In this edition of our CoVa Dining Guide—in which we showcase local restaurant listings based on cuisine style, location or other themes—we go beachside with a list of restaurants that are located along the Atlantic Ocean proper in Virginia Beach. There are establishments with ocean air on the menu, located either directly on the Boardwalk, within an oceanfront building or close enough to it to hear the waves.
Arbuckle’s Bar & Grill Inside the Embassy Suites at 41st Street (part of the Cavalier Resort complex) is this casual yet handsome restaurant named for silent film star Fatty Arbuckle. A jaunty menu of shareables, soups, salads, craft burgers and other creative handhelds (think Cod Po’ Boys and Becca’s Jumbo Lump Crabcake) and entrées that would hit it big in vaudeville or Hollywood. arbucklesvb.com
Belvedere South Coffee Shop & Diner A retro VB icon was faithfully recreated inside the Moxy Hotel at 12th and Atlantic with the opening of the Belvedere Coffee Shop & Diner in 2023. This shiny new eatery is a near-clone of the one that anchored The Belvedere Motel for half a century, famous for its Eye Opener breakfast sandwiches and old-school diner décor. @belvederesouthvb
Catch 31 Fish House and Bar In the shadow of King Neptune, the signature restaurant inside the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront, celebrates our coastal heritage with an elevated menu of fresh seafood, crowd-pleasing shareables and views to die or. You’ll find locals and visitors alike making the most of their indoor-outdoor seating and bar for big Boardwalk events. catch31.com
Chix on the Beach Chix on the Beach is one of the Boardwalk’s lauded stops for sips and socializing. Join the bar crowd for shots and cocktails or dine al fresco on the Chix patio. This bar’s menu is loaded with seafood specialties and fresh-off-the-grill eats, plus a selection of deep-fried noshes perfect for late night bar hoppers. chixvb.com
Eat, An American Bistro A stone’s throw from the end of the Boardwalk to the north, this casual but creative culinary gem squeaks by on being labeled beachfront, but its curated, eclectic and seasonally sourced menu—from The Hasselhoff wagyu burger to Crispy Rice Paper Halibut—and beloved chalkboard specials will transport you to places unknown. eatbistro.net
Gran Patrón Mexican Bar & Grill Tradition meets flavor, fun and a pretty spectacular Oceanfront view at Gran Patron near 27th Street. This family-owned restaurant is inspired by the rich culinary heritage of Mexico, from sizzling fajitas and grilled street tacos to signature margaritas and crispy churros. An expansive patio and extensive tequila selection makes this a must-try. granpatronva.com
Hemingway’s Oceanside Restaurant & Bar Pilar The namesake of Key West’s famed literary local, Hemingway’s at Holiday Inn serves up a delicious variety of flavors and family faves, from High Tide Crab Dip and Coastal Crusts flatbreads to The Sun Also Rises Salad and Blackened Beach Chicken Sandwich. A boat behind the bar (Pilar) and patio for people watching make it an event. vboceanside.com/dining
Isle of Capri Colorful tales about the erstwhile Laskin Road’s “Back Room” abound. Even then, the upscale Italian food was mythic. Steeped in family legacy, cherished recipes reign supreme at this fine dining restaurant’s longtime perch atop Holiday Inn where panoramic ocean views embellish tableside Caesars, mussels marinara, linguine alle vongole and veal parm. isleofcaprivb.com
Johnny Mañana’s Boardwalk Café & Tequileria This laid-back Mexican eatery right on the Boardwalk is open “’til the fun stops,” so good thing there are 150 tequilas on the menu. There are lots of tacos, burritos and even a burger or two, too, so fill up and kick back inside or on their patio—where you can watch the Boardwalkers walk while you wash down those Nachos and Wahaca Wings with Ranch Water. johnnysvb.com
Jumpin’ Shrimp Jump on over to this low-key Boardwalk-facing favorite at 12th Street for their Seafood Boils, every day happy hour, steamed crab legs, award-winning She Crab Soup, Baja Shrimp Tacos or Smash Cheeseburger on a pretzel bun. Located in the Four Points by Sheraton, they also offer fresh oysters, pasta, ribs, chicken, steak and lobster. jumpinshrimpvb.com
Lager Heads This popular indoor-outdoor spot at the Hilton Garden Inn is known for its gourmet burgers (10 and counting on the menu), brews (domestic and local craft) as well as its classic shareables, sandwiches, flatbreads, seafood entrees and, oh yeah, that bangin’ Boardwalk location complete with umbrella tables just steps from the beach. lagerheads.com
Mahi’s Locals long knew this south-end hot spot with one more “Mahi” in the name, but this iteration boasts the Oceanfront’s only sushi bar, a sleek modern interior, succulent fresh seafood entrees, soups, salads, tacos and tempting flavor twists like their Lobster Grilled Cheese. If sushi, sashimi or poke are more your speed, get ready to rev things up with a side of sake. mahisvb.com
Mellow Mushroom If you’re craving pizza, some popular pies have arrived at the Oceanfront. National franchise Mellow Mushroom went big on VB vibes when they opened their artsy, eye-catching 35th Street destination. The original art, Bossa Nova theme and spacious patio complement famous stone-baked pizzas, creative cocktails and more. mellowmushroom.com
Ocean Eddie’s Savoring a snack and a beer on the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier in the summertime while gazing out at the Atlantic is a bucket list experience for any tourist or local visiting the Oceanfront, and for that there’s Ocean Eddie’s—a landmark seafood and snack bar that’s been around for decades. oceaneddiesvabeach.com
Ocean 27 Seated on the beautifully landscaped patio of this 27th Street destination, in a covered glider if you’re lucky, you’ll feel like you are practically on the VB Boardwalk. Bring family and friends for cornhole and other games to enjoy along with their “seafood, burgers and cocktails served in a playful, indoor/outdoor atmosphere.” ocean27vb.com
Ocean House Waterfront Restaurant Summertime people watching on the VB Boardwalk is a pastime of its own, and there are few better spots to do it than the perch of a colorful bar stool at Ocean House’s open air second-floor deck, a hidden gem with seafood, drinks, bar bites, games, covered gliders and more.
