Dock and Dine: Virginia Beach Restaurants to Visit by Boat
Most of the dock and dine restaurants in the Virginia Beach area are found along the Lynnhaven River, the Chesapeake Bay and Rudee Inlet. If you’re new to the area or just looking for a fun spot to visit from a private boat dock rental, we’re here to help. Keep reading to discover some of the best dock and dine restaurants to visit from private boat slips for rent in Virginia Beach.
Chick’s Oyster Bar
Photo: Chick's Oyster Bar (Facebook)
For a casual dining experience, check out Chick's Oyster Bar. Located on the Lynnhaven River, it’s a popular spot for boaters to dock and enjoy a meal. Chick's features a variety of seafood dishes that include crab cakes, shrimp and scallops as well as burgers, salads and sandwiches. Visitors can also enjoy live music on the outdoor patio during the summer months. This is a terrific spot to enjoy the sunset after a day of fishing or sightseeing.
Bubba’s Seafood Restaurant and Crabhouse
Photo: Bubba's Seafood Restaurant and Crabhouse (Facebook)
Bubba's Seafood Restaurant and Crabhouse is another popular dock and dine restaurant to head to from a private boat lift for rent in Virginia Beach. Located on the Lynnhaven River, it offers stunning views of the water and a relaxed and casual atmosphere. The menu features a variety of items like crab cakes, shrimp, oysters, steaks and salads. It’s located around the point from Chesapeake Beach (or Chick’s Beach, as the locals call it).
Rudee’s Restaurant and Cabana Bar
Photo: Rudee's Restaurant and Cabana Bar (Facebook)
Designed to look like a Coast Guard station, Rudee’s Restaurant and Cabana Bar sits on Lake Rudee at Rudee Inlet. Hatteras clam chowder, burgers, filets and fried and broiled platters as well as raw bar selections. Tie up at Rudee Inlet and enjoy dinner, drinks, Sunday brunch and sunset views. Indoor and outdoor seating are available. There’s also a cabana bar to enjoy tropical cocktails, craft beer and wine selections.
Rockafeller’s Restaurant
Photo: Rockafeller's Restaurant (Facebook)
Also found at Rudee Inlet, Rockafeller's Restaurant is another fun spot to visit from private boat lifts for rent in the Virginia Beach area. The family-owned restaurant opened in 1989 and offers great views of the water and a relaxed atmosphere. Choose from a variety of seafood dishes like grouper, seafood mac and cheese and seared salmon as well as land-based choices like chicken sandwiches and baby back ribs. Rockafeller’s is open for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch.
Big Sam’s Inlet Café & Raw Bar
Photo: Big Sam's Inlet Café & Raw Bar (Facebook)
Our next Rudee Inlet eatery, Big Sam’s Inlet Café & Raw Bar is next to the Rudee Flipper tour boat. Decked out in tiki decor, it’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The menu offers bloody Marys, shrimp and grits, breakfast sandwiches, blackened tuna tacos, meatloaf, she-crab soup, wings, burgers, Chesapeake Bay jumbo lump crab cakes and a raw bar selection of Eastern Shore clams, Gulf shrimp and more.
Whether you’re on a Great Loop adventure, anchored at a private boat slip rental or just passing through, we hope you’ve found some new eateries to add to your Virginia Beach itinerary. Let us know if we missed anything.
