Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    The Shanty

    3.6 (588 reviews)
    Closed • 11:30 am - 9:00 pm

    The Shanty Photos

    Business Info

    THE SHANTY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Casual
    Dogs allowed
    Good for kids

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - The Shanty

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    This is a wonderful local place to stop in and feel the breeze! The food was good - the service was good. I absolutely will stop here again

    Bar scene

    The food was really good and the bar service was perfect. We ordered the Angry Clams, Tuna Sliders and Blackened Mahi Tacos. All three were perfect. The bartenders were friendly and attentive. My only negative is $8 domestic drafts and $10 local craft beer was over priced. The ambiance and sunsets are a big plus.

    Orange Crush
    Nicky S.

    We always love coming to The Shanty for a drink and/or a meal when visiting Cape Charles. This time we decided to pop in on a Sunday. They were opening at 11:30am so we arrived at 11:15 (no reservations) and sat outside until the doors opened with several other families. Seating was prompt and we chose to sit outside on their covered deck which was just lovely. The weather was perfect and we really enjoyed the location. It is right at the City docks so the atmosphere is nice with the beautiful boats surrounding the restaurant. I had the roasted beet salad which was plentiful with beets and great flavor from the dressing without being too saucy. No drinks for me this time, but I saw many fun looking cocktails passing by! I usually love their Orange Crush- Server was friendly, attentive and timely.

    Raw Oyster Platter
    Rachel K.

    Stopped by here for some lunch and the food was amazing! The crab dip is a definite need to order. Quick and friendly service with great outdoor seating.

    Crab dip
    Olga B.

    Great atmosphere and friendly service! Very busy during the high season, but we got a high top at the bar. Food mostly good, but the hash puppies overcooked, drinks just okay.

    crab dip

    the crab dip is spectacular, prices are the only downfall but for good seafood it's worth the extra penny, service was excellent and the view from the outside seating was lovely ambiance

    Menu
    Jackie S.

    Came to Cape Charles for the day from Va Beach saw some positive reviews about The Shanty so we figured we would check it out. We sat at the bar being greeted right away for drinks. Ordered food, and never were given silverware. Food arrived, we asked the bartender who was busy if we can get silverware he help up his pointer finger meaning to give him a min... well we waited. It took 3 times 2 different bartenders to get silverware. The food looked good however it had the lingering freezer taste. Our friend ordered the steak and he only ate half mentioning the same thing. The hush puppies however were very good. Unfortunately, I don't think we will return. Only good thing was view of the water.

    This was the best part of the meal.

    Great location which is the highlight for a sunset. Food was average at best. Service was good. Not many choices in the area, which is why they seemingly have a wait most nights. If they ever get some competition in this area, they won't continue to do so well. Up your game. Source better quality food.

    Art R.

    We came for the shrimp poboy. Beware - new menu - no poboys! We stuck around and started off with the hush puppies. They were good - drizzled with honey and served with whipped butter. It's a dense savory hush puppy, not a fluffy sweet one- which was perfect for a starter. I had the cheesesteak and my wife had the buttermilk fried chicken sandwich. Both were delicious. Steak sandwich was tender and flavorful, perfectly seasoned and very beefy. The potato salad was really good. The house chips weren't very crispy and needed a bunch of salt. If I had a do over idea get the old bay fries - they were crispy and lightly seasoned. Chicken was really high quality- no gristle or fat and very tender. Will be back!

    Cheers! An IPA from Williamsburg and a French 75 with gin!

    See all

    29 days ago

    Josh makes the best dirty martini. Everyone run to get one. He's a gem and the ambiance is top notch. Josh deserves a raise

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    8 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    23 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of R B.
    1
    58
    3

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Moe M.
    1
    20
    0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 2

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    The crab cake sandwich was delicious. The atmosphere is chill and casual. Excellent service sitting at the bar.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    if you only get the tuna sliders this is a great choice everything else meh. By meh I mean not good.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of V W.
    0
    5
    0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 2
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ira B.
    5
    220
    0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    They seat people they know before people waiting!! Bad customer service. Don't waste your time.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 1
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 15

    The Shanty Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Shanty

    I tried to call to order takeout and the phone number won't work. Can anyone advise if they have another number or what I can do to get in touch with them to order?

