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Waterman's Surfside Grille

4.2 (3.1k reviews)
ModerateBars, Seafood, American
Open 11:00 am - 10:30 pm

Waterman's Surfside Grille Photos

Business Info

WATERMAN'S SURFSIDE GRILLE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Outdoor seating
Happy hour specials

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Recommended Reviews - Waterman's Surfside Grille

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Mozzarella sticks
Nadia M.

I was very excited to try Waterman's based on other reviews, but it did not live up to what I expected. The best part about waterman's are the drinks especially the crushes. The mozzarella sticks were nice and crispy and were the best part of our meal. When it comes to crab cakes I am very picky. The sauce that comes with the crab cakes compliments them very well. The mashed potatoes are were very basic and I wished they had more flavor. The coleslaw was awful and tasted like they had been made with dirty dish water. We ate there late and they were still very busy. I would definitely come back, but only for the crushes. The service was great, but the food was lack luster.

Caesar Salad
Hannah S.

This was my husband & my first visit to Waterman's. It was recommended to him by a work colleague. We travel to Va Beach quite frequently & I have to admit, I have not been as attentive as I thought I was when it comes to great places to dine because sadly I did not have this restaurant on my radar. However, after this visit, that error on my part will be remedied. We both absolutely enjoyed our dining experience at Waterman's. The service was impeccable. The decor & ambience was very complimentary to the beachfront vibe.The food was absolutely spectacular. The cocktails we ordered were delightful. They were bright, citrusy & perfectly mixed. We ordered the she crab soup & a Caesar salad as our appetizers. The She Crab Soup was rich & velvety. It had a nice mellow yet flavorful taste of crab. The Caesar salad was nice & fresh & not overpowered with dressing. I ordered the Shrimp Platter as my entree and the shrimp were perfectly cooked. The fries that came with the platter were delicious. The platter also came with Cole Slaw. I am not a Cole slaw fan so I did not really eat it. So I cannot really rate the taste of it. My husband ordered the Crab cakes & although I neglected to get a picture, he said they were delicious. Full of ample amounts of actual crab meat. He ordered the key lime pie as dessert & I did get a taste & it was rich, smooth with a beautiful not overly tart key lime taste. Waterman's is now definitely on our go there whenever we are in Va Beach list. I highly recommend giving a try if you are in the area.

Just seafood with jumbo shrimp scampi, scallops and crab meat with lemon, butter white wine and old bay seasoning. Hush puppies
Diana G.

Loved the service. We were immediately seated where our waitress was so sweet and lets us know the drinks of the day due to the monster truck on the beach event. She said usually the view is amazing but since there was a monster truck rally getting ready to start we got to see tents and food trucks lol. I loved my meal my cousins and I got the same meal with a few differences but it was very filling. The crab dip was so amazing. I loved how smooth it was and tasty. My meal was the just seafood meal made with lemon, butter white wine and old bay seasoning. Well done! Old bay was not overdone as it can be at some places. I was able to sub items instead of fries I got hush puppies and instead of Cole slaw I got mixed veggies

Just Seafood and fried fish tacos
Yulee K.

This place is amazing! It overlooks the beach so you have an amazing view while you eat. Their seafood were all very fresh and delicious. Their calamari and crab cakes are absolutely amazing and are a must have!

Rockfish tacos
Alan G.

Great restaurant for a Family dinner out. She-crab soup was excellent. Apps of calamari were just ok. A little too greasy. Suggest ordering 1/2 rack of ribs for app instead! Rockfish that wife ordered was excellent quality as was my fish tacos. Kids ordered steak and crabcakes as well as blacked tuna. All excellent. Definitely would recommend for a seafood fix.

Ultimate just seafood.  Hush puppies. Cole slaw
Helen N.

This place was awesome! Great food, service and atmosphere! We got the broiled platter...just seafood + lobster tail! Also cocktails! Must go. Will not disappoint!

Crab cake fried
Kandi R.

