Blue Seafood & Spirits

Blue Seafood & Spirits is a small, cozy spot in Virginia Beach that delivers big on flavor and hospitality. It was crowded when I arrived, so I sat at the bar—and I’m glad I did. Pauline, the bartender, was friendly, attentive, and knew the menu inside and out. Chef Charles personally came over several times to share the story behind his famous sweet potato biscuits, offer recommendations, and check in during my meal. That personal touch really stood out. I ordered the fried green tomatoes, crab soup, and a seafood combo, and every bite was absolutely delicious—fresh, perfectly cooked, and full of flavor. Even the other guests at the bar were warm and welcoming. If you’re looking for excellent seafood, friendly service, and a place where the chef truly cares about the guest experience, this is it. Arrive early or be ready to wait—it’s worth it!

I finally got around to trying “the #1 seafood restaurant in the country.” The food was excellent, but I do not think that is what garnered all the yelp reviews. From the minute I walked into the restaurant, I felt like the most important person in the room (it’s a very small restaurant in size). I opted to sit at the bar, and I had Pauline as my server. Pauline was fantastic, and she truly made my experience memorable. There were also two couples at the bar, regulars, who went out of their way to speak to me and get to know me. They told me what menu items are noteworthy, and they shared their favorites. There was no shortage of food or smiles. The owner even took it upon himself to greet me. For my first time, no notes. Excellent service and delicious food. As a Cancerian, the blue crab at the entrance and ocean theme really spoke to me. Definitely order the bread pudding for dessert!

Everything was delicious! Each dish was prepared with such intention and that showed through with each bite! From the moment I stepped inside, I was warmly greeted by the Hostess and promptly greeted by my server, Kenzie. 🤗 The entire experience was so lovely, and to top it off, the chef himself came out and personally greeted and interacted with every, single guest! ❤️ He even knew his repeat guests and shared a quiet moment to appreciate them. It's not often anymore that you get to experience true hospitality, but you can definitely find that at Blue Seafood and Spirits. 😊 Highly recommend! ✨️

Service and Food was Excellent! Our server, Makenzie was terrific. The Chef/Owner made sure to greet everyone, he even brought us a little sample to try. We will definitely be back for more!

The wait was reasonable for how busy the restaurant was. Upon being seated, service was quick and accurate. The restaurant was a bit loud, but reasonably so due to size. The food was very good. I had the Oscar Salmon while my daughter had chicken. Dinner portions seemed on the smaller side, but dessert was pretty large in comparison. I would probably eat here again.

When we discovered this hole-in-the -wall place a year ago, and were blown away by the fact that EVERYTHING here was amazing. I asked the owner why they aren't promoting this place more or why they don't move into a bigger building? (For our first visit, we had to wait in line for about an hour to get in. Make sure you get there early, and DON'T LEAVE! The wait is totally worth it - read on...) His response (paraphrased): "Because a bigger place also brings with it a lot more work. I want time with my family, our employees work hard and need time off, and it's not all about the money." - WOW! That explains why it seems that all people who work there are like family, and seemingly enjoy working there. That makes the whole visit so much more enjoyable. We had the same waitress this year we had last year. That should tell you something. But now, to the food. In short: It's incredible! Whenever we dine at a seafood restaurant, we pretty much order the same things: fried shrimp, some version of grilled salmon, and crab cakes. This restaurant has tempura fried shrimp, which is NOT on the menu. Do yourself a favor, and ask for it! The batter is thin yet crip and crunchy, and the accompanying horseradish dip is delicious. And, YES, horseradish does go amazingly well with fried shrimp 😉 My wife is very picky about crab cakes. Many restaurants use "fillers" like bell peppers, leek, and other stuff to use as little actual crab meat as possible (and those ingredients seem to take away the actual crab meat flavor, or are aimply overpowering). Not here! Their crab cakes are FULL of delicious crab meat, spiced and flavored just right to complement the taste of the crab meat. We ordered extra crab cakes to take home with us to be able to enjoy them for a few more days. I ordered the grilled salmon with lump crab meat and sauce hollandaise. The salmon was cooked to perfection, not too dry, and not too soft or soggy, which is extremely difficult to get right. Yet the folks hete at Blue Seafood and Spirits get this right every time. How they do this is beyond me. We only come to Virginia Beach once a year, but you guys make our trip SO much more enjoyable. Thank you all so much for offering a little peace of seafood heaven away from the touristy hot spots in VB. We are looking forward to returning next year, but hopefully sooner.