    View All 2 Questions

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for New American 265 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    AJs Bar and Grill - Upstairs dining room

    AJs Bar and Grill

    4.6(54 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    •$$

    Ventured into this place about 9:15 PM on a Thursday only because they are the only option that…read morestill serves food this late in Cape Charles on a Thursday... man, I am glad I did! The bartender was very friendly and the food was fantastic... definitely not what you expect walking into a pub. Most notably, a special they were offering, which I know is seasonal, softshell crab bites-- OMG, absolutely amazing, and in my opinion, far more tasty than my typical softshell crab sandwich, which can sometimes be a little bit too crabby with every bite. Also had another special; blackened shrimp tacos with a side house salad. Also amazing. Definitely looking forward to coming back!

    Another fantastic meal at AJ's! When we camp (which is most weekends), we always reserve one night…read moreto go check out local restaurants. Our favorite park is Kipptopeake State Park on the Eastern Shore of VA. We go there 5-6 times a year and have tried a couple of places in Cape Charles (an amazingly beautiful town with some fantastic places to eat). And then we found AJ's 2 years ago. WOW! I keep thinking we should maybe try the others on our list, but AJ's keeps drawing us back. Don't let the "bar and grill" name fool you. Yes, the bar is amazing! Great drinks, every time. I have tried several cocktails, but that Marshmudtini has become my "go to." But when one hears "bar & grill," it's natural to think the usual bar food. That's where AJ's stands out! This is NOT your typical bar food friends. There is a big time chef standing back there in the kitchen! For example, I give you our experience last Saturday night. We were greeted like family at the door. This has happened every single time we have been there (even though I am sure they don't know us - they treat everyone like local regulars). We were seated fast and greeted by our server. We ordered the Everything Pretzel Braid, because it is so yummy! They have specials all the time (the servers are always well versed - I mention this because the app special was the pretzel with crab meat last weekend). Hubby ordered the sirloin, rare as is norm) I ordered the wedge salad and French onion soup. This time I got the wedge "AJ Style" for the first time (candied bacon and pickled red onions). As usual, our meals were amazing! Here's why - that "AJ Style" wedge was outstanding! It was their usual fresh wedge with fantastic dressing, lots of blue cheese, etc. But those pickled onions and candied bacon pushed it over the top! And the French onion soup - let me tell you about that! I love French onion soup, but I am hesitant to order it in a restaurant. So many places serve it overly salty probably because it sits there all night overly reducing, (and as a salt fanatic, for me to say that is saying something), so I rarely order it anymore and just make it at home. But this??! AJ's FOS was amazing. Not salty at all, in fact it had such a deep beefy flavor! Just unreal!!! Hubby's steak was cooked perfectly (which so many restaurants struggle with when it is ordered rare). But the star of the night for me? His green bean side. These were not cut green beans from a can. No, these were whole FRESH green beans. And they were seasoned SO well! I don't know honestly with what, because I was eating them off his plate pretty fast (as he watched football on one of the many well placed TVs around the restaurant- haha). Imagine! Well seasoned fresh green beans at a "bar & grill!" That's all you need to know. PS - roll those through that melted steak butter they use on the sirloin. You're welcome! So yes, friendly atmosphere, great knowledgeable servers, spot on bartenders and AMAZING food will keep us coming back here again and again.

    Photos
    AJs Bar and Grill - Sink in restroom

    Sink in restroom

    AJs Bar and Grill - Inside.

    Inside.

    AJs Bar and Grill

    See all

    Cape Charles Brewing Company - crab cake burger

    Cape Charles Brewing Company

    4.3(238 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    •$$

    If you're spending a day on Virginia's Eastern Shore, Cape Charles Brewing Company is absolutely…read moreworth a stop. We popped in for a casual beer break, and it quickly turned into one of the highlights of the day. The space itself is gorgeous! It's open, airy and designed with a laid-back coastal vibe that fits Cape Charles perfectly. You order both beer and food inside at the counter, which keeps things easy and low- key. I went with the Pilsner, and it was exactly what I wanted, perfect after a day out exploring. Their beer list has something for everyone, whether you're into lighter options or something with a bit more depth. We didn't order food this time, but everything coming out of the kitchen looked incredible. They've got plenty of options like burgers, nachos, and other brewery favorites that definitely seemed worth trying next time. What really stood out was the atmosphere. There was so much going on in the best way. They had a dog adoption event happening outside while we were there, which added such a fun, community-driven vibe. They also host live music and other events regularly, so it feels like there's always something to check out. The outdoor space is huge and perfect if you're with a group or bringing kids. There's a fire pit, games like cornhole, and plenty of room to spread out and hang for a while. Definitely the kind of place you plan to stop at for one drink and end up staying much longer. I will be adding this to my must visit list anytime I'm on the Eastern Shore.

