Wondering where to eat in Virginia Beach? After a day strolling the boardwalk or splashing in the ocean you’re bound to be hungry and luckily I’ve got you guys covered. In recent years the culinary scene has really taken off and really there has never been a more exciting time to eat in the Resort City. Inspired by the bounty of the Atlantic Ocean, Chesapeake Bay and rich coastal farmlands a handful of creative chefs and down-home cooks have made Virginia Beach a truly great dining destination. Here are my recommendations for the best restaurants in Virginia Beach.
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Commune
Immediately upon entering Commune, you know this café in the ViBe Creative Arts Districtis someplace you want to be. Concrete floors highlight the modern rustic space anchored by a long community style table and flanked by an inviting espresso bar. At Commune farm to table with a conscious isn’t just a concept here, it’s a way of life. If it isn’t grown in the onsite garden or the nearby organic New Earth Farm , it’s sourced from only the best local farmers, watermen and purveyors. The menu is ever changing based on what’s fresh and in-season but you can never go wrong with a savory buckwheat crepe filled with smoked Virginia ham, melted cheese and garden-fresh greens served alongside an all too addictive burnt honey latte.
Bay Local Eatery
With over-the-top bloody Marys, boozy mimosas and monster-sized chicken and waffles Bay Local is a place that takes its brunch seriously. Specializing in “Coastal Southern” cuisine the menu prominently features seafood, be sure to try anything that features local Chesapeake Bay oysters or in-season softshell crab (the Bloody Blue Mary playfully topped with a softshell crab is a crowd favorite).
May’s Parlor
In what may be the cutest little beach cottage in Virginia Beach, you’ll find Racheal Browning crafting some of the best pastries you’ll find on this side of the Atlantic. Using premium ingredients and European technique May’s Parlor features an ever changing menu of creative pastries and croissants (their Milk and Cookies croissant has cookie dough inside the croissant and is topped with vanilla Chantilly) but be sure to try one of their signature cruffins (croissant+muffin=100% delicious).
Stockpot
An updated take on the diner Stockpot specializes in homey, made-from-scratch soups. The standard here is the chicken noodle bowl, rich broth with soba noodles, chicken, ginger and kimchi but Chef Anne Galante offers up an ever-changing rotation of soups based on what’s in season. Pair your soup with a fluffy rosemary biscuit or a toasty, a grown-up version of a grilled cheese pocket sandwich. The menu is rounded out with a creative selection of breakfast offering, open faced sandwiches and healthful salads.This is comfort food you can feel good about.
Terrapin
Elegantly refined yet approachable, Terrapin is my pick for fine dining in Virginia Beach. Chef Rodney Einhorn crafts inventive dishes with local, seasonal ingredients(the scallops with fennel dust and Dave &Dee Mushrooms are a personal favorite) and the desserts are almost too pretty to eat. Creative cocktails and a thoughtful wine list complete Terrapin’s award-winning cuisine.
Aloha Snacks
A recent addition to the Virginia Beach oceanfront area, Aloha Snacks serves up farm-to-table with a decidedly Hawaiian flare. Whimsical fish and pineapple paintings provide a relaxed beach vibe where poke bowls and island inspired burgers anchor the menu . Soy-cured poke, fresh with the flavors of pineapple and wasabi (not to mention their addictive house-made dragon sauce) is an instant favorite; while the Hawaiian Cowboy Burger, topped with grilled pineapple and crispy spam (because Hawaii) is a beautiful mess of a burger worthy of all the extra napkins.
Margie and Ray’s
Originally opened as a country store and tackle shop in 1964, Margie and Ray’s is now the place Sandbridge locals and visitors go for huge platters of fresh seafood at down home prices. In season a platter of freshly steamed blue crabs are always a great bet or bring some friends and an appetite for the Hurricane Margie, an extensive offering of fried seafood, crab cakes hush puppies and cole slaw big enough to feed a navy.
The Bee and the Biscuit
Housed in a charming century old farm cottage in the rural Pungo area of Virginia Beach, the Bee and the Biscuit has fast become a local favorite for brunch. The bounty of nearby farms provides the ingredients for veggie loaded omelets, decadent stuffed french toast and signature fluffy biscuits. Complete your brunch with an iced latte or mimosa flight.
