Next time you’re looking to while away a few hours or even a full day, spending time in Norfolk’s Railyard District (aka the Railyard at Lambert’s Point) is a solid choice, with food, drinks, shopping and indoor sports fun. Drawing inspiration from its location near the sprawling Lambert’s Point Rail Yard, this recently revitalized development features a brewery, coffee shop, golf simulator, Nepalese eatery, Hawaiian cuisine, fresh-baked pastries and quite a bit more.
The Railyard District (not to be confused with the Railroad District between Ghent and Park Place) sits along Hampton Blvd. in the space between the 21st Street corridor and the area south of Old Dominion University. It abuts the Norfolk Southern rail terminal, which also means it is easily accessible via the Elizabeth River Trail. With plentiful parking, spacious outdoor seating areas and a vibe any train lover would fall for, Railyard is fast becoming one of Norfolk’s go-to spots for locals and visitors to get a taste of the area’s past, present and future all in one.
Currently, Railyard District is home to:
- FR8 House Coffee
- Afterglow Brewing
- Momo Kitchen
- Chicken Salad Chick
- DB Nail Studio
- Club Pilates
- Virginia ABC
- Just BIrdies
- Jimmy John’s
- IPConfigure Inc.
- Alohaola (recently opened)
- Nelly’s Brine and Grine (coming soon to the former Sanctuary spot)
- StretchLab
- Nothing Bundt Cakes
- Biscuit Belly
- Various other professional offices and salons
While a LIDL grocery store was originally slated to go into the development, plans were scrapped last year. This only served to bring the owners of the various businesses together even more closely, they said. In that time, several business owners have formed the Railyard District Business Association, a nonprofit that says its “goal is to actively promote our diverse businesses while concurrently enriching and giving back to our local community.”
And the owners walk their talk, too. They look for every opportunity to serve each other’s goods where possible (for instance, the Just Birdies kitchen serves hungry patrons at Afterglow, while you can find Afterglow’s beers on tap at Birdies).
In the meantime, Railyard remains an easy choice for spending time supporting small business owners who are committed to supporting each other. Below, we take a closer look at some of the eateries and entertainment venues that are just waiting to be explored.
FR8House Coffee
Location: 2330 Bowdens Ferry Road, Norfolk
Hours: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, except 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays
Details: Follow on Instagram
It’s hard to say what’s better at FR8House Coffee – the views, the decor or the coffee. Call it a draw, because each of these elements comes together to make FR8 House one of Norfolk’s top java joints in an already crowded field.
Seated directly adjacent to the railroad tracks, FR8House’s ambiance is distinctly train-themed, with a brick interior that recalls Norfolk’s past while decorative accents are themed to follow the season. Owners Jack and Hannah Wagner, along with Jerry and Julie Hashagen have worked hard to create the perfect space for coffee lovers, remote workers and people looking for the feel of a European coffee shop without leaving the city limits. Jerry is a Navy veteran, while Jule parlays her time as an interior designer to keep the shop festive with rotating decor themes. Jack grew up in Norfolk while Hannah is a school teacher. They all share one thing: a passion for high-quality food and beverage service, as evidenced by a custom baby-blue La Marzocco Strada espresso machine that serves as the heart of the operation.
The shop was designed to challenge fast-paced drive-thru culture, using a front-row seat to passing trains and original loading dock brickwork to create a very comfortable, community-focused space. The team sources beans globally from small farms across South America and Africa, which are small-batch roasted in Nashville. The beverage menu spans manually pulled cortados and ceremonial-grade Jade Leaf matcha to creative options like the Wedding Cake Latte, while local baker Stazalicious Bakery supplies fresh pastries, including fan-favorite cruffins and savory pizza rolls, several times a week.
To keep things fresh, the owners rotate the shop’s theme, decor and curated menu every few months, shifting between concepts like Italian summers and French-inspired styling. That spirit of collaboration extends to the neighborhood as well; the shop routinely recycles its used coffee grounds into the adjacent Elizabeth River Trail garden and partners with local makers for regional events.
