Date night in Norfolk: dinner downtown and in Ghent, plays at the Wells, opera at the Harrison, films at the Naro, Varia's wine studio and the Garden of Lights.

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. Every place here is linked to its own website; check hours and book ahead. We do not rank restaurants or publish reviews. For Valentine’s plans, see Valentine’s Day in Norfolk.

Norfolk’s classic date night is downtown: dinner within a few blocks of the Wells Theatre and the Harrison Opera House, then a drink on the waterfront. In Ghent, Colley Avenue pairs Luna Maya with a film at the Naro. In the colder months, the Garden of Lights is Norfolk’s after-dark walk.

Good to know

  • Downtown street meters are free after 6 p.m. daily and all day Sunday.
  • The Tide runs every 30 minutes after 9:30 p.m.; see getting around.
  • Police, not an emergency: 757-441-5610

Dinner

Restaurant Address Hours from the restaurant’s site
Saltine 100 E. Main St. Dinner 5 to 11 p.m., to midnight Friday and Saturday
Varia 100 E. Main St. (Hilton Norfolk The Main) See the dinner menu
Freemason Abbey 209 W. Freemason St. 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday
Four Eleven York 411 W. York St. Dinner 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday; 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Luna Maya 2010 Colley Ave. 4:30 to 10 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday
Leone’s 455 Granby St. Italian; books live music
  • Saltine is a street-level seafood restaurant with a raw bar.
  • Varia is a modern trattoria and wine studio with a sommelier; the hotel was named a 2026 Steward of Virginia Wine, the restaurant says.
  • Freemason Abbey is in an 1873 church.
  • Four Eleven York serves seasonal fine dining in a downtown inn; reservations on Resy.
  • Luna Maya is on Colley Avenue at 21st Street, with happy hour 4:30 to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday.

Theater, opera and music

  • Virginia Stage Company at the Wells Theatre, 110 E. Tazewell St., a 1913 theater (2026-27 season).
  • Virginia Opera at the Harrison Opera House, 160 W. Virginia Beach Blvd.: Pagliacci in November, Hansel and Gretel Jan. 29 and 31, and Turandot March 5 and 7 in Norfolk (schedule).
  • Virginia Symphony Orchestra at the Harrison and the Attucks Theatre, including Classical Christmas Dec. 3 and Handel’s Messiah Dec. 11 (concerts).
  • Push Comedy Theater, 763 Granby St., a 90-seat comedy club in the NEON District (pushcomedytheater.com).
  • The NorVa, 317 Monticello Ave., for concerts (thenorva.com).

Films

The Naro, 1507 Colley Ave., shows classic and cult films on Ghent’s main street, with tickets online (narocinema.com).

After dark

  • Dominion Energy Garden of Lights, Norfolk Botanical Garden: a walk-through light show, Nov. 6, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027; tickets required (garden).
  • Grain, the rooftop beer garden at the Hilton Norfolk The Main, with DJ nights (grainnorfolk.com).
  • Miracle on Waterside Drive, a holiday pop-up cocktail bar at Waterside District, Nov. 21 to Dec. 27 (Waterside).

Daytime dates

  • Chrysler Museum of Art, One Memorial Place: free, with a free glassmaking demo at noon Tuesday through Sunday (visit).
  • Hermitage Museum and Gardens, 7637 North Shore Road: free, with waterfront gardens on the Lafayette River (visit).
  • Elizabeth River Trail: rent a Pedego electric bike near downtown or grab a Lime and ride the waterfront (trail FAQ).

What this means for you

Related guides: free things to do in Norfolk, a guide to downtown Norfolk and holiday lights and Christmas events.

Frequently asked questions

Where is a good place for a date in Norfolk?

Downtown has dinner at Saltine, Varia and Freemason Abbey within a few blocks of the Wells Theatre and Harrison Opera House; in Ghent, Luna Maya and the Naro cinema are on Colley Avenue.

Is there a wine bar in downtown Norfolk?

Varia, the modern trattoria and wine studio at the Hilton Norfolk The Main, 100 E. Main St., has a sommelier and a Virginia wine program.

What can couples do at night in Norfolk in winter?

Walk the Garden of Lights at Norfolk Botanical Garden, Nov. 6, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027, see a holiday concert by the Virginia Symphony at the Harrison Opera House or catch a classic film at the Naro.

Are there free date ideas in Norfolk?

The Chrysler Museum of Art and the Hermitage Museum and Gardens are free, and so is a sunset walk on the Elizabeth River Trail or the Ocean View beaches.