Served daily with favorites like pancakes, skillets, and Eggs Benedict.
Enjoy hearty sandwiches, salads, and daily specials in a casual setting.
Available Wednesday-Friday with chef-driven dishes like parmesan-encrusted chicken.
Indulge in fresh brownies, cakes, and other sweet treats from the display case.
Complement your meal with a selection of regional hot sauces for added flavor.
I arrived on a Thursday evening not long before closing. I was one of just a few guests, but I was greeted warmly and encouraged to sit pretty much wherever I wished. I picked a seat at the counter. My first impression of the menu was it was quite varied; my second was, “Pricey!” However … once the food began arriving, I quickly realized that the prices reflected quite high-quality food and service. First came a fresh square of focaccia-style bread together with a small cup of tangy olive oil dip (with a bit of a kick!). This wasn’t even mentioned on the menu. This is a diner? My drink order, a glass of ice water and a mug of black coffee, arrived quickly. (I prefer black, strong coffee. This was fresh, but not strong. Oh well. It was twice refilled promptly without my asking, a good thing.) I then ordered the parmesan-encrusted chicken, which comes on a bed of pasta. For my included side, I ordered a salad with blue cheese dressing. To my delight, without being asked they brought the salad *first*. And what a salad. Yes, it was just a side salad, but it was completely fresh, with thin turnip and onion slices decoratively distributed on top, many small cherry tomatoes *and* a serious amount of small diced tomatoes underneath the lettuce. The on-the-side generous portion of blue cheese dressing rivaled what I make at home. The chicken was thick, tender, and cooked perfectly—tender, moist, just right. The crust complemented the dish rather than taking it over. The pasta had a light lemon sauce, very nice. Once I finished the main course, I pointed at one of those old-style glass display cases that had several brownies in it. They offered to heat it. “Yes, please!” It was scrumptious, not at all dry despite having been on display. If this place was a white-tablecloth restaurant, the food and service would fit right in … well, perhaps with upgraded coffee. And the speaker(s?) they used for their late-ish 20th century music (which I enjoyed, by the way—I grew up in the second half of that century) could stand to be upgraded. I have plans to return there twice in the next couple of months. I look forward to it!
Food is FANTASTIC. We walked in and it was a wait, but like my husband said “that’s a good sign, means they’re good.” Was definitely worth the wait - which wasn’t that long, but they also said they’ve been slower than usual, presumably because of the extended government shutdown. Staff was friendly and great to chat with. We had a special (Benedict royale) and a Cuban. My husband said his Cuba was better than one he had at a Cuban restaurant over in Suffolk. The lady we spoke with said she lived in Key West some years ago for many years and learned a good Cuban sandwich that way. It was flavorful and juuuicy! She said they’re also open Wednesday Thursday Friday for DINNER, and that the dinners are more upscale because they have some very “overqualified” chefs, so they get the chance to show off those skills more on those nights. This is definitely one of your “hidden gems” sort of places, situated kind of hidden all nondescript in a strip with very understated signage. Interior is a lil dated, it was def a lil warm inside, but tolerable, and toilet seat I think was loose or something 😅 I survived it though lol If this place was situated in a fancier setting, I’d definitely expect to see much higher priced menu for the quality of dishes. OH! And don’t forget to try the local hot sauces!
Love this little hole in the wall diner. Fried Green Tomatoes taste just like grandmas and the batter sticks too. Got the skillet today, I normally do the biscuits and gravy but the breakfast skillet was delicious. If you haven’t been here, you need to.
A welcomed surprise in Ocean View. This place has never been on our radar. It’s a small hole in the wall place but food portions were BIG and prices were extremely reasonable. And the best part…the food was good!!! We went as a party of 10 around 9am on Sunday morning. We had to split into 2 tables (8 at one table and 2 teenagers at another). We were sat in less than 20 minutes. The dining room isn’t terribly large but there is enough room for larger parties. The wait staff was FANTASTIC. With only 3 employees working we were greeted quickly and were able to order quickly. Drinks were never empty. The food came out hot and fast. The pancakes were delicious. I think they were my favorite. Everyone’s order was correct. Everyone had their own meals with drinks and the price with a 20% tip was $150.
Overall a great experience. Friendly fast service, great prices, simple menu. A small space filled up quickly, but not loud or stuffy. Very pleasant. Eggs Benedict was delicious. Not typical American size portions, but you will get enough to eat, which I appreciate. Coffee was good and refills came fast enough.

Hidden gem serving upscale diner classics with a coastal twist.
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Oceanview Diner is a beloved local spot in Norfolk, VA, offering a cozy, no-frills atmosphere with surprisingly high-quality food. Known for its fantastic breakfast, lunch, and upscale dinner specials on select nights, this diner combines classic comfort dishes like Eggs Benedict and Cuban sandwiches with chef-driven creations. With friendly service, generous portions, and budget-friendly prices, it's a must-visit for both locals and visitors seeking authentic, flavorful meals in a welcoming setting.
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