Waterman's Surfside Grille

Waterman's Surfside Grille is Virginia Beach's most iconic oceanfront restaurant, famous for inventing the Orange Crush cocktail and serving consistently excellent seafood in a casual, family-friendly atmosphere. Located at 5th Street and Atlantic Avenue near the south end of the boardwalk, it has been a Virginia Beach family tradition for decades.

The restaurant occupies a prime oceanfront location with a large outdoor patio that provides unobstructed views of the beach and Atlantic Ocean. On clear days, diners can watch surfers, beachgoers, and occasionally dolphins from their tables. The patio is the preferred seating for most families, and while waits can be long during summer evenings, the views make it worthwhile.

The menu is centered on fresh, locally sourced seafood — she-crab soup, crab cakes, grilled fish, shrimp, and oysters. The preparation is straightforward and high-quality, letting the freshness of the ingredients speak for itself. The kids' menu offers both seafood and non-seafood options, with portions generous enough to satisfy hungry young beachgoers.

The Orange Crush is Waterman's signature creation — a cocktail of fresh-squeezed orange juice, vodka, triple sec, and Sprite that has become so associated with Virginia Beach that it's served at restaurants throughout the city. The virgin version is equally refreshing and has become a beloved kids' tradition. Ordering an Orange Crush at Waterman's is as essential to a Virginia Beach vacation as the beach itself.

The restaurant's casual atmosphere is perfectly calibrated for beach families. There's no dress code, children are genuinely welcome, and the staff is experienced in serving families with young kids. The energy is upbeat without being chaotic, and the oceanfront setting elevates even a simple lunch into a memorable vacation experience.