Words cannot begin to explain how glorious the food is here. Their she crab soup is out of this world! The rolls they bring to you are so perfectly baked. Not to mention the actual building itself is beautiful! Freemason Abbey is my absolute favorite restaurant in the 757!
This place is known for their She Crab Soup...award winners...stop by and try some
Great food, reasonable prices. For sure a great place for Sunday brunch.
extremely disappointed! First time there for step sons birthday, appetizers and main course came out at different times. Two of us order the Land and sea meal. The filets where ordered medium rare and came out grossly under cooked. Waiter said he brought them first so they wouldn't get cold. Then brought out my wife's meal and had to take back our steaks. So we didn't get to eat together. steaks came back and were still under cooked. Would not recommend
Unique and interesting location, inside was clean and the staff was friendly. The food tasted great. Overall a nice place to enjoy dinner.
Ate there about a year ago. My wife and I got food poisoning from the prime rib, manager said that wasn't possible... only meal we had together all day was this. So after a 200 dollar anniversary meal and 2 days recovering time they where nice enough to send a 50 dollar gift card to their resturant. Don't know about anyone else but after 2 days of torture we won't be going back. Be careful.
Great food, attentive service, unique atmosphere. I got the Atlantic Salmon and said I didn't need the rice that comes with it, so they doubled the side of the vegetable medley instead (and I added some sauteed mushrooms for $2). It was SO AMAZING! The vegetables were so yummy that I ate them all before even touching my salmon. And then, of course, the salmon was also super amazing. Our server was so nice, accommodating, and willing to solve any of our problems. After dessert, they even came by and gave my husband a beautiful etched glass with the exterior of the restaurant and their logo on it, with some Andes mints (since we were celebrating). We felt very taken care of and satisfied! Can't wait to come back!
A very engaging place to dine. Nice atmosphere, great selection, fair prices. Had Ribs, She Crab Soup, Vegatble Steak Soup, Salmon & Vegetable Penne. All delicious, well prepared. Will look forward to going back. Nice service.
Very beautiful building and the food is great. The staff is professional and friendly as well.
Hands down best surf and turf I've ever had. The steak was a perfect medium rare and seasoned perfectly. My girlfriend got the boar chop on wild game night. The chop melted into your mouth. We both got the she crab which is a great starter. Amazing service as well as dessert options.
The service is impeccable. Staff is friendly and attentive. The food is freshly made and tasty. The must have if you visit is the She-Crab Soup. We had the bison ribs and grilled pork chops; they both melted in our mouths. This local restaurant is a must for any visitors in Hampton Roads for history and food.
This is always a great place to dine. The food is wonderful and the staff very attentive. Make a reservation and enjoy your time with family and friends knowing your money is well spent.
I really liked the place! Great service, good food , cool churchy atmospheres. I'd definitely go back !
Freemason Abbey has everything one could ask for; outstanding dishes, courteous wait staff, and and a beautiful atmosphere. I've been here multiple times with various guests and each of them was wholly impressed by the experience. Freemason Abbey is an absolute must for locals and tourists alike. Can not recommend this place enough.
Great food great service. Makes a great business lunch experience
Stunning atmosphere with delightful drinks and exquisite food. The perfect place for a romantic encounter.
Good food professional comptent staff. This is a nice special occasion place.
Very good food the staff was excellent and the atmosphere was fantastic soft voices probably because it used to be a Church we loved it
We just took a mini getaway and drove to Norfolk because we had never been there (from NC for 50 years) and wanted to escape covid. Once again, Tripadvisor didn't fail and we went to this restaurant both nights we were in Norfolk because: the food (especially the she-crab soup) was one of the best things I've ever eaten, the atmosphere was stunning (an old church reinvented into a restaurant), and the service was 5-star. We bought extra she-crab soup, froze at in the hotel (Residence Inn), and brought it home where it now resides in our freezer. I just can't say enough about how good this place is!!!
I enjoy the quiet atmosphere they have, they seasonally rotate menu items to keep things fresh. Staff was always quick and courteous to requests.
I was here for a conference... cab recommended Freemason Abby. We were seated right away... Waiter was nice and knowledgeable...She crab soup, broiled seafood platter, and bread pudding was delicious! :)
Amazing food, great restaurant and staff are always wonderful. Cannot wait to go back!
Great place for daily meal specials, every night they serve something different and it's always top notch. For example the salmon bisque that my wife and I shared was exceptional. The food is always fresh and locally sourced. However, the service could be faster so the food doesn't get cold, make sure to ask for things 1 degree more cooked then you liked because it tends to be undercooked. Overall a great place to eat.
Fresh tea, fresh bread and the food...Sensational experience an old historical Church. We'll be back.
The food was on point! Was a little cold in there. So bring a light jacket or sweatshirt.
