Nothing pairs with softshell crab quite like the aromatic fumes of sunscreen and boat exhaust. Seriously.
For those of who think that seafood tastes the most divine when you do not have sit in bumper to bumper Hampton Roads traffic to get to it, here’s a list of the area restaurants you can get to by boat.
Hampton
100 McNair Drive, Hampton
Sun : 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Tues-Thurs: 11 a.m.- 9 p.m.
Fri/Sat: 11am – 10pm
Great vibe and an ideal spot for seafood fans looking for something more than just the friend variety.
Downtown Hampton
Fishing around near the HRBT? Dock your boat in downtown Hampton and select from a few options on Settlers Landing.
Grab a bite at Oyster Alley, then stay for craft brew at Bull Island Brewing Company. Melissa Manganello of Hampton likes to stop by downtown when she and friend go out fishing.
“Last time we rented a boat, we found a spot at the Hampton Public Piers and grabbed a bite at Oyster Alley, which had great food,” said Manganello. “Nowadays they’re getting busier and we’ve learned it’s better to call ahead.”
700 Settlers Landing Rd
Sun: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Mon – Thu: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Fri/Sat: 11 a.m. – 12 a.m.
758 Settlers Landing Rd
Sun – Thurs: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Fri/Sat: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
4330 Kecoughtan Rd, Hampton
Sun – Thurs: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Fri/Sat: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
A restaurant made from an abandoned fish shack, this place is a meat lover’s dream: sausage, hot dogs, hamburgers and seafood and a great craft beer menu!
“My husband and I love the Barking Dog,” said Heather Carpenter of Hampton. “We love watching the boats come out of dry dock. It’s pretty impressive. I highly recommend the blackened tuna tacos. They’re fabulous!”
Surf Rider
With quite a few locations in Hampton Roads, this is place to go for all your favorite fried seafood dishes. Get the full effect by docking at the pier at the Hampton, Marina Shores and Poquoson locations.
Surf Rider Blue Water1 Marina Rd, Hampton
Sun – Thurs 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Fri/Sat 11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Surf Rider Grill (Marina Shores)
2100 Marina Shores
Mon/Tues 4-11pm
Wed: 11am – 11pm
Fri – Sat: 4-11pm
Sun: 11am – 9pm
105 Rens Rd
Mon – Sun 11am – 9pm
Norfolk
Waterside District | Blue Moon TapHouse and The Market
33 Waterside Drive
Sun – Thurs: 11am – 10pm
Fri – Sat: 11am – 11pm
In season Dock Hours: 8am – 10pm
Did you know you can dock and dine at Waterside? It’s the perfect place to stay all day with their numerous restaurants and bars, and stick around to catch a live show at Blue Moon TapHouse or in The Market.
Portsmouth
103 Constitution Ave
Mon – Sun: 11am – 9pm
They had me at Shrimp Tempura Tacos.
Smithfield
415 South Church Street
Mon – Thurs: 11am – 9pm
Fri/Sat: 11am – 9:30pm
Sat: 8am – 8pm (Brunch 8am – 12pm)
Eat at The Restaurant at Smithfield Station, or just nibble and drink at the IBX Bar and Grille, then walk it off on the woodland trail that begins directly across the street and can take you all the way into Smithfield’s historic downtown. Reservations or calling ahead is recommended before docking.
Virginia Beach | Shore Drive
Bubba’s, Chick’s & Dockside
If you haven’t been to the legendary Bubba’s or Chick’s Oyster Bar, they should be first places on your list for the quintessential local Virginia Beach dock n’ dine experience. Liz Hamilton, of Virginia Beach, regularly docks a boat Chick’s or Bubba’s with family and friends.
“We just pop into whichever has the shorter wait,” said Hamilton. “I love to get the steamer pot of clams or the jumbo steamed shrimp. Actually, that was my first date with my boyfriend. After a day of wakeboarding we decided to grab a beer and bite at Chick’s.”
Be sure to stop by Dockside’s wine shop to replenish all your boating essentials.
Bubba’s Seafood Restaurant & Crabhouse
3323 Shore Drive
Mon – Fri: 11am – 10pm
Sat/Sun: 8am – 10pm
2143 Vista Cir
Sun – Thurs: 11am – 10pm
Fri/Sat: 11am – 12am
3311 Shore Drive
Mon – Sun: 11am – 9pm
Rudee Inlet
Rudee’s on the Inlet is styled after an authentic Coast Guard station with outdoor cabana seating. Rockafeller’s has a great looking bar and Big Sam’s will help you start your day right with Grandma’s pancakes and a mimosa for breakfast.
227 Mediterranean Ave, Virginia Beach
Mon – Thurs: 11am – 10pm
Fri – Sat: 11am – 10:30pm
Sun: 10am – 10pm (Brunch 10am – 2pm)
Rockafeller’s Restaurant
308 Mediterranean Ave
Mon – Sat: 11am – 10 pm
Sun: 10am – 10pm (Brunch 10-3pm)
Happy Hour 3-6pm
Big Sam’s Inlet Café and Raw Bar
300 Winston Salem Ave
Mon – Sun: 7am – 2am
Tiki Time: 3pm – 7pm
Pungo
Blue Pete’s Seafood Restaurant
1400 N Muddy Creek Rd
M-Thurs: 5-10pm
Fri: 5 – 12am
Sat: 12pm – 12am
Sun: 12pm – 10pm
*Summer Hours (kitchen closes at 10pm)
Off the beaten path out in Pungo, their menu has a little bit of everything, from rib eye to seafood. It’s a great place to bring the whole family and a small boat.
Yorktown
323 Water St
Mon – Sun: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
A bit fancier than the others on the list, Riverwalk has a full menu with lots of non-seafood options. After you’re done, hit up the beach or explore Yorktown Battlefield.
