Harpoon Larry's Fish House & Oyster Bar

Absolutely great experience! The food was fresh, flavorful, and came out looking just as good as it tasted. The baked oysters were amazing perfectly cooked with melted cheese and seasoning that hit just right. The loaded nachos were stacked high with toppings and full of flavor, definitely enough to share but so good you won’t want to. The atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming, and the service was friendly and attentive without being overbearing. Drinks were on point too. Overall, a really enjoyable dining experience and I’ll definitely be coming back. Highly recommend if you’re looking for good food, good vibes, and quality service!

I normally have to take some food home, but not this time! I'm unashamed to say we cleaned our plates! For starters we had calamari (perfectly crispy and not chewy) and the stuffed mushrooms (OMG OUR FAVORITE DISH OF THE NIGHT). I had the broiled flounder. It was juicy and seasoned to perfection. The side of garlic mashed potatoes were the best I've had from any restaurant. Sis had the She Crab Salmon. Cooked exactly the way she wanted it. She was first to finish her plate at the table of 12. Not that anybody is asking, but go ahead and swap those regular fries out for the sweet potato ones. I ABSOLUTELY can snack on those all night. We'll for sure be back when we're in the area. There's more to try. And the prices are fair. Plus service was great! 10/10 recommend

Late post from April Second time trying this restaurant & it doesn’t quite hit the spot for me. The servings are a nice size & the price isn’t bad. I ordered the calamari which was good. I also ordered the flounder & sweet potato fries. The flounder looked delicious. It was cooked well but lacking a little in taste. The hush puppies were really good.

Harpoon Larry's Fish House & Oyster Bar is a seafood lover's dream! The quality here is fantastic. The oysters were so good : incredibly fresh and flavorful. I also enjoyed the lobster roll, and the fish tasted real good. Excellent quality seafood across the board. I highly recommend this spot for a delicious meal.

So grateful for my experience on my first visit! Atmosphere, service, & the food was wonderful! Plenty of seating, food selections, & easy parking.

(DOORDASH ORDER)⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I tried the seafood gumbo, cheesecake, and sweet tea and everything tasted really good. The gumbo was full of flavor with plenty of seafood and had a nice level of spice I honestly wasn’t expecting, which made it even better. The sweet tea was amazing too, with the perfect amount of sweetness. I was hoping for a strawberry cheesecake but it seemed like they might have been out of berries; still, the slice was a good size and very satisfying. Overall, a really enjoyable experience and I’d definitely reorder .

In town and decided to go out with the family. We started off with calamari. They were large. It looked like the calamari could have been used to stuff something in it. Ive never had calamari this large. It was good. My mom and I split the harpoon meal as the waiter said it was large. You can get the meal either fried or grilled. We got it fried. It came with a huge piece of flounder, huge crab cake, 3 shrimp, 3 scallops and 2 hush puppies. For our side we got the red potatoes boiled with melted butter and salt & pepper. My daughter got the salmon blt sandwich and my sister got the oyster po-boy. We had a nice time and our waiter rashared (sorry if it's spelled wrong) was on point and took great care of us. My mom thought the meals were expensive but I expected to pay this amount.

Good spot and good food. While I can’t vouch for it all what I’ve had is A+. The shrimp and grits, the calamari, the raw oysters and hush puppies are excellent. The fried flounder fish sandwich was average.

Finally made it here to try! Catherine started us off right. Great personality, knowledgeable and all around great. For a starter we had the Pocahontas oysters. They were clean, crispy and delicious. My wife said the Maui tacos were the best in the area! I had the she crab salmon and it was decadent and the salmon was cooked perfectly. Overall great experience and we will be back.

I've been going to Harpoon Larry's for well over a decade, and for many years it was one of my favorite spots in Newport News. I even used to go to the one in Hampton Va. Unfortunately, over time the experience has slowly declined. Food quality: The seafood just isn't prepared with the same care it once was. Flavors feel less fresh, and the overall execution has slipped. Service: Staff used to be attentive and welcoming, but now service feels inconsistent and less polished. Presentation: Even the way dishes are plated has gone downhill, which takes away from the enjoyment of the meal. Highlights: Oyster nights are still fun, and I do enjoy trying new varieties when they're available. That tradition keeps me coming back occasionally. Consistency & value: As someone who has lived in Newport News for over 20 years and been a regular here, I look for consistency and good value. Sadly, Harpoon Larry's no longer delivers on those fronts. Overall, while Harpoon Larry's still has its moments, especially on oyster nights, it's hard to recommend it as a regular go-to spot anymore.

