Invite a friend!

Charlie's Cafe

Address
1800 Granby St Ste A Norfolk VA 23517
Phone
(757) 625-0824
Is this your business?
Claim it now!
Something wrong?
Submit a correction
Average Rating
4.5
Total Reviews
(63)
Leave a review with:
  1. 1 Star
  2. 2 Stars
  3. 3 Stars
  4. 4 Stars
  5. 5 Stars
Is this your business? Claim it now!
Share on
Share

Contact Us

Business Hours

Status: Open

Sunday
7:00am-7:00pm
Monday
7:00am-2:00pm
Tuesday
7:00am-2:00pm
Wednesday
7:00am-2:00pm
Thursday
7:00am-2:00pm
Friday
7:00am-7:00pm
Saturday
7:00am-7:00pm

Additional Info

Payment Methods

  • Visa
  • MasterCard
  • Cash
  • Check

YellowBot Recommends

Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Renee L. Rickrode

  • 500 S Independence Blvd Virginia Beach, VA 23452
  • (757) 493-7626

View Profile

Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Shandre M Harasty

  • 1500 Breezeport Way Ste 300 Suffolk, VA 23435
  • (757) 394-9405

View Profile

Submit a correction

Know more about this business than we do? Cool! Please submit any corrections or missing details you may have.

Help us make it right

Information about this business (3)

Charlie's Cafe is located at the address 1800 Granby St in Norfolk, Virginia 23517. They can be contacted via phone at (757) 625-0824 for pricing, hours and directions. Charlie's Cafe specializes in Concerts, Showers, Corporate Events.

Charlie's Cafe has an annual sales volume of 501K - 999,999. .For more information contact Kathy Lawless, Owner

Charlie's Cafe provides Sporting Events,...

Charlie's Cafe is a local independent diner that is world famous for it's "killer omelets" and diner fare. Listed in ROADFOOD as one of the top 800 diners in America. Charlie's Cafe is leading a grease roots movement to spend local and buy American products.

Owner Message

Do you own Charlie's Cafe? Contact us to connect with your diners.

« Back to business profile

Reviews of this business (73)

Share a review

Overall review sentiment

Score
71%

Top 3 sentiment words

food
Count
2
Score
100%
taters
Count
1
Score
100%
conversation
Count
1
Score
100%

Overall review sentiment

Score
71%

Rating distribution

5 stars
30
4 stars
26
3 stars
4
2 stars
2
1 star
1
No rating
11
See more reputation details

YellowBot member reviews (3)

Reviewed Business
Charlie's Cafe
Reviewer Name
HamptonRoads User
Review Date
January 07, 2007
Average Rating
5

Absolutely a classic throw back to the 1940's. This is the kinda place your great grandmother and great grandfather went when they wanted a great breakfast. The food is good, the conversation is great when you sit at the counter seats. This place has timeless character.

Is this review... ?
Reviewed Business
Charlie's Cafe
Reviewer Name
HamptonRoads User
Review Date
October 10, 2006
Average Rating
4

I've been here a few times for breakfast. The omletes are outstanding. My date ordered one that had (get this) avocado in it! Unexpected for a "greasy spoon." Avoid the fried "pork roll" slice -- mine was tough as shoe leather, and tasted like it'd been rolled in salt. The eggs and 'taters were great.

Is this review... ?
Reviewed Business
Charlie's Cafe
Reviewer Name
HamptonRoads User
Review Date
April 23, 2005
Average Rating
5

A classic comfort food restaurant. Best omlettes in the area. Decor is rustic and some might say dirty, but the food is wonderful, cheap and service is friendly and quick. The cliental is eclectic, the Mayor, doctors, lawyers, retirees and those less fortunate all come for the wonderful food and friendly atmosphere.

Is this review... ?
« Back to business profile

Editorial reviews from the web (1)

Grab a coveted counter seat and mentally prepare for one of Norfolk's best omelettes at this daytime dive.

The Scene
The sign outside this hole-in-the-wall breakfast and lunch spot reads, ""Swanky Franky Famous Hot Dogs."" But for longer than most can remember, it's been Charlie's Cafe....

« Back to business profile

Other reviews from the web (70)

Awesome

Average Rating
100

I visited here today for the 3rd time and still amazing. I got egg white veggie omelet with potatoes, my sister got a momma omelet and was SO good. When we went it was crowded so we sat at the bar and enjoyed watching and...

