Hi everyone. I’m Alex, a 20 something graduate student who how loves food and wine. I’ve lived in a dozen cities in five states across the United States. I currently live in Virginia Beach, Virginia. I consider my home Hampton Roads, which is what locals call the Southeastern area of Virginia. It includes Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Hampton, Portsmouth, Newport News, Suffolk, Chesapeake and a few others. In my opinion, Hampton Roads captures the best of the East Coast. Whether you are from the Southeast or Northeast, you will probably feel at home here.
I will focus only on my favorite local (or at least semi-local) restaurants in the neighboring cities of Norfolk and Virginia Beach that use local ingredients. Those are the cities in which I spend most of my time. Keep in mind that I do not eat meat (outside of the occasional chicken and turkey), but I am a seafood lover.
(Fun fact: Norfolk is pronounced one of two ways: Nor-fók or Naw-fók depending on whether you have a Southern or Northern accent. The “L” is silent. Never ever call it Nor-Folk. You will instantly be recognized as an outsider. My mom always says to remember that in Norfolk, “you don’t drink, smoke, Norfolk.” Catchy, eh? Virginia Beach is just… Virginia Beach. In case you thought there was a special way to pronounce that one, too.)
There are number of reasons why any foodie would adore this area. We are surrounded by water: Atlantic Ocean, James River and the Chesapeake Bay. Access to local seafood makes for high quality, delicious seafood. Access to local produce and other products most of the year enables a sustainable local restaurant culture. The weather here is wonderful, so it makes eating outdoors pleasurable. People know their beer and wine here, which could be based on the remarkable number of breweries and wineries in Virginia. People, in general, are more health conscious here than one might assume for an area bordering North Carolina and Western Virginia. The Edgar Cayce Association of Research and Enlightment is in Virginia Beach. There are acupuncturists, chiropractors and yoga studios on every corner (literally). PETA’s National Headquarters is located in Downtown Norfolk, so not surprisingly, there is a great appreciation for vegan and vegetarian cuisine. There is a large military population here what with every major military branch represented. It may not seem like this would have any effect on the quality of a location’s food choices, but people in the military travel and know what makes for excellent fare. There is also an active Indian, Asian and Greek population in this area of the Virginia, so if you want authentic Pho, Spanakopita or Bhendi Masala, you can easily find it.
VIRGINIA BEACH
Lynnhaven Fishhouse. There are many seafood hotspots in Hampton Roads. They are all good in their own right. But this is one of the oldest seafood restaurants in Virginia Beach. The owner was actually a student in school while my grandmother was a principal. Their She-Crab Soup has won the Best of the Beach practically every year. Locals consider it to be the best and trust me, She Crab Soup is big deal around here. If you don’t want to spend a fortune, go at lunch when their menu is much more affordable. I usually get a grilled Fresh Fish of the Day with a side salad, but if I really want to splurge I love their Broiled Colossal Sea Scallops. It is hard to find scallops that are done perfectly and I’ve never been disappointed. While you might spend quite a bit here, you get a generous portion. The views of the Chesapeake Bay and the Lynnhaven fishing pier are well worth getting there early for lunch or dinner to steal a seat by a window.
The Jewish Mother. If you want to catch some live music and eat a massive sandwich or hunk of cheesecake after a day on the beach, this is the place for you. Located off the Boardwalk in Virginia Beach, this is a local favorite. They have bands play in the back room, but if you just want to grab a bite you are more than welcome to sit up front. Whether you are a strict vegan or a carnivore, you will definitely be able to find a sandwich or entrée that hits the spot. Their “Pita Pita Pumpkin Eater” is a pita with hummus and marinated vegetables. The Mother’s Brother Bernie is a classic beef Reuben. Then there is the Mother’s Sister’s Husband Dagwood, among other humorously named sandwiches. I would also add that their marbled Rye is delicious. Recently The Jewish Mother has hosted The Whigs, Against Me!, Toubob Krewe, Dubconscious, and JJ Grey and Mofro.
