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We decided to enjoy a late lunch--or perhaps an early dinner, depending upon your perspective--at The Atlantic on Pacific, located along Pacific Avenue at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. One piece of advice: arrive a little before Happy Hour begins at 3:00 p.m. If you wait until then, you'll likely find yourself several people deep in line. Don't let that discourage you. Embrace it, because once you're seated you'll quickly discover that the wait was well worth it. The food is delicious, the portions are generous, and the prices--especially during Happy Hour--are outstanding. The Atlantic specializes in oysters, and their Happy Hour runs daily from 3:00-6:00 p.m., including weekends. We began with a Chopped Caesar Salad ($9). Every ingredient was crisp, fresh, and flavorful--a simple dish executed exactly as it should be. Next came the oysters: a dozen Rockefeller and a dozen Pacific. The Rockefeller oysters were everything you would expect from this classic preparation--rich, savory, and baked beautifully. The Pacific oysters, however, completely stole the show. Each oyster was topped with a delicious combination of chorizo sausage, pepper jack cheese, and seasonings before being baked to perfection. They were bold, flavorful, and easily my favorite item of the afternoon. I also ordered the Double Stack Cheeseburger ($7), and what a terrific value. The burger arrived piping hot, loaded with melted cheese, and accompanied by a generous serving of crispy fries. It's hard to imagine finding a better burger at that price anywhere along the Oceanfront. My wife ordered the pork, shrimp, and kimchi dumplings served with a chili crunch and ponzu sauce that tied the entire dish together beautifully. She jokingly threatened to drink the remaining sauce after finishing the dumplings (she didn't), but she did convince me to dip one of my fries into it. She was absolutely right--it was fantastic. In fact, I now regret turning down the dumpling she generously offered me. Part of the fun of dining here is watching Shuck-Master Slim work. He's not only remarkably skilled but entertaining as well, adding a little personality to an already enjoyable experience. From the fresh seafood to the outstanding value and friendly atmosphere, this was another memorable visit to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. If you haven't been to The Atlantic on Pacific, I highly recommend adding it to your list. You'll be glad you did, and you can rest assured that you're helping support one of our outstanding local restaurants.
Loved everything we ordered - roasted oysters, baked scallops, pork shrimp kimchi dumplings (surprisingly spicy!! For someone who LOVES spice), and fried oysters and shrimp. Fries were the best kind too. Cute space. Limited kids menu. Service was fine. Def would come back - wanted to try everything on the menu!
Popped in in a Saturday night and we were lucky enough to get four seats at the bar rather than waiting 30 minutes for a table. We started with drinks and everyone enjoyed their cocktails and wine selection. Next were the starters of peel and eat shrimp and a selection of oysters. The shrimp were a good size and cooked to perfection. They came with drawn butter, cocktail sauce and extra horseradish on the side. My main was the roasted beet salad which was plentiful and flavorful. The addition of a fried goat cheese ball on the side was delicious. Others enjoyed hush puppies, lobster roll, and sashimi. All were enjoyed with rave reviews. The restaurant is a nice size, not too big and not too small. The noise level was decent as we could still have a conversation even at the bar.
This past weekend my in laws were in town. We were on the boardwalk and they wanted oysters... I said 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!
We were so looking forward to fresh and delicious seafood, and specifically blue crabs since we haven't lived along the Atlantic in over 25 years. No restaurants seem to have steamed blue crabs except already shelled, mixed in or topping dishes. Anyway, when we arrived, we were forced to valet park but it was free in a lot right next to the restaurant where the door was literally less than 25 feet. We were immediately seated at the back in a booth. So far, okay. Our waitress Mia started out on a questionable foot and it just got worse by the end of our terrible meal and $100 later. We ordered the calamari and crab hush puppies. The bland calamari came covered in sauce that made them mushy and the calamari sickening. The hush puppies had a small clump of crab and hardly noticeable except for the fact that I cut it in half and confirmed it had a drop of crab. My husband ordered the flounder fish and chips. The flounder was grossly overcooked. I had the baked scallops and shrimp dish. Interesting dish. There was 1 small shrimp cut up into 4 pieces. What a joke to claim it's scallops and shrimp as if there might be a balance of protein. We had to keep asking Mia for what we wanted. Second glass of wine came 20 minutes after requesting it. I asked her for water and she told me to wait while she proceeded to then take orders from the table behind us. I patiently waited and after 10 minutes asked a bartender for water of which the pitcher was sitting a foot from us. How hard would it have been for her to just pour the lousy water and then take the other table's order? When it was time to pay the bill, I shared with Mia that it was a terrible meal and explained by dish what was wrong. She was defensive and said that we had eaten most of the fish. That was untrue. The fish came with 2 pieces and my husband forced himself to eat 1 fillet and asked me right before we asked for the check to taste it so I took a piece from the end confirming that it was grossly overcooked which is why at that point it was important to let them know what a terrible meal we had. I also told Mia that we intended to pay for our meal in case she thought we were try to get free terrible food. She then got her manager who came over and apologized and admitted that the fish is often overcooked. She offered an apology only. We paid the $100 with no tip bc we believe that Mia slandered us to her manager and they decided that we were the bad guys and not that the food was terrible. The food left me with an upset stomach, disappointment, and a vow to never eat there again. The best thing about our entire meal was the fries. We could have saved $96 plus a flight and hotel all for a terrible meal and rain!
