My husband and I travel all over the country (semi truck driver) and we eat at a lot of nice places- The atmosphere is dark & mellow very laid back and chill The staff- SO kind & attentive The food- OUT OF THIS WORLD ! Some of the best food I've had in such a long time, the front desk employee at the holiday inn actually recommended this place & I'm so happy we listened & came here. Said wow over and over again.. truly impressed. read more

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We visit Virginia Beach every year and Tautog's is always a must for our family. Every meal has been excellent and the service top-notch Give them a try, you won't be disappointed. read more

Our server Justin/Jason/Bruce/Josh (a man of many names) was amazing. He was engaging, entertaining, and very attentive to our table of 6. We came around 7:30 PM on a Thursday night and it wasn't crazy busy. I started with a cosmo and we ordered some flatbreads to start. The flatbreads were pretty tasty. I preferred the Mediterranean one. I ordered the rajun shrimp scampi. It was so delicious! Shrimp was not dry and it was very flavorful. I switched over to a cranberry vodka with dinner and my server had jokes with the extra lemon slice. 5/5 for my meal. However, everyone else at my table said their food was overcooked. Two of them got the flounder in a bag, one got the beef tenderloin, and one got tuna. The only one that said her meal was good got the shrimp and grits. It was a fun time but maybe they only know how to cook shrimp? Server, shrimp, and drinks were good so I'll give it a 4 read more

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Everything was fantastic. We sat at the bar the two people tending the bar were friendly and offered great service. I'm GF and they were very helpful. They offer a number of GF options. I had shrimp and grits - I loved it. We started with the scallop appetizer and it was cooked perfectly. The restaurant had great ambience. It was cozy, warm, and just cool. I had a glass of prosecco- great pour - delicious. My husband had oven fried catfish - his favorite. I highly recommend this restaurant. read more

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So this is the crab dish meal that we had in this restaurant we tried in Virginia Beach called Tautog's. So this was not my favorite dip. It tasted as though was more puréed than anything else. Had very little actual crab meat in it. Flavor is fine, but not my kind of texture. read more

Tucked inside a cozy looking beach cottage, soft lighting and cozy vibes were great for our Monday night dinner. Visiting in the off-season, we were immediately seated. Our waiter was nice and attentive. We began with the drunken pumpkin dip and succotash soup. The dip was served with cinnamon-topped pita chips and was kinda bland. The soup however was very flavorful and the broth alone was wonderful. I ordered the shrimp and grits and was disappointed it came out room temperature. I ate two bites and boxed it up. My friend, however, ordered the flounder in a bag and it came out steaming! It was flaky and tasted good. She also had a side order of steamed broccoli which was hot. read more

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I've been wanting to eat at Tautog's for years and I can confidently say it was absolutely worth the wait. This no frills seafood spot delivers exactly what you hope for: good food, good service, and a cozy, laid-back vibe that makes you feel like you're in on a local secret. I had the catfish po' boy with potatoes and a side of fresh steamed broccoli, and everything hit the spot. Their starter sauce was addicting. I found myself dipping everything into it. But what really surprised me was the hollandaise they served with the broccoli. It was rich, buttery, and totally elevated the dish. My little brother ordered the shrimp and grits and I have to admit I stole more than a few bites. Creamy, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned. If you've been thinking about visiting, don't put it off like I did. The hype is real and Tautog's delivers. read more

Tautog's Restaurant - Side Cesar Salad - Seafood Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

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Really yummy place very cozy in the winter. Really yummy. She crab soup with lots of crab and the flounder with shrimp and crab was yummy from the back. We didn't have a cocktail, but the cocktails looked legit. You can only make reservation by calling and apparently in the summer, you need to call several days to a week in advance. They do own the two properties next-door that are open for brunch. read more

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We had a lovely dinner last night! The ambiance was wonderful - it's an old house still decorated for Christmas. Our server was great - sorry we missed her name. We started with the oysters rockafeller which was so fresh and delicious. My aunt and partner had the salmon salad - large portions and cooked pristinely. My other aunt absolutely loved the seared beef tenderloin. I loved the scallops Barca - large portion of large sized seared scallops served atop puff pastry and a rich buere blanc sauce. 10/10 would order again ! Broccoli side is famous and a large portion with a delicious buttery sauce. Very accommodating for gluten and dairy free. read more

