Housed in a 19th-century church in downtown Norfolk, Freemason Abbey offers visitors a uniquely hallowed dining experience. The structure, built in 1873, was originally home to the city’s Second Presbyterian Church congregation, then later the First Church of Christ Scientist and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Since a major renovation in the 1980s, Freemason Abbey has been more focused on feeding appetites than souls. The striking space has retained many of its original features like stained glass windows, soaring ceilings, and a bell tower. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner daily, with some popular menu offerings including an award-winning she-crab soup, seafood platters, and baby back ribs. Sundays are now all about the brunch, with specials on mimosas and Bloody Marys, plus classic breakfast fare including eggs Benedict and Belgian waffles. FreemasonAbbey.com
This article originally appeared in the Best of Virginia 2025 issue.
