Rockafeller's Restaurant — Restaurant in Virginia Beach

The atmosphere is lovely, the food is great, but dealing with management and employees is the sole reason I will not recommend this place or return which is very disheartening since everything that does not deal with people was great.

Communication and consistency dealing with this business ended up being awful. For a $3000 contract to serve 25 people between 1-4pm on a Saturday at the end of June, I would have said it was worth it up until their customer service ruined it through the planning process and conclusion of this event.

We chose the bacon wrapped scallops, Swedish meatballs, and lumpia. Everything tasted really good and not a bad quantity for the price. For the main course we chose chicken, seafood pasta, and the prime rib. Dinner rolls were hard and salad was a bit soggy. Potatoes and vegetables also served was nicely cooked and seasoned. Chicken and seafood pasta was really tasty, and the prime rib was not awful, but served mostly rare with the option to be cooked more, but still was difficult for some to enjoy.The carver who served provided exceptional customer service.

While the desserts were amazing the portions were very tiny and small for the price we paid. We chose key lime pie, carrot cake, and chocolate eclair. Again, for the most part everything was delicious but portions were very small for the desserts (for the amount charged).

We had leftovers and I did have to ask for leftovers to be packed as I paid for all of this. The only thing they did not pack was the prime rib because evidently only a certain amount was allowed to be given which was never discussed. The carver told me he would box it up for us and another employee states this “rule” of how they can’t box it up.

I had to take a lot of initiative in planning this event. After taking my deposit, I am not sure if anyone would have ever reached out to me if I was not proactive. Dealing with the employees after this continued to go downhill. They tried to switch up the contract on me and tell me I did not choose a package when I did. They want to ensure they nickel and dime you for anything possible. On the day of the event, I was approached by a woman telling me we had to be out of the reserved room by 4pm. When we paid 1-4pm. When asking for clarification if we needed to be out by 4pm it was like pulling teeth. This woman could not have irritated you anymore because of her lack to communicate and clarify what she was saying. Her approach and demeanor was awful. Eventually, after asking her if we need to be out by 4pm even though we paid up until 4pm, she eventually let us know that if we are a minute over 4pm leaving that it is not a big deal. The room rented is not climate friendly.

Her point we think she was trying to make is that they may seat additional customers upstairs, outside of the room we reserved (which is understandable). However, as a paying customer as well, paying $3,009 for 3 hours, this woman was more concerned about potential customers, the summer season, flipping the room once we depart or I should say before we can barely leave, and ensuring she can have business she’s clearly desperate for.The most disheartening part is that this was the owner!The owner who never introduced herself to me, never welcomed me,never thanked me for my business.She was purely fixated on greed and being rude. Customer service is non existent here. I do not recommend this place despite everyone had a good time on the surface.

If you don’t care about greedy people, hospitality being non existent,and being overcharged and also being made to feel like your the problem on the day of the event, come here by all means.Perfect place to get upset and feel like you wasted your money to a very underserving business!

Please be advised this business is not ADA accessible.Handicap people will never make it up their stairs.Sadly, workers have to travel up and down the stairs with food and more.There is no elevator.Just a lot of violations,risk management issues,liability issues and greedy, ungrateful owners right here at a...

When dining out with loved ones and friends, every minute counts. Our group of three found the perfect restaurant for a glorious evening in Virginia Beach: Rockafeller’s Restaurant at Rudee Inlet. From the moment we pulled into the parking lot every interaction was friendly, warm, and attentive. The friendly valet assured us they don’t charge (tips only). Although we had no reservation (we will next time), the lovely hostess conferred with the owner, who figured out how to meet our request. Would we like two high tables pushed together by a corner with outstanding views on two sides? Absolutely, we said! Staff set the table, and we looked at Rudee Inlet’s docked boats and waterside homes. Devon, our handsome, attentive, and kind server (also tending the bar), asked what we would like for drinks. He smiled and quickly brought three glasses of water. When we asked if we could still order from the Happy Hour menu, he checked and returned with good news. The oysters Rockafeller’s with cheese and spinach—a house specialty—were divine! So were the Brussels Sprouts. Devon returned to take our orders, telling us about the evening’s Chef Specials and his favorite, the grilled salmon with pesto sauce, which was homemade and delicious. I ordered the salmon; my friends ordered the classic crab cakes and the seafood mac and cheese. Our meals arrived promptly, each dish enticingly arranged. Shortly after, Devon came by to ask about our dishes and whether we needed anything else. We three were thrilled with our choices, and one of us had already decided that the next time our group returned to the area for the weekend, she wanted to come to Rochafeller’s both evenings. Her crab cake dish was that good. Devon smiled. The elegant and charming lady who’d suggested our seating arrangement stopped by to see how we were doing. Most definitely, we assured her, sharing our commitment to return. We then learn she is the owner. We let her know how much we appreciated the welcoming, friendly, and attentive service everyone provided, especially Devon, and how much the ambiance added to our enjoyment of our delicious meals. Devon pointed out that all the ingredients, like the pesto sauce, are fresh and homemade. After finishing our meal, we asked about the welcoming waiting area that feels like a well-appointed living room. We learned that it had been designed to be inviting and comfortable for waiting guests. On a wall hung a painting listing Rockafeller’s values: “In this house, we….give hugs, do hard things, are honest, say “Please,” stay positive, always forgive, are respectful, comfort others, count our blessings, never give up, say “Thank you,” have fun and laugh, keep our promises, love unconditionally.” Ah, yes, we experienced how these values shine through the caring service, fabulous meals, attention to detail, and positive outlook that made our dining out a memorable evening we will cherish and...

From the moment we arrived at Rockefeller, we knew we were in for something special. We were greeted warmly by a member of the staff who immediately made us feel welcome, walking us to our table and pointing out the stunning view we’d get to enjoy throughout our meal. The atmosphere was sophisticated yet comfortable, beautifully designed with an energy that felt upscale without being pretentious.

Admittedly, the start of our dining experience was a little slow. But that was short-lived, and everything turned around the moment Jacqueline arrived at our table.

Jacqueline was, without exaggeration, the highlight of our visit. Her presence added a layer of warmth and professionalism that elevated the entire evening. She offered genuinely engaging conversation and had a deep, well-rounded knowledge of the menu. Whether we asked about appetizers, drinks, or entrees, she gave thoughtful, detailed explanations that helped us make choices we felt confident and excited about.

It was clear Jacqueline didn’t just know the menu, she understood the craftsmanship behind each dish and was passionate about sharing that with us. Her descriptions were vivid and helpful, and her recommendations? Spot on. Every course she brought to us was beautifully presented and showcased a perfect balance of flavor and texture. Nothing felt overdone or underwhelming, it was the kind of meal you remember.

We ordered the cocktail specials of the evening, and they were just as impressive as the food. Fresh, well-balanced, and creative, exactly what you’d hope for when trying something new.

Throughout the night, Jacqueline maintained a natural, flowing conversation without ever being intrusive. She read the table perfectly, knew when to engage and when to give us space, and made us feel like more than just another party on her list of tables. Her ability to create that kind of connection truly changed the atmosphere, an already lovely restaurant became a warm, memorable experience because of her.

In short, Rockefeller delivers on all fronts, ambience, views, and food. But it’s people like Jacqueline who take a great restaurant and turn it into an unforgettable one. We’ll absolutely be back, and when we do, we’ll be asking for...