Varia

Absolutely loved our experience! The prices were very reasonable, especially considering the classy and elegant atmosphere that truly feels like a sophisticated library, museum or upscale cafe. The furniture and views added to the relaxing vibe, making it a perfect spot to unwind. The service was attentive and friendly. We made a reservation and enjoyed the full breakfast buffet…delicious and filling. Parking was convenient, with free parking at E. Plume St. Parking Garage for up to 2 hours, plus valet options. We can’t wait to return and try their dinner menu.

Absolutely beautiful restaurant inside the Hilton on the second floor. The appetizers Artichoke and Foam ricotta with honey glaze was excellent. Our main entree of garlic, evoo her pasta was nice and house made tagliatelle with pecorino was nice but not amazing. The margarita pizza was average and little cold. The waitress forgot to charge us for the bottle of wine so added it on. She should have gone over the dessert menu but seemed a little rushed. Overall the setting and so superb and price is reasonable that should give it a try

Jordan was an amazing server— the bomb dot com! The food was delicious, the service even better. We wanted to go to the wine dinner but missed out on buying tickets and they even gave us a course to try on the house! Love this place!

I love coming here. It has been a few years since I was here. I love spending the evening here. It's comfortable, the music is wonderful. It's on the 2nd floor of the Hilton on Main. Beautiful indoor space with curtain swags and a red piano. The atmosphere is lounge swanky. You will fall in love with this place like I have.

My wife and I had a wonderful experience. We started out with the Artichoke Romano appetizer, which was delicious and full of flavor. For entrées, we ordered the steak and chicken parm—both were cooked perfectly and absolutely hit the spot. The ambiance of the restaurant was warm and inviting, creating a perfect setting for a relaxed evening out. A special shoutout to our server, Evan, who was fantastic—attentive, friendly, and on top of every detail throughout the night. Highly recommend!

The ambience is amazing along with the live entertainment. Unfortunately, I had the displeasure of eating at the bar. The bar tender was extremely rude and there were only 6 of us waiting for service. One example, I advised him I was ready to order when he had a moment. He acknowledged but proceeded to peform other tasks. Totally fine, but then while I was speaking with another guests he returned abruptly and started speaking over us to say he was ready to take my order then stated excuse me following. Very passive aggressive the entire evening. I asked for a mixed drink then he took off without acknowledgment. I see him preparing something, so I advised I didnt want house Tequila. The response was he'll use my preferred option on the next drink. I'm assuming it was just a bad night, but I will request a table if I should return. As for my Chicken Parmigiana, it was flavorful but the chicken was overcooked and my spaghetti was cold. The live entertainment made the trip worthwhile. The other servers appeared to be friendly and responsive as well.

This was an elegant, relaxing, vibe. The atmosphere is giving beautiful library/ upscale cafe with beautiful furniture and views. Our server was EVAN and he was delightful from the moment we sat down. It was my grandmother’s 75th birthday and he did not disappoint! Evan was able to accommodate our unique tastes in wine, our diverse eating, and was full of suggestions. It was a classy and warm night. Definitely enjoyed and will be back.

I had a rough week at work so I treated myself to dinner at Varia. This is my second time going there and it definitely did not disappoint! I had the fried ravioli, the rigatoni in vodka sauce, and dessert which was an apple crumble pie. The waiter Harrison was kind, had a great personality, checked in while also giving me time to enjoy the meal, and he helped make the experience more memorable. Thanks to the awesome staff! I loved my solo date night there.

Attended a pharmaceutical dinner, and everything was absolutely delicious. We were seated in a private room at the back, which made for a nice, private setting. We started with the rice balls -- they were a great opener and tasted amazing. Next came the Caesar salad. I wish I had known it included sardines; I wasn't a fan of that addition. For the main course, I had the salmon, and it was cooked perfectly. However, the wine was seriously overpriced -- I ended up spending $65 on two glasses, only to find out later that the bottle retails for $17. Definitely a steep markup, but that one's on me for not checking the price beforehand. Overall, the staff was incredibly kind and attentive to our entire group.

Hubby and I had a date night here on a Saturday late evening. We actually stayed 2 nights at The Main because of a marriage conference, so it was super convenient. We had reservations for 8 pm, and it was pretty busy. Minutes upon entering, we realized it was a Ring Dance night for a local high school. We were shown our table immediately and it was just absolutely gorgeous inside. The high ceilings were just eye catching with the elongated beautiful drawn back curtains. They had live entertainment, and this man was singing classic jazz like those from Sinatra. He even came to me, to our table, and started singing. My husband and I ordered: cheese and charcuterie board (half), Caesar salad, panzanella salad, braised beef short rib entree, and the chicken marsala. Everything was amazing. The service was wonderful. Our server was great! The charcuterie board was delicious. My Caesar salad was perfect! It even had a small anchovy on top. And my braised boneless short rib dinner? AMAZING! This was wonderful! It was super tender and packed full of flavor on top of pecorino polenta, mushroom ragu, and greens. Unforgettable!! Hubby loved his salad with melon and prosciutto and also his chicken marsala. We were very impressed and satisfied completely with our evening here and cannot wait to go back!!