    So, a burger costs $18 and comes with fries…read more A side of Fries alone is $7. A side of onion rings is $8. However, if you want to substitute onion rings instead of fries it will cost you $8 extra, making it a $26 meal. So really you're just buying a side of onion rings and also not getting the fries. This is not a substitution. This is buying more and getting less. Please tell me how this makes any sense!?!? I gave quite a bit of push back along with some real life number crunching... but the employee could not seem to understand the lack of logic that, based on their menu prices, an onion ring substitution should be more like $1, and not $8. This is adding 45% to the cost of the meal which is absurd. This is not a surcharge, it's just buying onion rings and also not getting the fires that come with the meal. I wasn't going to pay $26 for a burger, so got the fries which were actually amazing, but not what I wanted... and the burger just was okay... but I can't seem to get over their lack of understanding that this makes no sense. Just write no substitutions if you don't want to bother catering to your customers! I was a tourist heading home from a mini vacation and REALLY craving onion rings, this venue made me super grumpy for no good reason except stubbornness and lack of math skills and reasoning and customer service. Not impressed.

    Photos
    Cape Charles Brewing Company - Seriously good Belgian!

    Seriously good Belgian!

    Cape Charles Brewing Company - Crab Cake Sandwich with Beer Battered Fries

    Crab Cake Sandwich with Beer Battered Fries

    Cape Charles Brewing Company - The Belgian was my fave, my husband really liked the bourbon barrel stout!

    See all

    The Belgian was my fave, my husband really liked the bourbon barrel stout!

    The Elephant & Octopus - Mussels were SO good. You'll want more bread to have more sauce.

    The Elephant & Octopus

    4.7(29 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    Elephant & Octopus is such a charming, cozy spot right on the main street in Cape Charles on the…read moreway to the water. I loved the ambiance. The interior has a classy, almost regal feel with comfy booth seating, plus lots of cute covered patio seating outside. We stopped in for Sunday brunch and the food was very good, but the fish and chips were the highlight. It might honestly be some of the best fried fish I've ever had. The fish was thick and meaty with a perfectly crispy coating, without being overly oily or heavy. Service was quick and friendly. I'd definitely come back and try more of the menu next time I'm in Cape Charles!

    I recently had the pleasure of visiting The Elephant & Octopus during a day trip to Cape Charles,…read moreand what a cute find! From the moment we stepped in, the atmosphere was inviting! From the moment you walk in, you're greeted by a whimsical, nautical meets industrial interior. Think exposed brick, quirky elephant and octopus artwork, and cozy seating that feels both inviting and upscale. It's the kind of place where you'll want to linger over your meal and soak in the unique ambiance. As for the food, it did not disappoint. I started with the Ale & Onion Soup, and wow. This was comfort in a bowl! The robust flavor of Guinness melded perfectly with the caramelized onions, and the bubbling gruyère on the toasted bread points just took it over the top. It was savory, rich, and perfect for the chilly day. My friend went for the She Crab Soup, and couldn't stop raving about it. Creamy and absolutely packed with local crab meat. The puffed oyster crackers and a sprinkle of Old Bay were the ultimate finishing touch. I managed to sneak a bite, and it was heavenly! We also asked the bartender for a fun cocktail, and they whipped up a bright, lemony drink that was as refreshing as it was beautiful. It was perfectly balanced and not too sweet, served with a citrus twist. Service was great. Friendly, attentive without hovering, and happy to make recommendations. If you're in Cape Charles and looking for a spot that nails both food and atmosphere, you can't go wrong here. Already planning my next visit!

    Photos
    The Elephant & Octopus
    The Elephant & Octopus - Salmon poke!

    Salmon poke!

