Orion's Roof — Restaurant in Virginia Beach

I live near Virginia Beach, and I have been dining here for several years. Although I occasionally brought friends for a special occasion, I mainly dined here with business colleagues and always for lunch. I am not a very frequent visitor, but I have been coming every month or two. I have noticed that the attitude of the restaurant and staff generally has been steadily declining, along with the portion sizes, and the prices have been rising. I believe that the restaurant has chosen to focus exclusively on tourists and Marriott guests, and local diners like me and my guests have definitely become an afterthought.

This review was prompted by my most recent, and final, experience on April 26, 2025. When making a reservation, I always choose a non-peak time for lunch at 11:00am or 2:00pm, and I make the reservation at least a month in advance. Although I always request a window table, I make it clear that a quiet table is the most important requirement as these are business lunches.

On every single occasion, we are always shown to a table in the first room on the left, just past the kitchen. This happens every single time, even in this case when I requested a direct oceanfront table because my guest was from out of town and lives in the Midwest.

We were greeted by the charming host. Although I did not make note of her name, she had long curly hair and was very gracious. We were shown to our table by a young woman in her early 20s, with long brunette hair wearing a black dress. Even though the restaurant was only about a third full at 11:00am, she showed us to a table in the first room on the left directly adjacent to a large table of women who were celebrating something and had clearly finished several glasses of alcohol already.

I said to the young lady that this table was not acceptable, and pointed to an empty table (braced between two other empty tables) located exactly where I had requested on the reservation. She have me a look of utter contempt, said "Wait here," and stalked off. We were left standing uncomfortably for about 5 minutes until she returned. She said, "Follow me" without making eye contact, walked us to the table I had indicated, placed the menus on the table and walked off without saying another word. I passed her in the restaurant on a number of occasions during lunch and smiled and nodded. My civility was reciprocated with a "look that could kill" and no acknowledgement that I existed.

The interaction with this single employee ruined that experience for me, but as I said earlier, Orion's Roof generally has been declining for a while. Because it was a single employee, I did not want to write a review like this one so I called the restaurant that afternoon and asked to speak to the manager on duty. After being interrogated extensively about why I wanted to speak to the manager, the person on the end of the phone casked me, "If he is with another customer, are you ok leaving a voicemail?" After I said that was fine, I was transferred straight to the voicemail of Deejay Tabong. I provided details of what I wanted to talk to him about, and a month later, I am still waiting for a return call.

I tried to raise my concerns with Orion's Roof and its manager before leaving this review. I will never return. I have made my friends and colleagues aware of the reasons, and I hope that other locals will heed this warning and adjust their expectations accordingly if they choose to dine there. The views are spectacular, and my encounters with every other member of staff over the years has been fantastic, including our server that day. It is always a pity when businesses fall victim to their success, and forget the reasons that they enjoy the privileged position that...

I came here for a Friday lunch with my sister because I keep hearing about it. I made our reservation on Tuesday and was glad a time worked for us because all the dinner options were booked according to Open Table. But I’m so glad we made it because the food, views, and experience was great. We saw other groups, couples, and even families with children dining so it’s perfect for everyone.

There’s plenty of seating options. They have indoor seating, rooftop, covered indoor seating with a view, and even a counter right in front of the kitchen. The open concept kitchen was cool to see and it’s placed so everyone walks by it upon entry and exit.

Probably one of my favorite things was the covid protocols. While masks aren’t required for vaccinated patrons or staff they have a near policy. I noticed our server had a sticker on her name tag that read “I’m vaccinated”, this I assumed the staff wearing masks either were not vaccinated or doing so for their preference. When the gentleman took our picture he has a mask and a sticker indicated he had a temperature check that morning. My sister and I are vaccinated and this was refreshing to see.

