HISTORY ON AN ONION ROLL | THE EYE OPENER CONTINUES TO TEMPT TASTEBUDS, DECADES LATER By Patrick Evans-Hylton For decades, the Belvedere Hotel was more than a place to stay. It was a familiar presence along the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, a backdrop for everyday rituals and seaside routines. Tucked inside was the Belvedere Coffee Shop & Diner, a true neighborhood constant since opening in 1969. It was where mornings began with hot coffee and friendly nods, where breakfast and lunch meant dependable comfort, and where the pace of the beach slowed just enough to savor it. When the Belvedere was torn down, it felt like losing a quietly important piece of the Oceanfront's collective memory. That sense of memory carries forward at Belvedere South inside the tony Moxy Virginia Beach Oceanfront hotel. The new space honors the past without freezing it in time. Bright blue walls set against crisp white instantly recall the diner's cheerful spirit. Large windows allow light to flood the space. Cushy banquettes are a comfortable welcome, inviting you to settle in and linger. The menu stays true to its roots with classic breakfast and lunch dishes that feel familiar and reassuring. Anchoring it all is the legendary Eye Opener sandwich, returned to its rightful place as both signature and symbol. In this new setting, the Belvedere legacy lives on, refreshed but recognizable, a reminder that some traditions deserve to be carried forward with care and confidence. The Eye Opener remains the heart of the menu, and one bite explains its legend. A perfectly fried egg anchors the sandwich, its yolk just rich enough to soften the layers beneath. From a choice of bacon, sausage, or ham, we chose the latter; each brings its own salty, savory character. Melted cheese binds everything together, draping the egg and meat in comfort. All of it is tucked into a lightly toasted onion roll that adds a gentle sweetness and just enough bite to stand up to the fillings. Chef Ray Ray Labuen, who wore the tall toque at the former Belvedere, is closely tied to the Eye Opener its careful steward. Then there are the tomatoes, the detail that elevates the whole affair. Thick slices are grilled, seasoned lightly, and finished with a generous snowfall of parmesan cheese. As they cook, the tomatoes soften and turn luscious while the cheese melts and lightly browns, creating a savory crust that clings to the fruit. They are warm, juicy, and deeply flavorful, adding richness and balance to the sandwich. It is indulgent without being heavy, familiar yet special, and exactly the kind of dish that earns its name at the Oceanfront. We also enjoyed rich, creamy grits and a damn fine cup of coffee. Service was exceptional. - I've been covering the cuisine scene in Coastal Virginia and beyond for 30-plus years, and have dined out at thousands and thousands times. I base my scores on the SAVORY system, which attributes values to six distinct attributes: Service, Ambiance, Value, Offerings, Repeatability, and Sensory Experience. That translates to 1 star = 59 or below ; 2 stars = 60 - 69 ; 3 stars = 70-79 ; 4 stars = 80-89 ; and 5 stars = 90 or above. Based on that, this restaurant receives my 5 star rating. This is based on a visit on Jan. 7, 2026 - I'm a Johnson & Wales-trained chef reporting on food and foodways in print (magazines, The Virginian-Pilot), television (morning shows, Food Network, WTKR TV-3), radio (PBS, AM 790 WNIS), and more. More about me at VirginiaEatsAndDrinks.com read more

See all

My wife and I visited Belvedere while staying at the Moxy Virginia Beach Oceanfront during our elopement trip. The restaurant has a great oceanfront location and the food was good, but our experience was significantly impacted by how staff handled my service dog. We initially sat outside, but constant biting flies made it difficult to enjoy our meal, so we moved inside. Shortly afterward, an assistant manager approached us and attempted to remove us because of my service dog. My dog was clearly identifiable as a service animal, quietly lying at my feet, fully under control, and not bothering anyone. As a Disabled Veteran, I should not have had to explain ADA service animal laws in order to eat breakfast. The burden should not fall on guests to educate restaurant management about federal disability protections. What should have been a happy and memorable morning before my wedding became stressful and upsetting. The issue was eventually resolved, and we were allowed to remain, but only after I had to advocate for my legal rights. Because of that experience, we chose not to return to dine inside the restaurant for the remainder of our stay. The food and location were good, but the lack of service animal awareness by management seriously detracted from the experience. I strongly recommend additional ADA and service animal training for all staff so future guests do not experience the same treatment. read more

