Elephant & Octopus is such a charming, cozy spot right on the main street in Cape Charles on the…read moreway to the water. I loved the ambiance. The interior has a classy, almost regal feel with comfy booth seating, plus lots of cute covered patio seating outside. We stopped in for Sunday brunch and the food was very good, but the fish and chips were the highlight. It might honestly be some of the best fried fish I've ever had. The fish was thick and meaty with a perfectly crispy coating, without being overly oily or heavy. Service was quick and friendly. I'd definitely come back and try more of the menu next time I'm in Cape Charles!

I recently had the pleasure of visiting The Elephant & Octopus during a day trip to Cape Charles,…read moreand what a cute find! From the moment we stepped in, the atmosphere was inviting! From the moment you walk in, you're greeted by a whimsical, nautical meets industrial interior. Think exposed brick, quirky elephant and octopus artwork, and cozy seating that feels both inviting and upscale. It's the kind of place where you'll want to linger over your meal and soak in the unique ambiance. As for the food, it did not disappoint. I started with the Ale & Onion Soup, and wow. This was comfort in a bowl! The robust flavor of Guinness melded perfectly with the caramelized onions, and the bubbling gruyère on the toasted bread points just took it over the top. It was savory, rich, and perfect for the chilly day. My friend went for the She Crab Soup, and couldn't stop raving about it. Creamy and absolutely packed with local crab meat. The puffed oyster crackers and a sprinkle of Old Bay were the ultimate finishing touch. I managed to sneak a bite, and it was heavenly! We also asked the bartender for a fun cocktail, and they whipped up a bright, lemony drink that was as refreshing as it was beautiful. It was perfectly balanced and not too sweet, served with a citrus twist. Service was great. Friendly, attentive without hovering, and happy to make recommendations. If you're in Cape Charles and looking for a spot that nails both food and atmosphere, you can't go wrong here. Already planning my next visit!

This was actually our second visit to Hook @ Harvey, and it was just as amazing as the first! Don't…read morelet the unassuming exterior fool you--this cozy little restaurant may be small, but it delivers in a BIG way! We arrived a little early for our reservation, and the staff was incredibly welcoming. They seated us right away and gave us plenty of time to look over the menu without feeling rushed. The food was unbelievably fresh, beautifully prepared, and absolutely delicious! Every bite was fantastic, and the service was exceptional. Friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming--it made the entire experience even better. A few tips if you're planning a visit: Make reservations! This place books up quickly. Bar seating is first come, first served, but there are only six seats. There's a beautiful patio overlooking the marina where you can enjoy drinks (no food service on the patio). It's an intimate space with around 10 tables, making for a cozy dining experience. It's a 12-and-up restaurant, perfect for a relaxing date night or an adults-only evening out. It's easy to see why we came back a second time, and it definitely won't be our last! If you're visiting Cape Charles, Hook @ Harvey is an absolute must-visit. We can't wait to return!

The best meal we enjoyed in Cape Charles. Intimate space and very popular so reservations are a…read moremust. Waitress was very friendly and explained the menu with great care. Caesar salad was delicious served in a Parmesan bowl. Chicken was tender and the lemon & capers added a tangy sauce. As our waitress told us from the start save room for dessert!! Highly recommend the chocolate selection!

Josh makes the best dirty martini. Everyone run to get one. He's a gem and the ambiance is top…read morenotch. Josh deserves a raise

I spent the day in Cape Charles with my family and wanted to find a place that offered some local…read morefare. While walking along Mason Avenue, I made reservations at The Shanty, and it turned out to be a great choice. The restaurant is just a short stroll from the main shopping area, down by the docks. You can park for free along Mason Avenue or drive directly to The Shanty, which has its own parking lot. One of the highlights was enjoying fresh seafood on the open-air porch with beautiful waterfront views. The atmosphere was relaxed, charming, and perfectly summery. They also had plenty of options for the kids, including mac and cheese and chicken fingers, so everyone was happy. I ordered the fish tacos, while my mom enjoyed the seafood chowder and a wedge salad. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and exactly what we were hoping for after a day exploring Cape Charles. If you're visiting the area and looking for a casual waterfront meal with great seafood, a family-friendly menu, and a fun coastal vibe, The Shanty is definitely worth a visit.

Drinks are delish! George was fantastic and very knowledgeable! Pricey but a fun hang....We'll be…read moreback! Kim

Drinks were pricey and not very good. Same with cigars. Great place with three floors and maybe…read morethey can turn it around.

This place needs more attention and love! While we didn't eat a bunch of food, what we did have was…read moreamazing. Everything was very tasty and worth the purchase. Our server was very kind and took very good care of us. The ambiance was nice while it was quiet we enjoyed the music. Everything about this place is a 10/10

Carne Asada was extremely salty and made the meal unenjoyable. Carnitas were dry…read more Service was below average and for heavens sake, get rid of the giant wooden blocks. It's nice that there is a child play area but the banging and throwing of the blocks was incredibly obnoxious.