Average Rating
100

I love this place. Friendly staff, excellently prepared classic food, and always really good music. Whenever I'm post-call or night shift, this is where I get a comforting filling breakfast. Sitting at the counter is cool because you get to watch Tracy work his magic on your eggs, so there's even a show! …

Average Rating
100

I finally found the perfect diner!!! This is the first diner that I heard of that has veggie breakfast patties and veggie dogs!!!! ALSO, the home fries are soooo good!! I love this place, from the bottom of my heart!

Delicious

Average Rating
100

Based on the reviews, we chose to try Charlie's. So glad we did!! We sat at the counter to be able to watch the cooks. We were greeted by Cassie in the friendliest manner. She was great!!! The cooks are so efficient with how they...

Very good, but wasn't exceptional

Average Rating
80

My partner and I went for breakfast on July 4th, and we had a good time.
There is patio seating, which is very nice. Less cramped than the indoor seating.
Very friendly service, but it seemed like our server was overwhelmed. I don't want to...

Outstanding

Average Rating
100

This is now my go to breakfast place when I'm in Norfolk!!! Everything I had was cooked to perfection. There isn't anything on the menu that's not good. You have to go there!!

Great omelettes, bisquits and gravy

Average Rating
100

Was in town visiting for a short time and needed to find an affordable place with good food and local color. I'd forgotten about Charlies from when I lived in the area many years ago, and after checking in with Tripadvisor aimed for Charlies. We...

Great family breakfast

Average Rating
80

Grandparents, parents and kids, we total 7 so it is not always easy to find a place where we can easily fit, suit everyone's taste and are genuinely welcomed. We visited Charlie's Cafe for breakfast on July 4th and it was great. The staff quickly...

Average Rating
100

GREAT COVERED DOG FRIENDLY PATIO! Food is amazing. The omelette was fluffy, moist and flavorful ... best I have ever had. Hamburgers taste like home grilled. Have never had a bad meal here. Staff is friendly and give great service. Sitting at the counter is an amazing show! Highly recommend you …

Breakfast

Average Rating
100

Outstanding Breakfasts Omelettes price is right and staff is great!!!! Eggs are nice and fluffy and the home fries are to die for!!!

Average Rating
80

The omelette is so good! I had the Greek: feta, olives and artichoke hearts with home fries and Apple sauce. The eggs were super light and fluffy. The only down side was our waitress. She was insanely slow (think 2 hours for breakfast and not a packed house), she took forever to take our order, got 3 of 4 …

Great service

Average Rating
100

Recommended by a local. Went for a late breakfast. Service was amazingly fast and food was absolutely delicious. Staff were nice.

Cool spot for a Great Breakfast

Average Rating
100

I always liked stopping by this small cafe. Charlie's reminds me of a NY type diner. I ordered a Corn Beef Hash Omelette. My omelette was large and very light and fluffy . Service was very good . I'll definitely be back.

Wonderful, Bustling Breakfast Place

Average Rating
80

First off: Please do not confuse this location with Charlie's American Cafe. Two different places! I notice on the review sites that people are getting the locations, reviews, pictures mixed up! So frustrating. We absolutely adore this little breakfast spot. Feels like walking into the...

Very sweet

Average Rating
100

They gave the kids sweet mouse themed pancakes. Have vegan options. Good service. Low key. Great sweet tea!

Back at my favorite Norfolk breakfast spot

Average Rating
100

This was my first and favorite breakfast spot in Norfolk. It has that hometown mom & pop feel. I love time zones away but when in the area I'm glad to come back for a visit.
Throughout my years in Norfolk the omelets have been...

Delicious Breakfast

Average Rating
100

This was my last day in Norfolk visiting with my daughter before driving home to Florida. I wanted to take my daughter to breakfast. She suggested this place a few blocks from where she was staying.
It's a quaint little place with some really good...

Top choice for breakfast

Average Rating
100

Love this place for breakfast - wide menu selection, fun to watch them cook, real cozy atmosphere, a very unique place to eat.

Always a good meal

Average Rating
80

this Norfolk standard never disappoints, the service is friendly and the coffee is hot and free flowing. I go back just for the home fries in the morning!

Average

Average Rating
60

The food isn't bad, the wait staff is friendly, there just isnt anything that makes it especially great. I was here three years ago and I had a better memory than an experience this time.

Great breakfast

Average Rating
100

The place is a hidden gem. While it may look like a hole in the wall the food is amazing.
My son took me here because it reminded him of a similar place back home. The portions were just right and prices were good. I...

Best breakfast spot

Average Rating
100

My son attends ODU and I was searching for a breakfast spot to take him too off campus and I found this place. It was small but the food was great. Our waiter was awesome and very knowledgeable about the menu. That was very helpful....

