Guidebook for Virginia Beach
Drinks & Nightlife
Small locals place with great food. Live music on the weekends.
14 locals recommend
Tempt Restaurant & Lounge
3102 Holly RdSmall locals place with great food. Live music on the weekends.
This is really the hub of the VB Beach scene. There is live music here every night during the summer. Catch has a great outdoor area and gets pretty crazy after 11pm Too expensive for dinner and not worth it, but it's a party!
104 locals recommend
Catch 31 Fish House & Bar
3001 Atlantic AveThis is really the hub of the VB Beach scene. There is live music here every night during the summer. Catch has a great outdoor area and gets pretty crazy after 11pm Too expensive for dinner and not worth it, but it's a party!
They have it all! Food, waterfront, activities next door at Harbor Point Park
143 locals recommend
Waterside District
333 Waterside DrThey have it all! Food, waterfront, activities next door at Harbor Point Park
A speakeasy bar. Hard to find! Great martinis and tapas. Plan on appetizers and drinks here early or late. Not enough food for a meal.
41 locals recommend
Pacifica
328 40th StA speakeasy bar. Hard to find! Great martinis and tapas. Plan on appetizers and drinks here early or late. Not enough food for a meal.
GREAT bar menu. Higher end place. Lots of executives. Perfect for us over 40! Live music on the weekends
7 locals recommend
Chops
336 Laskin RdGREAT bar menu. Higher end place. Lots of executives. Perfect for us over 40! Live music on the weekends
Smartmouth Brewing Company
313 32nd StCool vibes, good beer, great patio
Home Republic Brewing Co
328 Laskin RdGood eats, good beer
Wasserhund Brewing Company
1805 Laskin RdBEST pizza ever!
Chix on the Beach
701 Atlantic AveGreat outdoor area, steamed shrimp, live music stage
Sunday Rasta Band! Every night live music, great wings, sports bar. Covered outdoor area ocean side.
40 locals recommend
Calypso Bar & Grill
1101 Atlantic AveSunday Rasta Band! Every night live music, great wings, sports bar. Covered outdoor area ocean side.
Waterman's Surfside Grille
415 Atlantic AveORANGE CRUSHES!
CP Shuckers Cafe & Raw Bar
2407 Pacific AveSeafood, music, drinks. Good prices w/outdoor seating.
TOTALLY OUTDOOR seasonal bar. Thatched roofs, dirt, corn hole, good summer crushes, younger crowd.
84 locals recommend
The Shack
712 Atlantic AveTOTALLY OUTDOOR seasonal bar. Thatched roofs, dirt, corn hole, good summer crushes, younger crowd.
Good drinks, live music, lunch, Beatles themed Pub & Restaurant good for all ages.
Abbey Road Pub & Restaurant
203 22nd StGood drinks, live music, lunch, Beatles themed Pub & Restaurant good for all ages.
Good selection of Bourbons. It's dark inside and hipster. Good burgers, specialty cocktails.
24 locals recommend
Repeal Bourbon & Burgers
202 22nd StGood selection of Bourbons. It's dark inside and hipster. Good burgers, specialty cocktails.
Murphy’s Grand Irish Pubs
2914 Pacific AveIrish pub. Usually has live music starting at 9
GREAT outdoor seating at the acoustic stage at the end of the street. Sometimes they only let you sit outside if you order food. The chicken nachos are great.
27 locals recommend
Lager Heads
3315 Atlantic AveGREAT outdoor seating at the acoustic stage at the end of the street. Sometimes they only let you sit outside if you order food. The chicken nachos are great.
Croc's 19th Street Bistro
620 19th StDrag show Sunday brunch! Nice bar at night with music
Whisky distillary. Upscale place. Historic sight, a must see even if it's for 1 drink.
11 locals recommend
Tarnished Truth Distilling Company
4200 Atlantic AveWhisky distillary. Upscale place. Historic sight, a must see even if it's for 1 drink.
If you find yourself on that side of town it's a good place. Right next door is the Patriot Pub. Don't be fooled by the rough locals, the food is OUTSTANDING!
