Virginia has a coastline, rivers, and bays that make it one of the best places in the country to enjoy fresh seafood. From the Chesapeake Bay to the Atlantic Ocean, the state is packed with restaurants where locals keep coming back for more.
Whether you want steamed crabs, fried fish, or raw oysters, Virginia has a spot for every seafood lover. Here are 18 beloved seafood restaurants that the locals swear by.
Chick’s Oyster Bar – Virginia Beach, Virginia
Sitting right on Lynnhaven Inlet, Chick’s Oyster Bar has been a Virginia Beach favorite for decades. The waterfront views alone are worth the trip, but the fresh oysters keep people coming back season after season.
Locals love grabbing a cold drink on the deck while watching boats drift by. The menu is simple and honest, focusing on what the water gives you.
Raw bars don’t get much more laid-back or satisfying than this.
Waterman’s Surfside Grille – Virginia Beach, Virginia
Waterman’s Surfside Grille has been feeding beachgoers and locals since 1981, making it one of the most iconic spots along the Virginia Beach oceanfront. The lively atmosphere and ocean views make every meal feel like a mini vacation.
The menu features everything from seafood baskets to fresh catch specials that change with the season. Families, surfers, and regulars all mix together here, giving the place a warm, welcoming vibe that is hard to replicate anywhere else.
Dockside Seafood & Fishing Center – Virginia Beach, Virginia
Part seafood market, part restaurant, Dockside Seafood and Fishing Center is the kind of place where the fish on your plate might have been caught that very morning. The marina setting gives it a rugged, authentic charm that seafood purists absolutely love.
You can grab a fried seafood platter or just pick up fresh catch to cook at home. Either way, the quality speaks for itself.
Locals trust Dockside because there is nothing fancy or pretentious about it.
The Deadrise – Hampton, Virginia
Named after the traditional Chesapeake Bay workboat, The Deadrise in Hampton fully embraces its waterman heritage. The menu celebrates local seafood traditions with dishes like crab cakes, oyster fritters, and fresh fish pulled straight from nearby waters.
The laid-back atmosphere makes it easy to settle in and stay a while. Regulars appreciate how the kitchen keeps things rooted in regional flavors without overcomplicating them.
For a true taste of Hampton Roads seafood culture, this spot delivers every single time.
Surf Rider Grill – Virginia Beach, Virginia
Surf Rider Grill brings a chill, beach-town energy to every meal. Tucked in the Shore Drive corridor of Virginia Beach, this neighborhood spot has built a loyal following by serving generous portions of fresh seafood at prices that won’t make your wallet cry.
The fish tacos and steamed shrimp are crowd favorites that keep regulars rotating back week after week. It feels less like a tourist trap and more like somewhere your neighbor would take you for a casual Friday night out.
Captain George’s Seafood Restaurant – Virginia Beach, Virginia
Captain George’s is legendary in Virginia Beach, and for good reason. The seafood buffet here is one of the most talked-about dining experiences in the area, piling on everything from steamed shrimp to snow crab legs to clam chowder.
It opened in 1976 and has fed generations of families who keep returning year after year. Going to Captain George’s is practically a Virginia Beach rite of passage.
Bring your appetite because the spread is enormous and the quality holds up to the hype.
Awful Arthur’s Seafood Co – Salem, Virginia
Don’t let the name fool you. Awful Arthur’s Seafood Co in Salem is actually pretty wonderful, serving up oysters, shrimp, and other fresh seafood in a fun, no-frills setting that locals adore.
The name is part of the charm.
It’s a little surprising to find a seafood joint this good in the Roanoke Valley, but Awful Arthur’s has been proving doubters wrong for years. Cold beer, good company, and a raw bar make every visit feel like a coastal getaway without leaving the mountains.
Bubba’s Seafood Restaurant – Virginia Beach, Virginia
Bubba’s Seafood Restaurant near Lynnhaven Inlet has earned its place as a Virginia Beach institution through decades of consistent, down-home cooking. The crab cakes here are thick, meaty, and packed with flavor rather than filler.
Families have been dining here for generations, and the staff often feels like part of the family too. There is something deeply comforting about a place that has never tried to be trendy.
Bubba’s just focuses on good seafood and good hospitality, and that formula keeps working beautifully.
Blue Seafood & Spirits – Virginia Beach, Virginia
Blue Seafood and Spirits hits a sweet spot between casual and upscale, making it a go-to for locals who want fresh, creative seafood without a stiff dress code. The menu rotates with the seasons, ensuring the fish you’re eating is always at peak freshness.
Craft cocktails and a thoughtful wine list make this place ideal for date nights or catching up with friends. Regulars rave about the fish tacos and the house-made chowder.