We really wanted to love this spot, but the price really killed it for us. I'll start off by saying, the coffee was actually amazing. Probably the best thing about this spot. Our food was alright, very very overpriced for what you get. I feel like all the breakfast food tasted almost burned, the sandwich was one you'd be better off making at home. The fries and ranch were pretty good though. The views were pretty and the diner itself is cute. read more

Belvedere South - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

I don't have a lot of positive comments about the Moxy, but the diner/breakfast spot off to the side of their lobby is a definite plus. This was a last-minute stop on my way out this past Wednesday morning in the 7am hour. The Moxy is a party hotel, essentially, so I wasn't too surprised to find myself the only customer of the establishment when I wandered in. There were two women manning the fort, who were both very nice and told me to sit anywhere; I chose a comfortable booth and began reviewing the menu. Pretty standard stuff here; lots of omelet and pancake options, etc. I got a little frisky and ordered the Cinnamon Apple Pancakes off the seasonal specials menu, along with some scrambled eggs and toast (got to get the sweet and savory in). The pancakes were really good; they're doing something right with those. My only minor nitpick was that because you're cooking the cinnamon into the batter, it burns on the bottom and you end up with a few pieces of tough stickiness, if that makes sense - my primary gripe with homemade cinnamon rolls as well. Still overall a recommend. I was probably too full to order everything that I did, but the eggs were also very decent; on the damp side, which is my preference, and didn't need any seasoning, which is rare for me. The service was excellent; given that I was the only person in there it would have been pretty egregious if it wasn't, but everyone was attentive and kept the coffee flowing. My food showed up within a few minutes and I was in and out quickly, which was great since I was on a grown-up business trip and accordingly on a schedule. No issues here at all. If you're not a guest at the Moxy I imagine this place is a bit under the radar, especially since it's not right on the main drag (it's only accessible I think through the Moxy lobby and/or a subtle side entrance). Especially in November, it's hard to find decent spots that are still open - if you're seeking sustenance right around sunrise, you could do a lot worse than this. read more

Belvedere South - Cinnamon Apple Pancakes & Eggs/Toast. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

The Belvedere is a classic Virginia Beach diner that's been refreshed and now shares space with the Moxy Hotel. It keeps the charm of an old favorite with its simple menu, fast service, and timeless diner décor. The food comes out hot and satisfying, and the prices are very reasonable--especially for an oceanfront location. A great spot for a no-frills, tasty meal with a bit of history and character. read more

Belvedere South - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

Great service. Great atmosphere. Great food. Great view of the Boardwalk and beach/ocean.

We recently stayed at the Moxy hotel, which was great, but one of the biggest highlights was the Belvedere diner that's in the first floor of the hotel. They serve breakfast and lunch and we went every morning and each time was so good! But honestly beyond the food was the friendly service! The place is a cute little diner with counter seating, tables or a few tables outside... all are great options! We ate outside a few days because we had our pup with us ... also a plus that allow dogs on the patio! We really appreciate the wonderful experience! read more

I'd actually say 3.5. Very classic diner vibe. Bright, clean, airy interior with the blue and white decor. We were seated quickly and our server was friendly and efficient, which we appreciated. Pancakes: a solid, dependable, classic item. No frills at all here and that's just what I wanted. These aren't insta worthy super fluffy but they are tender and satisfying. Western omelette: hubby's verdict was "good". Filled with veggies and bacon and eggs cooked through. Nothing special but nothing bad, just classic diner fare done well. Hash browns: not great. Too oily and not fluffy enough; definitely an aftertaste from Being cooked on a griddle with meat so if you are a strict vegetarian I'd skip these. Overall it's just... a good diner. Not great, but not at all bad and a decent spot to grab a filling breakfast on the beach. read more

