
Freemason Abbey Restaurant
209 W Freemason St, Norfolk, VA 23510
About Freemason Abbey Restaurant - steak house in Norfolk, Virginia
Traditional American fare in a circa-1873 church, now with a tavern ambiance amid the stained glass.
Customer Review Summary
Freemason Abbey Restaurant is highly praised for its perfect meals and excellent service. The meat loaf, featuring a rich combination of game meat and beef, is particularly noted for its smokey flavor, along with a balance of seasonings. Diners enjoyed a cozy and interesting atmosphere within the historic church building, with highlights like the award-winning she crab soup and seafood fantasia. Brunch is a popular choice, although some dishes, like eggs, could use more seasoning, and coffee may be bitter. Guests appreciate the attentive service, especially during special occasions, and the thoughtful touches such as personalized name cards. The restaurant is described as a true local gem, well-located near historical sites in Norfolk, making it a must-visit for both locals and tourists. Overall, the food is tasty, reasonably priced, and diners recommend returning for more experiences, including brunch.
Key Features
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
- Great beer selection
- Great cocktails
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Food
- Happy hour drinks
- Happy hour food
- Hard liquor
- Healthy options
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
Dining options
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Historic
- Romantic
- Trendy
- Upscale
Crowd
- Groups
- Tourists
Planning
- Lunch reservations recommended
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
Parking
- Free parking lot
Customer Reviews
Rating Distribution
Geoffrey Knobl
The perfect meal. I rarely write this but my meal (December 15, 2024) was perfect. I mean that. I had the meat loaf. It's so long ago now I do not remember what my son and wife had but look at the photos! The cocktail I had was fruity with only a mild alcohol flavor and the dessert was scrumptious. What I do remember was the meat loaf had game meat in it - boar I think and maybe elk - as well as beef and had a beautiful smokey flavor. It was NOT over salted or over-seasoned in any way but had a good herbal compliment to the meats. The service was excellent and prompt and the setting was beautiful. I should have posted sooner because I've forgotten too much about the meal. I think we paid under $150 even with all the extra stuff we purchased (extra drinks, desserts). Considering everything this is not out of line but a bargain. We will be eating here again when we return in May (maybe April too). You can get away for less if you are careful. This assumes Trump, that Nazi, doesn't screw us all over. Oh, I had their bread pudding (apricot, I think) which was sweet but not overly so. I cannot recommend this place more strongly. A perfect meal!
Christi and Tommy Bennett
Carson was our server and she was amazing! She took such good care of us and made sure everything was perfect. Highly recommend, and you should definitely consider going for brunch! Pictured is the Commonwealth Breakfast Burger (gravy on the side) and the Wild Wild Western Skillet.
Beatrice Li
Cozy and interesting interior with a great atmosphere. The award-winning she crab soup lived up to the hype—rich and full of flavor. Loved the seafood fantasia, perfectly cooked and delicious. Went for a birthday, and the personalized name card was a thoughtful touch.
Bill McGaw
We came in for Brunch, I’ve had dinner here a couple times and always enjoyed a good meal, wanted my wife to experience the atmosphere and history of the building. Brunch was good, wife had the ‘all-American brkfst’ and I had the western skillet. Eggs could have used some seasoning. Coffee was quite bitter. Everything else was quite good, the service was attentive and on time. The atmosphere was (of course) awesome…we love when an historic location is given new life. It reminded me very much of our time in Europe.
R R
This place is a true local gem, and if you're visiting Norfolk, it's definitely worth checking out. Located in the heart of Historic Norfolk, it's within easy walking distance to several historic sites and homes— you can even see the Allman-Archer House from their parking lot, and the Hunter House is just around the corner. The food is usually tasty, hot, and reasonably priced. While the service can slow down a bit when they’re busy, that’s to be expected. We particularly enjoy Sunday Brunch here whenever we can. Whether you're visiting the area or a local who hasn't been in a while, this is a spot you shouldn't miss. Definitely worth a visit!
Colleen Harlan
We were visiting last spring from the Midwest, and I kept hearing recommendations from locals to eat here… it was wonderful! The church building, the location (we had a fantastic walk all around the neighborhood and waterfront after dinner), and the food were all perfect!!! I have celiac, and their GF options were delicious and I didn’t get sick. My husband and I hope to return one day!
Hanna Alexander
We had such a wonderful brunch here. The service was fantastic. I wish I remembered our waiter’s name because he was great! We came for the weekend for my boyfriend’s birthday and he loves history. We ended up getting a cup and FORGOT IT 😭 but besides our own unfortunate mistake leaving it there, I highly recommend visiting. Fantastic food, deserts are to die for, and service is unmatched
Pit Ritter
Traditional American restaurant in an historic old church building in downtown Norfolk. Waterside and Chrysler Museum in walking distance. Unique atmosphere. Special occasions menus and participant in the Norfolk restaurant week. Delicious food and a very good service.
Location
Contact Information
Hours of Operation
Price Range
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