8 locals recommend
New River Taphouse
1716 Pleasure House RdIf you find yourself on that side of town it's a good place. Right next door is the Patriot Pub. Don't be fooled by the rough locals, the food is OUTSTANDING!
GREAT FOOD! Sort of a dive bar but if you find yourself on that side of town, a must eat for sure!
The Patriot Pub
2472 Pleasure House RdGREAT FOOD! Sort of a dive bar but if you find yourself on that side of town, a must eat for sure!
Eco-friendly eating choices
Greasy spoon! Positively an experience. They have a full bar in a dive diner. Get there before 10 am for the special "The Pooch" off the board: 2 eggs, 3 bacon or sausage, home fries or grits and toast for $3.50. Best deal at the beach. Complete with taped booths, vintage locals and staff and sagging ceiling. This place is crusty and old but a classic! Walk there~
10 locals recommend
Nick's Hospitality Restaurant
508 Laskin RoadGreasy spoon! Positively an experience. They have a full bar in a dive diner. Get there before 10 am for the special "The Pooch" off the board: 2 eggs, 3 bacon or sausage, home fries or grits and toast for $3.50. Best deal at the beach. Complete with taped booths, vintage locals and staff and sagging ceiling. This place is crusty and old but a classic! Walk there~
Pelon's Baja Grill
3619 Pacific AveFish Tacos and Beer!
Breakfast! So good! The specials are amazing. Dine inside or out. Breakfast and Lunch only. Not the cheapest but really really good. Great eclectic atmosphere.
115 locals recommend
Bay Local Eatery
2917 Shore DrBreakfast! So good! The specials are amazing. Dine inside or out. Breakfast and Lunch only. Not the cheapest but really really good. Great eclectic atmosphere.
Mimosas and great food. Worth the long 45 min to 1.5 hour wait so go before you're hungry!
76 locals recommend
Citrus
357 N Great Neck RdMimosas and great food. Worth the long 45 min to 1.5 hour wait so go before you're hungry!
The food is amazing. Wednesday night 1/2 price bottles of wine. Get the special for the night if you can. Make reservations.
10 locals recommend
Cobalt Grille
1624 Laskin RdThe food is amazing. Wednesday night 1/2 price bottles of wine. Get the special for the night if you can. Make reservations.
Best ceviche on earth! Carnitas, fresh tuna tacos. Specials, great salsa. I'm from SoCal and this is the ONLY place I will eat Mexican in Virginia. Very local spot, the TV's only play Spanish channels or soccer.
11 locals recommend
Side Street Cantina
205 11th StBest ceviche on earth! Carnitas, fresh tuna tacos. Specials, great salsa. I'm from SoCal and this is the ONLY place I will eat Mexican in Virginia. Very local spot, the TV's only play Spanish channels or soccer.
Cuban Food. Tuesdays buy 1 meal get one. Very tiny place with great food. Dinner only
6 locals recommend
Havana
1423 N Great Neck RdCuban Food. Tuesdays buy 1 meal get one. Very tiny place with great food. Dinner only
Authentic Hawaiian BBQ at a great price. If you go downtown, grab take out to keep for tomorrow
Aloha Hawaiian BBQ
7479 Tidewater DrAuthentic Hawaiian BBQ at a great price. If you go downtown, grab take out to keep for tomorrow
Le Yaca Virginia Beach
701 First Colonial RdFine French food
Zeke's Beans n Bowls VB
616 Norfolk AvePoke, Acai bowls, BEST coffee funky surf cafe
Java Surf Café & Espresso Bar
1807 Mediterranean Avegood coffee nice atmosphere
Taste
3603 Pacific AveGreat sandwiches. 11-5 daily.
If there is a LOCAL cuisine, this restaurant has nailed it. Make reservations!
61 locals recommend
Tautog's Restaurant
205 23rd StIf there is a LOCAL cuisine, this restaurant has nailed it. Make reservations!
Hipster eclectic small venue, need reservations. Higher end of budget.