07/19/25 If you want a great place to eat this is it. Really good seafood. Not a big place but they do it right. Can't wait to go back.

Hands down the best seafood restaurant and my personal favorite. Every experience here has been fantastic. Charles always makes you feel welcome, Pauline mixes up excellent cocktails, and the rest of the staff do everything right. They don't take reservations (I'm glad) and the wait is always worth it. If you're lucky you can score space at the bar or sometimes even an open table.

I worked at Blue years ago, but at the time I was a vegetarian/vegan so I missed out on a lot of yummy food. I HAD to stop by on a recent visit back home, and boy their seafood was everything I imagined it would be and more. We got shrimp ceviche as our pre-starter, brought out by Charles, the owner. So fresh! And a unique ceviche flavor; most ceviche I've had is all tart. Blue's had a nice sweetness to it that balanced the citrus very well. The She Crab soup would've been a great meal by itself as a bowl and with a salad or appetizer. This was the sherry soup. Amazing flavor. Perfect for a rainy day. A bit more like a chowder, but tasty nonetheless the less. The complimentary sweet potato biscuits were out of this world. I forgot how good they are. I could eat the apricot butter by itself. When I worked at Blue, I always told myself I I could eat meat I would order the Seafood Belle Haven, so that's what I chose. It did not disappoint! It's a popular entree for a reason. The seafood was so fresh. Top it with butter and cheese and it's a match made in heaven. Sides were delish as well. My mom got the fried seafood platter. The shrimp was our favorite part. She claims if she had one last meal on earth, those shrimp would be on her plate. I agree that it's the best fried shrimp I've ever had. The tempura batter was perfect. The Chocolate Bread Pudding, which I had plenty of times, was better than I remembered. So creamy and flavorful. Not too rich either. Everything was perfect. From the service to the decor to the food. Great drink selection. Apt wait staff. Everyone was very friendly. I had such a good time I even dreamt about working at Blue again later that evening! Highly recommend a visit to Blue. Charles, the owner, is a wonderful, good human that has created a truly amazing business and community of regulars. Your money will be well spent here!

Blue Seafood and Spirits is located in Sandbridge, VA away from the craziness of the City of VA Beach . Even-though it is a small venue in a strip plaza it should definitely not be overlooked. The secret is out and it is challenging to get into the restaurant. They don't take reservations. We planned ahead and arrived at 4:44 PM. Upon entering, we were warmly greeted and fortunately there was a table available. Our server brought us water and took our drink orders. We selected the award winning She Crab Soup (in a light tomato base) a wonderful balanced flavor. Fried Eastern Shore Oysters were cooked perfectly, a little salty and succulent. While we were waiting for our apps, the chef/ owner welcomed us and presented us with a complimentary sample portion of Crab Pastry with a light dash of aioli. The three people at our table ordered three different entrees and all were enthusiastically pleased with our choices. Seafood Combination, Crab Cakes, and double cut lamb chop. We shared across our table and there was still some to take home. Crab cakes were delicately seasoned and had a plenty of crab meat. The Lamb Chop was cooked as ordered . Fantastic flavor! For dessert we shared Crème Brûlée and a scrumptious Key Lime Pie with a cashew crust. Everything about Blue is unique. You will never find anything " run of the mill" at Blue. A tremendous amount of thought and creativity has made Blue Seafood exceptionally successful. Chef Charles sat down briefly at our table just before desserts arrived. He genuinely thanked us for coming. Service is professional, friendly and top notch. Never rushed, they make you feel like their only customer. I highly recommend Blue Seafood and Spirits.

This place was recommended to us. Came for Date Night with hubby. Pauline the bartender was absolutely amazing. treated us like family. the food was fantasti. the sweet potato biscuits with apricot butter was OMG! I want more. so good. Tempera Shrimp the best I ever had. Charles the owner made his way around the dining room greeting ever guest. Great food and service. would highly recommend and will definitely be back soon. Thank Yo. Northend Couple.

Had friends in town who wanted seafood, so suggested this restaurant based on reviews. There was about a 45min wait for a Saturday night, which wasn't too bad. Inside is intimate and personal. Great for date night or catching up with friends. Once we received notification our table was ready we were seated promptly. Our server was very friendly and attentive!! The chef even came by and spoke to our table.Got the brussel sprouts for appetizer. My friend and I got the blueberry lemon drop martini which was tasty. We also got the salmon special that had crab meat and a spinach sauce, which was very good. My husband got the seafood combination. All the seafood was fresh and seasoned well. Our friends really enjoyed the meal. They got the creme brûlée for dessert which was yummy. Definitely a great dinner spot. We will be returning!!!

