Social Profile: 
✔️Dinner ✔️Dine in ✔️Take out
… View more
Address and Contact Information
Address: 509 Botetourt St, Norfolk, VA 23510
Phone: (757) 937-0984
Website: http://ilobistro.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: resy.com
Photo Gallery
Related Web Results
ILO Bistro – Historic Freemason, Norfolk, VA
Ilo, a neighborhood bistro serves seasonal favorites, including local seafood, steaks, pasta, oysters and small plates in the historic Freemason District.
Food Menu – ILO Bistro
Snacks & Raw · Daily Oysters Selection · Fra’Mani Mortadella · Savory Loukomades · Housemade Sourdough · Crispy Duck Rillette · Beef Tartare · Tuna Crudo.
ilo bistro (@ilobistro.nfk) · Norfolk, VA – Instagram
A neighborhood bistro in the heart of Freemason . Serving dinner Mon-Thur (5-9pm) & Fri-Sat (5-10pm). Closed Sunday.
Reviews
Mallory Thomas
My fiancé and I came here for the three-course Valentine’s day meal and it was better than expected! It was our first time at Ilo Bistro and the food and service did not disappoint! We were welcomed by a cheerful and complimentary host, our reservation was around 9:00pm and the whole team still had their energy! Our server Tyler was tentative, kind and shared numerous laughs with us. After each course we were astounded by the Chef’s palate. Chef Z and his team were ON IT!!! Everything was delicious from the Foie Gras, Braised Lamb, New York strip, to the Passionfruit eclair…truly amazing.
The Mixologist also put together an amazing spread of drinks. I will crave the Chocolate Covered Raspberry Martini indefinitely, as well as the 10 year bourbon
Plates were cleaned, memories were shared, laughs were busted (and belt buckles)! Thank you Tyler, Chef Z and all of Ilo Bistro team
… moreThe Mixologist also put together an amazing spread of drinks. I will crave the Chocolate Covered Raspberry Martini indefinitely, as well as the 10 year bourbon
Plates were cleaned, memories were shared, laughs were busted (and belt buckles)! Thank you Tyler, Chef Z and all of Ilo Bistro team
Roger Hopper
Exceptional all around, every dish and cocktail masterfully crafted and presented, top-notch service in a romantic atmosphere. Started with Fox on the Mountain and Cherry Batanga cocktails – both excellent and well-balanced, Fox particularly unique and cohesive, a must-try. Sourdough and salted butter was predictably wonderful, and then duck rillette, savory loukomades, and roasted baby beets were all fantastic, can’t go wrong – rillette was perfectly fried and came with a lovely sauce that seemed to include some sesame in addition to the menu description, loukomades were a stellar combination of sweet dough and honey with savory and salty prosciutto, and beets were a complementary match with endives, candied hazelnut, and whipped goat cheese. “What Would Will Drink?” was an interesting order, aquavit was a fun and surprisingly smooth try of something we don’t often get, and paired well with unfiltered Basque cider, which wasn’t overly dry or sweet as some ciders can be. Tokai Maru is the pièce de résistance of this cocktail menu, expertly crafted and balanced in every way, with delightful notes of chocolate, banana, and date. Chateau Célébration and Lil’ Collins mini cocktails were an amusing and delicious pair. Gnocchi and grilled half chicken entrees were both outstanding – the massive, pillowy gnocchi were wonderfully receptive to their accompaniments, and the chicken was exquisitely tender and delectable, one of, if not the, best chicken dishes we’ve ever had. For dessert, the apple crisp meringue ricotta semifreddo and date cake with chocolate ice cream both made for a marvelous way to conclude an amazing meal. Easily one of our best restaurant experiences in Hampton Roads, can’t wait to go back!
… moreAustin James (AJ GRUBS)
I am usually hesitant to go anywhere semi-upscale. This restaurant had a small but comforting building with nice Christmas decorations. The mixed drinks are very well made and not crazily strong. The rockfish was cook to perfection, and the hanger steak meal made my wife go to heaven for a few seconds lol. Great experience all around with a nice genuine experience of food made with love. Thanks for the wonderful experience ILO!!!!!
… moreLynn Gilbert
What a superb experience. Though we walked in, we found 2 seats at the bar. Next time: reservations.
Every detail is clearly thought out and thoughtfully designed. Even foods I would or have choose, my friend convinced me to try. Each one was a revelation.
The small plates allow you to sample widely from this exquisitely prepared food. It’s no wonder this tiny place is booked every night.
… moreEvery detail is clearly thought out and thoughtfully designed. Even foods I would or have choose, my friend convinced me to try. Each one was a revelation.
The small plates allow you to sample widely from this exquisitely prepared food. It’s no wonder this tiny place is booked every night.
Bracey Parr
We ate here at 6:30pm on 1/10/2026 for my birthday. Every single seat in the restaurant was filled for the 3 hours we enjoyed our meal, and the staff did an excellent job accommodating us and every patron, including walk-ins. The establishment is small, but the atmosphere is incredible. There are sound panels to help with noise, and the music and decor are great.