Three Ships Coffee
In a city dominated by Starbucks, Virginia Beach was long overdue for a well-crafted coffee without pretense. Brad Ewing and his wife Amy, a certified wine professional, began roasting in their garage and selling their beans and brew at the Old Beach Farmer’s Market. Roasted in small batches, Three Ships Coffee is fruity and complex, highlighting the nuances of each coffee whether served as a pour-over or cold brew. Pair your coffee with a scratch made ham biscuit or a flaky Nutella handpie.
Esoteric
Sharing the same Virginia Beach Historic Registry 1940’s era building and garden as Commune, Esoteric pairs creative fare with an eclectic beer menu. The brainchild of owners Kristina and Tim Chastain, Esoteric aims to provide an intellectual yet playful dining experience while paying respect to Virginia’s local producers. Start off with a draft from one of the best curated beer menus in the area and while the menu is always changing, the house made pimento cheese or bacon sliders are always a good bet.
Zeke’s Beans and Bowls
After a day out on the sand what you really need is something light,filling and above all delicious.. Enter Zeke’s Beans and Bowls. A few blocks from the boardwalk on Norfolk Avenue, the laid-back bohemian vibe compliments the concise menu of poke and acai bowls. Poke, a Hawaiian dish of raw tuna is accented by a dressing of soy and sesame; while the acai bowls topped with granola and fruit (the Haole bowl with banana kiwi, pineapple and coconut is a personal favorite) make for a tasty pre-beach breakfast.
Tautog’s
Featuring fresh seafood and coastal favorites Tautog’s has long been an Oceanfront standard. Visitors to the boardwalk line up at this 1920’s beach cottage for creamy she-crab soup (loaded with plenty of lump crab and a generous splash of sherry), world famous crab cakes with granny smith tartar sauce and shrimp and grits with an addictive peach bbq sauce.
Eurasia
Featuring locally sourced ingredients Eurasia Cafe marries classic French technique with an Asian twist. Seared sesame tuna with a miso glaze is a local favorite and the tempura green beans are a surprising take on a familiar side. Complete your meal with a bottle of wine from the wine boutique at the front of the restaurant or an expertly crafted cocktail. This elegant, cozy restaurant is located near the Virginia Beach Oceanfront and is sure to impress.
Fruitive
Fruitive is a vegetarian/vegan cafe specializing in juices, smoothies, salads and wraps that will keep you energized throughout your day. The fuschia-hued dragon berry smoothie—a delicious blend of almond milk, peaches, berries and dragon fruit is a healthy way to fuel your beach adventures. The owners work closely with local farms and organizations to provide the best produce for their customers as well as give back to the community.
Mojito Cafe
Serving authentic Puerto Rican cuisine Mojito Cafe takes you to the Caribbean the moment you walk through the door. Be sure to try their namesake drink, the mojito (the mango one is my favorite) alongside scratch-made empanadas and mofongo.
Hearth
The folks at Hearth know good things happen when fire meets food. A creative menu of wood fired cuisine it’s the pizza at Hearth that is not to be missed. With housemade hot Italian sausage and smoky caramelized onions the Luciano is always a good bet. A solid beer list and well crafted cocktails compliment their wood fired offerings.
Like this Virginia Beach article? Check out a few of my other posts!
The Best Coffee Shops in Virginia Beach
Best Craft Beer in Virginia Beach
Fun Things to Do at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront
Whale Watching in Virginia Beach
Whitney aka Mrs. Millennial says
OMG, that bloody mary looks out of control good!
Brianna says
The best bloody Mary ever!
Andi says
Holy moley, I want it all! The food scene has really advanced since I spent time there in the early 80’s! I’m looking forward to exploring the area in the future.
Brianna says
Andi, the food scene here is really exciting right now. I think you’re long overdue for a visit.
Kim @ So Full Zest says
Great post! I have a similar post up on my blog with some of the same places featured. I’ve never been to the Stockpot, I have to try them out.
Brianna says
Kim, I think Stockpot is right up your alley.
Diane says
Stumbled on your blog and loved this list of VA Beach locales! I’m a foodie and a dietitian, so I love to support good, local food. The ones I’ve tried I totally agree and the others I’ve heard about and love the details you gave. Thanks for rounding them up and making a “foodie bucket list” for me!
Brianna says
Thanks for stopping by, which place catches your eye the most?
Travelling Dany says
Your photos make me want to lick the screen, I love them! And I’ve already added some of these restaurants to my bucket list, thank you!