A recently expanded conditional use permit allows FR8House to transition from a morning coffee hub into an evening gathering spot. Today, the space hosts public latte art classes, espresso martini workshops and curated artisan pop-up markets while serving select wines, craft beers and cocktails to a diverse crowd of remote workers, neighborhood families, writing groups and ERT trail-goers.
Start your morning off on the patio at FR8House, and then, when lunchtime hunger hits, head over to Momo Kitchen.
MOMO Kitchen
Location: 2401 Hampton Blvd., Norfolk
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tues.-Sat.; Noon to 8 p.m. Sunday; closed Monday
Details: Follow on Instagram
Let’s start with the basics: a momo is a fried or steamed dumpling that’s popular in Tibet, Nepal and India. It is typically filled with meat or veggies, and if you think you’ve had a dumpling, you haven’t had a momo yet.
In the case of Norfolk’s Momo Kitchen, it’s the perfect way to experience authentic Himalayan flavors without leaving Hampton Roads. Owner Kumud Joshi grew up in Nepal before spending two decades in Europe and New York. He originally built the business in Chesapeake and seeks to infuse each dish with personal recipes and traditional heritage. “Whatever you find here is my recipe,” he explains.
While momos, which are perfected with Nepalese spices, are the most popular item here, the menu extends far beyond steamed dumplings. Momo Kitchen guests can choose from a variety of preparations, including crispy fried options, comforting noodle dishes and rich rice platters. Joshi says first-timers often gravitate toward the signature steamed dumplings or a plate of chili momos tossed in a house-made sweet-and-spicy chili sauce. Every sauce served at Momo Kitchen is made from scratch, designed to deliver an authentic kick.
Beyond the kitchen, the restaurant’s walls serve as a cultural showcase for Joshi’s birthplace. Hand-painted artwork features iconic Himalayan architecture, traditional pagoda-style temples and a depiction of the living goddess of Nepal. The space also offers imported Nepalese beers, alongside comforting vegetarian options like samosas and chickpeas, ensuring there is something for everyone.
With an upcoming happy hour featuring discounted plates and drinks, alongside a menu full of handmade comfort food, Momo Kitchen provides an off-the-beaten-path destination for both longtime locals and first-time visitors.
Of course, there’s nothing better than a cold, frosty brew to wash it all down, which takes us to our next stop, Afterglow Brewing.
Afterglow Brewing
Location: 2330 Bowdens Ferry Rd., Norfolk
Hours: 3-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; Noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; Noon to 8 p.m. Sunday
Details: Follow on Instagram
What do you do with a former warehouse just begging to be put to good use? If you’re one-time physical therapist Josh Evans, owner of Afterglow Brewing, you build a brewery and commit yourself to high-quality pours every single day. For three years, Afterglow has poured his passion into professional brewing, alongside his wife, business partner and his dedicated staff.
And you do it all with a positive attitude, because, as Evans says of his branding and oft-hilarious Instagram page, “I find that people like the funny stuff and when we have a good sense of humor. We keep it positive. We have good vibes here.”
Inside, the tasting room combines industrial steel and cozy lighting with Norfolk character, featuring ODU sports decor, a custom jersey honoring a Monarchs pitcher and a stunning bar top crafted by Evans’ father-in-law. While the atmosphere is relaxed, the liquid in the glass is award-winning and world-class. Despite being a younger fixture in the local scene, Afterglow’s trophy case is packed with U.S. Open Beer Championship medals for its All Rye, All Rye, All Rye IPA, Smoke Sea Smoked Lager, oak-aged Bohemian Glow lager, and the fan-favorite Mother Fluffer marshmallow sour.
