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A Delicious Trail of Pharrell Williams’ Favorite Restaurants, From Paris to Virginia
By Brady Jonas | March 27, 2025
I once saw Pharrell Williams at the Norfolk airport.
He had a Louis Vuitton carry-on and a leather jacket that looked like it had its own handler. I didn’t say anything, obviously. But I remember thinking: whatever this does, however he dresses, no matter what he drinks and eats, I should be doing that too. So, years later, I did what any self-respecting journalist with a flexible expense policy might do—I started tracking down Pharrell’s favorite restaurants.
Turns out, Pharrell’s dining history is unusually public, which helps. Below are 15 restaurants he's either visited or name-checked. And no, I didn’t include places he owns; that would be like recommending your cousin’s Etsy store. These are the favorite restaurants of Pharrell Williams.
Crane Club Restaurant, New York
85 10th Ave | Website | Instagram
This place opened in late 2024 in West Chelsea, and Pharrell was at the opening, which means he either likes the food or the party. Probably both. The kitchen is led by Melissa Rodriguez, a Michelin-starred chef, and the vibe is somewhere between Studio 54 and an art collector’s afterparty.
Commune, Virginia Beach
501 Virginia Beach Blvd | Website | Instagram
A farm-to-table place that actually means it—produce from their own farm and kombucha on tap. Pharrell name-dropped Commune when asked about his favorite hometown eats, which makes sense: it's thoughtful food that doesn’t try too hard. They serve a breakfast sandwich with duck egg that might be the richest thing you can eat before 10 a.m.
Croaker’s Spot, Richmond, VA
1020 Hull St | Website | Instagram
Croaker’s Spot is Soul food in a brick building with creaky wood floors and the smell of long-simmering sauces. Pharrell ate here while filming his biopic "Atlantis" in 2024, presumably between emotionally fraught scenes. They serve thick slabs of fried fish, creamy mac and cheese, and a dish called the “World Famous Fish Boat,” which is something you should order just for the name.
Feather 'n Fin, Virginia Beach
2680 Virginia Beach Blvd | Website | Instagram
A no-frills fried chicken joint with sandwiches that will soak through a paper bag in under three minutes. Pharrell mentioned it in a list of his favorite Virginia eats, and it’s easy to see why—this is comfort food for people who know the difference between fast food and fast soul food. Get the chicken box and don’t plan on doing anything productive afterward.
The Fishin’ Pig, Farmville
1807 S Main St | Website | Instagram
Half seafood shack, half barbecue smokehouse, and somehow it works. Pharrell included it in his roundup, which means he’s probably eaten the pulled pork nachos or the catfish platter. It’s the kind of place where every table has its own roll of paper towels and nobody’s mad about it.
Lovesong, Virginia Beach
327 Laskin Rd | Website | Instagram
Lovesong is what happens when a record store becomes a restaurant. There’s vinyl on the wall and a chef-driven lineup like littleneck clams in saffron cream, a half chicken with polenta and an olive oil cake with crunchy salt. Pharrell listed it among his local favorites, which checks out—this is the kind of restaurant where you’d take someone you want to impress without looking like you're trying to impress them.
Nobu, Malibu
22706 Pacific Coast Hwy | Website | Instagram
Pharrell and his wife Helen were seen leaving Nobu Malibu in August 2024, which is like being seen leaving a yacht—you know exactly what you’re signaling. He has also posed for photos with the restaurant staff and with its namesake chef, Nobu Matsuhisa (yes, there’s really a guy named Nobu!). At the location in Malibu, his sushi is pristine and the view is even better, assuming you’re cool with spotting a Kardashian between courses. If you go, don’t skip the Black Cod with Miso.
The Pink Dinghy, Virginia Beach
609 19th St | Website | Instagram
Cocktails and pupusas, but make it design-forward. The Pink Dinghy looks like a pastel Instagram dream, but the food’s serious: Latin-inspired small plates and a mezcal list that could ruin a Wednesday. Pharrell included it in a list of his local favorites, probably because it feels like something he’d design himself.
Le Royal Monceau, Paris
37 Av. Hoche | Website | Instagram
Pharrell, being Pharrell, didn’t just have a quiet night out on the streets of Paris. He was spotted at this five-star hotel’s restaurant, which does things like foie gras with smoked eel and has so many Michelin aspirations it practically whispers "prestige." If you’re going to recreate the moment, maybe wear sunglasses indoors.
Session, Virginia Beach
2973 Shore Dr | Website | Instagram
At Session you’ll find modern American food and craft cocktails, but not in the annoying way. The menu changes seasonally, and they have a breakfast burrito that includes a root vegetable hash with carrot, sweet potato, and beet that just might make me forget I don’t like beets. Pharrell included it in his personal tour of Virginia Beach dining, which feels about right—it’s stylish without being precious.
Terrapin, Virginia Beach
3102 Holly Rd | Website | Instagram
One of the few white-tablecloth restaurants in town, Terrapin has been quietly excellent for years. Chef Rodney Einhorn focuses on local seafood and handmade pasta, and the wine list is better than it needs to be. Pharrell included it on his short list, and even though the room’s a little staid, the food more than holds up.
Three Ships, Virginia Beach
607 19th St | Website | Instagram
Whatever you order at Three Ships Coffee, expect it to be roasted in-house, small batch, and made some of the finest beans they can source. Owners Amy and Brad Ewing named the house blend Sweet Virginia after both the Rolling Stones song and their daughter. They’ve been baking sweets and savory treats for a decade and include options for the gluten intolerant and vegans. Pharrell gave this place a shoutout as one of his favorite hometown stops, and if I lived nearby, it’d be mine too. The coffee is rich and strong, and they make a biscuit sandwich that deserves your attention.
Waterman’s, Virginia Beach
415 Atlantic Ave | Website | Instagram
Waterman’s Surfside Grille is the place you go after a beach day, when your shoulders are sunburned and you want a drink with a slice of pineapple in it. Waterman’s has been around forever, and Pharrell said it’s one of his go-tos. They do crushes (the drink) and crab cakes (the real kind), and you can sit outside facing the ocean.
Brady Jonas covers celebrities and their adventures for The Adventurist. He’s currently obsessed, well, actually, there are a lot of celebrities he’s obsessed with at the moment. Find many of his obsessions here.
