The best Family friendly restaurants in Virginia Beach aren’t always the ones with the biggest kids’ menus. They’re the ones where the space, pacing, and overall setup make dining out feel manageable. These are the places I come back to again and again.

Family Friendly Restaurants in Virginia Beach

Where to Find Family Friendly Restaurants in Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach is spread out, and where you choose to eat can shape how your evening feels. The Oceanfront offers walkable options that pair well with a beach day, Chick’s Beach and Shore Drive bring a more local feel, and the Sandbridge area tends to feel quieter with space to move. Each of these areas offers Family friendly restaurants in Virginia Beach that fit naturally into any kind of family days, whether you’re staying nearby on vacation or a local building your plans around where you’ll eat.

Oceanfront Family Friendly Restaurants in Virginia Beach

Chix on the Beach

701 Atlantic Avenue, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451

Chix on the Beach is one of those Family friendly restaurants in Virginia Beach that has been a longtime local staple, and its Oceanfront location makes it especially easy to fit into a beach day.

The open-air seating gives kids a little more freedom to move, which takes some of the pressure off sitting still through a full meal. The kids’ menu is more extensive than most, with options from chicken tenders and mac and cheese to fried shrimp, a kids crab cake, and steak bites. They can even order a Kid’s Crush version of Virginia Beach’s favorite cocktail, the Orange Crush, which adds a fun local touch.

For adults, the menu offers plenty to choose from. My favorite is the Beach Nachos, add blackened tuna, or try one of the classic seafood boil options. They’re delicious and perfect for sharing.

Because of its location and reputation, it can get busy during peak summer season, so I usually recommend going for lunch or an early dinner. Bonus: dogs are welcome Monday through Thursday from 11:00am–4:00pm.

If you’re staying nearby, this is also a great option to pair with your trip. I shared more nearby options in my guide to Family Friendly Hotels in Virginia Beach.

The Shack on the 8th

712 Atlantic Ave. Virginia Beach, VA  23451

The Shack on 8th is one of the most fun Family friendly restaurants in Virginia Beach, especially if you’re looking for something fully outdoors at the Oceanfront.

The space is open and relaxed, with lawn games like giant connect four and giant jenga that give kids something to do while you wait or after you’ve eaten. That added space makes it easier to settle in without feeling like you need to rush through the meal.

The menu offers a mix of casual options, from nachos to bowls, along with a kids’ menu for simpler tastes. It’s the kind of place that works well for a laid-back dinner when you want everyone to enjoy the experience, not just the food.

It’s worth noting that it becomes 21+ on Friday and Saturday nights starting at 9:00pm, so earlier evenings are the best time to visit with kids.

This area is easy to turn into a full evening out, especially if you plan to grab ice cream nearby afterward. I shared a few of my favorite spots in this guide to Ice Cream Shops in Virginia Beach.

Casual Family Dining Spots in Virginia Beach

Sage Kitchen

1925 Fisher Arch, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23456

Sage Kitchen is one of the more unique Family friendly restaurants in Virginia Beach, and it works especially well when you want a full outing, not just a meal.

Set inside Anderson’s garden center, along the route to the Sandbridge area of Virginia Beach, the space feels open and relaxed. The indoor-outdoor setup and small play area give kids somewhere to move while waiting, which makes a noticeable difference for parents. There’s also a small mini golf course just outside the patio seating, which adds another layer to the experience and makes it easy to turn lunch or dinner into a longer outing. You can see more spots for family fun in my guide to Mini Golf in Virginia Beach.

The drink selection is incredibly fun with a great rotation of seasonal options. My current favorite is the Summervine Seltzer, think Bacardi rum, cucumber, watermelon jelly, basil, lemon, soda water, and garnished with cucumber, yum. They also offer a rotating mocktail menu along with their standby favorites. Mine is the Annie Palmer.

It can get crowded on summer weekends, but there’s plenty to do while you wait. You can walk the garden center, shop the boutique, or let the kids play, which makes the wait feel much more manageable.

Hot Tuna

2817 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23454

Hot Tuna is a Shore Drive staple and one of the more playful Family friendly restaurants in Virginia Beach when you’re dining with kids.

The kids’ menu stands out here, with drinks like creamsicles and nada coladas that feel fun without being over the top. Meals are served on frisbees, which adds a playful touch that kids get to enjoy long after the meal is over.

I’ve been going to Hot Tuna practically my whole life, and while everything is good, the She Crab soup is one of my personal favorites.

The bar area can be noisy, but the first seating section to the left is a great option for families since it feels a little more removed from the rest of the restaurant. It’s a local favorite, so it can get busy, but it’s typically manageable.

New Realm Brewing Co.

1209 Craft Lane, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23454

New Realm Brewing Co. offers something a little different among Family friendly restaurants in Virginia Beach, especially for families with older kids.

The atmosphere is laid-back and easy, with great beers and a straightforward beer garden-style menu done well. The space is large, and the outdoor setup really makes the experience here. With plenty of room, lawn games, and fire pits, both little ones and teens have space to move and stay entertained while you enjoy an easy family dinner.

There’s plenty of parking, and on most evenings the space feels lively but not overcrowded. They do host live music, and it can feel more crowded when popular groups are playing, so that’s something to keep in mind when planning your visit.

It’s a spot that works especially well when you want something casual that still feels like a full outing.

Making the Most of Time Spent Together

Sometimes it’s the in-between days that stay with you. Sitting outside at a restaurant, kids moving between the table and a nearby game, conversations that linger a little longer than expected… these are the kinds of moments that I remember from my childhood and hopefully will be ones your family will reminisce about too.

That’s the season I love documenting, and my own childhood memories and family photos are the heart of the Mary Eleanor Photography experience.

If you find yourself wanting photographs that reflect what this stage really feels like, I’d love to help. I offer relaxed, thoughtfully guided sessions for families in Virginia Beach, creating heirloom artwork that becomes part of the legacy you carry forward.