It’s the kind of neighborhood gem that rarely needs a reservation on a Tuesday.
Tautog’s Restaurant – Virginia Beach, Virginia
Tautog’s Restaurant in Virginia Beach has been a beloved neighborhood staple since 1986. Named after a local fish found in Atlantic waters, the restaurant brings a warm, intimate feel to every meal without sacrificing the quality of its seafood dishes.
The flounder, scallops, and she-crab soup consistently earn high marks from regulars who have been dining here for years. It’s the kind of spot where the staff remembers your name.
That personal touch is what separates Tautog’s from the tourist-heavy alternatives nearby.
Berret’s Seafood Restaurant and Taphouse Grill – Williamsburg, Virginia
Berret’s Seafood Restaurant and Taphouse Grill sits in the heart of Merchants Square in Williamsburg, offering a menu rooted in Chesapeake Bay tradition. The oysters here are sourced locally, and the kitchen treats them with the respect they deserve.
After a long day of exploring Colonial Williamsburg, there is no better way to wind down than with a cold craft beer and a plate of steamed seafood on the patio. Locals and tourists both love this spot, though the regulars definitely have their favorite corner tables claimed.
YROC Coastal Bar & Grill – Gloucester Point, Virginia
Perched right on the York River, YROC Coastal Bar and Grill in Gloucester Point is one of those places that makes you forget about everything the moment you sit down. The river views are stunning, and the seafood matches the scenery beautifully.
Fresh oysters, crab dip, and grilled fish are staples here that the locals hold dear. The outdoor dock seating fills up fast on warm evenings, so arriving early is a smart move.
This is a true hidden gem for anyone exploring the Middle Peninsula of Virginia.
Merroir Tasting Room – Topping, Virginia
Merroir Tasting Room in Topping is unlike anywhere else on this list. Sitting right on the banks of the Rappahannock River, it is operated by Rappahannock Oyster Co. and offers some of the freshest oysters you will ever taste, shucked just steps from where they were grown.
The concept is simple: eat oysters, drink wine, enjoy the river. No distractions, no frills.
Locals and food lovers from across the state make the drive out here just for that pure, briny experience that you simply cannot fake.
The Shanty – Cape Charles, Virginia
Cape Charles is a small, charming town on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, and The Shanty fits right in with its relaxed, unpretentious attitude. This waterfront spot serves up cold drinks and fresh seafood with a side of stunning Chesapeake Bay sunsets that are truly hard to beat.
Crab cakes, oysters, and fresh fish dominate the menu, all sourced as locally as possible. The crowd here is a mix of boaters, cyclists, and weekend visitors who all seem to agree that The Shanty is the best seat in town.
Sting-Ray’s Restaurant – Cape Charles, Virginia
Attached to a Cape Charles gas station, Sting-Ray’s Restaurant might be the most unexpectedly great seafood meal you will ever have. The setting is quirky, but the food is absolutely serious, drawing loyal crowds who drive from miles away just for the fried seafood platters.
The soft-shell crab sandwiches and crab cakes have developed a near-legendary reputation on the Eastern Shore. Do not judge this book by its cover.
Sting-Ray’s proves that amazing food can come from the most surprising places imaginable.
Bill’s PRIME Seafood & Steaks – Chincoteague, Virginia
Bill’s PRIME Seafood and Steaks has been a cornerstone of Chincoteague Island dining for many years. The menu balances fresh local seafood with hearty steaks, making it a crowd-pleaser for groups where not everyone wants fish for dinner.
Chincoteague oysters and clam chowder are the must-orders here, celebrated for their clean, briny flavor that reflects the island’s pristine waters. The staff is warm, the portions are generous, and the cozy atmosphere makes you want to linger long after the plates are cleared.
Captain Zack’s Seafood – Chincoteague, Virginia
Captain Zack’s Seafood on Chincoteague Island is the definition of a locals’ secret. Small, casual, and wonderfully unpretentious, this spot focuses on doing a few things exceptionally well rather than trying to impress with a mile-long menu.
The steamed shrimp and fried oysters are standout favorites that keep the regulars loyal. Chincoteague Island itself is already a magical place, and eating at Captain Zack’s feels like the most authentic way to experience it.
Simple food, honest prices, and island charm all rolled into one.
Graham & Rollins Hampton Seafood Market – Hampton, Virginia
Graham and Rollins has been supplying Hampton Roads with fresh Chesapeake Bay seafood since 1945, making it one of the oldest and most respected names in the region. Part market, part restaurant, this place is where locals go when they want the real deal.
Blue crabs, shrimp, and oysters are the stars of the show, all sourced with serious care for quality and freshness. Walking in here feels like stepping into Virginia seafood history.
Few places in the state can claim this kind of deep-rooted community trust and culinary legacy.