Absolutely incredible food in small plates with the freshest of ingredients, most courteous service, chic ambience in a cozy bistro. Have not had such delectable small plates ever before š¤¤
Pricy but worth it! The chicken is literally the best chicken Iāve had in my life. The yuzu, mint, and cilantro gave it a unique and complex flavor. TRY THE CHICKEN. The Tuna crudo was also great. I will definitely be coming here again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Derya Pekari
Outstanding in every way. The space is small and beautifully designed, creating an intimate, welcoming atmosphere. The drink menu is exquisitely craftedāunique, balanced, and full of thoughtful details. The food is exceptional, with a range of small and large plates that shift with the seasons, each dish executed with care and creativity. Itās fine dining that feels completely approachable. A true gem.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alex Pereos
Great addition to the neighborhood. Be sure to have a reservation or being there when the door opens at 5PM.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Spencer Moen
Phenomenal experience, food was perfect, service was perfect, great space to have a nice dinner or drinks. Wine menu is great although short, offers great selections. Cocktails were perfect.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Aya S
Every dish was absolutely outstanding, beautifully prepared, and full of flavor. The atmosphere had a refined touch, making it a perfect spot for a date. The food did take a little while to come out, but it was truly worth the waitāit was delicious!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kimberley Loftis
We truly enjoyed both the food and the service. The bathroom was beautifully designed, and our waiter, Jackson, was fantasticāknowledgeable about the menu and very attentive. We had both a nut allergy and a shellfish/lobster preference to consider, and the chef accommodated these needs perfectly without compromising the flavor or texture of our meal. Our evening ended with a thoughtful touchāa postcard that Iāll be saving for our photo book to remember the night. This restaurant has the charm and quality that reminds me of a Danny
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Charred Broccolini
Vanessa L.
Update: Jackson provided excellent customer service, and I love the new menu items. The tuna crudo was fantastic so was the chickpea salad. I also LOVED the matcha cream puff. Love the new items keep it up!
Talk about phenomenal. William displays upmost professionalism, knowledge, and treats his mixology as a true craft. The oysters were perfectly juicy and salty, the sourdough bread! I wish I could buy a loaf. Softened butter made the appetizer perfection. Cocktails were beautifully displayed and were beyond delicious. OH and the decor and ambiance?! Fine dinning to the highest level, the nicest place I have been to in Norfolk so far. Only comment was the pappardelle was overly salty lacking flavor other than salt, I would have preferrer more seasoning and less salt since the ricotta salata is already salty. Besides that everything was to perfection, thank you Chef, thank you William and all staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dave Coleman
Amazing first trip to Ilo. We shared three apps and three sides and all were amazing. The lamb chops on a bed of humus were divine. Also loved the peach dessert. Great service, great beer. Five stars!
Itās taken quite a while to write this review because itās both great and a let down. The food was great, and some of the best cooked fish Iāve had in the area but the front of house left a lot to be desired. To start, our reservation was pushed back by 20 minutes due to the previous table running over (which we later found out was because of the time to get our food). After being seated, we were quickly greeted by friendly staff and were informed that roughly half of the menu items were unavailable and a number of others were in limited quantities. It took exactly 30 mins from being sat to receiving our round of drinks with an old fashioned having to be reordered because it was never made. It took another 15 minutes for our appetizers to arrive (45 mins) and again, only half of the appetizers initially appeared. Although our waiter was apologetic and remembered the order, it still took another 10 minutes for the rest to come out between managing his other tables. I would highly recommend the tartare for any starter and this one did not disappoint. After our appetizers, it took another 45 minutes for our entrees to come out (90 minutes from seating) which although frustrating was worth the wait.
Overall, the food is excellent, and we certainly plan to try again in the near future; however, the front of house left a lot to be desired and was frustrating to experience at that price point.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 1
Josh Reid
If I could give ILO Bistro 10 stars, I would. Hands down, this is the best food Iāve eaten anywhere on this planet.
I started with the oysters, perfectly fresh, briny, and paired with a shallot vinaigrette that was absolutely on point. The housemade sourdough? Unreal. As a Sacramento boy, this bread hit every nostalgic note, warm, crisp, and full of flavor.
The crispy duck rillette, beef tartare, and tuna crudo were next-level, but the grilled half chickenā¦ I swear, itās BY FAR the BEST chicken I have ever had in my life. Perfectly seasoned, juicy, and packed with flavor. The grilled stuffed calamari put every calamari Iāve ever had to shame. Even the tomato dish (tasted like the most incredible BLT ever) blew my mind.
I washed it all down with six different bourbon cocktails, and every single one was perfect.
ILO Bistro doesnāt just serve food, they deliver an experience. Waiter? On point. Bartender? On point. Every dish is thoughtful, bold, and unforgettable. Iād fly across the country just to eat here again.
Everything was delicious. Great vibe. Have eaten here twice and loved it both times.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
robert walton
Magnificent! Absolutely superb food and service in a great intimate neighborhood bistro. Everything was perfectly prepared with complex flavors. A āmust doā for foodies in the Hampton Roads!