We recently had dinner at Blue Seafood & Spirits, located at 2181 Upton Drive in the heart of Virginia Beach. We were hesitant to make the drive as we usually plan better so that we can arrive at least 30 minutes before they open to ensure that we can get a seat. This place is a very HOT TICKET and seating is at a premium. Fortunately, we arrived just after the start crowd was leaving (about 5:30) and we felt like we won the lottery because we walked right in and grabbed 2 seats at the bar! SCORE!!! Our bartender, Pauline, was absolutely amazing! She got our drinks out in record time and soon thereafter she recounted the nightly specials. My Wife had the Scollops served with green beans and carrots. It was a large portion and certainly enough to share. I opted for the Blue Salad and finished my Wife's plate after she had her fill. Charles (The Head Chef/Owner) came out to greet us and we had a wonderful time at this fabulous restaurant! I highly recommend this place but be aware that it can be difficult to get a seat, so it pays to "shop early" as they do not offer reservations... but that is just one of the quirky things I just adore about this place!

Still great food, service and ambience! Great place to grab dinner! This was the second time we have visited and it was just as good as the first time we visited a few months ago. Highly recommend the crab cake!

Highly recommend. Great food and even better vibes. Really enjoyed the food and service. Very personable wait staff.

When walking in you instantly feel its a local fave. The restaurant had modern nice decore and the quick service was nice. I couldn't wait to try. It was nice fir them to provided comp shrimp cheese crustini bites which was very tasty. The excitement has built up and so excited to tr a dish. I ordered thier "Safood Bell Haven" cause I'm all about seafood. It came withl side dish of steamed veggies and mashed potatoes Let's just just say this. The veggie and mash was fine, but way too much on the cheese on the main dish. To a point I felt I was eating more of a cheese dish rather than a seafood dish. I normally don't care how much I spend on a seafood dish, but my suggestion is to cut back a little on the cheese or just do a traditional seafood scampi style. I will come back, and try other dishes. But honestly it's not my first choice.

Today was my second visit, and I can confirm that the reviews and ratings are accurate. The service was exceptional and quick! The food was phenomenal, with options available for those who aren't seafood fans. The pork chop might be the best I've ever had. The drinks were also good! We will definitely be back. Not a huge place so you might have to wait. Although We had no issues and were seated quickly.

After living in VB for a few years, we finally got the opportunity to visit Blue Seafood. Soon after we sat down, the chef brought out some wonderful samples of a crab pâté on a cracker. For my main dish, I had a generous portion of fried halibut. It was the freshest, juiciest, tastiest halibut I've ever had in my life, hands-down. My two companions both had the seafood combo with blackened flounder, scallops and crabcakes. Both agreed that the crabcakes were exceptional. However, they were both disappointed about the treatment of the blackened seasoning. The peppering was way overdone and was intrusive to the flavor, which was a shame since the seafood was so fresh. We've had very fine, blackened dishes in the past and unfortunately, this one was a sour note. The service was very friendly, and the atmosphere of this top-notch restaurant felt very local, bustling with a nice down-to-earth vibe. I'm sure we will return for some of the best seafood in VB.

This was my first time trying this restaurant. It's definitely got a local vibe to it. I sat at the bar and their tiramisu lovely older couple next to me I could tell was local to the area. The waitress was very friendly and the customer service was impeccable. I order an Old Fashioned and a 1/2 dozen raw oysters. I don't normally eat Virginia Oysters, I guess I'm very picky but I told myself why not give it a go. The Oysters were very fresh and delicious. I also ordered the Special which was the shrimp and grits and it was divine. I love their take on the dish. They put bell peppers, celery, and onions on top with the shrimp and grits. It was so good. I definitely enjoyed my dinner here at this local spot and can't wait to return.

Once again, Blue Seafood did not disappoint and remains one of my favorite restaurants. I do get a bit of anxiety visiting Blue Seafood because you never know how long the wait may be during the weekend as they get super busy (they don't take reservations). Charles recognized us as frequent customers and welcomed us as he usually does. We didn't wait as long as we thought since a couple seats opened up at the bar. I always look forward to their complimentary appetizer and though I forgot what it was, I do remember it was tasty! I ordered their special for the evening which was the seafood pasta which was delicious as usual. Service here is always top-notch and combined with the food and hospitality, makes it one of my go-tos for a dinner that never disappoints.

