Buoy 44 was a great place to enjoy an early Friday afternoon dinner. I took my friend visiting town here and we both enjoyed the food and atmosphere. The only reason this review doesn't get 5 stars is because of the limited parking. Buoy 44 offers a great selection of beers and happy hour prices! The fish tacos and bacon wrapped scallops were amazing. The prices are what I would expect for this area, you can tell it's a popular place as plenty of patrons were paying to park next to it $40). We found street parking a few streets over. read more

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You simply cannot beat this location. A great place for locals and visitors. Great views of the beach, bay and bridge. Indoor and outside seating. Garage doors. Bright and airy. Fortunately that is not the only thing going for them. We ordered a few apps and drinks on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. The steamed shrimp was perfectly cooked and not overseasoned at all!!! The tuna bites were also perfectly cooked, I only wish there was more than 5. We also ordered the crab dip. We had a huge conversation about the chip to dip ratio and this one was perfect. Food came out fast and was all delicious. Our waitress, Bonnie deserves a huge shoutout. She was amazing!! Funny, fast.....everything you want in service. Ask her about the measuring system for the US. Lol!!! We also got the Bacon and Blue Cheese Chips to go. OMG they are good!! Great flavors. I will definitely be back. read more

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I did get crag legs and oysters.But I also got stomach flu and diarrhea. I won't go back there and gonna try other seafood restaurants.

We had dinner Friday evening at Buoy 44 Seafood Grill located on Chicks Beach Road right on the Chesapeake Bay in the heart of Virginia Beach. While the views are spectacular, the food and service are even better. We were fortunate enough to score a couple of seats at the bar and we were greeted right away by the bartender. The took our orders and had drinks sitting in front of us right away. We started out with Hushpuppies and they were piping hot and delicious. They were fried to a beautiful golden brown and they were crispy on the outside and hot in the middle but still moist, wonderful start! My Wife ordered a Salad with shrimp on top (maybe the Southwestern?) and she really enjoyed it. I had a Cesar Salad and it was very good as well. For dinner I had the Fried Shrimp Dinner served with fries and broccoli. Everything was hot and delicious. We really enjoyed our first visit to the off the beaten path eatery on the Chesapeake Bay and we are looking forward to our next time here! read more

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It's genuinely a shame that this establishment doesn't value or prioritize customer service because it's a cute location with stunning views of the sunset, and I came here to scope out the place to potentially hold our high school reunion here. Instead, I left with a story of an abysmal meal and poor customer service, wondering if the pettiness of a $4 charge was worth the business losing an opportunity to host a 4-hour private event with up to 100 people. Excluding the valet staff and younger food runners from this review - they were fantastic and friendly, and the management and our server could learn a thing or two from them. We ordered a few things off the menu. The fries were great, but the calamari was undercooked and borderline inedible. We didn't complain because we came here for the crab dip and oysters. The crap dip never came. And while mistakes happen, our server didn't bother to apologize for the oversight when we asked her to check on our order. When it finally did arrive, it was served lukewarm and topped off with cold, unmelted cheese. Again, we didn't bother complaining. However, the third strike, and main reason I'm compelled to leave this review, was management's indirect feedback of the oysters I was served. To preface, I've been eating oysters for over a decade and have never once received the kind of response I got from the server and management. I ordered half a dozen oysters, and two came with pea crabs. While they may be harmless, they were not something I wanted to consume. At other restaurants, I've had 0 issues with the staff simply swapping them out for me, but no, not here. However, the main issue is with the customer service policy, overall approach, and communication style. We let the server, Alexa C., know and were told "we don't really do that because it's pretty normal." I told her I didn't want to eat the two on my plate and she said she'd check with the manager. She came back to report that she'd have to charge me for two new oysters. Again, 0 apologies. 0 attempt or offer to provide an alternative. Maybe I'm spoiled by higher-end restaurants, but at no point did the manager bother to come by to speak to us (even if it was just to reiterate their policy) or further discuss the issue. I don't mind paying for my request, but I do mind being dismissed when I'm voicing my dissatisfaction with the service/meal quality I've been provided and am being charged for. While it may not seem like a big deal to some, it's those little moments of consideration (or lack thereof) that end up being the difference between paying guests recommending your business to others or for an event vs. swearing never to come back. To anyone still reading I'll be sticking to places like The Atlantic or Orion's Roof, and suggest you do the same. read more

