1. Find The Perfect Panini At The Cutting Edge
One of the hottest lunch spots in town, The Cutting Edge will take your idea of a panini to a whole new level. But don’t come here expecting a standard old grilled cheese. Everything is here feels traditional but with the Cutting Edge’s own unique spin.
To get the best feel for the place, order the kimchi grilled cheese, or a wasabi braised beef panini, or the goat cheese and veggie sandwich with a side of sweet potato fries. Don’t fill up too much, though, even though it will be hard to resist, because you’re going to want room for something sweet – and there’s plenty of it.
The Cutting Edge
1434 Sams Dr
(757) 389-5754
Yelp: 4.5 stars, 87 reviews
2. Roll Yourself Into Ang’s Sushi Bistro
When you’re on the Chesapeake, it stands to reason that you’re going to start craving some fish. And when the fish you’re craving comes raw, it better be the freshest around. That’s when you head to Ang’s Sushi Bistro where you’ll find various sushi rolls, cuts of fish, and sashimi along with traditional Asian salads and amazing noodle dishes.
But if you came for the sushi, fill up your table with the likes of the Tokyo Love Story, Tempura Lobster Rolls, and the salmon carpaccio. You will undoubtedly leave happy.
Ang’s Sushi Bistro
501 Kempsville Rd
(757) 842-6900
Yelp: 4.5 stars, 69 reviews
3. Go Caribbean At Cutlass Grille
When nothing but Caribbean barbecue will do, Cutlass Grille is the place to go. They’ve got Jamaican jerk chicken, conch fritters, plantains, curry goat… The list goes on, but all of the standard Jamaican fare shines here, so you won’t have to worry about what to choose.
The side dishes will probably give you the hardest challenge, as they’re so good, you could probably make a meal off of them alone. The baked beans are packed full of flavor and the macaroni and cheese is smooth and creamy with just the right kick. So when you’re looking for a little spice in your day, don’t forget to go Caribbean.
Cutlass Grille
805 Battlefield Blvd N
(757) 382-0015
Yelp: 4.5 stars, 42 reviews
4. A Diner Of Champions At The Grill At Great Bridge
This diner is a favorite spot with the locals and the Virginia Beach tourists alike for a few reasons. First, living up to the truest respect of delicious diner food, the meals here are cooked on a small flat-top griddle, creating perfect sears full of flavor.
There’s no need to drive up to Philadelphia for a decent Philly cheesesteak, because you can just get one here, packed with everything and a hot menu item. And lastly, the best diners are the ones with the best desserts. And if you’re wondering if the Grill delivers, then just take a look at their homemade pies. Bring a napkin, though – not for the mess, but to wipe away the drool as you’re ordering.
The Grill At Great Bridge
388 Battlefield Blvd S
(757) 482-5362
Yelp: 4.5 stars, 37 reviews
5. Get Your Breakfast Fix Any Time At The Egg Bistro
The most important meal of the day deserves its very own spot to enjoy it. And that’s what you’ll find at The Egg Bistro. Breakfast enthusiasts will find themselves in heaven as they load up on southern biscuits and gravy with eggs and hash browns, omelets packed full with everything you can think of.
The French toast that is crispy and spongey in all the right places, and even a make-your-own burrito waiting for you tackle it. Since breakfast is the main course here, you might think the only thing to go for is the food, but try the amazing Bloody Marys here and prepare to see breakfast in a whole new way.
The Egg Bistro
501 Kempsville Rd
Chesapeake, VA 23320
(757) 410-8515
Yelp: 4 stars, 180 reviews
6. Asian Fusion For The Win At The Lemongrass Grill
The Lemongrass Grill has the ordering style of somewhere like Chipotle, only instead of the burrito of your dreams, you get the Asian food bowl of your dreams. Or the sticky wings of your dreams. Or the cilantro rice of your dreams… You get the idea.
And with so many healthful and meat-free options, it’s a great spot for vegetarians and vegans, too. The service is exceptional and is overall very family-friendly, and with the many varieties of rices, even the pickiest of kids will be able to find something they love here.
The Lemongrass Grille
1412 Greenbrier Pkwy
(757) 228-7870
Yelp: 4 stars, 112 reviews
7. Barbecue Fit For A Palace At The BBQ Shack
People who love authentic Southern barbecue can be extremely picky on what passes for the real thing. Luckily, the BBQ Shack gets two thumbs up from even the biggest enthusiast. All the standard, sticky barbecue fare applies: Smoldering ribs, pulled pork sandwiches, perfectly rubbed brisket, smoked turkey sandwiches, and much more.
On the side, you can load up with baked beans, coleslaw or collard greens – just like a good southern barbecue meal is meant to be. This place might be a bit of a shack, but it’s fit for royalty in every way that it counts: a great meal at a great price, even for the fussiest barbecue lovers.
The BBQ Shack
849 Old George Washington Hwy
(757) 485-5403
Yelp: 4.5 stars, 21 reviews
8. There’s No Can Opener At Burrito Perdido
When you walk into Burrito Perdido, you will find a sign on the wall that wants you to remember that everything here is the homemade fresh every day with the most local and organic ingredients available. When you order from this Mexican hot spot, you know what you’re getting was made just for you.
