Many believe that Abe Doumar, founder of Doumar's Cones & Barbecue, gave the world its first ice cream cone. Doumar was a traveling salesman retailing paperweights at the famous St. Louis World's Fair in 1904. When an ice cream seller exhausted his stock of paper dishes to hold the ice creams, he got a nearby waffle maker to roll his waffles into cones and thus invented the waffle cone. While not all hold this story true, he certainly popularized the ice cream cone widely. Doumar created this ice cream parlor in Norfolk in 1907, and it continues to roll the cones by hand using the original four-iron waffle machine that he invented. While it shifted premises to the current location in 1934, it still sells ice creams that use early 20th Century recipes and hand-rolling techniques. You can also enjoy delicious hot dogs and vinegar-soaked pork barbecue with desserts like Hawaiian Sunset Sundae and refreshing limeades. This diner feels old-fashioned, complete with a drive-in parking area where you can order and eat in your car. The prices too are from another era and leave you feeling satisfied. You can actually watch them roll the waffle cones by hand, just like in the past. Indeed, you haven't really been to Norfolk until you've eaten at Doumar's.
Voila has an eclectic yet subdued feel that makes it easily enjoyable for a quiet dinner or a celebratory dinner date. The menu is filled with European dishes, mainly French cuisine, and the chef is constantly updating and adding the freshest dishes to keep the buzz alive. An extensive wine list, full bar and soft lighting make for a perfect date night out.
A comfortable and friendly Mexican restaurant, Pelon's Baja Grill is a great place to take the whole family or have a group outing. Although their best known for their spectacular fish tacos, Pelon's offers up delicious appetizers like queso dip and guacamole, their famous tortilla soup as well as their main dishes like tacos and burritos. There is also a children's menu fit for the little one and great specials on most nights of the week. They also use the leanest chicken and meats so you can take some of the guilt out of indulging in Mexican fare.
The Monastery Restaurant serves up a variety of authentic dishes from Eastern European cultures like Hungary, the Czech Republic and Poland that will satisfy adventurous and tame eaters alike. Before your meal arrives, you are given delicious and warm home-made bread as you decide between the tasty dishes of veal, duck or seafood. Another great way to start the meal is to order their impressive cheese board, it will get your taste buds revved up for a fantastic meal.
Established in 1995, Del Vecchios prides itself on bringing authentic New York and Chicago pizzas to Norfolk. Everything about their pizzas and their sandwich rolls, from the dough to the sauces, are homemade with their secret recipes. Del Vecchios is some of Norfolk's favorite pizza for dine in, take out or delivery.
Located on Shore Drive, ShoreBreak is an ideal destination to gorge on delicious food while enjoying a raucous night. This place has something for everyone. While adults enjoy a game of football, hockey, soccer or baseball on the huge flat screen TV, kids can engage themselves in a game of their own at the child friendly game room. Visitors to this place, must try out their award winning pizzas and burgers. You can also keep refilling your glasses with their beers on tap. While visiting Virginia Beach, take a break from your touring and unwind with your family at ShoreBreak.