In Part One of our series on top restaurants in downtown Norfolk, Virginia, we looked at a whole of fine dining establishments that offer a collection of tempting plates for foodies. Here, we focus a bit on more casual eateries, great places for lunch and a quick snack. The food is great, as is the atmosphere, and it won't hurt your wallet to try them out.
Next time you have an hour or so to spare for a nice, quick meal in Norfolk, why not try one of these beloved spots.
Downton Abbey
D'Egg Diner - 206 East Main road - American: For regulars, D'Egg is plainly D'lightful! This little diner near Town Point Park in the Selden Arcade offers morning meal and lunch until 3Pm daily, with an wide menu of comfort food like meatloaf and regional beloved Eggs Norfolk - a twist on Eggs Benedict that features Smithfield ham and crabmeat.
Granby road Pizza - 235 Granby road - Italian/Pizza: Sometimes, you just need a slice or two to get you through the day, and at Granby road Pizza they'll serve up a wedge of piping hot cheesy goodness with your beloved toppings. Pick from the traditional meats (pepperoni, sausage), spicy peppers, and even more exotic offerings like feta and eggplant. If you want something more substantial, this pizzeria offers a menu of calzones, sub sandwiches, and Italian dishes like lasagna and their much-praised eggplant rollatini - slices of fried eggplant rolled nearby ricotta cheese and topped with thick marinara and mozzarella. Open for lunch and dinner.
Mo & O'Malley's Irish Pub - 131 Granby road - Irish: anyone you might expect to see in an Irish bar is right here in Norfolk - a wide choice of beers, traditional pub fare like Irish stew and shepherd's pie, and a game on the telly. Mo & O'Malley's gets rather beloved every March, of course, but it's fairly busy through the rest of the year as well, serving up pints and late night snacks at a cheap price.
Cafe Nordstrom - 300 Monticello - American: located in MacArthur town on the top floor of Nordstrom's, this cafe is all the time buzzing with shoppers and just plain hungry folks. If you're with a party that can't rule on one cuisine, this is the place to go because Cafe Nordstrom has a bit of everything. Pick from huge paninis, exotic pasta dishes, salads created before your eyes, and tasty she-crab soup.
Freemason Abbey - 209 W. Freemason road - American/Seafood: So named for its location in a renovated church, Freemason Abbey is one of the more known lunch spots in downtown. Diners can enjoy signature she crab soup or quiches or a collection of seafood and pasta combinations, and vegetarians have an wide menu as well. Freemason Abbey also offers daily specials, like lobster on Wednesdays, that actually turns first-timers into regulars.
For a seafood fix, traditional Italian or a late night/early morning pancake treat, you'll find what you want in downtown Norfolk.
Top Five Restaurants in uptown Norfolk, Virginia, Part Ii - Casual Eats
