PJay’s Kitchen is a standout American restaurant in Norfolk, VA, where classic comfort food, fresh ingredients, and warm hospitality come together to create a dining experience that feels both familiar and memorable.
Located at 323 Granby St in the VA 23510 area, this local favorite has earned a strong 4.80-star reputation from 742 reviews, reflecting its consistent quality, inviting atmosphere, and dedication to making every meal satisfying.
Whether you are stopping in for a casual family meal, meeting friends for lunch, or settling in for a relaxed dinner, PJay’s Kitchen offers the kind of dependable, crowd-pleasing American fare that keeps guests returning again and again.
What makes PJay’s Kitchen especially appealing is the way it balances comfort and convenience with a polished, welcoming feel. Guests can enjoy dine-in service, outdoor seating, takeaway, and on-site services, making it easy to fit a great meal into any part of the day.
The menu covers a wide range of cravings, from comfort food and quick bites to small plates, desserts, and vegetarian options, along with beer, cocktails, spirits, and other drink selections for those looking to unwind.
Known for fast service and serving local specialties, the restaurant is a strong choice for lunch, dinner, solo dining, or a memorable catered experience. With counter service, table service, and a bar on site, PJay’s Kitchen delivers the flexibility and quality that modern diners appreciate.
The atmosphere is casual, cozy, and trendy, giving guests a space where they can feel comfortable while still enjoying a thoughtfully prepared meal. Practical details add even more appeal, including wheelchair-accessible seating, an assistive hearing loop, gender-neutral toilets, restroom access, reservations, and convenient payment options such as credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments.
At PJay’s Kitchen, the focus is on creating a smooth, enjoyable visit from start to finish, so guests can relax and simply enjoy excellent food, attentive service, and a welcoming American dining experience in the heart of Norfolk.
Popular Items
Frequently ordered and highly recommended items at PJay's Kitchen
Our Story
Welcome to a place where great food meets warm hospitality. We believe dining is more than just a meal - it's an experience to be savored and shared.
Our kitchen is dedicated to creating dishes that bring people together, using recipes that honor tradition while embracing innovation.
Photos
A glimpse of our restaurant experience
Food & Drinks
Create your perfect seafood symphony with our Ocean Trio Platter. Dive into a selection of three from our sea of treasures: Fried flounder, seasoned whiting, crispy catfish, homestyle battered oysters, beer battered cod, and flavorful fried shrimp. Indulge in a customized seafood feast, expertly prepared and served with your choice of sides. A maritime medley that promises a tidal wave of satisfaction.
Get ready for a flavor party with our 6 hour braised Pulled Oxtail Sandwich! Tender oxtail meets balsamic onion jam and boom boom sauce topped with smoked provolone, all cozy in a toasted brioche bun. It's not just a sandwich; it's a taste adventure!
Indulge in a generous 6oz Chesapeake-style crab cake, made with the finest crab meat and flavorful seasonings. Served on a toasted brioche bun with lettuce and tomato, this sandwich is a true delight. Accompanied by our signature Chesapeake cocktail sauce, this dish is a celebration of seafood flavors that will leave you craving more.
Savor the rhythm of the Caribbean with our Rasta Pasta. Al dente pasta meets creamy jerk sauce, harmonized with vibrant bell peppers, and red onions. For an additional charge, you can add your choice of grilled jerk-spiced chicken, shrimp or pulled oxtail or a combination of chicken and shrimp. It's a flavorful celebration on your plate, Jamaican style.
Savor the South with our Cajun Catfish & Grits. Golden-fried catfish meets creamy and cheesy grits, all draped in a zesty turkey sausage Cajun cream sauce. A harmony of flavors in every bite, delivering a taste of Southern comfort.
Our version of the classic dish from the British Isles. Battered Cod accompanied by our crispy, fluffy buttery and crispy french fries.
Dive into pure seafood bliss with our 6 or 8-ounce Maryland Crab Cake. Impeccably crafted, it boasts generous amounts of sweet crab meat, delicately seasoned and broiled to golden perfection. Served with a zesty remoulade, each bite delivers a taste of the Chesapeake Bay's finest flavors.
Indulge in the Southern comfort of our Fried Catfish Basket. Savor the golden perfection of tender catfish fillets, delicately coated and fried to crispy perfection. Accompanied by a generous serving of perfectly seasoned fries, this basket is a delightful symphony of textures and flavors. Immerse yourself in the savory crunch of the catfish paired with the comforting warmth of the fries, creating a satisfying and classic culinary experience that will transport you to the heart of Southern hospitality.
