Saltine

Great atmosphere and amazing food! My husband and I had a lunch craving for good seafood and found this place which was the best. Close to the Wisconsin battleship, and parking garages. We had a great waiter cant recall the name but he's from RHODE ISLAND BABY! His recommendation Calamari was great!!!! We recommend bringing your friends too.

Was visiting the area from Richmond and wanted seafood so I decided to try Saltine since it seems they had such good reviews. I started off with the she-crab soup which was creamy and full of crabmeat, the charbroiled oysters and a crafted cocktail the Naked & Famous but it was a no for me. They were nice enough to allow me to switch it out for the NFK Punch which was very similar to a Jamaican rum punch. The oysters were ok but I prefer chargrilled. For my main course, I had the crab cake with the succotash, which I loved and added a scallop. The crab cake wasn’t the best I had and I did expect more lump crab. It was mushy to me but had a good flavor. The scallop was cooked perfectly. My server Tempis was awesome and very accommodating. Loved the decor, fish tanks and ambiance. Definitely an intimate vibe. It seems they have a private back room, I assume for large parties and private events.

Excellent food, drink, and service all around! Low lighting makes for a romantic atmosphere. House bread is very unique and good, maybe a sweet rye? Well-balanced Life is Peachy and Lost Island cocktails. Caesar salad, smoked fish dip, iceberg wedge salad, and hushpuppies were all great, about what you'd expect. Salads are massive and hushpuppies are perfectly rich and savory! Entrees were hits, too, loved the short rib, scallops, and catch of the day swordfish with add on crab cake. Scallops were cooked to perfection, not always a given. Dessert was super fun - PBJ pot de creme was solid, but Chocolate Orb stole the show, what an experience! Waitress painted fish and bubbles on our table (plastic mat) out of various sauces, and then had us drop the chocolate bowl full of ice cream on it to smash it and share! What an exciting treat!

My first visit with Saltine and the service did not disappoint. Excellent from the hostess getting to the servers, and wait staff. Our server, Melinda was pleasant , knowledgeable about the menu, fast, and, efficient. The food was hit or miss—very inconsistent. I ordered a chicken breast sandwich with the toppings on the side, however I received an overly fried chicken thigh. I know because I clean and cook my chicken at home— big difference in the two raw and cooked. I selected fries for my side and they were thin, crisp and delicious. I shared some and still ate quite a few of them. I sent the chicken back and ordered a plain cheeseburger which way my kind of good with the cheese gooeyness just dripping slightly down the side of the two hand made patties and someone seasoned that beef to perfection because that burger along with some fries will have me returning!! Along with my burger, I ordered the braised greens——-pretty, fluffy green kale leaves with sautéed onions and way too much vinegar. The fried shrimp were very tasty as were the crab cakes. The prices are little steep for everyday, however if celebrating a special moment, and would like to splurge, this is the spot. I didn’t even get to the ambiance yet— because this place definitely has ambiance!! The place is cozy and not too overly lit. Perfect for date night or groups. I was a part of a large group and service was still exceptional.

The food was absolutely amazing, and our server, Kyle, was attentive, welcoming, and friendly throughout the experience. My hubby and I truly enjoyed celebrating Valentine’s Day here — the atmosphere made it feel special and memorable. Everything from the service to the meal was top-notch. (The crab cake breakfast was NOTHING to sleep on-delicious!) We can’t wait to come back!

Located on the street level of the Hilton Norfolk The Main, Saltine is a classic American seafood spot. It offers a fresh raw bar and cooked classics in a dark, classy atmosphere. The Food and Wine 🦪 During this quick stop, we ordered the raw bar selection. The oysters were fresh, cold, and served with all the standard accoutrements. 🍷 Drinks: We enjoyed a selection from the broad wine list (available by the glass and bottle), which offered excellent pairings for the briny oysters. Service and Atmosphere Upon entering, we were greeted by a splendid raw bar on the right and an expansive bar on the left. The space features contrasting dark/light tiling, marble surfaces, and warm lighting that creates a sophisticated mood. ⭐️ From the hostess stand to the bartenders, the service was warm, attentive, and welcoming. Overall A great venue for business meals or date nights for those seeking fresh seafood, an extensive wine list, and professional service.