Buoy 44 Seafood Grill - Seafood Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

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Came here with my relatives and it was such a wonderful time. The food was delicious, service was great, and refreshing time being on the patio deck. read more

Buoy 44 Seafood Grill - Fish tacos - Seafood Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

This restaurant is perfect for a summer beach day! My sister, nieces, nephew and I went to the beach in the morning and had an awesome time. We got great (free) parking nearby and were able to get even our large group (there was 7 of us) a table with little to no wait. We ordered hush puppies for our appetizer which were so delicious we ordered a second round. The only criticism I have from the meal is that the waitress dropped one of them onto the table when she put it down and acted as though we should eat it (rather than getting us a replacement) which is a little bit gross. For my meal, I got the blackened salmon tacos and they were delicious. I would definitely get those again when I go again. The restaurant has a relaxed vibe while also feeling nicer and elevated than other restaurants. read more

Buoy 44 Seafood Grill - The restaurant's sign - Seafood Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

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4/5 -- Great Spot With an Uncomfortable Management Experience Buoy 44 is a beautiful place right off Chick's Beach, and the atmosphere alone is worth the visit. The view is phenomenal, especially around sunset, and the bartenders are consistently amazing. Shawn, one of the managers, is personable, welcoming, and always makes the experience better. However, my only issue involves the other manager (Jeff). His demeanor comes across as unfriendly, and as an African American customer, I've often felt unwelcome in his presence. While I can't speak to his intentions, the way he carries himself creates an uncomfortable dynamic that stands out--especially in contrast to the rest of the staff, who are warm and attentive. Despite this, I still return because the overall environment and service from other team (Tonya, Lisa & Jennifer) members are great. As for the drinks, they're phenomenal--some of the best in the area. My only wish is for them to get their crushed ice machine fixed. A proper crush really elevates the drink, and the smaller ice pieces make a noticeable difference in how they absorb and balance the alcohol. Buoy 44 has a lot going for it, and with a small improvement in hospitality consistency and a working ice machine, it would be an easy five-star spot. read more

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The chips were delicious and I enjoyed my Caesar salad. We started the meal outside on the patio which had a beautiful view but we had to move inside because the flies were terrible! Very limited parking so we had to valet. This was a good spot to grab a meal as we were passing through to the Outer Banks. read more

Buoy 44 Seafood Grill - Seafood Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

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We came at 5:30 pm. Then a group of people, looking to be in their early 20's, sat at a long booth. They were obnoxiously loud. Not in an angry way, just laughing and talking loud as if they were the only ones in the restaurant. We let two of the wait staff know about the situation and asked them to let the table know they were too loud. The wait staff said something to the effect of "That's just how it is here." I know there's a bar in the restaurant, but that doesn't give it a license to allow people to be that loud. I doubt I will be coming back anytime soon. I blame parents for not telling their children how to act at a restaurant, and I blame the restaurant for putting up with those people all for the sake of a buck. read more

This restaurant is dog friendly, allows dogs on their outdoor seating. They provided a water bowl for my dog. Nice beach view and able to walk right on the beach. The buoy nachos were very good! The staff were friendly and helpful. They only offer valet parking. read more

Buoy 44 Seafood Grill - Buoy Nachos - Seafood Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

Sat outside on a warm breezy day, such a vibe with the football games on. Servers were direct and not overly attentive (which i like). and the food was bussssss. they did not skimp out on the protein. It was just what i needed. read more

Buoy 44 Seafood Grill - Shrimp Tacos - Seafood Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

Arrived for lunch on a fall Friday and was able to snag a nice shaded spot overlooking the water. Not a lot of folks, but I could imagine happy hour would be packed. Was a bit peeved that all they had was valet parking, but it was free for patrons, so that was a relief. At least it was for lunch. Waitress was very good and we were well served. We ordered the hush puppies which were tasty but I suspect they could turn down the frier a bit. They were well-done. The crabcake was tasty. It was 50/50 meat to loaf which was more than I was expecting. Chips were a meh. Overall a fun time and would recommend. I suspect it is a much more lively place come happy hour. read more

