Waterside Festival Marketplace

Doesn't Recommend

restaurateur1

Joined 5 years ago

Once a Norfolk Icon. Now a Waste of Electricity. The Waterside Marketplace was once the Downtown Center of Attraction. Excellent 'privately' owned restaurants offering a wide variety of great food choices, tons of specialty stores displaying unique gifts and clothing. It was clean, orderly and alive with people, excitment and entertainment. Folks would flock from both sides of the water via cars and ferries and privately owned yachts from all over the Eastern Seaboard. Then the city decided that they needed to raise the "rents" to pay for "whatever". The result of their greed forced all the great restaurants and shops to leave. What has replaced them is boring 'corporate' style restaurants that you see on the outskirts of every Mall across the country, a bar that stays open half the night feeding cheap liquer to 2o year olds. An excellent choice for a city that does NOT cater to DUI.

Thanks to the city's management, the Waterside Marketplace in essence, has become a dump. A hangout for scumbags. It's a crying shame what she has become. My family and friends had always looked forward to the weekends there checking out the transient yachts, eating great Italian, Seafood or Caribbean and browsing through the various shops. It was always an enjoyable visit. However, now, I wouldn't set foot on the property.

So if you're looking for greasy foods and loud restaurants, the Waterside will be your Mecca.

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Sail through 37 restaurants, stores and entertainment spots while taking in a magnificent view of the Elizabeth River.. The Scene
This unique marketplace offers a variety of restaurants, bars, clubs and specialty shops. The food court features chain-restaurant favorites including Hooters, Outback Steak House and Have a Nice Day Cafe. Its location on one of the most beautiful harbors on the East Coast means if you're tired of shopping, you can take a break and watch the ships sail by.

The Experience
Play virtual bowling at Jillian's, grab some seafood at Joe's Crab Shack, or request a song from the dueling pianists at Crocodile Rocks. At night, the clubs and bars at the Waterside are full of dancing, music and live entertainment. The best part of the marketplace, though, is being right on the water while experiencing all of the above.