Nikkiah provided great service. Our table was private and cozy 🥰 The hush pipes with the honey butter were yummy! The house salad was huge and great with the black garlic ranch. The short rib was good but a little dry and the potatoes needed salt. The grilled shrimp was perfectly cooked and had great flavor. The crab cakes were chock full of crab but lacked seasoning.

This restaurant was recommended by a good friend and it was a fabulous recommendation. I ordered food while starving, so I ordered more than I should have, but all the food was delicious. The ahi tuna poke bowl was tasty- although I would have chosen a different type of cracker to go with it. I loved the oyster stew, it was full of oysters! I did try a set of Mother Shucker oysters too. Yum! I also ordered the grilled fish wings! The char on that was awesome! My husband ordered the 2 yard birds. For dessert, im a suvker for peanut butter, so we ordered the PB and j option. The short bread cookies were just right and sturdy enough to dunk into the musse-like peanut cream. .. I hope to visit again!

Our first visit to Saltine was lovely. They have a great bar that makes you feel like you're somewhere very swanky. We were seated in the middle of the restaurant (where it was thankfully warmer). Our server was attentive and informative and friendly! For drink I ordered the Pistachio Butter washed martini which was probably the best thing I had all night. Delicious! I'd return for one of those alone. My husband had something called Romeo's punch? Not sure that was the correct title, but it was very tart and interesting. Not his favorite but also something we wouldn't create at home. We started with the calamari and the She Crab soup. These two items were the most disappointing of the night, unfortunately. The flavor was great, but there was ZERO lump of crab in the soup and they skimped way too much on the calamari. For a $16 appetizer, you better give a hefty portion. I ordered the crab cakes with delicata squash and my husband had the Opah with whipped potatoes. Both entrees were fabulous! I had never had Opah and it quickly became one of my new favorite fish. Overall we would return, but we know that the appetizer portions are small or not including enough of the main product. We'd skip those next time. Would definitely recommend a visit to Saltine!

Food is pretty good. Drinks are hands down worth paying valet for.....TRUST ME. Things I loved: Ambiance Shrimp appetizer Lettuce wedge salad-needed a funkier cheese (blue cheese) to set it off. It was like the chef was afraid of loading up the onions and dressing. What I did not care for: Calamari-first bite was weird. It had a fish scale attached to it. The sauce that accompanied the dish was a ZERO. Just tasted like hot sauce and some made up sauce. It clashed. I had to ask for cocktail sauce. The clam chowder-It was a muddied rendition of the classic. Look- whatever herbs are added and other seasoning STOP. Just keep it creamy and simple. It should not be brown and taste heavily of thyme. Again the drinks saved the day. I will be back to try other things on the menu.

This restaurant comes up quite often on Open Table, so I always wondered about this place. Reviews looked decent and pictures of the interior were nice. I finally got the opportunity to dine here when a few friends and I met recently in downtown Norfolk. I wasn't aware this restaurant was inside the Hilton. The host and hostess were attentive and friendly. When the hostess asked if we had a reservation I said no and thought there probably isn't any availability on a Saturday. Luckily we didn't even have to wait for a table. Another host escorted us to a table upstairs. It was great to be away from the noise and any hustle and bustle downstairs as we ladies had a lot to catch up on. The complimentary bread was not warm and served with a side of butter. The butter had a texture like cream cheese and one of my friends said it tasted minty. Unusual butter to spread on a multigrain roll that had a strong rye taste (not a fan of rye). I ordered one of the specials, the flounder with lump crab meat covered in she crab soup. To my dismay the dish was without flavor and only came with 2 slices of focaccia bread (menu said 4). I found the entree bland and overpriced. Don't think I'll be back.

Great happy hour specials! Even better service and ambiance! We were seated next to the bar and on a high table and it was an awesome view looking out. Food was very tasty and portions were big!