Cons: -I had to request a new order of potstickers because I felt they weren’t cooked through. The pork on few of the potstickers was still pink inside and they were doughy. But my sever was super understanding and then new order was cooked perfectly. -I ordered the Five Spice Daiquiri and it’s supposed to come in a martini glass but they were out of them so it made my drink look very small -The parking garage made me a little nervous because cars leave & enter through one location and it was hard to always see cars approaching and some people were speeding through the garage

Pros: -All of the food was great! This lunch was our first meal of the day and it hit the spot. The bento boxes were super cute and everything complemented each other well. The chicken yakitori wasn’t dry and cooked perfectly as was the beef bulgogi. The chef’s sushi selection for the box was tuna and because I’m not a fan of raw sushi I up-charged to the shrimp tempura roll for $2. We were also able to modify the egg fried rice and add bean sprouts, this was perfect because my sister is allergic to seafood so they have something for everyone. -All of the staff we encountered were so hospitable. Our server Rachel gave us great recommendations, checked on us frequently, kept our water refilled, and even moved an umbrella over for us (without having to ask) which gave us more shade. There was another woman who checked us in who came and interacted with guests and came and asked us how everything was, maybe she was a manager. And another gentleman (maybe a manager also because he had on a suit jacket) came and took pictures for us when he saw us struggling with a selfie. -Location. The restaurant is located at the top of the Marriott hotel on 42nd street so it’s not at a populated area of the strip. It’s also across from the Cavalier Hotel and it has the best view of their property when your exit the elevators. -Views. As a VB native I’ve been to restaurants around the Chesapeake Bay & the Atlantic but this was the first time I’ve ever been to a place that has rooftop views of the ocean. They’re building another hotel next door so some of the construction messed up the view but just slightly. -We took so many pictures lol. From seated at the table to the entryway to all the mirrors in the bathroom. -They also validate your parking for 2 hours and you pay at a kiosk and the parking...

We recently celebrated a late Father’s Day dinner at Orion’s Roof in Virginia Beach, and it was a truly memorable experience from start to finish. Located on the 23rd floor of the Marriott, just across the street from the historic Cavalier Hotel, this rooftop restaurant offers panoramic ocean views and a sleek, modern ambiance—hands down one of the most striking dining spots at the beach.

From the moment we arrived, the service was impeccable. Our server was warm, attentive, and knowledgeable, and everything ran smoothly throughout the evening. The menu focuses on elevated Asian fusion, offering a little something for everyone—whether you're in the mood for sushi, wok-fried noodles, or an expertly grilled steak.

We started off with a few appetizers to share: the Crab Rangoon Chopsticks, Salt & Pepper Fried Calamari, and the Salmon Crudo. The crab rangoon was crispy and full of flavor, with an orange marmalade sauce that gave it a sweet-savory twist. The calamari was perfectly fried and seasoned, and the salmon crudo was fresh and vibrant, with heirloom cherry tomatoes and watermelon radish adding a nice contrast.

For drinks, we enjoyed the Watermelon Sugar High cocktail and its mocktail version, as well as the Pretty in Pink—all refreshingly balanced and thoughtfully made. The mocktail options were a fun bonus and still felt festive for the occasion.

For our entrées, we ordered a variety of dishes to try across the menu:

The Grilled Prime Ribeye was rich and flavorful, paired with peewee potatoes and grilled asparagus.

The Jumbo Scallops were beautifully seared and plated over a red pepper chimichurri miso corn foam.

The Surf and Turf Roll was decadent with torched wagyu, lobster tail, and truffle pearls.

The Grilled Swordfish and Whole Seared Branzino were light, fresh, and cooked to perfection.

The Singapore Rice Noodles were bold and satisfying, with curry and chili notes running throughout.

And for our little one, we ordered the Chicken Skewers Yakitori from the kids' bento menu, which came with fries, salad, and carrot sticks—he loved it.

Entrees were all delicious and very filling.

Dessert was the perfect finale. We shared the Fuji Apple Crumble, Shibuya Toast, and Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding. The Shibuya Toast was the showstopper—thick, crispy honey toast served with fresh berries, macarons, and scoops of matcha, chocolate, and vanilla ice cream. The apple crumble was warm and comforting with a touch of miso caramel, and the bread pudding delivered that classic cozy richness with a unique twist.

For parking, there are both self-parking and valet options available. Orion’s will validate self-parking for up to two hours, which is a nice perk. We opted for valet, and the staff was quick, professional, and made arrival and departure easy—especially helpful if you’re dressed up or trying to avoid too much walking. A special mention also goes to the Marriott’s lobby area, which felt decadent and inviting, setting the tone beautifully as you make your way up to dinner.

All in all, Orion’s Roof checked every box—gorgeous views, polished service, and a diverse, well-executed menu. It’s an ideal spot for a celebration or a night out when you want something special. We’ll definitely be back the next time we’re in...