Super cute atmosphere we ate at the bar and it was perfect. Everything we ate there was really good. We were talking to the people around us and they said everything they've tried is good. They're especially known for their smash burgers although we didn't have them. The guy next to us was going on and on about it, the service was phenomenal. The bartender was great helping meet you a wine to pair with the food that we ordered.. I can't wait to be back in va beach so I can eat at the Atlantic again
Another amazing experience at The Atlantic with my friends. I've now gone 2 times within a month's time frame lol. That's how addicted I'm becoming. Unless you park in public parking and walk to the restaurant their parking is Valet only. It's customary to tip a few dollars when dropping off your vehicle and when you're done with your meal and retrieving your vehicle. Be mindful that you more than likely will have a wait. Each time I've come there has been a wait of 20+ minutes to be seated. Each time we ended up finding space at the bar eventually and enjoyed our night there. The bartenders are amazing and very personable. I have gotten Sangria both times and each time they hit! The fried shrimp like I said before in another review is amazing. But the only downfall is you only get 3 shrimp for $6! Overall a part of me doesn't want to share how amazing this hidden gem is but the other part of me wants to shout from rooftop all about my new favorite spot.
The baked scallops was delicious and creamy plus the presentation was beautiful. The crab dip with the naan was so good and had so much flaky crab. The old bay chips were crunchy and seasoned. I liked the Mexican corn especially with the hot red peppers but they should have used fresh corn instead of canned and added more mayonnaise and Tajin would have made it better and worth the $10.
Happy Hour specials were phenomenal and all were delicious. Our service was incredible considering the crowd thanks Douglas! Food came out accurately and quick. The place was loud with everyone enjoying themselves- great vibes! We enjoyed our three different HH oysters, so fresh and the ingredients so flavorful. We had Oysters Rock, Chesapeake and Garlic butter roasted. Fried pickles were really good as was the pimento cheese with bacon jam and pickled red onions served with seasoned saltines. The HH double grilled cheese burger was so juicy and delish. We finished with their house made sorbet, guava flavored and house made ice cream bowls in lemon Cheescake flavor and the mint chocolate chip was the best. These are all served as small plates and satisfied three of us. Order and share! Highly recommend and will be back again next visit.
I cannot believe that I've never written a review for The Atlantic. I have visited this restaurant for years, and I have never had a bad experience. For low-key, easy breezy seafood bites and drinks, The Atlantic is my go-to on the Oceanfront. Although the food is delicious, I will also say that the service is always impeccable. The restaurant has a very generous 7 days a week happy hour where you can get a nice sample of what they have to offer. Note, if you go for happy hour, it is best to arrive super early to get a spot at the bar because the place will fill up very fast. For seafood bites, I highly recommend the Oysters Rockefeller, steamed mussels (OMG, the wine sauce/broth is out of this world delicious), and the AMAZING hushpuppies. Also, the restaurant has free parking. Since it's a valet service, remember to bring some cash to tip the folks in valet.
Finally back at the Atlantic, and it's still the best happy hour in Virginia Beach. There was a wait, but there's an area where you can sit and you can order drinks from the happy hour menu while waiting for your table. Oysters were just as good as last time. Service was quick and friendly. Oh, and I tried the pork, shrimp, and kimchi dumplings, and that was the bomb!
The Atlantic on Pacific has the best oysters I've had in Virginia Beach! The oysters were incredibly fresh, perfectly shucked, and full of flavor. The service was excellent and the atmosphere was welcoming. If you're an oyster lover, this place is a must-visit. I'll definitely be back!
