I originally went here for the Hunter Burger, as it was featured on a list of 50 greatest burgers in the U.S. the burger was great, but what has brought me back time and again is the fish stew! It's not served every day, so I like to call and find out if it's on the menu, but it is so worth it! read more

This place came highly recommended so we were excited to go! Moscow Mules were delish! Meals were also good, but portion sizes were weak for the price point. They were accommodating for a GF/DF meal which was exciting. We'd like to give it 3.5 stars, but it wasn't quite 4 stars. In response to Leaping Lizard: I take into consideration all meals here, not just my own. I was pretty happy with my meal, but now that I know that my few thinly-sliced pieces of chicken served over a small pile of potato hash and spinach for $14 was actually discounted 25%, I support my original review of 3 stars even more: portion sizes did not support the price point. Furthermore, it was not a "substantial modification" as you stated. In fact, the server came out excited that "two new options were just added to the menu". The only modification to this recently added meal was that I received a bit of spinach instead of asparagus and I am assuming that's because the kitchen didn't have asparagus. We don't mind paying for good food when we get what we pay for, which we did not feel was the case in this situation. My boyfriend was disappointed in his meal primarily because of the portion size. For $24, he received 2 shrimp, 5 mussels (two of which weren't open), 2 scallops, 4 small clams, and a few tiny rings of calamari served in a broth (which was tasty). It came with a side of bread, but it was not great dipping bread in his opinion, and had very little flavor (but maybe that was the point? To soak up the juice?). He said, "I pretty much just bought a bowl of soup for $24". He considered going over to Dockside after our meal because he was still hungry. THAT is a clear sign that it left us with something to be desired. Overall, if the portion sizes were more substantial, we wouldn't mind paying. I take my reviews very seriously. Given the confrontational tone of your response, I regret not elaborating more in my original review. Maybe your response is your way of coercing people into providing a higher rating, but all it does to us is leave a sour taste in our mouths and make us not want to return. Instead of recognizing our concerns, you have questioned my ability to write a review as an Elite Yelper. I do not get paid by Yelp nor have any affiliation with Yelp. I am a "civilian" who just happens to trust Yelp reviews and therefore contributes by writing my own reviews to help other Yelpers. I write a lot of honest reviews, which is the reason for my Yelp Elite status. Finally, the server was great! She was very friendly and very willing to accommodate. We tipped her accordingly! The bartender's drinks were good too who we also tipped accordingly. We hope tonight's dinner crowd receives larger portion sizes. read more

Outstanding lunch. We had the Chicken Salad and Crab Quiche. Highly recommend both. Our service was topnotch. Our waitress Brianna was outstanding. She provided a great overview of the menu items we ordered and was very engaging. The ambiance was perfect. A must go to place. read more

I had the chicken salad sandwich and it was just ok. I was expecting more flavor. The potato salad was average. I ordered the chocolate cake and it was dry. The milk to go with it was warm. I will be going back though to give them more chances because there are just too many interesting platters on their menu. The place was packed. That's always a great sign. read more

Should of known not to eat here after seeing the health inspection scores!!! The score was basically a low "C". Not an "A" like most of the places I eat in. There was also a funny smell coming from the bar like they used a sour clothe to wipe off the tables and the bar countertops. I was so hungry but, I should of read the other reviews and went somewhere else! I had the Surry Ham sweet potatoe biscuit with black eyed pea soup. The soup was edible but not great. The sweet potato biscuit was soggy and tasted very stale. It was not fresh! The Surry Ham tasted like fish and the smell of sewers. I have no idea what they did but it wasn't fresh. This was the worst tasting ham I ever had in my entire life of 32 years of age! This was expensive too. It was a pure waste of money. The only thing that was actually good was the plant based cakes they where selling MADE by EMPOWERED CAKES. The leaping frog didnt make those! read more