Authentic Diner Feel

Average Rating
80

One of our favorite things to do on a Saturday morning is to try local restaurants for breakfast, any place but a chain restaurant. Charlie's has an authentic diner feel to it. The restaurant overall is small but clean, very dated, not sure I would...

Down to Earth

Average Rating
100

I had occasion to entertain a couple who were from Massachusetts and were considering a move to Norfolk where they had once lived many years ago. Charlie's is one of those places where one just feels at home. The wait staff is extremely friendly and...

Egg Sandwich literally made with egg

Average Rating
100

Traveling down to Norfolk while around there, we happened upon this place due to some good reviews we heard about it. They didn't lie: the eggs are the highlight here, with their "omelettes" not literally an omelette but scrambled eggs with the food in the...

Hidden Little Gem

Average Rating
80

We dropped off friends at the airport early and decided to find breakfast before heading home. Based on TripAdvisor reviews, we found this hidden little gem! It's very small inside but has a homey feel. The cooks were hard at work preparing food on the...

Fun morning excursion, best breakfast

Average Rating
100

After picking up a daughter at Norfolk airport we drove here, and had a hard time finding it because the sign was down due to remodeling. The inside was as described, pretty eclectic and nothing fancy. With four of us, we started off ordering a...

Best omelettes in town

Average Rating
100

Great service, fluffy omelettes, and yummy sandwiches. They will make the omelettes to order. So glad they're open for dinner. Fun place to be.

Brunch

Average Rating
100

In town visiting family. Stopped here for brunch - some had sandwiches, some breakfast. Best omelettes I've ever had - fluffy, large and tasty! Will be back when back in town.

Come for the food

Average Rating
80

So, it's not the greatest thing to look at, inside or out, but the food is delicious.
They serve the fluffiest eggs I have ever had. I had it stuffed with corn beef hash and it was delicious. And a huge portion! My friends come...

Pre ODU Game lunch

Average Rating
100

We had our favorite Cubano sandwich today along with salad's our friends had Roast Beef sandwich with salad's. We also purchased large amounts of grass feed Beef and 7 type's of gourmet sausages. I will be cooking all of it up in a few weeks....

Relaxed atmosphere with gooood diner type breakfast food

Average Rating
80

The five us had breakfast here on 12/27. We had 5- coffees (9.45); 4- Orange juices (7.96); 1- sausage link and eggs platter (7.49); two orders of the house 2+2+2 (14.50) +upcharges for 1 sausage links (1.50) 1 oatmeal (1.99) +raisins (.50)+ fresh fruit (1.50);...

Limited menu

Average Rating
80

Went there for lunch. They were out of ground beef so they could not serve any hamburgers. sandwich menu was also limited since I ran out of turkey. So we all decided to have breakfast. Omelets were good.

Fantastic for Breakfast Meetings

Average Rating
100

Charlie's Café is one of those hidden gems in Norfolk. Located on Granby Street outside of the downtown area, it is the perfect location for a breakfast meeting. The food is substantial and tastes great (especially the home fried potatoes) and the service is spot...

Mom & Pop Diner

Average Rating
80

We ordered breakfast in the afternoon and it was very good. There was plenty of friendly service. It didn't take long to receive our order. We ate inside but it looks like they offer outdoor seating. The only drawback was the warm temp inside- but...

Great breakfast

Average Rating
80

I ordered a speciality omelet and it was fantastic! How do they get it so fluffy? The menu has a lot of options and varieties. I'll definitely be back.

Great Food

Average Rating
80

Southwest Omelet, grits, coffee and OJ was wonderful. The cook said today was his first day cooking. He was right there to check on customers, however the waitress was not attentive. Thankfull I was sitting at the counter and not a table. I may have...

just what we were looking for

Average Rating
80

We arrived by boat at the Waterside Marina, Norfolk. We wanted a place to walk to a good old fashioned breakfast. We found it! Quaint, local, extremely friendly and great food. It is about 1.5 miles from the marina, so good exercise, as well.

Good

Average Rating
80

I came here with my 4yr old daughter. Personally I wasn't impressed with the food however, the customer service was amazing, the atmosphere was pretty chill, and my daughter had a great time. So this place is now our hangout spot.

Good service, Mediocre Environment, Bad food

Average Rating
40

Let me start off by saying I don't often write reviews. I am very neutral when it comes to food, so if I declare it edible, I'm going to eat it, no matter if it is the best thing I've ever tasted or the worst....

