14 Coastal Virginia Restaurants Where The Food Is As Good As The View
Coastal Virginia knows how to take advantage of its views.
The Chesapeake Bay, winding rivers, and working harbors shape the way people eat here.
Meals are often unhurried, meant to be enjoyed alongside the water rather than rushed through.
A good view alone is not enough to keep locals coming back.
The food has to match the setting, fresh, thoughtful, and rooted in the region.
That balance is what separates a scenic stop from a place people truly recommend.
These restaurants understand that diners come for the scenery but stay for the flavors.
Seafood tastes better when it is eaten within sight of the water it came from.
Menus often reflect the rhythms of the bay, featuring local catches, seasonal ingredients, and classic preparations.
Whether perched on a dock, overlooking a marina, or facing open water, the setting adds something special to every bite.
This list highlights coastal Virginia restaurants that deliver both atmosphere and quality without forcing a choice between the two.
They are places where the view enhances the meal instead of distracting from it.
If you are planning a coastal drive or a weekend by the water, these restaurants make the scenery part of the experience.
1. The Porch On Long Creek
The Porch on Long Creek feels like discovering a local secret just as the light hits the water. You will find it at 2109 W Great Neck Rd, Virginia Beach, tucked near the bend where marsh grasses rustle.
The scene is easygoing, with porch swings, breezy railings, and boats sliding past like old friends.
Menus lean Southern coastal, anchored by fresh catch, she-crab soup, and seasonal vegetables. The hushpuppies arrive hot, and the shrimp and grits balance creamy richness with bright herb notes.
Sit outside if you can, where the breeze cools the plates and your shoulders.
Service here moves at a relaxed clip that suits the water. You look up and the sky has shifted to pink, then copper.
The view keeps changing, and it matches the food in quiet confidence.
Parking is simple, and the neighborhood draws joggers, paddlers, and sunset seekers. Bring friends who love conversation, because the setting encourages it.
You will stay longer than planned, and that is the charm.
2. Chick’s Oyster Bar
Chick’s Oyster Bar is where locals post up for inlet breezes and plates piled high. The address is 2143 Vista Cir, Virginia Beach, right on the Lynnhaven Inlet with boats easing by.
The vibe is salty, casual, and completely unpretentious.
You come for oysters, fried or raw, and stay for the soft-shell crab when it is in season. The hush of the water keeps conversations mellow.
Fries show up crisp, and the slaw hits with a clean snap.
Grab a table on the deck if there is space. The horizon goes gold, and gulls trace the edge of the sky.
It feels like a postcard drawn in real time.
Service is friendly, quick, and used to crowds that roll in with the tide. Families, friends, and after-beach groups blend easily here.
If you love seafood without fuss, this is your happy place.
3. The Shanty
The Shanty pairs small-town charm with a harbor view that stops time. Set your GPS to 33 T-1108, Cape Charles, steps from the docks and evening strolls.
It is casual, bright, and welcoming, with a menu that reads like a tide chart.
Start with crab dip and thin, salty chips. Follow with a fresh catch sandwich or a basket of crisp shrimp.
The kitchen seasons with restraint, letting the seafood speak in a clear voice.
Sunsets here are the headliner. Boats bob in silhouette while plates arrive steaming and fragrant.
The air carries a hint of salt and cedar from the pilings.
Staff know the pace of the town and keep everything flowing smoothly. Grab the railing seats for the best photos.
You will linger until the sky cools, still chasing the last light across the water.
4. Urbanna Seafood & Raw Bar
Urbanna Seafood & Raw Bar feels like a river day wrapped in a meal. You will find it at 453 Johnsons Dr, Urbanna, right along Robinson’s Creek.
Boats pull up, and laughter drifts across the docks.
The menu reads simple and confident. Oysters come cold and briny, shrimp sweet and snappy, and crab cakes with just enough binder.
Sides are classic, the kind you crave after being on the water.
Live music on the patio sets an easy rhythm. The creek moves lazily, and the sun plays on the surface.
It is the kind of scene that slows your mind in the best way.
Service is kind, no rush, just right for the setting. Bring friends who appreciate a dock tie-up and a paper-lined basket.
You will leave with that fresh creek breeze clinging to your shirt.
5. Merroir Tasting Room
Merroir Tasting Room gives you oysters at the source, clean and unforgettable. Head to 784 Locklies Creek Rd, Topping, tucked where the Rappahannock meets open water.
The setting is rustic and intentional, with views that make you whisper.
Order a flight of oysters, compare salinity, texture, and finish. Pair with warm bread, bright mignonette, and a simple salad.
Everything is dialed to spotlight the shellfish.
The deck sits low to the water, so you hear every ripple. Boats trace thin white lines across the river.
The horizon opens wide, and the food matches that quiet grandeur.
Staff are informed and happy to guide first timers. Sit, savor, and let the breeze cool the plates.
You will remember the clarity of these flavors long after the drive home.
6. Waterman’s Surfside Grille
Waterman’s Surfside Grille is the oceanfront classic with a boardwalk heartbeat. The location is 415 Atlantic Ave, Virginia Beach, right on the sand and action.
Inside, big windows frame the rolling surf like living art.
Expect seafood staples done with care. Think grilled catch, crab dip, and hearty bowls with just enough spice.
The kitchen keeps flavors bright and portions generous.
Grab a window table and watch surfers thread the break. The boardwalk hum becomes a soundtrack while plates keep arriving hot.
Everything feels easy, beachy, and welcoming.
Service runs like a seasoned crew despite the bustle. Families, date nights, and beach friends all fit.
Come for the view, stay for the comfort of a place that knows exactly what it is.
7. Catch 31 Fish House & Bar
Catch 31 serves polished ocean views with a side of surf drama. Find it at 3001 Atlantic Ave, Virginia Beach, beside the Neptune scene and steady beach energy.
The dining room gleams, and the patio looks straight to the horizon.
The raw bar is a draw, with oysters, shrimp, and chilled seafood towers. Entrees lean seasonal, from seared fish to delicate pastas.
Plates arrive artful, but never fussy.
Outside, the fire pits glow as waves roll in rhythmic lines. You feel the salt air on your face between bites.
It is refined without losing the shore’s soul.
Service is attentive and knowledgeable, pacing the meal just right. Come early for golden light, or stay late for moonlit water.
Either way, the view does half the talking while the food finishes the sentence.
8. Margie & Ray’s Crabhouse
Margie & Ray’s Crabhouse is a locals’ rite of passage and a road trip detour worth making. Plug in 1240 Sandbridge Rd, Virginia Beach, on the way toward open marsh and quiet roads.
The building looks humble, but the plates say otherwise.
Crab is the star, steamed or folded into generous cakes with delicate seasoning. Sides lean classic and satisfying.
You will work with your hands, and that is part of the fun.
The room buzzes with families, beach crews, and laughter. Paper-lined tables turn into maps of the meal.
Roll up your sleeves and settle into the rhythm.
Service is warm and brisk, even on busy weekends. Expect a wait during peak hours, but it moves.
When you finally sit, the first bite confirms you chose right. The second one will have you planning your next visit!
9. Rockafeller’s Restaurant
Rockafeller’s blends marina views with a menu that honors the coast. The address is 308 Mediterranean Ave, Virginia Beach, overlooking Rudee Inlet’s steady boat traffic.
Big windows keep the water in sight from nearly every seat.
Order the namesake oysters Rockefeller or the she-crab soup. Fresh fish rotates with the season, and vegetables are handled with care.
It tastes like a kitchen that respects restraint.
As boats glide back at dusk, the dining room settles into a calm glow. Conversations soften, and plates shine under warm light.
It feels special without feeling stiff.
Staff move smoothly, making good recommendations and timing courses well. Ask for a window table if available.
You will leave relaxed, full, and a little sun-drunk on unforgettable views.
10. Blue Pete’s
Blue Pete’s is the low-key creekside retreat where time slows down. Navigate to 1400 N Muddy Creek Rd, Virginia Beach, wrapped by marsh and cypress silhouettes.
The setting is a hush, broken by herons and quiet paddles.
Menu standouts include crab soup, blackened fish, and simple sides done right. Portions satisfy without pretending.
It is honest food that pairs with a deep breath.
On the deck, you can feel the water’s calm underfoot. Sunlight filters through trees, painting the tables in shifting patterns.
The whole place feels like a secret told softly.
Service is neighborly and efficient. Come with friends who love nature and conversation.
You will drive home windows down, carrying that creek coolness with you.
11. The Deadrise
The Deadrise serves harbor views with a side of history. Set your course to 100 McNair Dr, Fort Monroe, where the old stonework meets calm water.
Boats slip in and out, and the fort’s silhouette frames the sky.
Seafood leans fresh and unfussy, from crab cakes to grilled fish. Tacos, salads, and seasonal specials round out the board.
Every bite feels anchored to the water outside.
The deck is the sweet spot. You watch masts sway as gulls ride thermals.
The pace is steady, and the scene does the heavy lifting.
Staff keep things smooth and friendly. Come for sunset, stay through blue hour, and let the harbor settle your thoughts.
You will want to return with someone who appreciates quiet beauty.
12. Awful Arthur’s Oyster Bar
Awful Arthur’s is a raw bar legend with a beach-town pulse. Head to milepost 6 2106, 2106 N Virginia Dare Trail, close enough to hear surf on windy nights.
Despite it’s rather unique name, this isn’t a place you’ll soon forget, and by that I mean because of their delicious offerings! Inside, the bar stacks shells like proud trophies.
Oysters are the headliner, with steam rising and brine snapping. Fried baskets crunch in all the right places.
Soups land creamy and comforting without going heavy.
The energy stays lively without tipping into noisy. You can lean into the counter and watch shuckers work.
It turns dinner into a show you can taste.
Service is quick and practiced. Grab a high-top if the booths fill up.
Walk out with salt on your lips and plans to come back soon.
13. Fish Hawk Oyster Bar
Fish Hawk Oyster Bar at the Tides Inn wraps luxury around river calm. Find it at 480 King Carter Dr, Irvington, set along Carter Creek’s mirror-still water.
The lawns roll to the edge, where boats nudge their moorings.
Oysters, salads, and bright seafood plates lead the way. Ingredients speak clearly, lifted by citrus and herbs.
The menu reads seasonal, thoughtful, and light.
Grab an outside seat for the full effect. The creek turns to liquid gold as day slips away.
You breathe deeper, talk softer, and taste more.
Service is polished yet warm, tuned to unhurried afternoons. Stroll the docks between courses if you like.
It is a place that genuinely recharges you without asking.
14. Bubba’s Seafood Restaurant And Crabhouse
Bubba’s Seafood Restaurant and Crabhouse lives through the oceanfront’s seafood lineage. The touchstone address is 3323 Shore Dr, Virginia Beach, a place many diners absolutely adore.
Its kitchen carries fresh, clean flavors and water views!
Think classic preparations, minimal fuss, and respect for the catch. Simple grilled fish, crisp salads, and balanced sauces define the experience.
Each bite nods to a history of nets, docks, and tide charts.
Take a seat by the windows where the water calls the shots. The view moves as quickly as the weather, always interesting.
You come for memory, and you find something new.
Service tends to be seasoned, with servers who know their seafood. Ask about what is most local and freshest.
The conversation becomes part of the meal, like a friendly chart guide.
