Eat. An American Bistro, Virginia Beach, VA

Eat. An American Bistro

Name: Eat. An American Bistro
Address: 4005 Atlantic Avenue, Virginia Beach, VA, United States, 23451
Telephone: (757) 965-2472
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 4.8

4.8

1183 Reviews

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Top Tags:

*ONLINE RESERVATIONS FILL UP FIRST, PLEASE CALL RESTAURANT FOR IN HOUSE AVAILABILITY*

Parking is available, please see one of our team members with assistance on parking instructions.

Deemed "One of the 30 Places to Eat Before You Die" by writer Lorraine Eaton, this local gem converts first-time guests into long-time fans on a daily basis.

The intimate location (great for a date), tucked away at the north end of the Virginia Beach oceanfront, has become a local favorite. The eclectic menu has something for everyone, including creative renditions of steaks, fresh fish and seafood, possibly the best burger you'll ever have, vegetarian and more. Plus, there's a chalkboard of daily specials, and a full list of wines, craft beers and cocktails.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Dec 8, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 11 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Contemporary American, Seafood, Steak
Hours of operation
Dinner Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(757) 965-2472
Website
http://www.eatbistro.net/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Erick Heilig
Private party facilities
Contact us at yum@eatbistro.net to book a private event.

Location
4005 Atlantic Avenue, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Neighborhood
Virginia Beach
Cross street
40th Street
Parking details
Parking is available, please see one of our team members with assistance on parking instructions.
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

100 Virginia Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Mom's White Chocolate-Banana Bread Pudding$13.00
macadamia nut, anglaise, sorguhm caramel, vanilla ice cream
Cappuccino Pot de Creme$10.00
chocolate decadence with a coffee kick, chantilly cream
Dark Chocolate Fudge Brownies$14.00
bing cherries, cherry anglaise, chocolate bark, honeycomb brittle, chantilly cream, vanilla ice cream
Grand Marnier Creme Brulee$10.00
candied custard, fresh fruit

Coffee

Grandma Loves a Spanaird$12.00
grand marnier, kahlua, creme de cacao, coffee & whipped cream
Heart of Darkness$12.00
drambuie, godiva dark, coffee & whipped cream
Irish Mexican$12.00
jose cuervo, baileys, kahlua, coffee, and whipped cream
Ol' Murphy$12.00
jameson, baileys, coffee & whipped cream

Cordials

Drambuie$10.00
Romana Sambuca$10.00
Bailey's Irish Cream$10.00
Kahlua$10.00
Disarrono$10.00
Chambord$14.00
Pallini Lemoncello$10.00
B & B$11.00
Tuaca$11.00
Grand Marnier$14.00
Frangelico$10.00
Courvoisier$14.00
Godiva Dark or White$14.00
Remy Martin Red VSOP$14.00

Dessert Martinis

Espressotini$16.00
espresso, vanilla vodka, kailua coffee liqueur & godiva dark
Chocotini$16.00
3 olives chocolate, godiva dark & godiva white

Port

'NV Aurora Pedro Ximenez Sherry (Spain)$10.00
'NV Kopke Ruby Port (Portugal)$10.00
'17 Royal Tokagi Late Harvest (Hungary)$11.00
'NV Kopke 10 Year Tawny Port (Portugal)$13.00

What 1,183 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8

4.8 based on recent ratings

4.8Food
4.8Service
4.6Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Virginia
Contemporary American
Norfolk / Virginia Beach
Innovative
Norfolk / Virginia Beach
Healthy
Norfolk / Virginia Beach
Neighborhood gem