Hi!! We staying at the Hilton for the weekend and Came here to say with Mrs Yelp for a belated birthday dinner. I really like the ambiance. Right lighting, the set up of the tables, the cozy bar- oh a piano and a live singer at the right volume. Service was spot on. Mrs Yelp had the rigatoni bolognese and it was very very good. I had the chicken parm. Good but not as good as her plate. Ate at the bar- had a perfect view of the kitchen and pizza oven- smelled great. Next time I plan on getting the chicken Marsala. Very nice spot. Good place for a celebration dinner. We'll be back..

Very beautiful place! Many romantic style seating areas for you to enjoy intimately or with a group! Reese was a wonderful waiter offering many on point recommendations and bringing his lively energy to the evening! The food was vibrant and delicious!! Highly recommend the artichoke and octopus for fun appetizers also

I had such a great experience here! The food, the service, and ambiance were all stellar. I tried the grilled octopus. It was actually good though I was thinking it wouldn't been more like calamari, just grilled. I also had the brussel sprouts, which were excellent!! The Parmesan cheese and honey was the perfect complement to the sprouts. I had the primavera as my meal, thought gluten-free so they made it with risotto. I added a chicken breast, which was very flavorful. It was yummy!! The veggies were sautéed, the risotto was velvety without cream. I also had a really good Pinot Noir, and a glass of a pink moscato. Audrey was our server; she was great and answered all of our questions about the menu. I can't wait to go back!!

This pasta is incredible with the flavor profile is very flavorful and delicious 10 out of 10

I love Varia!! If you haven't been then you've been sleeping on it!!! You can head to the bar at any time as long as there is an open seat. You'll be greeted by the bartender, Angel! And he is in fact a real angel! The ambiance is cool, upscale, relaxing. It's nice to dress up a little and go out. You'll find they have an awesome happy hour from 5-7pm and you'll also find they do live music most evenings. It's awesome piano music, saxophone, and singing. Very relaxing. The food is awesome!!! Not too expensive for the over all experience. You can come here and then head up to Grain if you like to stay out later, since Varia closes at 10pm. Check it out! Quit sleeping on it!

I had really high expectations for Varia but sadly it did not meet them. My server, Shay, and the live music the night I went were really the saving graces. I really love Italian food but there were many moments here that confused me and left me feeling disappointed... I loved the taste of our appetizer. From the first looks of it, I thought it was rather small... because I was sharing it with a friend, we were curious to why it came in 3 rather than 4, especially if you want to share it. But nonetheless, it was a nice start to our meal. The heirloom tomatoes were soooo fresh! My friend ordered the chicken Marsala. I ordered the spaghetti carbonara but without the guanciale and with the herby grilled chicken as an enhancement. I did enjoy my pasta! It was creamy and a huge dish. My chicken didn't come out with it because the chef forgot it but eventually it came and it was paired nicely with the carbonara. My friend's chicken Marsala looked so questionable. The plating did not make it look appetizing. But also, the taste was not there. I tasted it to confirm that my friend wasn't going crazy... it really didn't taste like anything. Absolutely no flavors there. The woman sitting next to us felt the same way... both of them ending up asking for their dishes to be taken back. My friend didn't lose hope and ended up trying one of the specials that night, lobster risotto. He got lucky and the lobster risotto definitely saved the day! However, he didn't feel that it was priced fairly considering the amount you get. We ended the night with espresso martinis and tiramisu, kind of becoming a tradition to end dinner with... but we were sad to find that their tiramisu was not up to our standards. there was absolutely no cake in it? I would like there was like a teaspoon amount of cake and it was all the way at the bottom rather than layered between cream and espresso. Just not what you would expect when you say you want tiramisu... Anyways, vibes are immaculate here. I just wish the food matched the vibes. If it did, we would easily become regulars here.

