From seafood spots to breakfast bites, healthy eats to burger joints, these are some of our readers’ favorite local restaurants
A SEA OF CHOICES
While there is no shortage of seafood spots in Coastal Virginia, readers handed the Overall Gold in that category to family-friendly favorite Surf Rider where tuna bites (see photo above by Jacqui Renager/Performance Foodservice Virginia), crab cakes, shrimp baskets and whole heads of broccoli with hollandaise keep loyal generations coming in the door at locations around the region. The Overall Gold for Best Restaurant Overall went to Oceanfront hot spot Waterman’s Surfside Grille, which crushes it not only with their signature drink but with a seafood-centric menu that packs in Boardwalk and local crowds all year long.
EARLY RISERS
Coastal Virginia diners like to start their day off right with great local spots like The Bee and the Biscuit, which took home the Overall Gold for Best Breakfast—not surprising given this Pungo staple’s commitment to farm- fresh Benedicts, biscuits, burritos and more plus those mason jar cocktails and latte flights. Another Sunday morning scene stealer, Bay Local Eatery, got the nod for Best Brunch, while the ViBe District’s Bad Ass Coffee lived up to its name by schooling the caffeinated competition in the coffee shop category.
MORE THE MEATIER
Among other Overall Gold winners in Coastal Virginia Magazine’s Best Of contest this year are some sure to keep carnivores coming back for seconds. Williamsburg’s Pierce’s Pitt BBQ is another legendary family-owned eatery for 50 years and counting, serving tangy pulled pork, chicken, brisket and more along with Southern sides. Readers also crave the signature snap of a Famous Uncle Al’s hotdog, the wonder of wagyu burgers at Craft Burger Bar, and the game day go-to wings at The Dirty Buffalo.
DOES THE BODY GOOD
Well-known local café and gourmet shop TASTE won over the hearts of healthy eaters, who picked it for the Best Healthy Menu category. With locations around the region, TASTE’s salads, sandwiches, wraps and grain cups pack in the flavor and freshness. Beloved Greek food spot Azar’s Mediterranean Specialties was crowned Best Vegetarian Restaurant, and Heirloom in Virginia Beach earned market-fresh kudos for Best Farm-to-Table Menu, one that is seasonally crafted by Chef-Owner Brent Cowan as a love letter to his native VB farms and waterways.
AROUND THE WORLD
Break out the baba ghanoush because Orapax, a Norfolk destination for Mediterranean favorites for more than half a century, took the top spot for Best Greek Restaurant. Best Filipino went to Glory’s Bakery in Virginia Beach where their famous pepperoni baked into traditional Pandesal bread shares menu space with Filipino go-to’s like pancit, lumpia and chicken adobo. For the curry connoisseurs, fajita fanatics and sashimi supporters, Nawab Indian Cuisine, Plaza Azteca and Yama Sushi earned Overall Gold in the Indian, Mexican and Poke/Sushi categories.
ALL ABOUT EXPERIENCES
Eateries that offer unique experiences along with delicious food often have a winning combo. Food trucks are the perfect example, and Chef Kyle Fowlkes “roaming new American” Saté Kitchen earned him Overall Gold for both the Best Food Truck and Best Chef categories—wowing fans with his famous mac-n-cheese eggrolls. Known for its fine French cuisine, Le Yaca also hit the mark for Best Service/Waitstaff Overall Gold. The prize for Best Sports Bar went to Yard House, Best Outdoor-Patio Dining to The Porch on Long Creek and Best Buffet to Captain George’s Seafood.
BUNS AND BITES
Pizza always pleases a crowd, and you’re likely to find just that at the popular new Pungo location of Shorebreak Pizza & Taphouse, which features an outdoor bar and firepits overlooking a lake. Shorebreak brought the extra cheese and swept the competition with Overall Gold wins in the Best Pizza, Best Casual/Family Dining and Best New Restaurant categories. The fresh fare and laidback vibe of Leaping Lizard Café got Best Lunch, Best Small Plates/Appetizers went to Hot Tuna Bar & Grill and, no surprise, TASTE’s iconic Dagwoods like their “Northender” landed them Best Sandwiches.
BEST OF THE BOOZE
Williamsburg Winery, which won Overall Gold for Best Winery, has been putting Coastal Virginia on the map as a wine destination for a decade, but locals have loved their Governor’s White and the rustic charm of Wedmore Place for much longer. The super-sized selection at Total Wine got the nod for Best Beer & Wine Shop, while the new Beach Vodka near Oceana won for Best Distillery. Overall Gold for Best Brewery went to Sly Clyde Cidery in Hampton with their “craftily crushed” Inkjet. And Best Happy Hour was awarded to Atlantic on Pacific, where drink deals pair with buck-a-shuck Oysters Rock three ways.
WINNING IS SWEET
Capping off our Food & Drink Best Of Overall Gold winners is a tasty trio of sweet treats. You can’t miss Lolly’s Creamery’s retro teal, black and white walk-up in Virginia Beach, and you don’t want to miss their signature Cookie Monster flavor at any of their three locations. Beloved Sugar Plum Bakery is known for its Mozart cake, cookies, pies and pastries but also for serving the needs of individuals with disabilities. And OBX-based Duck Donuts has made maple-bacon cake donuts almost as ubiquitous locally as good ol’ glazed.