If you're spending a day on Virginia's Eastern Shore, Cape Charles Brewing Company is absolutely…read moreworth a stop. We popped in for a casual beer break, and it quickly turned into one of the highlights of the day. The space itself is gorgeous! It's open, airy and designed with a laid-back coastal vibe that fits Cape Charles perfectly. You order both beer and food inside at the counter, which keeps things easy and low- key. I went with the Pilsner, and it was exactly what I wanted, perfect after a day out exploring. Their beer list has something for everyone, whether you're into lighter options or something with a bit more depth. We didn't order food this time, but everything coming out of the kitchen looked incredible. They've got plenty of options like burgers, nachos, and other brewery favorites that definitely seemed worth trying next time. What really stood out was the atmosphere. There was so much going on in the best way. They had a dog adoption event happening outside while we were there, which added such a fun, community-driven vibe. They also host live music and other events regularly, so it feels like there's always something to check out. The outdoor space is huge and perfect if you're with a group or bringing kids. There's a fire pit, games like cornhole, and plenty of room to spread out and hang for a while. Definitely the kind of place you plan to stop at for one drink and end up staying much longer. I will be adding this to my must visit list anytime I'm on the Eastern Shore.

So, a burger costs $18 and comes with fries…read more A side of Fries alone is $7. A side of onion rings is $8. However, if you want to substitute onion rings instead of fries it will cost you $8 extra, making it a $26 meal. So really you're just buying a side of onion rings and also not getting the fries. This is not a substitution. This is buying more and getting less. Please tell me how this makes any sense!?!? I gave quite a bit of push back along with some real life number crunching... but the employee could not seem to understand the lack of logic that, based on their menu prices, an onion ring substitution should be more like $1, and not $8. This is adding 45% to the cost of the meal which is absurd. This is not a surcharge, it's just buying onion rings and also not getting the fires that come with the meal. I wasn't going to pay $26 for a burger, so got the fries which were actually amazing, but not what I wanted... and the burger just was okay... but I can't seem to get over their lack of understanding that this makes no sense. Just write no substitutions if you don't want to bother catering to your customers! I was a tourist heading home from a mini vacation and REALLY craving onion rings, this venue made me super grumpy for no good reason except stubbornness and lack of math skills and reasoning and customer service. Not impressed.

Golf club tavern & restaurant. Service friendly & food was good. Popular place that gets busy as…read morethe season gets going so reservations good idea.

We came here for dinner after rehearsing for a wedding. They accommodated a party of 30 for dinner…read more I ordered the vodka pasta with chicken and it was really good. Our waitress, Regina, is a sweetheart.

Ventured into this place about 9:15 PM on a Thursday only because they are the only option that…read morestill serves food this late in Cape Charles on a Thursday... man, I am glad I did! The bartender was very friendly and the food was fantastic... definitely not what you expect walking into a pub. Most notably, a special they were offering, which I know is seasonal, softshell crab bites-- OMG, absolutely amazing, and in my opinion, far more tasty than my typical softshell crab sandwich, which can sometimes be a little bit too crabby with every bite. Also had another special; blackened shrimp tacos with a side house salad. Also amazing. Definitely looking forward to coming back!

Another fantastic meal at AJ's! When we camp (which is most weekends), we always reserve one night…read moreto go check out local restaurants. Our favorite park is Kipptopeake State Park on the Eastern Shore of VA. We go there 5-6 times a year and have tried a couple of places in Cape Charles (an amazingly beautiful town with some fantastic places to eat). And then we found AJ's 2 years ago. WOW! I keep thinking we should maybe try the others on our list, but AJ's keeps drawing us back. Don't let the "bar and grill" name fool you. Yes, the bar is amazing! Great drinks, every time. I have tried several cocktails, but that Marshmudtini has become my "go to." But when one hears "bar & grill," it's natural to think the usual bar food. That's where AJ's stands out! This is NOT your typical bar food friends. There is a big time chef standing back there in the kitchen! For example, I give you our experience last Saturday night. We were greeted like family at the door. This has happened every single time we have been there (even though I am sure they don't know us - they treat everyone like local regulars). We were seated fast and greeted by our server. We ordered the Everything Pretzel Braid, because it is so yummy! They have specials all the time (the servers are always well versed - I mention this because the app special was the pretzel with crab meat last weekend). Hubby ordered the sirloin, rare as is norm) I ordered the wedge salad and French onion soup. This time I got the wedge "AJ Style" for the first time (candied bacon and pickled red onions). As usual, our meals were amazing! Here's why - that "AJ Style" wedge was outstanding! It was their usual fresh wedge with fantastic dressing, lots of blue cheese, etc. But those pickled onions and candied bacon pushed it over the top! And the French onion soup - let me tell you about that! I love French onion soup, but I am hesitant to order it in a restaurant. So many places serve it overly salty probably because it sits there all night overly reducing, (and as a salt fanatic, for me to say that is saying something), so I rarely order it anymore and just make it at home. But this??! AJ's FOS was amazing. Not salty at all, in fact it had such a deep beefy flavor! Just unreal!!! Hubby's steak was cooked perfectly (which so many restaurants struggle with when it is ordered rare). But the star of the night for me? His green bean side. These were not cut green beans from a can. No, these were whole FRESH green beans. And they were seasoned SO well! I don't know honestly with what, because I was eating them off his plate pretty fast (as he watched football on one of the many well placed TVs around the restaurant- haha). Imagine! Well seasoned fresh green beans at a "bar & grill!" That's all you need to know. PS - roll those through that melted steak butter they use on the sirloin. You're welcome! So yes, friendly atmosphere, great knowledgeable servers, spot on bartenders and AMAZING food will keep us coming back here again and again.