Downtown Norfolk offers the casual and fine diner a multitude of culinary options – every cuisine from Asian to Mediterranean, steak to vegetarian. The proximity of downtown Norfolk to the Elizabeth River and the stylish MacArthur Center provide for a leisurely post-dinner stroll as well, completing any romantic night on the town. Whether celebrating an anniversary or other landmark, or looking for a place to eat before a movie, the restaurants of Downtown Norfolk have a table waiting.
So get ready to have your taste buds tempted while we chart five of the top places to toast a friend and split an appetizer.
Vintage Kitchen – 999 Waterside Drive – This exclusive eatery is open for lunch daily but only for dinner Monday through Wednesday. The rest of the week, it’s appointment only, but well worth it with a menu of eclectic small plates and succulent entrees like aged tenderloin and duck breast.
Domo Sushi – 273 Granby Street – Get your sushi fix here. Indulge in wild, unique rolls and old favorites, plus select Japanese dishes like yakitori, sukiyaki, and yaki soba noodles.
Big Easy Grill and Oyster Bar – 111 Tazewell Street – The Big Easy brings a taste of New Orleans to the Mid-Atlantic. Chow down on fried oysters, crawfish etoufee, jambalaya and buttermilk fried chicken, and stop in Friday and Saturday night for live music.
Shula’s 347 – 235 E Main Street – For serious steak lovers only, Norfolk’s own Shula’s franchise offer prime cuts as well as a variety of delicious dishes like mushroom ravioli, seared ahi tuna, and pecan crusted salmon. This is high-class dining at its finest.
Byrd & Baldwin Bros. Steakhouse – 116 Brooke Ave – White tablecloths and an elegant atmosphere welcome you to relaxed, upscale dining. Enjoy Byrd and Baldwin’s unique twist on Oysters Rockefeller, along with cuts of prime aged beef from the 8 ounce filet to the 24 ounce Porterhouse.
Part II of this article will track five more must-eats in the Downtown Norfolk area. Enjoy!