If you have been to the previous iconic Belvedere Coffee shop that was located where the Hyatt Place now sits you become nostalgic. New owners painstakingly recreated the 1960's shop and did a fantastic job recreating the vibe. The new location is in the Moxie Hotel further South. They have their own entrance. Parking is easiest by hotel valet, but off season easy to locate options. On season more challenging for pay lots, but it's just across the street and convenient. I have fond memories of the old place and even though they made every attempt to recreate it's still a miss without the beach view. They elected to not position the shop a few hundred feet back which would have been ideal. Anyone that knows the Belvedere will tell you their signature is the Eye Opener sandwich which I did get. Orders are by counter only, no wait staff unless this has changed. The young employees that helped were energetic and friendly. Food came out in about 10 minutes and was delivered to my retro style blue booth. The visual looked great and tasted fantastic! The Eye Opener consist of an onion roll, tomato, fried egg and choice of ham or bacon. If you're looking for a diner style atmosphere come to the Belvedere Coffee Shop. I hope to return soon. read more

See all

Slowest service! Good food, but not worth the wait. Our table was forgotten about after being seated, had to flag down another waiter. Forgotten again after we ordered. Had to ask the hostess where our waitress was, then had to wait 20 minutes for the check. read more

I didn't go in for much, just a simple breakfast snack. I ordered grits and coffee. The grits were amazing. They were real, tasty grits. Nothing instant. The coffee was refreshing. The staff members were kind and ensured I was taken care of. The atmosphere was quite family friendly and the location is adjacent to the ocean. read more

Belvedere South - First time in. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

See all

This was a great hidden gem. By far the cleanest restaurant anywhere in the Virginia Beach area. AND the staff was terrific AND the food was fantastic. Really great breakfast made fresh to order. I loved the French toast, eggs and sausages. The grits were perfect too! read more

Belvedere South - The counter. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

See all

Sunday 9/7/25 was my first time at this cafe. I have had it on my list for awhile now. Upon entering we waited to be seated and after like 5-10 minutes Brook approached us and welcome us with a smile and also let us know that there was a 25-30 minute wait after ordering food and that we had 1 party ahead of us but we were escorted to the Moxy hotel lounge area to sit and wait . We were ok on the waiting the music was awesome and the ambiance relaxing. After like maybe 30 minutes I noticed a party came in and just sat at the booth we were waiting for but Brook came to us quickly and apologize and found us another booth. Once we were seated the whole ambiance went down hill , We were seated and the waitress that was tending the tables (Hanna) was too busy chatting it up with a couple towards the front of the cafe and finally about almost 10 minutes came to introduce herself and ask if we would like some water and drinks. We ordered our drinks and waited to place our order, upon her return we placed our order we ordered two western omelette's with hash browns one order of rye toast and one order of wheat toast , we both received regular white toast although it was not our order, needless to say any restaurant we go to and order a western omelette the ingredients are onions, peppers, diced ham , and cheese , this omelette had no cheese , no diced ham and had onions , peppers , diced bacon, and dice tomato's , the waitress did not communicate to us that they were out of hash browns and took upon herself to bring us tater tot's instead of letting us know so we could choose between tots , fries or grits , my grandson ordered a patty melt which was delish but the fries were u see cooked , Hanna came to our table after we placed the order to ask again what my grandson had ordered. I am not sure if yesterday was an off day but it was not an omg experience for sure , and although being friendly and communicating with your customers is very important it should be the same straight down the board, because after we waited almost 35+ minutes to sit down the service after that was not a wow moment. Over all Brook 10/10, Hanna 2/10 , food 3/10,. Like I always say when doing my reviews this was just my experience and your experience may be different as well as your taste buds. It's a cute and quaint establishment so go check it out for yourself but for me I am good read more

See all

Don't waste your time. Lousy service and even worse food. Artificial cheese, burnt toast, / not a single fresh ingredient. Beware of chain hotel food restaurants- they hype up the restaurant read more

Found this spot while we were in town for a few days and it's a must for breakfast! The servers are sweet as can be as well as cooks behind the counter. The food was great and the coffee was delicious as well, which for me is a huge plus! They have a variety of creamers where as most diners have just cream as an option. It gives old school diner vibes with the layout and furniture. We came back again the next day for some to-go food before heading home and it did not disappoint. read more

Belvedere South - Variety of creamers - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

See all

Everything was super! From the service to our food, to the cleanliness of the diner. We both enjoyed the classic breakfast and coffee. Hit the spot and would return without a doubt. read more

Belvedere South - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

We were sat right away at the bar. The food was delicious and Lourdes our waitress was so kind and attentive. I highly recommend checking them out. read more

Belvedere South - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

The servers were fantastic despite the food taking a while to come out. The food once we got it was delicious. Simple yet tasty. Ambiance was the standard diner vibe, but governor youngkin was dinning there at the same time and made it a bit chaotic. Our server beth was awesome, as well as the manager who was so friendly. read more

Belvedere South - Cute coffee cups - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

See all

Service was prompt even though it was really busy on Easter Sunday. Pancakes were very good!