Came for brunch with friends. We had a reservation so we were seated quickly. The $3 mimosas & Bloody Mary's and $4 manmosa is a great deal. I got the she crab soup as a starter which was very tasty. I wanted the lobster quiche but after hearing how it just sits under a warmer I decided not to get it. I ended up getting the smash burger. It was huge but very bare, I didn't want the tomato relish so it came plain. I asked for mayo to put on it. Pickles & onions would've helped ot out greatly. One friend got clam chowder and the mussels appetizer which was a huge portion. She took half home. The other friend got the Chesapeake hot brown which looked great. I would go back again, maybe for dinner or happy hour instead of brunch.

12/24 I really always want to have an excellent experience but they fall short on the quality of food compared to the price. The cup of she crab soup had little to no crab meat and that's certainly not the standard but somehow Saltine hopes to get away with that. I had the crab cake sandwich for lunch and it had no lump just shredded crab. For a $24 price point I certainly expected more. The service is always superb and that helps.

I had high hopes for Saltine, but unfortunately, my experience was underwhelming. I ordered the truffle fries, fried snapper, and braised short ribs, but none really hit the mark. Especially for the price of $190. The truffle fries were lukewarm and tasted like they had been reheated in a microwave--definitely not the crispy, flavorful experience I was expecting. The fried snapper had a nice texture, but the seasoning was almost nonexistent, leaving both the fish and its sides bland. The braised short ribs were the best dish of the night, with good flavor, though slightly overcooked. However, the carrots and mashed potatoes that accompanied them were also lacking in taste. Overall, nothing stood out enough for me to return. For the price and reputation, I expected much better execution.

So if this were just a review of dinner it would be 5 stars. But we had brunch and dinner there during our stay. Let me start with the service which is and always has been great. No matter where we have sat or when we have come in the service and the staff have been consistently wonderful. Now let's talk about dinner. - The absolute star is the fish wings. They are cheap and delicious. Here is the secret: treat them like you would a chicken wing and not like a piece of fish. The flavor is awesome and they are loaded with delicious meat. - the oysters are another star. They have a constant and large selection of local varieties for a variety of tastes. From sweet to briny to small to large. Absolutely delicious! We also had a delicious shrimp appetizer and several distinctive cocktails. I know the rule is not to eat at the hotel when you travel but this place is the exception. The variety of seating areas means that you can sit at the busy bar or have a quiet booth in a corner. Good for socializing with strangers or for an intimate evening with friends. I do not recommend the brunch. The chicken biscuit was not very good. The biscuit was extremely dry and the gravy was strangely flavored and slightly spicy. The potatoes were also inconsistently spiced. There are much better brunch options within walking distance.

I am not quite sure why ratings on this restaurant are below 4 stars. I have been there multiple times and it is always very good. We were there last weekend and had three types of raw oysters that were fresh and very good. Also I had the lobster bisque and it was very good. Finally I had the lump crab stuffed flounder and it was everything I hoped for. Virtually no filler just big chunks of crab and a nice thick slice of flounder. It was topped with a bit of lobster bisque which rounded out the meal for me. I paired the meal with a smoked Manhattan and it too was great. Service was on point and the atmosphere was lively but not o er the top

I didn't realize Saltine was a hotel restaurant when I booked the reservation. From my experience they tend to be mediocre at best for some reason. By the time we realized it was too late. The hostess seated us promptly at an outdoor table. It was a beautiful day so we didn't mind. We ordered a few appetizers before deciding to skip entrees. So so across the board. 2.4 stars.

