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Al Fresco in Norfolk

A Summer Dining Guide with Vegetarian Appeal

Is there anything better than having dinner al fresco on a warm summer night? In Norfolk, intrepid eaters and vegetarian diners will have their pick this season from trendy hot spots and groovy cafés to fine restaurants and mom-and-pop establishments, all which offer outdoor dining.

Great dining in Norfolk is no surprise. The hip downtown – considered the dining and nightlife capital of Hampton Roads – is home to over 75 unique, chef-owned restaurants. The number of restaurant seats has increased 10-fold since 1997. Diners will find a surprisingly diverse collection of cuisines, from down-home Southern-style cooking, to a range of international fare, including Asian, Cuban, Indian, Italian, Mediterranean, Thai and Spanish.  The eclectic collection of eateries can be attributed in part to the city’s historic port city heritage. A hallmark of Norfolk chefs is employing local ingredients procured from the Eastern Shore. Fresh local produce and seafood are placed in the spotlight.

Several of these gems are found in Ghent, a charming neighborhood and restaurant hub, with an eclectic mix of dining experiences:

  • Amalfi Ristorante: Ample covered patio seating with Italian specialties including vegetarian favorites of veggie polenta, risotto, a large selection of pastas, even faux ham and turkey sandwiches and a faux beef submarine sandwich at lunch. Located at 2010 Colley Avenue, (757) 625-1262 or   www.amalfiristorante.net

  • The Colley Cantina: The sidewalk tables of this unpretentious Mexican-styled cantina, Colley’s Avenue bar, is the perfect place to devour fish tacos, vegan quesadillas, taco salads and potent margaritas. At 1316 Colley Avenue, (757) 622-0033.  www.colleycantina.com

  • Cora: Whether it’s for dinner, lunch or a weekend brunch, enjoy down-home Southern cooking with an urban flare while taking in the fresh air at this eatery.  Cora’s menu includes blackened Catfish and buttermilk fried chicken; vegetarian delights include vegan “chicken” sandwiches, veggie “chicken” pot pie and vegan Caesar salad. Located at 723 West 21st Street, (757) 625-6100.

  • No Frill Bar and Grill: Fresh, affordable and family-friendly, No Frill offers up tasty summer salads, barbecue ribs and generous grill choices such as big pan seared angus rib eye steak with grilled onions and mushrooms, balsamic steak sauce, sautéed string beans, garlic mashers and cornbread plus specials such as tempura fried soft-shell crabs over mesclun greens. Vegetarian diners love their veggie burgers. Located at 806 Spotwood Avenue. (757) 627-4262 or www.nofrillgrill.com

  • O'Sullivan's Wharf: A casual seafood tavern, O’Sullivan’s sits right on the water with outdoor seating and lets diners dock boats at the restaurant. CitySearch.com reviewers say the wraparound bar in the center lounge is a comfortable place to relax with a drink, and the deck offers a great view. Try the steamed clams and green-lipped mussels mixed with rich, tangy, homemade marinara. 4300 Colley Ave, (757) 423-3746 or www.osullivanswharf.com.

  • The Wild Monkey: Another hot spot where guests can dine outside, this eatery is known for its rotating menu based on the freshest ingredients available.  Seafood is a specialty at Wild Monkey and vegetarians will find the home-made mozzarella topless bikini sandwich a delight – hold the prosciutto!  More than 20 wines are served by the glass and freshly juiced ingredients for your martinis. Located at 1603 Colley Avenue. Phone (757) 627-6462, or www.thewildmonkey.com

Granby Street, considered Norfolk’s Restaurant Row, is a dining and nightlife Mecca with a pleasant mix of formal restaurants, funky cafés, martini bars, tapas and Artisanal beer pubs, including these with outdoor offerings:

  • 456 Fish: Where Curley’s Billiard Parlor resided in the 1920s – is now best known for its fish and crustacean dishes, including their pan-seared grouper filet, served with sautéed garlic spinach, fried sweet plantain, spicy Creole sauce and balsamic syrup, or their award- winning crab cakes. Located at 456 Granby Street, (757) 625-4444 or www.456fish.com

  • Alice Mae's Southern Cuisine: This soul food restaurant, located just off Granby Street, is favored for its humble surroundings, reasonable prices and well-done authentic Southern dish renditions including unforgettable catfish, chicken, ribs, collards, yams and cornbread. 112 Bank Street, (757) 622-5800 or www.RealSoulFood.com

  • Doumar’s: Nearby downtown, at the top of Granby Street, lies this family-run shop that began as a circa-1907 ice cream stand; which oozes nostalgia and was the birthplace of the ice cream cone in 1934.  The same delectable waffle cones are still baked here daily and visitors can anticipate a throw-back Happy Days-like experience, save the roller skates. Pre-ice cream fix: anything barbecue, especially their North Carolina-style barbeque pork on a bun. Located at 1919 Monticello Avenue, (757) 627-4163 or www.doumars.com

  • Voodoo Rouge: This Granby Street newcomer boasts a hidden patio area in its backyard. Favorite dishes employ the restaurant’s signature Cajun cuisine and include crawfish etouffée and jambalaya as well as a wide selection of fish dishes such as blackened red snapper with skillet potatoes, grilled asparagus and blue cheese butter sauce or farm-raised catfish with a sweet potato crust, pan seared with sautéed root vegetables and an andouille cream drizzle.  Located at 332 Granby Street (757) 333-3068.

  • Where To Stay? Foodies and revelers flock to the circa-1906 boutique hotel, The Tazewell Hotel and Suites, located in the heart of Norfolk’s Restaurant Row, 245 Granby Street, (757) 623-6200 or www.thetazewell.com

The New Norfolk is a great American city, reborn through urban redevelopment that has transformed it into a major visitor destination.  Norfolk hosts millions of visitors annually to its diverse attractions, from nautical adventures and high-end shopping to year-round special events and big name entertainment, all just minutes away from Virginia’s other top attractions. 

For more information about Norfolk, visit the city on the Web at www.norfolkcvb.com, or call 757-664-6620 or toll free at 800-368-3097.

Edited by Erika Wright

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