The food was out of this world, very, very tasty. Our waitress was so polite. Will definitely be back ,my wife and I had a great date.
The building is a fun place to visit. Our server was very nice, did a fine job. Wife ordered the fried green tomato sandwich, said it was yummy. I ordered the lump crab cakes....not so good. Not lump crab, mostly bread, bland, over cooked. Came with risotto, complete wallpaper paste of a risotto. Yes it's a bit difficult to make properly, but this wasn't even close. I could have balled it up in my hand and thrown it at the window and watched it stick, for the rest of the week. The veggies were also unbelievebly overdone and soggy. I didn't ask but they took it off the bill , which was cool. I would be happy to come train your chef of how to make s proper crab cake and risotto. For a restaurant in tidewater, a stone's throw away from some of the best seafood in the country, you would think a LUMP crab cake would be a no brainer...oh and change your menu description, you advertise a lump crab cake and serve breaded mush.
A Norfolk institution that has maintained a standard of excellence over decades. Freemason Abbey was ahead of the curve when they opened in downtown Norfolk before anybody else did, and they've managed to keep producing excellent food in a delightful setting.
It isn't avant garde, but the food is good, the service is excellent, and it's a very inviting space.
Came on a Friday at about 3 in the afternoon and it was not busy. Got excellent service and the food was exceptional. We ordered mini crab cakes, garden salad, filet mignon, scallops, and ribs. EVERYTHING was tasty except we didn't think as much of the smashed potatoes. Would highly recommend this place!
The ambience is wonderful - an old church. The menu was very enticing with wonderful sounding ideas. The four of us all got different items and everyone was very pleased and stuffed! Our server was very good, and we didn't feel rushed at all. It was busy, but not too noisy, and no wait - though we did have reservations. I didn't notice people waiting even when we left and the place looked full. They kindly asked if we wanted to be up or on the main floor, which we needed because of accessibility. It was a great start to a 24 hour stay, which one of our party took her citizenship test and passed it!!! Yeah!
A really cool old church that was converted into a great dinning experience. Making a reservation was easy and we were glad we made one; the place was very popular! And for good reason. The food was well worth the price and I would definitely return.
Wonderful atmosphere! Mulled red wine is delicious. Every item on the menu is excellent. Wait staff is knowledgeable and friendly!
Great atmosphere and staff. The food was wonderful. It is a little loud.
Awesome happy hour specials. Rest of food on menu is great too. Never been disappointed.
Great atmosphere and food in a unique setting. Enjoy a port after dinner!
Good food. Price is avg for the location. Only complaint is that the staff on hand during lunch is definitely the B team. Service was slow and inaccurate especially since we were one of only 3 table occupied.
Our server was attentive and honest with recommendations -- just the right amount of fun and professionalism and knew the specials well. Food wait time was pretty good, considering the large number of tables she had to service. You get tasty bread rolls and butter and the atmosphere inside this historic church is very warm and cozy.
The best part was the food-- award winning she crab soup, and well prepared everything. We ordered the blackened Seafood Fantasia, which was absolutely delicious. Every single piece of fish was awesome, especially the tilapia, which had a melt in your mouth quality that really brought it home. Portions were fair and you leave satisfied. Highly recommend the atmosphere and food. They have a brunch, lunch and dinner menu.
Nice family restaurant! The staff were friendly and the food was great. The salmon was excellent!
My #1 Place for Filet Mignon. Atmosphere Great! Service Great! Food Outstanding
Went for Restaurant Week in Norfolk and really enjoyed the place. Unique old timey atmosphere with some pretty awesome food. Prices on the regular menu were a little over the top but the deals for restaurant week were great. The she crab soup was by far the best dish and one of the best versions of the soup I've had definitely don't miss it.
Take your money some place else. It's a cool place in that it's unique and old. It's nothing extremely special though. It certainly smells old. It wasn't very clean at all. They weren't very busy, but we had terrible service. We waited and waited for everything. We never got refills. The food was not good. The steak tasted off like bloody and rare even though it was well done. Everything else was mediocre. It was expensive and absolutely not worth it.
I have celebrated 4 birthdays here and enjoyed it each time...I love this place.
Great food and even better service. Have a brownie!
An older church turned into this beautiful restaurant. Why did it take my husband and I years to come here. Maybe because when you hear they have a wild game night you start to think it's not your type of restaurant. Well let me tell you throw all that out the window and come have lunch or dinner. We've been 2 times in the last 3 weeks. Nicole has been our server both times and she is a gem. She knows how to describe the sauces and anything on the menu. Right now for the month of October they have a 3 course meal for lunch or dinner go try it. Join their diners club our second visit and after we paid we already have a $15 gift certificate. So well be back soon to see Nicole. The staff is friendly, the service is amazing, the food is phenomenal. Is definitely becoming our go to in Norfolk. I only have 2 pictures connected to this review because it's been so great that I forgot to take pictures. Oh yeah and if you have kids they also have a kids menu and if they like burgers my grandson calls it "man burger" because its huge.