VARIA is an extremely beautiful restaurant! I love it here. I've never been in before because I thought I needed a reservation, and it turns out that I did not need a reservation. I walked up to the bar and sat down and met Angel, the bartender. I tried a couple different drinks, including the apeorl spritz. The ambience of this restaurant is very fancy and upscale. You don't have to dress formal, but I would recommend dressing at least business casual. They do a free wine tasting on Wednesdays during happy hour around 6 o'clock. Every day Tuesday through Friday is a happy hour between 5 PM to 7 PM which is really awesome. I headed there the other night and I got two appetizers that were only six dollars each on happy hour. I was full! They were delicious There is live music Thursday through Saturday in the evenings they play saxophone and piano and it's just a really wonderful peaceful vibe! I like to head there and then go upstairs to the fifth floor to go to Grain because Grain is open late

Varia is a wonderful Italian restaurant in the heart of Norfolk. It is located in the Hilton--sometimes restaurants in hotels are suspect, but this is definitely worth a visit even if you are not staying in the hotel. It feels both luxurious and comfortable. Before getting into the food, one unique feature is that the have enomatic wine system. That is, they have 28 bottles that are sealed that you can do a variety of pour sizes. You purchase a wine card, then help yourself to wine. This was a lot of fun and we felt it was worth. The food was really great. We started with the half board of charcuterie. In particular, this had some very good cheeses, but a well-balanced mix. For the main course, I had the cioppino. This was outstanding. The base was this saffron risotto that soaked up the seafood flavor and was incredible. The portion size was a little small, so I just wished there was more of it. The seafood itself was flavorful and cooked perfectly, particularly the scallops. I tried some other dishes as well. The gnocchi was great, with really good flavor (and that portion was good). I also tried the chicken parm, which was also incredibly tasted, particularly the sauce. I was too full for dessert, but very pleased after a great meal

We came here last night with a reservation to celebrate a special occasion, and unfortunately, it was one of the most disappointing dining experiences I've had. We waited over an hour for our food before our server finally explained that the chef had walked out, which was why nothing had come yet. We were told the kitchen was working on it, but another 30 minutes went by with no updates and nothing offered to make up for the delay--not even bread or an app. We eventually had to flag down the manager (Keith) ourselves for an update, but instead of offering solutions, he gave us excuses. Only when we asked did they finally bring us bread. Another 30 minutes later, still no food. Our server told us it would be "10 more minutes," which turned into 20. Meanwhile, the table next to us--seated well after we arrived--had already finished their full meal and left, while we were still waiting for entrées. We repeatedly asked to speak with the manager, Keith, but he never came to check on us. My friend eventually had to go up front to find him, which is unacceptable. A manager should be aware of what's going on in his kitchen and at least apologize and check in with guests. After two hours of waiting, we finally received our food. It was salty, mediocre, and absolutely not worth the wait. Service recovery was nonexistent until we essentially begged for it. Only after continued complaints did our server, Logan, bring us three glasses of champagne and tell us our meal would be comped. While we appreciated that gesture, it felt like an afterthought, not genuine hospitality. We were starving (our last meal was at 11am) and stuck because by 10pm, walking out meant scrambling to find another restaurant. For a celebration dinner, this was beyond frustrating. The only positive was the ambiance, but the service and food were both extremely disappointing. Def not a place I'd recommend--poor management, reactive (not proactive) service recovery, and food that doesn't live up to the wait.

We went here to celebrate the new year before seeing a show at the Wells theater! For an Italian restaurant it was modernly decorated which I appreciate! The short rib was top notch and the noodles cooked perfectly, company had the Chicken parm and bone in pork chop! All really delicious, we all had wine that was paired perfect! Would be back.

The restaurant is located on the 2nd floor of the very nice Hilton downtown. I was seated quickly in their dining area. The cushioned seats sit very low, and the table sits high, so eating was a little tricky. After ordering, the waiter gave me complimentary bread with oil and whipped butter, which was amazing. I ordered the gnocchi with herbed chicken, which was also great and creamy. The ambiance is nice with live music while you eat, but it can be louder than expected in a dining setting where you would want to talk with others at the table.

We recently had dinner at Varia located in the Hilton Main, prosaically named after its location, on Main Street, in the heart of downtown Norfolk. The unoriginal name of the hotel notwithstanding, Varia is an excellent restaurant. They specialize in Fine Dining with an authentic Italian flair that is sure to please even the most discerning palate. If you're lucky enough to get reservations while Frank sings Frank is playing, you'll definitely be in for a treat. This is an incredible experience to behold. I've had many of the items on the menu and I've never been disappointed with anything. They make the pasta fresh every day and it shows. Check out Varia if you enjoy great Italian cuisine and hopefully you can catch a show while you're there.

Food Unfortunately this was just a wine night for us, so we didn't try any food. Service I booked a reservation on open table and was seated immediately when I arrived. Our sever was nice and attentive. Ambiance This is a beautiful wine bar with live music on the weekend. There was a singer and piano player the night we went. The wine selection wasn't over the top, it was just right for me. Oh, I must not forget the wine selection on tap upon entering the establishment. I will be back to enjoy more wine.