38 locals recommend
eat: an american bistro
4005 Atlantic AveHipster eclectic small venue, need reservations. Higher end of budget.
Soya Sushi Bar & Bistro
201 West 21st StreetBest local sushi at a good price
Doc Taylor's Restaurant
207 23rd StLocal breakfast venue
High quality, great atmosphere, indoor and outdoor seating. Higher end of budget, make reservations.
46 locals recommend
Terrapin Restaurant
3102 Holly RdHigh quality, great atmosphere, indoor and outdoor seating. Higher end of budget, make reservations.
Italian. Good, exactly what you want. Live music in the bar.
31 locals recommend
Il Giardino Ristorante
910 Atlantic AveItalian. Good, exactly what you want. Live music in the bar.
Hipster, Portland vibe. Really good coffee. BTW, no artificial sweeteners here so bring your own if you want them. Nice outdoor seating.
39 locals recommend
Three Ships Coffee Roasters
607 19th StHipster, Portland vibe. Really good coffee. BTW, no artificial sweeteners here so bring your own if you want them. Nice outdoor seating.
Bad Ass Coffee
619 18th StCoffee is good!
Best burgers EVER! Forget Five Guys, these are the best! Great atmosphere, good beer, full bar and the burgers!
Craft Burger Bar
1706 Mediterranean AvenueBest burgers EVER! Forget Five Guys, these are the best! Great atmosphere, good beer, full bar and the burgers!
Nawab Indian Cuisine
756 First Colonial RdGreat Indian food. It's the only place in town to get it.
It's new here. Very modern menu. Drinks are poured heavy, good service. Not cheap, but a nice dinner. Go early and hit the wine tasting!
11 locals recommend
Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant
733 Lynnhaven Mall LoopIt's new here. Very modern menu. Drinks are poured heavy, good service. Not cheap, but a nice dinner. Go early and hit the wine tasting!
They have good food, great wine in a small atmosphere. Locals go here. 40+ crowd.
21 locals recommend
Eurasia Cafe
960 Laskin RdThey have good food, great wine in a small atmosphere. Locals go here. 40+ crowd.
Hipster, farm to table, trendy menu but they serve your beer in a wine glass which is really strange! 20-35 crowd.
42 locals recommend
Esoteric
501 Virginia Beach BlvdHipster, farm to table, trendy menu but they serve your beer in a wine glass which is really strange! 20-35 crowd.
I like this place for lunch on the weekends you can sit outside and listen to the music on the live stage. Sunday brunch is great as well. Casual atmosphere, lots of seating, great food.
64 locals recommend
Mahi's Seafood & Sushi
615 Atlantic AveI like this place for lunch on the weekends you can sit outside and listen to the music on the live stage. Sunday brunch is great as well. Casual atmosphere, lots of seating, great food.
Newer place, if you like fried Spam here you go! Hawaiian fusion is the best description I can give you. Added per guest recommendation.
14 locals recommend
Aloha Snacks
501 Laskin RdNewer place, if you like fried Spam here you go! Hawaiian fusion is the best description I can give you. Added per guest recommendation.
MY PERSONAL TOP LUNCH CHOICE....Harvest is the oceanfront's 1st and ONLY rooftop dining option. From here view the fireworks on Sunday and Wednesday. Enjoy the rooftop gardens were they grow their own herbs. As much as possible is locally sourced. Enjoy ordering a to go sandwich, side and drink, upgrade to a bottle of wine as well.
Harvest
1718 Atlantic AveMY PERSONAL TOP LUNCH CHOICE....Harvest is the oceanfront's 1st and ONLY rooftop dining option. From here view the fireworks on Sunday and Wednesday. Enjoy the rooftop gardens were they grow their own herbs. As much as possible is locally sourced. Enjoy ordering a to go sandwich, side and drink, upgrade to a bottle of wine as well.
Parks & Nature
There are miles of trails back here woven through a cypress swamp, sand dunes and surrounding our lakes and inlets. Park on the street for free or pay $5 to drive in. You can rent paddle boards in the back of the park.
6 locals recommend
64th Street
64th StreetThere are miles of trails back here woven through a cypress swamp, sand dunes and surrounding our lakes and inlets. Park on the street for free or pay $5 to drive in. You can rent paddle boards in the back of the park.
