Varia - Norfolk, Virginia

Introduction

Varia, nestled at 100 E Main St in Norfolk, VA, is an Italian restaurant and event venue that has been delighting locals and visitors alike with its exceptional cuisine, intimate atmosphere, and outstanding service. This upscale eatery, located in the historic Freemason neighborhood, is a true gem that has become a favorite among Norfolk residents.

Main Services

Varia offers a variety of services that cater to different tastes and preferences:

• Italian Cuisine: The restaurant is renowned for its authentic Italian dishes, made from fresh, high-quality ingredients. Their menu features a range of classic Italian favorites, such as pasta, risotto, and seafood, as well as innovative creations inspired by the culinary traditions of different Italian regions.
• Event Venue: Varia's beautiful and versatile space makes it an ideal venue for private events, such as weddings, corporate events, and social gatherings. The restaurant offers customized menus and excellent service to ensure a memorable experience for all guests.
• Wine Bar: Varia boasts an impressive wine list, featuring an extensive selection of both old and new world wines. Their knowledgeable staff is always on hand to help patrons find the perfect pairing for their meal or to simply enjoy a glass of wine in the elegant bar area.

Location and Access

Varia is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Norfolk, within walking distance of many popular attractions, such as the Chrysler Museum of Art and the MacArthur Center. The restaurant is easily accessible by car, with several nearby parking options, including a wheelchair-accessible car park located directly across the street. For those who prefer to leave their cars at home, Varia is also served by several public transportation routes, including the Norfolk Tide light rail system and multiple bus lines.

Featured Characteristics

One of the most striking features of Varia is its elegant and sophisticated atmosphere, which is reminiscent of a refined library or museum. The restaurant's interior features a mix of rich woods, plush velvet upholstery, and gleaming brass accents, creating a warm and inviting space that feels both intimate and upscale. The highlight of the dining room is the stunning floor-to-ceiling wine display, which serves as a striking backdrop for the main dining area.

Another standout feature of Varia is its exceptional service. The restaurant's attentive and knowledgeable staff goes above and beyond to ensure that every guest feels welcome and well taken care of. From the moment patrons step through the door, they are greeted with a friendly smile and made to feel like valued guests.

Practical Information

Varia is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday, with brunch service available on weekends. The restaurant offers a variety of dining options to accommodate different preferences and needs, including dine-in, takeaway, and delivery. Varia also features wheelchair-accessible seating, as well as wheelchair-accessible toilets, ensuring that the restaurant is accessible to all guests.

For those looking to enjoy a cocktail or glass of wine before or after their meal, Varia's bar area is the perfect spot. The restaurant offers a selection of craft cocktails, as well as an extensive wine list featuring both old and new world wines. Additionally, Varia boasts a great coffee selection, making it an ideal spot to relax and unwind any time of day.

Positive Aspects from Reviews

Varia has a 4.5/5 average rating on Google My Business, with 918 reviews, indicating a high level of customer satisfaction. Many customers praised the restaurant's exceptional food, outstanding service, and elegant atmosphere. Some of the most common positive aspects mentioned in reviews include:

• Food Quality: Customers raved about the restaurant's delicious Italian cuisine, with many highlighting the freshness and quality of the ingredients used in the dishes.
• Service: The attentive and knowledgeable staff at Varia was consistently praised for their excellent service, with many customers noting that the servers went above and beyond to ensure that they had a memorable dining experience.
• Atmosphere: Customers were blown away by the restaurant's elegant and sophisticated atmosphere, with many commenting on the beautiful decor and intimate setting.
• Wine Selection: Varia's extensive wine list was a hit with customers, with many praising the knowledgeable staff for their assistance in selecting the perfect pairing for their meal.

In conclusion, Varia is a true gem in the heart of Norfolk, offering an exceptional dining experience that combines authentic Italian cuisine, an elegant atmosphere, and outstanding service. Whether you're looking to enjoy a romantic dinner for two or host a private event, Varia is the perfect choice for a memorable and unforgettable experience.

👍 Reviews of Varia

Jacqueline M.

5/5

Absolutely loved our experience! The prices were very reasonable, especially considering the classy and elegant atmosphere that truly feels like a sophisticated library, museum or upscale cafe. The furniture and views added to the relaxing vibe, making it a perfect spot to unwind. The service was attentive and friendly. We made a reservation and enjoyed the full breakfast buffet…delicious and filling. Parking was convenient, with free parking at E. Plume St. Parking Garage for up to 2 hours, plus valet options. We can’t wait to return and try their dinner menu.

