Glass Light Restaurant

Tom Spinner

year ago

5 stars all around. Amazing food, service and atmosphere. African inspired French cuisine! We both had 2 drinks shared a small plate. I had the Halibut, wife had the duck leg. Both amazing but the fish was the star of the show. The bill was just over 200 dollars, well worth it. Waitress was very attentive, professional and fun!! To sum it up, we liked it!

Blayz Brooks

11 months ago

Glass Light is where food and art meet in Norfolk. I started with a complimentary burrata appetizer that was creamy, fresh, and plated like artwork. The cocktails were standouts — the Terracotta (with rum), the bold and tropical Green, and even a refreshing Strawberry & Passion Fruit mocktail. For entrées, the Wild Boar Tortelli and Joyce Farms Duck Leg were both outstanding, rich yet refined. Dessert was a creative Deconstructed Tiramisu that ended the night perfectly. Beautiful space, attentive service, and one of the best dining experiences in the city.

Paul P

year ago

Absolutely fantastic experience at Glass Light Restaurant. The service was excellent from start to finish—friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable. We started with oysters, which were incredibly fresh and delicious. Our cocktails were on point, and our waitress went above and beyond helping us pair wines with our meals—her recommendations were spot on. The halibut was perfectly cooked and full of flavor. I ordered the ribeye, which was thinner than I typically prefer but still very tasty. The presentation of every dish was beautiful—clearly a lot of care and creativity goes into each plate. We finished with the flourless chocolate cake, which was rich, decadent, and the perfect ending to the meal. Overall, a great dining experience. We’ll definitely be back!

Sean Grimes

2 months ago

We chose Glass Light for our anniversary dinner hoping for something a little more unique and memorable, and the entire evening delivered. From the warm, attentive service to the cocktails and beautifully composed cuisine. As vegans, we are used to restaurants offering a few sides or simple modifications, but Glass Light went far beyond accommodation. They created a thoughtful, complete dining experience that felt intentional rather than improvised. We started with the spring salad, a name that honestly undersells the dish. It was a bright, layered mix of greens, fruit, and nuts, brought together with just the right touch of apple cider vinegar dressing. Crisp, balanced, and full of texture. The chef was also kind enough to send out a few tastings, including mushroom croquettes and a melon gazpacho, both of which were creative, elegant, and delicious. For our main courses, we had the mushroom risotto and a roasted eggplant dish. On paper, both may sound familiar, but the execution was anything but ordinary. The risotto was rich and deeply savory, while the eggplant dish was beautifully roasted and full of flavor. We finished with poached pineapple and mango sorbet, which was light, refreshing, and a perfect final note. Overall, Glass Light gave us exactly what we were hoping for, a special anniversary dinner that felt elevated, personal, and genuinely memorable. Highly recommend, especially for anyone looking for a restaurant that treats vegan dining with creativity, care, and real culinary intention.

Heather Jensen

8 months ago

We came in last minute for our anniversary. Not only did they accommodate on us on extremely busy night, but they made us a Happy Anniversary card on the spot. Our server Katie was one of the best servers I’ve ever had. She was attentive, knowledgeable about the menu, and had a wonderful personality. Everything we ordered tasted amazing, and was plated with so much attention to detail. My husband said the burger was one of the top 3 best burgers he has ever had. We also ordered drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic), and they were so good. Having non-alcoholic options was a huge bonus! We will definitely be returning, not only for the delicious food, but for the wonderful service and atmosphere.

Kayla Kendrick

6 months ago

Glass Light provided my family and I with an ultimate experience. Our beyond fabulous server, Kristi, made our restaurant experience absolutely amazing. With her knowledge and wit, we were able to receive the best quality drinks, food, and service. To top it off, our chefs (people of color), were utterly wonderful and ever so kind. We cannot thank the staff enough for providing us with the best experience and high quality food. The atmosphere is beautiful with an added bonus of a free art gallery right next door. I highly recommend this lovely restaurant!

Emily Hicks

3 months ago

Chef Tichafa and Sous Chef Jeffrey didn’t just serve a meal... they curated an unforgettable experience. The Chef’s Table is truly next level, where every course feels intentional, elevated, and perfectly executed. The wine pairing? Absolutely non-negotiable and worth every single sip and then some. It elevates the entire journey in a way that’s hard to put into words. A thoughtful touch before the main course invites you to explore the art gallery, an immersive pause that enhances the experience (and yes, makes room for what’s next). This is an experience you’ll talk about long after it ends. Already counting down until we return.

Jesse Queck

4 months ago

We celebrated our 11th anniversary at Glass Light Restaurant, and it was an experience we won’t forget. Sitting at the chef’s table made it even more special, getting to watch everything come together added a whole new level of appreciation. Sous Chef Jeff and Executive Chef Tichamba put together an incredible 4-course tasting menu. Each dish was thoughtfully crafted, with flavors that paired perfectly and built on one another throughout the evening. You could really taste the depth in every course. Layered, balanced, and grounded in rich, earthy African influences that made the entire experience unique. From presentation to execution, everything was on point. It felt intentional, creative, and personal, exactly what you hope for on a night like that. Highly recommend for anyone looking for something beyond just a meal; this was a true dining experience!

Jeremy Thompson

5 months ago

We did the Chef's table tasting menu on Valentine's Day weekend so we paid extra, but it was worth it for the experience. We were supposed to have a four course tasting, but Chef Ticha made that 7 courses by just adding two more dishes at no charge!! Our server Katie was AMAZING!!! Incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and just fun for us to talk to! Every dish got better and better. The crispy octopus.....I would go back 100 times to eat that dish! The scallops and pork belly addition was ridiculous 😍! Both the Executive and Sous Chefs have Incredible and inspiring journeys into the culinary arts and the place is remarkably unpretentious for the caliber of meal and service we received. Go for a special occasion and have the Chef's table experience....it's pricey, or save some bucks and just go have a nice meal. I'll 100% go again, probably just eat a regular dinner but the place batted 1000 in my book! The Art gallery was a super cool bonus adventure and free!

Joshua Wells

2 months ago

Chef Tichafa, Sous Chef Jeffrey, and the entire team are engaging, personable, and genuine. My wife and I chose the Chef's Table and had one of our top dining experiences to date. The attention to menu details, precision in presentation, and quality of ingredients were on par with the Michelin starred restaurants where we have eaten in Washington, D.C., Miami, and Vancouver. Full disclosure: my wife and I are "eaters," not "critics." That works out just fine at Glass Light because Chef Tichafa and his team take time to get to know you and communicate the rich history and context of the cuisine. At Glass Light, the team makes it comfortable and personal. Again, this was one of our best dining experiences anywhere. Can't miss when you are in the Norfolk area.