Ryan F.
Whenever I’m visiting Virginia Beach, eating seafood is a no-brainer. Sure, most people flock to this beautiful coastal city for all the beaches, museums, and amusement parks, but for me, the restaurants are the absolute greatest part of coming here is going out to eat for some fresh fish and shellfish.
Luckily, there’s no shortage of places to eat seafood in Virginia Beach, but finding the absolute best ones takes a little bit of looking.
I decided to simplify things a bit and do some searching of my own. I went around town and gathered up all the best seafood restaurants Virginia Beach has to offer so that I could rank them right here on this list.
Best Seafood Restaurants in Virginia Beach
- Waterman’s Surfside Grille
- Tautog’s Restaurant
- Blue Seafood & Spirits
- Captain George’s Seafood Restaurant
- Catch 31
- The Atlantic on Pacific
- Bubba’s Crabhouse & Seafood Restaurant
- Rudee’s Restaurant and Cabana Bar
- Coastal Grill
- Margie & Ray’s Crabhouse
- Big Sam’s Grill and Raw Bar
- Blue Pete’s Restaurant
- Chick’s Oyster Bar
- Hot Tuna
- Motsie’s Sea Grille
Down below, you’ll find all of the city’s greatest seafood restaurants so that you can easily find the ideal spot for your next meal of delicious fish and shellfish. Check out this guide to Virginia Beach seafood restaurants, you won’t be sorry!
Waterman’s Surfside Grille
415 Atlantic Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Phone: 757-428-3644
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First up on my list of Virginia Beach seafood restaurants is Waterman’s Surfside Grille. This restaurant has made my lists before thanks to their delectable brunch menu, but today it’s all about the bounty of the sea.
Waterman’s Surfside Grille is located on Atlantic Avenue near all of the nicest hotels in the area like the Beach Quarters Resort Hotel by Diamond Resorts and The Ocean Key Resort, just within walking distance to Grommet Island Park.
When you get here, I highly recommend going with the crab cake sandwich or even an order of their fish tacos.
Tautog’s Restaurant
205 23rd St, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Phone: 757-422-0081
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Right around the corner from the Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum and The Ocean Sands Resort is a place that everyone should check out when they’re in the mood for fresh seafood near Virginia Beach called Tautog’s Restaurant.
What I love about this place, besides the convenient location, is the charming cottage atmosphere and, of course, the fresh seafood.
My favorite thing to order from here is usually the stuffed flounder, but I always have a weakness for a delicious shrimp scampi. Don’t be afraid to try the blackened tuna as well if you want something a bit heartier.
Blue Seafood & Spirits
2181 Upton Dr #420, Virginia Beach, VA 23454
Phone: 757-689-5395
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Blue Seafood & Spirits is up next and you’re not going to want to miss out on this place. The fish and shellfish here are so fresh that you can taste the ocean in every bite. Not to mention, the cocktail menu here is unbeatable.
I try to come to Blue Seafood & Spirits as often as I can. What I love most about this place is that they’re conveniently located in the Red Mill Commons shopping mall, so if you’re out and about on a shopping spree, this is the ideal restaurant to visit for a break and a meal of delicious fish or shellfish.
Captain George’s Seafood Restaurant
1956 Laskin Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23454
Phone: 757-428-3494
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The next place I want to point your attention towards is Captain George’s Seafood Restaurant. This place is located off of Laskin Road next to the Regency Hilltop Shopping Center, so it’s another great place for a seafood break in between stores.
Captain George’s Seafood Restaurant is far and away one of the greatest places to get fresh seafood in the area, if you ask me.
It’s family friendly, there’s a crab-themed buffet, and you can enjoy it all in a fun, nautical-themed atmosphere. What’s not to love?
I definitely recommend a nice, cold draft beer to go with the crab buffet.
Catch 31
3001 Atlantic Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Phone: 757-213-3473
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This next seafood restaurant is called Catch 31 Fish House & Bar. What I love about this restaurant is that it’s inside the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront, right next to Neptune’s Park, so you get to have a spectacular view of the water while you eat.
Eating here at Catch 31 is always a treat, even if you’re not staying at the hotel. I recommend starting with something from the raw bar like oysters since they have different ones coming in every day.
When I went there, I had some deliciously fresh Bluepoint oysters that were unbelievably good.
The Atlantic on Pacific
3004 Pacific Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Phone: 757-422-2122
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The Atlantic is the next seafood restaurant we should talk about and I really think you’re going to love this one as much as I do.
The Atlantic is located on Pacific Avenue next to the 31OCean shopping mall, just within walking distance of the Virginia Beach Boardwalk, so there’s no shortage of activities to enjoy before and after your meal.
What I recommend from The Atlantic is, of course, something from their fresh raw bar, but be sure to pair it with one of the fantastic bottles of wine from their extensive selection.
Bubba’s Crabhouse & Seafood Restaurant
3323 Shore Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Phone: 757-481-3513
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If you’ve been spending all day nearby at Chesapeake Beach, or you’ve been out on the water fishing all morning, then you might want to stop in at Bubba’s Crabhouse & Seafood Restaurant.
What I love the most about Bubba’s Crabhouse & Seafood Restaurant is that they have a restaurant-side dock for all of their hungry seafaring patrons to tie up at and come ashore for some fresh seafood.
I usually come here for some consolation fish and shellfish if I don’t have any luck catching any myself.