The food is fresh and even the bartender was joking when she asked me how things were, saying that they must've been bad. I see why this place made #1 on a Yelp seafood list in the US for 2024. It was worth dealing with the unexpected traffic. It was kind of on the way for me and planned out. Doing so much stuff, I had valid concerns I wouldn't make it before closing but I had to take this opportunity to try to go. I wasn't even the only one in the restaurant as a solo. The guy sitting next to me was solo too and he left soon after and the staff rushed to give him his card that he forgot. You can tell it is very local here but people know that Virginia Beach is a place to visit and there is the Internet like this review. I almost went with their imperial crab special but more seafood options on my plate "screamed" at me instead. Their portion sizes are smaller than a cheap or moderately priced dine in restaurant but the portion sizes are still appropriate. So glad they don't try to make this experience like a mini tasting and that is a reason to be number one. The potatoes are house made and I don't remember the flavor but savory in a way that worked superbly. Vegetables are fresh and cooked but appropriately unexpectedly crispy and flavorful. The included apricot butter biscuits are a lovely unique freebie to dining in. This place really understands offering a reasonable food quantity for the quality. They make the desserts from scratch too and they would be remiss not to do so in an establishment as intimate but as classy as this with the fresh seafood. One small thing that was slightly off was the good tasting batter overpowered the oysters and I could not taste the oysters' freshness but not everyone may like the oyster texture otherwise. I think as an (amateur) food critic, there is more of a leaning to be able to taste more of the main thing and "less window dressing" so to speak. The manager is super engaged as well and well attuned to the restaurant. I think I got him on the phone line when asking about reservations- none are done here. First come first serve and thankfully they had a spot for me at 755 PM because coming on another day wouldn't have been easy for me.

We were a party of 4, no reservations taken. Only had to wait about 10 minutes on a Friday night. Service was excellent. Always like it when the chef comes out to visit and check in with guests. Appetizers of tempura asparagus and Brussel sprouts were excellent. Aïoli sauce was perfect for dipping. One friend ordered duck and he said it was excellent. Based on how quickly it disappeared- it must have been. Wife and other friend order back sea bass. I ordered combo seafood . All broiled. Sides were excellent and fish was fresh and cooked perfectly. Only negative- thought the portion size was a little small. Maybe 3-4 oz. This was our first time here- would definitely come back again and try other interesting items on the menu as there is a nice variety.

We were craving for sea food for dinner. The place is small but upscale. They don't take reservation and it's first come first serve. We waited for 40 minutes but they offer you drinks while waiting. The staff are very nice and they come randomly to check on you. They get our orders fast and brought the food at reasonable time. The food is presented well and taste delicious. I love every bit of the salmon twist and the Crab soup is perfect. They have a great selection of drinks and some alcohol. You also get to take a picture of Hector the chicken if it's your birthday. We really enjoyed our dinner tonight. I'm pretty sure we will be back again.

The service was definitely FAMILY FRIENDLY , very professional and courteous. The crowd was kind of small town oriented, and the people at the bar were a little rowdy . The food was professionally done, perfectly cooked, and the portions were just right. My wife's salmon was large and had a huge mound of crab on top, and my oysters were perfectly breaded and cooked. We had the Keylime pie for dessert which was better in some ways than that which you can get in Key West. The chef / owner came out twice to talk with us and was like talking to the head chef in a New York restaurant, but extremely courteous and genuinely friendly. The creamy tomato crab soup was a very nice variation on something which can be traditionally very bland. I am recommending this to my friends and expect to be back next year when we make our vacation trip back to VA Beach.

We were cheerfully greated at the door by non-other than the owner welcoming us into his establishment. Our wait staff was warm and engaging telling us of the specials of the day. I had the she crab soup followed by the pasta dish with scallops and shrimp which was wonderful and my wife had the Mahi which was perfectly cooked with a blacked char yet moist and tender center. I would definitely recommend this quaint eatery and we would certainly be back when in the VB area!

First, 5 stars is insufficient! We are from Dallas and I am positive that if Blue was in DFW it would be in the top 10-maybe 5--restaurants in the Metroplex because of the creativity, quality and generous portions of the food as well as wonderful service, not to mention the most reasonable price for the outstanding meal. We started with a complimentary scrumptious shrimp pre-appetizer. We then shared 2 appetizers that may sound ordinary but that the chef made unique: fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese plus tempura asparagus with an unusual sauce for dipping. We then shared a crab soup that the chef varies from day to day. Our main courses were also generously portioned and delicious--immaculately fresh variety of fish and other seafood- fried, and a baked casserole of equally fresh shell fish. We cannot wait to return.