My wife and I were looking for a great place for a Romantic dinner. We found it here. The mood and atmosphere was amazing. The entire staff was amazing. Our waiter was very attentive and offered several good recommendations for wine and food. The food came out really fast. Appetizers and making dishes were outstanding. We will definitely be back for more food.

So the service was excellent. The waitress was very attentive and helpful. The food was decent. This wasn't the best Italian meal I've had but it wasn't bad either. My biggest hang up is the ambience. If there is live music and you would like to save your hearing ask for one of the tables in the far front of the restaurant. Some of the chairs are a little awkward as well. They have soft wingbacks that make it hard to sit up to the table. The place is very pretty though. Wine and cocktails were all great. Worth giving it a try but not my favorite for Italian

Our waiter, Logan, was great. However, the food was horrible. The lobster risotto, my friend and I split, and was charged $2 to split it. We didn't ask for that. The tagliatelle is a super small portion. The place is not worth it.

Beautiful date night! We both ordered something different than we normally do. When we lifted the forks to our mouths we looked like we were making love to the food. Closed eyes and a mmm... in the end. Had the nicest wait staff, our waitress name was Ashley. Got our food quicker than expected. We got the coolest seats, so we could see all the food/pizza getting made. They had a live saxophone player We will be back again Oh ya! They have a side party room hidden behind a bookcase with the entire ceiling done in mirror tiles. I want to find an excuse to have to rent/use it.

Breakfast! Seated right away for Monday morning breakfast. The menu was good, nice variety and prices were extremely reasonable. I was by myself and not hungry enough for the buffet, but for $22, it looked worth it. I ordered a custom omelette, with ham and onions, came with toast and home fries. The omelette was large and full of flavors, the home fries were seasoned heavily with some spices, delicious! I ordered tea, only complaint was the server didn't come around to ask to refill tea and gave me it without creamer or sugars. I really enjoyed it and was very pleased with the pricing. My only complaint was the service could've been more attentive, otherwise, Kudos and will definitely be back.

My boyfriend (now fiancé) came here to celebrate a special event :) It was a perfect place to have a romantic dinner and the restaurant has special couple booth seats, where you're not staring at other people, but a beautiful bookshelf. We went on a Friday because there was live piano music. You do have to make a reservation here a week or so out in advance. You can park at the parking garage that is only a block away from the restaurant. None of the food was disappointing, and there were so many intriguing dishes from the menu, we had to order them all. Little warning about the Pera E Cipolla pizza: you can taste the gorgonzola in some bites, so if you aren't a bleu cheese fan, this pizza isn't for you. Also, for future customers, I thought the Italian wedding soup was a bit salty, but if you like it like that, then I highly recommend getting this as an appetizer. I also would like to hype up the Whipped Honey Ricotta Brulee. The focaccia was very fluffy and warm. It went along very nicely with the Ricotta, and the pickled vegetables were a nice fresh cleanse to the palette. The waitress was so sweet and took a picture our special moment. I would love to come back to have another romantic dinner here.

If you're looking for a eclectic atmosphere, amazing hosts/servers, and high quality Italian cuisine - this is a must if you're near downtown Norfolk. 2nd floor of probably the best downtown Hilton hotel I've been to (mind you, I haven't been in any rooms, just the dope a** restaurants lol). It's on the west side of the second floor. It was a little chilly, but not too bad, so I'd bring a jacket to be safe than sorry. Greeted by the hostess and was taken around the restaurant, semi circle layout. Inner circle is a bar with and open-view kitchen/pizza oven - nice touch. They have bookshelves as decorations but it feels very elegant. The live piano player probably helped a lot with the romantic ambiance lol. Thursdays are ladies night - some happy hour drinks specials. But we missed it, getting there an hour before closing. Our server was great. We got the octopus, Brussels, Marsala, and cioppino. Octopus: 4.5/5 - perfectly cooked; very juicy and tender. It was amazing because the seasonings were light, which was actually refreshing so you could truly enjoy the octo. However, I do like a little more flavor/seasoning/sauce that give the dish more character and creativity. Some of the best octopus I've had - barely missing what I would prefer. Brussels: 4.0/5.0 - they're not your soft sprouts; they've been fried and are appreciably crispy. They come with some fillings sauce that complimented well - Mayo based I assume. I would get again. Cioppino: 4.8/5.0 - CHEFS KISS. Born and raised on the west coast, San Francisco Bay Area, cippiono is one of those dishes I'm a snob about. A lot of restaurants do too much (intricate flavor base) or too little (no flavor at all). This dish, at Varia, was the best Cioppino I've had in Norfolk so far. The tomato based flavor on top of tasty risotto was something to admire. They allowed the seafood, which was perfectly cooked, take limelight of the dish. I love when a dish complements itself with each bite. If you love all things seafood/shellfish, you should thank yourself after you order this. Chicken Marsala: 3.0/5.0 - this dish was OKAY. Chicken was cooked well, sauce tasted like Marsala, but it was bland overall. It's always best when the chicken can be cut easily. It wasn't tough, but we've had better. Will be trying other dishes next time. I recommend smoking or rotisserie-type "melt in your mouth" type chicken and finishing in a skillet with Marsala. Paired wine: Sav blanc with Cioppino and a Pinot nior with Marsala. Overall. I will be back and I am looking forward to another good experience. I like how I didn't feel rushed even though we arrived later in the day. It's private and you'll definitely impress a person who loves ambiance + Italian food.

