Rita’s guidebook
Restaurants & Happy Hours
This place isn't anything to write home about, but it's pretty good and it's a 6-minute walk from the house.
Mom & Pops Family Restaurant
331 E Bayview BlvdThis place isn't anything to write home about, but it's pretty good and it's a 6-minute walk from the house.
Pretty decent breakfast right across the street from the beach. The cook has phenomenal "flapjacks" which I didn't know was a different thing from pancakes until eating here - but IT IS.
7 locals recommend
905 on the Bay
Pretty decent breakfast right across the street from the beach. The cook has phenomenal "flapjacks" which I didn't know was a different thing from pancakes until eating here - but IT IS.
Little Tapas and decent drinks 5pm-2am most days of the week, probably like 6-7 minute drive straight down Granby Street. Pretty decent happy hour
8 locals recommend
Crackers Little Bar Bistro
4226 Granby StLittle Tapas and decent drinks 5pm-2am most days of the week, probably like 6-7 minute drive straight down Granby Street. Pretty decent happy hour
Pretty chill place with good drink specials on weeknights. Everything comes with really delicious toast. You can sit outside in a little garden-y area. It's not the most vegetarian friendly restaurant if that's your thing, but they do have veg. chili.
10 locals recommend
Toast
2406 Colonial AvePretty chill place with good drink specials on weeknights. Everything comes with really delicious toast. You can sit outside in a little garden-y area. It's not the most vegetarian friendly restaurant if that's your thing, but they do have veg. chili.
Rooftop restaurant in downtown Norfolk overlooking the water and the marina. They have a decent happy hour with $4 local beers & $5 glasses of wine and half price appetizers. Also not very vegetarian friendly, but lots of potato-based apps that could suit your fancy. Or just come here to sit on the patio and enjoy the gorgeous view.
71 locals recommend
Grain
100 E Main StRooftop restaurant in downtown Norfolk overlooking the water and the marina. They have a decent happy hour with $4 local beers & $5 glasses of wine and half price appetizers. Also not very vegetarian friendly, but lots of potato-based apps that could suit your fancy. Or just come here to sit on the patio and enjoy the gorgeous view.
El Rey Taqueria
738 E Bayview BlvdPretty decent mexican food
Really great burgers, including vegetarian burgers. DON'T EVEN TRY the NYE fries - they're murder.
Chill atmosphere, good for a large group or patio sitting
Sometimes there's decent entertainment too.
11 locals recommend
80/20 Burger Bar
123 W 21st StReally great burgers, including vegetarian burgers. DON'T EVEN TRY the NYE fries - they're murder.
Chill atmosphere, good for a large group or patio sitting
Sometimes there's decent entertainment too.
Fair Grounds
806 Baldwin AveThe best coffee shop ever known to mankind.
I seriously LOVE the food here, especially if you're lucky enough to visit for brunch, it's surprisingly NOT that packed ever.
8 locals recommend
The Greenhouse Kitchen
345 Granby StI seriously LOVE the food here, especially if you're lucky enough to visit for brunch, it's surprisingly NOT that packed ever.
I mean the food's not that incredible, but the spot is pretty chill and is on the water. (like physically over top of the water)
49 locals recommend
Ocean View Fishing Pier Restaurant
400 West Ocean View AvenueI mean the food's not that incredible, but the spot is pretty chill and is on the water. (like physically over top of the water)
A W Shucks Raw Bar & Grill
2200 Colonial AveSome of the best seafood in town
There's actually 3 Cogan's Pizza spots around town, but this one is next door to two of my other favorite spots and is walking distance to like 6 great spots.
- Hank's Filling Station (bourbon, beer, and games outdoors)
- Mack's Barge (restaurant & bar off the river - sit on the deck)
- University Pizza (UPi - just a short walk down the road - food is cheap and decent, but I come here for the bar)
- Elations Brewing
- Fellini's - great Italian food
31 locals recommend
Cogan's Pizza
1901 Colonial AveThere's actually 3 Cogan's Pizza spots around town, but this one is next door to two of my other favorite spots and is walking distance to like 6 great spots.
- Hank's Filling Station (bourbon, beer, and games outdoors)
- Mack's Barge (restaurant & bar off the river - sit on the deck)
- University Pizza (UPi - just a short walk down the road - food is cheap and decent, but I come here for the bar)
- Elations Brewing
- Fellini's - great Italian food
Mojo Bones OV
9659 1st View StJust a close bar with BBQ, across the street from the beach
O'Connor Brewing Co.
211 W 24th StGREAT Brewery, occasionally has food trucks
Coelacanth Brewing Company
760 A W 22nd StAnother cool brewery - smaller than O'Connors
Bearded Bird Brewing
727 Granby StCool brewery with games and activities sometimes
Rama Garden Thai Cuisine
441 Granby StThai place downtown
Rajput Indian Cuisine
742 W 21st StFantastic Indian food