Place was busy, very loud. Pretty much expected for bar/restaurant combo so no big deal there. First problem- ordered a draught beer that came to table completely flat. When I asked to either get a new poor or possibly swap to something else, waitress told me "all alcohol sales are final". This was an untouched drink that they served flat. Ridiculous. 2nd problem- ordered baked oysters as an appetizer. Half of them were filled with sand. It was crunchy to eat them. 3rd problem. Ordered a lb of steamed shrimp. peeled and deveined (extra charge) was not done to all the shrimp. Food itself had decent taste overall (wife's seafood pizza was good). Bad service on the beer (and ridiculous policy) and sandy oysters is enough reason for me not to return.

I am not sure how many times you can draft a review on one restaurant, but this place deserves another positive write-up from me! I have been to Harpoon Larry's Fish House & Oyster Bar numerous times, and each time they don't disappoint. I've enjoyed the drinks, as well as the meals and, just last week, my Grubbing Buddy and I had two types of Bloody Marys - one elaborate with shrimp, celery and more and the other pretty simple. Somber, our waitress, was very attentive and pleasant. We sampled a half order of the "BB" seafood tower, which included 1 lb. of shrimp, 3 snow crab clusters, 9 oysters and 6 Middleneck clams. You may see another glowing review from me concerning Harpoon Larry's fine dining in the future.

This local seafood restaurant is a must visit when you're in the Hampton roads area. We love to go there and have several appetizers. One of our favorites is the muscles. I prefer the white sauce, the calamari, which is always delicious the peel shrimp and oysters. It's busy but you still get great service and it's full of wonderful lively people so you have a great ambience. It was so good. I took my mother for lunch and had the fish tacos, which were fantastic. I have a wonderful happy hour so just know that it will be busy but worth the wait.

First time and I do understand the attraction for Newport News locals who love this seafood joint. By the way it's not a chain restaurant. I met up with a group and the staff efficiently set us up in the patio which is like a private room. Waters were on the table just after arrival. Our waiter was amazing and on top of drink and app orders immediately. The men's room located to the side of the bar was tidy with proper supplies, Drinks and apps flowed within 10 minutes.,I got shrimp cocktail which was pretty good. The shrimp size impressive. I ordered a salad and added salmon on top. In less than 25 minutes entrees pushed out at the same time. My fish looked great and proved tasty. The prices are affordable for seafood in my opinion. The bill was closed out quickly and got our group back to our event. I would return.

A friend of mine recommended this spot while down in Newport News, VA as a good seafood spot! We ended up waiting about 20 minutes for a table on Friday night, so prepare to wait on the weekends. It was super busy, but its a laid back restaurant for families, friends, or even date night! The service was fast and accurate, I appreciated the waiting staff. We ordered a crab dip for an appetizer and had some models beers and soda as our drinks of choice for the evening. For our main helping, my husband ordered the skillet pasta and I had the crab quesadilla. Both were decent plates, but they didn't quite hit the spot we thought they would. The pasta was a bit bland and the quesadilla was stuffed with bacon and crab, but not as much cheese. The total bill came out to $99, which we felt was a bit much for the meal we had. It's good, but there are other spots where that amount takes you alot further. Quality: 4/5 Customer service: 5/5 Value for cost: 3.75/5

Oops I did it again! Sorry, not sorry. Their seared Ahi Tuna appetizer (starter) remains one of my go to's! The whipped asabi is the best, try to find it anywhere else!

Very pricey for 5 of us to eat it was $245. Hush puppies are so good. We loved the scallops and shrimp. I got the flounder stuffed with crab meat. Sweet potato fries were excellent. The filet mignon we ordered medium rare and it was RAW. So I rate all the seafood above and beyond. The tarter tasted really good and the chipotle sauce they served with my meal. The hush puppies......Now those hush puppies were AMAZING! Loved everything except that steak..... what a shame The little salad that came on the plate as this most delicious lemon vinaigrette.