Dive into a delectable experience with our Fried Shrimp Basket. Enjoy the succulence of plump shrimp, delicately coated and fried to a golden crisp. Paired perfectly with a generous serving of seasoned fries, this basket is a harmonious blend of crispy and tender textures. Immerse yourself in the savory satisfaction of each bite, as the flavors of the perfectly fried shrimp and crispy fries come together in a delightful seafood symphony. A classic treat that promises a taste of coastal indulgence with every mouthful.
Experience homestyle comfort with our Breaded Fried Oyster Basket. Indulge in plump oysters, coated in a classic homestyle breading and fried to a perfect golden brown. Served with a generous portion of fries, this basket combines the crispy satisfaction of the breading with the succulent tenderness of the oysters.
Savor the simplicity of our Whiting Basket. Delight in the tender and flaky goodness of whole whiting fillets, expertly fried to a golden perfection. Accompanied by a generous portion of seasoned fries, this basket offers a classic seafood experience that celebrates the natural flavors of the fish.
Satisfy your cravings with our Chicken Tender Basket. Enjoy golden-brown, crispy chicken tenders, perfectly seasoned and fried to perfection. Paired with a generous serving of fries, this basket delivers a delightful combination of crunchy exterior and tender, flavorful chicken.
Succulent & lightly breaded shrimp nestled in a warm tortilla, topped with crisp red cabbage slaw, corn and mango salsa, and a zesty chipotle crema. A burst of flavor in every bite, delivering taco perfection.
Savor the extraordinary with our Crispy-Coated Chicken Taco. Revel in the succulence of breaded chicken strips, red cabbage slaw, mango salsa and PJK Sauce all impeccably nestled in warm tortillas.
Experience the sea's finest with our Battered Oyster Taco. Crispy oysters, tender and flavorful, are nestled in a warm tortilla with zesty slaw and tangy aioli, creating a perfect harmony of textures and flavors. Dive into coastal bliss with this seafood sensation.
Overnight braised pulled oxtail with balsamic onion jam and crispy onions is a tantalizing culinary creation that combines rich, savory flavors and diverse textures.
Indulge in a Mumbo Sauce-infused delight with our Shrimp Po' Boy—a sub-cultural fusion masterpiece! Plump fried shrimp tossed in Capital City Mumbo Sauce, nestled in a crusty French baguette with a zesty red cabbage slaw, creamy remoulade and tomatoes. Served with Cajun Fries and a side of our house Boom Boom Sauce. Elevate your taste experience with this bold and flavorful twist on the classic po' boy.
Savor the taste of the coast with our Fried Oyster Po' Boy. Plump, crispy oysters are nestled in a crispy French baguette with fresh lettuce and ripe tomatoes. Elevating the experience is our signature Chesapeake cocktail sauce, a zesty complement to the succulent oysters.
Delight in the crispy perfection of our Battered Catfish Po' Boy. A succulent catfish fillet, lightly battered and fried, nestled in a crispy baguette with fresh lettuce, ripe tomatoes, and our house made boom boom sauce. Served with Cajun fries for an irresistible Southern indulgence.
Treat your taste buds to our Chicken Po' Boy, a mouthwatering delight featuring crispy chicken nestled in a crispy French baguette. Topped with crisp lettuce and juicy tomatoes, this sandwich offers a satisfying blend of textures and flavors. Elevating the experience is our exclusive PJK Sauce, adding a perfect balance of tanginess and savory notes to each bite.
Rich red velvet layers, cream cheese frosting. Pure indulgence.
Classic plain cheesecake: rich, creamy perfection.
Three layers of moist carrot cake, real cream cheese, walnuts.
This sauce is a D.C. staple. Sweet & Tangy with a hint of spice.
Sweet and spicy mayonnaise-based sauce that is perfect for dipping!
Our house-made Chesapeake Cocktail Sauce is a delicious complement to our shrimp and fish. It’s a blend of our boom boom and cocktail sauces.
Our house-made Chesapeake Cocktail Sauce is a delicious complement to our shrimp and fish. It’s a blend of our boom boom and cocktail sauces.
Hear from our valued guests
PJays’s Kitchen cooks up some delicious food. I had the catfish po’boy and my wife had shrimp and grits. Both were outstanding. The restaurant is small on space but huge on taste. Highly recommended!
If you’re Norfolk and haven’t tried PJ’s Kitchen yet, what are you doing? My daughter and I ordered the Rasta Pasta—she added shrimp, I added chicken—and it was absolutely amazing. The food came out hot, fresh, and super flavorful. Every bite was seasoned perfectly, and you could tell it was made with love. On top of that, PJ’s Kitchen is Black-owned and Veteran-owned, which makes supporting them even more meaningful. The atmosphere was definitely a vibe—good energy, great service, and incredible food all in one spot. Do yourself a favor and check them out—you won’t regret it
PJay's Kitchen is a perfect spot for meeting friends to enjoy great drinks and flavorful food! The staff were friendly and accomodating. I recommend you stop by for multiple visits because the dishes prepared here are rich and seasoned; try them all!