For our large party, we ordered every single dish on the menu (which does rotate) from apps, small plates, pasta, mains, and desserts except the raw oysters. I cannot express how much thought and prep goes into the menu. It was honestly mind-blowing. We tried octopus, duck, mussels, etc. and couldn’t stop raving. Each dish had a beautiful presentation and deep flavor profile. The chef here worked at a previous establishment where I had my birthday dinner last year, so I wanted to check out his new place – we were not disappointed in the least. Ample options, great cocktails and wine/beer list, great service. Fantastic through and through. Thanks to the team for a memorable night.
Eat here! You won’t regret it.
… moreFor our large party, we ordered every single dish on the menu (which does rotate) from apps, small plates, pasta, mains, and desserts except the raw oysters. I cannot express how much thought and prep goes into the menu. It was honestly mind-blowing. We tried octopus, duck, mussels, etc. and couldn’t stop raving. Each dish had a beautiful presentation and deep flavor profile. The chef here worked at a previous establishment where I had my birthday dinner last year, so I wanted to check out his new place – we were not disappointed in the least. Ample options, great cocktails and wine/beer list, great service. Fantastic through and through. Thanks to the team for a memorable night.
Eat here! You won’t regret it.
Vanessa L.
Update: Jackson provided excellent customer service, and I love the new menu items. The tuna crudo was fantastic so was the chickpea salad. I also LOVED the matcha cream puff. Love the new items keep it up!
Talk about phenomenal. William displays upmost professionalism, knowledge, and treats his mixology as a true craft. The oysters were perfectly juicy and salty, the sourdough bread! I wish I could buy a loaf. Softened butter made the appetizer perfection. Cocktails were beautifully displayed and were beyond delicious. OH and the decor and ambiance?! Fine dinning to the highest level, the nicest place I have been to in Norfolk so far. Only comment was the pappardelle was overly salty lacking flavor other than salt, I would have preferrer more seasoning and less salt since the ricotta salata is already salty. Besides that everything was to perfection, thank you Chef, thank you William and all staff.
… moreTalk about phenomenal. William displays upmost professionalism, knowledge, and treats his mixology as a true craft. The oysters were perfectly juicy and salty, the sourdough bread! I wish I could buy a loaf. Softened butter made the appetizer perfection. Cocktails were beautifully displayed and were beyond delicious. OH and the decor and ambiance?! Fine dinning to the highest level, the nicest place I have been to in Norfolk so far. Only comment was the pappardelle was overly salty lacking flavor other than salt, I would have preferrer more seasoning and less salt since the ricotta salata is already salty. Besides that everything was to perfection, thank you Chef, thank you William and all staff.
Rian Kirsch
Best halibut I’ve ever had in my life. Lovely and inviting atmosphere, super helpful and friendly staff. One of the most beautiful and delicious nights out I’ve had in ages, I can’t wait to come back!
… moreJordan terveer
So this was hands down one of the best dinners I’ve had in a very long time. My boyfriend and I love to go out to eat but the food scene at the ocean front has become over priced and the food is underwhelming so I’ve been apprehension to go out to eat anymore (we live in vb not Norfolk) but ILO made me excited to go out again. The restaurant is small but charming and decorated beautifully. The bartender made us delicious espresso martinis that he recommended we use rum instead of vodka and *chefs kiss*. The service was phenomenal, and the food…omg the food!!! That was the best meal I’ve had in such a long time we devoured everything on our plates. Every single thing we ate was phenomenal and perfectly cooked! Not to mention my boyfriend doesn’t like dessert much and he loved what he got. We will definitely be back and this is without a doubt one of the best restaurants in Hampton roads. Although it is a little far from home we would gladly do the drive to eat there regularly.
… moreS N
Pricy but worth it! The chicken is literally the best chicken I’ve had in my life. The yuzu, mint, and cilantro gave it a unique and complex flavor. TRY THE CHICKEN. The Tuna crudo was also great. I will definitely be coming here again.
… moreJosh Perez
It’s taken quite a while to write this review because it’s both great and a let down. The food was great, and some of the best cooked fish I’ve had in the area but the front of house left a lot to be desired. To start, our reservation was pushed back by 20 minutes due to the previous table running over (which we later found out was because of the time to get our food). After being seated, we were quickly greeted by friendly staff and were informed that roughly half of the menu items were unavailable and a number of others were in limited quantities. It took exactly 30 mins from being sat to receiving our round of drinks with an old fashioned having to be reordered because it was never made. It took another 15 minutes for our appetizers to arrive (45 mins) and again, only half of the appetizers initially appeared. Although our waiter was apologetic and remembered the order, it still took another 10 minutes for the rest to come out between managing his other tables. I would highly recommend the tartare for any starter and this one did not disappoint. After our appetizers, it took another 45 minutes for our entrees to come out (90 minutes from seating) which although frustrating was worth the wait.
Overall, the food is excellent, and we certainly plan to try again in the near future; however, the front of house left a lot to be desired and was frustrating to experience at that price point.
… moreOverall, the food is excellent, and we certainly plan to try again in the near future; however, the front of house left a lot to be desired and was frustrating to experience at that price point.