Freemason Abbey Restaurant

(4.5/5) If you like she crab soup this restaurant is for you! My family and I were walking around and this Abbey caught our eye! We were happy to see it was actually a restaurant with a cool history. Our waitress was extremely nice and attentive. We started with some of their flavored iced teas and lemonades which were fun to try! I enjoyed the iced tea a bit more than the lemonade. The pomegranate iced tea was refreshing. We also tried the she crab soup, which was a clear favorite at the first taste. Very cream with a subtle spice, so delicious. Then, for our lunch my family and I ordered the fish and chips, fantasia, and Reuben sandwich. The fish and chips had Icelandic fish with a homemade sauce and some of the best fries I've had in a while (was my personal winner for our lunch). If you love seafood and old bay seasoning then the fantasia is a great choice for you! Lastly, the Reuben was pretty decent. A good amount of meat, but not as outstanding as the rest of the plates. However, the Russian dressing was clearly homemade and very good! If you're in the area this is a super fun restaurant to try out! Glad that we found it!

$2.50 for ice in my drink!! (On top of the $9 for liquor) First and last visit.Waiter was very good, but stretched way too thing, gone way too long.Had to WAIT to get a steak knife with the dinner cooling in front of me!

What a fun experience! The history behind the building itself definitely attracted us. Given we are visitors to the Norfolk area, we were looking for something memorable and unique. We were lucky enough to come during restaurant week! We were warmly welcomed and found the staff to be attentive. Given the special price fixe, we indulged on three courses and had a nice variety around the table. I enjoyed the New York strip but found it more medium as opposed to medium rare as requested. I also found the string beens to be a tad chewy or under cooked. However the meal was overall pleasant. The bread pudding dessert was nice! I will certainly return on my next visit to Norfolk and sample my way around the menu!

To start service was good. Bartender very attentive. Wait staff, PJ same. All the reason for the 3 stars is from the seevers. Ordered apps, dinner and drinks. She crab soup was good but was served warm, not hot. Crab hushpuppies was the only course served at the proper temperature. Still eating soup, entrees come out. Big pet peeve for me. However, food that they were so rushed to serve, again, only warm, not hot. Meanwhile, still waiting on our drinks. They are served after we receive our dinner. So disappointed with the meal. Ordered the smoke gouda and steak tips. May have tasted better if the meal was served hot. Half the cheese wasn't even melted. My husband had the crab cakes. Again not hot!!Will not be going back

Really good food in a cool old church. Definitely make reservations here, they wouldn't seat us on a Thursday night, we got lucky and found bar seats together. The she crab soup is really good.

I recently visited Freemason Abbey with family visiting from out of town, and it was a fantastic experience from start to finish! The historic ambiance really shines through the decor, giving a sense of timeless charm that enhances the entire dining experience.Our server was on point the whole evening--attentive, personable, and knowledgeable. He recommended a wine that we ended up loving so much that we ordered three bottles! For my meal, I chose the Salmon Caesar Salad, and it was outstanding. The dressing was smooth and perfectly balanced, while the salmon had a beautifully seasoned crust, cooked to perfection. Every bite was pure satisfaction.To top it all off, we had the chance to see the dessert options before ordering, which was a delightful touch. Freemason Abbey exceeded expectations, and I'd highly recommend it for anyone looking for a memorable meal in a unique, historic setting.

As a die-hard Potterhead, I had to check out this Potter-themed menu! I began my magical journey with two enchanting cocktails: The Curse and The Spirit. Each was deliciously crafted, with flavors that danced on my taste buds like a Quidditch match in the air. The Curse packed a delightful punch, while The Spirit offered a refreshing twist that would make even the most stoic house elf smile.For my main course, I indulged in the Screaming Shack Pie--a shepherd's pie that would make even Mrs. Weasley proud! The well-seasoned meat was like a warm hug, and the crust was flaky enough to enchant anyone who took a bite. Every spoonful was pure wizardry.From appetizers to desserts, every dish was a nod to the beloved series. The creativity and attention to detail were simply spellbinding. I even had the chance to enjoy some of the classic pastries which were simply delicious.The staff was excellent! We were dressed in our wizards robes so when we were leaving the staff gave my son a wand and some awesome Harry Potter stickers. He was over the moon. Our waiter was very nice, accommodating and cheerful. Whether you're a Muggle or a wizard, this Harry Potter-themed dinner is sure to charm your socks off--no wand required!

My husband surprised me with dinner at this spot. I admittedly hadn't heard of it, but what a pleasant find.First the location is very cool- an old church turned restaurant with lots of charm and character. We had a reservation so we're immediately seated. Looks like they highly recommend reservations based on signs at host stand and website!Our server, Justin, was very very attentive. He checked in often and gave a lot of great recommendations when asked. A full cocktail menu, wine choices and more! It's pretty cool they offer a cocktail flight of some of their staples! We both had the prime rib, which was the special of the night, and we're both so happy with the choice. The portion was large and cooked well. We had the creme brûlée and their version of an espresso martini for dessert- so good.

I do have to point out right away that the service here was very very slow. I spent almost three hours here because the service was really slow. We got appetizers She Crab Soup and Bang Bang shrimp. I was so hungry by this point that I forgot to take a picture of the appetizers and had to order a salad on the side with my entree. My fiance who got the scallop orzo said that it was very heavy in the stomach and it was a lot more food than he thought it would be. Seafood Fantasia was pretty good because I appreciated the amount of vegetables were in the dish, but it was a little bit more salty than I liked it to be. Because the service was so slow, we didn't have time for dessert, which was a bummer because I wanted to try their dessert. The seasonal sangria was the best part of the restaurant. I also have to point out that our waitress was very aggressive because she would splatter water or sauce everywhere when she would hand us our food or place our drinks on the table. They have their own parking lot in downtown Norfolk, which is convenient around that area.

Wonderful restaurant Great foodFabulous staff This restaurant is housed in beautiful old church and still has its stained glass window.