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Visiting Virginia Beach, we ate at Tautogs, not once but twice! Excellent food & service. In a lovely former cottage/home, complete with fireplace. Such a welcome change from the highrises nearby. read more

This is an our favorite go-to restaurant in Virginia Beach. The food is always great, the service excellent and the ambiance cozy, especially on cold winter nights. read more

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Delicious seafood restaurant that hit the spot while visiting Virginia Beach. Definitely recommend ordering the she-crab soup; the creamy, slightly savory and sweet flavors leave you feeling warm inside. The oysters, salmon and scallops were very fresh, and paired nicely with the different sauces that accompanied the dish. Every entree was served at the perfect temperature. Our waitress was very attentive and recommended great options. Loved the option to sit indoors, outdoors or in between! read more

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My son was here from Brooklyn. He wanted some of the amazing fresh Chesapeake Bay catch he grew up enjoying. I let him peruse our choices since he wanted a new spot. What he found was Tautog's at the Oceanfront on 23rd Street between Atlantic & Pacific. Their menu looked fabulous. So we made reservations. Driving up I was surprised to see that they were located adjacent to Doc Taylor's with parking for both behind. This was much welcomed because I'm suffering from a sprained ankle & walking with a cane. The parking czar showed us right to a spot & invited me to enter through the back kitchen door. A pleasant hostess told us that our table was waiting. We were presented with menus listing all kinds of goodies that were hard to choose between. My only disappointment was their being out of mint. So I had to settle for a Vodka Martini instead of my preferred Bourbon Smash. But that certainly wasn't a game changer. We began with a dozen Raw Oysters. Tautog offer 2 varieties of Virginia Oysters. We chose 6 of each. Because it's an R month they were deliciously fresh. Our entree choices were perfect. It has been so long since I've seen catfish, a staple where I grew up in Mississippi, on a menu. It looked as if the preparation was perfect, maybe even better than I had in my youth. The Catfish Filet was covered in a light cornmeal & sage coating and was baked, not fried. Hurray!! Their dish was served with a salsa & white sauce, which I asked to not be included. I explained to my server that I was a Catfish purist, having grown up with them. Their Catfish entree is served with either Rice Pilaf or New Potatoes, the latter being my choice. I added Steamed Broccoli as an optional side. My son ordered the Shrimp & Grits. I told the server that I never ordered that dish for the same reason. I'm also a long gone Mississippi Grits purist. I've never seen them prepared correctly in the Mid Atlantic. When our Server returned she had told the Chef about my history with both catfish & grits. She relayed that he was under great pressure & couldn't wait to hear my verdict, :) My verdict was absolutely perfection. Sage added a wonderful dimension to the slight cornmeal coating. The New Potatoes were the best I've ever had. Slightly broken in pieces to better absorb the butter & parsley flakes took them from bland to ultra delicious, My son's Shrimp & Grits were served with a barbecue sauce drizzle. Because they looked the perfect texture, I decided to taste the grits. Now this is a restaurant where I would order this entree! The grits were delicious, serving as a well formed base for the shrimp layered atop. He also chose the She Crab Soup, which was wonderful. Surely one spoonful wouldn't add too many calories to my diet regiment. I sent the Chef a message that both the catfish & grits were perfection. He came out to the table for personal praise. Tautog's has a casual, beachy ambiance that is perfect for a restaurant a half block from the Atlantic Ocean. It's in an old beach cottage but has the modern touches. A television behind the bar featuring football made me wish our table had a clear line of sight. This is a restaurant I love, love, love. 5 Stars is the correct rating for location, parking, service, food, ambiance and anything else I forgot to list. read more

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Great food, cute little restaurant with a family atmosphere, warm and inviting staff.