1,183 Reviews

F
Frequentdiner
Richmond
20 reviews
vip
5.0
20 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
Always a great experience. Eric is a creative chef and Delaney is a wonderful waitress.
Is this helpful?
SR
SeanR
Richmond
16 reviews
vip
5.0
16 reviews
Dined on November 25, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
The food, drinks, and service were all amazing. Our server was knowledgeable and friendly, recommending the special based on our inputs about our preferences. The results were delicious. My partner and I were talking about our meal the rest of the weekend. I hope to dine with them again, soon.
Is this helpful?
LV
LivetoeatinVB
Richmond
31 reviews
vip
4.0
31 reviews
Dined on November 11, 2023
Overall4Food4Service5Ambience4
Always a good meal. Christa was very efficient and friendly in helping us decide what to choose. There are always specials on the board to add to the regular menu. While I wish they would bring back the crab pizza of old, we enjoyed the Octopus appetizer, the scallop coquilles st jacques the cioppino and the crab cake dinner. The chocolate dessert from the menu was also a winner. It is a little noisy but the food and service outweigh that issue. There are so few good local restaurants around so we are happy to support this local gem.
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GT
GaryT
Richmond
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 4, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
Great restaurant, service was excellent, food was off the charts
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Richmond
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 27, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
Amazing. As always. Erick does his magic in the kitchen. Chad does his wizardry at the bar. Awesome libations and outstanding dishes. I love this place. I love these guys. I’ll be back … sooner than later this time. 👏🙏
Is this helpful?
NB
NotBud
Richmond
20 reviews
5.0
20 reviews
Dined on October 26, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
Really enjoyed dinner. Nice experience. Unexpected hidden gem. Thanks.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on October 21, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
Eat is a gem of a restaurant with a strong sense of gourmet cuisine. I was delighted to find escargot on the menu. I found it to be delicious and prepared creatively. Great wine choice too. Waitstaff were wonderful.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Las Vegas
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on October 21, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
Great dinner spot in VB, nice cozy atmosphere, great cocktails
Is this helpful?
j
jrhaynie
Richmond
45 reviews
vip
5.0
45 reviews
Dined on October 11, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
Great dinner at Eat last week. We have been there many times on our visits to VA Beach. Food is always creative and tasty and this time was no exception. We had the lamb shank with pappardelle pasta and the scallop appy, both on the specials list. Also important that they got a new wine cooler so our order of a 50 rioja was perfectly chilled (and that makes a difference) and reasonable priced. We will be back for sure.
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JW
JohnealW
Richmond
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on October 7, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
Everything on the menu looked amazing, it was hard to choose. We were not disappointed with our choices, the meal was excellent.
Is this helpful?
g
glen
Seattle
20 reviews
vip
5.0
20 reviews
Dined on October 7, 2023
Overall5Food5Service4Ambience4
A little gem of a restaurant. The chefs has his flavors soaring in his food. The service had a few misses yet nothing major with a friendly vibe matching the food.
Is this helpful?
j
jojo
Atlanta Metro
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on October 6, 2023
Overall5Food4Service5Ambience3
Great experience. Food and waiter were top notch!!! Only complaint is that the restaurant had a damp old house smell.
Is this helpful?
AB
AdrienneB
Richmond
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on October 3, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
Everything is always fabulous at Eat Bistro! So delish!!
Is this helpful?
LI
LIDudsva
San Francisco
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on September 29, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
My favorite restaurant in Virginia Beach! the food is always amazing and the Paella is the best! my friend had the crab stack appetizer and said it was delicious. Will definitely be back.
Is this helpful?
PN
PrissieN
Richmond
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on September 23, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
The most delicious dinner and great service! In had the softshell crabs and they were amazing!
1 person found this helpful
R
Rumbob
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on September 21, 2023
Overall4Food4Service4Ambience4
Menu is well thought out with a variety of turf and surf options with one vegetarian option. Food is freshly prepared and nicely presented. Make reservations because it fills up quick- nice place for a special date night. Parking is challenging, plan on 10-15 minutes to find a spot on the street.
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K
Karen
Richmond
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on September 19, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
Please bring back the pork chop and the chocolate bouchons.
Is this helpful?
VB
VBfolks
Richmond
73 reviews
vip
5.0
73 reviews
Dined on September 9, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience3
A pain to find parking without a 2 block walk. Prices have grown but the food and service are excellent.
Is this helpful?
w
wpbond
Richmond
4 reviews
4.0
4 reviews
Dined on September 5, 2023
Overall4Food5Service4Ambience4
Great food, very good service, especially for a restaurant right near the beach. Would gladly return.
Is this helpful?
AB
ArikB
New York Area
7 reviews
vip
2.0
7 reviews
Dined on September 5, 2023
Overall2Food3Service2Ambience1
We dined here many times in the past and quality of food was just exceptional. Atmosphere was acceptable but the food outstanding. This time food was just ok, portions got much smaller, price went significantly up, it was bad smell from trash close to outdoor seating area, lots of flies and overall experience was not that good
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
2 reviews
2.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 3, 2023
Overall2Food4Service1Ambience2
Not sanitary. Cockroaches. Food tasted good though. Our server was likely on drugs because he forgot on numerous occasions what our order was, to get us utensils, etc.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Raleigh
