Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in Norfolk / Virginia Beach

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance in Norfolk / Virginia Beach? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Press 626 Wine Bar

4.9

4.9 (11)

$30 and under

Comfort Food

Norfolk

About the restaurant

Press 626 Wine Bar is a hidden gem in Norfolk, located in a charming 1906 Victorian home. Experience a unique blend of old-world charm and modern elegance, perfect for romantic evenings, friendly gatherings, or solo escapes with a good book and a glass of wine. Our extensive wine list, curated by experts, ensures you'll find the ideal pairing for your meal. Whether you're a wine connoisseur or a novice, our knowledgeable staff is here to help. Enjoy elevated comfort food and small plates made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, including Chef Leeroi Fonterela's delicious charcuterie board and grilled cheese. Don't forget to try our expertly crafted cocktails, which complement any dish. At Press 626, we pride ourselves on creating a welcoming atmosphere where you can relax and enjoy friendly service alongside delicious food and wine. Come as you are and make lasting memories with us.

Top review

Matt

Dined on May 30, 2025

The staff was incredible. Slight delay in our reservation but they communicated with us and took care of us during our very minor wait. We split a few of the small plates and were impressed with everything we got. Our server helped us with our wine selection and helped us try some new wines after describing what we normally like. Will be returning.

Yiannis Wine and Food

4.8

4.8 (355)

$50 and over

Wine Bar

Virginia Beach

About the restaurant

At Yiannis Wine & Food, we have a passion for delicious bites and even better wine. Founded by Ioannis Choutris in 2011, we carved out a niche for rare and hard-to-find labels from around the world. Over time, we grew into a full-service kitchen, specializing in premium seafood and steaks, always paired with the perfect wine.

Dining at Yiannis is an immersive experience—our wine-cellar-style space is lined floor to ceiling with exceptional bottles. Whether for an intimate dinner or lively gathering, our fine dining atmosphere and warm hospitality make every visit special.

Led by Head Chef Ben Field, our award-winning kitchen serves top-quality dishes, including our First Place-winning She Crab Soup (2024). With GM & Sommelier Chris Gray and CEO Josh Fisher curating unforgettable pairings, Yiannis offers wine dinners, tastings, and more. Join us and discover Virginia Beach’s best fine dining.

– The Yiannis Team

Top review

jason

Dined on May 30, 2025

Great spot for an anniversary dinner. Loved the vibe and service. Food was excellent!

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4.7

4.7 (654)

$30 and under

Latin American

Virginia Beach

About the restaurant

Please Call if No Online Reservations Are Available !! - 757-965-2066 -Walkins Welcome!!!!

Scratch Kitchen with Latin American inspired cuisine.

Come enjoy a cocktail in our Tranquilo Lounge on one of our comfy velvet couches with your friends, or grab dinner in our dining room for a date night while watching our chefs create our beautiful dishes in our open concept kitchen. With over 90 Tequila and Mezcals to choose from, you'll have the option to sip on our patio, at one of the two full-service bars, in the Tranquilo Lounge or in the dining room while enjoying scratch-made tacos or ethically raised bone-in ribeye.

Open Friday and Saturday nights with late night snacks from 10-11pm and good vibes till 12am.

Top review

Alison

Dined 2 days ago

Finally! A creative, interesting and fabulous tasting meal in Virginia Beach! Had tacos (me fish, him carne asada), the corn and the carrots…everything was out of this world. We’ll be back even though it’s 30 mins from us

Heirloom

4.9

4.9 (2212)

$31 to $50

Farm-to-table

Virginia Beach

About the restaurant

Heirloom is a creative farm-to-table restaurant that focuses on elevated local recipes from Virginia.

We partner with local farmers and waterman to bring the freshest ingredients to our table. We offer seafood-driven and locally minded menus focused on quality and seasonality. Heirloom features a mindful bar program with classically influenced cocktails made with carefully selected ingredients and innovative technique. The wine program will be sourced from all over the world, with a spotlight on exciting Virginia wine. We are proud to possess an approachable and diverse list, with bottles for every palate and price point.

Top review

Karen

Dined 3 days ago

Appetizer of Corn Bread was really delicious and the group enjoyed the Heirloom Shrimp appetizer too. The Heirloom Burger and Truffle Fries are a must! Crab cakes were delicious too.

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Southern Fried Chicken

Gaston's Italian Steakhouse

4.8

4.8 (365)

$31 to $50

Italian

Virginia Beach

About the restaurant

Modern Italian Cuisine
Gaston’s Italian Steak House, the American Dream for Gaston, is where passion for food, comfort, and enjoyment are combined. Our neighborhood restaurant is casual- elegant and cozy, the perfect backdrop for a first date, anniversary dinner or warm family gathering with a beautiful private room available. Benvenuto!!

