The Chesapeake Bay area, a community known affectionately to residents as Chic’s Beach, is a relaxing, laid-back spot and a perfect place to spend a summer day. Shore Drive connects this tranquil bay community to the bustling, oceanside of Virginia Beach and features some of our favorite restaurants and breweries in town. Throughout these eateries, you’ll encounter the region’s signature laid-back vibes that make it a favorite among locals — see which ones to add to your dining bucket list.
Bobo’s Fine Chicken Restaurant
Cuisine: Southern Comfort/Soul Food, $
Operating out of a beloved, former family-owned seafood joint, Bobo’s is keeping the familial tradition alive with a fried-chicken recipe four generations in the making. The dark, caramel-colored chicken is brined and battered before frying—a process that takes two days—and pairs perfectly with made-from-scratch biscuits.
While fried chicken and biscuits are a must, this retro-style eatery also serves up tantalizing breakfast, sides and house-made custards—all using Virginia-based ingredients whenever possible. Come in the morning for a buttermilk-biscuit sandwich stacked with locally cured bacon and salty Virginia ham. Return throughout the year to try fresh, seasonal specialties like marinated cucumber-and-cherry-tomato salad and homemade cantaloupe ice cream.
Mermaid Winery
Cuisine: Eclectic; $$
Mermaid Winery is the first urban winery in the state of Virginia. The winery uses grapes sourced from premier vineyards in Virginia and California, and offers more than 800 wines from around the world that you can savor. Pair your sumptuous reds and sweet whites with bites from an extensive list, including shareable plates, seafood entrees and decadent desserts. Grab a table outside on the spacious, covered patio with your pup. You can dig into some local oysters with the seasonal mignonette for a starter, while your furry friend samples their paw-some menu.
Simple On Shore
Cuisine: Southern Comfort/Seafood, $
Simple on Shore maintains a sustainable, local-first philosophy on food. With delicious ingredients that are as fresh as they get, this eatery is as good for the body as it is for satisfying your cravings. Chow down on cinnamon-swirl French toast, blackened crab cakes and pecan-topped beet-and-apple salads amid the eatery’s quaint, beach-house ambiance. Make it a boozy meal with bloody mary and mimosa flights—this spot is a favorite for brunch drinks.
Froggie’s Smoke & Taphouse
Cuisine: Barbecue; $
When it comes to Virginia Beach barbecue spots, Froggie’s is one of the best places on Shore Drive, where everything—from tender brisket to pork and jumbo wings—is smoked in-house. Choose from pit classics like succulent baby back ribs and pulled-pork sammies or try something new like spicy Korean brisket tacos and honey-habanero wings. Add to the experience with salty, ocean breezes and on-tap beers (there’s more than 20 to choose from) on the outdoor deck. For a fun evening out, see their events calendar and plan your visit for a live-music night.
Bay Local Eatery
Cuisine: Southern Seafood; $$
Bay Local Eatery has been a resident favorite since it first set up shop in the Chesapeake Bay region, now with an additional location in Oceanfront. You can’t go wrong with any of their Benedict dishes, but we are partial to the Crab Cake Bennie for its fresh local flavor. Of course, washing it down with a fruity pomegranate margarita or a fresh-squeezed Orange Crush is an absolute must-try. And don’t miss out on the delicious blue crab-spinach dip with toasted, garlic-parmesan pita.
The Leaping Lizard Cafe
Cuisine: Brunch/Bakery; $
In the mood for a leisurely brunch? Head to The Leaping Lizard Cafe for elevated farm-to-table dishes praised by locals, visitors and even Guy Fieri, who raved about the chicken-salad panini. Try the famous sammie yourself on the lit-up back patio with a refreshing blueberry-basil mojito. Or sit beneath the shade of lush trees and umbrellas as you savor other fan faves like the sweet-potato biscuit with peach chutney or the decadent duck hash. For a tasty souvenir, the on-site bakery offers fresh-baked treats from buttery croissants to slices of chocolate cake and berry-topped tarts.
Shorebreak Pizza & Taphouse
Cuisine: Pizza/ Bar Food; $
Craving cheesy slices of local pizza while in Virginia Beach? Head to Shorebreak Pizza & Taphouse on Shore Drive—an award-winning eatery celebrated by Coastal Virginia Magazine, OpenTable and Tripadvisor. Start your meal with blackened tuna bites and steamed shrimp coated in Old Bay for the table. Then, order trays of hand-tossed pizza made with a 60-year-old family recipe and customizable toppings like hot honey, green peppers, applewood bacon and Virginia ham. Settle into a wooden booth to catch your favorite team on the big-screen TVs or join a friendly match around the pool tables. You can also visit its sister location in Pungo.
Hot Tuna
Cuisine: Seafood; $$
With its lively atmosphere, killer cocktail menu and breezy outdoor patio, Hot Tuna is a beloved hangout for locals and visitors alike. Come Friday and Saturday nights for live music, or join the weekday fun during happy hour (3—6 p.m. daily) for drink specials and $1 shrimp and raw oysters. For dinner, you can’t go wrong with the cedar-plank salmon or Oysters Rockefeller. Enjoy them among friends and family around a fire-pit table along with a slice of zesty key lime pie.
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- Chesapeake Bay
- Dine Like a Local
- Restaurants
Written by Tracy Chopek
East Coast–born and Texas-based writer Tracy Chopek has a soft spot for beach-town living. She covers travel, dining, outdoors and has a knack with cool lodging ideas. On coastal getaways, you’ll find her kayaking along the shoreline, enjoying the sand between her toes and uncovering the tastiest local dishes.
