News Summary
Virginia Beach has launched its first annual food guide highlighting the area’s best dining destinations, chosen through community votes. Featuring iconic eateries like Waterman’s Surfside Grille, Margie & Ray’s Crabhouse, Coastal Grill, and Big Sam’s Inlet Café, the guide celebrates the diverse culinary scene and community favorites, emphasizing authentic local flavors. This initiative underscores Virginia Beach’s thriving food culture and offers residents and visitors a curated roadmap to explore the city’s rich gastronomic landscape, fostering community pride and supporting local businesses.
Virginia Beach has recently unveiled its first annual food guide, showcasing the area’s top dining destinations based on community votes. Virginia Beach, known for its beautiful coastline and vibrant boardwalk, boasts a rich food culture that has evolved over the decades, featuring everything from charming crab shacks to upscale dining experiences.
The food guide was published by Dogwood, which surveyed countless readers to determine their favorite eating establishments within the city. Out of the numerous restaurants that received votes, four stood out as local dining icons, highlighting the diverse culinary landscape that Virginia Beach has to offer.
Top Four Restaurants in Virginia Beach
Waterman’s Surfside Grille
Located at 5th & Atlantic, Waterman’s Surfside Grille offers stunning oceanfront views and has been a significant part of the community for three generations. Known for its famous Orange Crush cocktail made from freshly squeezed oranges, the restaurant also specializes in local seafood, including oysters, crab cakes, and a rotating catch of the day. In addition to its lively bar scene and outdoor seating, Waterman’s is part of a family of oceanfront eateries that includes Chix on the Beach and The Shack on 8th.
Margie & Ray’s Crabhouse & Restaurant
Margie & Ray’s Crabhouse & Restaurant has a storied history, originally starting as a country store and tackle shop in the 1960s before transitioning to a restaurant in 1989. It is renowned for its steamed crabs and fried seafood, all enjoyed in a kitschy family-friendly atmosphere. The casual dining experience is accentuated by picnic tables, wooden mallets for cracking crabs, and seasoned crabs sourced from the Chesapeake. Customers quickly feel at home, making it a beloved spot for both locals and visitors.
Coastal Grill
Situated three miles from the ocean, Coastal Grill has been a fixture since 1989. This establishment is acclaimed for its exceptional service and a seafood-driven menu that artfully blends classic and contemporary flavors. Guests can savor dishes like sautéed flounder, rockfish, and perfectly pan-seared scallops. Whether catering to special occasions or casual weeknight diners, Coastal Grill provides a memorable dining experience.
Big Sam’s Inlet Café & Raw Bar
First opened in 1996, Big Sam’s Inlet Café & Raw Bar is renowned for its laid-back atmosphere and vast range of local seafood. The dockside eatery is popular for hearty breakfasts, delicious crab legs, fried seafood baskets, and a well-stocked raw bar. Known for its famous Bloody Marys, Big Sam’s embodies the casual and lively essence of Virginia Beach dining.
The food guide not only highlights these top restaurants but also reflects the community’s fond memories tied to various dining experiences in Virginia Beach. Restaurants are more than just places to eat; they have become venues for special events like anniversaries, birthdays, and casual family outings. The survey emphasizes the importance of authentic dining experiences over generic resort options, showcasing the local flavors and character that residents cherish.
As Virginia Beach continues to evolve, the newly released food guide acts as a testament to the area’s enduring food culture and the strong sense of community among its residents. As more locals and visitors explore these dining hotspots, the first annual food guide serves as a great introduction to the culinary treasures found along the Virginia Beach coastline.
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Additional Resources
- Virginia Beach Best Restaurants 2025
- Best Waterfront Restaurants in Virginia Beach
- Southern Living: Virginia Beach
- WTVR: Virginia Beach Food Guide
- Virginia Restaurants on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives
Author: STAFF HERE VIRGINIA BEACH WRITER
VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER The VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER represents the seasoned team at HEREVirginiaBeach.com, your trusted source for actionable local news and information in Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach City, and beyond, delivering "news you can use" with comprehensive coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news impacting the region—supported by years of expert reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates, while offering top reporting on high-profile events like the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, East Coast Surfing Championship, and military homecoming celebrations, alongside key organizations such as the Virginia Aquarium, Virginia Beach Convention Center, and Oceana Naval Air Station, plus leading businesses in tourism and defense like Busch Gardens and Northrop Grumman, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREWilliamsburg.com, providing credible, in-depth insights into Virginia's vibrant landscape. HERE Virginia Beach HERE Williamsburg