Me and my family dined here on a Friday evening. A couple of us arrived early so we were motioned toward the bar where they were having happy hour. The selected drinks were ranging between $3-$5 from hours 4pm-7pm, with half price appetizers. I opted for a Cosmopolita and garlic parmesean shrimp. The Cosmopolita was very refreshing, it was a gin concoction with a hint of lime. The garlic Parmesan was absolutely delicious, the breading was very well seasoned and served in a cast iron. I honestly would get an entree of just the shrimp. For my main meal I selected the half order of Alfredo with chicken added. Again you can taste the freshness of the ingredients in this meal. The chicken was grilled perfectly without leaving it dry, and the Alfredo sauce was the perfect mix of butter and cheese. The noodles were not fettuccine with I thought was ... interesting, but it did not take away from its rating. The bread was delicious and I had to stop myself from eating the loaf entirely. In total I spent $31 ( Cosmopolita , shrimp , chicken Alfredo , auto gratuity ) which was a great deal as I left full and more than satisfied. I believe there is an auto gratuity of 20% added to all parties but I am not so sure. The restaurant itself is so beautiful, from the live saxophonist to the red piano. From the layout of the seating area to the pizza kitchen open for viewing. This is one of the only restaurants that has the food, ambiance, and cost all align with each other for a pleasant experience with the family or for an intimate date night. I will be back again.

A group of us ate here last night. A note right off the bat, they will only seat you if your entire party is there. Of course members of our party were very late, but Kaylee took care of us. The restaurant had a live piano player/singer. There was talent, however, the playlist needs to be expanded and the music itself needs to be upbeat at least every three songs. As for the food, I started out with the fried ravioli and it was pretty good. I also tried the house Caesar salad, it was a little overdressed but good all the same. I got the NY strip steak with asparagus and garlic mashed potatoes for my main. The steak was perfectly cooked, however it wasn't a very good cut and had multiple spots that I had to pull out of my mouth. The asparagus was nice, but they hadn't cut it correctly at the bottom. As for the potatoes they were creamy and paired nicely with the meal overall. For dessert I order the Nutella crack pie. One, there was no Nutella, it had a hazelnut cream and hazelnuts which were tasty, but no Nutella. There was also no strawberry compote or pretzel crumble. The pie itself was sticky and at times could barely come off the spoon. Our server Kaylee was fantastic! Hard off to her, especially with our difficult crowd.

Varia is located in the Hilton in Norfolk, VA. We were so excited that a restaurant was so conveniently located in our hotel during our stay. But that's only the start! From the ambiance, the comfortable seating and live piano music (amazing!) it was such a relaxing dining experience. Our server Samuel was wonderful throughout our night. He was helpful and very attentive. The entire staff was truly great at Varia. It's so refreshing to have a great dining experience with excellent staff while at a hotel. Great job Varia and Hilton for this gem of a restaurant. Let's not forget about the food. From the wood stove pizza to the unique Italian inspired menu items it will be a sure hit with your party. Just don't make the mistake we made and order everything on the menu. It all is just too good!

My wife is gluten free. Before we went into the restaurant we asked about gluten free pasta and they said it was an option. When we finally got to ordering which took forever, she asked for the gf pasta. The pasta that showed up was spaghetti as opposed to rigatoni. Only because we were diligent did we realize the issue. I had to get up to find the waiter because he never came back to see how things were. He apologized but said he did not hear even though we had said this multiple times. He came and took away the wrong pasta so I asked him for the check worried that he would not come back. Nothing was done to lower the amount of the bill not that we asked for it but it is would usually be common when you try to poison someone. So we paid the bill and on the way out we met the manager and told him the story which we assumed he did not know but he did know and wanted to know at that point if he could do anything after we already checked out and paid the bill. If you do not like poor service and not great food skip this restaurant

Hoo whee was this a good choice. Met up with an old friend and while I was super jazzed about the menu and had planned to get the carbonara once the server mentioned the special it was like the heavens opened and the angels sang. I had the filet with black garlic compound butter, garlic mash and broccolini. It was about a week ago and I'm still thinking about it. I had the Nutella Pie for dessert and it was a bit rich after the fantastic meal so I just had a few bites. Service was great, ambiance was pleasant and parking in the hotel was cheap (validated two hours). I'll definitely go back.