    The Elephant & Octopus - View of bar from the vault

    See all

    View of bar from the vault

    Island House Restaurant & Marina

    Island House Restaurant & Marina

    4.3(259 reviews)
    29.5 mi
    •$$

    Yesterday we made a return visit to the Island House for a late lunch while enjoying a relaxing day…read moreon the Eastern Shore. This place is great! The staff and kitchen crew are CONSISTENTLY AMAZING! The food was (and always is) fresh and cooked perfectly, which is hard to find with seafood sometimes- but we have been here multiple times, and they never fail! There is a GREAT VIEW from any seat in the restaurant and the vibe is exactly what you would want in this hidden gem of a fishing town! The staff is SO friendly and accommodating also, we felt welcome and not rushed! We will be back and will be ringing the bell!

    Delish. Highly recommended by our neighbors in VB who know the owners. So, when driving to Delaware…read morefor the weekend and going past it, we decided to stop in. It's a long drive into the middle of nowhere to a very charming beachfront town but it was a dreary and rainy day. We easily parked in the large gravel lot and walked inside and were immediately sat at a table by the water with a lovely view. Our waitress was prompt and super friendly. We chose to get the crab hush puppies and were thrilled to see they were made fresh and hot to order and tasted phenomenal. We devoured them quickly. We decided to split the fish taco meal since it was lunch for us and it came with two large-sized tacos and cole slaw. It was a nice portion for an entree and was easily enough for both of us for a lighter lunch. Really delicious sweet tea so I took some to go. Small gift shop attached and tons of seating inside and expansive views of the water with a back wall of windows all around.

    Photos
    Island House Restaurant & Marina - Wachapreague Channel

    Wachapreague Channel

    Island House Restaurant & Marina
    Island House Restaurant & Marina - Garlic Steamed Clams

    See all

    Garlic Steamed Clams

    Pane E Vino

    Pane E Vino

    4.7(9 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    I'm not entirely sure how to write this review. I think everyone here is very well-intentioned and…read moreI don't want to speak negatively about a business the owners are clearly extremely passionate about so please know this is purely describing my experience. Let me start with this: Pane E Vino has the unique distinction of being the first restaurant in thirty-four years to have a waitress who made me cry. I don't think this was her intention, but I wasn't expecting to get shamed (roasted? Aggressively judged?) for my choice of wine. Listen, I have my reasons. I could only have one glass of wine, and I wanted it to be one I liked. But when I ordered a glass of their Pinot grigio, the waitress made a disgusted face and was pretty forceful in suggesting something else. She said the Pinot grigio was not good. Scrunched her face and shook her head. I stammered for a bit and reluctantly agreed to a different wine. When I tried it, it was not what I wanted or liked, and I was embarrassed to have been called out so aggressively and wasted my one glass, so I went to go cry in their restroom (which was very clean, +1.) When I returned, a glass of the Pinot grigio was at my seat because my husband is an angel who can read the room. Our server did not ask how I liked the replacement, but didn't charge for the forced glass, so eh. Okay. I reset my mood in preparation to receive our steak, octopus, and mussels. This seems to be a place where there ARE right and wrong orders. The chef asked how we wanted our steak and we said medium rare. Personally, I like more medium, my husband prefers rare. We compromise like pros. The chef seemed to prefer the "rare" temp so our steak came out nearly raw. My husband said it was the perfect steak, so if this was his review, you may be hearing a different story. But friends, I'll attach a picture. There is no land where that steak was cooked to the temp we asked for. I ate three of the shrimp from the top, which were fine (my husband said "a little chewy.") The octopus was good, but certainly a sharing portion, so not very much. Don't count on it to be a meal, but that's implied. The mussels were well flavored, but quite crunchy. We agreed that they were not rinsed out properly or something-- they had a ton of grit and some significant little pearl-like chunks in them. At this point we were just wanting to leave, so we didn't mention it. In summary, I cried, my husband liked the steak, and we went straight from here to somewhere else to get me some dinner.

    This is my second time dining and both times, were lovely…read more This time - we enjoyed the burrata, octopus, pasta and mussels. All were excellent, fresh, nice flavors, not too salty, just perfect. The octopus in particular was probably the best I have ever had - so tender! The owners - are a fantastic duo. This place has added so much value to our lovely town of Cape Charles.

    Photos
    Pane E Vino
    Pane E Vino
    Pane E Vino - Salmon Cicchetti

    See all

    Salmon Cicchetti

    The Shanty - newamerican - Updated September 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...