The Tasting Menu nights for Belly Up to the Bar is back. The bar sits nine and my group of friends reserved all the seats. It was a great time socializing and seeing what Chef Todd can surprise us with each course. Upon seating the bartender got our drink orders and once we all arrived... Chef Todd came out to introduce himself and talk with us about the evening plans. There are three tasting portions that come out and then a dessert to close the night. He also had arranged to have a paired cocktail during our third course (small as well) that was so tasty. The event runs two times a week and is very popular in the off season, so reservations are highly recommended. You can call ahead (meaning a week to days before, not the day of, to report any food allergies so the chef can prepare meals for those who can't tolerate mystery courses. We had such wonderful food and conversations that evening that I'm sure this crowd will be back for more. This place has charm and hospitality and with Chef Todd taking the reigns... I'm sure there will be Fantastic Foodie Adventures ahead. read more

See all

I usually just come here for their annual clam bake, but today I visited for some brunch with the wife. The place looks really nice; modern take on the quirky and casual. Anyways let's jump right into the food. I got the Wellness shot. It was 3 bucks. It hurt as it went down, but I think I'm better for it. Idk. I'd get it again, if that means anything. Crab Quiche. Stunning. Large portion slice where you can actually taste the crab meat. Flaky crust, delicate inside, drizzles with old bay aioli. Recommend! Shrimp and grits. Delicious. 5 shrimp cooked in butter and placed atop of grits with cheese. Very tasty! The sides were watermelon slices (sweet) and house salad. The salad was amazing. All in all, I'm definitely a fan of this place. Trust me, go here and you'll be leaving happy!! read more

New to Virginia Beach and just had my first take out meal from Leaping Lizard. (They are open for dine-in but why anyone would do that with Covid surging here is beyond me.). I had the mid-Atlantic seafood pasta and my partner had the cioppino. Both were A+. We'll be ordering again, and loo looking forward to the day when we feel safe dining bin their beautiful garden or on the porch. PS...the staff were friendly and efficient and unlike many of their counterparts in this area, wearing masks! read more

This place doesn't lose its charm!! My family and I were stationed in VB 10 years ago and continue to love this place. Why? 1. Yummy food at a reasonable price. A brunch is between $8-14 and you can't go wrong with any option. I chose the seafood frittata and the serving was big enough for me to have leftovers - I was starving!! 2. Homemade baked goods are so so delicious! I started off with the homemade blueberry biscuit and it went perfectly with cup of joe while I waited for the main dish. 3. Friendly staff! My son had his eyes set on chips and the waitress gave us a bowl of chips to go with his sandwich. The owners are also so awesome and constantly present, from the parking lot to the restaurant 4. Little farm out back! It was too cold to sit outside but my son and I were able to visit the chickens, garden and the restaurant dog (my son's favorite!). 5. "Healthy" bakery, by healthy I mean most goodies were vegan and didn't use artificial sweeteners. I got a peppermint mocha slice of pie and ate it all up! The baked goods are a little pricey (for example a cinnamon roll was $4.95) but I reasoned with myself and said that they were homemade with love. 6. Cute decor that make you really feel the leaping lizard spirit! If you are in the VB area, this is a must try if you like small owned family restaurants. Thank you for the wonderful experience. read more

See all

We were in the area and received a recommendation from a local. This place is awesome! We were there for lunch. Walked up, seated quickly by the sweetest hostess. Quick & friendly service. OMG. The dill potato salad was amazing!!!! We all had different sandwiches and they were all awesome. Highly recommend this quirky little hot spot! Wonderful. read more

Great food and drinks. All the food is so good and the bakery items are fantastic. Cute setting with garden area seating outside. We had great service and was very friendly and nice!! read more

They've done a lot of renovations since I last ate here. Looks great and definitely accommodates more customers both inside and outdoors. Great thing about this place is it still retains its cozy and rustic ambiance. Nothing has changed with the fare...it's still awesome, especially with their seasonal offerings. They still play chill tunes but it's hard to hear because now that this place accommodates a larger crowd, it gets a bit loud and noisy. I ordered my favorite seasonal fare...butternut squash! Their bakery is even bigger now. So stop by this "not-so-little anymore" gem and take a break from the rat race. Smell the flowers, enjoy lunch with family and friends, and soak in a slower pace of life! read more

