Cancel

Open app

Search

Waterman's Surfside Grille

4.2 (3.2k reviews)
ModerateBars, Seafood, American
Closed 11:00 am - 10:30 pm
Updated 2 months ago

Order Waterman's Surfside Grille Takeout or Delivery

Waterman's Surfside Grille Photos

Business Info

WATERMAN'S SURFSIDE GRILLE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Outdoor seating
Good for groups

You might also consider

More like Waterman's Surfside Grille

Recommended Reviews - Waterman's Surfside Grille

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 - Waterman's Surfside Grille

Lili C.

Had a great experience at Waterman's Restaurant. Valet parking was easy, and the attendants were friendly and hustling. We had a short wait for a table, but service was excellent once seated. The best part is the location--right on the beach with a great ocean view during dinner. Kids had the fried shrimp with fries and coleslaw and enjoyed it. I had the Caesar salad with salmon, which was good, but the standout was definitely the crab soup--rich, flavorful, and had a whole lotta chunks of crab. I'm still thinking about it a week later. They really know how to make waves--especially with that crab soup. Check them out, and that crap soup is worth going back for.

Mozzarella sticks
Nadia M.

I was very excited to try Waterman's based on other reviews, but it did not live up to what I expected. The best part about waterman's are the drinks especially the crushes. The mozzarella sticks were nice and crispy and were the best part of our meal. When it comes to crab cakes I am very picky. The sauce that comes with the crab cakes compliments them very well. The mashed potatoes are were very basic and I wished they had more flavor. The coleslaw was awful and tasted like they had been made with dirty dish water. We ate there late and they were still very busy. I would definitely come back, but only for the crushes. The service was great, but the food was lack luster.

Ribs, fries, coleslaw
Rebecca B.

Extraordinary. I can barely form the words for how amazing this restaurant is. From the time you walk in the doors, you can tell you are going to have a great experience. The interior is beautiful, and the bathrooms were clean. We ended up having a 45 minute wait that was well worth the wait. Once seated, we were immediately waited upon. Our drinks got to the table in only a minute or two, then our dinners arrived 10-15 minutes after ordering. Our waitress was kind and quick to assist with any needs. I got the endless summer salad, which had such fresh ingredients that melded well together. My mom got the crab imperial, and she said it was divine, melt in your mouth, with a good amount of meat. The mashed potatoes were buttery, and the sauteed veggies were seasoned well. My dad got the full rack of ribs, and they were so good he finished the whole thing. The bbq sauce tasted like no other, and the meat was fall off the bone. My husband got a crab sauce over tuna (cooked medium), and everything was just seasoned to perfection. Every one of us wanted more no matter how full we were. Expect to pay higher prices for this restaurant, but it will be well worth the price (and that's saying something considering how frugal I am). Do not miss dining at Waterman's if you are in Virginia Beach, you will definitely regret it.

Caesar Salad
Hannah S.

This was my husband & my first visit to Waterman's. It was recommended to him by a work colleague. We travel to Va Beach quite frequently & I have to admit, I have not been as attentive as I thought I was when it comes to great places to dine because sadly I did not have this restaurant on my radar. However, after this visit, that error on my part will be remedied. We both absolutely enjoyed our dining experience at Waterman's. The service was impeccable. The decor & ambience was very complimentary to the beachfront vibe.The food was absolutely spectacular. The cocktails we ordered were delightful. They were bright, citrusy & perfectly mixed. We ordered the she crab soup & a Caesar salad as our appetizers. The She Crab Soup was rich & velvety. It had a nice mellow yet flavorful taste of crab. The Caesar salad was nice & fresh & not overpowered with dressing. I ordered the Shrimp Platter as my entree and the shrimp were perfectly cooked. The fries that came with the platter were delicious. The platter also came with Cole Slaw. I am not a Cole slaw fan so I did not really eat it. So I cannot really rate the taste of it. My husband ordered the Crab cakes & although I neglected to get a picture, he said they were delicious. Full of ample amounts of actual crab meat. He ordered the key lime pie as dessert & I did get a taste & it was rich, smooth with a beautiful not overly tart key lime taste. Waterman's is now definitely on our go there whenever we are in Va Beach list. I highly recommend giving a try if you are in the area.

