Starving Artist Cafe — Restaurant in Norfolk

If I could give this restaurant no stars I would. It's a nice looking restaurant and I wish I were able to try the food. I walked in and was barely acknowledged. I sat there for about 7 minutes and no one approached me to give me a menu or take my drink order. And no, they were not busy. The waitress took the time to have a conversation and ask someone how they were doing and I do understand that is their job, however she glanced at me then proceeded to talk to the older gentleman. Another customer walked in and was almost immediately given a menu and a cup of water. The restaurant workers and customers were predominantly white, and yes I am black. I walked to the counter to see if this is regular and was not even given am apology for lack of service. I left the facility and wont be giving it another try. I can take my patronage elsewhere.

UPDATE!! I gave the owner a call yesterday and she apologized for the service, or lack thereof, as well as said she'd given training to her waitresses and staff. However once the pleasantries were out the way another side came out. She went on to say how she hires POC and how they work in the kitchen (Which is fine) but she also told me that I should be careful of the words I say and how it's kept her up at night. Me as the customer, should be careful of the words I say based on my experience at her cafe. She mentioned she doesnt believe it's because of race and I trued to explain that not only am I black, I'm a black woman who works around predominantly white men. I deal with this everyday of my life. She then told me her sexual preference, as if that has anything to do with race. I tried to explain one has nothing to do with the other but still I didnt get anywhere. She went to her workers and asked if they felt my comment was accurate.of course they would say no, they work for you. And then when on to try to guilt me by saying my comment could take food out of the mouths of TEN families. Unprofessional. She asked me if I owned my own business and I started I hope to one day. She then said she hopes that I'll understand how it is. I told her when I start my own business I'll be careful of the people I hire and if they make a mistake I'll take responsibility for that mistake and not blame the customer. 😤 This not only shows me that she doesnt get it but didnt learn from experience whatsoever. I called expecting just an apology and the steps that were taken to correct the issue at hand. But what I got was much more. I got a person who is out of touch and doesnt want to accept responsibility for the people she chose to hire. Oh and she stated after the fact that she has video footage that she watched and she saw me. So she saw what happened but still wanted to get my story to make sure it lined up, which it did. Unbelievable. Overall nothing was accomplished. I will not be silenced over my experience and I am always careful...

I recently visited The Starving Artist Café in Ghent and had a truly memorable experience. The café’s atmosphere is inspiring—walls and tables adorned with original artworks, creating a bright, creative space that feels welcoming whether you're working, chatting, or just savoring breakfast

🍲 The Chorizo Bowl — A Standout Dish

I ordered the Chorizo Breakfast Bowl, and it exceeded expectations. A hearty mix of scrambled eggs, roasted potatoes, sautéed vegetables, and chorizo seasoned to perfection. The flavors were bold yet balanced—savory, slightly smoky, with just enough spice. It was served piping hot in a generous portion—ideal for starting your day on a flavorful note.

While other reviewers often praise the brisket or turkey sausage bowls, I can confidently say that the chorizo version is a standout in its own right

During my visit, Jamie was able to accommodated a last‑minute party of 10 from the NIWC Chief's mess. A testament to his exceptional hospitality and commitment to serving others, especially fellow service members.

✅ Why You’ll Love It

Creative, welcoming atmosphere: local art + warm vibes = inspiring and relaxed.

Veteran-led mission: A heartfelt commitment to community and support for artists and first responders .

Fantastic food: Bowls packed with flavor, especially the chorizo variety—each bite memorable.

Outstanding service: Able to flexibly host a group of 10 on short notice, all while staying friendly and accommodating

The Starving Artist Café is more than a breakfast spot—it’s a community hub where art, veteran values, and crave-worthy food come together. The Chorizo Breakfast Bowl lives up to its name: bold, satisfying, and unforgettable. And Jamie’s leadership—warm, efficient, community‑oriented—makes every visit feel like brunch with friends.

If you're after good flavor, local flair, and genuine hospitality, this is...

This quaint little cafe is a great find. The walls are decorated with local artist creations and they have a display case of fresh baked goods.

We went in during brunch on a Sunday early afternoon and while the restaurant was crowded, we were lucky to get a table right away.

The menu has brunch options as well as sandwiches, soup of the day, and salads. What we got:

Single Blueberry Pancakes - Size is very generous, so much so that is was larger than the plate! It was more thin than what I'm used to, so it was a little bit more dry and chewy but the flavor was good and the blueberries were fresh.

We also ordered the Soup of the Day which was Broccoli & Cheese. The only thing is we ordered a cup and was brought the bowl and charged for the bowl.

The Starving Artist Special was their breakfast plate of bacon, eggs, potatoes, and toast. Bacon was perfectly crispy as requested. The eggs were missing the cheese that was requested so it was brought out after. The disappointment with that is the cheese never melted.

Bathroom: There is only one single-use bathroom for everyone . I liked the painted bright walls. There is a changing table but the pad is a bit worn, but I imagine most parents will have a changing pad to put over it. ...