15 Best New Restaurants to Try in Virginia Beach

15 Best New Restaurants to Try in Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach (VB) Restaurants give it its culinary identity. Virginia is known for its southern-style fare including oysters, peanuts, BBQ, country ham, blue crabs, trout, apples and Brunswick stew. The salty brackish water is home to an amazing array of sea life often served fresh, seasonal, and prepared with ingredients sourced from its own rich farmlands. However, food in Virginia Beach seems to be a bigger deal here than in most places. This city is famous for its vibrant restaurant culture and it has a longstanding tradition of producing some of the country’s finest seafood.

When you visit VB you’ll discover a wide variety of new restaurants offering international cuisine, American fare and seafood. Whether you’re looking for that pure foodie eatery, a fine dining establishment or a casual night out, you can find it in Virginia Beach. The locals love food and recently a number of new dining options have been added to the city. Whenever you are in Virginia Beach, try out these 15 best new restaurants.

Best New Restaurants to Try in Virginia Beach for Fine Dining

Oscar’s Oceanside – Virginia Beach

Experience Virginia Beach Boardwalk at its best!  The establishment serves classic dishes in a beautiful setting.  The service is A+ and their waiters very attentive; they even offer suggestions and descriptions, with helps with indecisiveness emanating from the rich menu. Dining at the Oceanfront’s newest fine dining establishment offers eclectic and impressive contemporary cuisine of steaks, pasta and the freshest local seafood with dazzling waterfront seating. Moreover, the General Manager works the room gracefully dropping in on guests to see to their satisfaction with the service.

Wow, your palate with their beef carpaccio appetizer, delicately thin slices of filet topped with dressed greens, or their seared tuna with Thai-lime cucumber salad. The three-course meal they offer is the best value for money as you have a choice of an appetizer and a dessert with your meal all for $49*. Fresh mojitos and other cocktails and an accessible wine list with gems from Italy, France, California and South America will complete your evening. 

Practical Information

Address: 2613 Atlantic Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451, United States

Call: +1 757-524-5448

Open: Sun – Thur 4:30pm – 9pm   Fri – Sat  4:30am – 9:30pm

Reservations: OSCARSVB.COM, OPENTABLE.COM

 

Best Virginia Beach New Restaurant for Breakfast

Granier European Bakery & Café

 This is a cute little European-style bakery cafe with a nice selection of pastries and desserts in the front cases. They also have breakfast items, salads, coffee drinks and sandwiches which are ordered at the front counter and served at the tables. Founded in Barcelona, Granier Bakery has opened more than 350 bakeries around Spain and has expanded to England, Italy, Portugal, Mexico and Costa Rica. Granier Bakery locations feature 20 different types of European pastries freshly baked every day, including a French butter croissant or pain au chocolat, accompanied by high-quality Italian coffee, toasts, salads and sandwiches.

Granier European Bakery and Café’s Virginia Beach location (it’s the only U.S. spot outside of Miami). They serve freshly baked Spanish-style pastries and loaves of bread in a warm and welcoming ambience just a short drive from the Oceanfront. Treat your tastebuds to the Granier’s signature pastries with a cup of coffee or order the bakery’s breakfast and lunch options, including omelettes, sandwiches, salads and fresh juices.

Practical Information

Address: 1544 Laskin Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23451, United States

Location: Hilltop East Shopping Center

Call: +1 757-402-3008

Open: Tue – Sun   7am – 3pm  Mondays-Closed

Order: postmates.com, ubereats.com, grubhub.com, seamless.com

 

Best New Bites and Booze Restaurants in Virginia Beach

Three Notch’d Craft Kitchen & Brewery

When the hunger hits, Chef Stephen Kerschner is on hand to conjure up Three Notch’d staple like pretzel bites and beef sliders or build-your-own mac-n-cheese bowls to fill up fast. The main menu comprises choices like steak frites or blackened salmon and grits with smoked tomato and chilli gravy. There are also veggie-forward seasonal options like stuffed acorn squash with quinoa salad and sweet and sour kale made with their Blood Orange Gose. Furthermore, the kitchen dishes out mouthwatering burgers and sandwiches, soups, salads, shareable appetizers and even a build-your-own-macaroni-and-cheese bowl.