See all

My sister brought me here for lunch after a morning at the beach, and when I saw the menu it was almost impossible to pick one thing. I ordered the curry shrimp and peaches. It came with four beautiful shrimp, couscous, tomatoes, feta and peaches. Oh was it good!! And fresh!! It came with a beautiful slice of fresh cantaloupe and a small arugula salad with almonds and blueberries. I wish I had more time in Virginia Beach because I would eat here every single day. Not being able to eat meat and looking for a healthy alternative it was the most wonderful meal I have had. read more

Leaping Lizard Cafe - Curry shrimp lunch special. - Cafes Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

Awesome setting, great food. Recommend searching it out if you stay in Virginia Beach.

great spot for weekend brunch. i enjoyed the environment and the steak and eggs were good! i'd definitely come back here again read more

Leaping Lizard Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

See all

This place is a GEM! It's tucked away off shore drive where you'll almost miss it if you weren't looking for it. It will be difficult to find a menu that tastes as fresh as the one at Leaping Lizard Cafe. On this visit I was really wanting one of our regular brunch spots but let the boyfriend do the choosing this go around. I had only been here once before and it was well before I widened my taste pallet so I didn't know what I was missing. When pulling in, the parking is not at all the best as they have a small lot and their own parking attendant. They are building a housing development next door so this really made their lot limited to it's customers. We only waited about 20 mins so we went next door to their little bakery so get the appetite rolling. They had so many freshly baked items to choose from and the smell hits you on the way in, making you crave a treat before enjoying your meal. Once seated, we were greeted by a server that I think could have been a tad friendlier but we brushed that aside. As suggested by my boyfriend, I ordered the french toast that was probably the best I've ever had. It was covered in berry's and the mix almost tasted like banana bread. I could have eaten at least two servings. We ended our breakfast with a slice of carrot cake that was incredibly moist and again, homemade so it would be really hard to beat. Next time I'm in, I want to try something new but that french toast may just be my go to! read more

Leaping Lizard Cafe - Holy French toast Batman - Cafes Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

Amazing enough is the delicious unique flavors The oysters cooked perfectly the seafood stew Amazing Additionally Awesome the staff always treated me a single woman with respect kindness consideration Never ignored or treated condescendingly Wonderful Restaurant Even treated me granddaughter respectfully Love it Best Yet read more

This is an awesome restaurant they really make the effort to do things right. It's poppin every weekend for brunch as it should be. Never had a bad thing. The sweet potato biscuits are pretty awesome and they have fun creative drinks! Awesome vibe and decorations. Building sits back in off the road and personifies everything great about the Bay Area of Virginia Beach. read more

I LOVED THE AMBIANCE OF THIS PLACE. When eating here, I felt like I was sitting in a little garden and even though it rained, the heaters allowed us to enjoy the outdoor seating as we lazily looked at the décor all around us! The waitress was very sweet and took very good care of us. I had the crab cake benedict and even though it was not the BEST one I've had (the sweet potato brioche it was sitting on didn't jive with the crab cake and eggs), it was obviously good enough for me to clean my plate! My friend had the hunter burger (sans bread) and loved it. My other friend had the big big omelet... fair warning! It is HUGE! We all enjoyed the ambiance and the food. Will definitely return with my husband and try more items on the menu. read more

See all

By far the best and healthiest meal you will have in VB. The blueberry monitor is a must, and the food is always cooked to perfection. My wife and I ate here every weekend before we moved away and they never disappointed. We well always recommend this place to anyone to loves amazing food and even better vibes! Plus they love dogs and that's always a plus! read more

I first came to leaping Lizard a few years ago, when I first moved to the area. The food was always good but , the place was small and tight. I decided stop by for lunch today by myself . The place looks Great! They have really expanded. I lovee the screen in outside. No bugs! The food was delicious as usual! The ingredients fresh, and the service was awesome!! I got the pesto sandwich on a panini bread, the seafood chowder. The soup didn't taste good to me, but I have weird taste buds. I'm sure it's delicious to others :) will be coming back more often! read more

Leaping Lizard Cafe - Pesto chicken sand, salad, fresh fruit ! All delicious! - Cafes Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

See all

Wow! All I can say is wow. The food is phenomenal. Every bite is full of flavor and makes me want more and more. The outdoor vibe is hands down amazing! If you're looking for a fun brunch give this place a try, watch out it might become your favorite! read more

Leaping Lizard Cafe - Crab Cake, Lavender Rose Lemonade. - Cafes Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

Amazing unique dishes that keep me coming back to try something new. Would highly reccomend!