I have known about Blue Seafood for a while now but I haven't had the chance to check them out due to life and whatever :). However, they recently got my attention again when they were rated as the #1 seafood restaurant in the country. Rightfully so! I am regretting not coming here earlier because quality in their cuisine is prioritized here. The restaurant is small and intimate and they seem to always busy so be prepared. We ordered the Seafood Belle Haven blackened, Tempura Fried Shrimp, and She Crab Soup and it came out fairly quickly. The chef came out with a complimentary Cajun shrimp toast and it was delightful. The she crab soup is packed with flavor and it was finished almost instantly. The side of sweet potato biscuits with apricot butter is a match made in heaven as the soft biscuits with the sweetness of the butter goes together well! The star of the show was the Seafood Belle Haven which has the catch of the day, scallops, and a crab cake. The blackened seasoning was amazing as the scallops and fish were cooked perfectly. The crab cake was full of crab meat and full of flavor! Even the tempura fried shrimp was high quality! Their #1 rating is definitely deserved!!

Blue seafood.. Omg the service the drinks the food just absolutely amazing! And Pauline is awesome! We had a great time for our anniversary and can't wait to come back! Ty!!

Easily the best food spot in Virginia Beach. My wife and I came here for our anniversary dinner and loved our food. Absolutely delicious. If I'm gonna be honest, the ambience is a bit early 2000. And could use an update but it was super clean and nice. The bar tender was super friendly and knowledgeable as well. Great spot! We will be back.

Eaten here a few times in the past (before Covid) and decided to come back and see what all the fuss is. Unfortunately the service was very bad. The server seemed very distracted and poorly trained. We could see the chef walking around and even posing with a life-sized pop-up of himself. Actually the entire time we were there (about 1.5 hours) the chef was out front. This seemed odd to me (I worked in the restaurant industry for years) as it was 6pm on a Friday night and the place was on a wait list. The place hasn't changed it's look at all (except adding the pop-up of the chef) and still feels like an overcrowded bar. We ordered drinks and they came out way too strong! I ordered a screwdriver and you couldn't tell there was any orange juice is was so strong. As an owner I would be very upset with the bar staff as this can lead to people getting drunk leaving this location (which is probably why this place has such a strong bar vibe to it). The food took a while and came out dry and overcooked. Most likely it sat in the window waiting for someone to take it to the table. You can tell that the chef is making sure the orders are going out correctly and in a timely manner. There are a lot of fantastic restaurants in the area that offer a great experience, wonderful food, and at a reasonable price. This restaurant is not one of them. Added to respond to the so called "chef/owner": You just showed that you are no true "chef" by calling me dumb for expressing my bad experience. Looking at other reviews it seems to take offense from anything negative, instead of attempting to learn from them. If you were any good at the managing the front of the house you would have stopped by the table AFTER the food was delivered to the table. It was 20 minutes after we received our food that we flagged down the server to get our check. So tell me how I'm dumb because you and your staff didn't perform a simple task of asking if everything was okay. Instead you have to berate anyone that mentions a problem. Your attitude shows that you don't have any respect for your customers.

Worth every star and more. I can't believe it took me so long to get here but now that I have been I definitely will be back. We wanted to try HH on a Friday. There was a line already at 3:50 pm and they open at 4:00. Highly recommend getting there early, The HH is only at the bar and you have to be sitting at the bar....no standing. As soon as the door opened we were warmly greeted and lucky enough to get to the bar. Paula was the bartender and very friendly. The regulars were wonderful to talk to and made lots of recommendations. We ordered the HH brussel sprouts, a crab cake and 4 shrimp tempura. The also gave out a wonderful amuse bouche or appetizer. Shrimp with a horseradish dip. Delicious. The brussel sprouts were perfectly done and the crab cake was nothing but crab. I absolutely can't wait to go back and try other things on the menu. It's pricier than some restaurants but absolutely worth it and the vibe is not stuffy at all. Love love love!