We got here at around our reservation time, but there was a Karen holding up the line. I don't know why, but they couldn't seem to have someone deal with her while a different person got everyone else checked in. So, we waited a good 7 minutes for her to finally storm off. We got seated, and the chairs and booths are super low for some reason. You will sink into the seating if you let it. The lighting in there is a bit darker than the normal moody where my boyfriend and I were seated. Service was alright, I wish our waiter was a little more attentive though. There was a bit of gaps in between when he would check on us in the beginning. The food was a bit average for what I expected, not gonna lie. We started out with the caramelized pear and the carpaccio bruschetta, with the pear being the better of the two. The carpaccio was almost too smokey in flavor, and looked like I could make something similar at home. The pear was sweet and had a nice balance with the goat cheese and ricotta. As for our entree orders, we got the foraged mushroom risotto along with the braised short rib pappardelle. The risotto was very mid. The texture was that of cooked rice with a little sauce, which is NOT risotto. Risotto is creamy on its own and the sauce is a part of the rice. The gremolata was also not a gremolata. It was just sprouts atop. I could make better risotto at home for half the price. The braised short rib was very nice though. The liquid they braise it in is super flavorful, and the meat was nicely tender. The pasta was also cooked well and nicely thin. As for portion sizes, it felt a bit small for the price. Overall, would probably only come here for drinks again. Those were quite nice.

We went here for Ladies Night on a Thursday and we loved it!! Service was slow due to an employee shortage, but our waiter was delightful. He worked with us to split up our bills and he was always smiling and helpful throughout the entire experience. Their Ladies night specials are out of this world-$2 bubble, $4 wine and $5 select martinis! I had the peach martini and it was absolutely perfect. In addition, they had $10 pizzas! I had the Vesuvio with sausage and pepperoni and it was really good. There was also a piano player that night and having the live music really completed the experience! I would highly recommend trying Varia when in Norfolk.

Such a unforgettable restaurant! This restaurant is located on the second floor in between The Grain and Saltine. Take the escalator and it will take you right to the front of the restaurant. Our waiter (Shamar) was very attentive and so knowledgeable about wine. He helped me choose the perfect glass.of wine to compliment my food. I chose the bone in pork chop dish which was to spicy for me so I switched meals with the hubby since he loves spicy things lol. Our booth we were seated at was right in front of the secret book case door which was really cool to observe people going in and out of. The decor and ambiance was a whole vibe. There was a beautiful red piano and a live singer who sung songs like mambo Italiano. Its very dark in there so you will need your phone flashlight to see the menu if you can't see like me lol. However I definitely recommend and will return for restaurant week.

This was an exceptional dining experience. The seating was especially comfortable and invited us to relax and enjoy the singing and piano entertainment. Frank Sings Frank was a real treat with true talent and charisma. The Pianist was skilled and made the evening great. Food was awesome and I could work my way through the entire menu. Service was impeccable. Look forward to returning.

Came here for ladies night. The ambience was amazing. They have great happy hour specials that we participated in. There was live entertainment; Frank singing Frank which was very good. I got the carne fungi pizza and a side of brussel sprouts. The pizza was cooked well and they didn't skimp on the toppings. The sauce that came with the brussel sprouts was really good. I got the bubbles which was on special and the pretty peach. Can't wait to go back and try different items especially the salad which looked amazing

I was at the Hilton for a conference and tried all the restaurant options over several days. Varia was our favorite. Service was on point, food was delicious and very reasonably priced for the quality and being a hotel restaurant. My colleague and I shared the Brussel Sprout appetizer and mushroom risotto along with some wine. The entertainer was fabulous. Would definitely be back if I visited Norfolk again!

Nestled on the second floor of the Hilton Hotel in downtown Norfolk lives a picture perfect restaurant by the name Varia. From the initial greeting by the host to the absolutely delightful service by our wonderful waiter Samuel.. the entire evening was absolutely superb. Highlights from the night: - Complimentary valet parking - Complementary bread and butter (mmm soo good) - Delicious pasta dishes (spaghetti meatball and carbonera were exquisite) - Live pianist and singer duo serrading the entire restaurant, while exchanging hilarious banter between songs - Elegant and high-end ambiance with a very friendly staff - Huge tables and well spread out - Affordable prices and large portions - Pistacchio, strawberry and chocolate ice cream, covered in a chocolate shell - Open kitchen so you can see the action behind the scenes - Palpable energetic buzz throughout the entire restaurant, without being too loud Cons: Not even one

We got here right at 5pm when they opened and I loved it! It was lovely it wasn't crowded or too loud it was perfect! Dim lighting and happy hour was very relaxing and enjoyable. Our server was good she brought us our drinks and food in a timely manner. Last but not least was the food I loved the eggplant Parmesan it was delicious it was very fresh and filling the plate was HUGE ! definitely should have came here on an empty stomach because I wasn't able to even get close to finishing half!