There is no denying that Virginia Beach is a beer destination, the locals love their craft beers explaining why many locals patronise the largest independent craft beer company now calling the Town Center of Virginia Beach home. A bona fide Virginia brewery this is the fifth location for Charlottesville-based Three Notch’d and the third with a restaurant.

Head Brewer Sarah Gregor unleashed her first VB tap, Blushing Blossom Blonde Ale made with fresh hibiscus tea and we can expect more guest collaborations with local breweries like Young Veterans. Here you can enjoy an extensive selection of Three Notch’d Craft Kitchen & Brewery’s award-winning beers, which in addition to the brewery’s flagships also include Virginia Beach-specific brews, such as the aptly named Daughter of Poseidon. join the “Fresh Beer Club,” a $19.99* monthly subscription that gives you access to specially selected releases for delivery or pickup along with other perks.

Practical Information

Address: 4561 Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23462

Location: The Town Center of Virginia Beach

Call: +1 757-916-8080

Open: Sun – Thur 11am – 10pm    Fri –Sat  11am – 11pm

 

Hearth Wood Fired Cuisine & Craft Beer

What started as a pizza truck has become one of the most popular spots near the beach for fabulous, gourmet pizza prepared in a wood oven, which is the heart of the kitchen. Other great offerings include deviled oysters, handmade pasta, shrimp and grits, and roasted tuna. It is a warm, sophisticated restaurant with wood-fired pizza, New American dinners, craft beer & cocktails. It’s a quaint cosy place in such high demand, that we recommend a reservation. The ever-changing menu reflects the season and debuts local ingredients.

Their menu is pretty unique as they have a nice selection of entrees and a good selection of pizzas too. We vouch for the braised short rib with potatoes and also pork schnitzel (because you can’t find that anywhere in VB). You will love the pizza and the oyster appetizer and the sharable desserts such as peach pastry with ice cream. Not necessarily a beer bar but a great place by the beach to also have quality food. The bartender is always attentive and helpful and if you want a quality meal with a craft beer by your side then this is a must-stop when at VB.

Practical Information

Address: 605 Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23451, United States

Phone: +1 757-962-0662

Open: Mon – Sat  5pm – 10pm   Sunday- Closed

 

Best New Restaurants to Try in Virginia Beach for Romantic Dates

Love Song

Looking for food and drinks served with a whole lot of love? then Love Song is the place to be. There is an abundance of love radiating from this Basque-influenced Virginia Beach restaurant. It’s an uplifting place,  judging from the attentive but cool hospitality that greets you as soon as you step through the door. Locally sourced ingredients are at the heart of the restaurant’s offerings, which include a simple yet elevated menu of shareable plates, platters and sweets prepared by Chef Mike Hill and Chef de Cuisine Jake Keller. 

In addition to the Spanish-inspired food, Love Song’s bar puts out signature cocktails, including a crowd favourite, the Rude Boy, which combines Plantation and Smith & Cross rums, falernum, pineapple and lime whipped up with egg white. The result is a tropical rum sour that pairs well with everything on the menu. The restaurant is more of an adult clientele-oriented place and is recommended for date night or even a boys’/girls’ night out.  

Practical Information

Address: 327 Laskin Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23451, United States

Phone: +1 757-491-3205

Open: Sun – Thur             5pm – 10pm      Mon & Sat           Closed

Reservation: No

Eat Bistro

It is a nice small intimate restaurant with good service and a menu that is so good that might give a hard time deciding what to eat. Their creative and eclectic menu has something for everyone, foodie and regular Joe alike. In the summer, enjoy a cocktail on the outdoor patio and in the off-season, the cosy bar and dining room are just the ticket for a relaxing, memorable and maybe even romantic evening.

The intimate location (great for a date), tucked away at the north end of the Virginia Beach oceanfront, has become a local favourite. Enjoy creative renditions of steaks, fresh fish and seafood, possibly the best burger you’ll ever have, vegetarian and more. There’s a chalkboard of daily specials, and a full list of wines, craft beers and cocktails.