This place is hands down top notch! I can't believe it has taken me this long to come. Seriously, the only down side is that they do not take reservations. That's it. We had a party of 8 at 6pm on a Wednesday night. The wait time was about 40 minutes. We were called and had a great section. They actually served us bite sized appetizers on the house. The restaurant was very attractive with electric blue lights throughout the bar and dining area. Our server was super efficient, fast, and friendly. She immediately served us, took our drink and appetizer orders, and promptly came back to take our entree order. Everything was absolutely delicious! I ordered their crab cakes. It came with seasonal vegetables and a starch but I opted for double veggies. The crab cakes were pure lump crabmeat. No fillers. The green beans were amazing and mixed with mushrooms. I also ordered a side caesar salad and this was wonderful. My friends all ordered different entrees but they all loved it. They also have mini sweet potato biscuits that come with apricot butter and it's such a treat. Service was impeccable. Food was absolutely delicious. Do yourself a favor and check them out....make them your go to!

This little shopping center restaurant blows it out of the park ! From the moment we walked in and were greeted by Tanner and the other hosts, we were treated like superstars ! There isn't a "waiting area" inside the restaurant , but a place to stand near a partition and a cute bench outside . Our hosts/hostesses provided us a menu and drink list while we waited and enjoyed sipping a delicious glass of Cabernet . Our meal we shared was the "seafood combo" broiled . Oh my gosh the seafood was so fresh and delicious , and the little sweet potato roll and butter were so soft and flavorful. The owner surprised us with a starter spoonful of a mild but flavorful soft cheese. Bridget at the bar, was so attentive while they were at their peak time and crowd on a Saturday night. Thank you staff for such a wonderful experience !!

Me and my wife had the pleasure of dining at BLUE seafood and spirits last night. I've got to tell you the entire experience from beginning to end was nothing short of amazing. The chef came out and greeted us with a complementary appetizer the bartender mixed cocktails for everyone at the bar And never even came close to getting in the weeds. I had the fillet with the tempura shrimp and it was probably one of the best fillets I've ever had. My wife had the tomato cream pasta with andouille sausage. We finished our meal off with a Keylime pie that had a cashew crust. Incredible. (The staff made us feel like family this was our first visit) Can't wait to come back. Thank you.

This is me and my husbands favorite date night spot! The chef is witty welcoming and friendly. We have had a different server everytime we come and they are all lovely. We had Madi yesterday and she was great. The hosts are equally as friendly and attentive. As someone with celiacs disease i appreciate having multiple choices for an entree and they are all equally delicious. Im not kidding when i say we always lick our plates clean. We finally tried their dessert yesterday and the creme brulee was MAGICAL. Love love this place.

The service, food, cocktails were excellent! The menu is clean and succinct but still has offerings for those who don't like seafood. Servers knew the menu and specials well and were attentive. Cocktails are are tasty and don't skimp on the liquor. Dinners are served with biscuits and apricot butter which I could eat all day themselves. Seafood tastes fresh and was cooked to perfection. Vegetable sides are crisp and seasoned well. Dessert (crème brûlée) was heavenly. The owner/chef was personable and made rounds in the dining room to check on everyone's experience throughout the evening. Would recommend to anyone friend!

Great Anniversary dinner last night. Great service, great food. Fried green tomatoes were outstanding. Well worth the price. Crab cakes and tempura shrimp are a must get. Thank you for making it a great experience.

Their very friendly welcome as you enter the door gets 5 stars. Their amuse bouche (who foes this anymore?) were delightful surprise - shrimp canapés! 5 stars for sure! Then came their version of very soft and moist biscuits (more like cake consistency) served with apricot butter! YUMMY! Ambiance is neighborhood cozy, not upscale but clean, organized and divey. I ordered the salmon salad, asked for substitution cheese - gave me Asiago instead of Gorgonzola. Happy with the flexibility. They even asked if I'd like freshly cracked black pepper...yes please! Salmon was cooked well although they didn't ask how I'd like my salmon cooked. Only splash of great addition to typical salad greens were the blanched asparagus. This was 4 stars. My friend ordered the scallops and shrimp with mashed potatoes and steamed veggies. The cheese was way too much, everything was soaking in melter butter that my friend had to "wring out" the butter! Green beens could have been elevated- broccolini maybe? Over-all food was high 3 but with service and ambiance, it's a 4 stars.

