old homes and across the street from the YMCA. Parking is by street, or their tiny lot. If parking in the lot be very cautious exiting, it's tight. The lot and walks were tidy. I tried lunch on a weekday at open. Greeting at the door seemed awkward, not sure why. I was seated at a table, menu provided and drinker order out in. The young female waitress took my order which was a recommendation from the specials menu. My order the beef kabob special that came with couscous and side tomato salad. Paired w/ a red table wine. Affordable at $10 excluding drink. However, the meat was tough and not enjoyable to chew and chew and chew. The salad was fresh, the couscous was different in texture and dry. Not necessarily bad, but not my cup of tea. Service was surprisingly slow on refills with only one other table occupied. No issues with checkout. I really wanted to love Omar's. It's a charmer with neat history. Bottom line, my dish was not great, service was meh. I would like to return, but no hurry to do so in the near future.