The tacos here are truly something special, which is why people do the drive from Virginia Beach just to come here when they’re in the mood. And if you have any questions about where the food you’re ordering comes from, just ask!
Burrito Perdido
1229 Cedar Rd
(757) 312-0188
Yelp: 4.5 stars, 63 reviews
9. There’s Always Room For Dessert At Buttercream Cupcake Café
Remember the days when cupcakes got no love? Thank God those days are over and Chesapeake has the Buttercream Cupcake Café. The cupcakes are the perfect blend of spongey and moist, but firm exactly where they need to be.
And the homemade buttercream icing isn’t overly sweet, which is especially great since they heap it on there, making a finger-licking dream. Some flavors change seasonally, but be on the lookout for mind blowing cupcake variations including French Toast, Lemon Drop Dream, Peanut Butter Cup, Duchess Royale, Caramel Cappuccino, and Cinnamon Roll.
Buttercream Cupcake Café
732 Eden Way
(757) 227-6659
Yelp: 4.5 stars, 20 reviews
10. Fall In Love At Amber Lantern Restaurant
Amber Lantern Restaurant offers fine dining in a casual environment, which means getting to eat some amazing food in a friendly place that never gets too big for itself, even though it could.
If it’s the first time your date has ever been here, prepare to impress with some killer food. Order the jumbo crab cakes to start and the lobster tortellini for your main course before diving into a world of amazing desserts. Order the crème brulee or the lava cake and fall in love… with your date, of course.
Amber Lantern Restaurant
5532 Bainbridge Blvd
(757) 227-3057
Yelp: 4 stars, 38 reviews
11. Bergey’s Is The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread
This rustic bakery might as well actually be a breadbasket. Bergey’s is the bakery slash ice cream parlor destination in Chesapeake. Breads, hot cinnamon buns, cupcakes, frozen yogurt, ice cream… This place has everything that you would expect it to from the name.
But it’s also loaded with homemade specialty comfort foods, like chicken pot pies, stellar sandwiches, and even barbecue. Bergey’s ends up feeling more like a small scale artisan farmer’s market than just a bakery. The general rule of thumb is to come when you’re not currently hungry unless you plan on leaving with way more than you bargained for.
Bergey’s Breadbasket
2207 Mt Pleasant Rd
(757) 546-9225
Yelp: 4.5 stars, 22 reviews
12. Passion The Restaurant
When the word “passion” is the name of your restaurant, your food better be full of it. Luckily, Passion The Restaurant delivers on their promise. The atmosphere here is great, with open outdoor seating as well as cigar dining. But the food is what sets the bar high.
Start with the Caesar salad and New England Clam Chowder before moving onto your main course. Select from options like the Delmonico Steak and Brick Chicken and you won’t be disappointed. For dessert, go for the house made Cantaloupe Sorbet as a sweet but light way to wrap up a delicious meal.
Passion The Restaurant
1036 Volvo Parkway
(757) 410-3975
Yelp: 4 stars, 54 reviews
13. An Unphogettable Meal At Pho Dalat
It’s not really that hard to be the best pho place for 50 miles in this area, considering that there aren’t too many around. But even if Chesapeake was swarming with them, Pho Dalat would be able to stand out among the crowd.
When you cross the threshold and get hit with the aroma of all those soups and noodles brewing, you’ll know you found something special. The egg rolls and spring rolls are packed full of meat (or tofu!) and flavor, making them the perfect starter. And no proper pho meal would be complete without a giant bowl of noodles, which are fantastic.
Pho Dalat
836 Eden Way N
(757) 233-9995
Yelp: 4.5 stars, 55 reviews
14. Come As You Are To Winston’s Café
Grab a beer, demolish a burger, and strike up some good conversation with possibly the friendliest owners in town. Winston’s Café is the place to come when you’re looking for all of the above.
While the burgers are incredible (come on $5 burger night!), you definitely can’t leave here without trying the French Dip sandwich with a side of their potato salad. It will easily become one of your new favorite meals, as many of their regulars agree. Whatever you go for here, you’ll always be happy that you came.
Winston’s Café
1412 Greenbrier Pkwy
(757) 420-1751
Yelp: 4 stars, 38 reviews
15. Spaghetti Eddie’s Pizza Café
What good is a list of best places to eat without a nod to the best pizza joint in town? Spaghetti Eddie’s Pizza Café gets the crown in Chesapeake for the best for their always-fresh, handcrafted pies. But pizza isn’t the only reason to come here.
For starters, the breadsticks are worthy of their own award. With a name like that, you’d assume that the spaghetti would be the hottest item on the menu, but it’s the paninis that really shouldn’t be missed. Whether you take out or dine-in, Spaghetti Eddie’s is the way to go.
Spaghetti Eddie’s Pizza Café
3325 Taylor Rd
(757) 484-7301
Yelp: 4 stars, 28 reviews
Feature Image Source: The Egg Bistro Facebook
What’s your go-to for grub in Chesapeake? Tell us in the comments below!
