Grain — Restaurant in Norfolk

Five Stars for Grain: Norfolk's Pinnacle of Rooftop Excellence! Grain, perched atop the Hilton Norfolk The Main, isn't just a bar; it's an experience, a destination that perfectly blends vibrant atmosphere, stunning views, and an impressive culinary and beverage program. Every visit to Grain is a five-star affair, cementing its place as my absolute favorite spot in downtown Norfolk. From the moment you step out onto the expansive rooftop, you're greeted with breathtaking panoramic views of the Elizabeth River and the Norfolk skyline. Whether it's a sunny afternoon or a starlit evening, the ambiance is simply unmatched. The open-air patio, complete with fire pits and comfortable seating, creates a relaxed yet sophisticated "backyard garden" feel that's perfect for unwinding. And for those who prefer to stay inside, the interior seamlessly blends with the outdoor theme, offering a chic space with a lively energy. But Grain is far more than just a pretty view. The drink selection, particularly their extensive array of craft beers on tap, is truly phenomenal. There's always something new and exciting to try, alongside beloved local favorites. Their cocktail program is equally impressive, with skilled bartenders crafting delicious and innovative libations. The food menu, while often categorized as "pub plates," elevates the concept entirely. Think elevated bar bites and thoughtful dishes that perfectly complement the drinks. I've consistently been impressed by the quality and flavor of everything I've ordered, from their crispy wings with unique sauces to their satisfying smashburgers. Their weekend brunch is also a standout, offering a fantastic spread with a raw bar and creative breakfast options. What truly seals the five-star rating for Grain is the exceptional service. The staff is consistently friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive without being intrusive. Even when the place is buzzing (which it often is, given its popularity!), they manage to keep up, ensuring your glass is never empty and your experience is seamless. Grain is the quintessential Norfolk experience. It's the perfect spot for a casual drink, a lively night out with friends, a romantic evening with a view, or even a relaxed weekend brunch. If you're in Norfolk, you absolutely owe it to yourself to experience the magic of Grain. It's an unforgettable...

Definitely disappointed. I had planned a special night out with my wife, wanted a casual and enjoyable opportunity to get a view of the waterfront as the sunset.

First thing that hit us when we walked in was the overly loud DJ. I get that this is a beer garden And wanting to have a upbeat atmosphere, but the DJ lacked creativity, the music was way too loud, and the mix was subpar.

Next was our seating. High top tables with high low back barstools, made for a relatively uncomfortable experience. Hard to move your chair in when you’re perched to top it. I’m actually of German descent, so my beer garden experience is low tables and benches, which makes for a lot of comfort, this just didn’t cut it for me.

Our server, Riley, was very pleasant, but she was either completely overwhelmed, or the restaurant was just understaffed because service was incredibly slow.

Food was thoroughly forgettable. When you pay 30 bucks a person, you expect a certain level of quality, and I just didn’t happen. I had the meatloaf with baked, brussels sprouts, and sweet potato, and the one word that could encapsulate the entire meal was “mushy“. Meatloaf itself, lacked really any taste, which they tried to make up for by dumping a standard barbecue sauce on top of it. Brussels sprouts were mushy, and the sweet potato hash was just bland, with a hint of old fry oil.

My wife had the green bowl with shrimp added, the bowl itself was really good, but the shrimp or way too salty, I enjoy spice and even a little heat, but this was basically just salt.

I asked for a small side salad, and got a huge bowl of basic chopped greens, with a few tomatoes and red onions thrown in. Little side dish of vinaigrette dressing was far too little to make an impact on the salad.

The view from this place is extraordinary, but the overly loud music, slow service, and clutter at the bar on the bar and a lack of cleanliness, just killed it for us.

I can imagine folks coming in for a beer garden type experience on a Saturday night might enjoy it, but unfortunately, we...

This was my first time here and this is my first review, that’s how terrible this experience was. We just came in for some brunch and saw that it was busy. The place was full so we grabbed a table at the bar. I took a seat and my boyfriend grabbed a beer at the bar and then came and sat with me. He saw a table open up that was clean, so we moved there. At this point, I still hadn’t gotten a drink or water, so he suggested I go to the bar. While waiting in line, a woman approached me angrily and asked for my ID and how I wanted my drink. I assumed my boyfriend had told her my order. I went back to our table and she brought my drink. We apologized for going to the bar for the drink because we realized she was probably our server and she was visibly mad. She responded with a condescending tone, saying that's how restaurants work when you sit down, a server serves you!

We were processing what she said when my boyfriend asked about the 50% off apps. She angrily responded that the discount was for restaurant workers only. Saying “are you in the restaurant industry? yeah no. So it’s not for you.” We were surprised because there were signs saying apps were 50% off in big letters, with tiny print specifying it was for restaurant workers only. She stormed away. I decided to find someone else since she was clearly upset. She angrily approached me and asked if she could help me, and I asked her what we did to upset her. She responded that everything was fine, but she was still clearly upset. We got an app, closed out, and went somewhere else because what an unpleasant person and experience and so random?? when we’re very polite people.The name on the ticket was madeleen or something spelled...