The OV Beach Tavern — Restaurant in Norfolk

EDIT: this place has gone downhill over the last year. Service is abysmal. Went today while they weren’t even busy and never once had somebody come to our table (one of the high tops by the bar so it’s not like we were hidden.) Not the first time we’ve had a bad experience recently so maybe it’s time we stop trying. It’s a shame too because the food is great.

We have been here twice so far. Once for “brunch” and once for dinner. I put brunch in quotes because it was 130pm, but the lunch/dinner menu doesn’t start until 3. Definitely an odd choice and a quirk we’ll have to keep in mind when planning to dine here again.

Overall, the food is astounding, definitely some of the best in OV.

I was skeptical when I ordered the Live From New York bagel, but was not even remotely disappointed. It was fantastic. The smoked salmon is delicious and every topping compliments each other to perfection.

The Morning Essentials is good, but pretty much on par with most breakfast plates in the area, so not really a special menu item you couldn’t get somewhere else.

For appetizers, you can’t go wrong with the Fried Crab Balls. No filler, they look burnt; but don’t let that scare you, it’s just the color of the breading. It’s perfectly cooked and doesn’t have any filler. The Old Bay Butter reminded me more of an aioli, but was very good (we saved it to dip our tots in too!)

For dinner, the Buffalo Fried Chicken Sandwich is awesome, as are the tots (best tots in OV.) The piece of chicken on the sandwich is enormous and very juicy.

The Grilled Pimento PBT is basically a grilled cheese sandwich; but with pimento cheese, tomatoes, and bacon. It wasn’t bad, definitely worth a try; but I’m not sure I’ll get it again.

The Grilled Shrimp Po-Boy isn’t a true po-boy, and that’s not a complaint, it’s actually a good thing. Po-boys normally come on a hoagie and can prove difficult to eat without dropping the toppings everywhere. OVBT’s version is on a bun with slaw, grilled tomatoes, and garlic aioli. Definitely getting that next time.

While our table did not order any burgers, the ones served to the table next to us looked great, so we’ll be back to try those as well.

The service is attentive and friendly. My one complaint would be the paltry selection of beers on draft. For a tavern, I’d expect at least twice the number of taps and some more local breweries represented. But, this establishment is still new and has some kinks to work out. I love their logo, so I’m hoping they start selling merch soon. Would look amazing on hoodies, shirts, stickers, etc.

Wish list: please add more beers on draft, earlier lunch menu, and get some swag to sell! So glad a restaurant of this quality is here and can’t wait to...

Rough first spot to hit when arriving at VA beach after 13 hours for my father's 70th birthday.

Started with ordering 3 beers, 1 bottle and 2x 16oz cans. Took a while but received 3 bottles instead. I mentioned it but decided we'd keep the bottles instead. When noticing we haven't been tended to in a while, I mentioned my dad had ordered a canned beer after his first and they brought it but they mentioned it was warm bc they just stuck in freezer when we ordered it and came with semi-frozen glass instead. If we would've known the canned beer was warm we wouldn't have ordered it. The waitress was very nice and apologetic about it all but makes me question the business operation & the bottles being delivered at first.

Ordered 30 wings as apps for the table and they came out overcooked, hairy, and dry when wet rub.

Nephew's fries were as hard and bland as cardboard, I tried them too. As if left in grease too long or fried twice.

Waitress did usual checkup asking if everything was okay and I was on the fence whether I should say anything or not and it was just so astonishing I didn't know where to begin.

My blackened chicken bowl came and I was so disappointed that I didn't want to continue but I was glad I did bc it was excellent.

Atmosphere was nice, can't recall if any music was playing but very open, fresh air, contemporary look. Love the double garage doors.

Waitress mentioned the manager would come talk to us but he never came and when we sat for a while she asked if I wanted the check and I asked about the manager and she said he just took off 20 wings from the bill. I still wanted to provide the guy with feedback and just the overall experience.

Manager came and I just told him the truth of the experience throughout. He cut me off before I was finished asking what more he can do but I just wanted him to know the feedback.

He didn't seem to want to hear honest feedback which was discouraging and I wouldn't recommend from this alone. Perhaps it was an off day. To the manager's credit, he took off 20 wings and the burnt tenders my daughter got. $100 post-credit for a bellyache. They probably didn't make out either. Unfortunate situation. Bought groceries immediately after. Hope other restaurants quality will be better...

If you are looking for quality service, this is not the place to go. I will say the food was delicious, however the staff does it a great injustice. Our server, was beyond rude and argumentive when she got the order wrong. When asked to correct the error, she literally told us we were wrong. From that point on she did not speak or acknowledge us as a table, to the point I had to ask another server for our check. I was so disgusted with her treatment as it was our last family meal before my son in law deployed that I walked away from the table and no longer had an appetite. We paid our bill without compliant, without looking for a discount and left. I called the establishment back after returning home to speak with a manager to explain the experience that we had and quickly learned why the staff felt entitled to treat paying customers like garbage as he displayed the same behavior. When I mentioned writing a review, he was more concerned with and I quote "so you rather put a review online about a small business". No sir, in the times we live in, going out to eat is a luxury, spending our hard earned money should NOT come with a side of disrespect. I chose to spend money at your small business as you mentioned instead of going to a chain restaurant, a choice both you and your staff made me regret. As a "small business owner" myself, at least initially, you never know just who is sitting at your table, so when you asked me why I said hmmm to your disrespectful and defensive remarks, it was because you clearly have a lot to learn and are not in the customer service industry, for customer service. I've never been more disrespected at an establishment that I AM PAYING MY MONEY for services than this place. Whoever the owners are, these are the reasons you're losing money. Best of luck, with a staff like this you'll need...