My go-to Seafood joint on the peninsula. Food is always delicious. The staff is really friendly and attentive. I admittedly am addicted to raw oysters and Harpoon Larry's doesn't disappoint. Monday's are $1.00 oyster day, so I take advantage of that special when I'm craving it. The rest of the menu has enough variety to suit everyone's pallet.

Food- it was okay. The oysters were small and steamed. I thought chargrilled would be option according to the menu. The drinks were very strong and it wasn't too crowded. Bartender- was cool but slow at times. Atmosphere- typical bar environment. Probably would not return.

great place to get your on. sat right in front of the shelldudes. hush puppies and butter banging. if you in the need for chesapeake this is it ‼

The food tasted great! I would advise a reservation if you go on a weekend in the summer. The service was pretty good. It's pretty decent inside. It's exactly what you would expect.

The food was great however the service was mid unfortunately. I think the server may have either been new or may not have been used to serving more than 1 or 2 tables at a time. He was ok I will say that & friendly but not the best service I have had. I would visit again because the food made up for the lack of great service the service was ok not alot of check it's for refills & the food came out like right after the appetizer a minute later if that.

We've been to Harpoon Larry's twice and there's always plenty of room to sit. It has a nice laid back atmosphere to have some seafood and have a drink! Even during restaurant week, we were seated immediately! They offer a variety of fish dishes cooked in different ways to your liking, they also have shrimp dishes, oysters, and a few non-seafood options. Though the prices are a bit up there, especially for their fish dishes, the portions are extremely generous The food comes quick and they're very tasty. We've never had an issue with their staff. The last time we went, our server was a big football fan and talked a lot about it with my fiancé which he really appreciated. My fiancé and him supported two major opposing teams, but he was very personable through and through!

Easy parking, we're seated with a party of 5 immediately and it was a nice crowd. The food was very tasty, my waiter who had only been there for 5 days was an absolute sweetheart, and the restrooms were clean. I definitely recommend

This is an update from the first time I went. I loved it the first time (besides the overcooked and overly salty calamari). I ordered door dash and tried the combo with the crab cakes this time. It came room temperature and wasn't as good. The crab cakes were also too salty

Wow wow wow, I love a great take out meal! I placed my order a little after noon on a Sunday and the wait on the website said 30 minutes and the time was pretty accurate. The staff was so friendly. I got home and all of the food was placed so nicely in the bag and looked so delicious. I loved how everything tasted and I can't wait to go back. The crab dip was a little greasy but it worked out well with the pita bread.

While I haven't been there in a while the last time I was there the food was amazing.

Someone recommended this place and we haven't been sorry since since. It is worth getting off the highway to have yummy crab dip, fresh oysters and just a yummy homie seafood place. I have to admit I like the oyster stew better than the crab, but their crab dip is out of this world.

Everything is sooo fresh, best seafood I've had in Virginia. Oysters are deliciously salty, fried oyster delicious too. She-crab soup was devine and crabcake ambiance was very homey given all the beautiful Virginia vibes we've missed, service was sooo nice waiter was the sweetest

Harpoon Larry's - Awesome seafood here. The wait staff (Cathryn was our server) is top notch. Reasonable prices for the amount of food.

I really like it here and so I brought my whole family to experience what I liked about this place. I really talked it up! But my family wasn't as impressed and said the crab cakes were too salty. And the service wasn't as friendly as previous visits. Kinda disappointed.

If you cannot accommodate to-go orders on mother's day, then you shouldn't take them. I waited over forty five minutes for my food altogether. .When I left after waiting for 35 minutes. I was told I wouldn't be refunded. They took a nice steamy crap all over my Mother's Day. , This used to be my favorite restaurant for over 2 decades. No longer.

Our family stopped in here on our way to the Williamsburg outlets, and we were definitely not disappointed. We had a fantastic server and she was incredibly knowledgeable and was very helpful and choosing our selections to order for our lunch. She was fun and had the ins and outs for the menu and we were willing to try a ton of food!