Stopped into the original location for the first time today for late breakfast. Pretty much everything about it is perfect - size, atmosphere, food, waitstaff. It's Norfolk's version of the famous Lou Henri's in Iowa City :) I ordered eggs and links, with some deliciously creamy grits. While waiting for my order (I sat at the counter), I saw the cook plate up the fluffiest omelet I have EVER...

Not my favorite

Average Rating
40

The last time I went one of us got raw hash browns and the other got reconstituted potato bud mashed potatoes. Not the best in town. But very popular.

Great find! Great (free!) entertainment and good food

Average Rating
80

Went to Charlie's on a friend's recommendation. It is located on Granby Street, a couple of blocks from the bridge crossing the Lafayette River.
On the Friday night when we were there, Amy Ferebee, a well-known local singer was performing (no cover charge!) a great...

Sunday Brunch

Average Rating
60

I ordered pancakes, eggs and sausage. it was good, pretty average pancakes, ok eggs and good sausage. coffee is good. my husbands side was incorrect, we did not mention it to server. she did not charge us for the addition of blueberries to my pancakes,...

Been there done that

Average Rating
60

Really cool local place. Food was good. Food service really slow on a Sunday morning at 11:00 am even though there was no wait to get in.

SUPPER

Average Rating
60

This is the first time we have been back to Charlies since they moved to there new location , their was no parking to speech of maybe three spaces on busy street and a couple on the dark side street not good the food was...

Good Pizza

Average Rating
80

My family enjoyed a pizza at the 4100 Granby St Norfolk location of Charlie's. The pizza had thin crust but plenty of soft, tasty crust around the outside. Good pizza and reasonable price. Charlie's is casual, after 5pm often has entertainment, local singer songwriters, open...

Great omelet

Average Rating
80

I had the Irish omelet. Fluffiness omelet I've ever had. The corned beef hash was also really tasty. Would definitely go back!

Best omelet ever, hands down

Average Rating
80

I could only give this 4 stars, because although the omelet was indeed the fluffiest, most perfect omelet we had ever tasted, the rest of the breakfast was not so great. The oatmeal was inedible, as were the bananas in the fresh fruit side dish....

Amazingly Good

Average Rating
100

OK. So I found this on TripAdvisor and the guy said it was the best breakfast in America. No way I thought. Good, maybe. Terrific, possibly. But, no, now way the best. Hmmmmm. Well, it really might be the best. We found it with the...

Don't Miss Charlie's Cafe

Average Rating
100

On Granby Street lies a little place called Charlie'c Cafe. We had breakfast there and it was delicious. It is small, maybe 10 tables, but the menu is great, service is good and the food is delicious. Their breakfast menu has so many omelets that...

Charlie's Cafe delivers awesomeness year after year

Average Rating
100

Arguably one of the best breakfasts in the country. My first encounter was back in 03 after moving to the Ghent District of Norfolk down on the corner of Princess Anne and Granby. During a recent trip back to Norfolk, I decided to break from...

Breakfast Yum

Average Rating
100

Great little place for breakfast. This is not a gourmet restaurant, so breakfasts are the thing. Outside of breakfast, who knows what you might find? Eggs are delish, not greasy. Hash browns are also not too greasy. Pancakes and waffles are tops. Jason, the waiter,...

Cloud omelets

Average Rating
80

Best omelet I have ever had, great chunky salsa on top. The homefries were creamy and the biscuits were good. My friend had a burger and coleslaw, and the coleslaw was purple colored which was weird but she said it tasted good. The waitress kind...

awful

Average Rating
20

worst chicken and dumplins ever,better out of a can !!!!where did they get that cook?never again!!
can't sat much more saw Guy Feirei on the food channel saying it was wonderful I hope he doesn't review it again because he'd be wasting his time!!!

The New Location Is Great!. I managed to stop in for breakfast last Thursday and am happy to see the progress. Having been a long time customer of Charlies old location the first thought that popped into may head was "what are they going to do with so much space"?

I love diners and know that the best ones can look a little tired and smell like old bacon but they are always clean and the food is cooked right. Charlie's failed on the last two. They were busy when we got there at 11:30 and a waitress offered us a dirty table so I assumed it would be cleaned off. Even with repeated requests, it wasn't. I finally gave up and, with my iced tea and a wet a...

Charlie’s Café is a warm eclectic diner in the Ghent section of  Norfolk, VA.  There are southern touches everywhere from the décor to mason jars for drinking.  The menu is not afraid to include menu items like scrapple or unconventional drinks like the Hot Charlie (blend of Chocolate wine and coffee topped with whipped cream).  This is a must try. Omelettes are their specialty so much so there...