10 months ago
1 year ago
I would have to give my meal a 10/10. I came for happy hour and this burger was very good and only $6. The happy hour drinks were also very good. Can't beat $1 oysters either! Overall, I was very satisfied with the service, food, and ambiance of this restaurant. read more
1 year ago
Was looking for a quick, yummy bite, this menu made me want to visit! The salmon crudo listed on the menu did NOT disappoint one bit. I am picky about my fresh fish as I live in San Diego, but this sashimi was amazing with the added touch of grapefruit - flavors were top notch. We also had the steamed mussels, Caesar salad, and 2 different types of oysters (malpeque? (from PEI) and Kamata?) highly recommend the PEI oysters. 2 blocks from the beach and a hidden gem in my opinion! read more
1 year ago
The food is so fresh! The atmosphere is comfortable and the service is so professional! Thanks Douglas!! read more
1 year ago
This restaurant was amazing! We were in town for 5 days and ate there 3 days in a row. Their happy hour oysters are a must! Aside from their amazing food their service was also what kept us coming. The first time we went Malik was our waiter and he was extremely friendly and welcoming. Marcus ended up helping us the last time we went and he was also great and gave us some good suggestions. I hope I get to come back to this restaurant again soon. Best seafood in VB!! read more
1 year ago
I'm sad that it's in Virginia Beach and not NYC. This place holds a special place in my heart. I know I'm dramatic but this place is so good. My husband and I go back to Virginia Beach just for this place because the scallops are incredible, that's our favorite off the menu but we also love the oysters, they're so fresh and delicious. My husband and I always think back to this place when we think about great oysters. The men shucking them are funny, fast and kind. They helped my husband and I celebrate our first anniversary married. The drinks were strong and they kept them coming. For my bday they also gave me a drink that tasted like a birthday cake. I was thoroughly impressed. Can't wait to go back. Definitely worth the trip. The place is cute, clean and the servers, bussers, bartenders and hosts are amazing. read more
3 years ago
Great place to hang out after a hot day at the beach. We sat at the bar since the wait for a table was 1 hr and 45 min on Sunday at 4 pm Labor Day weekend. The bartenders are super nice! We came for happy hour and enjoyed $1 oysters, we tried the Chesapeake and rock oysters. Both were really good. The $6 happy hour burger is definitely worth full price. Juicy and very flavorful. The hot chicken was definitely hot! Our bartender warned me it was hot and he was right. Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Highly recommend. Their fries are very tasty. I couldn't stop eating them. The Atlantic in Pacific is definitely worth a visit. Did I mention the bartenders are really nice?!! read more
1 year ago
The service was excellent! Our server was very attentive and awesome. The bartender also did not disappoint. He was super funny and sweet when I was being picky about my drinks. Don't even get me started on the food! The baked oysters were my favorite. They are a must. The crab legs tasted so fresh. 12/10 recommend and my favorite seafood restaurant in Virginia Beach read more
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This gem sits a couple of blocks over VB. The Atlantic is a fantastic beach bistro restaurant. They offer a variety of tasteful items on their menu. This restaurant has a full bar. The host, wait staff, and bartenders are great. Their are very knowledgeable of the menu and drink specials. This upscale location draws a more adult crowd but does offer children friendly items on the menu. I ordered the steamed seafood pot. What a perfect portion. The seafood, vegetables, and broth were well seasoned. This will definitely be a place i would want to visit again when I am back at the beach. I definitely recommend making a reservation if you plan to visit. Bon Apetit read more
9 months ago
Eliza is a phenomenal as my Bartendar she was patient and kind and able to formulate a custom drink to my liking based off of what I told her. My food was phenomenal. My oysters were shocked perfectly. This is my go to spot all the time due to the customer service and family oriented. read more
3 years ago
The best place for fine dining and family comfort. It's such a jewel you'd never know how elegant & modern it is from the outside! I liked that. With our twins they were so accommodating my son fell asleep bc his spaghetti was so good. My daughter also smashed. I'm not into oyster but man they had happy hour so I had to! Get the gosh darn old bay combo . The mussels I'll say needed a bit more flavoring, especially being curry, but overall I ate well. Hubby enjoyed his food as well. The shrimp was so good! He and I smashed the entire meal! The bread that came with the mussels was fire!!! read more
11 months ago