Great place for lunch in Norfolk. Street parking available for $1.80 an hour Good food, quality drinks and welcoming staff No issues

A friend and I decided to stop by Saltine last Saturday for Brunch and boy have I been missing out. Since the weather was beautiful, we decided to dine outside and even though the outside dining area was closer to the street, the dining experience was very pleasant. Our server greeted us right away and was friendly and welcoming. As I went to order a mimosa, the server mentioned that they offer a few different flavors such as pineapple, grapefruit or cranberry, so I chose the pineapple flavor and it was very refreshing. The Signature Brunch menu had a wide selection of items such as omelets, pancakes and quiches but I decided on the Chesapeake Hot Brown & She Crab Soup. The food was served pretty quickly and tasted amazing. The Chesapeake Hot Brown included a lump crab cake, a crispy potato cake, a grilled tomato and topped with bacon in a mornay sauce! It was absolutely phenomenal! The She Crab Soup was delicious as well. I've been to Saltine for dinner and thoroughly enjoyed it but this was my first time for Brunch and it did not disappoint! The food and service were amazing! I will definitely be returning soon!

Not going to lie, the food here is solid. Personally think it's over priced, but if you come here, but your taste buds will leave satisfied. The oysters are excellent, crab soup hits the spot and the short rib is bomb, just not sure why they do mashed sweet potatoes with the soft rib, give me the good old regular mashed potatoes, if it ain't sweet potato pie then I ain't trying to have no sweet potatoes on my plate!

Service was great once we were seated. Host booth was slow motion though. We had a reservation but didn't appear to need one on this rainy night. Music is nice and jazzy. Good food all around from appetizers to entrees. Entrees were scallops on white cheddar grits with nice pickled zucchini slices. The whole Red Snapper was also a very delicious dish with relish and deep fried house dumplings. I don't even like fish like that, you know, the kind that's looking at you while you're looking at it. Yuck- but so good!! And let me not forget to talk about THE Alcohol! My "El Diablo" was spicy and tasty. The "Apparition" was a good rendition of the old fashioned. Hubby enjoyed that. Not enough room in our bellies for dessert. Plus, they were out of the ORB for 4- that looked like the best option on the dessert menu.

Check it out people! It's a beautiful restaurant and great happy hour prices. Food is fresh out of the bay, you wont be disappointed.

Been here twice. First time only the bar was open (mid afternoon) and next time the dinning area was closed BUT the kitchen was available (10 pm ish) so lets eat. Their food was so good. Their soup was worth the time and it could definitely be a main entree if you order 2. The crab cakes, oysters and catch of the day was all very tasty. No complaints and the server was not the bartender although we were technically at the bar area, so they made sure to come around often and made sure everything was good to include their tasty drinks.

Decided to get drinks and small bites ... boyfriend recommended this place for date night. Made Rez in advanced via open table. Was seated at a nice and secluded corner booth. Ambience was nice and waiter was good. The food and drinks were good. I wouldn't brag about the food but it was overall a good place for date night. Expect to spend some money.

I have dined at Saltine multiple times, and it never disappoints. The shellfish and cocktails are exceptional, with the She Crab Soup being one of the standout dishes. Their cocktails, including the Negroni, Manhattan, and various berry shrubs, are consistently excellent. The restaurant offers a classy atmosphere, with great food, superb drinks, and an overall outstanding dining experience.

Ate here for our anniversary and really enjoyed the food. We had the rockfish and scallop entrees and both were excellent. Our server was attentive and the restaurant very nice. Parking can be difficult, but there is a parking garage about 2 blocks away. Allow time to park and walk to restaurant before your reservation. Alcohol is more expensive than it should be, so be aware.

Saltine was a very convenient place to have dinner while staying at the Hilton. You can just walk across the lobby to it. The ambiance was great, but the food average. We ordered Rhode Island Style Calamari for an appetizer, but it was served lukewarm. It also had grana panada cheese sprinkled on it, something I've never seen with calamari. I ordered the Rockfish catch of the day, blackened. It was nicely presented, but again was lukewarm. My wife ordered the Scallops, which she reported were OK, but nothing special. The best part of our meal was dessert. We shared a Key Lime Cake (not pie), which was delicious!

i got to this restaurant once a month. Great drinks and love the charbroiled oysters and the crab cakes. Wish they had a larger variety of sides to select from on the menu.

