2025, in my mind, has come to an end so quickly.
I discovered new and established restaurants, bakeries and other places throughout the year, ranging from Billy D’s Seafood & Chicken in Portsmouth to Spuntini Bakery in Newport News to The Barn Ice Cream in Virginia Beach.
Popular spots announced they were closing permanently, such as Mango Mangeaux in Hampton, Rockafeller’s Restaurant in Virginia Beach and 456 Fish in Norfolk.
I made new memories in the spring by exploring five restaurants on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. They served grits done right, an irresistible burrito and fantastic cheesesteak rolls.
The Let’s Eat restaurant guide kept me busy during the summer. Users can find more than 100 restaurants that our staff has visited over the past few years. Consider it a cheat sheet for good eats in Hampton Roads.
In the fall, I revived The Virginian-Pilot’s Taste Test. Three volunteer tasters selected Capicu, a Puerto Rican restaurant in Virginia Beach, as winner of the best empanada, and Flour Child Bakery in Virginia Beach for the best pumpkin pie.
I’ve also reflected on my own best eats and drinks of 2025 — and there were many. Here are 12 of the most memorable places worth visiting in the new year.
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I started going to Enjoy Cheesecakes and Treats (formerly Splurge Cheesecakes and Treats) in January and I’ve been a regular ever since. Nothing has changed but the name.
The takeout spot offered an assortment of luscious cheesecakes that came in mini, tulip-shaped baking cups. Several flavors on the rotating menu kept me going back, such as the raspberry swirl, Boston cream and — my newest obsession — cookie butter.
Details: 401 N. Great Neck Road, Virginia Beach; enjoycheesecakes.com, 757-707-6943
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Owner Hassan Hajama pours chocolate over strawberries and the kataifi pastry filling from a Dubai-style chocolate bar — shredded phyllo and pistachio cream — at Lily’s Crepes in Chesapeake, Feb. 4. (Kendall Warner/The Virginian-Pilot)
The Dubai strawberry cup at Lily’s Crepes had my eyes rolling into the back of my head after each bite. It was that good and lived up to the social media hype. The owner poured liquid chocolate over a cup of strawberries and added the filling from a Dubai-style chocolate bar, which consisted of kataifi pastry filling (shredded phyllo dough and pistachio cream).
He has added some new Dubai items to the menu since my last visit: strawberry crepes, croissants and brownies.
Trompe l’œil-style mousse cakes, popular on TikTok, are also available in more than 10 flavors. They look like real fruit, but the inside has a surprise filling.
Details: 717 S. Battlefield Blvd., Chesapeake; lilys-crepes.com, 757-644-4237
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Khinkhali, Eastern European soup dumplings, served at Leila International Cuisine, left a lasting impression. The twisted knobs of dough were stuffed with ground meat and broth. I held them upside down, took a small bite and slurped the broth before chowing down on the flavorful ground beef. What a great tip from the staff.
Details: 4136 Granby St., Norfolk; leila757cuisine.com, 757-937-2939
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The fried catfish sandwich at Sunday 29:11 Soul Food Kitchen in Newport News, Feb. 12. (Kendall Warner/The Virginian-Pilot)
The fried catfish sandwich at Sunday 29:11 Soul Food Kitchen had me saying, “Yes, Chef.” It was fresh, flaky and seasoned right.
Don’t sleep on the baked, smothered turkey wings, nor on the Southern fried chicken. The executive chef and co-owner has more than 30 years of culinary experience. She lives by the Bible verse Jeremiah 29:11, which encourages people to trust in God’s plan for them.
Details: 5014 Jefferson Ave., Newport News; sundaysoulfoodkitchen.com, 757-240-5000
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The grilled half chicken served with couscous at Ilo Bistro showcased the chef’s talent and convinced me I needed to return. It had an appealing sear that didn’t compromise its tenderness and juiciness. The herb salad gave the plate freshness while the pickled red onions provided acidity.
Details: 509 Botetourt St., Norfolk; ilobistro.com, 757-937-0984
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The grouper reigned supreme at Prime 757, a steakhouse and grill. It was one of the best I’ve had. The lightly coated, flaky filet was fried to perfection. I gave myself kudos for selecting this fish.
Details: 1628 Independence Blvd., Virginia Beach; prime757.com, 757-652-3390
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The Giuseppina pizza at Pizza Amanti, Chesapeake, Aug. 20. (Stephen M. Katz/The Virginian-Pilot)
Pizza Amanti won me over with its classic Margherita, The Giuseppina, named after the owner’s mother. The house-made red sauce was fresh, smooth and nonacidic. I would pay money for a jar of it.
My husband and I have tried most of their Neapolitan padellino-style pizzas since August. All are oh so yummy. They are baked in a wood-fired oven that transforms the dough into golden, crispy crust with a soft, airy center within minutes.
Details: 927 Battlefield Blvd. North, Chesapeake; pizza-amanti.square.site, 757-770-3318
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The mojo pork taco at Vang Go Bistro caught my attention based on the menu description alone: slow-cooked, tender pork topped with Vietnamese salsa, jerk aioli, pickled red onions and cotija cheese. It delivered on layers of flavors as imagined.
Details: 915 W. 21st St., Norfolk; vangobistro.com, 757-233-8933
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The OG Burger at Bisou Bar and Bistro rounded out December as one of my favorite burgers worth driving through the tunnel for. It ticked all the boxes for a medium-cooked patty: pink, juicy and seasoned. The American-style toppings (cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles) provided freshness and the shallots gave it a French twist for a delicious experience.
Details: 99 Main St., Newport News; bisoubarandbistro.com, 757-810-9246
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The pulled chicken sandwich at Phoebus Smokehouse convinced me that a professional worked magic on the smoker. Chunky pieces of tender poultry told the story with flavor. It didn’t even require sauce or coleslaw.
The restaurant has added macaroni and cheese, collard greens and yams to the menu since my last visit, as mentioned by owner Chris Connor in my previous review.
Details: 31 E. Mellen St., Hampton; 757-872-3784
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The Virginia Peach at Khoalitea Cafe, a bubble tea shop, made it on my summer rotation but it’s perfect year-round. The black tea drink included peach syrup, a nondairy cream and peach bursting boba. The creamy delight left me fuzzy on the inside.
Details: 1485 General Booth Blvd., Virginia Beach; 757-324-5416
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The Winner — at new burger restaurant Simply George in Virginia Beach, Dec. 3 — really is. (Stephen M. Katz/The Virginian-Pilot)
I verified The Winner burger at Simply George. The beef patties were made with a blend of brisket and chuck tender and then topped with pulled pork, potato sticks, plantain jam, F1 sauce and Muenster cheese. Each ingredient worked in harmony, creating layers of textures, savory and sweet notes, and overall deliciousness.
Details: 1309 Fordham Drive, Virginia Beach; Instagram
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Rekaya Gibson, 757-295-8809, rekaya.gibson@virginiamedia.com
Dining and Cooking