There is something innately relaxing about dining beside the water. Whether it’s a river, lake, bay, or ocean, waterfront restaurants add a tranquil touch to your meal. Virginia has dozens and dozens of restaurants with waterfront views, and picking just a few to highlight was no easy task. Here are several waterfront restaurants that serve up tasty meals with a side of scenery.

Urbanna Seafood & Raw Bar—Urbanna

Urbanna Seafood Raw Bar and Market
Photo Credit: Chad Williams @echadwilliams

The tasty options at Urbanna Seafood & Raw Bar, such as the Spicy Tugboat Shrimp and the steamed local oysters, compliment the gorgeous view of Robinson’s Creek off the Rappahannock River. The restaurant often has live music on the patio, and with an on-site dock, visitors can reach the restaurant by either car or boat. If you can’t get enough of the seafood, the restaurant houses a market as well, where you can order blue grabs, shrimp, scallops, oysters, and other local offerings by the pound or bushel.

Island House Restaurant—Wachapreague

Island House Restaurant overlooks the Wachapreague Harbor and the Barrier Islands of Virginia’s Eastern Shore, serving both American and seafood cuisine. In addition to the view from the dining room, guests may also climb the spiral staircase to reach the lookout tower, which offers a panoramic view of the barrier islands. Can’t choose from the many tasty menu items? The award-winning crab cakes are a no-brainer.

The Porch on Long Creek—Virginia Beach

The Porch on Long Creek

Nestled along the banks of the Lynnhaven River, The Porch on Long Creek offers panoramic waterfront views and unique southern-coastal cuisine that reflects Virginia's local flavors. When weather permits, catch a sunset over the Lynnhaven river from the patio, or sit inside The Porch's stunning indoor-outdoor dining room, which features garage doors that are raised during warmer months. 

Willaby's on the Rappahannock—White Stone

Willaby's on the Rappahannock has been serving fresh seafood favorites to Northern Neck locals and visitors for nearly 30 years. Overlooking the Rappahannock, Willaby's is a convenient spot to grab a bite to eat whether you're staying in the neighboring coastal towns of Irvington, Kilmarnock, Urbanna or anywhere in Virginia's River Realm.

Merroir—Topping

Merroir

Merroir is a gourmet oyster tasting room on the Rappahannock River at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. Their oysters are known as some of the best in Virginia because they harvest them directly from the bay, sometimes just hours before the plate is placed in front of you. In addition to indoor and patio dining, Merroir also offers oyster cruises, where you and up to five other people are given a tour of the Bay’s nearby oyster regions—providing the closest waterfront dining option possible without treading water.

Shady Shack Grill and Flip Flop Bar—Bracey

Lake Gaston’s Shady Shack Grill and Flip Flop Bar is a popular place to get a casual bite in the area, with a menu that highlights seafood and American cuisine. The restaurant underwent construction in 2015 and reopened Flip Flops Bar, now twice the original size. The Shady Shack also includes a small market store that sells the lake life essentials, such as snacks, sunglasses, ice cream, apparel, and water inflatables. For guests visiting by boat, the pay-at-the-pump gas station allows you to fill up the tank after your scenic waterfront meal.

Amber Lantern—Chesapeake

Located at the Top Rack Marina on the Intracoastal Waterway, Amber Lantern is a fine dining restaurant with a Mediterranean-influenced menu. Some of the notable entrees on the menu include the signature crab-stuffed shrimp and the Select Fried Oysters. Restaurant patrons get an unbeatable view of the Elizabeth River while dining at Amber Lantern, and the panoramic views are at their best during sunset hours.

Chick's Oyster Bar—Virginia Beach

Chick’s Oyster Bar

Chick's Oyster Bar is a local favorite in Virginia Beach for its laid-back hangout vibe in a rustic seafood shack. Catch the sunset over the Lynnhaven Inlet from Chick's waterside deck while enjoying fresh seafood and cold brews.

Riverwalk Restaurant—Yorktown

Whether you sit inside and gaze out the large windows onto the York River or grab a seat on the patio, you’re sure to find the view from the Riverwalk Restaurant incredible. The restaurant has a casual-yet-elegant vibe that welcomes visitors, and the decadent menu makes it nearly impossible to choose just one meal. Will it be the Killer Fish Tacos or the Jumbo Scallops & Hot-Honey Pork Belly? You’ll be going home happy either way.

The Oyster Farm Seafood Eatery—Cape Charles

No matter where you sit at the The Oyster Farm Seafood Eatery, you’ll have a front row seat to the beauty of the Chesapeake Bay. Head Chef Shelly Cusmina serves up the freshest seafood harvested straight from the Virginia waters that the restaurant borders, crafting memorable dishes against an unforgettable backdrop.

Tiff's—Moneta

Smith Mountain Lake Dock
Photo Credit: Mulbah Media @mulbahmedia

Formerly The Landing Restaurant, Tiff's is part of Bernard’s Landing Resort and Conference Center on Smith Mountain Lake. The restaurant serves some Landing classics in addition to its menu of small plates and casual bites. For those staying nearby on the lake, the restaurant has a boat dock so you can get there via waterway. There is also live entertainment on the weekends to add even more ambience to your meal.

Tim’s Rivershore—Dumfries

The sister restaurant to Tim’s at Lake Anna, Tim’s Rivershore location in Dumfries is on the banks of the Potomac River. The view can be enjoyed from inside the restaurant, the outdoor deck seating area, or the torch-lit Tiki bar located next to the pier. Now that summer is here, the restaurant hosts live entertainment most weekends. The menu focuses on delicious but affordable seafood, steaks, and American favorites like pulled pork and hamburgers.

Damascus Old Mill—Damascus

Damascus Old Mill Inn

The Damascus Old Mill restaurant and inn doesn’t just provide one waterfront view. This restaurant has a total of three outdoor waterfront decks for visitors to take in the Old Mill waterfall and mill pond. After your meal, retire for the evening in one of the Inn’s rooms, only a few steps from the restaurant. Some of the room’s also have balconies with views of the water, providing an entire waterfront getaway.

The Boathouse at Rocketts Landing—Richmond

Located on the James River in downtown Richmond, the Boathouse at Rocketts Landing arguably has the best view of the water and the city skyline. The modern glass walls fold away, revealing a spacious patio with heaters during the cooler nights. The menu is a mix of seafood and upscale American cuisine, including pizza cooked over wood logs in the open stone oven. Enjoy a glass of wine with your meal; the restaurant’s wine list features many award-winning vintages.

Island Shrimp Company—Richmond

View of Richmond City from Island Shrimp Co.
Photo Credit: Justin Chesney @therealjustinc

Right next door to The Boathouse you'll find another waterfront gem, Island Shrimp Company. With epic views over the James River and Downtown Richmond, Island Shrimp Company brings a whole new energy to the Rocketts Landing experience. Low-key beach vibes fill the space with casually charming seaside decor and garage doors that open to invite the view inside. Fun drinks and fried seafood are the specialty here, but things lighten up with healthy options like salads and tacos, as well as grilled fish entrees at dinner.


Want more waterfront dining? Here are a few more fan-favorite dockside diners to add to your travel plans:

Coastal Virginia—Eastern Shore

Coastal Virginia—Hampton Roads

Central Virginia

Chesapeake Bay

Northern Virginia

Virginia Mountains