I'd heard a lot of good things about Saltine's. As I walked up to this place, I felt like "this is going to be a nice experience." When I walked in the Granby Street entrance, I was struck by what I would describe as a locker room smell. A carpeted locker room that smells musty or like gym shoes. I liked the decorations and everyone was well dressed. I was promptly greeted by a friendly bartender. The bartender suggested a beer for me. The beer tasted good and was cold. After I had a couple drinks of my beer, the bartender checked on me, which was nice. I asked for the check, which was provided promptly. I didn't want to stay any longer because of the smell. A single beer is 9.00, but with state and local tax and "Access Fee," it's $10.27 before a tip.

We got: grilled bread, ahi poke, fish wings, she crab soup, house salad, shrimp cocktail. The poke, soup and shrimp cocktail were the standouts for us. The fish wings were really interesting and worth a shot- like nothing I've had before! Service was lovely and meal was reasonable for what we got.

The waitress we had was excellent, the explanations for the ingredients were in point. The oysters were fresh and delicious. Would definitely go back. Oh and the drinks were one of a kind..

Stopped in to have a drink. Place is modern and really neat artwork upstairs. This is the biggest liquor selection I have ever seen. Bartender was funny and personable.

Normally, this is a more expensive option for a dinner out and I would reserve it for special occasion but their happy hour is the best option in town. If you are someone who really enjoy seafood and can't get enough of local oysters or specialty items that are on rotation it doesn't get any fresher in this area of town than this option. They also have an extensive menu at the bar and really bring a luxury feel to those couple hours that you may have at the end of a hard day. Consider it as an option to take people from out of town for a happy hour to start off a weekend or someplace to visit prior to starting a night out.

I've been here so many times for their happy hour but decided to just get drinks. This pineapple drink was tasty and super refreshing, but my favorite was the strawberry cheesecake drink. This one was FANTASTIC with the strawberry cake on top added the perfect touch. The service was great and the environment for this place is always nice, never any complaints. 100/10

First time here and the food didn't let me down. I had the swordfish and enjoyed every bite of it. Perfectly cooked. Serive was spotty. Very slow and the waiter was not interested in answering questions. I asked about the oyster variety and what he would recommend, he responded "you can read that for yourself..." Not the worst thing in the world but at a classy place I would expect a little more pizazz in the ordering process.

Food | was less appealing than a fast food joint. I hoped for higher but, no bueno. The OYSTERS were absolutely flavorless and small broken shells included for what...calcium or a chipped tooth? The CRAB SOUP had, I believe, zero crab...??? Flavor was yummy... but no crab sighting, Service | the service was great at first with Courtney... then went completely downhill from there. Food took forever.... Drinks took forever... but thats okay.... The other bartender had a great flirting session with the boys nearby. Good for her. Ambiance | nice vibe ... too bad everything else was horrible. All in all.... West coast has better oysters... and hate to say this ... but possibly even better service than Norfolk.... Glad we came for snacks in the afternoon and cancelled dinner.

The vibes were very nice and fun for a drink night. We went for just drinks as the wait time for the table was much lomger than anticipated and we had birthday plans to get to. The she crab soup(i got it to go just to be safe) came out pipping hot. It felt simple but delicious. I suprisingly prefered the pistachio butter martini over my normal espresso martini. Deff recommend the Pistachio drink!

0.75$/raw oyster happy hour from 3-5 is prob the best deal in Norfolk. The quality of the James River oysters was superb w/great presentation, and these boys were THICC. I also got the charbroiled oysters, which, I enjoyed more just because the complex multitude of flavors and textures, but both were great. The location is definitely upscale, but I came alone and sat at the bar and didn't have a problem feeling comfortable, not to mention the bartender was sweet, attentive, and engaging. Would definitely return!