Practical Information

4005 Atlantic Ave Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Call: (757) 965-2472

Open: Wed – Sat              5pm – 10pm       Sun        5pm – 9pm Mon – Tue – Closed                                

Reservation: Yes

 

Best New Japanese Restaurant to Try in Virginia Beach

Baby Izakaya

Baby Izakaya is one resilient joint, after closing twice during the pandemic, the restaurant has finally arrived as a self-contained patio universe of fine cocktails and left-field Japanese flavours. The trendy, industrial-style restaurant serves Japanese-inspired dishes like ramen & sashimi.

Kevin Ordonez’s (Chef/owner) restaurant is an idiosyncratic vision of an Asian drinking hall born from a Navy childhood in Japan.  Ordonez spent a formative period of his youth eating rich-broth ramen and gentle curries in the coastal city of Yokosuka, where some of the best food didn’t even have a name. 

Baby Izakaya is a place of gentle salt pickles made according to a thousand-year-old tradition, heat-singed mergers of Japanese spice and pork rib Southern barbecue, and brothless ramen tossed in pecorino cheese and peppered up like an Italian cacio e pepe – an improbably delicious plate that Ordonez has long been making for himself at home.

Practical Information

Address: 510 17th 1/2 St Suite A, Virginia Beach, VA 23451, United States

Call: +1 757-937-1995

 

Best New Restaurants to Try in ViBE District Virginia Beach

The Pink Dinghy – Virginia Beach

 

The Pink Dinghy was started by Stephanie Dietz and Chase Pittman, two people who strive to bring loved ones together with good food & drinks. They saw a need for a place where neighbours could gather, break bread together and leave with lifelong friends. Their mission was to create a welcoming space for their community to celebrate their milestones, their special occasions and their everyday lives.

The Pink Dinghy absolutely oozes charm and plenty of substance behind the well-appointed Virginia Beach hangout too. Centred on the notion of food nurturing existence, The Pink Dinghy is a neighbourhood restaurant and market, specializing in thoughtful small plates, natural wines and tropically influenced cocktails. The Dinghy presents a  globally inspired menu that includes flaky empanadas and pupusas packed with flavour, plus hearty shareable plates of lamb ragu and grilled strip steak.

There are lots of options, clearly marked on the menu for most dining restrictions vegetarians and vegans will be best served at dinner, from the large assortment of veggie small plates. Try their cocktails which are to die for.  The husband-and-wife team of sommelier Breland and general manager Madeline Ott are both broadly knowledgeable in recommending pairings from a far-ranging wine list that might otherwise be unfamiliar to most diners. Virginia Beach’s Pink Dinghy has evolved into a casual powerhouse of wine and flavour.

Practical Information

Address: 609 19th StreetVirginia Beach, VA 23451

Call: (757) 937-1010

Open: Tuesday 5 pm – 9 pm        Wednesday – Friday       11 am – 3 pm/ 5 pm – 9 pm         Saturday              9 am – 2 pm/ 5 pm – 9 pm        Sunday                                 9 am – 2 pm

 

New Organic Food Restaurants to Try in Virginia Beach

Session – Virginia Beach

It is a little fast-casual breakfast-lunch spot that caters for a wide culinary genre—carnivore, vegan, gluten-free, lactose-intolerant and beyond—amidst a playlist as handcrafted as the fare. Owners Kevin Warren and Priscilla Queen have created culinary magic with a shared taste in music and divergent palates. She’s a vegetable-loving clinical dietitian; he self-identifies as a “bacon, egg and cheese guy.” Kevin is a part-time DJ, too, so he spins lo-fi jazz and hip-hop in the early hours. Food aside, because it emphatically speaks for itself, the proprietors are a couple who truly believe in their product. Food that is organic, healthy, and delicious is omnipotent to a healthier lifestyle and a contributor to the longevity provided by a healthy choice. 

The entire menu is available all day whether dining inside or under the shade sail of the garden-edged patio. Eat healthy with a roasted veggie bowl and a smoothie or indulge with “The Nancy”—a turkey sandwich with Swiss and tangy Russian dressing—chased with caramel crunch brownies and a mimosa flight (beer and wine available, too). The food is delicious, and the indoor and outdoor settings make for a great environment to enjoy whatever you order.