We were staying town for an event and wanted to find Black owned restaurants to support. This restaurant was within walking distance of our Mariott stay, had great reviews and some excellent photos of the food online. I ordered the catfish basket, which was fantastic. The space was small but cute, and offered outdoor seating. Can't wait to come back and order there again.
The food was excellent and Pjay checked on us several times throughout our stay. He is clearly invested in ensuring each of his guests have a great experience, great food, and feels truly welcomed! I had the chicken po’boy. My husband had the whiting and oxtail taco. He’s still talking about his food today! Bonus that it’s a black-owned business. Definitely recommend!
The Rasta Pasta and jerk chicken is phenomenal! Very spicy and flavorful. My husband made 2 meals from it. I got the whiting basket, and the pieces of fish were very large. I ordered 2 pieces of fish with my lunch but could barely finish one. It was tasty, but a little dry. The green beans, smoky beans and hush puppies were all fantastic. We sat outside since seating inside is limited to counters. It was a nice day, so it wasn't uncomfortably hot. The service was also great. We ordered and paid inside, then she brought our food out. If you're looking to try something a little different from the usual fare, I recommend PJay's.
Ordered Rasta Pasta!!!! Very flavorful and seasoned to perfection👌 Chicken was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. We also ordered chicken Lumpia and hush puppies as a side all very tasty 😋 Definitely recommend trying them out!
Really enjoyed! Once you figure out how to order it’s smooth sailing. The staff was very nice and helpful. Wanted to make sure we understood how to order and if we had any questions. The food was very good. Well seasoned. It was fried but yet not greasy or over breaded. Just very nicely done. And again very nice people. Highly suggest checking them out. Oh the hush puppies give duck inn vibes from shore before they closed.
I am absolutely in LOVE with the oxtail tacos. I typically do not like onions & they put the sauce & crispy onions on the side. When I dipped it in the sauce, It was a game changer for me!!! I tried other items on their menu as well which are really delicious... but my taste buds made me drive back 35 miles twice for those last week!! Hats off to the chef! Me and my friends had a whole amazing foodie experience with each visit!🥰🥰
My wife and I visited PJays Kitchen today for lunch. We heard about PJay's from some friends that said it was veteran owned. I'm so glad we stopped by. We used the kiosk to order and waited for our food by the bar. The owner was extremely nice and helpful with the orders. I ordered the Chicken Po' Boy and it did not disappoint. The chicken was crunchy and juicy, with the po boy sauce and bun to make this a whole experience. The sandwich and fries with oldbay seasoning was just what I needed for lunch. We will be back to try something else off the menu.
Common questions about PJay's Kitchen
PJay's Kitchen is located at 323 Granby St, Norfolk, VA 23510, United States, Norfolk, VA, United States.
You can reach PJay's Kitchen by calling +1 757-937-5177.
PJay's Kitchen has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 based on 742 customer reviews.
PJay's Kitchen features the following accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible seating, Assistive hearing loop.
PJay's Kitchen features the following service options: Outdoor seating, On-site services, Takeaway, Dine-in.
PJay's Kitchen features the following highlights: Fast service, Serves local specialty.
PJay's Kitchen features the following popular for: Lunch, Dinner, Solo dining.
PJay's Kitchen features the following offerings: Alcohol, Beer, Cocktails, Comfort food, Quick bite, Small plates, Spirits, Vegetarian options, Wine.
PJay's Kitchen features the following dining options: Lunch, Dinner, Catering, Counter service, Dessert, Seating, Table service.
PJay's Kitchen features the following amenities: Bar on site, Gender-neutral toilets, Restroom.
PJay's Kitchen features the following atmosphere: Casual, Cozy, Trendy.
PJay's Kitchen features the following crowd: Family friendly, Tourists.
PJay's Kitchen features the following planning: Accepts reservations.
PJay's Kitchen features the following payments: Credit cards, Debit cards, NFC mobile payments.
PJay's Kitchen features the following children: Good for kids, Kids' menu.
PJay's Kitchen features the following parking: Paid parking garage, Paid parking lot, Paid street parking, Somewhat difficult to find a space.
PJay's Kitchen features the following pets: Dogs allowed outside.
Business Features
We look forward to welcoming you. Make a reservation or stop by - walk-ins welcome!
Request a table and we'll confirm your booking shortly.