The ambiance and service were fantastic. The waitress provided excellent drink recommendations, and the drinks themselves were top-notch. While the Sear Diver Scallops I ordered were amazing, I wasn't a fan of the accompanying items on the plate. If I return, I plan to try a different dish, especially considering the menu changes periodically. The charbroiled oysters were fantastic!!Also, the Clover Club was an excellent cocktail. Despite my feeling about the side items with the scallops, I rate the place highly for its great drinks, inviting atmosphere, and it being an excellent spot for dinner with friends or a date. Valet parking is a plus, and overall, my friend and I had a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

The mussels are wonderful! They are done in a very different sauce and it is a very large serving. Whenever I visit Norfolk, Va., I look forward to eating there. The last time I was there it just happened to be Happy Hour so I even had an inexpensive draft beer to go with it. There are a few food options for Happy Hour but I had been thinking about those mussels for days. It was very busy so you do have to have patience!

Pretty seafood restaurant in a hotel. They have a large bar with a very cool vibe. Their happy hour is the best with $50 cent oysters and cheap drink prices. I have never had a full meal here but all the food looks good. It's a nice atmosphere and the service is typically great. Come for the happy hour!

I had such a great time here. I was a bit worried since the reviews were all over the place. But I'm glad I went to experience it for myself. This restaurant has ample space. There is an upstairs dining area, the lower dining area, and the patio. The inside has a more laidback vibe. We went on a day where it was quiet enough to have a conversation inside of the restaurant. I think that is perfect if you're focused on having an intimate lunch or dinner experience and you want to hear the people in your party. I love that they have a patio. We sat out there and it definitely elevated my experience. You can only have happy hour specials at the bar or patio which is why we sat out there. We made it with a minute left to catch the specials. I got the $5 rosé and my friend got a Moscow mule. We really enjoyed our drinks. I think that was the best house rosé that I've had in awhile in the area. The Moscow mule was made with balance and the alcohol wasn't overpowering. We found that the dinner menu was very limited. While I was satisfied with having various seafood selections, my friend was hoping for more non-seafood selections. There was only 1 non-seafood selection that they were interested in and was priced fairly to them. I really enjoyed my Fresh Catch of the Day entree. I was going to try a different fish but I went with the classic salmon because I wasn't sure what to expect. I really loved the cook on my fish! The way it was seasoned was amazing... I forgot what it was called but it had brown sugar in it and it did not disappoint. I thought I was going to hate the succotash but yo, it was the bomb.com!!! Each part of my dish was packed with flavors. So I have no complaints. My friend had the same sentiments about the Yard Bird 2 Ways. The polenta dumplings were unique and tasty. And once again, every part of the dish was fabulous. Compliments to the chef!! I wish our waiter was more attentive to us. But I understand that maybe he was juggling the patio and another part of the restaurant? I'm not sure. I didn't ask or even look to see what he was doing. Lol. However, whenever he did come to the table, he was super focused on us, helpful, and charming. Overall, I am pleased with my experience here!!!!!! I'll definitely be back with more friends. :)

Delicious, Delicious, Delicious, Delicious. Picture probably underwhelming, presentation was underwhelming to me in person. BUT WHEN I BIT INTO THE SANDWICH, I FELT LIKE THE FISH FROM SPONGEBOB!!! this crab cake sandwich was PHENOMENAL!!! so fresh, even down to the BUN! 10/10 sandwich

The food and service here was wonderful, do come check it out if you're in the area! We had a reservation for 2 but got seated in a booth for 7. Kinda weird, but it was nice to have some privacy. Drinks were slow to come out, but the food supplemented. The mussels are HUGE and delicious. It comes with bread to soak up the juice, and can feed a crowd. I got the scallops and it was delicious as well. We didn't get to order dessert cause the kitchen closed early that day, but the peek at the menu looked good. Would recommend!

Seafood spot on the first floor lobby of Norfolk's Main Hilton. Hard to resist the happy hour food and bev specials. Those $0.75 shrimp are HUGE...and outstanding. Just order them! Oysters are average but right price. Wife LOVES the daiquiri and I opt for the mule and old fashioned (all $5/ea). Great service from Vee. Tad delayed getting our bill but enjoyed the ambiance.