The local oysters are always good, but their crab cake sandwich is one of the best around.
Rudee’s Restaurant and Cabana Bar
227 Mediterranean Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Phone: 757-425-1777
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This next restaurant sits right on the shores of Lake Rudee, right next to the Rudee Tours fishing charter service, inside the Fisherman’s Wharf Marina.
You can get a gorgeous view of Rudee Inlet from your table where you can watch all of the boats come and go.
I love to come here for lunch or dinner when I’m in the mood for fresh seafood, but it’s also a fun, exciting place to come just for some drinks at their cabana bar. I always recommend starting with a tropical cocktail to help beat the heat when you visit this place.
Coastal Grill
1440 N Great Neck Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23454
Phone: 757-496-3348
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Next up on my list is Coastal Grill and this restaurant is always a treat when it comes to grabbing some fresh fish and shellfish when you’re in Virginia Beach. I try to come here whenever I can, but they’re only open for dinner, so plan accordingly.
There are very few places I’d recommend any higher than Coastal Grill, especially if you’re looking for a romantic dinner destination.
Coastal Grill has been open since 1989, so you know they’re doing something right to have been around for so long. Come and see for yourself what that is!
Margie & Ray’s Crabhouse
1240 Sandbridge Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23456
Phone: 757-426-2397
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If you’re in the mood for a bit of a drive, Margie & Ray’s Crabhouse is definitely worth the trip. You can find this restaurant out near the Back Bay Wildlife Refuge and the Lotus Garden Park, just west of Indian Cove Resort on Sandbridge Road.
This is the perfect place to come eat if you’re in a large group. For four people, I highly recommend one of their buffet-style platters of delicious seafood.
They can even feed up to 100 people! This is definitely an ideal place to host an event, especially if your guests are seafood-lovers.
Big Sam’s Grill and Raw Bar
300 Winston Salem Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Phone: 757-428-4858
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Right off of Winston Salem Avenue near Rudee Tours is Big Sam’s Grill and Raw Bar. I can’t recommend this place enough if you’re looking for some unbeatable seafood. They’re open from 7 AM to 10 PM so you can come get some fresh seafood from morning till night.
Definitely be sure to check out Big Sam’s Grill and Raw Bar if you like tropical spots as well. All of the tiki statues and tropical drinks will have you thinking you’re away on vacation in the Bahamas somewhere.
I highly recommend the lump crab and the flounder the most because they’re so fresh and they’re also caught locally.
Blue Pete’s Restaurant
1400 N Muddy Creek Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23456
Phone: 757-426-2278
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Next up is Blue Pete’s Restaurant and I think everyone is going to love this one. This restaurant is a perfect getaway from all the excitement of the beach area.
You can find this place off of North Muddy Creek Road by the North Bay Shore Campground, so if you don’t mind a bit of a drive, this is your spot.
I love this place because of their charming outdoor patio that overlooks a calm creek. I always recommend sitting outside when you come here.
I recommend starting with some fried calamari when you get to Blue Pete’s, but then you should try one of the sandwiches like a po’boy.
Chick’s Oyster Bar
2143 Vista Cir, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Phone: 757-481-5757
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Next up is one of my favorite oysters bars in the area, Chick’s Oyster Bar. This waterfront restaurant has some amazing scenic views of Fish House Island. Check out Chick’s off of Vista Circle next to the Lynnhaven Municipal Marina.
If you’re out on a boat enjoying the sunshine and the clear waters, you should definitely consider tying up at Chick’s dock and coming ashore for some amazing seafood.
The seafood is delivered fresh here all the time and you can really taste it with every bite. I highly recommend the Nashville hot rockfish sandwich. It’s absolutely to-die-for.
Hot Tuna
2817 Shore Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Phone: 757-481-2888
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Right inside of Cape Henry Plaza shopping mall is Hot Tuna, another fantastic spot for fresh seafood in Virginia Beach that everyone needs to check out.
Hot Tuna is a favorite of locals and visitors alike. They have an exciting bar scene and always have DJs playing music, so it’s a great place to come and hang out on a Friday night.
The food here is incredible and all of the fish is fresh and delicious. Brunch is my favorite meal to enjoy here at Hot Tuna. The menu is full of tasty signature dishes, as well as a build-your-own mimosa option.
Motsie’s Sea Grille
401 N Great Neck Rd #105, Virginia Beach, VA 23454
Phone: 757-648-7228
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Last, but definitely not least, is Motsie’s Sea Grille. This is a must-visit restaurant in Virginia Beach that doesn’t get nearly as much recognition as I feel it deserves for what high-quality food and service they provide to the community.
Motsie’s Sea Grille can be found over off of North Great Neck Road in the Renaissance Place shopping mall.
What I love the most about Motsie’s is that they have a fantastic brunch menu with one of the absolute best crab benedicts I’ve ever had. I highly recommend it to anyone coming here for a tasty midday meal.
Final Thoughts
As you might expect from a coastal hotspot like Virginia Beach, its close proximity to the ocean makes it a fantastic place to go for seafood restaurants unlike anywhere else around.
The restaurants here pride themselves on offering the freshest possible seafood, so hurry up and book a reservation to satisfy all your fish and shellfish cravings when you’re in the area.
If you’re not in the mood for seafood in Virginia Beach, check out this list of brunch spots around town instead!
Did we leave a restaurant out of this list? Make sure you leave us a comment and we’ll check it out!