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 2, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
Excellent food and personalized experience. All around great dining experience
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Richmond
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 1, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
Fabulous presentation and delicious meals, as always!
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on September 1, 2023
Overall4Food4Service5Ambience3
The bloody Mary gazpacho soup was incredible! Appreciated our server, Coral. She was personable, knowledgeable about menu selections, and efficient. Although we selected a Cabernet that we really enjoyed, the selection seemed too limited.
Is this helpful?
M
March
Richmond
4 reviews
vip
4.0
4 reviews
Dined on August 27, 2023
Overall4Food4Service4Ambience4
Very good little restaurant that offers real food rather than beach food. This was the only actual restaurant we found within walking distance of the boardwalk. Went twice in three nights. Small, focused menu with good specials. Recommended.
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AW
AnthonyW
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 26, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
We arrived on a Wednesday and left on Sunday and we ate at a different place every night. This was the best prepared meal we had during our stay. Very professional vibe going on and I really enjoyed that as well. Great Job. Keep up the good work.
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CS
CSJW
New Mexico
22 reviews
vip
4.0
22 reviews
Dined on August 26, 2023
Overall4Food5Service4Ambience4
A little more expensive than expected but the food was good. Soft shell crab dinner special was amazing. The crispy rice paper halibut was excellent. The grilled octopus appetizer was a little disappointing.
Is this helpful?
S
Skip
Philadelphia
17 reviews
vip
4.0
17 reviews
Dined on August 25, 2023
Overall4Food5Service5Ambience4
Overall, it tasted great. The portions are small. So just be ready for that. We bought our kids and they were very accommodating to our stroller and car seat. I would eat here again. But be ready to spend some cash and try a few different things off the menu.
Is this helpful?
DN
DNYC2
New York Area
8 reviews
vip
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on August 24, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
We had a lovely meal on the outdoor patio. Food and service were first rate. Great little place right off the boardwalk.
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FG
FoodieGirl
Richmond
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on August 16, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience4
Delicious food and excellent service. Parking is arranged by the hostess which was nice.
Is this helpful?
RY
RandyY
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 15, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
As usual the experience was great. The interaction with the server and explaining the dishes was great as usual. Great service great food. Third year here!
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CP
CeciliaP
Baltimore
21 reviews
vip
5.0
21 reviews
Dined on August 15, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
There is NOTHING better than Eat for fine dining in the Virginia Beach area! My husband and I have been going to Virginia Beach for decades and we have tried all of the fine dining restaurants over the years. The chef at Eat is creative and makes absolutely delicious food. The wine is excellent as is the service. It's a small place, but nicely decorated and lovely either indoors or out. Every year when we come back, we look forward to dining at Eat. Absolutely the best!
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
13 reviews
vip
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on August 11, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience4
Fantastic food. A bit pricey for the meal but out if this world flavor.
Is this helpful?
MH
MarkH
Richmond
6 reviews
vip
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on August 8, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
Very nice staff, great food, great drink selection. Will go back.
Is this helpful?
m
moonjc
Richmond
7 reviews
vip
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on August 2, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
We enjoy going to EAT whenever we’re in Va Beach. Friendly staff and great food.
Is this helpful?
M
Mfield7460
Baltimore
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on July 29, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience4
We went for desert! It was amazing!! We each had something different so we could try each one! Crème Brûlée’s was the best!
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GA
GeorgeA
Richmond
6 reviews
2.0
6 reviews
Dined on July 27, 2023
Overall2Food3Service5Ambience3
I wanted a special (the pork chop) but not the sides that came with it. Although mashed potatoes would have been fine I was told no substitutions on specials. Apparently the chef prepares the sides in advance and has just the right amount. I eat in a fair number of restaurants and this doesn’t happen. I live a few hundred yards from Eat but I doubt I’ll be back.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Fort Lauderdale
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on July 26, 2023
Overall4Food4Service4Ambience4
Well worth it if you haven’t been. Food and service was very good, small to medium sized, was here on a Wednesday, so not crowded at all. Definitely would return again if I lived here but unfortunately I don’t.
Is this helpful?
PV
PaulV
Richmond
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on July 22, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
It was date night. Coral was our waitress and we dined outside on a beautiful evening. Appetizers were great as were our entrees. We so enjoyed our evening at “Eat Bistro”. Wonderful service and ambience. Highly recommend!
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Richmond
10 reviews
vip
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on July 22, 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
Food was delicious. We had Octopus for appetizer along with a Caesar salad. I had crab cake and my husband had filet for main course. Everything was very good. Will definitely go back.
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Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing
- Surfaces sanitized between seatings
- Common areas deep-cleaned daily
Physical distancing
- Limited number of seated diners
- Extra space between tables