You know this place is amazing when there's no reservations yet people will choose to wait in either the line or wait in the parking lot to dine here. Staff is friendly, attentive, and quick. The decor isn't anything fancy nor are there expectations to dress up-dress up, but it's comfortable and still an obviously nice place to enjoy a meal with family, friends, or a cute date night. Crab soup is "award winning" for a reason. If you're a fan, order it. Caesar salad was fresh, crunchy with a great caesar dressing. The group I dined here with ended up eating in silence due to the wait, but that also meant every entree was a hit. The tempura fried shrimp had a great batter, crispy as expected. Signature broiled lump crab cakes evaporated. I saw it on someone's plate one second, and it was gone then next time I looked up. The butcher's block pork chop was thoroughly enjoyed by someone who does not eat seafood (not an allergy). The vegetables were steamed to perfection. The portions were plenty: filling but not enough to feel like you're hurting after your meal. Seriously, the food is impressive. Bring some entertainment be it some games, cards, or a book. The wait is worth it.

SENSATIONAL! From being warmly greeted by the hostess and waitresses to receiving a complimentary shrimp taster of an appetizer to having the owner stop by and check on us, this place understands customer service in ways other restaurants should learn from. For starters we had the crab soup which was so good, we ordered a second. The sweet potato muffins with apricot butter are to die for. For the main course, we ordered the pasta special (coconut curry pasta with scallops and shrimp), the Belle Haven, and the crab cakes. All PHENOMENAL. We finished with the amazing Key Lime Pie and the chocolate bread pudding, which were both superb. The restaurant is tastefully decorated with sea life images and a very nice small bar area. Don't take my word for it. Take the other 811 Yelpers who've unanimously picked this place as the best in VB!

3 years ago I left a 5 star review. And today I leave it equally the same. Consistent - AMAZING - and Chef Charles NEVER disappoints (except when he leaves his open sign off lol!) The environment is so family friendly- they have great welcoming staff. The Chef greets everyone personally. Service is always top notch! We have never had a 'bad day' in 3+ years eating here. Hands down the best high end seafood restaurant in VB!!! (P.s. my son loves the display videos of the ocean!)

Everything about this place was the best! We met the chef and he treated us like family, I had the pork chop that was to die for and the other food my family got looked fantastic as well. Highly recommend

No wonder Blue was rated Number 1 by Yelp reviewers as the best seafood restaurant in America. I knew it was special when I first saw dry packed scallops on the menu. No other restaurant that I've eaten at has offered dry pack scallops. I was in Virginia Beach visiting my brother and my sister had flown in from Austin and I said I read a review of a restaurant that served dry packed. She had no clue what that meant but I did. Blue doesn't take reservations so we were there shortly after it opened... so we could get a table. The restaurant only has about 15 tables and about the same at the bar stools. We were treated with a small sample of gourmet cheese and toast ends on the house. We shared a bowl of the soup de jour which was cream of lump crab and it was outstanding. Then we shared a micro green arugula berry salad with a in-house dressing... phenomenal. For entrees I got what I was coming for the scallops and I was not disappointed... the taste of dry-packed is so much better than scallops processed and shipped in water. I was in gourmand heaven. All the sides are locally sourced from farm to table and bursting with flavor. My sister got fresh stuffed flounder and raved over it... I did get a taste... and I agreed. Charles the owner and head chef makes the rounds to every table to make sure everything is perfect... and it was! I've been back twice since the and I will not leave VB unless I make a trip to Blue Seafood and spirits! BTW that's Charles photo bombing us in front of the restaurant... unannounced!

Great service and excellent food. We thoroughly enjoyed the crab and shrimp dishes. The owners even greeted us personally table side .

Great! Great food, great service, great drinks! It was a perfect experience and so yummy! Crab cakes were wonderful and full of crab meat, per my husband the oysters were really good, the best he has had in years. We will definitely be back! It is worth the wait! Thank you Bridgett!

This is hands down the best seafood restaurant in Hampton Roads. The best customer service, the friendliest staff, the best food. What else can you ask for? Charles, the head chef and owner is one of the nicest guys you'll meet. He makes sure to talk to everyone and genuinely cares about service and food quality. I cannot say enough about this establishment, you just have to go and see for yourself. You will not be disappointed!

My family and I went last night for my mother's birthday and we heard amazing things and definitely lived up to it and exceeded the expectations. Great service, the owner/chef came by and dropped off some goodies and said hi, made us very welcome right from the start. After our dinner he stopped by again and as we were talking you could feel his passion about his restuarant and his food. We tried what we heard from others who've recommended, the Hibiscus martini, chocolate bread pudding and multiple seafood dishes. Everything was so super fresh and amazing!! Even though it's mainly a seafood known place, the porkchop is the best I've ever tasted! The seafood is spectacular and we are all still thinking about that pork chop! Delicious and delightful restuarant.

