From chef-owned eateries with one-of-a-kind menus to stunning buffets of crab legs and steaks, dining in Virginia Beach is truly an adventure.
There are plenty of cultural food options available in Virginia Beach. For authentic Italian food, head to Il Giardino where you can feast on foccacia and made-to-order pizza hot from the wood-burning stove. They also prepare exquisite pasta, veal, seafood, chicken, steak and vegetarian dishes to entice the senses. All menu items are made from scratch, using fresh, high-quality ingredients.
You’ll also find amazing Italian cuisine at Aldo’s Ristorante located in La Promenade Shopping Center. Start with one of their seasonal soups or delectable appetizers like Chesapeake Bay little neck clams. Then choose an enticing entrée that features local fare, such as Cape Henry Crabmeat Cappellini or one of their freshly-caught fish options.
Visit Baladi Mediterranean Café to experience authentic, natural and organic foods that are prepared daily with traditional methods. They offer plenty of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options, and they make their own desserts.
Another tasty and healthy option is Pho 79 located at Hilltop Shopping Center. They offer unique and culturally rich menu choices including noodles, rice dishes, wraps and pho, a flavorful soup that’s been a staple food in Vietnam for centuries. Top your piping hot soup with basil, lime, sprouts and a variety of sauces.
Also at Town Center, Ruth’s Chris Steak House specializes in superior ingredients, like USDA Prime steaks, fresh-squeezed juices and locally sourced produce. Choose from one of their signature steaks served sizzling on a 500° plate paired with a side of asparagus, spinach, sweet potatoes or sautéed mushrooms.
Just a short drive from Virginia Beach to downtown Norfolk you’ll find Freemason Abbey Restaurant, rich with history as well as tempting culinary treasures. The building was built and dedicated as a church in 1873, and in early 1988 the planning of a restaurant began. Today diners can indulge in delectable options from award-winning she crab soup to hand-cut steaks, flavorful pasta and pork.
Supporting local fishers and farmers is easy—and enjoyable—when dining in Virginia Beach and surrounding areas. And no matter where you eat, rest assured you’ll get a side of that good old-fashioned coastal charm with every meal.
Read Part 1: Local & Loving: Delicious Eats in Virginia Beach
