Bee & the Biscuit, Pungo, Virginia Beach
 

No matter what’s on your Virginia Beach agenda, starting the day with a satisfying breakfast — or brunch, for those of you who have wisely reset your personal clocks to beach time — is always a smart first step. We’ve rounded up the best beginnings on the beach and beyond…bon appétit!
 

 

The Pink Dinghy
 

ViBe Creative District
 

Why We Love It: Standout newcomer The Pink Dinghy brings a sweet sophistication to the ViBe Creative District. Founded by friends Stephanie Dietz and the late Chase Pittman, it offers a marvelously mercurial menu of thoughtful small plates, natural wines and tropical cocktails. 
 

What to Order: Pleasant surprises abound on this frequently updated slate, but you can count on a daily selection of housemade donuts — plus seasonal innovations like chilaquiles con salsa roja and masa pancakes with blueberry compote and horchata butter. ¡Disfrute!
 

 

Fried Rice bowl and cup of tea at Commune in Virginia Beach

Commune

 

ViBe Creative District
 

Why We Love It: Blending the word’s dual meanings of “a small territory” (French) and “to gather together” (English,) Commune takes its locavore mission seriously. A flexible menu enables them to serve what’s freshest on any given day, spanning all four seasons.
 

What to Order: It’s not every day that a veggie burger woos meat eaters away from their beef. But that’s precisely what the Commune Burger does, time and again; this flavorful patty of rice, potatoes, field peas, baby greens and pickled mustard seeds remains a brunch MVP.
 

 

Java Surf Cafe & Espresso Bar
 

ViBe Creative District
 

Why We Love It: Always fast and always fresh — that’s Java Surf Cafe & Espresso Bar! Most Virginia Beach visitors end up visiting more than once during their trip; quick counter service meals and a full-service coffee bar make this laid-back spot a vacay mainstay.
 

What to Order: There’s a jolt for every java lover here, but we’re partial to the Dirty Chai: sweet, milky tea with a double shot of espresso. For breakfast, you’re gonna want the Big Kahuna, a hefty panini-grilled breakfast burrito with pepper jack, house pico and sriracha.
 

 

Session
 

Chesapeake Bay 
 

Why We Love It: An airy breakfast-and-lunch bastion brimming with houseplants, good vibes and vintage hip-hop, Session is committed to inclusivity of all appetites — which means there are delicious meals for vegetarians, vegans, celiacs and omnivores alike. 
 

What to Order: You don’t need to be vegan to enjoy the absolute flavor explosion that is Session’s Mushroom Banh Mi. We also love the Herbie — perfectly crispy herbed potatoes with the chili crunch egg of choice — with a Boozy Bubbly (vodka-spiked mimosa) on the side.
 

 

Leaping Lizard
 

Chesapeake Bay
 

Why We Love It: An enduring Virginia Beach favorite, the Leaping Lizard Cafe serves up imaginative meals amid a charming “beach chic” clutter, just off Lake Joyce. But don’t let the folksy atmosphere fool you; the daily menus are both surprising and sophisticated!
 

What to Order: New menus are printed every day to accommodate the catch of the day — and the chef’s creativity. If you have the opportunity to enjoy the Duck Hash, served with basil hollandaise over a house-made sweet potato biscuit, we strongly suggest you take it.
 

 

Bloody Mary drink topped with a Soft Shell Blue Crab at Bay Local Eatery in Virginia Beach

Bay Local Eatery

 

Chesapeake Bay 
 

Why We Love It: This “coastal southern” standby, founded by local waterman Adrian Colaprete, maintains a flexible menu with plenty of room for daily “fresh-ials” — from just-caught seafood to freshly picked collard greens, virtually nothing here comes out of a bag.
 

What to Order: There’s no shortage of eggs benedict dishes in Virginia Beach, but Bay Local dedicates a whole section of their menu to Bennies — which include crab cake, fried chicken, cold-smoked salmon, garden PLUS smoked sausage, bacon and cheddar varieties.
 

 

Citrus
 

Chesapeake Bay 
 

Why We Love It: A dog-and-kid-friendly, booze-forward patio just a block off the bay? Citrus. Has. Everything! This reliable diner serves breakfast and brunch standards with a dash of Virginia Beach flavor in a bustling atmosphere catering to virtually any kind of crew. 
 

What to Order: On the savory side, we love the Mediterranean Bowl, a massive, feta-filled scramble served over potatoes with garlic-buttered focaccia. But for brunchers who have a sweet tooth, the Mango Almond Croissant French Toast is practically mandatory.
 

 

Anchor Allie’s
 

Chesapeake Bay 
 

Why We Love It: Veteran-owned and steeped in 1940s diner kitsch, complete with a pinup waitstaff, Anchor Allie’s is a longtime favorite for family groups and large parties. A thorough drinks menu featuring elevated standards and gotta-try novelties makes boozy brunch a given.
 

What to Order: If you brunch on hard mode, start with a Breakfast Shot (Jameson’s, butter and bacon) and chase it with the Frogman Burrito: six eggs scrambled with bacon, sausage, tomatoes, onions, peppers, jalapeños and cheddar cheese wrapped in a toasted flour tortilla. 
 

 

flight of bloody marys at Simple On Shore in Virginia Beach

Simple On Shore

 

Chesapeake Bay 
 

Why We Love It: After three decades in restaurant management, local couple Sandy and Eddie Schmidtmann realized a lifelong dream with Simple on Shore — a cozy, casual farm-to-table restaurant serving fresh, ultra-sustainable food from surrounding areas.
 

What to Order: Simple’s streamlined all-day brunch menu is traditional but never basic. We can’t say “no” to their Egg Pie or Loaded NC Shrimp & VA Grits, but it’s important to save room for dessert: the Sorbet Margarita, available in mango, raspberry, lemon and blood orange.
 

 

The Bee & the Biscuit
 

Pungo 
 

Why We Love It: The Bee & the Biscuit oozes Southern charm like…well, honey! We especially love that you can sip a mimosa in the dappled shade of the garden before adjourning to the lively, light-drenched dining room in their 1919 cottage for a memorable meal. 
 

What to Order: They had us at “Colossal Cinnamon Roll.” Share some gooey goodness around the table before digging into Papa Joe’s Breakfast Tostada: a flame-roasted blue corn tortilla topped with eggs, avo, black beans, cheddar and your choice of chorizo or pulled pork.
 

 

Tupelo Honey
 

Town Center
 

Why We Love It: One of OpenTable’s 100 Most Popular Brunch Spots in America, Tupelo Honey serves up scratch-made, responsibly sourced regional dishes with artisan cocktails, local craft beers and a generous helping of Southern hospitality. 
 

What to Order: Start off with some treats “for the table” (sharing optional!): the famous fried green tomatoes and biscuits for a cause; the latter benefits Tupelo employees in need. Next, it’s not Southern brunch without chicken and waffles — we prefer the sriracha honey chicken variety, natch!
 

 

 

Staci Amend

As a Californian living in Colorado, writer Staci Amend takes a “why not both” approach to the whole mountains vs. oceans debate. She covers travel, nature, beauty and fashion for a variety of publications and brands — and is happiest when surrounded by hand-painted tile, struggling to pronounce her next meal. A Huntington Beach native and longboarder, she tries to time her Virginia Beach visits with the East Coast Surfing Championships.