Top review

Chad

Dined on Jun 3, 2025

Very good quality of food for what they charge, I would have rather paid more and had bread with my dinner, the bread and tomatoes was okay, but I like a dinner roll with my pasta, also the chicken parm was a lot of chicken and very little pasta, again I would have rather paid more and had a larger portion, definitely good food and the waitress was the best we had in our vacation

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Popular dish

Shrimp Scampi

Zoes Steak & Seafood

4.9

4.9 (1673)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Virginia Beach

About the restaurant

AAA Four Diamond restaurant located at the Virginia Beach oceanfront, Zoës originally opened in 2003, and re-opened under new ownership on March 16, 2009. Renowned sommelier Marc Sauter, as well as devoted restaurant goers Bill and Joni Greene, to continue the Zoës legacy with the same great location, friendly staff, soothing ambience, and award-winning food and spirits.

Together, their hope is to offer their guests a wonderful dining experience that has a comfortable, familiar atmosphere, yet that special touch of class that makes Zoës “the place to go when you absolutely must impress your guests.”

Reservations are recommended but walk-ins are always welcome.

Zoës is a completely non-smoking establishment.

Top review

Tiffany

Dined on Jun 6, 2025

We ate here as a party of 4, and it was fabulous! We had appetizers, salads, and entrees, steaks and seafood. Best scallops we’ve ever tasted. Steak was phenomenal. Everything was so fresh and delicious tasting. Sparkling Wine was also exceptional. Wonderful experience and food, we’ll be back.

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7oz Creekstone Filet Mignon

Leaping Lizard Cafe

4.9

4.9 (1354)

$30 and under

American

Virginia Beach

About the restaurant

Situated under a canopy of old growth trees on Lake Joyce, this natural gem serves seasonal fare from tidal Virginia. The menu reflects freshness with a distinct emphasis on showcasing the inherent colors and flavors of the ingredients. The cafe's bakery provides all its breads and deserts and is open for retail on the weekends. This fresh approach to food done in a natural and unpretentious setting has been a local favorite for twelve years. If you don't see your desired time slot available give us a call.

Top review

Katherine

Dined 2 days ago

Leaping Lizard is such a quaint, fun place, and the food is excellent! Two friends and I ate lunch there this week, and all of the food was very good! We love the atmosphere.

Orion's Roof Garden & Dining

4.6

4.6 (6365)

$31 to $50

Fusion / Eclectic

Virginia Beach

About the restaurant

The rooftop of the Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront boasts unparalleled views of the Atlantic & an open kitchen that allows energy & interaction to flow throughout. Orions menu of Asian-fusion, coastal, dishes & classic sushi paired with eclectic cocktails & a vast Sake & wine selection creates true umami. Orion’s Roof offers guests an upscale dining experience surrounded by arguably the most amazing views on the East coastline.

Top review

John

Dined 4 days ago

We loved the atmosphere, the gorgeous views, food, and drinks .

Fogo de Chao - Virginia Beach

4.1

4.1 (41)

$30 and under

Brazilian

Virginia Beach

About the restaurant

Now Open! Fogo de Chão is an internationally-renowned steakhouse from Brazil that allows guests to discover what's next at every turn. Founded in Southern Brazil in 1979, Fogo elevates the centuries-old culinary art of churrasco - roasting high-quality cuts of meat over an open flame - into a cultural dining experience of discovery. Please join us in our dining room, in our more casual Bar Fogo, or bring the Fogo Experience to you with Fogo To-Go or Catering. Visit our website to make a reservation or place an order.

Top review

Leonor

Dined 3 days ago

Glad we made a reservation because they were turning away walk-ins and it took 30 minutes to get our table after checking in. However, it’s a brand new location, new staff, and a busy week of high school graduations. The food and service made up for the long wait to get seated (30 minutes)and to have a waiter get to our table for drink orders (10 minutes). There was a wide selection at the food buffet with yummy appetizers and side dishes. The meats were great, some of the chicken offered were not very tender. This location was not as large and formal/ fancy as the one in Los Angeles, CA and we felt overdressed. We were expecting a bit more finer dining experience but many other guests were in jeans, flip flops and casual wear. However, they can handle large parties so it’s good for your special occasions like birthdays.

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Experience

The Prisoner Wine Dinner

Byrd and Baldwin Bros. Steakhouse

4.7

4.7 (2104)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Norfolk

About the restaurant

Byrd & Baldwin Bros Steakhouse was conceived and executed with a no-compromise philosophy, rewarding guests with a memorable dining experience. We are a fine dining restaurant offering the finest service and cuisine in Hampton Roads Virginia. Join us for a unique experince and enjoy selections from our award winning wine list and premium spirits selection.

Top review

David

Dined 2 days ago

I had a wonderful experience dining at Byrd and Baldwin. Our server, Aaron, was attentive and informative. He was kind enough to take a picture of my father and me as I was celebrating Father’s Day with him! Everything was outstanding, from the hors d’oeuvres to the filet mignon!

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Popular dish

She Crab Soup

Popular dish

8oz Cold Water Lobster Tail

Popular dish

New York Style Cheesecake

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