When it comes to beautiful waterfronts, Norfolk boasts one you won’t want to miss. The unique and popular space along the Elizabeth River serves as the ideal destination for a range of experiences, including dining. In fact, with the spectacular surrounding views, every meal is elevated to unforgettable heights. With several popular restaurants around the area—and City Cruises as the ultimate option for taking waterfront dining—we’ve compiled this guide on the top places to eat with insights to help you discover the best waterfront dining that Norfolk has to offer.
Sail the Elizabeth River with City Cruises in Norfolk
Traditionally, waterfront dining means eating at a restaurant that resides on a shoreline. The benefit to this is breathtaking views and fantastic food, yet the vantage point from this spot isn’t a full 180 degrees. But when you opt to book with City Cruises—whether it’s for a private event or one of our signature products—you get the best of both worlds: top-notch, chef-prepared menus and stunning views of the surrounding area on every side of our stylish floating venues. When you Explore our Norfolk Fleet, you’ll find that our vessels are some of the largest and most luxurious in class, with exceptional, climate-controlled interiors and open-air exterior decks that immerse every guest in the city’s exquisite surroundings.
Private Waterfront Dining in Norfolk
With the choice to host your own private waterfront event or choose from one of our enticing offerings (more on those in a bit), City Cruises helps you make the most of Norfolk. As you review our Norfolk Group & Private Events page, the wealth of amenities is apparent. From all-inclusive packages and customized entertainment to chef-prepared menus and full-bar options, everything can be tailored to your specific needs while working within your budget. Whether it’s a social outing, wedding, holiday, or corporate event, planning is easy, flexible, and stress-free with our complimentary expert event coordinators for groups of 20 or more. Plus, our vessels provide a vibrant environment that boasts exclusivity and luxury, so mixing and mingling is easy to do.
Norfolk Fleet and Venues
Waterfront Dining Cruises in Norfolk
Brunch Cruise
No matter what time of day it is, if you’re seeking other packages in lieu of a private event, City Cruises has you covered. For starters, there’s our Norfolk Signature Mimosa Brunch Cruise. This casual daylight outing is an unforgettable experience where guests can dine and dance, with the beautiful views of Norfolk’s skyline as the backdrop. With the city’s stunning architecture and famed landmarks, such as the U.S. Navy’s impressive Atlantic Fleet as part of the sightline, our delectable chef-prepared buffet, a fully stocked bar, games, and live DJ entertainment combine to make the perfect one-of-a-kind brunch cruise experience over the course of two amazing hours.
Lunch Cruise
Another daytime offering to consider is our Norfolk Signature Lunch Cruise. With a casual yet festive ambiance, this excursion is ideal for the whole family—or a fun day out with friends. During the 2-hour trip, guests will take in amazing views of the city’s landscape as they cruise along the exquisite Elizabeth River. The delectable lunch buffet, coupled with live DJ entertainment, creative cocktails from the fully stocked cash bar, a live narration, and interactive games, means there is something for everyone onboard to enjoy. It’s a casual experience that’s perfect for creating good times, good vibes, and memories that will last a lifetime.
Dinner Cruise
Once the sun starts to go down, that’s when City Cruises’ Norfolk Signature Dinner Cruise takes over as the best way to end the day. Capturing the exceptional starry evening sky, the city’s phenomenal skyline, and the area’s awe-inspiring architecture, this 2.5-hour cruise makes for a festive, fun, and enjoyable experience for every guest. When these views combine with a chef-prepared buffet, innovative cocktails from the fully stocked cash bar, games, and upbeat tunes from our live DJ, guests will be immersed in an Instagram-worthy adventure that they’ll find tough not to brag about while sharing across social media.
Consider making window table reservations for the best views to experience the most out of these packages. Don’t forget that additional upgrades can be made to customize your experience.
Waterfront Dining Options Available on Land
After enjoying some time on the water with City Cruises, for those who want to dine on land and still take in a few views, we suggest heading to Norfolk’s Waterside District. There you will encounter several restaurants to choose from. For beer lovers, there’s the Blue Moon TapHouse, Star Hill Market Bar, and PBR Norfolk: A Coors Banquet Bar. For taco enthusiasts head to PDS Street Tacos to get your fill, while pizza devotees can grab a slice or pie at Cogan’s Pizza. Numerous culinary adventures await at The Market food hall, and those with a sweet tooth can satisfy cravings with a visit to Carolina Cupcakery and The Fudgery.
Book Your Norfolk Waterfront Dining Experience with City Cruises
On the water and on land, Norfolk dishes out plenty of options for waterfront dining. To get immersed in the environs, City Cruises offers packages that seamlessly merge gourmet excellence with exceptional views and planning and booking that’s simple and stress-free. Book your waterfront dining experience with us today!