Screening
- Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

Eat. An American Bistro offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (757) 965-2472.

Eat. An American Bistro is rated 4.8 stars by 1183 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Dec 8, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 11 times today

Order delivery or takeout

4005 Atlantic Avenue, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Additional information

Cross street
40th Street
Neighborhood
Virginia Beach
Hours of operation
Dinner Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Contemporary American, Seafood, Steak
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Parking is available, please see one of our team members with assistance on parking instructions.
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Erick Heilig
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.eatbistro.net/
Phone number
(757) 965-2472
Private party facilities
Contact us at yum@eatbistro.net to book a private event.

Featured in

100 Virginia Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Eat. An American Bistro

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

100 Virginia Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Eat: Sweet

Mom's White Chocolate-Banana Bread Pudding$13.00

Cappuccino Pot de Creme$10.00

Dark Chocolate Fudge Brownies$14.00

Grand Marnier Creme Brulee$10.00

Coffee

Grandma Loves a Spanaird$12.00

Heart of Darkness$12.00

Irish Mexican$12.00

Ol' Murphy$12.00

Cordials

Drambuie$10.00

Romana Sambuca$10.00

Bailey's Irish Cream$10.00

Kahlua$10.00

Disarrono$10.00

Chambord$14.00

Pallini Lemoncello$10.00

B & B$11.00

Tuaca$11.00

Grand Marnier$14.00

Frangelico$10.00

Courvoisier$14.00

Godiva Dark or White$14.00

Remy Martin Red VSOP$14.00

Dessert Martinis

Espressotini$16.00

Chocotini$16.00

Port

'NV Aurora Pedro Ximenez Sherry (Spain)$10.00

'NV Kopke Ruby Port (Portugal)$10.00

'17 Royal Tokagi Late Harvest (Hungary)$11.00

'NV Kopke 10 Year Tawny Port (Portugal)$13.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Cleaning & sanitizing

Physical distancing

Screening

FAQs

Does Eat. An American Bistro offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Eat. An American Bistro restaurant rated?

Is Eat. An American Bistro currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Featured in

100 Virginia Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day