It’s that wonderful time of the year in Virginia Beach. It’s Virginia Beach Restaurant Week 2020.
This is the time when chefs show off their culinary skills and newest creations, while we're all able to take advantage of prix fixe menus. Virginia Beach’s restaurant scene offers a rich and diverse culinary experience and has evolved over the last 10-plus years into a foodie's Mecca, while still preserving old-school Virginia Beach eateries.
From February 3 to 9, Virginia Beach Restaurant Week features a wide variety of nationalities and menus, including Italian, Indian, Greek, Asian fusion, Thai, Cuban, American, Mediterranean, and, of course, fresh seafood (hello, we’re talking about restaurants on the Atlantic Ocean!). From fine dining to easy, breezy, beachy vibes, this is the week to enjoy and explore Virginia Beach restaurants.
Courtesy of Virginia Beach Restaurant Association
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- Breakfast: starting at $5
- Lunch (two courses): $10–$15
- Dinner (three courses): $20–$35
Hosted by the Virginia Beach Restaurant Association, this event began in 2006 with 20 restaurants. This year, however, there are an estimated 100 participating restaurants (the list keeps growing!). But with so many choices from which to choose, where do we start? Virginia Beach's official Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) tourism site allows you to sort the participating restaurants by area.
Below is just a sample of participating restaurants:
Waterman’s Surfside Grille located at 415 Atlantic Ave, Virginia Beach, is an upscale yet casual restaurant—a Virginia Beach staple, known for the "Orange Crush," with amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean. This charming, stand-alone restaurant offers free valet parking and has a specialty gift shop. Restaurant Week (click here for menus): Lunch: $15 — two-course menu | Dinner: $25 — three-course menu (Pro tip: the Parmesan Peppercorn Flounder is delicious).
Glazed Salmon (Courtesy of Waterman's Surfside Grille)
eat : an american bistro, located at 4005 Atlantic Ave., Virginia Beach, is amazingly creative food in a casual atmosphere with a dash of humor. Chef Erick Heilig opened this bistro in 2006 by happenstance, along with a lot of love and support. And due to the chef's success and the patrons' satisfaction, this restaurant nook has been laughing ever since. Restaurant Week (click here for the menu): Dinner: $35 – three-course menu (Pro tip: the white chocolate banana bread pudding with macadamia nuts, rum caramel, and vanilla bean gelato? Enough said!).
Oysters Rockefeller (Courtesy of eat: an american bistro)
Il Giardino Ristorante located at 910 Atlantic Ave., Virginia Beach, is touted as the best authentic Italian restaurant in Virginia Beach. Family-owned and -operated since the early '80s, it's known for its atmosphere and food. Restaurant Week (click here for the menu): Dinner: $35 – three-course menu (Pro tip: try the Filetto di Pollo con Funghi e Piselle, filet of chicken, peas, mushrooms, white wine, and butter).
Courtesy of Il Giardino Ristorante
Chix on the Beach, located at 701 Atlantic Avenue, Virginia Beach, is a super-casual, flip-flop, beach restaurant with great food, drinks, and a front-row view of the Atlantic Ocean. Restaurant Week (click here for the menus): Lunch: $10 – two-course menu | Dinner: $20 – three-course menu
Shrimp Steamer Bag (Courtesy of Chix Seaside Grille)
Rockafeller’s, located on the Rudee Inlet at 308 Mediterranean Ave., Virginia Beach, is the epitome of classic Virginia Beach seafood dining. Family-owned and -operated since 1989, they use the products of local fishermen, oystermen, crabbers, brewers, and farmers to keep their menu ultra-fresh and to support their neighbors. Restaurant Week (click here for the menus): Lunch: $15 – two-course menu | Dinner: $25 – three-course menu
Bacon-wrapped BBQ Shrimp (Courtesy of Rockafeller's)
I know which restaurant I'm trying first for sure—eat: american bistro! I know it's going to be delicious!!! Let us know where you're heading, and we hope you enjoy this wonderful Virginia Beach Restaurant Week! Make sure you take photos and tag us on social media (#OCN).