This was recommended and we were happy. I love seafood and he can't eat it......but this was a happy balance. We sat on the covered yet heated patio with a great view of the beach. Tony the server was great with dish recommendation and attentiveness. The crab cake was fried; trying something out of my norm, I get broiled. That crab cake had no flavor, not even Old Bay. It was as if they forgot. I use the calamari sauce, which was delicious. Mashed potatoes (taste like instant mashed potatoes) and broccoli were bland as well. I just made it work because I was starving. Babe had the Cajun Chicken Pasta yup he loved it, devoured it.....said it was so delicious. Didn't even offer a taste of it. Orange Crush drink was 10/10 he had 2 and sucked them down so fast. Calamari was good no flavor without the sauce Hush puppies were cooked perfectly and good She crab soup was amazing!!! Lump crab filled i love that. -----‐------------------------------------- When we first walked in we are politely greeted, to the left small store and to the right a bar area. Then there was a dog on a leash with no sort of vest but told it was a service dog. Instead of seating at the bar we decided patio, to not eat with dog hair floating around our food. Dog allergies are real and people aren't considerate of others. Food: 3 star Service: 5 star Atmosphere: 3 star It was the service for me........

Alexis V.

Pretty good eatery for my first time out in Virginia! Recommended by Steven before his marathon run that next morning. Meal tasted fresh and fine...likely because the nearby bodies of water have lots of fish there. But, the servings were not too filling. I was still hungry even after I finished my plate. Staff seemed a bit rushed when they were taking down orders and checking in with the table when they deemed that it was time for dessert or an alcoholic drink. Had to reiterate that I was taking a bit to look at the menu because I wanted something that Virginia state is known for. Took about 30 minutes to wait for table, which was fitting for Steven and me because it allowed us time to walk around Virginia Beach. Staff notified us that it would take an hour.. anyway, We got to see the next-door boutique, too, which had overpriced items only. I like that this restaurant has a dining inside and outside of building, and both locations managed to keep guests warm enough while they ate and talk. Very loud at this location, so be sure to speak up when you order

Crab stuffed fish of the day
Katelyn W.

Amazing service. My dad and I came during the off season and although it was quiet, there was a nice ambiance. The food was fresh tasting and delicious! Great spot for a nice family outing

Just seafood meal - normally comes with mashed potatoes but I opted for a side salad.
Nicola M.

We come here on our annual trip to VA beach. The ambiance is typical for a seafood house - somewhat loud especially on the covered patio, but it has a view of the beach. I had the fried oysters which were excellent! My partner had the first seafood which is always fresh and a good sized portion. Fries are in a dedicated frier so gluten free for those who need. I was not crazy about the crabcake but my family really likes it (I'm from MD so picky). The seafood Mediterranean pasta was also wonderful and flavorful and fresh. Orange crush is a must! Service was great.

Crab fries, she crab soup, orange crush
Isabel M.

I was on vacation in VA Beach and Waterman's was recommended to me! It was popping and seems like it is always busy, so I would go early! The good thing is that you can sit at the bar and order food and drinks, so my friend and I went to the outdoor bar and could sit right away, instead of waiting for an hour! We were told we needed to try these specialties-- orange crush cocktail, she crab soup, and crab fries. All of these were so amazing! We also ordered fried shrimp and fried oysters, but felt this was too heavy and not as good as the appetizers. If I were to go back, I would just order several appetizers and share! Sitting at the bar has pros and cons. Pros: no wait, watching the bartenders make the drinks in front of you, and quick service! Cons: bees flying everywhere! They left us alone, but be aware.

What a clever kite! And enough wind to keep it aloft :-)
Rich S.