Coming from the south, New Orleans, LA and I am always hesitant about seafood, haha actually food in other places but mostly seafood. This place is a place I could eat every visit to the area. The raw oysters were super fresh and full of flavor. I don't get gulf oysters so they were a little smaller than what I'm use too. My entree was an Oyster salad. Fried oysters, spinach, mixed greens, peppers, onions & goat cheese with champagne vinaigrette. I opted for ranch dressing instead of the vinaigrette. Glad I did, it was too heavy on the vinegar side for my taste. We are back in the area in April and I'm Eating here again. With or without my team!

definitely changed a little bit since last time I was here. Oysters are pretty good. Calamari came out at a great time. I did find myself having to look around for my server a couple of times .

The food was really good. Shrimp were a little overcooked (hard to peel) but spiced just right. The oysters were excellent. Bartender was attentive and kept checking in and it's pretty good place to meet eat and hangout. Worth a stop if you're in the area

Harpoons is a Newport News staple. They have specials everyday. Happy hour mon-fri 4-7. Many great things about this place. The food always tastes great. But do I think the portions could be bigger, yes. But it's also 2024 and nothing is cheap these days, either restaurants keep their prices somewhat the same and give you less food or raise their prices sky high. Nonetheless we got the oyster rockefeller special which is 10 for 15... any other day it's 5 for 15... flounder sandwich was huge, fried well yet the fish was still moist. Definitely add the tartar sauce and hot sauce because without, it may taste a little bland. Hush puppies were great. And lastly the oyster poboy, not an authentic poboy but still pretty good. Theirs has lettuce and an apple slaw with a drizzle of remoulade. Great rendition of a poboy. My only complaint is that they only put five fried oysters on the sandwich. Way too much bread for only five oysters and same for the shrimp poboy. Maybe if I got the shrimp it would have been a little better because of the meatiness of the shrimp. But while the oyster poboy had great flavor it tasted like I was just eating bread with apple slaw with a slight hint of oyster. Would I get the poboy again... idk I would have to add more oyster or shrimp to it. But that would also make this a 20+ sandwich. Could possibly be worth it though.

Stopped by Harpoon Larry's again. The service and food was amazing We got House oysters, Rockefeller & She crab soup

Stopped in on our way home north based on yelp recommendation. James river oyster were good nice and fresh. Broiled crab cake was meaty and seasoned well. Blackened fish taco were good size portion. Fried jalapeño on it was a nice touch. The bartender Wes was very attentive from the beginning. The decor fit the seafood theme. Liked the wall of oyster shells with personal messages. I would recommend changing the music to add to the atmosphere although I personally like alternative music.

This place gets 5 stars from me! It was an amazing experience. Our server was also amazing. I'm not from the area but visited here for the first time and it has become my favorite place to visit when I'm in town. The parking lot is a nice size but beware it is packed. We were able to find a spot in the front. Upon arrival we placed our name on the waiting list and sat for about 10 minutes before being seated. The establishment is a nice size. It was already packed. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves which is always a great sign. We ordered drinks and oysters to start. We ordered a dozen fresh oysters. They were delicious. For our meals, we ordered the shrimp and grits and then Harpoons combo. Everything was fresh, hot, and made to order. No complaints whatsoever. I can't wait to return!

I motored to Newport mainly b/c I wanted to take my new-ish EV for a spin, her 1st medium range trip. While charging her up nearby, YELPers led me to this place and I appreciate that. Eating alone at bar, me on a hot August day. Therefore, Oyster Po' Boy for lunch for me. It was VG, in fact excellent. Being a Lone Ranger on this trip, I selected to eat at the bar. The bartender was friendly and it was interesting watching him work. This bartender was doing a lot of stuff, IMHO. He took my food order, fixed some seafood for other orders while keeping a running conversation going with me and a few waitresses. I leaned that bartenders do more than tend the bar. My receipt (photo attached) says the bartender was AM R. I suppose that makes me, "Lady".