Great Aquarium. 1/2 indoors and 1/2 outdoors. The adventure park is right nextdoor\
329 locals recommend
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
717 General Booth BlvdGreat Aquarium. 1/2 indoors and 1/2 outdoors. The adventure park is right nextdoor\
Arts & Culture
Within biking distance. Check out their website to see what they have going on.
125 locals recommend
Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art
2200 Parks AveWithin biking distance. Check out their website to see what they have going on.
This is the most beautiful museum in the area. A wonderful glass collection among many other staple and rotating exhibits.
184 locals recommend
Chrysler Museum of Art
1 Memorial PlThis is the most beautiful museum in the area. A wonderful glass collection among many other staple and rotating exhibits.
Airplanes & Dinosaurs! Yes, Dinos in true size sculputures in their own habitat. Just as fun as the many wonderful airplanes. An unexpected treat!
67 locals recommend
Military Aviation Museum
1341 Princess Anne RdAirplanes & Dinosaurs! Yes, Dinos in true size sculputures in their own habitat. Just as fun as the many wonderful airplanes. An unexpected treat!
Cape Henry Lighthouse (1881)
583 Atlantic AveSomething different! You can tour the inside
History, folklore, haunted! This place is a trip! They have ghost stories, staff dressed up, activities. Unexpected fun.
7 locals recommend
Ferry Plantation House
4136 Cheswick LnHistory, folklore, haunted! This place is a trip! They have ghost stories, staff dressed up, activities. Unexpected fun.
If you are into the military or ships this is great. The area at Waterside is good for lunch too. Go over to Waterside district for lunch or cruise the streets and shops of downtown Norfolk. Town Point Park has lots of events in the summer.
16 locals recommend
Hampton Roads Naval Museum
1 Waterside DrIf you are into the military or ships this is great. The area at Waterside is good for lunch too. Go over to Waterside district for lunch or cruise the streets and shops of downtown Norfolk. Town Point Park has lots of events in the summer.
Today the Lynnhaven House is furnished as a historic house museum to interpret the period Francis Thelaball and his family lived there, from 1725 to 1727. Guided tours discuss the roles of the household members – Francis, his wife Abigail, their five sons, an apprentice, and several enslaved people – as well as the Tidewater world of the early 18th century.
Lynnhaven House
4409 Wishart RdToday the Lynnhaven House is furnished as a historic house museum to interpret the period Francis Thelaball and his family lived there, from 1725 to 1727. Guided tours discuss the roles of the household members – Francis, his wife Abigail, their five sons, an apprentice, and several enslaved people – as well as the Tidewater world of the early 18th century.
The Moses Myers House was built in 1792 and draws an exceptionally accurate picture of the life of this prosperous Jewish merchant and his family. More than 70 percent of the fine furnishings and paintings are original to the home.
8 locals recommend
Moses Myers House
323 E Freemason StThe Moses Myers House was built in 1792 and draws an exceptionally accurate picture of the life of this prosperous Jewish merchant and his family. More than 70 percent of the fine furnishings and paintings are original to the home.
Berthed at Nauticus, the Battleship Wisconsin is one of the largest and last battleships ever built by the U.S. Navy. Explore its deck through a self-guided or audio tour that will take you back in time to experience this majestic ship that earned five battle stars during World War II.
86 locals recommend
USS Wisconsin BB-64
1 Waterside DrBerthed at Nauticus, the Battleship Wisconsin is one of the largest and last battleships ever built by the U.S. Navy. Explore its deck through a self-guided or audio tour that will take you back in time to experience this majestic ship that earned five battle stars during World War II.
Also known as The Willoughyby-Baylor House. Built in 1794, this restored townhouse offers changing exhibitions. On view in 2013 is American Treasures, a selection of more than 50 of the best American paintings and sculptures from the Chrysler Collection. Free entry!
Willoughby-Baylor House
601 E Freemason StAlso known as The Willoughyby-Baylor House. Built in 1794, this restored townhouse offers changing exhibitions. On view in 2013 is American Treasures, a selection of more than 50 of the best American paintings and sculptures from the Chrysler Collection. Free entry!
