12 Coastal Virginia Restaurants Where the Chesapeake Views Are Just The Bonus
Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay coastline has more to offer than just stunning sunsets. Laid-back seafood shacks, upscale waterfront restaurants, and everything in between serve up meals that are as memorable as the views.
Whether you’re craving just-caught oysters or a full seafood feast, these twelve coastal Virginia eateries prove that great food and gorgeous scenery go hand in hand. Grab your appetite and your sunglasses, it’s time to eat by the water.
1. The Porch On Long Creek
Garage doors roll up to reveal breathtaking Lynnhaven River views at this waterfront gem. Seafood tacos burst with freshness while you wiggle your toes in the sand beneath your table.
Sip coastal-inspired cocktails as paddleboarders glide by. The sunset here? Absolutely free with purchase!
2. Chick’s Oyster Bar
Where boaters dock for lunch and locals gather for dinner! Plump, briny oysters slide down easily while fishing boats putter past your waterside table.
The shrimp steamers? Legendary. The Lynnhaven Inlet backdrop? Magical. Arrive by car or boat, your stomach won’t care how you got there!
3. The Shanty
Harbor views steal the spotlight until your first bite of just-caught fish. Picnic tables under string lights create the perfect laid-back vibe for savoring seafood treasures.
Watch fishing boats unload their daily catch while sipping something cold. Sunsets here paint the marina in golden hues that no filter could improve!
4. Urbanna Seafood & Raw Bar
Boats bob gently on Robinson’s Creek while steam rises from your pile of spiced crab legs. This no-frills spot delivers seafood straight from watermen’s boats to your plate.
Crack, dip, slurp, repeat! Weekend warriors find live music amplifying the already perfect creek-side atmosphere. Napkins required, formality optional!
5. Merroir Tasting Room
Oyster heaven exists! Farm-to-table reaches new heights when the farm is literally the river flowing past your table. Rappahannock River oysters slide from shell to palate in seconds flat.
Small plates pack huge flavors while osprey soar overhead. Foodies make pilgrimages here, where minimalist preparation lets pristine seafood speak for itself!
6. Libbey’s Coastal Kitchen + Cocktails
Chesapeake Bay is framed like living art by floor-to-ceiling windows. Even if the waves are only a few feet away, crab pizza—yes, pizza!—reimagines comfort cuisine.
Seared scallops practically leap from local waters to your plate. Despite such breathtaking views, the atmosphere remains pleasantly casual, even though it’s elegant enough for anniversary meals!
7. Catch 31 Fish House & Bar
Boardwalk energy meets upscale seafood at this oceanfront hotspot. Marvel at Neptune’s massive trident statue while demolishing towering seafood platters stacked with oceanic treasures.
Evening meetings are warmed by fire pits as the sound of Atlantic waves fills the air. Every dinner includes free beach people-watching, which is sometimes more valuable than the appetizers!
8. Waterman’s Surfside Grille
Famous Orange Crush drinks flow freely at this beachfront institution. Sand-dusted surfers mingle with suited businesspeople, all united by seriously fresh seafood and that unbeatable oceanfront location.
Grab a spot on the patio where salty breezes enhance every bite. Decades of serving beach-goers have perfected both the menu and the laid-back coastal vibe!
9. Blue Seafood & Spirits
Alert: hidden treasure! Locals carefully defend this private location, which is tucked away from tourist throngs. Almost little filler is used in award-winning crab cakes; instead, the chef’s sorcery holds the delicious lump flesh together.
Blackened tuna melts on contact with taste buds. Though not directly on the water, the seafood’s so fresh you’ll swear you can hear waves crashing!
10. Amber Lantern Restaurant
Perched above a bustling marina, this hidden treasure offers bird’s-eye views of the Intracoastal Waterway. White tablecloths signal upscale intentions, but nobody minds if you gawk at passing yachts between bites.
Southern-influenced seafood shines alongside perfect steaks. Sunset transforms the dining room into a golden-hued dream, hence that spot-on “Amber” name!
11. Fish & Slips Marina Raw Bar & Grill
Boat traffic on the Elizabeth River provides endless entertainment at this dockside hangout. Fried seafood baskets arrive piping hot while massive cargo ships glide surreally close to your table.
Sandwiches stacked tall enough to require navigation skills pair perfectly with cold brews. Pelicans often supervise from nearby pilings, tough food critics to impress!
12. Riverwalk Restaurant
History buffs rejoice! Revolutionary War sites surround this riverside gem where contemporary cuisine meets colonial charm. The York River stretches wide before your table, dotted with sailboats catching afternoon breezes.
Fish tacos and award-winning crab cakes steal attention from those historic views. Sunset transforms the outdoor deck into proposal-worthy real estate!