Total game changer...I am so Gaga for this alluring Lizard that I am pretty much going to come here every week from here on out. This place gets jammin' so just plan on having to wait for a table, but just relax and mosey around the grounds. In fact, just get your Key West attitude on before you come here. The cocks and chickens will greet you and put you back into simple life mode. Go check out the produce barn behind the restaurant and get some fresh goodies while you are waiting for your table. This place is extra charming in the warmer months with all of the outside tables...don't worry ladies--they have little cushions for your tush for the metal grated chairs. Have a seat and soak in how pretty and cozy your surroundings are. Maybe you will be lucky to have one of their extra spectacular drink specials like the Blueberry Basil Mojito to start. In addition to their standard menu of sandwiches, they also have a full enticing page of specials. You can't go wrong either way. Everything is damn good. I am one of those people when I come here that I have to try everything that is on the table...yes, you are going to give me a bite, aren't you??? Without the option of sharing, I may never be able to decide on what to order. When I went last week for lunch I went with an entree on the specials menu for myself. I had the beef tenderloin in a balsalmic reduction, topped with gorgonzola and served with corn, grilled squash, side salad, and a slice of cantaloupe. Thank goodness my galfriend went with the summer sandwich that I also got to enjoy. This little goddess of a sandwich was filled with bacon, peaches, gorgonzola, and caramelized onions--sorry, but yeah, this was a special too! Ok, for a regular menu goodie--the turkey BLT made with this temptuous basil mayo totally knocked my socks off--well, not really--I was wearing sandals, but woohoo! I can't wait to come here for dinner, which they are doing Tue-Sat night (entrees--seafood/duck/oysters/steak) and they have a must-have brunch too. No offense to Citrus and Bubba's, but I like the idea of having another Brunch option on Shore Dr. After you have kicked back a lovely meal, head on over to the gift shop. Sure, some things are a little pricey, but they do have great and unique gift ideas. If you have a bridal shower, bday, or baby shower coming up, they have got you covered. Update: the gift shop is now a brand, spanking new bakery and they are now doing wine nights on Tuesdays!! read more

Leaping Lizard Cafe - Blueberry basil mojitos - Cafes Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

See all

I told my daughter that I would write a review for the Leaping Lizard after we went there for a Daddy-daughter date. I would highly recommend this as a good place to do that btw. I was a little worried since the last time we were around Chix Beach, this place had odd hours and it was just about to close, so we turned around. This time I checked their hrs. Upon getting there, I was further dismayed by the line outside the front of the building. The parking lot is very small and it was packed. I had to do a t-turn in the back of the place and luckily a couple left just as I completed my turn. We put our name in and surprisingly the group in front of me consisted of about 10 people that were altogether for seating. Since we were a party of 1.5, we got seated quickly. It was a fairly cool day with a nice breeze. Luckily that was the case, because we were outside seating. This was the best part. We were under partial shade in the back of the building decorated with lots of artsy fartsy metal and ceramic work. My daughter loved it. My kids are vegan, so that is what we ordered. For the life of me, I couldnt remember what we ordered. I just remember that the waitress was extremely nice and it seems that ALL of the waitresses are young, attractive women. Our meals were excellent, the water glasses were constantly cold and filled, and my daughter and I shared a great moment here. We walked out feeling good about ourselves and the good, healthy meal that we ate. I would recommend this venue for at least a vegan. The non-vegan meals didnt seem too awful from a health perspective either. Not lots of fried stuff. The outdoor ambiance, the roaming chickens, the light breeze....it was just a great venue for what I was trying to accomplish that day with my daughter. read more

Leaping Lizard Cafe - Trying out some vegan. - Cafes Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

Visited this evening for dinner around 8pm. I ordered the duck tacos (2) and was pleasantly surprised with how good they were! Also loved the salad and coleslaw that came with. The salad was nicely dressed with the perfect amount of acidity. The meal was filling, but not too heavy. My husband ordered the fried oysters, which he enjoyed. I tried them, but it wasn't my cup of tea. They were too mushy in my opinion. It was approximately $40 for the two "mid-plates" aka lighter entrees. I'll be back to try the carrot cake--which I saw being served to another patron. Cool decor also. read more