Had a lovely diner styled breakfast at Belvedere, inside the Moxy Hotel. The cozy and clean diner design right by the beach is very charming. We got two types of cheese on the ham and cheese omelette and it was delicious. It was my first time trying creamed beef on toast, which is cool but I don't know if I'd go for it again. The pancakes are really nice, fluffy and aromatic. I liked that their jams for toast included the selection of apple and orange marmalades on top of the usual strawberry and grape. Apple is my fav now & the hot sauce they carry really impressed me with its flavor Lastly, I appreciated their flexibility to whip up an "affogato" with their coffee and ice cream. Our server was very outgoing which made the vibes even cooler. It does get super busy & you'll have to be more patient for service around 9am even for a Monday. read more

See all

Food was pretty good, but service was horrendous. After greeting our waitress blatantly ignored us despite flagging her down multiple times. I waited 45 minutes before even ordering my food. After I finally ordered it came out quickly and was pretty good. After finishing we then had to wait another 20 minutes before we paid and were met with very rude responses of "you're gonna have to wait" and then taking care of guests who arrived way after us, despite the restaurant being basically empty at that point. For such a small restaurant there were plenty of waitresses so there should've been no reason for this treatment. Very disappointed. read more

My partner and I did not know what we wanted for breakfast. We knew we wanted a breakfast sandwich. We looked on yelp, and we looked on DoorDash, but nothing came to mind. Then we came across this restaurant. It was the best decision of our vacation. We both ordered a bacon egg and cheese sandwich for nine dollars. And my partner got a side of fries. I also got the sliders with a side of onion rings. All of this came up to a total of about $35. When the food was cooking, we could just smell how good the cook was putting her love into this food. We knew that we were going to get something better than waffle house and way better than IHOP. Once the waitress came back and said, here's your food and took it up, so we took it up to our room and , I cut the sandwich diagonal, because it was on Texas toast. I took the first bite of the sandwich and it was not soggy. It was not salty. It was the perfect combination of bacon, egg and cheese. I highly recommend getting this sandwich it does come with a side of hashbrowns. I would have recommended to ask them to be fried a little bit longer. read more

See all

I visit Virginia Beach with my wife every other year for her conference, and we always find time to stop in our hometown. One of the highlights for me is breakfast at the Belvedere. It's been a staple for as long as I can remember and remains one of my favorites. Although it's no longer in the old hotel and has moved closer to the Moxy, the quality and service have stayed the same. It retains that old-fashioned charm and a touch of nostalgia that takes me back to my childhood. Excellent service, excellent food, highly recommended. read more

This is a must stop for a diner atmosphere breakfast or lunch. It's located in the Moxy hotel and it's replicate of the original Belvedere Diner that was torn down a few years ago. It's small inside so it's not great for large groups. We sat at the counter and we got there early on a Sunday morning. Hardly anyone there but by the time we left the place was packed! I got the breakfast sandwich with a side of hash browns. Loved the Texas toast. It was more than enough food. The scrambled egg was perfect - not overcooked at all. Absolutely loved sitting at the counter and watching the cooks who were providing us with some funny entertainment. The cook; Meghan, was wonderful and made sure we enjoyed our food. Very friendly and truly cared that the food was good. Our waitress Maddie took great care of us. I will absolutely be back. read more

See all

Food was great, especially the cinnamon pancakes with baked apple special. Good service too.