Brianna says
I think I need to go back to all of them just to double check my research 😉
Astrid Vinje says
That Bloody Mary looks over the top! I think I would enjoy a cup of coffee at the Three Ships Coffee Roasters instead. Nice write up of places for brunch!
Brianna says
Thanks Astrid, you can’t go wrong with any place on this list.
Claudia says
Oh my I am craving that buckwheat crepe!! And I also love the farm to table concept of Commune ! Its always so great to see restaurants putting effort into getting the best quality ingredients especially the ones that are freshest and in season!
Brianna says
Commune is one of the best restaurants in Virginia in my opinion.
Caitlin says
Wow my tummy is definitely rumbling now after reading this! I wish I was closer to this are because I would definitely be taking your advice and stop by all these unique places! 🙂
Brianna says
Perhaps it’s time to plan a trip to Virginia Beach?
Julie Cohn says
It has been a long time since I have been to Virginia Beach but I may have to make a trip back just to try these great places to eat! That buckwheat crepe and the bloody Mary look incredible!
Brianna says
Both solid choices 🙂
Sandy N Vyjay says
This is a lovely round up of some amazing eateries. All of them seem to have their own unique character and seem to serve some yummy food. But I am specially interested in Three Ships Coffee and appreciate the personalized styling. It takes guts to compete with the likes of Starbucks and carve a niche for yourself.
Brianna says
Three Ships roasts some amazing coffee, definitely one of my favorite cafes anywhere.
knycx.journeying says
Wow, the food looks amazing and the over-the-top bloody mary is simply the highlight of it all! Thanks for sharing and I will take notes for my next visit:) @ knycx.journeying
Bharat & Supriya says
The photos are exceptional, especially of the buckwheat crepe! Never knew Virginia beach had so much to offer, thanks to you!
Brianna says
Virginia Beach really has some creative food going on.
Barb says
Sp many great places to try on Virginia Beach! Commune and Eurasia look like the best places on the list.
Brianna says
You can’t go wrong with either, bon appetit!
Nina Danielle says
That bloody mary is unbelievable hahaha! I want to try Fruitive, that looks delicious!
Brianna says
Soft shell bloody ftw!
Claudia says
You should have a disclaimer on this article – “Do not read while hungry”! All of these food photos and eating spots look fabulous. That buckwheat crepe at Commune looks crazy good.
Brianna says
The crepes at Commune are one of my go to meals when I’m at home.
Elisa says
wow! that huge bloody mary has my name on it! but i think in the end i would end up in Fruitive which looks less bloody and healthier 🙂
Brianna says
Aside from being healthy Fruitive is supremely delicious.
Chrysoula says
Wow, all the options look fantastic. Now I have a hard time choosing where to go. I am a big fan of healthy food and I appreciate the farm to table concept. The Commune looks like a great place for a healthy lunch!
Brianna says
Commune is good no matter what time of day you go.
Jessica Carpenter says
Yum! Great photos of beautiful food!
Christina | Christina's Cucina says
SO many great choices and diverse cuisines, I had no idea! My son lives in Virginia, so I should really make it a point to see him and take advantage of being on the opposite coast! Thanks for the great suggestions!
Brianna says
Let me know if you make it out this way, I’d love to meet up!
Indrani says
Whoa! I would be terribly confused to choose just one of them. I have to get a taste of all. Great food photography done.
Marie-Carmen says
Oh do not read this on an empty stomach! I’m so hungry right now and could easily devour a few of the things you mentioned! The crepe looks amazing and the pasty too! Nom!
Anita says
I love these mouthwatering suggestions. Very informative and pictures are great. Thanks for sharing.
brian says
I’d like to try Eurasia and Stockpot!
Jean says
So much delicious good! Terrapin would be my kinda place.
Charles McCool says
Wow, I gotta get me down to Virginia Beach, for nothing else but the culinary scene.
Brianna says
There are some pretty cool people you could visit here too;)
Kristin @ Camels & Chocolate says
I don’t think I ate at any of these places when I was in Virginia Beach a few years ago! Maybe they’re new? I do remember having the best donuts ever there!
Brianna says
A bunch are fairly new but I ‘m excited to see how the restaurant scene here will evolve.
Jonny Singh says
I want all these food in my life. Thanks for sharing such tremendous places to eat in virginia beach.
Tami says
The Bee and the Biscuit looks like a quaint place to grab a bite! Thanks for the recommendations!