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About
Swell Charcoal Grill and Raw Bar
Welcome to Swell Charcoal Grill and Raw Bar, a hidden gem located at 1159 W Ocean View Ave in Norfolk, VA. This vibrant spot combines the casual atmosphere of a bar with the culinary finesse of a restaurant, making it a perfect destination for seafood lovers and grill enthusiasts alike. Whether you're in for a leisurely lunch or a hearty dinner, Swell captures the essence of comfort dining with its diverse menu offerings.
The culinary experience at Swell begins with its lunch options, where you can savor bites like the Cheeseburger with fries for just $12.99 or indulge in the juicy Double Cheeseburger at $17.99. For those craving seafood during the day, the Fried Shrimp Full Order for $21.99 does not disappoint, showcasing their commitment to fresh ingredients and great flavors.
As evening rolls in, the menu shifts to highlight more sophisticated options, such as the St. Jacques Scallops, meticulously sautéed in a savory garlic and parmesan cream sauce, served atop creamy mashed potatoes for $29.99. Each dish reflects an attention to detail that elevates Swell beyond your average bar atmosphere.
- Fresh Seafood: Swell prides itself on serving up some of the freshest raw oysters and expertly cooked scallops. Guests have raved about their flavorful seafood options, stating that dishes are cooked to perfection and bursting with taste.
- Comfortable Ambiance: The inviting atmosphere features comfortable booths and an open kitchen, allowing diners to watch as their meals are expertly prepared. It’s this balance of comfort and visual engagement that draws patrons back time and again.
- Signature Cocktails: To complement the meal, don’t miss out on their craft cocktails. Customers appreciate the creativity and flavor, noting that these drinks can hold their own alongside the fine culinary offerings.
- Exceptional Service: Guests have mentioned the attentive staff, especially during peak hours, emphasizing that the level of service contributes significantly to the overall dining experience.
Each review not only praises the quality of food but the welcoming vibe that makes you feel right at home. One diner echoed the sentiment that “Swell is truly something special!” The positive energy surrounding the place is palpable, inviting you to relax, indulge, and savor every moment.
Make your way to Swell Charcoal Grill and Raw Bar and treat yourself to a culinary journey that beautifully marries the casual charm of a bar with the sophistication of a dining experience. Whether you're enjoying wings during a game or relishing a plate of seafood pasta, this spot ensures a swell time for everyone.
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“ Had a swell time lol No for real tho Sarah gave excellent service and killer recommendations. The napkins you can throw away with their logo are even the best napkins a restaurant has ever given me, soft and just enough to mention them in this review. Youll see. The ribs were fantastic and fell right off the bone. The soft shell crab I learned while picking at could actually be eaten whole, which was also super delicious after finding that out! The booths are extremely comfortable and its very cool that they have an open kitchen you can see food being cooked and prepared from your table. The cake was made from a local bakery and it too and the oatmeal cookies are crazy good. Great little place right by the HRBT on the Norfolk side. Will be back to try the lunch menu too sometime cannot wait. Dinner starts at 4 oclock! ”
“ Food was amazing. Server was not very professional and seemed frazzled. She did not bring out sauce with meals and we had to wait while good was getting cold. Probably need to have an additional server on weekend nights. Dirty martini was not at all dirty. Restaurant became too loud for conversation when basketball games ramped up. Need to decide if it is going to be a sports bar or a bourbon bar restaurant and cater to one or the other. ”
“ Awesome dinner experience. Fresh seafood options and great service. We had the steamed shrimp, lobster, squash medley, and hush puppies. Everything was cooked to perfection and the hush puppies were some of the best Ive ever had. Definitely a great spot for a casual meal. ”
“ Swell is truly something special! The seafood is incredible, and the attention to detail in every dish makes it a standout dining experience. ”
“ First time there. Starting off with a cpl mixed drinks set the tone for how flavorful the food was. It was drinks I would make for myself. Im not stingy when I makin for myself. Raw Oysters were fresh and Gordon Ramsey wouldnt have shit to say about the scallops, Complimented very well with the fire roasted corn with em. This is a good place. You should go. Sorry for spilling my beer, I did have some long islands first. ”
“ Okay cause this was my first time here and the era of Sarah is the waaaaay to go! My girl hooked me up with drinks and great food! I will definitely be back to see her! P.S. get the scallop app! Soooo yummy! ”
“ We had a great dinner here a couple of weeks ago. Went on a Saturday evening and we were seated right away. Our server was attentive. We ordered lots of appetizers so our server kindly suggested we move to a fourtop to allow is more room. It was perfect. We really enjoyed the crab dip with pretzel sticks. Those pretzels were GREAT so we ordered more. The calamari was also delicious. The shrimp hushpuppies were good but didnt seem worth the price with only a faint shrimp taste. The octopus for a hard no for us. It was rubbery so we sent it back. They took it off of our check so no problem. We also ordered the fried fish and shrimp. The fish was wahoo and both were beautifully cooked and delicious. I would definitely go back. It was a great dinner! ”
“ One of our favorite places to eat. Crab cakes are perfection. Monday night ribs delicious. LOVE the Sunday steamed shrimp special especially during the summer especially when I dont feel like cooking. The regular menu is great, but love the rotating specials. ”