Earlier this year, Garden and Gun sent my sister and I a few hours south to Norfolk, Virginia to experience some of the food and art that the city is becoming more and more known for. I'd not been to Norfolk, but I jumped on the chance to see the city firsthand. Though the city is relatively small (compared to D.C.!), I was impressed with the food, the sweet locals, and how much there was going on. In talking to those who live in the city, it seems like people are really exciting about the direction Norfolk is taking. There are lots of fun festivals, breweries, restaurants, and shops to be explored making for a fantastic girls weekend.
You can see my full guide on Garden and Gun Field Report, and I've also included a list of my Norfolk favorites are at the end of this post. Enjoy!
TO EAT
Luna Maya - Owned by two sisters, we loved this place. Amazing Mexican food, good drinks, and it was absolutely packed with Norfolk locals.
Cure Coffeehouse and Brasserie - A great little breakfast spot. In the evenings they serve wine!
Handsome Biscuit - There was quite the line to get into this place, but it was easy to see why. The most delicious, gigantic biscuits out there.
Toast - Another one of my favorites in the city. All toast, all delicious.
Field Guide - We stopped in here for lunch and shared one of their bowls. Easy, inexpensive, and really filling!
TO DRINK
Mermaid Winery - This place has a cute little patio where you can sip your rose under the sun. I highly recommend it!
Coelacanth Brewing - Just down the street from Mermaid, this brewery was fantastic. Their flights are pretty big so it's easy to just share one.
Press 626 - This was easily my favorite spot in Norfolk. Located in an old house, we sat on the front porch and watched a storm roll in. The wines were wonderful, and the staff was great about giving us recommendations.
TO EXPLORE
The Chrysler Museum - An unexpectedly large and impressive collection of art and artifacts.
The Botanical Gardens - I'm a sucker for gardens in general, but these were really beautiful and absolutely sprawling. I think we probably saw maybe 1/10th of what was there.
The NEON District - This area is home to Norfolk's emerging art scene. There are galleries, public art, and my personal favorite, Glass Wheel Studio.
GENERAL TIPS
- The women at Visit Norfolk told me about F.R.E.D. (Free Ride Every Day), a free transportation service that takes you around the downtown area. Just call the service, and a driver will pick you up. Firstly, I couldn't believe it was free, and secondly, why isn't this everywhere?
- There is a hotel with a rooftop bar opening in downtown Norfolk sometime next year. The renderings looked really beautiful, and I'd love to stay there next time!