15 Best Restaurants in Cape Charles, VA

Tucked close to the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, you’ll find the beautiful town of Cape Charles.

This town in Northampton County has many natural attractions, historic sites, and outdoor recreation opportunities in store for locals, residents, and visitors alike.

Before exploring, or if you’ve toured the town’s attractions, you must set aside time for delicious food and tasty drinks to make the most of your trip.

Whether you prefer fine dining inside a top-notch restaurant, casual dining in a cozy spot, or favor outdoor seating options with waterfront and sunset views, there are plenty of choices.

From the tastiest seafood dishes and pizza to delicious ice cream and drinks, there’s always something tasty to try.

To help you with your food itinerary, here are the best restaurants in Cape Charles, Virginia:

The Shanty

Regarding restaurants, the first one that appears on people’s minds is The Shanty.

Nestled in the historic Cape Charles Harbor, this casual dining spot serves some of the yummiest meals in the town with charming waterfront views.

Their award-winning clam chowder and dishes made with fresh local seafood like fish or shrimp tacos are a must-try.

Likewise, the soft shell crab with bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, and old bay aioli is too delicious to miss.

Whether you prefer to be inside, outdoors on the deck, or at the bar, the Shanty has plenty of seating options.

Adding to the place’s great ambiance are the live entertainment and events.

If you want to dine at a rustic restaurant with a stunning sunset view, head to the Shanty on Marina Road.

Oyster Farm Seafood Eatery

Enjoy an exquisite waterfront dining experience at the Oyster Farm Seafood Eatery on Marina Village Circle, facing the Chesapeake Bay.

It has a casually stylish setting and welcomes visitors for lunch and dinner.

This Eastern Shore favorite serves the best local oysters you could ever have, including its famous oyster Rockefeller.

Besides powerhouse oysters, their menu presents tasty fresh-from-the-water seafood dishes, sandwiches, salads, and more.

Taste the rich and creamy she-crab soup as the starter, then fried oysters or chicken pot pie for the main course, and add the farm salad.

The bayside eatery’s cocktail bar is perfect for enjoying cocktails or craft beers with your family, friends, or sweetheart.

Due to the Oyster Farm Seafood Eatery’s limited seating capacity, indoor diners should make reservations, while outdoor dining is on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Kelly’s Gingernut Pub

Kelly’s Gingernut Pub is a classic Irish pub housed in a converted 1907 bank, which retains the original brick walls, floor, and other unique details with added Irish touches.

It’s fantastic for those who prefer to dine and relax with friends in an ideal space with a laid-back vibe.

Kelly’s Gingernut Pub’s extensive menu offers plenty of choices, from lunch and dinner to a beer and wine list.

The shepherd’s pie, bangers and mash, and bourbon chicken for entrees are notable picks.

Meanwhile, the fisherman’s chowder, Guinness cod sandwich, goat cheese salad, and Caesar salad are mouthwatering.

Your kids might want to try delicious burgers, grilled cheese, or Finn’s chicken tenders.

You can also enjoy a glass of wine or beer on the pub’s outdoor patio while reminiscing good memories or catching up with friends.

Kelly’s Gingernut Pub is on Mason Avenue, nearby Cape Charles Fishing Pier.

Hook at Harvey

Located along Bayshore Road, Hook at Harvey is one of the best restaurants in the town for fine casual dining.

The bistro serves excellent food; you’ll know they’re palatable from the attractive food presentation.

Begin your meal with crab Chesapeake or spicy ahi tuna sashimi, then try the Dijon and honey-rubbed rack of lamb, seared scallops, or beef tenderloin for entrees.

The lemon caper chicken breast and house-made fettuccine are great, too.

Enjoy your meal with one of the wine selections from Italy, France, California, and more.

Their outdoor seating should be a good spot to watch the beautiful sunset.

Hook at Harvey has friendly, well-trained staff and an undeniably phenomenal, passionate chef.

This restaurant is your top-rated pick for a momentous fine casual dining day or night with your date or special occasions.

Before heading here, make sure to book a reservation.