Went back this am service was much better. Our server was Angela. She was very good. They give you A LOT of food. Pancakes, with 2 eggs, sausage, toast, and she asked if I wanted hash browns or grits! A lot to eat! read more

See all

Virginia Beach, Virginia - the "Belvedere Diner South" located in the "Moxy Virginia Beach Oceanfront" on 12th & Atlantic Avenue offers a super oceanfront view of the beach ... the ORIGINAL "Belvedere Diner" (since 1968) was originally on 36th & Atlantic Avenue, but was demolished in 2019 ... my 1st meal at the "Belvedere South Diner" was pretty darn nice - the "spirit" of the original "Belvedere Diner" can be felt here ... the smile-riffic serving team of "Shannon" & "Kirsten" made me feel glad I selected an 18 block "Wheelie-Nelson" oceanfront breakfast cruise today ... grill-master "Ryan" served up a good LK'n "Creamed Chipped Beef" over hash browns & toast (aka "SOS" for any WW II veterans) - darn tasty too ... super-server "Shannon" introduced me to "Team Belvedere" members - "Kirsten", "Ryan" & "Tim" ... the view, the atmosphere, the diner-seating and the interactive staff have won a new groupie - "Run-A-Way Bill" will return ... server "Megan" (not here today) gets an honorable mention for her smile-riffic greeting on my 1st peek at the "Belvedere South Diner" on "Friday da' 13th" - her positive-attitude smile made me anxious to return ... #RunAwayBill #rabDUSA2023 #DUSA2023 #rabBelvedereDinerSouth #BelvedereCoffeeShopSouth #rabDiner #Diner #rabMoxyVB #MoxyOceanfront #rabWheelieNelson #rabVirginiaBeachOceanfront #rabVirginiaBeach #VirginiaBeach #rabVirginia #Virginia 10.18.23 Wednesday read more

See all

The Belvedere South hits the spot as a real diner. It's newly remodeled and fresh. Our waitress was very attentive. It was a great place to watch the sun rise over a crisp morning over the Atlantic. The Breakfast Bowl hit the spot and I recommend it for people that enjoy sautéed peppers and onions. It was great overall experience. read more

Belvedere South - The Breakfast Bowl - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

We were welcomed warmly, all servers were sweet and attentive, the menu is simple and affordable. I highly recommend this place if you want a decent and quick breakfast. read more

The food was good. The service was good. It's one of the better breakfast/brunch places on the beach.

Good diner attached to the Moxy Hotel. Service was attentive, food was very good, typical of a beach diner.

Love this place! It is your classic diner inside one of the coolest hotels at the oceanfront (The Moxy)! Prices are very reasonable and gratuity already included in the check. Service was friendly and food good! We will definitely be back! read more

Belvedere South - Waffle breakfast - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

My friend and I just went for a coffee and ended up getting food also. Clean establishment. The cook was great and our server was kind and nice to chat with. From these Ct girls from the 860 we say Thank you! read more

The food was great . Big shout out to the cook Kristy and the beautiful waitress Beth.

The staff was very nice, professional and accommodating. The food taste great and freshly prepared in full view sight. Then cooks displayed clean cooking techniques. So much awesomeness read more

Great breakfast, reasonable prices, excellent and friendly service. They serve mimosas and orange crushes.

Another great breakfast at Belvedere South. Shallah was an exceptional server and the atmosphere friendly and bright. read more

Belvedere South - Anthony and Floyd preparing breakfast - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

See all

Meh. The place itself was small but modern looking. My friend and I sat at the counter. The service was not great. They forgot about one of our coffees, and it took a while to get our food. A few people came in after us and got their food first. The food was great. Eggs were flavorful. The bacon was perfectly crispy, as were the hash browns. And the pancakes were perfection. So tasty and fluffy. The food is really good, but I'd probably call in to pick up. read more

We had such a great experience here that we came two days in a row for breakfast during our stay at the Moxy! We're a family of four, and everything--from the food to the service--was spot on. The breakfast was absolutely delicious, and the ambiance made it even better: lots of natural light and relaxing music in the background. Shallah, Maddie, and Hannah were all incredibly friendly and efficient, making us feel right at home. And a huge shoutout to Ian and Telly for cooking up some truly amazing meals. Highly recommend! read more

This is a great place to eat breakfast. The omelette are huge and fluffy. The pancakes and French toast are old school good. Hash browns are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The staff is super nice and the prices are very reasonable. Love the old school cafe feeling as well! read more