Sanctuary — Restaurant in Norfolk

Sanctuary on Granby Street: A Spiritual Oasis for Food and Drink Sanctuary on Granby Street, with its unique concept and captivating ambiance, offers a truly distinctive dining and drinking experience in downtown Norfolk. It's a place that transcends the typical bar or restaurant, creating a memorable atmosphere that, combined with its solid offerings, easily earns it a four-star rating. The most striking aspect of Sanctuary is its incredible interior. Housed in a beautifully repurposed historic building, it lives up to its name with soaring ceilings, stained glass accents, and a general aura that feels both grand and inviting. It's a truly stunning space that makes any visit feel special, whether you're there for a quiet drink or a lively gathering. The attention to detail in the design is commendable and creates a unique backdrop for your experience. The drink program is a definite highlight. Their cocktail menu is creative and well-executed, with inventive concoctions that are both delicious and visually appealing. They also offer a good selection of wines and local beers. It's an ideal spot to sit at the bar and explore some new libations. The food menu, while perhaps not as extensive as some full-service restaurants, offers a selection of elevated bar bites and thoughtful small plates that complement the drinks perfectly. I've found their dishes to be consistently flavorful and well-prepared, often with a unique twist that reflects the venue's innovative spirit. It's the kind of food that encourages sharing and conversation. Why not five stars? While the atmosphere is truly five-star, the food, while very good, sometimes doesn't quite reach the same level of consistent "wow" factor as the drinks and the setting. It's excellent for what it is, but perhaps not a standalone culinary destination for a full-course meal. Also, given its popularity and unique appeal, it can get quite busy, especially on weekend evenings, which can sometimes lead to slightly slower service or a more crowded feel. Despite these minor points, Sanctuary on Granby is a must-visit in Norfolk. It's a place where the atmosphere itself is a major draw, providing a beautiful and intriguing backdrop for enjoying well-crafted drinks and delicious bites. If you're looking for a unique and memorable night out in downtown Norfolk, Sanctuary is an excellent...

Want a dive bar with awesome tacos, atmosphere and music? This is your spot.

Want me to talk about the food?

Good, the tacos are awesome for the price! $4 tacos are the only thing on the menu, minus the drinks. The tacos come in 4 flavors if you haven't seen the photos of the menu here they are: BBQ Chicken, Ground Beef(classic), Pulled Pork, and for the vegetarians Black Bean. These proteins are offered in the standard hard and soft shell but you can also try the Sanctuary shell(Soft/cheese/hard) or for the low carb people out there, a bowl. You can select the standard accoutrements for your taco of course! Avocado is extra, duh, along with cole slaw.

Now for my review of the tacos. They're all good in any form you choose. Trust me, I've tried all the combinations. Are they as fancy as other taco locations? No, but that's the charm! You don't have to think if you want filet mignon, duck confit, or freshly caught Mahi Mahi along and the cost associated with it! It's super basic. Do yourself and give it a try! No harm no foul if it's not to your vibe! I find them amazing! Hits the spot every time for me!

Drinks? Take a look at the menu I posted and come down and try for yourself! Dr. Stone's is a VA based business and produce herbal liquors which are great! They also have a few (3) local beers on tap and an assortment of canned and bottled beers and liquor, so support local businesses and come try for yourself!

The one last thing I have to review is the staff...

The staff is great! During low traffic times they're very attentive (ie lunch /before happy hour) but during high traffic times can be chaotic but what bar isn't! The owner is there every night and is a talker! He takes business seriously and makes sure you're taken care of. The staff do a great job of not disturbing you while you eat your tacos but make sure you order another drink when they drop off your tacos!

Do yourself a favor and give them a try! Support local businesses and talk to the owners! Like my review if if this helped you make your decision on trying Sanctuary and if they're good or bad leave your own review! Local businesses don't get enough attention so support...

I've travelled all over and eaten tacos in all different places and these tacos are AWESOMENESS! So if you don't want to read all about my thoughts on everything just go and eat the tacos you will not be disappointed! I ordered one of each filling, ground beef, pulled pork, pulled chicken and black beans. All were delicious even the organic black beans were great! Definitely try the Sanctuary style which is like a double decker from Taco Bell but on an entirely different level. You pick the shell, filling and toppings on each taco and it's $4! I ordered four tacos and my wife ordered three, we were expecting small street taco size BUT these were NOT at all that size. I really only needed to eat two but I cleaned my plate. My wife had a margarita and really enjoyed that as well. The "bar" (apparently there are no bars allowed in Norfolk so it's a restaurant) is literally a hole in the wall. If you're not paying attention you WILL miss it. Look for the umbrellas on the patio. Parking available on the street and lots out back too! We were served by the owner Christian, who it turns out not only has an awesome "bar" makes amazing tacos BUT also is a legit artist and a genuinely nice dude. Some of his work is displayed inside on the walls and is available for purchase as well. Amazing food, really awesome atmosphere and the owner is legit too! Give this...