The draft list offers a handcrafted option for every palate, from Dad Vibes (a crisp German Pilsner that serves as Evans’ go-to) to Brain Science, a double IPA packed with tropical New Zealand hops. For non-beer drinkers, Afterglow crafts high-ABV seltzer slushies made with rotating fresh fruits. Evans developed the recipe for his mother, who has Celiac disease, maintaining strict line protocols. “Everything that we do with it, we keep it on the same line. It’s as close to gluten-free as you can be,” Evans says.
Even for skeptical drinkers, Afterglow seeks to surprise you. “More times than not with Mother Fluffer, people like it, even though it’s sour, the marshmallow in it is so overpowering that people are like, it is sour, but the marshmallow makes it taste really good,” Evans explains. “I love finding beer that people say they don’t like, and I’m like, that could also be because you had one that wasn’t good, or maybe it wasn’t the right one for you.”
Beyond the tasting room, Afterglow is home to a massive two-and-a-half-acre backyard, a gem in the city featuring shaded tents, fire pits, live music and host space for events like the Norfolk Flea Market. While the brewery focuses purely on beer, guests can order food delivered straight to their outdoor table via a partnership with local spot Just Birdies. Whether catching a game, grabbing a casual pint, or listening to live tunes, Afterglow delivers the authentic soul of Norfolk’s craft beverage scene.
After a beer, it’s time to grab your golf clubs and hit the simulators at Just Birdies.
Just Birdies Sports Bar and Simulators
Location: 2419 Hampton Blvd., Norfolk
Hours: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday
Details: Follow on Instagram
Sure, you can visit Just Birdies without jumping into one of the sports simulators, but you’d be missing half the fun. Occupying a transformed historic warehouse in the Railyard, Just Birdies has quickly become a go-to hot-spot for food, drinks and seriously fun sports entertainment. Approaching its two-year anniversary this October, the impressively large multisport venue proves that it is much more than just a spot to practice your golf swing or fastball.
“What I tell people is that our passion is golf, but we want the whole family to come in,” explains manager Kevin Lepley. Featuring high-tech simulators that track everything from soccer and baseball to zombie dodgeball, Just Birdies welcomes visitors of all ages and skill levels for year-round fun.
Safe to say, golf is a big draw here. The Full Swing simulators feature roughly 75 PGA courses and popular winter leagues. Guests can also try their hand at kicking field goals, playing arcade-style target games or testing out unique multi-sport challenges. For those looking to unwind, the fully stocked bar serves up local craft beers from neighborhood favorites like Maker’s Craft Brewery, Afterglow and Commonwealth Brewing Company, alongside colorful, golfer-themed specialty cocktails like transfusions.There is also a growing collection of high-quality bourbons, which go perfectly served neat with a round of digital zombie mauling.
The culinary lineup is just as extensive as the game selection, with a menu of hearty pub favorites perfect for keeping guests fueled up while visiting the simulator bays.
“Our Detroit-style pizzas, which are the 8 by 10s… have just been very hot,” Lepley says, highlighting the thick-crust pies alongside fan-favorite smash burgers. Wings are another standout item on the menu, carefully brined for at least 24 hours to ensure they stay extra warm and juicy.
Beyond daily play and lunch specials, Just Birdies doubles as a happening social hub for Norfolk locals and curious visitors. The open layout, dog-friendly mural art and outdoor seating area outfitted with twinkling string lights make for an inviting atmosphere for private parties, networking events and everyday hangouts. The venue also fosters a strong neighborhood spirit by collaborating closely with neighboring businesses in the Railyard District, hosting community events like the annual Norfolk Masters tournament, and even offering rare, allocated bourbon tastings at market-fair prices.
Just Birdies is the perfect way to cap off a day exploring how one former stretch of empty warehouses has been carefully transformed into a collaborative, community-driven hub of fun. Come for the craft coffee, stick around for the Himalayan dumplings, bundt cakes and kalua pork or chicken salad. Then, enjoy an award-winning beer and a round of golf. The Railyard serves Norfolk well as proof positive that when small businesses work together, everyone benefits.