Almer palmer
Cindy S.

Upon arrival the valet was really cool and they work on tips. They were super friendly and I must say they were truly a dream, respectful of my vehicle and I didnt have a long wait time upon pick either. There was quite a few people here on a Monday night and that was actually really refreshing. I was seated on the covered patio outside which wasn't an issue. It was a bit chilly outside but it was fine where I was but I was happy I had on long sleeves. After being seated my server greeted and told what the fish of the day was, which was rock fish but I settled on the Cajun chicken pasta. I didn't wait long for the food at all, at first I thought that was pretty awesome until I received my pasta and it was drier than the Sahara desert. Then to add insult to injury there was a charge to have sauce added but so be it because there was no amount of swishing around my pasta to spread the sauce to even attempt to be satisfied. The sauce creation took longer than it did to get the actual meal and that's what earned the 3 stars because my meal was certainly cold by the time I received the sauce. Ridiculous. My server via it all did check on me and by no means did I hold it against him at all and still tipped him handsomely. Did I mention this was my first time here on a solo date for self...first impressions huh smh I will have to come back again to see if the service is better on a warmer day. Wasnt impressed by yesterday's meal but the customer service was great with the actual people interaction l had.

Rockfish tacos
Alan G.

Great restaurant for a Family dinner out. She-crab soup was excellent. Apps of calamari were just ok. A little too greasy. Suggest ordering 1/2 rack of ribs for app instead! Rockfish that wife ordered was excellent quality as was my fish tacos. Kids ordered steak and crabcakes as well as blacked tuna. All excellent. Definitely would recommend for a seafood fix.

Just Seafood and fried fish tacos
Yulee K.

This place is amazing! It overlooks the beach so you have an amazing view while you eat. Their seafood were all very fresh and delicious. Their calamari and crab cakes are absolutely amazing and are a must have!

Crab cake fried
Kandi R.

This was recommended and we were happy. I love seafood and he can't eat it......but this was a happy balance. We sat on the covered yet heated patio with a great view of the beach. Tony the server was great with dish recommendation and attentiveness. The crab cake was fried; trying something out of my norm, I get broiled. That crab cake had no flavor, not even Old Bay. It was as if they forgot. I use the calamari sauce, which was delicious. Mashed potatoes (taste like instant mashed potatoes) and broccoli were bland as well. I just made it work because I was starving. Babe had the Cajun Chicken Pasta yup he loved it, devoured it.....said it was so delicious. Didn't even offer a taste of it. Orange Crush drink was 10/10 he had 2 and sucked them down so fast. Calamari was good no flavor without the sauce Hush puppies were cooked perfectly and good She crab soup was amazing!!! Lump crab filled i love that. -----‐------------------------------------- When we first walked in we are politely greeted, to the left small store and to the right a bar area. Then there was a dog on a leash with no sort of vest but told it was a service dog. Instead of seating at the bar we decided patio, to not eat with dog hair floating around our food. Dog allergies are real and people aren't considerate of others. Food: 3 star Service: 5 star Atmosphere: 3 star It was the service for me........

Just seafood with jumbo shrimp scampi, scallops and crab meat with lemon, butter white wine and old bay seasoning. Hush puppies
Diana G.

Loved the service. We were immediately seated where our waitress was so sweet and lets us know the drinks of the day due to the monster truck on the beach event. She said usually the view is amazing but since there was a monster truck rally getting ready to start we got to see tents and food trucks lol. I loved my meal my cousins and I got the same meal with a few differences but it was very filling. The crab dip was so amazing. I loved how smooth it was and tasty. My meal was the just seafood meal made with lemon, butter white wine and old bay seasoning. Well done! Old bay was not overdone as it can be at some places. I was able to sub items instead of fries I got hush puppies and instead of Cole slaw I got mixed veggies

Hush puppies

First time here. They don't take reservations so we had a 1 hr wait until we were seated. BUT the wait was worth it. Great service and great food. We sat in the corner but had a partial ocean view. Crab fries app was amazing. The flounder special was very good; broiled garlic broccoli was delicious! Salad with salmon was also very good. I would highly recommend!!