Mukesh B.

4/5

Absolutely beautiful restaurant inside the Hilton on the second floor. The appetizers Artichoke and Foam ricotta with honey glaze was excellent. Our main entree of garlic, evoo her pasta was nice and house made tagliatelle with pecorino was nice but not amazing. The margarita pizza was average and little cold. The waitress forgot to charge us for the bottle of wine so added it on. She should have gone over the dessert menu but seemed a little rushed. Overall the setting and so superb and price is reasonable that should give it a try

Mia M.

3/5

The ambience is amazing along with the live entertainment. Unfortunately, I had the displeasure of eating at the bar. The bar tender was extremely rude and there were only 6 of us waiting for service. One example, I advised him I was ready to order when he had a moment. He acknowledged but proceeded to peform other tasks. Totally fine, but then while I was speaking with another guests he returned abruptly and started speaking over us to say he was ready to take my order then stated excuse me following. Very passive aggressive the entire evening. I asked for a mixed drink then he took off without acknowledgment. I see him preparing something, so I advised I didnt want house Tequila. The response was he'll use my preferred option on the next drink. I'm assuming it was just a bad night, but I will request a table if I should return. As for my Chicken Parmigiana, it was flavorful but the chicken was overcooked and my spaghetti was cold. The live entertainment made the trip worthwhile. The other servers appeared to be friendly and responsive as well.

Kalub L.

5/5

My wife and I had a wonderful experience. We started out with the Artichoke Romano appetizer, which was delicious and full of flavor. For entrées, we ordered the steak and chicken parm—both were cooked perfectly and absolutely hit the spot. The ambiance of the restaurant was warm and inviting, creating a perfect setting for a relaxed evening out. A special shoutout to our server, Evan, who was fantastic—attentive, friendly, and on top of every detail throughout the night. Highly recommend!

KJ S.

5/5

This was an elegant, relaxing, vibe. The atmosphere is giving beautiful library/ upscale cafe with beautiful furniture and views. Our server was EVAN and he was delightful from the moment we sat down. It was my grandmother’s 75th birthday and he did not disappoint! Evan was able to accommodate our unique tastes in wine, our diverse eating, and was full of suggestions. It was a classy and warm night. Definitely enjoyed and will be back.

Michael M.

5/5

I love coming here. It has been a few years since I was here. I love spending the evening here. It's comfortable, the music is wonderful. It's on the 2nd floor of the Hilton on Main. Beautiful indoor space with curtain swags and a red piano. The atmosphere is lounge swanky. You will fall in love with this place like I have.

Demetrius

5/5

My wife and I ate here for our anniversary. We had excellent customer service from our server Kaylee. Not only was she was familiar with the menu and wine selections, but she was also very thoughtful and attentive. My wife had the chicken marsala and I had the Branzino with vegetables which was the special for the night. We thought our respective dinners were great! However, we forgot to take photos of our food (except the bread and wine). We skipped dessert (Kaylee brought out a whipped cream & a few cherries to say “congrats” since we didn’t want dessert which was very mindful of her), but my wife did order a latte that she said was made perfectly! To top it off, Better By Tuesday jazz trio were the musicians for the night, and they played everything from a few songs out of the Great American Songbook, to traditional R&B classics with some Neo-Soul mixed in for good measure. I highly recommend this restaurant. My wife and I will be back and we will request Kaylee next time as well. You should definitely give this restaurant a try.

N H.

3/5

We were a party of four adults and one child to celebrate my birthday. Ambiance was perfect- dimly lit, piano music, not too busy on an early Monday evening. Did a great job accommodating my 3 year old- They have highchairs, kids cups and no one batted an eye that I had my child with me. Appetizers were very tasty we had the fried ravioli, Arancini, and the octopus. Some of our cocktails were great but the aperol spritz were quite watery. Chicken parm was okay as the sauce was extremely tangy. Tiramisu was a flop, almost like just pudding in a cup. Myself and another in our group didn’t finish it. While the server was pleasant, the service was lacking as she disappeared for long periods and myself and another in my group did not get a chance to order a second drink. Dirty plates and silverware cluttered the table when entrees were brought out. Unused wine glasses took up space on the table for most of our stay . Overall ok but will likely not be back.