My first stop after landing from California on work travel. It was $1 oyster Monday! Local ones were good actually. I only got 6 as it was 7pm and they ran out. Crab cakes were BOMB! I had to order a second, and got them blackened. Also got a side of fried oysters and those were even better! Good service at the bar and the ambiance was fun- people came for the seafood and it didn't disappoint

Service: 10s ACROSS the board!!!! EXCELLENT! Hence, 3 stars. Food: Not so much. HARPOON'S is good for bar food: crab dip, fries, wings & drinks. The main shebang, NO! Crab cake tastes fishy (big tho) vs crabby. Fish (flounder) is OVERfried & you can tell it was frozen. Fries & drinks are good. Oyster Shooters are clean and fresh. Salmon (broiled) good. Other sides (garlic mashed, steamed veggies, etc.), hard pass.

Staff is virtually non existent. Kitchen staff is unprofessional and can't get a single order correct. Food came out in stages . The last one of our party to get served is just now served and the rest of us have been done with our meal. Go to Watermans, or anywhere else, don't stop here. Also the rum runner is the worse rum runner I have ever tasted

The service was great and the food was good. The drinks were horrible. Understand the menu states alcohol is final but you would think the cocktails would be decent. Beware the Blueberry smash and Orange Dream were horrible. I spoke to manager and provided the feedback but I don't think it resonated and no compensation or option to correct it was offered. So get water or a shot to be safe.

The blacken salmon and mash potatoes was so good. The server was amazing and the outdoor seating area was such a vibe.

If you're looking for great seafood on the peninsula, this is your spot! This is my go to, and I grew up on the Chincoteague Bay in a waterman town that had fresh seafood delivered daily. Is it as great as that? No. But it's as close as I've had! And I'm pretty hard to impress when it comes to seafood.

I don't know why, but for some reason, I always visit Harpoon Larrys Fish House in the winter when seafood is a little out of season for this area. But here we are, revisiting this time. Maybe it's because, in the summer, this place is packed daily. Before I start this review, I want to recognize Rashard, our server, for the exceptional service he gave us. I give him five out of five stars for him. He made sure everything was right. I love the environment of the restaurant. It is undoubtedly that marina feel, and it complements their primary item, seafood. As with any place I go to, I like to experience it when it is slow; in my experience, you can get the most out of what they offer. Harpoon Larry's is a local establishment on the peninsula of Tidewater that I highly recommend to anyone visiting. Extensive menu options, plenty of seating, and a large selection. Bar options are available as well. I have highlighted this place positively in previous reviews, so please read them. Good service, good food, pleasant environment for whatever the occasion may be. Recommend you experience all the specials cause they consistently offer these. Harpoon Larry's honors all reward options provided by your method of payment if you would like to take advantage of it. For your travelers, it is located close to I-64, making it a great place to stop for a great seafood meal. Come on into Harpoon Larrys and enjoy the experience. Happy Yelping.

We started with Larry's Crab Dip, which had a decent amount of real lump crab and an okay flavor. For our entrees, we ordered the crab cake, shrimp Po'Boy, and the Harpoon (fried crab cake, shrimp, scallops, and flounder). The crab cake had a decent amount of real lump crab and not a lot of breadcrumbs for the filling, and I felt the taste was okay. I didn't taste the Po'Boy, but I was told it was good. However, the shrimp, scallops, and flounder were just okay; I wasn't a fan of the seasoning, and the seafood wasn't fresh. I did enjoy the hush puppies. This was my first time at this restaurant. I thought the service was okay, but my lunch companions have been a few times and said the service is usually better.

I was looking for a seafood place to eat at for my birthday. This place did not disappoint! The she crab soup had a wonderful cream sauce. The BBQ Shrimp were a great size and very delicate. The salad was very fresh and the seafood platter with Lobster was amazing! Worth every penny we spent. I also got a Raspberry and Lime Crush that was so tasty. The service was top notch. Highly recommend this place. We will be back!

Our server Chris didn't have to do anything amazing but he himself and that was enough for me. I really enjoyed my food. I added a side of mashed potatoes because it didn't come with sides. A lot of places struggle with a good cream sauce and I was skeptical but it truly was amazing!

Large menu, tables have seen better days but didn't hinder the experience. Fast service, and good environment. The food was cooked exactly as requested. Good place for family dining. Recommended!