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Another Virginia Beach classic! Stopped here on a Thursday afternoon for Happy Hour (3 pm - 6 pm) with my family. Crushes were $7 during happy hour but I opted for the Banana Split Crush that was not part of the special ($9). That crush was delicious and STRONG. We were told that the nachos did not disappoint and I think that was our favorite thing at the table. Topped with crab meat and shrimp, we ate every bite. I ordered the Baja Fish Tacos with a side of homemade chips. The fish was mahi that was perfectly cooked and moist. My husband ordered the Flounder BLT, and my mother ordered the 44 Burger. Both said they loved their meals. We couldn't leave without trying the Key Lime Pie and that completed a wonderful meal! Tips for next time: - they give a discount on your bill if you pay in cash - pets are allowed on the deck as long as they are well-behaved! (Our dog LOVED it here). read more

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Our server was excellent. He went out of his way to keep the kids happy and the parents pleased. The food was very good. I unfortunately don't remember our server's name, but he was a very tall young man. I highly recommend this place and hope you get this server. read more

Great steak sandwich. My wife and I wanted something for takeout in the area, and they had good reviews and tasty sounding handhelds, so we gave it a try. I had the steak sandwich. The steak was very tender and there was no fat or gristle. The bun was soft. The queso is a unique touch - different approach to cheesesteaks - and reminds me of the way Philly uses cheese whiz instead of provolone. All in all a great, different cheesesteak. My wife had the flounder blt and we both liked it. I appreciated that the flounder wasn't in a heavy breading - it just had a light flour breading, which let you enjoy the delicate white flounder meat. We'll be back, and next time we'll sit and watch the bay. read more

Why the bad reviews this place is awesome! Better menu than most beach bars, nice staff, beautiful view. I got the fried pickles, nachos, steamed shrimp, and fish tacos and wow, everything 10, everyone nice...I should've got the dessert I'm sure it's great too. I didn't have to wait in line at all on a Friday evening. Will definitely be back and recommending to my friends read more

We love coming here for date night whenever we're back in Virginia Beach. It has changed since our first dates 10 years ago but it's still nice to come back to. Going to this place gives me a reason to dress cute, grab a drink, and watch the sunset on the beach. I wish their drink menu/cocktail would expand because they do have a lot of potential. This place can get packed in the summer but that's to be expected. Overall, the food isn't too bad. It can be hit or miss. We will definitely come back here whenever we visit home again. This place holds so many memories and we keep it near and dear to us. read more

Buoy 44 Seafood Grill - Seafood Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

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Great view!!! Food is good and drinks are delicious. Staff is amazing and their service is excellent

Laid back eatery with gorgeous waterside views! The outdoor seating is ideal if timed right and their happy hour is a decent deal. Parking on site is strictly valet which is a bit inconvenient, but there was plenty of street parking (though I imagine it gets tough during the weekends/summer months). Went here for a weeknight dinner & the wait wasn't long at all. We were nearing the end of HH so we took advantage of their $7 crushes (the flavors were all pretty good with the exception of the buoy 44 crush). The food was great all-around; I was a biiig fan of my tuna bacon wrap and it was all gone by the time we were done with our meal. Overall, I'd come back again & I think this place stacks up well against the many seafood restaurants scattered along Shore Drive! read more

Buoy 44 Seafood Grill - Tuna and Bacon Wrap - Seafood Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

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Service was great. Nice waitress. That's the only good thing to say. The food here and gone down hill since I was here last summer. The salads were sad and the sandwich was nothing special. We wont be back, there's plenty of other options. read more

This little oceanside restaurant is great! The service was very attentive. Every time she walked by she made sure we were doing ok. The cherry limeade crush was excellent. I also ordered the chicken club sandwich. The chicken was moist and blackened to perfection! Next time I'll remember to take a picture. Hopefully next time the weather is nice so I can sit outside on their deck. read more

We love sitting on the back deck drinking Coronas and watching the waves roll in. I usually get the house salad with grilled salmon. Fyi, they have the GOOD ranch, so get a side of fries and dip away! Service is laid back and friendly. It's a chill summer spot. read more

Great view !!! Awesome seafood !!! The staff is amazing !!! Can't wait for a summer sunset !!!