Crab fries, she crab soup, orange crush
Isabel M.

I was on vacation in VA Beach and Waterman's was recommended to me! It was popping and seems like it is always busy, so I would go early! The good thing is that you can sit at the bar and order food and drinks, so my friend and I went to the outdoor bar and could sit right away, instead of waiting for an hour! We were told we needed to try these specialties-- orange crush cocktail, she crab soup, and crab fries. All of these were so amazing! We also ordered fried shrimp and fried oysters, but felt this was too heavy and not as good as the appetizers. If I were to go back, I would just order several appetizers and share! Sitting at the bar has pros and cons. Pros: no wait, watching the bartenders make the drinks in front of you, and quick service! Cons: bees flying everywhere! They left us alone, but be aware.

What a clever kite! And enough wind to keep it aloft :-)
Rich S.

Waterman's Surfside Grill is a lively friendly tasty 40-year-old bar and seafood restaurant. If you time it right, you can get a terrific view of the ocean in their "stadium-tiered" seating. Their reservations policy says it can change, and this day it was for groups of 6 or more, and we were only two. We got there before 7pm on a Sunday this past 4th of July weekend, and they were hopping! We left our car with the free valet (tips accepted on the way out :-), and asked for ocean-view seating, then waited in the lively bar up front, where friendly busy bartenders were flying, keeping up with a hectic scene. Start with their famous orange crushes, strong and sweet, which Waterman says that their earlier establishment introduced to Virginia Beach about a decade ago, and which are something of a fixture around town. Mighty refreshing! We didn't wait long at all, maybe 15 minutes, and were whisked to a corner window table! Plenty of people-watching on the boardwalk, and the ocean put on a splashy show in advance of an offshore storm, which also brought out some creative kites. The two of us shared some apps and plates, (and several more crushes :-), and kept the price quite reasonable for such delicious fresh seafood. Their lightly flash-fried calamari was tender with just enough bite, with zingy banana pepper rings and a rich orange-chipotle dipping sauce that shows off the smokey-sweet flavor of that pepper. The good-size scallops were delicate and juicy and gently-seared with veggies. A very satisfying generous serving of five scallops. Our shared main dish was the perfectly blackened "coldwater" salmon with fresh-cilantro rice and lightly sauteed veggies, a well-prepared taste sensation. All were delicious offerings! Everyone here was friendly and efficient and busy, and the food and drinks were fabulous. A shoutout (and a well-deserved full-dinner tip) to our wonderful attentive server who never flinched at our small party dining lightly and drinking specials at a window table during a busy dinner hour :-).

Ara A.

2025 July Back 1 year later and the food and service was still very good. It was Friday so no happy menu which is a great deal.

The she crab soup is out of this world, it was so good I dug in too fast and didn't get a photo until after I ruined the presentation

See all

11 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

3 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 1

1 month ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

22 days ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

7 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 2
Love this 1
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 1
Photo of Lex F.
4
163
465

15 days 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 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

11 hours ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Heidi J.
1
68
117

23 days ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

4 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
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
Photo of Ara A.
222
1157
5023

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

28 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Joshua S.
619
93
171

1 month ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 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

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Jon W.
74
116
13

1 month ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

29 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 1
Love this 3
Oh no 1

8 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 79

Waterman's Surfside Grille Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Waterman's Surfside Grille

Do they have karaoke?

nope

Do you have any gluten free options?

Yes

Are there heaters outside? Can we sit outside and eat dinner with our dog in February?

They have above head heaters on the side bar, it's inclosed completely

What is the Fish of the Day today August 2?

The fish of the day today, 8/2/22, is flounder!