Cape Charles Coffee House

Many people love coffee, and Cape Charles Coffee House is an excellent spot to get their caffeine fix in Cape Charles.

Founded in 2005, this coffee house is inside the beautifully renovated 1910-built Cape Charles bank.

It has a pleasing vintage interior with tin ceilings, stylish paneled walls, rich brass fixtures, and art deco chandeliers that give its quaint space a pleasant atmosphere.

Besides serving the best coffee, including their signature Café Cape Charles, their expansive menu can satisfy your cravings, from delicious breakfast dishes to fine wine.

It also caters to gluten-free and organic diets.

Moreover, the place can hold a party, wedding shower, meeting, or other special events upstairs.

Overall, you’ll enjoy Cape Charles Coffee House whether you’re on a business trip, having a quick stop before work, having a good time alone, or hanging out with friends.

Check out this coffee shop on Mason Avenue.

Cape Charles Brewing Company

The family-owned and operated Cape Charles Brewing Company isn’t just a brewery but also a casual restaurant, serving high-quality craft brews and yummy eats with a twist.

It has a welcoming ambiance, an ultimate feature of space for cold craft brews and flavorsome menu items.

Order their famous rockfish sandwich, crab cake sandwich, beer-battered fish and chips, clam chowder, and award-winning brew-house wings.

Get their Parramore Island pilsner, Assateague Island New England IPA, or blood-orange pHunk for beers, too.

Cape Charles Brewing Company offers a large shady outdoor seating area with a fire pit and many tables featuring fun recreational activities such as games, giant chess, live music, and more.

To have a marvelous time enjoying food, beverage, and fun with family, friends, and big groups, this place is the real deal.

Cape Charles Brewing Company lies along Stone Road.

AJ’s Bar & Grill

AJ’s Bar & Grill sits on Peach Street, close to Salt and Sand Family Restaurant.

Their shrimp quesadilla, grilled pork ribeye, pasta, smash burgers, and waffles might sate your stomach.

You can also ask for their “soup of the day” if you want to taste their best liquid dish.

You can always see their delicious menu items if you prefer something else to try.

They have a good selection of beer on tap, too.

Besides great food, AJ’s Bar & Grill has an inviting atmosphere and friendly staff.

The Bakery on Mason

The Bakery on Mason, located on Mason Avenue, is a quaint go-to spot that makes everything from scratch and baked on the premises.

Freshly baked every morning, their savory bread, baguettes, croissants, muffins, biscuits, cookies, pies, scones, sandwiches, and cakes will fill you up for the day.

You can pick your goodies with your favorite flavor or try something new.

Whether you’re just stopping by to treat yourself before exploring Cape Charles or have just toured the town’s attractions, you’ll enjoy serene dining here.

You can combine your food with a hot beverage from their coffee menu.

The Bakery on Mason team is passionate about their job and gives their guests the best service and food.

Also, you can reserve your order by calling to ensure they still have it in stock because some of their products can sell out early.

Coastal Baking Company

Established in 2018, Coastal Baking Company is a quaint local bakery café operated by a family who loves cooking and baking.

Its menu shows a selection of bread, sweets, breakfast, salads, sandwiches, and casseroles.

You can order their rustic baguette, cinnamon roll, muffins, signature chicken biscuit, and specialty croissants.

Don’t forget to try tasty blue and roast beef, chicken salad, muffuletta, cakes, and chana masala, an Indian dish.

You shouldn’t miss the exceptional flavors of Coastal Baking Company’s goodies.

They have both indoor and outdoor seating options.

Coastal Baking Company is on Mason Avenue.

Coach House Tavern

If you want a dining destination with a lively feel, then the Coach House Tavern might be an excellent place for you.

Nestled beside the Bay Creek Golf Shop and overlooking the club’s stunning golf practice range, this spot offers a fresh, delectable collection of sandwiches, salads, seafood, and surprising delights.

Pick their nicely cooked nachos, chicken wings, quesadillas, blackened fish tacos, or steamed fish.

Their grilled chicken, French dip, roasted beet salad, and pork tenderloin served with sliced apples are a must-try, too.