The food was very good and reasonably priced. The staff is very good also. I would recommend the restaurant to my friends.
Pricey, but worth EVERY penny due to the amazing atmosphere and excellent food.
If you live in the area you've been missing out. If you are traveling this is a must for local cuisine. The shea crab soup and several other dishes are unique to the area and unique in general. Flawless service and food every time.
The Sunday brunch was delicious! I had the All American Breakfast with bacon, soft scrambled eggs, a petite waffle, rolls, and brunch potatoes. I followed this with their homemade Brandy bread pudding for $1.00! Everyone with me enjoyed their meals as well!
Great atmosphere, welcoming, comfortable, excellent service, with good food. (Food would be great with a bit more salt....) In a beautiful old church with ample parking. A Gem!
They have the best She-Crab soup! It was resturant week and they had a great menu for lunch! Service was great too!
Great place Great food sawson dessert and top of the notch staff.
First time there and I ordered a Caesar salad that had a strong anchovies taste.. Ordered the seafood platter that was seasoned to much with old bay season. Not worth the money at all, would be different if the seafood tasted better and not overly seasoned..
I was only there for lunch, I hope the dinner preparation is better to justify the good reviews. I had a half of a Abby Club Sandwich and a bowl of She Crab Soup. My spoon was dirty for my soup, which was not award winning. The sandwich was ok.
The service was slow. I was friendlier with the staff than the other way around. The food was overpriced and mediocre at best.
This is a must go to restaurant! Great staff, great food, great service! I make this stop every visit to Norfolk. I love it!
Open and quaint, the Freemason Abbey restaurant provides a nice atmosphere for eating. The first floor has better lighting, but the second floor allows you to see the structure of the old church better. The food is really good and not too expensive and the wait staff was attentive and friendly.
If I could give it 10 Stars I would! We are new to the area and so we are bouncing around trying all the local restaurants. This by far has been the best one yet! Everything from the atmosphere to the service and the food was perfect! We ordered the artichoke dip for an appetizer. I had the curry bowl and my husband had the vegetable pasta with Gouda cream sauce. We couldn't decide which one was better. Both delicious! My 2 sons had the fantail shrimp dinner and the filet mignon. Both said everything was excellent! We'll definitely be back!
Amazing place to visit. Food was great. Next time I will choose to sit at a dining table rather than sitting at the bar listening to their off work employees talk about their work day.
Overall good experience. Staff was friendly and knowledgeable. Food was tops. Decor is a bit dated but nothing terrible, good space.
Went here because we had a gift certificate we won from an office party - The rugs are old and dingy smelling.The decor is old and the seat cushions are gross to sit on and feel dirty. The wait staff and the cooks were young and very unprofessional hanging out at the bar cursing very loudly. (I'm in my 20's BTW) Never will recommend this place and never will go back.
We love Freemason Abbey! The ambience is amazing, set inside a former church! The food and service are just great! First of all, I love that they take reservations, and they have a free parking lot of their own next to the building. They warmly greet you at the door, and if you have issues with stairs, they will place you on the first floor, but there is a loft area. I love their Spinach Salad and their Steak Caprese, so I made a meal of two appetizers; my husband liked his broiled flounder with rice and asparagus, and their rolls are delicious. Our server was Hays, and he was just spot on, checking on us often and keeping us in drinks, and giving us time. They have a frequent diner club; so if you give them your phone number, you get points which translate into gift certificates. This place made us feel special, and was a perfect place to meet before goign to a performance at Chrysler Hall.
Great food and the staff is very good. I like the old historical feel of this place. It's kind of like walking back in time. Good parking around back.
My wife and I attended during 2019 restaurant week and everything was wonderful. The she-crab soup and tomato mussels were wonderful. Main courses were apple-bourbon glazed trout and citrus ginger scallops...just magnificent. Highly recommend coming here for a fine dining experience.
Atmosphere is superb food is great must go especially special occasions.
She crab was pretty good, and has a nice unique atmosphere.
Went here last night for my birthday. Once again the Abbey proved why they're my favorite restaurant. The food was excellent and of course,the she crab soup was superb. Big shout out to our server Haley,who was friendly and right on point with her service. Very enjoyable to have a conversation with her. And then,as always,I get a glass at the end. Getting a collection of these!! Thank you Freemason Abbey!!!!
A GREAT Restaurant with WONDERFUL food and an environment that makes conversations between guests VERY easy!!! It's a do again and again for me!!!
Nice meal. Neat old building. $3 mimosas and bloody marys for brunch on Sunday & you can get the bread pudding desert for a buck if you've ordered off the brunch menu.
Delicious food!! Offers a variety of American fare!
freemasonabbey.com
