I have two weeks to spend working in Virginia Beach. Last time, I was disappointed by (what seemed to be) a lack of nice, sit-down restaurants. Or, maybe I just didn’t know where to find them?
So, can the SD make recommendations on nice restaurants in the Virginia Beach area? I mean, the beach area esp…like Atlantic or Pacific Aves? They tell me the large chain restaurants (i.e.: Cheesecake Factory, etc.) are still in Virginia Beach…although it doesn’t feel like it.
You can pick the type of cuisine…whatever you’d recommend to a friend.
I should add that, compared to Ocean City MD, I am really surprised how hard it was to find some decent restaurants in Virginia Beach. Anyone else feel this way…esp SDopers who have been to both places?
Waterman’s is my favorite restaurant there. Make sure to try their crab dip; it’s amazing.
Albie’s is also really good. I really like their garlic knots.
And I’ll second Il Giardino, or 2 Giardino as I like to call it. It can be a bit pricey, but you might be able to find a coupon in one of those magazines. When I ate there last year, I had a coupon for a free entree with purchase of same.
Generally, the restaurants in Norfolk tend to be better than the ones in Virginia Beach, and a lot of the ones at the touristy Virginia Beach oceanfront aren’t that great because they don’t have to be, what with the built-in captive audience and all. Virginia Beach tourists also aren’t known to be flush with cash or have big spending habits, so there’s that too.
Eat, an American Bistro. Fresh, local ingredients. Check out the chalkboard, that’s where the really fresh stuff will be.
If you like funky, try the Jewish Mother. It’s a sandwich-burger-type place that also has music on weekends.
Reginella’s, which is not oceanfront but about 15 minutes away near the Town Center (where there’s a lot of chain restaurants, if you want to do that sort of thing - here’s a list of what’s there). I used to live within walking distance of this place and really liked their pizza. It’s run by an Italian guy and he gets really good cheese for the pizza. I like the Margherita.
Steinhilber’s Thalia Acres Inn - this is back in the neighborhood where I used to live, hidden away in a residential area. It’s very old school traditional, and a nice change of pace.
If you want nice, sit-down restaurants, run away from the Oceanfront. Those are touristy wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am type places. But if you absolutely must stay on Pacific, try the Rock Fish, Mahi-Mah’s, or Catch 31.
Check out Town Center, which is about 10 minutes from the Oceanfront by interstate: Cheesecake Factory, PF Chang’s, Gorton Biersch, California Pizza Kitchen, Keegan’s, Guadalajara, Macaroni Grill, Max & Erma’s, the list goes on.
Others: Tradewinds, in the Resort Hotel & Conference Center on Shore Drive. Tilted Table in the Red Mill Shopping Center (ask for Jen as your waitress, she’s awesome!). Cobalt Grill or Baker’s Crust at Hilltop on Laskin Road.
Feel like Mexican? Go to Tijuana Flats at Hilltop. Want BBQ? Try Jake’s BBQ on General Booth. All of these places are about 10-20 minutes away.
Drove by there a few months ago and shed a tear. I grew up in VA Beach (long,long ago) and Duck Inn was a landmark. Sorry for the hijack.
How about The Raven? Not fine dining but it is a landmark.
I don’t eat out in VA Beach much these days. Tried Il Giardino once and it didn’t do much for me. There are a couple of seafood places along Rudie inlet that are good, sorry can’t remember the names. I hear you need to drive up to the new town center for the good restaurants.
