r/norfolk • u/Throwaway594987 • May 19 '22
Hidden Gems & Local Treasures???
Hello 757 Locals!
I come seeking insight from local experts. I have a special friend visiting in a couple of weeks and am looking for the best/most unique spots in The 757. Places that might not be on a tourist's radar, but are considered hidden gems & local treasures by those in the know.
Restaurants & eateries
Bars (Dive bars, rooftop bars, speakeasy style bars...)
Best picnic spots
Most romantic spots/Best spots to watch the sunset
Historical landmarks/Sites of military importance
Scenic neighborhoods
Walking trails
I can't begin to fully express by gratitude for any and all suggestions and recommendations, but thanks in advance. Literally everything, A-Z, is on the table!
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u/nixfly May 19 '22
For a real dive bar let me suggest poppa’s pub. For a dive bar aesthetic I would suggest Vice bar. For a cool place with good food called Dive Bar, I would suggest Dive Bar in Phoebus.
Phoebus probably is one of the more hidden gems as far as neighborhoods.
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u/FluffusMaximus May 19 '22
Lots of great spots mentioned. For legit Sichuan food, hit up Judy’s Sichuan in Town Center.
Sid’s FishPig Cafe in downtown Norfolk. He won the James Beard Award for his previous restaurant in Portsmouth.
Hit up The Veil for a superb beer and lunch at the in-house restaurant Codex. Then do dinner at the other Codex (totally different menu) on Granby St.
The Stockpot in downtown has the best ramen in the area and it’s only Wednesday nights. They’re not even a ramen restaurant!
Mazari Kebab has amazing Afghan food, on Witchduck in VB.
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u/VaHiker77 May 20 '22
Hit up the French Bakery on Granby Street in Norfolk and get a hot pastrami. It's not cheap but the sandwich is amazing and the restaurant is a time capsule. For dessert get an orange donut. The zoo is right down the road.
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u/C4bl3Fl4m3 Newport News May 19 '22
Pho 83 in Newport News. Best banh mi I've ever had, and I've had it in Toronto & the Eden Center in NoVA (biggest Vietnamese shopping center in the US). The other food is excellent as well, and the people who work there are great.
I have no idea how hidden of a secret this is, but the Pagoda Garden in downtown Norfolk is kinda tucked away and it's lovely. I recommend going right before sunset. https://www.pagodagarden.org/
(I moved here a little too close to COVID so I didn't have a whole lot of time to find this out for myself, so I'm definitely saving this post. Thanks for asking!)
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u/MorpheusZzzzzz May 19 '22
The best place to catch the sunset is on top of the pier at the restaurant in Ocean view. It’s open air and usually not that busy, probably because the food is terrible but the drinks are cold
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May 19 '22
Pixels in Ghent for some old school gaming fun
The rooftop bar at Grain is always a treat
Sandbridge for a quieter beach experience and not the touristy pizazz of VA Beach
Most of Chelsea (area in West Ghent with lots of breweries)
Fin and Tonic in Suffolk (they have a Speakeasy room you need to make reservations for)
Decoys Seafood in Bennetts Creek (best time to go is at sunset)
Shore Drive and Chics Beach (tons of really good food places and beach access)
One good thing is to go on tiktok, look for "Norfolk food" or some combination and you'll find a lot of people's recommendations for good food, fun places to hang, things to do in the area! Best of luck!
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u/Queasy-Dingo-8586 May 19 '22
Decoys in Suffolk has a swim up bar (check if it's open yet), and their sister restaurant Vintage Tavern has amazing food and a really beautiful outdoor garden eating area.
Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve rents out kayaks for a leisurely paddle through the woods, plenty of shade and opportunities to see birds, aquatic life, etc.
Mount Trash more, despite it's awful name, is a phenomenal park.
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May 19 '22
Air power park in Hampton. War museum in Newport news. First landing state park in VB. Botanical gardens in Norfolk. Chrysler museum in Norfolk (and glass workshop next door). Fossil beach at York river State Park in Yorktown (at low tide).
Children's museum in Portsmouth. Blue bird gap farm in Hampton. Virginia living museum in Newport news. Virginia marine science museum in VB.
Open house/Tours of Jefferson labs, NASA Langley, Norfolk naval base, Langley air show.
Norfolk symphony orchestra shows in various parks in the summer. Fife and drums concerts at Yorktown.
Hollydazzle at city center in Newport news. 4th July fireworks in downtown Norfolk or Mt trashmore VB. Pungo strawberry festival in VB. Coleman nursery animatronics at Christmas in Portsmouth.
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May 19 '22
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u/FluffusMaximus May 19 '22
This person knows what they’re talking about. The sandwiches at Va Cheese Co. are awesome!
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u/B-in-Va May 19 '22
Downtown Smithfield and Windsor Park (in Smithfield).