Charlie's is a great little diner. If you go a must is their California omelette with Monterey jack cheese and avacado. Their inlets are the best, unbelievably fluffy. Usually packed every weekend so be patient, it's worth it.

Friendly service. Great value.

Average Rating
80

Omelettes are the lightest I've eaten. Home fries are done on the gill without all the grease of deep frying. Highly recommend a counter seat. NO PRETENCE! Nearby IHOP can't compete for friendly service and coziness.

Pros

+ Value, portions, waiting staff, choice.

Cons

- Can get crowded.

Friendly service. Great value. – Omelettes are the lightest I've eaten. Home fries are done on the gill without all the grease of deep frying. Highly recommend a counter seat. NO PRETENCE! Nearby IHOP can't compete for friendly service and coziness.

A classic lunch counter

Average Rating
80

I love Charlie's for breakfast on Sundays! Bring a few friends, order that classic eggs and bacon with toast, or anything else. It comes out the American way. Read the paper, talk about the weather; enjoy the food. The atmosphere looks unprepossessing, but so much better (once you get in) than some soulless chain; give it a try!

Pros

+ Classic Americana

Cons

- It doesn't look great from the street

A classic lunch counter – I love Charlie's for breakfast on Sundays! Bring a few friends, order that classic eggs and bacon with toast, or anything else. It comes out the American way. Read the paper, talk about the weather; enjoy the food. The atmosphere looks unprepossessing, but so much better (once you get in) than some soulless chain; give it a try!

Grab a coveted counter seat and mentally prepare for one of Norfolk's best omelettes at this daytime dive. – The SceneThe sign outside this hole-in-the-wall breakfast and lunch spot reads, "Swanky Franky Famous Hot Dogs." But for longer than most can remember, it's been Charlie's Cafe. Seating is on a first-come-first-served basis, with weekend breakfasts remaining the hardest time to grab one of the 40 seats.The FoodBreakfast specials include platters of eggs, pancakes and French toast, but the milkshake machine-whipped omelettes are what draw the masses. Airy biscuits and creamy grits...

Average Rating
100

The SceneThe sign outside this hole-in-the-wall breakfast and lunch spot reads, "Swanky Franky Famous Hot Dogs." But for longer than most can remember, it's been Charlie's Cafe. Seating is on a first-come-first-served basis, with weekend breakfasts remaining the hardest time to grab one of the 40 seats.The FoodBreakfast specials include platters of eggs, pancakes and French toast, but the...

Awesome!!

Average Rating
90

I've been to Charlies several times and have thoroughly enjoyed it every visit. Down home food in a very casual atmosphere. Cooooool!

Pros

+ very inexpensive

Cons

- crowded on weekends, needs more parking, s.times food greasy

Awesome!! – I've been to Charlies several times and have thoroughly enjoyed it every visit. Down home food in a very casual atmosphere. Cooooool!

good southern cooking

Average Rating
90

Pull up a high stool at the counter and eat the best breakfast in town.

Pros

+ inxpensive, can be crowded, ample street parking

Cons

- seat yourself

good southern cooking – Pull up a high stool at the counter and eat the best breakfast in town.

Average Rating
80

Pull up a high stool at the counter and eat the best breakfast in town.

« Back to business profile

Business description (4)

I had been a customer since Charlie Ellison was the owner with his mother Gladys. I am still working to keep Charlie's a local independent favorite. We appreciate our customers that continue to support us and help keep a Norfolk institution going strong.

Charlie's is a local, independent cafe that serves a wide variety of breakfast items (including yummy omelets), lunch items, vegetarian selections, a kid's menu, and also serves adult beverages.

A perfect little diner. Known for it's omelets, you can even try to answer the Killer Omelet Challenge: a dozen egg mom's omelet with their famous habanero salsa and a stack of 8 Charlie's Pancakes. In addition to Charlie's Cafe footing the bill, you get a t-shirt if you're able to finish it all in an hour, provided you don't leave your seat. Also, if you're a vegetarian, you will fit right at...

Charlie`s Café is a leisure place that serves up American. Expect the average entrée to cost under $8.

« Back to business profile

Tips about this business (3)

Sweet Tooth

Craving dessert at 7am? Ask for a scoop of ice cream on top of your waffle or some of Charlie's homemade bread pudding.

Vegetarian Goodness

Charlie's offers vegetarian hot dogs, sausage patties and a handful of low-fat fare for the weight conscious.

Local Art

See a painting you like? Just ask the price. All of Charlie's art is part of a rotating show from local artists.

« Back to business profile

© 2007-2024 Solfo, Inc. – All rights reserved