Practical Information

Address: 2973 Shore Dr Suite 104, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Location: Lynnhaven Colony Shoppes

Phone: +1 757-904-1492

Open: Everyday                8am – 3pm         Tuesday – Closed

Commune

Commune is a sustainable eatery, bakery and cafe in the heart of Virginia Beach’s Arts District.  They source over 90% of their ingredients from local farms and producers that use sustainable techniques. They make everything from scratch. Commune was opened by Kevin Jamison who was farming organically for many years before venturing into the restaurant business. Sourcing the vast majority of their ingredients solely from Va territory and bringing people together through that food. The bustling cafe in Virginia Beach serves local, seasonal and sustainable fare in an open setting with community-style seating.

It is a  farm-to-table restaurant that uses high-quality, sustainable and local ingredients in its dishes and even has its own on-site garden. Seasonal menu items run the gamut from salads to burgers. Sample the grits bowl, peach fritters, or fried chicken and then wash it all down with a great cup of coffee, a homemade soda or a craft brew. You can be healthy or indulgent at this delicious spot that offers organic vegetarian dishes as well as wonderful burgers and smoked brisket.

Practical Information

Address: 501 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach VA 23451

Call: (757) 963-8985

Open: Mon – Sun             8am – 3pm

 

Best New Vegan Restaurant in Virginia Beach

Cinnaholic – Virginia Beach

Who can turn down a warm, fluffy cinnamon roll? No one. Cinnaholic specializes in gourmet cinnamon rolls. Driven by a mission to satisfy everyone’s dessert cravings, all of Cinnaholic’s offerings are 100% vegan, meaning they are dairy, lactose and egg free. The restaurant gives you a chance to create your own cinnamon roll from more than 20 frosting flavours and a plethora of topping options. Alternatively, settle for their signature rolls, such as the Cookie Monster topped with cookie dough and the Tropical Bliss with raspberry frosting, bananas, blueberries and coconut. 

Cinnaholic Virginia Beach is the perfect indulgent treat for all people with a sweet tooth. All their offerings are delicious and list the calories for each so you can decide how decadent you want to be. The minis are lower calorie but they aren’t warm like their larger (giant) cousins. All of their products are fresh baked so don’t wait another day to treat yourself to their delicious food!

Practical Information

Address: 209 Central Park Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23462

Call: +1 757-330-2150

Open: Mon – Thur           10am – 9pm      Fri – Sat                10am – 10pm    Sun        Noon – 6pm

 

Virginia Beach New Restaurant with the Best Scenic Views

Tin Cup Kitchen + Oyster Bar – Virginia Beach

Located within Delta Hotels Virginia Beach Bayfront Suites, this restaurant will ignite your senses with scenic Bayfront dining. Savour fresh oysters, fish, and coastal cuisine amid stunning water views while enjoying a “Tin Smash” cocktail (featuring Tin Cup Whiskey). The intimate atmosphere of Tin Cup Kitchen + Oyster Bar allows customers to relax after a hard-working day. The Tin Cup feels so much a part of the coastal scene – check out its raw bar’s “Oyster Trail” (showcasing all eight Virginia oyster regions).

Tin Cup Kitchen + Oyster Bar is a coastal American eatery under the leadership of Executive Chef Andrew Garrison. It features a robust oyster selection representing the eight oyster regions of Virginia, classic items like New England Seafood Chowder and regional dishes such as Rock Fish and Chesapeake Crab Cake.

The designer created an 88-seat modern upscale decor, seafood restaurant with Bay views. The restaurant also offers a 36-seat deck facing the Bay, as well as a separate 56-seat patio called the Tin Cup “Conservatory,” rentable for private events. This sweet spot is mostly frequented by out-of-towners but locals also dig it, especially off-season, especially for daily happy hours, especially when they drift from surfside to the “walk up” bar.

FYI

Reservations are available 60 days in advance. The destination bar is walk-in only and  Dune Deck is on a first come first served basis.