Varria is a beautiful restaurant conveniently located inside of the Hilton Hotel. After a long drive from NJ, and a nap we were starved; so I didn't care where I ate. Since it wasn't extremely busy, we were able to get a table immediately without reservations. I ordered the Chicken Parmesan & my son ordered the Margherita Pizza. We both enjoyed our dishes. I especially loved the crust on my chicken, the only thing lacking was a tad bit of salt, which was a minor fix. The decor was beautiful, it reminded me of a library, yet upscaled. If I ever stayed at this Hilton again, I may definitely consider a revisit. Great food, Great Service & Exceptional Company, What more can you ask for.

Had a very nice dinner here with local family. The food was excellent. Had the Ciopinno which is a seafood dish. Great flavor. Great atmosphere. Food is a bit pricey for what you get and they charged $6 for two helping of bread. The wait staff was superb but overall in the expensive side. Would visit again for special occasions but for a regular meal out it is at the top of the budget.

Rachel the hostess was the only bright spot of my experience. I was staying at the hotel and thought the menu looked great and it was convenient to pick it up for my room at the end of a long day. For one, I didn't like how coldly the manager interacted with Rachel and he made zero efforts toward me as he helped her key something in. Just ignored me. I didn't like his treatment of staff nor customers. It's not hard to take a moment to engage, smile, or make even basic eye contact. I could've even overlooked it if he'd treated Rachel with respect. I've eaten at Michelin restaurants and understand small portions. But this photo is my $34 "risotto," which is basically missing much risotto. I ate it in a few bites, and that included the watery sogginess. Knife included for scale. I even went back and asked Rachel about portions, who kindly confirmed with the kitchen this was right. Yikes. For the poor service (other than Rachel) and the absurd portion size of food that wasn't even good, I regret choosing this. Too many other friendlier, tastier, and reasonable portion-sized restaurants to waste your time here.

I thoroughly enjoyed this spot. We originally went to go to happy hour at Saltine but it was to crowded and thought we'd go try this place out. The service was outstanding. The decor was nice as well. High ceilings with live music. There was a gentleman playing the piano singing cover songs. Think Tony Bennett. The food was awesome. It looked and tasted great. Brick oven pizza was on point. The pasta dish was flavorful. I'll definitely go back to this place. They have a large wine selection as well.

I highly recommend Varia restaurant at the Hilton Norfolk The Main for dinner and music. They serve great Italian cuisine. Varia restaurant team went out of their way to accommodate customers. The evening we were there, piano maestro, Bryce Miller was playing beautiful music which made for an amazing experience!

A pleasant Friday appetizer & dinner. The restaurant was busy, but we did not require a reservation to seat a party of three. Decorated in a fun but formal style. The service was acceptable, the waiter was attentive and prompt with all requests. We started with the caramelized pear bruschetta which was underwhelming. The main course was the Cioppino, this dish was executed well, contained plenty of protein along with a healthy serving of pasta. We chose to use the self service wine bar, but ran into some small issues with the dispenser sending wine out of the wrong bottle twice. To wrap things up, Varia provided an enjoyable dining experience, the main dish was the star of the show where the appetizer could have used some work. Overall an enjoyable experience worth the money spent.

We finally got to go to this beautiful restaurant on the second floor of the The Main Hilton in Norfolk. I loved the decor and glass windows with a view from every corner. I requested to sit next to the piano player, which was so romantic and a great addition to our dinner. The wine was good and dinner had the perfect serving amount. I could actually still walk straight after I left. So , this place is truly a gem in the waterside area. They also do a ladies night on Thursday, and they host private dinners behind the hidden bookcases . I will definitely be back ..