@oceanhousewaterfrontrestaurant
Ocean’s on 14 Within the colorful Sandcastle Resort at 14th street and Atlantic are two dining options including Ocean’s 14, a classic beach bar serving contemporary American, seafood, crushes, bowls and more, and Ocean’s Ole Mexican Cucina, featuringeclectic modern Mexican flavors. Live music and DJs add to the party vibes. sandcastlevb.com
Orion’s Roof While there are many Oceanfront restaurants boasting beautiful waterfront views, even seagulls might envy the nearly 360-degree vista of the Atlantic and the Cavalier Hotel that greets diners at Orion’s Roof atop the Virginia Beach Marriott. The feast for the eyes is matched by a feast of Asian-fusion flavors in a sophisticated fine dining experience unlike any in the region.orionsroofvb.com
Rangsa Authentic Indian food served in a gorgeous, modern dining room with an ocean view? Yes, please! Located in the Barclay Tower Hotel, Rangsa brings high-end yet approachable Indian dining to the Oceanfront. The menu blends bold flavors with fresh, coastal ingredients, from rich, velvety crab tadka and butter chicken to vegetarian delights like aloo gobi. rangsavb.com
Tortuga’s Café & Tiki Bar Boasting “Beach Eats for the Beach Bums,” this seaside restaurant and bar at 34th is everything you want in a vacay dining experience, even if you live here. Tortuga’s offers salads, sandwiches, tacos and desserts. Choose from locals’ favorite Crispy Fish Tacos, Jerk Chicken Nachos or Beachside BBQ. Keep it cool with a frozen Miami Vice cocktail, or make it a Mai Tai. tortugastikibar.com
Surf Club Ocean Grille The Wyndham Virginia Beach Oceanfront has the distinction of being the northernmost hotel beyond the Boardwalk’s end. It also happens to be home to this popular gathering spot for locals and visitors. Check out their regular schedule of live entertainment, patio overlooking the sand and satisfying sammies, tacos, entrees and more. surfclubvabeach.com
Tulu Seaside Bar & Grill If you want to feel like you’re at an upscale Caribbean resort without leaving VB, sashay into Tulu in your sarong for fresh, health-conscious fare, breezy craft cocktails and open-air vacation vibes for days. This bar and grill on the main floor of the Virginia Beach Marriott feels like it is one with the hotel’s swanky pool and play area. tuluvb.com
Waterman’s Surfside Grille Down at the south end of the Oceanfront, this landmark renovated Old Beach cottage turned Surfside Grille offers probably the best Orange Crush at the beach (they made them famous locally, after all) and plenty of VB history in black-and-white framed photos. Think crab soup, wraps, apps, shrimp, scallops and specials like lobster ravioli. watermans.com
Zzas One block north of Neptune, inside the Hampton Inn Virginia Beach, be sure to order a pizza or two to share. Zzas on the Boardwalk has quickly developed a following for its sour dough, brick-oven pizzas and tiki drinks with a twist. In addition to a popular menu of crushes and painkiller cocktails, you may want to sip a boozy shake or slushie. zzasvb.com
A Note About CoVa Dining Guide
Local restaurants float our boat. We wish would navigate our way to all of them. But space is limited, hungry friends! Please note this is a partial list compiled by Coastal Virginia Magazine staff and contributors. Look for more listings in future CoVa Dining Guides.