Practical Information

Address: 2800 Shore Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23451, United States

Location: Delta Hotels by Marriott Virginia Beach Bayfront Suites

Call: +1 757-910-1028

Open: Sun – Thur             8am – 11pm      Fri –Sat                 8am – Midnight

 

The Best New Family-Friendly Restaurant to Try in Virginia

Benny Cavalloni – Town Centre

The new Virginia Beach spot features a beach-themed interior with wood planked walls. Cavalloni’s opened in the Fall of 2021 and we are located in the ever-growing Virginia Beach Town Center. Building upon the original Benedito persona, Cavalloni’s (“breakers”) brings Benny’s beach-loving personality to life. Whether you’re in the town centre to shop, work, or play, Benny’s will fuel your day while you enjoy a slice of deliciousness. Benny’s signature product is  “Virginia slice” and jumbo family-sized 28-inch pies. The Virginia Slice is a marvel of perfect crust consistency, tasty toppings and value. Eat here once and you will become a regular.

While the pizza shop is the same from store to store, town to town and state to state, each location’s décor reflects its whereabouts. Menu boards, seating, logos and music differ from one Benny’s to the next.  Lolly’s ice cream and beer are sold on-site.

Practical Information

Address: 233 Market St, Virginia Beach, VA 23462, United States

Located in: The Town Center of Virginia Beach

Open: Sun – Thur             11am -10pm      Fri –Sat                 11am – 2am

 

Best New Restaurants for Iconic Virginia Beach Seafood Dishes

The Atlantic on Pacific

The Atlantic on Pacific is an oyster/craft cocktail bar nestled in the heart of the Virginia Beach oceanfront. Their menu celebrates seafood from the east coast, west coast and beyond. They support local and regional fishermen, crabbers, oystermen, farmers and producers. Watch the shuckers in action at the raw bar with regional oysters, clams, crab claws and more. The kitchen churns out creative and classic Mid-Atlantic seafood favourites such as lobster sliders, smoked trout pate, oyster stew, low-country shrimp boil and crab cakes. Alternatively,  stick to house favourites such as deviled eggs, burgers, and the hot chicken sandwich.  There is no doubt, a good oyster needs a great wine. The Atlantic’s wine list has been hand-selected for only the best-suited pairings with their menu. Sidle up to the bar for cocktails with fresh “shrubs” and mixers. If you don’t eat seafood they plenty of options for everyone on the menu.

Practical Information

Address: 3004 Pacific Avenue Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Call: +1 757-422-2122

Open: Sun – Thur             11am – 9:30pm                                Fri – Sat                11am – 10pm

Dockside Seafood & Fishing Center

The restaurant provides a glorious chance to sit and take in the beauty of Virginia Beach while enjoying fresh seafood. Open every day of the week for lunch or dinner, by boat or by car, eat in or take out, even catch your own; you’ll surely enjoy yourself. For unmatched freshness, tie your skiff up at Dockside Restaurant and Marina, located within the Lynnhaven Inlet in the Chesapeake Bay District. They serve up the freshest seafood which is why you can’t go wrong at their raw bar, offering both Lynnhaven and Eastern Shore oysters and the Chesapeake Bay blue crabs, deliciously paired with a glass of wine from their in-house wine shop. No wonder they were awarded Spectator Award for having one of the most outstanding restaurant wine lists in the world.

Dockside Seafood & Fishing Center offers something for the entire family, if you are travelling to Virginia Beach and looking for something to do, a half-day fishing trip or sunset dolphin watch cruise is the answer for you. They provide a memorable time for everyone, including families, fishing pros and beginners. The half-day open headboat fishing trips usually start in the early spring and continue through December each year.

Practical Information

Address: 3311 Shore Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23451, United States

Call: +1 757-481-4545

Open: Monday to Sunday            7am – 9pm

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The restaurants in VB pride themselves on using locally-sourced and seasonal ingredients at every opportunity. This means daily menu changes, loaded specials boards and food so fresh it could hop off your plate. Oysters, brunch and Southern food are the holy trinity of the Virginia Beach food scene.