Toast — Restaurant in Norfolk

I've come here three separate times now, twice for brunch. Anything you're going to order that has a poached egg will have the egg over-cooked to a soft-boil consistency while simultaneously having undercooked, watery whites. The system for ordering food is a great idea (order outside at the window, server delivers it), but when the line gets really long, you're looking at a 20-40 minute wait. I'm not exactly deterred by a 40 minute wait, but when all I want to do is order another drink or one other small menu item, I do wish there was an alternative (like being able to order drinks at the bar inside). Any and all salads are FANTASTIC and you'd be missing out if you didn't try one. Drinks have a ton of variety but not always the best execution. For example, I ordered a Jungle Bird (classic, bitter tiki drink) and what I got was basically sweet sangria. Nitro mimosas with sherbet in them is a really cool idea and I like their execution, but I'm just not the type who prefers sweet cocktails. I will also say that they deliver on their name with really exceptional bread, which is easy to overlook or downplay... until you try it! They also get tons of points for having absolutely beautiful outdoor seating from the overgrown garden to the shipping container "booths"! Another positive is, once you do finally get your food ordered, there's hardly any wait time to get it, which is nice but doesn't really make up for the quality of the food and drinks. There's also something else to be said about the fact that everything is served on one-time-use products that just get thrown away. I'd like to ,at the very least, see compostable products, but that's very much just a personal opinion.

I really love all the other restaurants these guys own (Perro Blanco and Handsome Biscuit), so I want very badly to like Toast, but I've only ever gotten truly 3-star food and drinks from them. If you're looking for exceptional brunch in a similar atmosphere, just walk 2 blocks up the sidewalk and try out Handsome...

We had a very bad experience here today--service was bad & the waitress was oblivious to what was happening & was not appreciative of our constructive feedback.

It was our first time coming to Toast on a Sunday morning. We were a party of 4 & 2 of us came at 11:40am to get seated in one of the booths. The rest of our party arrived 5 mins after & the waitress came by to our table at 12nn to get our drink and food orders. We were served our drinks (a mimosa & a tea drink). At 12:40pm, the food had not arrived & the waitress comes by & asks, "Would you like your check?" to which I replied, "We haven't even received our food yet!" To which she replies--"oh I get you. You see, it's bar service only" which did not make a lot of sense to us because she clearly took our drink & food orders. There were 3 other tables aside from us that were having food, so I don't know what "bar service only" meant. The waitress seemed oblivious to our orders & was trying to make it seem that we should've understood that the place was busy--but never did she check on us or appease us that our orders were on their way ever! At this point, we were hungry & just wanted to leave, so we stood up & went to pay for our 2 drinks. Mind you, we gave constructive feedback and we're not irate the whole time, but the waitress was making more excuses --that she was the only waitress there at that point. I don't think that justifies 1) not checking on us, 2) asking us to pay when we haven't received our food yet, 3) and on top of that, not knowing we ordered & not served yet, and lastly, 4) telling us that they were on "bar service only"--but taking our food & drink orders. At the register, they couldn't even figure out what our orders were & they asked if we still wanted our food. It was just really...

A Gem in Norfolk's Culinary Scene A vibrant atmosphere, inventive dishes, and a welcoming patio make Toast a standout destination in Norfolk. While minor inconsistencies leave room for improvement, the overall experience is a delicious and memorable one, earning it a solid four stars. Toast exudes a hip, welcoming vibe from the moment you walk in. The decor is a thoughtful blend of rustic charm and quirky details, with exposed brick, creative lighting, and an impressive outdoor patio that beckons on a pleasant evening. It’s the kind of place that feels equally suited for a casual brunch with friends or a more intimate dinner. The menu is where Toast truly shines, offering a creative take on Southern-inspired comfort food. The shrimp and grits are a must-try, boasting a rich and flavorful sauce with perfectly cooked shrimp. For those seeking something a bit different, the selection of unique toasts offers a variety of inventive flavor combinations that are both satisfying and photo-worthy. The cocktail program is equally impressive, with a list of well-crafted drinks that complement the food beautifully. Service is generally friendly and attentive, though during peak hours, the popularity of the patio can lead to a bit of a wait. While the quality of the food is consistently high, some minor inconsistencies in portion size and presentation have been noted on busier nights. Despite these small critiques, Toast remains a top-tier choice for dining in Norfolk. The combination of a fantastic atmosphere, a creative and well-executed menu, and reasonable prices make it a place worth visiting again and again. It’s a true gem that contributes significantly to the city's...