See all

Love this place!! I've only eaten here twice, but will definitely make it a regular place to visit. Food is amazing. This trip I ordered the crab Benedict and was thoroughly impressed and stuffed! The waitress suggested the Mimosa flight, the drinks were way bigger than regular flights anywhere else. Five different mimosas, every one of them delicious. I'll definitely be back! read more

Leaping Lizard Cafe - Crab Benedict - Cafes Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

See all

The menu has so much to offer. I love the duck tacos when they have them! Everything is delicious and fresh! Their house made juices are great! My favorite is the lavender lemonade. The staff is super friendly and work very hard. read more

I was passing through town and was pleased to find this farm to table spot! I arrived on a Friday night to a extremely cute and cozy little restaurant! Anything with Christmas lights has my stamp of approval. (: The restaurant was lively and full of folks, but not jam packed and I was seated promptly. The hostess/waitress was extremely sweet and attentive. She brought my water and took my order quickly. I opted for the center stage pasta and was extremely pleased. Veggies from their garden! How can you go wrong with that? Extremely generous portions - I had more than enough left over for at least one meal. If I'm ever back in this neck of the woods, I'll surely be back. (: read more

Leaping Lizard Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

Leaping Lizard Cafe was a perfect lunch spot and just what my wife and I were looking for after crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. We had been driving for about 2.5 hours and that "hangry" feeling began setting in. Other reviewers mention they found Leaping Lizard via Diners, Drive-In's and Dives; we found it via the "Nearby" function in the Yelp app. What a godsend! Great selection of libations including a pineapple arugula mojito (served in a mason jar!), which my wife is still raving about 3 days later. I was equally impressed with their craft beer selections. I ordered one of the local VA brewers and tried the Norfolk Canyon Pale Ale. Now on to the food. I went with the Surry Ham & Cucumber sammy & my wife went with something off their special menu, the Fried Green Tomatoes. Both were superb and were served with the most delicious slice of cantaloupe. Fresh tasting delicious food with an adorable outdoor patio, great drink selection, super friendly staff AND conveniently located just off the bridge about sums up the Leaping Lizard Cafe. read more

Leaping Lizard Cafe - Fried Green Tomatoes with pineapple arugula mojito - Cafes Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

See all

We came down from NoVA and met friends at the Leaping Lizard, a firm favorite. Did not disappoint. The Duck Hash is outstanding! Everything on the menu looked wonderful. I love the Blackberry and Basil Mojito. Great service and great food as always. read more

Tried calling for take out several times and the recording stated they could not answer the phone because they were busy or with a guest. Drove to the establishment to order food to-go, the outside sign says open for dinner 4:30pm-8:00pm and I wait by the hostess stand for 5 minutes. Finally greeted by a host to be told that they are not open and are not doing take out because of a private event. It would have been nice to have heard that on the phone recording or for a sign to be posted somewhere stating that. read more

This place is super good for a fresh bite to grab. The sandwiches are delicious and everything is so fresh. Their sweet tea is really good too. The place was super packed at 2pm on a Friday. That's crazy! They're only open till 3pm for lunch. One of my sides was fresh sliced apple and I had a short black hair on my apple. Yuck. But the potato salad was super good. My best friend and I shared their home made fresh baked chocolate chip oatmeal cookie which was heavenly! Get it if you go!! It's super chic & rustic. I love how we drank from mason jars and there's a back porch sun room you can sit in. I'll be back. Hair or not it was still good. Our waitress was a little rude I think because she was so busy. Oh well. Food still good!! read more

Leaping Lizard Cafe - There's a black hair on my apple - Cafes Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

Ok...I have been constantly let down by the Food Network when it comes to showcasing restaurants. With the exception of Anthony Bourdain's review of Hawaii's Puka Dog, I am constantly disappointed. (Yes, I'm aware that he's on the Travel Channel and not on the Food Network. Plus I am willing to bet that the guy's a prick too but that's beyond the point.) I watch Guy Fieri eat a chicken salad sandwich that looks awesome. I drive up there, stood in line outside (strange but no big whoop) and order the sandwich. It looked awesome but was a dry as a mummy playing in a sandbox. Perhaps I should've asked for some mayo but I never want to be a pain so I ate half and left. This, my friends, won't stop me from giving them a second chance. read more