Absolutely incredible food in small plates with the freshest of ingredients, most courteous service, chic ambience in a cozy bistro. Have not had such delectable small plates ever before š¤¤
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Crispy Duck Rillette, Tuna Crudo, Beef Tartare, Hanger Steak, Charred Broccolini, Grilled Octopus, Daily Oysters Selection, Savory Loukomades, Toasted Meringue Dessert, Creamy Ricotta Pasta with Bolognese Sauce
Excellent food, service, craft drinks
A must go to in Norfolk.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Pricy but worth it! The chicken is literally the best chicken Iāve had in my life. The yuzu, mint, and cilantro gave it a unique and complex flavor. TRY THE CHICKEN. The Tuna crudo was also great. I will definitely be coming here again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Outstanding in every way. The space is small and beautifully designed, creating an intimate, welcoming atmosphere. The drink menu is exquisitely craftedāunique, balanced, and full of thoughtful details. The food is exceptional, with a range of small and large plates that shift with the seasons, each dish executed with care and creativity. Itās fine dining that feels completely approachable. A true gem.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great addition to the neighborhood. Be sure to have a reservation or being there when the door opens at 5PM.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Phenomenal experience, food was perfect, service was perfect, great space to have a nice dinner or drinks. Wine menu is great although short, offers great selections. Cocktails were perfect.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Every dish was absolutely outstanding, beautifully prepared, and full of flavor. The atmosphere had a refined touch, making it a perfect spot for a date. The food did take a little while to come out, but it was truly worth the waitāit was delicious!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We truly enjoyed both the food and the service. The bathroom was beautifully designed, and our waiter, Jackson, was fantasticāknowledgeable about the menu and very attentive. We had both a nut allergy and a shellfish/lobster preference to consider, and the chef accommodated these needs perfectly without compromising the flavor or texture of our meal. Our evening ended with a thoughtful touchāa postcard that Iāll be saving for our photo book to remember the night. This restaurant has the charm and quality that reminds me of a Danny
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Charred Broccolini
Update: Jackson provided excellent customer service, and I love the new menu items. The tuna crudo was fantastic so was the chickpea salad. I also LOVED the matcha cream puff. Love the new items keep it up!
Talk about phenomenal. William displays upmost professionalism, knowledge, and treats his mixology as a true craft. The oysters were perfectly juicy and salty, the sourdough bread! I wish I could buy a loaf. Softened butter made the appetizer perfection. Cocktails were beautifully displayed and were beyond delicious. OH and the decor and ambiance?! Fine dinning to the highest level, the nicest place I have been to in Norfolk so far. Only comment was the pappardelle was overly salty lacking flavor other than salt, I would have preferrer more seasoning and less salt since the ricotta salata is already salty. Besides that everything was to perfection, thank you Chef, thank you William and all staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing first trip to Ilo. We shared three apps and three sides and all were amazing. The lamb chops on a bed of humus were divine. Also loved the peach dessert. Great service, great beer. Five stars!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Amazing experience
Itās taken quite a while to write this review because itās both great and a let down. The food was great, and some of the best cooked fish Iāve had in the area but the front of house left a lot to be desired. To start, our reservation was pushed back by 20 minutes due to the previous table running over (which we later found out was because of the time to get our food). After being seated, we were quickly greeted by friendly staff and were informed that roughly half of the menu items were unavailable and a number of others were in limited quantities. It took exactly 30 mins from being sat to receiving our round of drinks with an old fashioned having to be reordered because it was never made. It took another 15 minutes for our appetizers to arrive (45 mins) and again, only half of the appetizers initially appeared. Although our waiter was apologetic and remembered the order, it still took another 10 minutes for the rest to come out between managing his other tables. I would highly recommend the tartare for any starter and this one did not disappoint. After our appetizers, it took another 45 minutes for our entrees to come out (90 minutes from seating) which although frustrating was worth the wait.
Overall, the food is excellent, and we certainly plan to try again in the near future; however, the front of house left a lot to be desired and was frustrating to experience at that price point.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 1
If I could give ILO Bistro 10 stars, I would. Hands down, this is the best food Iāve eaten anywhere on this planet.
I started with the oysters, perfectly fresh, briny, and paired with a shallot vinaigrette that was absolutely on point. The housemade sourdough? Unreal. As a Sacramento boy, this bread hit every nostalgic note, warm, crisp, and full of flavor.
The crispy duck rillette, beef tartare, and tuna crudo were next-level, but the grilled half chickenā¦ I swear, itās BY FAR the BEST chicken I have ever had in my life. Perfectly seasoned, juicy, and packed with flavor. The grilled stuffed calamari put every calamari Iāve ever had to shame. Even the tomato dish (tasted like the most incredible BLT ever) blew my mind.
I washed it all down with six different bourbon cocktails, and every single one was perfect.
ILO Bistro doesnāt just serve food, they deliver an experience. Waiter? On point. Bartender? On point. Every dish is thoughtful, bold, and unforgettable. Iād fly across the country just to eat here again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tuna Crudo, Beef Tartare, Daily Oysters Selection, Grilled Half Chicken
Everything was delicious. Great vibe. Have eaten here twice and loved it both times.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Magnificent! Absolutely superb food and service in a great intimate neighborhood bistro. Everything was perfectly prepared with complex flavors. A āmust doā for foodies in the Hampton Roads!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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