I so want to give this restaurant a lower rating, but I am rating them based on my overall experience. As a result, I will return in hopes of having a more enjoyable experience, they are five star worthy. My bestie's birthday was in early April, but life can get in the way of enjoying friends on their special date, but about mid April, myself, my bestie and two others enjoyed a Thursday night which is considered ladies night in this chic and sexy atmosphere. I made reservations ahead of time via OpenTable about a week in advance and had no issues. I opted to have my party sit in the (bar area) Wolf Lounge... which is couch seating. While it's a sexy vibe, you want to keep the guest count low because sitting in this area while dining and drinking can be a bit claustrophobic. Now if it's four or less, definitely sit here. We decided to have apps and cocktails here, then asked to be moved to a table afterwards. The server was super accommodating and pleasant. Because it was ladies night, the restaurant featured several cocktails and the ladies (not me so much) wanted to try them all. As a result, I asked the server if we could get flights in order for all to sample without ordering about 20 drinks and not liking them since these would have been our first time trying them. As a result, we order all the featured cocktails, let's say a total of 8 and we pay for 8 and charge for 8 not 32. After much back and forth, I asked the server to bring the manager over to see if this request could be honored. After much more, back and forth, the manager declined the request, but suggested everyone sharing the drinks by using separate straws. huh? One excuse given, "we do not have enough glasses to provide flights for your party" - interesting. In this plandemic age, the manager suggested we pass a drink around and everyone taste the one drink using separate straws... as if... At this point, I was completely turned off. But it was not my celebration... as a result, the ladies ordered separate drinks and ended up not liking most. Oh well... The night went on... we ordered apps and entrees. Check out the pics... but I recall, I had pizza to start and a big ol meatball as my entrée. I also chose to sip margarita's throughout the night. From the food to the drink... I was super pleased. The ladies did side eye the calamari... The ambiance ... a live soloist was present this night. I love the vibe here. Despite the mishap, I would recommend you check out this restaurant located on the second floor of the Hilton Main Hotel. Parking was not an issue... we were blessed to find street/meter parking directly across from the hotel. After 6pm, no charge, and it's free all day on Sunday. Live music/bands/soloists are featured on certain nights... check them out before going. Have fun and enjoy life :)

A super trendy, modern yet sophisticated restaurant. Loved the overall ambience and the feel of the place. The seating was very unique too, got a nice table close to the live jazz music, with couches that overlook the city from the 2nd floor windows. All our food was excellent, and pasta tasted very fresh and well cooked along with the flavors. We had the octopus, chicken parm (slightly flavorless chicken but delicious coating) and one of their pizza's (forgot the name, some spicy pepper on it). Service was a little slow but it's expected during COVID times. Overall had a wonderful experience. Will definitely come back.

Varia has specials for every type of night from ladies to gentlemen's and date night. You really have to come here when Frank covers Frank Sinatra. He serenaded us the entire time we nibbled on the happy hour pizza and libations. Our waiter was very tentative and accommodating being we arrived close to the end of happy hour.

This is a hidden gem! Its a cool vibe in a military town. If you are trying to impress a girl OR a night out with friends, come here!. My husband and I came here on a weekend. He ordered Wedding Soup as an app and 24 hour pork chop for entree-----best he's ever had. I had the Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta and short rib pasta. Ah-mazing!!! In addition our drinks, live music (date night) and server Harrison works on Saturdays) were the best. My husband and I love food and music----this is one of the best, flavorful dishes. Btw---each dish was 32$. In comparison to Raleigh-Durham---well worth the value.

Had a pretty good experience this time around. Probably because we weren't sitting on the couches with the tables that are low to the ground. We sat in the dining room with this huge gorgeous chandelier. Had their Aperol Spritz which was ok. If only they served Hugo Spritz. Food was delicious! Loved the Carmelized Pear Bruschetta! Brussels sprouts, 24hr pork chop, Short rib Pappardelle were also on point! Crème brulee was great. Tiramisu not so much. I didn't like how it was prepared in a martini like bowl. Too much creme and not enough soaked lady finger espresso. And way too much cocoa powder. My mouth was puckered with every bite. Overall, thank you Varia!

Food is excellent, and our server, Sean, was outstanding! The pizza recommended by Sean was delicious and reasonably priced.

Underwhelmed dinner date. If you want the quick and skinny...Ambiance was nice, food was okay, price was high. I've been wanting to eat at Varia for dinner for some time now and unfortunately left feeling like we overpaid for our dinner. I'll start with our seating in the bar area which is kind of like a living room experience. One side of our table was a lower couch seating which my husband had to suffer through during the meal. I could see if you were just having drinks that it would be fine, but it makes it uncomfortable for eating when the seating is so much lower than the table. Another couple was seated next to us and you could see their dismay with the low seating,as well. We had the calamari for an appetizer which was decent. I ordered the Chicken Marsala and although it was plentiful I feel it was overpriced for the quality. The mashed potatoes were not a thick consistency and had some cold spots in the food like it had been microwaved or reheated improperly. The chicken was good but possibly my knife was dull because it was difficult to cut. We each had 2 glasses of wine and was surprised by the limited options in the selections. Glasses of wine were also pricey! I would come back for drinks on an evening like Ladies night but not for dinner. Our night cost us $180 including tip so there's that! Definitely not worth it.