Haven't had a place like it in VA Beach. Great service, great food, great vibes. Everything a good restaurant needs. read more

I would recommend making a reservation if you come on a weekend or during season. They are busy, which means they must be good! I was blown away by everything we got. The oysters were incredible. The she crab soup was delicious. The scallops melt in your mouth. I would avoid the tuna appetizer, there's no flavor there. But the service was great, hostess friendly and overall good vibe. Parking is horrendous, they do have a lot in the back or there's street parking meters. read more

Great location, friendly vibes, cozy without feeling claustrophobic! Our server was charming and attentive and our food came out of that tiny kitchen piping hot and perfectly prepared! We are frequent visitors to the area and will certainly return....our only hesitation is that the bar was not prepared to handle NA requests for wine or beer (other than the bland O'Douls)! This was rather surprising in an area catering to tourists. Hopefully they will get the message and update their NA offerings so everyone can enjoy. read more

This has become our favorite place in Virginia Beach for food, service and ambiance. I had the shrimp and grits and it was delicious. read more

Tautog's Restaurant - Shrimp and grits - Seafood Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

This restaurant was close to our hotel so we thought we would give it a try since it is reported to be a favorite among the locals. Environment: definitely a local patriotic vibe feels a lot like a bar. But there were fresh flowers and candles on the table. Food: she crab soup, is supposed to be a specialty here but not according to me. It was thin and salty and no big pieces of crab. There was no thickness to it. For entrees , we had the scallops which were three out of five; it was hot and the concept was good but the scallops weren't seared so that took a lot away from the flavor and texture that I expect with the scallop. However, the pastry underneath was tasty and the sauce was good, but yet again too thin. It came with Old Bay seasoned red potatoes that came out room temperature at BEST; they brought me more upon request. They were hot but way too salty. I appreciate your effort. My mother's crab cakes came with rice- two crab cakes that were small. They were nothing special. Lots of breading, no big hunk of crab meat. My husband enjoyed his stuffed fish in the bag in his potatoes were also not hot. I Picked this restaurant because of the dessert especially the bread, pudding and Keylime pie. Because everything else was mediocre, I didn't want to be disappointed again so I didn't try it. It's not bad. It was convenient. I wouldn't make an effort to come back... the weight staff was busy but kind.. read more

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This was one of the best restaurants I have been to. It is a perfect date night option. Every staff member we encountered was professional, the food is unique and amazing, the drinks were perfection and I rarely drink. I had the best espresso martini I have ever had. Highly recommend. read more

Service was excellent, food and environment also fantastic. Highly recommend this place.

my husband and i and another couple went last night for the special winter happy hour. wow! what a fabulous deal. teri was our server, and she could not have been nicer or more attentive. despite it being happy hour, the drinks were good, and the food portions were plentiful. we had she crab soup-lots of crabmeat-tuna bites, white shrimp flatbread, oysters, and artichoke dip. everything was delicious. we topped off our meal with the bread pudding which was probably the highlight of the night for me! don't miss this winter special! read more

Excellent She Crab Soup, Blackened tuna was delicious. Great service - attentive and friendly. Highly recommend. Excited to return in the future. read more

Great atmosphere 1 block from the beach. Very relaxed and fun. The service was pretty slow but the food was fantastic. Still a must go place if you are visiting. read more

Tautog's Restaurant - Flounder - Seafood Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

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Their oysters remain some of the greatest and the price was not bad for them. The service is quick and friendly. Great place for family dinner or a celebration. read more

Tautog's Restaurant - Blackened Tuna - Seafood Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

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We sat outside on the bar area and it was H.O.T. But the staff there was SOOO welcoming and made sure to bring us fans to cool us off. We were seated right away (Monday night, 8 people). I have a severe seafood allergy, and they were really accommodating (I got the Greek salad with chicken and the Mediterranean flatbread). The flatbread was fantastic (dough felt homemade), and the salad was really good too. Their non-seafood menu was limited but that's ok, I knew that before going here. Our server was SOOO sweet, he was so friendly and really knew the menu. There is also a small parking lot behind the restaurant with free parking. Highly recommend! read more

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Had an excellent meal for 6. Raw oysters, tuna sashimi, crab nachos... best blackened tuna I have ever had. Very friendly and helpful staff. Drinks were great. Parking available in rear. read more

The food was delicious and the service was lovely. It is a nice little local restaurant, especially during the off season.