Volcano. Sushi is popular in this region because of easy accessibility to fresh seafood. Most seafood here is sushi grade because it came from the ocean just a few minute away. There are dozens on sushi restaurants, but this is still my favorite. It is just down the street from my house in Great Neck. Their Box Lunches are great for people on the go or for people on a tight budget.
Pho 79. This authentic Veitnamese Pho shop is located in Virginia Beach Town Center. If you love Vietnamese Pho, this is the place to get it. It is owned and run by Vietnamese and everyone I know seems to agree it is the most authentic. The only problem is the customer service: there is none. You order, get the Pho and that is the end of it.
Taste Unlimited. This farmer’s market and sandwich shop was founded in 1973. There are now six locations across Eastern Virginia, but the original is in Virginia Beach. It will always be my favorite location. Local farmers sell their produce outdoors and you can shop for local products like peanuts, barbeque sauce, chips, dips, salsas, teas, cheeses and honey inside the shop. Behind the sandwich counter is a collection of freshly made tuna, chicken and pasta salads and lunch meat. They are famous for their Hilltop sandwich which is turkey and provolone on a French baguette with their famous sauce. You can buy the sauce in squeeze bottles if you just can’t live without it. In the winter, it is only To Go because there is no seating area. In the summer, there are picnic tables outside if you’d like to eat your Box Lunch outside.
Lubo Wines. They have an extensive seasonal wine list and have a small wine store within their restaurant. The bartenders are well versed in wine because they offer wine tastings every evening. On Tuesdays, all of their wine flights are only $5 each. Thursdays they offer three full beers from their tasting list and an Artisan Cheeseburger for $19.99. For Brunch lovers, they also offer a Seasonal Wine Bruch on Saturdays and Sundays. Their Black and Blue Nachos are very popular: White & blue corn tortilla chips with grilled eggplant, zucchini, fresh tomato, shallots, cilantro, blackened steak topped, Mountain Gorgonzola, balsamic reduction and sour cream. I personally think they have one of the best Cheese Plates in the Universe: a selection of Bucheron Goat, Gorgonzola, Quebec Vintage 5 yr Cheddar, Cahill Irish Porter, Aged Asiago, Piave Vecchio, Parmigiano Reggiano, Farmers 3 year aged Gouda, and Camenbert.
Eurasia Café and Wine Bar. They pride themselves on being “Regional American” and focus on fresh, local and seasonal food and wine. They were voted one of Hampton Roads magazine’s Top 5 Restaurants in 2008. Located at Virginia Beach Oceanfront, it is a great place to chill before walking down to the Boardwalk for an evening stroll on the beach. The Oceanfront is a tourist Mecca between May and August, but this place is far enough off the beaten path to remain a purely local spot. They do monthly wine pairing dinners that take full advantage of the local seafood and produce available in the area. It is a small café, but you can sit at the wine tasting bar, on the patio or at a table within the restaurant. I recommend the Fried Eastern Shore Oysters as an appetizer or the Buttermilk Fried Softshell Crab when they are in season.
NORFOLK
The Taphouse. This bar, located close to Ghent, is a dive bar in every sense of the term. They have old arcade games and pool tables in the back and two seating areas with tables by the bar. The owners keep hundreds of beers available on their rotating beer list. They have beer on tap, microbrews, rare imports and many local brews. I recently had a Jefferson Reserves Bourbon Barrel Stout and I thought I had died and gone to beer heaven. If you aren’t sure what you might like, I guarantee you the guys there can figure it out for you. They also have a small menu with sandwiches, salads, burritos, and appetizers that are perfect with beer. My favorite thing is the crab queso with fried pita chips which tastes amazing with a Belgian stout. Every evening, they move tables from a large section of the restaurant so a local band can play all night.
