(02-22-2017 08:05 AM)galojah Wrote: Hey folks, Me and another guy are traveling to ODU for the basketball. Don't know anything about the area. Looking for some recommendations:
1. Dinner recommendations (good local places)
2. Good cocktail and beer recommendations
3. Where should I book a hotel? Looking for an area with some bars or restaurants walkable.
4. Any sight-seeing "must sees" ?
Thanks everyone!
Norfolk is host to a bunch of great restaurants and beer. Unfortunately I don't think we have too big of a cocktail scene. I personally have to recommend as my absolute favorite Handsome Biscuit. That's a need to go place in my opinion, but do know it's a smaller joint and the line can get long sometimes. Coelacanth Brewing is my favorite brewery in the area, but again we've got some great options.
I'll break my other recommendations down into different regions of Norfolk. You can't go wrong with any of them in my opinion. Let me know if you want more info on anything specifically.
Downtown
Especially down Granby Street, there's a bunch of places and hotels that are nice. I would recommend a hotel in downtown personally, because that's where the action is but if you'd prefer to be on ODU's campus there's a Marriott there too.
Food:
Grilled Cheese Bistro
Nouvelle
Field Guide
Lamia's Crepe's (If you're thinking of something lighter)
Zeke's Beans and Bowls
Bars: (Some of these have good food too)
The Brick Anchor
Hell's Kitchen
The Barrel Room
Norfolk Tap Room
Activities/Events:
NEON Art District in general
Chrysler Museum of Art (one of my favorite museums I've been too, and it's FREE!)
Glass Wheel Studio
Push Comedy Theater (Shows at 8 & 10 every Friday/Saturday, sometimes some on Sunday as well).
Work Release (nightclub/art exhibition)
Generic Theatre
MacArthur Mall
MacArthur Memorial
Virginia Opera House
Ghent
This is the younger, more hipster-esque, area of Norfolk. Awesome part of town with a good food/bar scene down Colley and 21st St. No real hotels in this area though. Airbnb?
Food/Drinks:
Mr. Shawarma
Island Krave
Streats
No Frill Bar and Grill
Green Onions (good brunch)
Cogans (A bar, great pizza though!)
Peck and Pour (Wing joint/bar. Fun place w/ a good amount of TVs)
Public House (More of a drinks place, but has great food as well. Just a bit pricey)
Colley Cantina (Good taco specials)
Coelacanth Brewing Company (Great beer, Awesome interior, bad parking)
O'Connor's Brewing Company (Great beer, great space, good parking)
Smartmouth Brewing
Rip Rap Brewing Company
Tabletop Brewing Company
Miscellaneous Areas
Food/Drink:
The Handsome Biscuit
Toast
Dirty Buffalo
TASTE Unlimited
Bold Mariner Brewing Company
Activities:
Norfolk Botanical Garden
Virginia Zoo
This is not a comprehensive list, but it's what I can think of off the top of my head right now. If you have any questions or want me to elaborate more, please ask!