The historic Francis Land House was once surrounded by hundreds of acres of farmland. It served as the home of Francis Land VI, a wealthy plantation owner from a prominent family in Princess Anne County, Virginia.
8 locals recommend
Francis Land House
3131 Virginia Beach BlvdThe historic Francis Land House was once surrounded by hundreds of acres of farmland. It served as the home of Francis Land VI, a wealthy plantation owner from a prominent family in Princess Anne County, Virginia.
They have sections of Civil War-era track, vintage hand tools and diagrams to teach hand signals to railroad trainees. There is a locomotive simulator, a ringing bell and a railroad car coupler .
NS Museum
3 Commercial PlThey have sections of Civil War-era track, vintage hand tools and diagrams to teach hand signals to railroad trainees. There is a locomotive simulator, a ringing bell and a railroad car coupler .
Shopping
It's new! I have not been but heard it's nice. Visit their website for a list of stores.
161 locals recommend
Norfolk Premium Outlets
1600 Premium Outlets BlvdIt's new! I have not been but heard it's nice. Visit their website for a list of stores.
This is a large mall downtown Norfolk. If you are heading to see the city, hit up the Chrysler museum, Nautilus museum and Mac Center the cafe in Nordstrom's is outstanding!
154 locals recommend
MacArthur Center
300 Monticello AveThis is a large mall downtown Norfolk. If you are heading to see the city, hit up the Chrysler museum, Nautilus museum and Mac Center the cafe in Nordstrom's is outstanding!
Lynnhaven Mall
701 Lynnhaven PkwyIt's a mall. Everything you would expect.
Meg's Swimwear
307 Laskin RdBEST selection of swimwear and cover-ups
17th Street Surf Shop
1612 Pacific AveGuys & Girls stock up on your beach and surf gear here.
CHEAP STUFF! Get you "Virginia Beach" attire here. Swimsuits, towels, water shoes, hats, beach toys, junk, souvenirs. You need cheesy vacation stuff, here it is!
8 locals recommend
Sunsations
3300 Atlantic AveCHEAP STUFF! Get you "Virginia Beach" attire here. Swimsuits, towels, water shoes, hats, beach toys, junk, souvenirs. You need cheesy vacation stuff, here it is!
Entertainment & Activities
So fun! It's a bit expensive but a memory of a lifetime. Best for ages 14-50.
90 locals recommend
iFLY VA Beach
2412 Pacific AveSo fun! It's a bit expensive but a memory of a lifetime. Best for ages 14-50.
Virginia Zoo
3500 Granby StThis zoo is truly beautiful!
The Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium
801 General Booth BlvdFUN
Escape Room Virginia Beach
4317 Bonney RdThis is the best one in the city.
Scope Arena
201 E Brambleton AveCheck listings on their websites of shows.
Movies with beer, wine and food. What other way should you watch a movie?
37 locals recommend
Beach Cinema Alehouse
941 Laskin RdMovies with beer, wine and food. What other way should you watch a movie?
Dave & Buster's
701 Lynnhaven PkwySports bar, pool, games, drinks and dance lessons.
If you have a group of 4 or more this is fun. Good food, music, open late, indoor golf competing with your friends.
111 locals recommend
Topgolf
5444 Greenwich RdIf you have a group of 4 or more this is fun. Good food, music, open late, indoor golf competing with your friends.
Essentials
Not the least expensive store but a good selection and good quality.
39 locals recommend
Harris Teeter Pharmacy
2800 Arctic AveNot the least expensive store but a good selection and good quality.
7-Eleven
1010 Pacific AveSlurpees! Ice and Beer.
CVS
300 Laskin RdNormal post hours. Full packaging and shipping supplies available for purchase.
Sea Pines Post Office
320 33rd StNormal post hours. Full packaging and shipping supplies available for purchase.
Whole Foods Market
1800 Laskin RdIt's Whole Foods. No into needed
Total Wine & More
1744 Laskin RdWine, beer, wine, beer, wine & beer