Press 626. This historical two story home in Ghent was turned into a restaurant. Their wine list is excellent (they even carry Molly Dooker!) and the bartenders know their wines. During happy hour all their wine glasses are half off and their small plates are buy one get one half off. It has by far one of the best happy hours in Hampton Roads. They use as many local ingredients as possible to make unique, delicious entrees. They always have vegan and vegetarian daily specials and most of their entrees can accommodate non-meat product eaters. Their sweet potato fries and curried shrimp are to die for. They also have “The Best Ever Grilled Cheese Sandwich.” Oh, it IS the best. Goat, Swiss and cheddar cheese melted between two thick slices of sourdough? Yes, please. It is a very cozy, small restaurant with free Wi-Fi, so it makes for a great working environment in the afternoon or evening. It also seems like to have a perfect first date ambiance.
Elliot’s Fair Grounds. If you are just looking for a local coffee hot spot, you need not look beyond this place. Located in Ghent, they exclusively sell Fair Trade, organic, and shade-grown coffees and teas. They place orders on Mondays to ensure the freshest, best quality coffee.
Rajput. This is a locally owned, authentic Indian restaurant in Ghent. The owner is absolutely wonderful and will chat with you all day about yoga and Sanskrit (yes, I have while waiting on a To Go order.) They offer a great lunch buffet daily for only $10 and a Vegan/Vegetarian dinner buffet once a month. They offer cooking classes once a month for customers interested in learning how to make their own Indian. Their Bhendi Masala and Chana Masala are delicious. Don’t even get me started on the rice pudding.
Pasha Mezza. This is a small restaurant and coffee shop in Ghent off 21st street. They specialize in Mediterranean & Anatolian Cuisine with American & European influences. They utilize organic produce from local farmers for most of their dishes. They also have a nice happy hour in which their specialty drinks, like their Pomegranate Mojito, are discounted. It is a great place to go in a small group because you can share multiple sampler plates. Their Signature Turkish platter is vegetarian: Muhammara, red lentil pate, hummus, pan fried zucchini, cheese puffs, sirkonto zucchini and crispy bread. Their Anatolian vegetarian plate includes a large helping of bulgur pilaf topped with sautéed vegetables, caramelized onions, pan fried zucchini, cheese puffs with a side of minty yogurt dip. Take out of the cheese puffs and both of those dishes are vegan. They have an amazing brunch menu. An added bonus is the coffee shop attached to the restaurant. It has free Wi-Fi and organic, specialty coffees and teas.
Azar’s Natural Food and Mediterranean Specialities. Located in Ghent, this is a family owned restaurant and store that has been in operation since 1988. They are open for lunch and dinner and have an excellent hummus plate. Attached to the restaurant is a specialty store including items like imported spices, nuts, grains, breads and olive oil. They make their own hummus and other dips and sell them in local grocery stores. It is some of the best hummus I’ve ever bought in a store and now it is impossible for me to buy the bigger corporate brand names. They have an online store available for people who do not live in the area.
Machismo’s Burrito Bar. If you like burrito bars, but are tired of chains like Moe’s and Chipotle, I highly recommend checking out this place. There are four locations in the US (two of which are outside of Virginia), but the best one is located in Downtown Norfolk. They offer a half dozen types of tortillas and numerous veggie toppings. They even have vegan cheese and vegan sour cream!
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Alex,
These are some classic restaurants in Hampton Roads. In your travels, have you been on food tours of cities?
My company Norfolk Walkabouts provides food tours in Hampton Roads. On our tours, we go to multiple restaurants sampling house specialties while having a behind the scenes experience where staff discusses the food and restaurant.
Zack
Be very careful about describing “sushi grade.” Fresh does not mean sushi grade. Most novices get this wrong. Anisakiasis is what may happen when you consume non “sushi grade” fish. All sushi in Japan and America that is served at reputable resturaunts has been flash frozen which, aside from cooking, is the only way to kill the Anisakis nematode.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anisakis
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