There’s something truly magical about dining outdoors with the cozy flames of a fire pit nearby. The quiet ambiance of nature punctuated by the soft crackle of fire is indeed a relaxing and romantic setting for any meal this time of year. Ready to experience it for yourself? Here are some of the hottest fire pits in Norfolk for some of the coolest evenings of the season.
Grain
Rooftop and waterfront views accompany this tabletop fire pit the whole group can huddle around. Don’t miss live music Wednesday through Sunday, happy hour Monday through Friday, and a Bloody Mary selection for Sunday brunch.
The Ghent (RoofTop)
Nothing beats pouring your own beer at this rooftop establishment in the heart of Ghent. Dine on sharables, salads, burgers, tacos and more in this open air setting where heaters and fire pits help tame the coolest of evenings in the Mermaid City.
Perro Blanco
Nestled in the Railroad District alongside local favorite Toast is Perro Blanco, a cozy mezcal bar that will be your go-to stop for a variety of tasty cocktails. With 50 mescals and 40 tequilas in stock, you’ll have your fair share of fun, innovative cocktails to try. This auto-shop-turned-hidden-gem welcomes guests to enjoy homemade corn tortilla tacos that pair perfectly with a smoky mezcal margarita. Embrace the fall and winter seasons with tacos by the fire pit on their patio!
Four Eleven York
Picturesquely positioned in the Freemason District, Four Eleven York offers a modern and inviting atmosphere with quite an elevated dining experience and superior craft cocktails. Here, you can enjoy the lovely ambiance of the back patio (adorned with twinkle lights, no less) any time of year as their gorgeous fire pits will keep you toasty warm. Need an extra toast? Try ordering the Bartender’s Experience to have a cocktail designed in just your style.
COVA Brewing Co.
There’s plenty to love about COVA Brewing Co, whether you’re there for the brews (both coffee and beer), the live music, the calm, coastal atmosphere or the decadent fire pits. Why enjoy just one aspect when you can have them all in one place? COVA is a splendid spot to spend an afternoon sipping by the flames.
TASTE Ghent
Priding themselves on a fantastic, Virginia-proud selection of sandwiches, salads, soups and snacks, TASTE strives for that farm-to-table perfection. This café style restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and is perfect for a quick pick-up on the way to your next destination. The restaurant’s pledge to high-quality food extends to the shelves of their retail store, highlighting local Virginia foods such as cheese, gourmet munchies, fine wine and beer. Toast your feet by the fire while you munch on their savory sandwiches and sip their aromatic coffee.
Hank’s Filling Station
Classic cocktails, plus an ever-rotating selection of beers and ciders, are best enjoyed at Hank’s Filling Station. This hip restaurant with backyard games is an ideal spot to chat by a large fire pit, order another round of Totchos or shishito peppers and try the newest beverage on tap.
Waterside District
With multiple fire pits throughout, Waterside District’s waterfront vibes stay cozy here in Norfolk. Grab dinner or just a drink, and soak up skyline views of our neighboring city Portsmouth.
Torch
The warmth from a fire pairs perfectly with Torch’s fried pimento cheese balls, served with a side of sriracha ranch. Pair your bites with a local beer, play a round of cornhole and enjoy the crackle of the fire.
Leone’s
Overlooking Norfolk’s famous Granby Street sits one of the most beloved Italian restaurants in the city, Leone’s. Admire the views from above and then cozy up on their back patio next to the fire!
Craft on Colley
Opening in late 2023, Craft On Colley serves up first-class cocktails and an amazing array of cuisine – from burgers to Asian bowls to sushi and tacos. There’s also a lovely fire pit out front for warming up with a drink.
afterglow Brewing
Founded in the Railyard of Norfolk, Afterglow is a fun, family-friendly/pet-friendly brewery crafting delicious beers and seltzers in all styles. They brew with state-of-the-art BrewHa equipment from Canada and are the first brewery to use this system in the state of Virginia. They also pride themselves on recycling their used grain to local farmers in the Hampton Roads area.