Great atmosphere, but a very close intimate setting. This little Virginia Beach secret stay full and the customers wait to get their turn to enjoy the delights awaiting inside. Great wine, beer, and cocktail menu and excellent fresh made-to-order seafood dishes. Charlie the owner, and chef was really inviting. He came to our table and asked me my name. Me: Stacy Charlie: I thought that was you. (turning to my wife) Charlie: Stacy told me you are the most awesome dinner date he has ever had (while settidown the shrimp cocktails) Lol Casey our server was just as awesome, very familiar with the menu and she ran down the specials with ease of memory. My wife and I ended up getting the same dinner, go figure. Bell Haven Seafood. Lump crab meat, scallops, and shrimp in a buttery sauce covered with cheese and broiled to perfection. It's a party in your mouth! Our entire meal was exquisite including the key lime pie we shared. (made in-house with a graham cracker crust!) sorry no pic... but trust me it was delicious If you follow my reviews you know I rarely give out five stars but this restaurant was very impressive in service, and deserve every star they get.

The reviews don't do justice to the gem this restaurant is. The server and staff were fantastic. The owner visited every table and greeted each customer. The food was delicious. If you vacation in the area it must be tried. Enjoy!

Enjoyed my birthday dinner at Blue Seafood! The food is outstanding and reasonably priced considering it is fresh delivered to the restaurant daily! The service was great and it was an especially nice touch for the chefs to come around to the table throughout the evening to check on everything. Would recommend it to friends and will be back!!

Savored a culinary gem at Charles Thane's restaurant. It lived up to its reputation! Reminiscent of Eastern Shore's Eastville Inn. An exquisite and refined experience! Vibrant decor and energy inside this little jewel. Absolutely worth the wait. Service was impeccable and the food is beautifully presented and delicious. Starter was the tempura asparagus crisp and delicious. Surprise! Amuse bouche of shrimp and pimento cheese on half a sweet potato biscuit. Yummy! I got the fried oysters, plump and juicy. Hubby got the seafood Belle Haven. Generous supply of shrimp, scallops and crabmeat. The sides are seasonal veggies sauted to perfection and a choice of baked sweet potato or sour cream and chive mashed potatoes. We both got the mashed and were very glad for it! Charles makes it a point to visit with each table and makes you feel like his personal guest! We will be back soon!

Great service, I enjoy great food but when the service is great that makes all the difference. To start when we were for seated immediately they offered us a taste of shrimp tempura on Asiago cheese bread on the house and it was delicious. Next crab soup was delicious and then on to the sweet potato bread yummy. I ordered the seafood combo which included fish, scallops and a crab cake everything was delicious. My husband ordered the pork chop he thoroughly enjoyed it. Beautiful decor and nice music playing in the background. The owner and head chef came around to make sure we were enjoying everything which was a nice change. I witnessed the head chef/owner take the time and explain the differences of the Bourbon offered again out of the norm but I loved it. You will not be disappointed, you must give this place a tried.

Complete restaurant! great food with outstanding service. As good as it gets in Tidewater.

Went here to celebrate my son's birthday and the place was pretty busy on a Saturday eve; which is usually a good sign. The place is not large and easy to miss and we were seated right away. The person who appeared to be the owner was hosted, mingled and interacted with customers. It also appears that most customers were regulars because the staff knew them by name. Overall this place is lovely to dine in and the ambiance is accommodating and cozy for a date night. The food was delicious and dessert was addictive, but I have to rave about the soup, I highly recommend the crab soup as a matter of fact just get the bowl. It is evident they take pride in their food.

Brought a couple of friends from the Shore Dr area who specifically asked about Blue. Happy to show them one of our neighborhood favorites, we went early to ensure we had a table. It's popular! While waiting for our friends, our server recommended some cocktails, including the terrific pomegranate martini (pictured) which I have named Logan's Martini. I described a drink I like at another restaurant and Logan suggested one of his favorites based on my tastes. It was wonderful. The food at Blue was terrific, as always. Chef Charles treated us to his famous Amuse-bouche. After apps of Brussels, oysters and the crab chowder, we had a variety of entrees including the seafood pasta special and my husband's favorite a seafood platter with the fried oysters. We can always count on a delicious meal and excellent service at Blue.

Quaint little spot. Excellent Service. Many returning guest. 4 out of 5 for ambiance 4 out of 5 for Wine Selection 5 out 5 for service 5 out 5 for seafood freshness.

The food and service are always exceptional here. There are always new things to try and the cocktails are well made and delicious.