Great atmosphere, great menu options and the food did not disappoint. It is close to the waterfront and convenient to walk. Service wasn't too bad but on the slow side. Could have been a kitchen issue though.

By far the best seafood happy hour I've been to in a very long time! Oysters are $.50, giant shrimp are $1, and happy hour drink choices are plentiful. We sat at the bar and got great service, the noise level was reasonable, but the quality of the seafood for the price point you absolutely cannot beat in this area.

Beautiful! Atmosphere is stunning, reminded me of classic New England seafood/bar. Arrived for Sunday night dinner, fairly early, 6:00. Quickly taken to a nice corner/window table, our server came right away with the menus. We first ordered two glasses of a nice Pino Noir, very smooth. I ordered the Beef Short Ribs, which came with mashed sweet potatoes and a crispy cauliflower florets. The ribs were tender as butter and great flavor, as was the potatoes and I loved the cauliflower. Absolutely delicious. My boyfriend ordered the tuna which was served on a bed of creamy succotash, he throughly enjoyed the entire meal. He also had the she crab soup, that was also delicious. We really enjoyed our meal and experience, great service too! Highly recommend.

This is one of my favorite spots to go in downtown Norfolk. Saltine is seafood restaurant with a nice large raw bar with outdoor seating. It's at the bottom of the Hilton hotel, but it's actually a really nice restaurant. You can reserve rooms if you want, make a reservation, or just try to find a seat at the bar. Favorite time to go: happy hour, 3-6pm, Monday thru Friday. Drinks and food are discounted at a good price and I usually get a Manhattan or old fashioned. For food, you have to get oysters! Sometimes you have to ask for the horse radish but the staff is very friendly and they don't mind helping with food options/choices. Oysters are always super fresh and they have a guy making the raw plates right at the entrance of the bar. We also got the shrimp - well seasoned and presented well. No gimmicks, no complaints. People also come the hotel for business so it's also a great place for networking or ice breaker meetings/conversation. Moreover, the crowd demographic ranges from beach attire to suits, so can arrive with whatever vibe/outfit you choose.

Went for a working lunch A little surprised that they did not have WiFi for guests of the restaurant, (just for the hotel) This is one of my go to locations for lunch downtown Norfolk The food is great and the kitchen is pretty quick and consistent.

I was so excited to dine here while visiting Coastal VA, unfortunately the service was really bad. Saltine is mentioned on several "best of" Norfolk lists. The space itself is very aesthetically pleasing. Their design team hit the mark; the bar/dining space is very trendy and modern. I had a reservation for late lunch at 1:30 PM. No one was at the hostess desk, and another group was ahead of mine waiting. We all stood there for 5-10 minutes wondering if we should go to the bar to ask to be seated instead. Hostess appeared and even though I had a res she had to check if the table was ready; seemed odd as the place was nearly empty. Got seated and chose what we wanted to eat, we were hungry. Ordered the lobster roll, fish dip, she crab soup and double smash burger. My friend ordered a coke and we said we were deciding on other drinks. Waiter came back, we ordered one cocktail. Coke never came, cocktail never came. Saw everyone else's food coming out, where was ours? Waiter checked back in 35 mins after we placed food order and asked what we ordered - RED FLAG. We told him our order, he checked with kitchen and said they didn't get our order. No apology, no owing up to forgetting to put our order in or even write our order down. We asked out the drinks four times, waiter went and got coke but not the cocktail. By the time the cocktail got to the table, it was so watered down, it wasn't worth $3 let alone $16. The food was good but not great. Waiter forgot the fish dip, forgot the soup, forgot the aioli for the fries. My lobster roll wasn't warm. The burger looked so sad. The patties were tiny and definitely not smash burger-style; the tomato jam and fries/aioli were saving grace of this dish. Fish dip was good, very smokey flavor. Soup was fine. The presentation was lacking, food wasn't on par for price or supposed popularity. I would be embarrassed to serve that burger at a backyard cookout. Wait staff needs a lot of training and oversight. I wasn't even comped the coca-cola for the order mess up and resulting long wait for mediocre food. Would not dine here again or suggest it to others. Really disappointing experience overall.