We've been here twice now and love it. The staff are so friendly and the food is delicious. The vibe of the restaurant is really adorable as well, with an outdoor patio area that is covered for warmth. We ordered the shrimp and grits, which was so delicious. My fiancé got pasta which they were able to add crab to that he really enjoyed. We finished it off with a brownie sundae. highly recommend coming to this restaurant when you're visiting. read more

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This was an amazing experience. Great food and fantastic atmosphere. Our server was very helpful and provided great recommendations! read more

Tautog's Restaurant - Oysters - Seafood Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

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Their salads and flatbreads are out of this world great ! Some dishes are a little pricey but not all . Love the she-crab soup though it was a touch salty for me. ( I'm usually a very low sodium eater ). What I liked most was the service ‐ just the right amount of attention without intrusion - and a warm, happy ambiance. We plan to return again and again . Bon apetit! read more

We were looking for a family-friendly restaurant near the beach that could accommodate a variety of food preferences and dietary restrictions after a long day of driving and this place took care of us! From the moment we walked in, the staff was warm and welcoming to our big group and we felt comfortable. We have a range of dietary needs in our family--and the team handled it all seamlessly. They offered plenty of menu options that catered to everyone's needs, and even adjusted dishes to suit individual preferences. The food was delicious and fresh (we tended toward the seafood) with each dish clearly prepared with care and attention to detail. There is no dedicated kids menu but the waitress knew exactly what to suggest and the kids loved their food (see flatbreads yummy rices and even a noodle dish..) Reliable parking and a short walk to the ocean after dinner makes it the perfect night! read more

Outstanding historic restaurant in downtown Virginia Beach. Unique old home vibe just a block from the beach. The food is expertly prepared with attention to the little details. I had the crab cakes and rice pilaf. While on the smaller side compared to others restaurants, these cakes were primarily near with no unnecessary filler. Cooked with a delicious crispy edge, these were more than enough for a meal I tried the she crab soup. It was delicious and crazy thick. Could easily work as a dip. I also tried the crab nachos. Good but the she crab was so good it's an unfair comparison. They feature creative drinks and old favorites. A great place for a date or meeting friends. read more

My first time here at Tautogs, I was invited with a parry of 12 for a birthday dinner celebration. Each of us had heard of the restaurant and conversation revealed excitement to dine here. As I arrived, appetizers were placed through the table to share. Appetizers or bread plates are always a plus and we're not forgotten. Seafood nachos, oysters Rockefeller, crab and artichoke dip with tortilla chips, as well. Everything was flavorful and warm. I have to mention the tortilla chips were really tasty and not greasy as they sometimes are with a strange oil taste. Our server was a nice young man who concentrated and did not miss a beat. 12 woman!!! 1 waiter with a server to help carry things out. I wish I got his name after asking a few times however I believe the noise level mx he was unable to hear me and answer. I made mention to the gentleman at the hostess as we departure. I started with a cup of She soup I decided not to finish. The soup was best bland and watery with not much lump crab, mostly course claw meat. I ordered the Potato crusted Baked Mahi, it was served with smashed red dirty potatoes, it just took up space on the plate. The fish was dry and hard, somewhat cold in the middle. I quickly stopped as it just was not appealing to eat as the red pepper sauce ran out. The best part of this meal was the company around me.. Desserts offered were key lime pie, some chocolate cake and bread pudding. I only have Creme Brulee and they were out of it. My house red wine was pretty good also. I'm on the fence about giving this place another shot, but what will really change... read more