Harpoon Larry's always has had great food, however on our last visit, the food was not great. It was overcooked. We've had problems with the service before, the waitstaff has made several microaggressions toward my wife and myself and in the past, the waiter has been inappropriate with us. But this week, when we spoke to the manager about the food, there was snide comment from the manager when (IAM A MAN) called me "Mam". Very disrespectful. There are plenty of other seafood restaurants around with good food but if the respect quotient is important to you, especially if you are paying for the time and food you've spent there, I recommend you try another restaurant.

To close out Newport News Restaurant Week for us, Sophia and I headed here for some lunch. As stated in my previous review, Harpoon Larry's was one of our favorite spots to go to back in the day at their Hampton location before moving to a bigger spot near us almost 10 years ago. We've been to the new location twice, the last one being in October 2020 as part of the Yelp Adventure Challenge. This time around, with nothing to do, we stopped by for lunch. Upon entering, we both got seated right away and ordered immediately from the restaurant week menu. Both of us picked clam chowder for appetizers while Sophia ordered a flounder po-boy w/fries and I ordered Cajun Shrimp Pasta. Everything was really good. The clam chowder soup was well seasoned and thick. A lot of veggies in one small cup. And never forget to add small crackers....100% required. The pasta dish was well seasoned through and through. You can never go wrong with shrimp that taste this good. And along with a side of bread? Say no more. Sophia enjoyed her dish as well and took home leftovers. Definitely not a bad visit with great hospitality. Till next time :)

So after a long travel day, we stopped here to grab a bite. This place was so busy the wait staff was practically running. Anyway, we were seated close to the bathroom, I mean a wall and a hallway apart...yuk! There were other seating options as the place is large. Strike 1. The Oysters Rockefeller mainly cheese. Strike 2. The beer. Stike 3. However, the tuna sandwich was large and probably worth the price and came with a side. So plus there. The Mahi tacos were also good but messy and i got the garlic mashed potatoes as a side. So another plus if you like instant mashed potatoes. Overall, we would not go back because it felt too much like a franchise and not somewhere one could get good fresh seafood.

Harpoon Larry's has been a Peninsula staple as long as I have lived here, so more than 3 decades. For a long time it was a small venue on Mercury Blvd with a giant crustacean outside and flies inside but fresh and delicious seafood. I don't recall when they moved to Newport News, but the "new" environs include a large building and parking lot with indoor and outdoor seating, a casual vibe with higher end prices. The seafood is decadent, fresh and served quickly because this is a high customer turnover most of the time. We got there on a Sunday at opening and the place had steady patronage throughout our meal. I recalled the gumbo from a previous meal and it has that very specific NOLA flavor. The crab dip and homemade chips was scrumptious, and samplng my husband's scallops they were smooth and tasty. Our bill was $100 plus tip for 2 entrees, an appetizer and 2 fountain drinks. So not for the looking to dine on a dime crowd. But for us it was a special day so we planned on enjoying ourselves. We had no room for dessert and didn't order from the bar. That would push you much closer to $200 with tip. I recommend Harpoon Larry's for that meal where you want to spend money on fresh, delectable seafood. That is what they do and they do it just right!

Well, let me begin by saying this place is very popular. You get that impression immediately when you are waiting in the parking lot for a space to open to park your car. Then, it continues when you go inside, where your impressions are confirmed with a large restaurant that is packed from one end to the other. Even every seat at the bar is taken. And the atmosphere is pretty vibrant. You can sense the joy among the crowd. And then you ask yourself ... is the food really that good? And the is answer is ... Yes. Yes it is. When we finally sat down, we were pleased to find a pretty abundant menu. We started with a calamari appetizer which was quite good. The calamari were tender and not overly battered. Then my son and I had to try the Shrimp Po Boy (one of my favorites), and it it was spot on! The shrimp were cooked perfectly ... and they were laid on a bed of slaw with sliced tomatoes, all nestled in a soft roll. One of the better Po Boys I have had in a while. I am definitely looking forward to coming again. PLEASE NOTE: I highly recommend you make a reservation. Otherwise, you may wait up to 2 hours for a table. Enjoy!