This is neighborhood bar with stiff drinks and standard bar food. Nothing particularly special, other than the view and location. We had a great bar tender last time we were there. read more

Buoy 44 Seafood Grill - Seafood Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

Great views, good outside seating, just ok food. We started with the nachos, and for lunch we had the fish tacos, shrimp dinner, and flounder BLT. I ordered the sweet potatoes fries and they were kind of soggy. All in all good lunch option. read more

Buoy 44 Seafood Grill - Seafood Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

Limited parking during high peak hours even on a Wednesday. We were lucky enough that someone left and opened up a spot for valet to take us. Sat right away inside but wished we had waited the 20 min Ute wait to be seated outside with such nice weather. They have a love band that plays great old school music. Staff and other guests were all friendly. We ordered old bay wings, nachos, and fried pickles. I ordered shrimp tacos with sweet potato fries. Hubby ordered a flounder BLT. Everything tasted great, just wished they had a larger menu. Absolutely great view and right off the beach. Perfect for a casual relaxing evening. read more

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Nice employees, nice location, nice interior/exterior, mediocre food. I got the fish tacos and they were filled completely with a watery cabbage and tomato mixture with a long, skinny, flavorless piece of fish on top. Chips were not seasoned. Calamari and sauce were pretty good. Disappointed to see they don't do crab legs which are shown on Yelp, they must have discontinued. My husband liked his salmon tacos and the service was quick but I won't be coming back. read more

Service was great, food was great. We will return. The steamed shrimp were cooked juicy and tender, the old bay seasoning was a bit thick. The hush puppies were crispy and tasty served with butter and honey. The shrimp quesadillas were very tasty! read more

Buoy 44 is one of the only spots around here located directly on the beach, and as such has become our new favorite place to take in town visitors. We most recently went for Taco Tuesday, when they run a 50% off special for all taco entrees. Total steal, especially when paired with happy hour drinks! There was initially some confusion about whether our party of 8 (including two small children) could be seated outside together. They said we could squeeze into a picnic table together, be seated separately at two tables that could not be moved together, or be seated together inside. I'm not sure why the tables could not be moved together at first, because as we were about to try to squeeze into a picnic table we pointed out that the two tables had in fact been moved together in the meantime, with 8 chairs. They then moved us over to that table. The patio does have some covering to keep the majority of the sun off of you, which is nice as the bright sun is setting in the evenings. Our server was wonderful and super prompt with drink refills and reminding us that happy hour was about to end. The tacos are SO GOOD. I think I actually got the shrimp tacos the first time we visited also, outside of the taco Tuesday deal. They come with house made chips, or you can upgrade to a different side. I upgraded to the seasonal veggies which was a nicely seasoned mixture of squash and zucchini. The upcharge was $3 though, which is as much as it cost to just add a side of the veggies, so it seems like they would still include the chips with the meal too? That seemed a little strange. Either way the taco entree was only $7 before the upcharge so I really can't complain. $10 for the entree is still a great deal. (Though I'll also say the fries are phenomenal. Both of the kids had fries with their meals and we pretty much picked off all the ones they didn't eat! Haha) Our table also got the nachos and pickle fries. Though these were mostly hoarded down at the men's end of the table, the ladies managed to sneak a few bites and they were both delicious! Would highly recommend either. Definitely stop in for a Taco Tuesday, but everything we've tried so far on the menu has been worth reordering. read more

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Superstar place for lunch. We ate on the outside deck, with an awesome breeze, nice soft background music (didn't have to yell to hear each other), and the view was outstanding! Had my favorite, the 44 burger, with the homemade chips, with spicey ranch and blue cheese to dip the chips. Excellent experience, good customer service. We had Alora for our server and were very pleased with her complete caring and attentative nature. We will be back. Dog friendly deck and complimentary (free) valet parking. read more

We thought this place was going to be a little more fancy with the valet parking but it was pretty relaxed. Our food was pretty good and the service was great. Def going to go back when the weather is nicer for the beautiful view. read more

Buoy 44 Seafood Grill - Seafood Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