Waterman's Surfside Grill is a lively friendly tasty 40-year-old bar and seafood restaurant. If you time it right, you can get a terrific view of the ocean in their "stadium-tiered" seating. Their reservations policy says it can change, and this day it was for groups of 6 or more, and we were only two. We got there before 7pm on a Sunday this past 4th of July weekend, and they were hopping! We left our car with the free valet (tips accepted on the way out :-), and asked for ocean-view seating, then waited in the lively bar up front, where friendly busy bartenders were flying, keeping up with a hectic scene. Start with their famous orange crushes, strong and sweet, which Waterman says that their earlier establishment introduced to Virginia Beach about a decade ago, and which are something of a fixture around town. Mighty refreshing! We didn't wait long at all, maybe 15 minutes, and were whisked to a corner window table! Plenty of people-watching on the boardwalk, and the ocean put on a splashy show in advance of an offshore storm, which also brought out some creative kites. The two of us shared some apps and plates, (and several more crushes :-), and kept the price quite reasonable for such delicious fresh seafood. Their lightly flash-fried calamari was tender with just enough bite, with zingy banana pepper rings and a rich orange-chipotle dipping sauce that shows off the smokey-sweet flavor of that pepper. The good-size scallops were delicate and juicy and gently-seared with veggies. A very satisfying generous serving of five scallops. Our shared main dish was the perfectly blackened "coldwater" salmon with fresh-cilantro rice and lightly sauteed veggies, a well-prepared taste sensation. All were delicious offerings! Everyone here was friendly and efficient and busy, and the food and drinks were fabulous. A shoutout (and a well-deserved full-dinner tip) to our wonderful attentive server who never flinched at our small party dining lightly and drinking specials at a window table during a busy dinner hour :-).

Ara A.

2025 July Back 1 year later and the food and service was still very good. It was Friday so no happy menu which is a great deal.

The she crab soup is out of this world, it was so good I dug in too fast and didn't get a photo until after I ruined the presentation

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19 days ago

Staff were helpful and friendly. Our order was delivered quickly. No complaints on food or service.

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Waterman's Surfside Grille Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Waterman's Surfside Grille

Do they have karaoke?

nope

Do you have any gluten free options?

Yes

Are there heaters outside? Can we sit outside and eat dinner with our dog in February?

They have above head heaters on the side bar, it's inclosed completely

What is the Fish of the Day today August 2?

The fish of the day today, 8/2/22, is flounder!

Is happy hour back? June 2022

YES

Do they have crab legs?

they don't have them straight on the menu but if you ask for a cluster of crab legs. they'll bring them

Do they still do happy hour (Aug 2021)?

Monday-Friday, 4pm-6pm

Are you open on Christmas Day?

They are not open on Thanksgiving or Christmas.

June 3 is our 25th wedding anniversary. Can I call and get a reservation ? Is free parking available?

Call and ask about reservations, but they do have free valet (just remember to tip when you pick your car up!)

Do they have lobster rolls?

Yes they do

What happened to the flounder? Is it a catch of the day on certain days of the week? Wasn't available tonight and I was very disappointed?

That's correct. They have a fish of the day. Flounder is not one of their every day offerings, but Tuna and Salmon are, as well as other items on their menu like the crab cakes.

Are there any vegan options on the menu?

Yes! I ordered a a Thai vegetable curry that was vegan and i just added chicken to mine. It was sooo good. The sauce was so yummy.

What type of fish do they serve?

Yellowfin Tuna and Coldwater Salmon are always available. There is also a fish of the day. Hope this helps.

Do they offer a military discount?

Hi Michelle! We absolutely do; it is 10% off of your entree. I hope that helps!

Do they have popcorn shrimp?

No, not popcorn shrimp. They have fried shrimp though.

Can we come off the beach with cover-ups and eat outside?

Yes! I was just there for lunch today and there was a family in their beach wear sitting in the outside area - Mom, Dad, Son & Daughter all wearing bathing suits and rash guards.… Read more

Do they have a happy hour?

Yes from 3-6

Do you tip the vallet?

Always!

How are the prices?

The prices averaged $20 per plate the appetizers were more in the $6-$10 range. But your getting a good sized portion for that price

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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Hands down the best happy hour in the city. I'd argue it's probably the best restaurant too. The…read moreraw oysters are killer, as are the cocktails. The best thing they ever did was to bring the short rib back! I recommend this place to literally anyone who asks for a rec. Be prepared for a wait unless you get to HH early on a random weekday.