See all

This is a cute little place and the people are friendly. My husband got the chicken salad sandwich, I ordered the crab cake Benedict, and my son got a grilled cheese. In order, the chicken salad was good. Though I was expecting more of a peach flavor to come through. The crab cake Benedict was lovely. The crab cake was light and flavorful. The egg poached beautifully. In fact the crab cake is the best I've had in Virginia so far. The potato salad was decent. My sons grilled cheese was okay. A bit dry and in my opinion the bread to cheese ratio was off. I'd prefer more cheese or thinner bread. All in all it was a good meal. From the bakery I would suggest the bagel bites with cream cheese filling. Very tasty. We will be back sometime I'm sure. I already plan on being my mother for the crab cakes. read more

See all

We came to enjoy a nice meal after getting lost in First Landing Park Needless to say we needed a delicious meal. This place did not disappoint! The food is great quality and tasty. We loved the carrot cake! Can't wait till the next time. read more

I didn't realize they were open for breakfast, but I'm glad I happened to drive past there and see that they were! A quick u-turn and I was being seated for my recent favorite meal of the day. It was almost 10:30, so a Mango Mimosa was validated. Delicious, ice cold, strong, not too sweet. Hubby had a Spiked Ginger Lemonade, which he raved about. Chilly glasses of iced water arrived with our drinks. I chose the veggie frittata, which was composed of fluffy eggs, mild cheese, and crisp seasonal vegetables. It was covered in a buttermilk ranch style sauce. So creamy and good. Sides were a large cantaloupe wedge (juicy and sweet), house salad (greens, grilled corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and an herby dreesing), and red potato salad (lots of tangy dill). It was all delicious. Hubby had blueberry pancakes, bacon, and cantaloupe. He cleaned his plate. $40 for all, not counting an ample tip for our delightfully quick and friendly waitress. They turned the gift shop into a bakery. What a great change! We picked up a chocolate cannoli danish and sticky bun to go. Love this place! read more

This place totally deserved its place on Guy Fieri's Triple-D. They have food, drinks, cold pressed juice, and a bakery! Who can compete?! The location is super sweet, along with the staff. I started off with a Peach Bellini, which was great especially since I'm not very fond of peach flavored drinks. Then, I tried the Salmon Cake...and OH MY GOD, I could not put my spoon down. The salmon cake is served with cheese grits, two poached eggs, spinach,red peppers, and topped with a spicy remoulade. The flavors went very well together. If only I could have taken a second plate home. I look forward to returning to this amazing restaurant! read more

Leaping Lizard Cafe - Peach Bellini - Cafes Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

See all

We've been wanting to check out LL for awhile now and made sure to make reservations for a Saturday night for their outdoor seating (which is really in a nice outdoor cabana room with fans). For the breezy and rustic ambiance alone, I give an extra star. This was my night of herb-infused cocktails, so I was very pleased to find their blueberry basil mojito still on special. Although it was fresh and hit the spot, it had very little alcohol in it so I guess I see why they can keep it on special. The menu on their website never reflects their current menu; in fact we were eager to try out their Mediterranean platter and they didn't have it that night which was pretty dissapointing. I'm hearing their menu changes often and they're often out of things so just go in not expecting much and you won't be dissapointed if what you want isn't there. We settled on splitting on the crabcakes entree, which was okay. We enjoyed the sauteed veggies it was served with but the crabcakes themselves had a lot of shells in them and could have used a nice crisp sear on top...they were kind of mushy. The service was okay too; I think the owner waited on us and she seemed very verklempt all night. Like she was the only one waiting on tables outside and couldn't really handle it or something. I don't know, people rave about this place but it kind of just seemed like your standard beach spot. I hear brunch is better though so maybe we will give it a try in the future. read more

Leaping Lizard Cafe - Blueberry basil mojito! - Cafes Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

Do brunch!! The crab eggs Benedict is amaaazing and the restaurant is located on a lake in a farm style environment. Delicious and relaxing.