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This place is solid so I won't let one rude waitress ruin it for them. I always have a nice experience here but SHANNON overstepped multiple times. -Taking our strollers (with our babies in them) & moving it to another table for her convenience even tho we liked them being in front of the fan -Cursing (AW SH*T!) when my 5 month old baby knocked over my water... I'm already a new mom, I'm overwhelmed enough trying to keep a baby content at a restaurant -- ALSO, literally tossing silverware in front of my friend to use the napkins to clean up. -A very unnecessary comment when I asked for a box for my cousins nachos because flies were attacking it (it's the beach, it happens with an eye roll) listen lady, no one was blaming you for the flies, just asking for a box. Personally, I'd be alarmed if my customer hasn't touched her food... I was simply stating what the box was needed for so you didn't think there was a problem with the food! & when I let her know it was rude, she said Ok! & walked away. Overall, she needs a lesson in hospitality. Idk if she was judging us or didn't want to be bothered with our low check averages but it was so unnecessary. If you have nothing nice to say, then don't say anything. A simple "oh I'm sorry you couldn't enjoy it here, I'll be back with your box" would've worked. We just wanted to stop by for a drink & snacks after a day at the beach. Like I said, Buoy 44 is a solid place! I recommend it frequently for the location & crushes! The service is usually pleasant & quick. Hopefully she sees this & gets a slice of humble pie. You ruined our last beach day of our maternity leave, Shannon. read more

My bartender Madyson was amazing every drink was in point every sip was nostalgic she's great read more

Buoy 44 Seafood Grill - Madyson - Seafood Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

I came here because of a vlog on youtube. Also, I wanted to go out to dinner and get enjoy a shore front view. I started with fried battered clam strips and a cherry-limeade. They came out pretty quick and hot. I enjoyed the strips and crush was great. I ordered the crabcake dinner for my main dish. The sweet potato fries and coleslaw were so delicious. I ended the meal with their strawberry cake and orange crush. Overall, the staff was so kind and accommodating. read more

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Y'all. The nachos were HUGE. Fully loaded with protein and other toppings. I would come back just for those. Nice view of the ocean and walkable for food if your on the beach nearby. We would definitely come back and hangout outside on a sunny day. This restaurant was recommended to us by our Air BNB hosts and it definitely seems like a fun spot just to come relax and have some drinks too. Until next time! read more

Buoy 44 Seafood Grill - Seafood Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

I'm giving this local establishment 4 stars for its views, ambiance and staff. Small group of four sat outside for a weekday lunch and were one of the first to arrive. Ashley our server was friendly and efficient. I tried the Baja grilled fish tacos and substituted house chips for sweet potato fries. Tacos were good (3star) but the sweet potato fries were soggy and not cooked enough. Would not do the sweet potato fries again. But location alone would try this again. read more

Buoy 44 Seafood Grill - Baja grilled fish tacos - Seafood Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

Amazing spot! Hidden gem within a shore drive neighborhood. We went for drinks and apps. We wanted to sit outside and were treated to a beautiful sunset. The tuna bites were cooked perfectly rare. The seafood nachos were delicious. Perfect craft drinks served super quick. Our server Brittany was on point with everything! And the valets (complimentary parking) were very friendly and took care of our vehicles. I definitely will be returning. read more

Buoy 44 Seafood Grill - Sunset view from our table - Seafood Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

Went to Bouy 44 Seafood Grillin Chix Beach for lunch and let me tell you it was awesome!!!! My wife got the nachos with crab and shrimp, it was huge!! I got the shrimp with coleslaw and fries, it was sooo good. The service was amazing and on point. Will definitely be back read more

Buoy 44 Seafood Grill - Nachos with crab and shrimp - Seafood Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

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Went for an early lunch to avoid the crowds. Very clean restaurant & attentive staff. Ordered tuna bites as an appetizer to share while waiting for lunch. They were tasty & cooked rare and nice, 8 very tiny bites. We both ordered the crab cake & homemade chips. The crab cake was pretty small and barely broiled & barely warm. Tasty, but not much flavor. OK lunch, but I was disappointed. I know staff shortages in the kitchen are common right now, so I'll give them another try sometime in the future. read more

Buoy 44 Seafood Grill - Crab cake - Seafood Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia