Virginia Beach offers some of the freshest seafood you’ll find anywhere along the East Coast. With the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay right at its doorstep, local restaurants serve up catches that often go from boat to plate in the same day. Whether you’re craving buttery crab legs, perfectly seared scallops, or a classic shrimp basket, these nine seafood spots deliver the authentic taste of coastal Virginia.
1. Waterman’s Surfside Grille
Family-owned since 1981, Waterman’s sits right on the oceanfront boardwalk, offering stunning views alongside their legendary Orange Crush cocktails. The she-crab soup here has won awards and remains a must-try staple.
Fresh catches arrive daily, with the blackened mahi-mahi and crab cakes standing out as local favorites. The restaurant sources ingredients from Virginia waters whenever possible.
During summer evenings, you can enjoy live music on the patio while watching the sunset over the Atlantic. Reservations are recommended during peak season as locals and tourists alike flock to this beloved institution.
2. Tautog’s Restaurant
Housed in a charming 1920s cottage, Tautog’s offers a cozy, historic atmosphere that stands in refreshing contrast to typical beach restaurants. The nautical-themed dining rooms create an intimate setting for enjoying their renowned seafood specialties.
Named after a local fish, this hidden gem serves up exceptional crab norfolk and perfectly prepared rockfish. Owner Bill Gambrell personally selects seafood from local fishermen each morning. Regulars rave about the she-crab soup and the seafood pot pie—unique creations you won’t find elsewhere.
With its tucked-away location on 23rd Street, Tautog’s feels like a delicious secret shared among those in the know.
3. Catch 31 Fish House & Bar
Located inside the Hilton Oceanfront, Catch 31 combines upscale dining with spectacular ocean views. The massive outdoor fire pit area becomes the perfect gathering spot on cool evenings, where guests sip cocktails while listening to waves crash nearby.
Raw bar enthusiasts flock here for the impressive seafood towers featuring oysters harvested from waters just miles away. The open kitchen showcases chefs grilling fresh fish over wood fires, adding smoky notes to already flavorful dishes.
Happy hour specials make this otherwise luxurious spot surprisingly accessible. Their lobster mac and cheese has developed something of a cult following among Virginia Beach visitors who return year after year specifically for this indulgent dish.
4. Bubba’s Seafood Restaurant & Crabhouse
Perched on the Lynnhaven Inlet since 1987, Bubba’s offers some of the most authentic views of Virginia Beach’s working waterfront. Fishing boats pass by the windows as you crack into piles of steamed blue crabs caught that very morning.
The no-frills approach here lets the seafood shine—newspaper-covered tables and plastic bibs signal the deliciously messy experience ahead. Their seafood platters arrive overflowing with fried oysters, scallops, and shrimp that taste of pure ocean.
Sunset at Bubba’s upper deck has become a local tradition, with the golden light reflecting off the inlet waters while osprey dive for fish nearby. This is where locals bring out-of-town guests for a genuine taste of coastal Virginia.
5. Doc Taylor’s
Breakfast meets seafood at this quirky establishment housed in an old doctor’s office. Morning favorites get a coastal twist with crab cake benedict and shrimp n’ grits that locals line up for on weekends.
The building’s medical history lives on through menu items named after former patients and neighborhood characters. Vintage medical equipment decorates the walls, creating a uniquely charming atmosphere.
Beyond breakfast, lunch offerings include fresh catch sandwiches and seafood tacos at surprisingly affordable prices. Just steps from the oceanfront but worlds away from tourist prices, Doc Taylor’s represents the authentic side of Virginia Beach that keeps locals coming back for their seafood fix year-round.
6. Bay Local Eatery
Farm-to-table meets boat-to-plate at this bright, airy spot where chalkboard specials change daily based on what’s fresh from nearby waters. The Bloody Mary bar on weekends has achieved legendary status, featuring garnishes like bacon-wrapped scallops and spicy shrimp.
Owners Adrian and Whitney Colaprete prioritize sustainable seafood partnerships with Chesapeake Bay watermen. Their commitment shows in dishes like the Chesapeake Benedict—poached eggs atop fried green tomatoes and jumbo lump crab.
With two locations now serving Virginia Beach, Bay Local has become the go-to brunch destination for seafood lovers. The restaurant’s coastal casual vibe perfectly captures the laid-back yet quality-focused approach to dining that defines the best of Virginia Beach.
7. Rockafeller’s Restaurant
Nestled alongside Rudee Inlet, Rockafeller’s offers front-row views of fishing charters and pleasure boats returning to harbor. Since 1989, this family-owned establishment has specialized in creative preparations of just-caught seafood.
The signature Oysters Rockafeller comes with a twist on the classic recipe that regulars swear surpasses the New Orleans original. Weekday happy hour brings locals to the dockside bar for discounted oysters and craft beers from nearby breweries.
Captain Max King supplies much of the restaurant’s fresh catch directly from his boat to their kitchen. During soft shell crab season, devoted fans monitor Rockafeller’s social media for announcements of these coveted seasonal treats, which often sell out within hours.
8. The Shack on 8th
Don’t let the casual name fool you—The Shack serves seriously good seafood in a backyard party atmosphere. Communal picnic tables, string lights, and live music create the feeling of an endless summer cookout just blocks from the oceanfront.
The seafood boil arrives in a metal bucket brimming with crab legs, shrimp, clams, corn, and potatoes. Friendly servers tie bibs around necks and provide mallets for a hands-on dining experience that’s as fun as it is delicious.
Beach volleyball courts and cornhole boards make this a true all-day destination. The Shack’s commitment to the casual coastal lifestyle extends to their policy of serving most drinks in plastic cups—perfect for wandering the sprawling outdoor space while deciding which seafood offering to try next.
9. Ocean Eddies Seafood Restaurant
A local institution since 1948, Ocean Eddies occupies an unassuming building where generations of families have celebrated special occasions over platters of fresh seafood. The wood-paneled walls display decades of fishing photos and maritime memorabilia.
Their broiled seafood platter offers a taste of everything the Chesapeake Bay provides—flounder, scallops, shrimp, and crab imperial. Recipes haven’t changed in 70+ years, preserving authentic mid-century coastal cooking techniques that have largely disappeared elsewhere.
The staff includes family members spanning three generations who greet regulars by name. Before heading home, don’t miss their homemade key lime pie—a refreshing finish that uses a recipe brought north from Florida by the founder’s wife in the 1950s.
Leave a comment