Sydney founded Stove in Portsmouth 10 years ago with a cooking style that has been tagged as neo-southern–but he feels it’s more Mid-Atlantic. regardless of how you characterize it, it’s good. So food In fact, he’s up for a James Beard Award. (Photo: Virginian Pilot)
Since 1992, Todd Jurich’s Bistro has been a cornerstone in the revival of downtown Norfolk. It features a seasonal menu with the very best of the Chesapeake Bay region including heirloom vegetable gardens and products from small producers from across the state, as well as the expanding global market. (Photo, Virginian Pilot)
Best Restaurant on a Budget
Best Local Pizza Cogan’s Pizza
One of Cogan’s uniquely topped pizza slices is filling enough for two, but so good you’ll want the gigantic portion all to yourself. They also offer an excellent selection of 33 beers on tap including several seasonal brews. But perhaps best of all is Cogan’s ability to transition from a family friendly restaurant to a great college bar with live music in the evenings. All without breaking the bank.
If you’re reminiscing for anything “authentically” Mexican, from a carne asada taco to a luchador mask, you will find it at Jessy’s. Two locations in Norfolk: Oceanview and Ghent.
A downtown Norfolk staple since 2003, 456 Fish is of course known for it’s fresh local seafood. But beyond that, the bar is always a great after work or pre-show stop, and their weekend brunch is alway a winner.
Sure, Hampton Roads’ landmark curb service restaurant makes unbeatable waffle cones and ice cream. But they also whip up a mean North Carolina-style barbecue. The succulent ‘que is served up on a plain soft hamburger bun, the way pulled pork experts have been doing it for centuries. It’s up to you whether our not to add sauce, but we don’t recommend it. It’s good enough on its own!
This ultra funky martini and tapas bar in Ghent is a favorite neighborhood spot and was voted one of the top 60 neighborhood restaurants in the country by inSTYLE magazine in 2003.
This delightful European-style sidewalk bistro in Ghent oozes charm and comfort, and while the coffee if outstanding, so is the food, the ambiance, and the owners.
In case you’ve been under a rock, O’Connor Brewing Co. is a mighty yet humble craft brewery located in the industrial section of Norfolk’s Ghent neighborhood. Their original world-class craft beer speaks for itself–as does their support for the LGBT community. Cheers!
The Five Points Market is one of Norfolk’s original farmers markets. A community run non-profit, Five Points is always evolving with its offerings of locally grown farm produce and products.
