Elevated, carefully crafted dining has arrived in Downtown Norfolk. Experience the Glass Light, a French-inspired fine dining restaurant in the Glass Light Hotel & Gallery that serves New American cuisine that focuses on seasonality, the sourcing of sustainable, clean products, and presenting dishes with a modern sensibility.
Working with farmers, fisheries, and food purveyors in the Southeast to attain the best possible ingredients, the Glass Light culinary team showcases techniques learned through world travels and experiences. Eat, indulge, and relax amidst a casually elegant restaurant space surrounded by works of glass art and impeccable service from a polished, knowledgeable staff.
Jeremy Thompson
We did the Chef’s table tasting menu on Valentine’s Day weekend so we paid extra, but it was worth it for the experience. We were supposed to have a four course tasting, but Chef Ticha made that 7 courses by just adding two more dishes at no charge!! Our server Katie was AMAZING!!! Incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and just fun for us to talk to! Every dish got better and better. The crispy octopus…..I would go back 100 times to eat that dish! The scallops and pork belly addition was ridiculous ! Both the Executive and Sous Chefs have Incredible and inspiring journeys into the culinary arts and the place is remarkably unpretentious for the caliber of meal and service we received. Go for a special occasion and have the Chef’s table experience….it’s pricey, or save some bucks and just go have a nice meal. I’ll 100% go again, probably just eat a regular dinner but the place batted 1000 in my book!
The Art gallery was a super cool bonus adventure and free!
… moreKakuBites
The Glass Light Restaurant offers a unique combination of an upscale bar and dining area set alongside an eclectic collection of glass art. It is a visually striking spot for a night out.
The Food
Crispy Octopus: Served on patatas bravas with chorizo, roasted garlic aioli, and pickled Fresno chilis. The chilis were the key, bringing a subtle heat that cut through the richness of the dish.
Sourdough: The grilled sourdough was a great way to sop up the savory octopus sauce – highly recommended.
The Drinks
Bourbon & Wine: The bar has an impressive selection, including some allocated Buffalo Trace and Heaven Hill bourbons that are hard to find. The wine list is also solid.
Service and Vibe
⭐ The Staff: Special thanks to Amanda and Joanna at the bar for the attentive and professional service! They were the highlight of the hospitality.
The Atmosphere: While the art is beautiful, the general vibe of the venue (and the welcome at the host stand) was a bit cold. The warmth of the bar staff made up for the stiff introduction.
Overall
A great spot to enjoy creative dishes and hard-to-find spirits while exploring colorful glass art.
… moreKayla Kendrick
Glass Light provided my family and I with an ultimate experience. Our beyond fabulous server, Kristi, made our restaurant experience absolutely amazing. With her knowledge and wit, we were able to receive the best quality drinks, food, and service. To top it off, our chefs (people of color), were utterly wonderful and ever so kind. We cannot thank the staff enough for providing us with the best experience and high quality food. The atmosphere is beautiful with an added bonus of a free art gallery right next door. I highly recommend this lovely restaurant!
… moreHeather Jensen
We came in last minute for our anniversary. Not only did they accommodate on us on extremely busy night, but they made us a Happy Anniversary card on the spot. Our server Katie was one of the best servers I’ve ever had. She was attentive, knowledgeable about the menu, and had a wonderful personality. Everything we ordered tasted amazing, and was plated with so much attention to detail. My husband said the burger was one of the top 3 best burgers he has ever had. We also ordered drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic), and they were so good. Having non-alcoholic options was a huge bonus! We will definitely be returning, not only for the delicious food, but for the wonderful service and atmosphere.
… morePatrice Wadley
My husband and I had a date night dinner here before going to a magic show. At first I was very annoyed that the menu in restaurant did not match the menu online. I was excited to have duck and purposely searched for restaurants that had it on their menu, which is how we ended up here. The server let us know to not trust the menu online because it was their summer menu and they were now in winter.
I really wanted to leave but I can admit, I’m glad we stayed. Everything we had was amazing. I was caught off guard because normally when I have a craving, I have to have it to feel satisfied but not this time. We had the octopus appetizer, the burger, and scallops. Each bite was so tasty and cooked perfectly. Even dessert was better than I expected.
To be clear, I do think management needs to do a better job keeping up with the menu online, but I can admit that this was one of the better dinners I’ve had in a while.
… moreBlayz Brooks
Glass Light is where food and art meet in Norfolk. I started with a complimentary burrata appetizer that was creamy, fresh, and plated like artwork. The cocktails were standouts — the Terracotta (with rum), the bold and tropical Green, and even a refreshing Strawberry & Passion Fruit mocktail. For entrées, the Wild Boar Tortelli and Joyce Farms Duck Leg were both outstanding, rich yet refined. Dessert was a creative Deconstructed Tiramisu that ended the night perfectly. Beautiful space, attentive service, and one of the best dining experiences in the city.
… moreChristine Gregory
My husband and I celebrated our anniversary here this weekend. Everything was amazing. We did the Chefs 5 course tasting. Every course was delicious, thoughtful and beautifully plated. We have done many tasting menus all over and this one definitely had the same fancy feel as some of the best restaurants in NYC. Also it was perfectly paced out. We got to linger and enjoy a rare night out without feeling rushed so they could flip the table. Service was perfect and the cocktail I had was absolutely delicious and balanced. The Canary.
Thank you for making our anniversary special and romantic.
… moreFatimah Almansouri
I had a great experience here. Their dishes are truly innovative and delicious.
To start, the salad was wonderful—very fresh! The fried shrimp was also great, although I felt it could have used a bet more sauce.
As for the main course, the beef was slowly cooked and tasted delicious; however, I felt it was missing a little something. It might be that the BBQ sauce was slightly too sweet for my liking.
Overall, a lovely spot with great potential. Definitely worth a visit!”
… moreMalik Ricks
We visited Glass Light to celebrate my wife’s 30th birthday, and it was an incredible experience from start to finish. We booked the Chef’s Course, which turned out to be one of the best dining experiences we’ve ever had. Each course was creative, beautifully presented, and absolutely delicious.
What really set the evening apart was the personal touch — we had the opportunity to talk with the chef and learn more about the inspiration and techniques behind the dishes. The staff made us feel truly celebrated, and the atmosphere struck the perfect balance between upscale and welcoming.
From the food to the service to the setting, everything about Glass Light exceeded expectations. It’s the kind of place that turns a special occasion into a lasting memory. Highly recommend!
—Please talk to the valet though as it started us off rough. They were no where to be found and when we did find them they told me to leave my truck on the street running and they will get to it. Doesn’t make sense to me
… moreJon Rizzo
There are many options in our beautiful city of Norfolk. However, none compares to the Glass Light Restaurant at the Glass Light Hotel. From the upscale ambiance and glass collection to Hunter’s expert mixology and fabulous cocktails to Tichafa and Jeffrey’s culinary masterpieces, the only disappointment is having to leave at the end of the experience. But ah, what fond memories will linger.
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