This past weekend my in laws were in town. We were on the boardwalk and they wanted oysters... I…read moresaid say less! I had been to The Atlantic years ago and had a great time. I think this time was even better! We arrived around 230 on a Saturday, lucky for us happy hour started at 3 and we had a 30 minute wait for 6 people. Literally perfect timing because no one was waiting before us and about 10-20 minutes later the waiting area became packed for that 3 o clock happy hour. Side note: happy hour is from 3-7, 7 days a week! The service was phenomenal, the whole staff was so nice and accommodating. While we waited for our table, we were able to order a cocktail from one of the waitresses. We also had a baby with a stroller and they made sure we had plenty of room once we were seated at our table. The food was amazing, I'm a fan of cooked oyster but i decided to be a little spontaneous and try them raw. I was pleasantly surprised at how fresh and clean tasting these oysters were. It reminded me of eating sashimi. My wife and father in law had the lobster rolls, they both loved them! My son had the double cheeseburger from the happy hour menu, literally cannot beat this deal. $6 double cheeseburger with fries on the boardwalk is unimaginable lol. I had the Nashville hot chicken, which was good but maybe could've used a little more flavor. But the quality of the sandwich as a whole was spot on. I really don't have any complaints, this was the highlight of our day. My in laws live in Wisconsin but they travel a bunch and they said that these oysters were some of the best they had ever had. They would never see 1$ oysters where they live, so I'm glad we were able to come here and create this memory together. If you've ever debated whether taking the trip to the strip is worth it, it is! Definitely check this place out!

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Snow Crab Legs (MP) $2 happy hour beer 3-6pm daily

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Catch 31 Fishhouse and Bar - lamb chops

Catch 31 Fishhouse and Bar

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This is my third or fourth visit over the last few years. The setting is one of Catch 31's…read morestrongest points. Oceanfront views, open windows, and a coastal, airy vibe make it a genuinely scenic spot. Perfect for sunset dinners or drinks with the water right there. The energy at the bar was lively but not overwhelming. Clam Chowder: Rich, creamy, good balance of clams to potatoes. Classic and comforting. House Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing: Fresh greens, generous portion of blue cheese. Tangy and well-dressed without being soggy. Burger: Flavor was excellent, juicy, well-seasoned. Came out slightly overcooked for my preference, but still delicious. Drinks: Two Old Fashioneds were balanced and strong. Also had a shot of Jim Beam bourbon. This is where the experience fell short. I'm a 20%+ tipper and I sit at bars often, so I understand how busy it gets. But the difference in service was hard to miss. Tatiana (bartender): Greeting took much longer than other guests. I wasn't asked if I was eating or drinking right away, yet I watched her promptly greet others, offer water, take orders, then ask for a card. With me, she asked for a card for the tab immediately. The interaction felt noticeably different from how she treated other patrons. I give grace when I can, but the contrast was clear and can't be ignored. I also noted her manager appeared to be a Black man, which made the disparity feel even more disappointing. Hayden (bar back): Cool and helpful. Stepped in, checked on things, and was genuinely hospitable. I reluctantly left her 15%. Honestly, I didn't want to give her anything at all but a piece of my mind. The good Lord Jesus is working on me, so I left the 15% and walked away. As a regular 20%+ tipper, that drop speaks volumes about how the service felt. Pros: Scenic oceanfront atmosphere, good food with strong flavors, solid cocktails. Hayden's help improved the night. Cons: Inconsistent bar service. The burger was slightly overcooked. Most concerning was feeling singled out by Tatiana's approach compared to other guests. Catch 31 delivers on location and food. The view and the chowder alone are worth a stop. But the service experience at the bar was uneven and left me feeling offended as a paying customer who tips well. I hope management addresses the disparity, because the place has too much potential to be weighed down by that. Would return for the food and view, but hesitant about the bar experience with Tatiana.

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Knockout burger - lives up to the name. It seemed like a half pound and was truly a knockout.

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We walked in just minutes before closing (our fault we didn't realize the time), but they still…read moretook our order and made it to go. The service was awesome! Morgan, our server, was so helpful and kind. The food did not disappoint. The oyster Rockefeller was delicious, the nachos were a great portion and full of flavor, and my teens said the burgers were juicy, flavorful, and the best they've had so far. We didn't get pictures because we were hungry and tired from driving all day, but next time we're back in Virginia we'll definitely be returning. Highly recommend!

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Waterman's Surfside Grille - bars - Updated May 2026

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