When we want to watch cooking shows or learn new recipes, many of us probably head to Food Network. They’ve got great TV shows, and all kinds of tasty recipes on their website. But, when it comes to knowing where to eat out, there’s only one name we trust—Guy Fieri.
While we may not agree with his hair color or how he wears his sunglasses behind his neck, we know Guy knows good food when he sees and tastes it. And over the years, he’s shown Virginia Beach a lot of love.
From BBQ to seafood, here are seven Virginia Beach restaurants that have been highlighted on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives.
Citrus
Citrus is a beachside breakfast and lunch eatery that has daily specials, but what they’re most known for are their citrus style pancakes, served with sliced bananas and pineapple and covered in an orange glaze, and state-of-the-art benedicts, like their shrimp and crab or country chicken. But no matter what you order, you can know that your food is made from scratch and with produce and products that come from local farmers and producers.
[Images: Citrus Breakfast & Lunch/Facebook]
Whitner’s Barbecue
When you visit the South, you expect finger-lickin’ good BBQ—and Whitner’s sure delivers with its delicious pit smoked meats. Everything on the menu gets two thumbs up, but their KC burnt ends sandwich with homemade rub and BBQ sauce and St. Louis cut ribs really hit the spot. A family-owned restaurant that smokes all their meat in house and makes all their own rubs and sauces—who can’t get on board with that?
[Images: Whitner’s Pit Smoked BBQ/Facebook]
Flip Flops VB Grill
If dining on coastal classics at a local beach house is why you came to Virginia Beach, Flip Flops VB Grill is your kind of restaurant. Locals and tourists alike enjoy their BBQ fish tacos and blackened tuna nachos, but they also serve up burgers, wraps, burritos, soups and salads. And if you save room, be sure to try their house-made cheesecake. With the slogan, “We do the grillin’, you do the chillin’” Flip Flops is a place you may never leave.
[Images: Flip Flops Grill + Chill/Facebook]
Waterman’s Surfside Grille
Come to Waterman’s for the food, stay for the oceanfront views and enjoyable live music on the weekends. From crab stuffed flounder to lobster, jumbo shrimp, scallops, shrimp and avocado salmon and more, you won’t be able to eat all the amazing seafood this restaurant offers. Also known for their cocktails, if you are of age, several of their customers will tell you to try the Top Shelf Ruby-O Crush.
[Images: Waterman’s Surfside Grille/Facebook]
Leaping Lizard Café
Serving local farm-fresh produce at low prices, Leaping Lizard Café is loved by nearly everyone in town. As far as what to order, Guy’s favorite dish was their Panini-style chicken salad sandwich. Made with shredded chicken, curry yogurt, peach chutney, tomatoes and greens in between two slices of homemade bread, it’s easy to see why this was his pick. Their Hunters Burger and quinoa salad are other customer favorites.
[Images: Leaping Lizard Café-Shore Drive/Facebook]
Rigoletto Italian Bakery & Café
At this mother-daughter run bakery and café, everything is done right to make you feel like you’re in Italy. Whether for breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert, their menu is a real crowd pleaser. From classic pastas to strombolis, soups to homemade subs, cakes, cookies and tiramisu, Rigoletto is Virginia Beach’s best authentic Italian dining option.
[Images: Rigoletto Italian Bakery and Café/Facebook]
The Beach Pub
It can’t be a Virginia Beach restaurant list without a couple of seafood spots. And locals have favored the coastal flavors of The Beach Pub for more than 35 years now. Their signature dish is their fried flounder, but you can also order a variety of other seafood meals, as well as steak, burgers, quesadillas and sandwiches if anyone you come with doesn’t love seafood (crazy notion, right?).
[Images: The Beach Pub/Facebook]
In between your food tour of Virginia Beach, be sure to rest up to build up your appetite at the Crowne Plaza.