This place has an awesome Happy Hour, $1 Oysters! I would kill to have this restaurant in Hawaii, or at least the prices lol. Virginia Beach Atlantic has a raw bar in the back of the house, with table top, booth, and bar seating. I ordered the raw Virginia Beach Oysters and they were super fresh! They come with mignonette sauce and hot sauce in a dropper bottle - I loved this, so clever and cute! They raw oysters were definitely the star of the meal. We also ordered garlic butter and old bay roasted oysters, which I would pass on. We ordered a lot as we thought it would be something like charbroiled oysters in the south, but they just tasted baked, they definitely taste better raw. Clam chowder was not the creamy thick New England style which is my favorite. My fault for not reading the menu carefully. The crab legs were a bit salty. We also ordered ceviche which was pretty good. All in all they have an awesome menu and the oysters were delicious! You really can't beat the value. read more
1 year ago
It was fine. The oysters were the only thing worth the experience; the house made hot sauces and mignonettes were delicious. The crab legs were fine, the martinis were okay. The lobster in the mac and cheese was rubbery and they used rigatoni noodles... The hush puppies were unique and good. read more
9 months ago
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Woohoo, great happy hour (3-6). $1 oysters, $6 burgers. Attentive service from Mia. Get there at 3 or be prepared to wait. read more
2 years ago
9/12/23 - Stopped by here for lunch while in town for work. We had a party of 9 and staff were very nice and helpful. Food was great! 9/8/24 - came back here 1 year later. Stopped by solo for happy hour and sat at the bar. So crowded so sat in the corner, but staff were very welcoming and bar tenders were great! Happy hour special is great, with $1 oysters and cheap cocktails. Not too loud and really modern decor/inside. Overall very clean and well maintained. I would highly recommend if you're visiting or live in the area. read more
1 year ago
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Awesome happy hour 3-6 pm 7 days a week. One dollar oysters were a bomb, my favorite was oyster chesapeake. They also had a two dollar beer wasn't bad. My BF couldn't pass up $6 happy hour burger and fries. he loved it. I ordered crab legs and it was a bit bland, ordered 1lb it was good amount and I enjoyed it. I would order it again. The staff were friendly it was nice place! I recommend this place! Not pet friendly. read more
1 year ago
I wasn't able to make the Happy Hour specials - I didn't attempt it based on other reviews predicting how busy it would be. But I did make it for dinner and it was delicious. I totally splurged and had several small dishes: Salmon crudo, Hamachi sashimi and a tuna shashimi special. All were unique and delicious. On the smaller side portion wise but I was warned by the waitress. Worth it for good quality and excellent taste. Followed up with the roasted oysters - 3 with garlic herb butter and 3 with spicy chili butter. Also excellent and very tasty. Not a meal for every day but definitely worthy of a special occasion or special splurge. Will come back if I'm ever in the area again. read more
2 years ago
Food was so amazing, but a little pricey! Everyone was super nice! They have only valet and don't let you park yourself and they dude was super sweet explaining that to me and my husband when we visited. The host got us a table super fast and our waitress encouraged us to get more even after we ordered(which we did because food was amazing). Their place was quiet and calm. I would recommend trying! read more
11 months ago
11 months ago
The Atlantic is a very popular restaurant in this area. It was packed out the door when I arrived around 4pm. I decided to wait. The wait itself was not long. The staff were very friendly! They don't have much parking, but they have valet. Happy hour was going on. I had the double patty griddle burger that came with a side of fries for $6, Garlic Herb Butter Roasted Oysters, oyster pacific, oyster rock and oyster Chesapeake. The oysters were a $1 each, but had to buy a minimum have 3 per what oyster you order. I thought it was a hell of a deal until the oysters got to my table. They were the smallest oysters I've ever seen. My fav out of the bunch I ordered were the garlic herb butter oysters. Bcs the other ousters had way more rather mushrooms, spinach, and chorizo than the oyster itself!! I only ordered to try it. But I would stick to raw oysters itself!!! On the regular menu, I ordered the crab dip and old bay chips. The old bay chips were really thin, but they were good. The crab dip itself was okay to me, nothing special at all. I myself was not impressed. read more
1 year ago
Arrived on a Sunday right when they opened with reservations for 5. Loved the aesthetics of the restaurant with the blues and the place looked very clean. The staff were all very friendly and accommodating. The waitress explained that the meals were more tapas than entrees. Which we were fine with. Only wish the tapas were a tiny bit more shareable. We got raw and baked oysters and all were good! Tad pricey but still good. read more
More info about The Atlantic
3004 Pacific Ave
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Directions
(757) 422-2122
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https://www.theatlanticvb.com
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There is a small lot adjacent to the restaurant which has complimentary valet parking for the Atlantic.
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