The Green Cat Juice Bar and Market
Juice and Smoothie Bowls
Sometimes beach days inspire you to be a little healthier. And for these occasions, grab your beach lunch at the Green Cat. This Pacific Avenue juice bar blends up some of the best smoothies in Virginia Beach, like the namesake Green Cat with pineapple, mango, spinach, spirulina and coconut. There’s also a whole line of bottled juices, along with gourmet toasts, salad and meal-sized smoothie bowls.
757 Chop Cheese Grill
Sandwiches and Wraps
Let’s say you’re hungry. Like spend-all-day-on-the-beach-and-forgot-to-eat hungry, and you want to gaze at a smorgasbord of options to make the ultimate sandwich. Venture half a block from the ocean and into the 757 Chop Cheese Grill, where a massive cooler of meats, veggies, and other toppings gives you the freedom to create your own culinary monster. You’ll also find wings, fries, potato wedges, baked goods, and even salads if you need some greens to balance everything out.
Taste Unlimited
Salads and Sandwiches
Feeling a little puckish but not feeling like moving from your beach towel? Taste Unlimited has you covered, as this beach day favorite will literally deliver to your spot on the sand. It’s also the kind of place where everyone in your group will find something they like, from the collection of signature sandwiches to smoothies, bowls and a variety of vegetarian options. Try the Inlet sandwich with prosciutto, mozzarella, tomato, balsamic, and basil mayo and you’ll add a little flavor of the Mediterranean to your Atlantic Ocean beach day.
Aloha Snacks
Poke Bowls
While the surf breaks in Virginia Beach may be different than those in Oahu, you can get a little of the Hawaiian Islands at Aloha Snacks, a convenient grab-and-go spot on Laskin Road. Poke bowls are the big hits, and the soy-cured tuna bowl with dragon sauce is definitely “the big kahuna.” If you want to explore Hawaiian cuisine a little deeper, order the breakfast musubi with crispy Spam, kimchi honey and a sunny side up egg.
Commune Real Food
Salads, Bowls, and Sandwiches
To get a real flavor of coastal Virginia, hit this bakery in the ViBe Creative District. Founded by an organic farmer, Commune sources 90% of its ingredients from nearby farms, ensuring everything on the menu is fresh and local. The Big Backyard Salad combines all kinds of local produce, packed with baby greens, roasted vegetables, farmer’s cheese, and tahini dressing. Be sure also grab an order of Commune’s signature Hash Tots, sweet potato tots covered in local honey and mustard aioli.
Zero’s Subs
Sandwiches
You’ll find this local sub shop in several locations around Virginia Beach. But somehow, the subs always taste a little better when you enjoy them by the ocean. Not to say Zero’s Oceanfront location does anything all that differently, but when you pick up a Super Grinder, Godfather or pepperoni and cheese sub and unwrap it on your towel, it just hits a little different.
Three Ships Coffee Roasters
Coffee and Sandwiches
The local roaster, Three Ships, has gained a huge local following for its single-origin coffees, which offer complex flavors you won’t find at national chains. If you need some nourishment, the breakfast biscuits are all homemade and come with all your favorite breakfast fixings. Lunch offerings include an array of ciabatta sandwiches like the Anti-Hero made with caramelized red onions, roast cauliflower, pesto and garlic.
Beach Bully Open Pit BBQ
Barbecue
This ViBe Creative District BBQ joint began as a festival stand and gained local fame for its smoked meat Big Bully Sandwich. The staple sando is still its biggest seller, and makes for a satisfying meal while laying out by the ocean. The ribs at Beach Bully are some of the best in the area as well, and though they can be messy, they’re worth the saucy fingers. Of course, you can just jump in the ocean to wash off before devouring another half-rack.
Tad’s Deli and Smokehouse
Sandwiches
For simple sub sandwiches, a few places in Virginia Beach are top Tad’s. The place is one of the top-rated sandwich shops in the region for a lot of reasons, but the biggest one is its overwhelming generosity of meat. Both the hot and cold sandwich menus offer towering sandwiches packed with meat, whether Buffalo Chicken, Italian, or Classic American. Tad’s smokes many of its own meats, too, so the flavor is unique and unlike anything you’ll find elsewhere.
Zeke’s Beans And Bowls
Acai and Poke Bowls
Heading down Norfolk Avenue towards Oceanfront you may notice a bright blue house perched on the right side of the road. This is Zeke’s Beans and Bowls, and an ideal stop if you want a fruity, refreshing acai bowl for your day at the beach. The neighborhood spot specializes in lighter, healthier fare like poke and acai but also offers salads, pitas, and poke nachos. If you need a pick me up, Zeke’s also pours locals Three Ships coffee to go.
About Our Writer
Matt Meltzer
Matt Meltzer is a travel and food writer who has written extensively about the United States. He's a former staff writer with Thrillist and Matador Network, and his work has appeared in National Geographic Magazine, Conde Nast Traveler and other national publications. Follow his adventures on Instagram @meltrez1.