$$$$ Overpriced. We had a 6:45 reservation- weren't seated until around 7:30. The host comped our appetizers which was great - but that being said our meal for 8 people & drinks paid for separately at the bar still came to over $$650! The clam pot was salty and gritty. The service was slow as molasses- thats even with having a 'full service family friendly bar'. Truffle fries were good. Maybe for a couple drinks and an appetizer this is the place but the attitude of this joint is far too pretentious for the quality of food that was output. (Also- no we didn't send the food back. It took forever to get seated and served as it was and we had a little kid with us). The bar is beautiful.

Saltine has got it going on!!! As an alternative to one of our nearby happy hour places, we decided to give Saltine a try. Boy, we were NOT disappointed. From start to finish everything was AMAZING. I will say that Jolie and Travis were very professional, friendly, and helpful. Both employees went beyond the call of duty with their service. Since the restaurant was a bit crowded, they both apologized for any lags in service. To be perfectly honest, I didn't think there were any lags in service especially since the bar and restaurant were full, and there were only two bartenders working. For our happy hour excursion, we went with a nice spread of seafood. Slatine has a nice (and surprisingly cheap) HH oyster deal, $0.75/oyster. I believe you have to order at least a half dozen, which was not a problem for us because we went with a dozen. We probably would have ordered another round of oysters, but we had other post-Saltine plans in the area. All of the dishes that we ordered (the calamari, fish dip, and shrimp ceviche) were prepared wonderfully. I will admit that was a little surprised (not in a bad way) that the shrimp ceviche was served with fried pork rinds. Let's just say that it provided an interesting, yet delicious, taste. While we stuck with a Chardonnay for our alcoholic delights, I really hope that I can try some of the fun cocktails offered at Saltine in the near future. Definitely looking forward to returning.

Hubby and I came here on a Saturday evening for dinner. We attended a conference at The Main so it was super convenient for us. We made last-minute reservations with no problem. We arrived on time and after about 5 minutes we were shown to our table. The restaurant is beautiful with its dark wood, high ceilings, and tall windows. Our server Michael was very friendly and knowledgeable with the menu. We appreciated this since it was both our first time. Hubby ordered the wedge salad and a bowl of their New England clam chowder. I followed suit and ordered their Saltine Caesar salad and a cup of she-crab soup. We shared a calamari appetizer. I loved this! The aioli made my mouth happy. The she crab soup was very tasty but it could have had a bit more crab. I wanted to love the Caesar salad, especially with the amount of dressing that was on the salad, but it was just okay. The dressing could have had a bit more taste. Kudos for being creative enough to place 3 anchovies atop the salad. Hubby enjoyed his wedge salad but was a bit confused about why the dressing was brown. The service was great. The ambiance and decor were beautiful. The food was okay.

Visiting for a work trip and thought the food and experience were just average, with a high price. I got the fish (salmon) and had it bronzed, this was tasty. For my side, I replaced the succotash with fries which weren't seasoned well. And finally, I was still hungry so I got the grilled oysters which were good but on the smaller side. I think overall the meal was fine but the cost was a bit high.

We had a great experience at Saltine. They were able to get us in without a reservation. Our server Ellie was fantastic, really knew the menu and options and didn't get frustrated explaining it multiple times. For a starter I got the baby iceberg wedge salad with black pepper ranch dressing. It wasn't a wedge, it was 3/4s of a head of lettuce. The bacon was great as was the cheese that was sprinkled on top. I ordered the filet with potato puree, root vegetables (rainbow carrots). It was a little overcooked, I like my filets purple in the middle and this was more on the medium side, but the flavors were phenomenal. I always order dessert and the baked Alaska didn't disappoint. I was disappointed they didn't have the chocolate orb available. The cake was a little dry, but the meringue and the pistachio crème was a perfect pairing with the chocolate. The meringue could have been a little more "baked," but still overall a great way to end the meal.