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MAKE A RESERVATION, this place gets busy quick. The service was great. Chris did an excellent job serving and informing us with their special. The food was also good, it taste like how it looks. The oysters were fresh and juicy. Appetizer - She crab bisque (forgot to photograph it) 5/5 The soup was delicious, just get it. It had a nice saltiness to it and had the perfect crab taste Entree - Stuffed flounder in a bag 5/5 The baked (i think ) the flounder in a parchment paper that was stuffed with crab meat and shrimp. It complimented the founder well and the pilof rice was a good accommodation to it. - Ginger teriyaki salmon with potatoes 4/5 It was really good but wasn't "perfect". The potatoes were alright but the salmon was good perfectly and the seaweed salad was amazing. - Crab cake sandwich 4.5/5 The crab cake was really good and the chips were old bay flavor and very delicious. The bread was a bit heavy so the portion of the crab cake in the sandwich was a bit small but over all delicious - Snapper with mango pineapple salsa with a side of bokchoy and rice 5/5 The snapper was cooked perfectly and very delicious. The salsa complimented the snapper well, very summery and fresh, and the rice was a good pair as well. Post Entree - Oysters 4.5/5 We got a dozen oysters, half from cape charles and the other half from blue island (i think). They were very fresh, good, and big. Over all a really nice place to eat. One thing i'll say and why I rated it a 4-4.5/5 is because it's dark inside so request to eat outside. The only reason I rated some not a 5/5 is because I've had other dishes that are better so it's not because it's bad it's just because it's not the BEST i've had but still really good place to eat. Walking distance from where we stayed as well. read more

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Food is always great, with a good selection of daily specials and service quick and polite- a local gem.

We came by at 8pm on a Saturday night to test our luck in getting a table. The host let us know it may take an hour or and hour and a half wait, but since we just had ice cream, we would wait. We watched a live show close by and in 35 minutes, they were calling us letting us know a table and was ready. We ordered the baby some flatbread, I had a Salmon Salad and my husband had a Blackened Tuna with veggies which he substituted for pasta. The flatbread was very cheesy so the baby was happy! My salad was delicious. The salmon was cooked perfectly and the vinaigrette dressing with blue cheese was a good mix. My husband loved his Tuna+pasta meal! He said the tuna was cooked perfectly and the pasta was one of the best he's had in awhile. The server was very friendly and efficient as well. All in all, we had a great dinner in this cute little spot! read more

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This place is Awesome! Wife and I had the stuffed flounder and beef tenderloin and it was delicious. She crab soup and Greek salad were also on point. Love the atmosphere on top, highly recommend. read more

Great place to eat! Went with the whole fam for my husbands Birthday and we sat on the outside by the bar. Sarah our server was really on top of things, as was the kitchen - making our evening go smoothly. Shared some food pics with y'all - everything was delicious! Everyones tuna was super fresh and we all enjoyed it lightly seared. The oysters rockafeller were tasty. Crab cakes were good but the scallops were just alright and would have to say not worth the 26 bucks, sorry. We brought a bday cake with us and Sarah brought it out with the candles lit and then served it which was super nice! An overall great place to eat with a great staff! We will be back! read more

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Do you know how you get a feeling when you walk in that there is going to be some shenanigans? Well that feeling was correct. We arrived at 9:18 pm. The hostess looked "suspect" when we asked to be seated. She said it would be 15 minutes to be seated, even though we saw a table that needed to be cleaned available. She took my number to call when the table was ready. We stepped a few feet away to watch a street show, and when 20 minutes elapsed with no phone call, we returned to the restaurant and waited out front in full view of the wait stand. When I stepped in, someone else was at the podium and started in about how the kitchen closes at 10. I let him know I was aware of that because I received that news when we originally arrived. The hostess Olivia then told him she had been calling me for 30 minutes. I looked at my phone in my hand and looked back at them letting them know there no missed calls. Bottom line, if you don't want to seat us, tell us so we have the opportunity to go somewhere else to dine! We were able to order and the food was very average. The crab soup, crab dip and crab nachos all contained fine and undetectable crab, definitely no lump crab. The crab cakes did contain some lump crab but a lot of filler. The steamed shrimp was overcooked and not worth the fight to get out of the shell. Overall, this was a frustrating and disappointing dining experience for our one night in Virginia Beach! read more

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