Aside from its Eastern Shore-inspired menu, the Coach House Tavern prepares food using fresh, local produce and goods.

Don’t miss its wide selection of craft brews, fine wines, and delicious cocktails.

Bringing the whole family or friends to the Coach House Tavern will be fantastic!

Brown Dog Ice Cream

Brown Dog Ice Cream, as its name suggests, specializes in serving the best ice cream in Cape Charles.

In 2012, Miriam Elton opened the ice cream parlor, taking inspiration from her adorable little brown puppy, Foster.

It’s a perfect spot to find to satisfy your ice cream cravings or frozen treats in the warm season.

Enjoy a mouthwatering selection of many kinds of house-made ice cream with several flavors, such as cookies and cream, black raspberry, vanilla salted caramel brownie, and more!

Brown Dog Ice Cream uses fresh, locally sourced ingredients to handcraft quality ice cream.

It’s worth lining up for a delectable cone or cup, two or more, at Brown Dog Ice Cream, nestled on Mason Avenue.

Ambrogia Caffé & Enoteca

If you want to sample the flavors of Italy in Cape Charles, there’s no need to look elsewhere because Ambrogia Caffé & Enoteca on Mason Avenue awaits your visit.

Cristina, the owner, is passionate about quality food and excellent service, which makes your time here noteworthy.

She opened this restaurant to honor her mother, Ambrogia.

Here, you’ll enjoy dishes of authentic Italian cuisine, including house-made fettuccine with peas, Parmigiano cream, and pancetta, perfect to pair with a wine Impero Collection Montepulciano.

You can also try risotto with mushroom ragu along with Poggio Le Volpi People Frascati Superiore wine.

If you’re not into these, there are plenty of dishes and drinks to peruse from the detailed menu.

Dine at Ambrogia Caffé & Enoteca in the heart of downtown Cape Charles with your special someone, and delight in incredible Italian food with a romantic vibe!

This restaurant brings you to Italy every brunch, lunch, or dinner!

Deadrise Italian Kitchen

Add Deadrise Italian Kitchen to your list of best restaurants in the town.

It’s a great small dining spot offering the tastiest pizzas, sandwiches, beer, wine, and cocktails.

Tucked on the welcoming setting of Mason Avenue, this restaurant features the freshest seasonal ingredients prepared from scratch.

They’re known for their organic pizza dough and marina sauce that they make daily.

You can pick from their fabulous pizza menu, including house pies like Margherita drizzled with garlic crust, fresh mozzarella, basil, pecorino, cracked pepper, and olive oil.

Deadrise Italian Kitchen has a generous selection of smaller plates, desserts, salads, and other specialties if you favor something different.

Some of their dishes you might like are fried mozzarella, chicken salad sandwich, and warm Brussels.

Salt and Sand Family Restaurant

Salt and Sand Family Restaurant lies on Peach Street, just a few footsteps from Mason Avenue.

As its name suggests, visiting this restaurant with the family is ideal.

When you stop for lunch or dinner, you may order scallops and oyster combo or speckled trout along with coleslaw as a side.

You can also choose crab cake and butterfly shrimp, then add mashed potatoes for the side.

Salt and Sand Family Restaurant has a warm atmosphere and fantastic staff.

Delicious food matches affordable prices, too.

Cape Charles Distillery

Cape Charles Distillery was established in 2017 on Mason Avenue.

It has drawn the attention of many folks from Virginia’s Eastern Shore and neighboring places.

Cape Charles Distillery is known for its flavorful cocktails, such as bourbon, vodka, whiskey, and sunshine.

Their team is adept at making phenomenal concoctions with ingredients from Virginia.

Apart from that, Cape Charles Distillery has a relaxing ambiance, perfect for hanging out with friends.

Enjoy their fantastic oysters with a good drink selection!

Final Thoughts

There are many excellent restaurants in Cape Charles.

However, since it has many options, deciding where to eat might challenge you.

So, bookmark this list to help you find the best restaurants in Cape Charles, Virginia.

Enjoy a hearty meal with your family, friends, co-workers, and special someone!