Is happy hour back? June 2022

YES

Do they have crab legs?

they don't have them straight on the menu but if you ask for a cluster of crab legs. they'll bring them

Do they still do happy hour (Aug 2021)?

Monday-Friday, 4pm-6pm

Are you open on Christmas Day?

They are not open on Thanksgiving or Christmas.

June 3 is our 25th wedding anniversary. Can I call and get a reservation ? Is free parking available?

Call and ask about reservations, but they do have free valet (just remember to tip when you pick your car up!)

Do they have lobster rolls?

Yes they do

What happened to the flounder? Is it a catch of the day on certain days of the week? Wasn't available tonight and I was very disappointed?

That's correct. They have a fish of the day. Flounder is not one of their every day offerings, but Tuna and Salmon are, as well as other items on their menu like the crab cakes.

Are there any vegan options on the menu?

Yes! I ordered a a Thai vegetable curry that was vegan and i just added chicken to mine. It was sooo good. The sauce was so yummy.

What type of fish do they serve?

Yellowfin Tuna and Coldwater Salmon are always available. There is also a fish of the day. Hope this helps.

Do they offer a military discount?

Hi Michelle! We absolutely do; it is 10% off of your entree. I hope that helps!

Do they have popcorn shrimp?

No, not popcorn shrimp. They have fried shrimp though.

Can we come off the beach with cover-ups and eat outside?

Yes! I was just there for lunch today and there was a family in their beach wear sitting in the outside area - Mom, Dad, Son & Daughter all wearing bathing suits and rash guards.… 

Do they have a happy hour?

Yes from 3-6

Do you tip the vallet?

Always!

How are the prices?

The prices averaged $20 per plate the appetizers were more in the $6-$10 range. But your getting a good sized portion for that price

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

You might also consider

Arbuckle’s Bar & Grill

Arbuckle’s Bar & Grill

3.5
(68 reviews)
2.6 mi

Ate here recently for lunch and enjoyed our meal. The hamburger was good and my wife enjoyed the…read morecrab cake sandwich. We had cocktails that were tasty, but well overpriced. Our server was friendly, but slow. The restaurant was typical for a hotel bar and grill, meaning there was no warmth in the furnishings or decor. All in all, I won't be back, not because the food and drinks were bad, but because the price was much higher than the establishment called for.

Arbuckle's Bar & Grill is an American restaurant located on the ground floor of the Embassy Suites…read more Parking was convenient with a nearby garage at reasonable prices, though it can fill up quickly. The surrounding area is easy to walk and has a cute vibe. When we walked in, there was a short wait because the hostess was busy, but she apologized right away. It wasn't an issue for us since we weren't in a rush, and the acknowledgment was appreciated. For drinks, I ordered the mimosa sangria, which was just okay--not bad, but nothing memorable. For food, I went with Fatty's Hangover Burger ($16), topped with a fried sunny-side egg, apple-smoked bacon, lettuce, and tomato on a toasted challah roll. I added cheese for an extra $1. I don't usually order burgers, but this one was decent. It was a little peppery for my taste, but overall enjoyable. The sunny-side egg really made it, and the fries were a solid side. Overall, a convenient option if you're staying nearby or looking for a casual American styled food with a relaxed atmosphere.

Photos
Arbuckle’s Bar & Grill
Fatty's Hangover Burger
Fatty's Hangover Burger
Arbuckle’s Bar & Grill

See all

The Atlantic

The Atlantic

4.5
(1.3k reviews)
1.8 mi
$$

We decided to enjoy a late lunch--or perhaps an early dinner, depending upon your perspective--at…read moreThe 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.

Popped in in a Saturday night and we were lucky enough to get four seats at the bar rather than…read morewaiting 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.

Photos
Fun staff!!!
Fun staff!!!
Snow Crab Legs (MP) $2 happy hour beer 3-6pm daily
Snow Crab Legs (MP) $2 happy hour beer 3-6pm daily
NARRAGANSETT

See all

NARRAGANSETT

Waterman's Surfside Grille - bars - Updated July 2026

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