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Eat. An American Bistro, Virginia Beach, VA

Eat. An American Bistro

4.9
4.9
1261 Reviews
$30 and under
Contemporary American

Make a reservation

2 people
9:00 PM
Booked 3 times today
  • Neighborhood gem
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
*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.

We apply a supplemental fee to credit card transactions*




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
  • 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.
  • 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

What 1,261 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.9
4.9 based on recent ratings
  • 4.9Food
  • 4.9Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Virginia

    Innovative

  • Virginia

    Neighborhood gem

  • Virginia

    Contemporary American

  • Norfolk / Virginia Beach

    Best Food

  • Norfolk / Virginia Beach

    Innovative

  • Norfolk / Virginia Beach

    Healthy

  • Norfolk / Virginia Beach

    Neighborhood gem

  • Norfolk / Virginia Beach

    Great for outdoor dining

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Eat. An American Bistro in Virginia Beach is a culinary gem. Known for its "fantastic food," this chef-owned restaurant impresses with creative dishes like the crab stack and hasselhoff burger. Guests rave about the "attentive service" and enjoyable atmosphere, making it ideal for both romantic dinners and gatherings with friends.

1,261 Reviews
  1. Leslie

    VIP

    Atlanta Metro

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    EAT has been consistently providing great food and drinks for 18 years. Their specials never disappoint. The ambience is casual and fun at the bar and a little more restrained in the dining room. Their cocktails are sophisticated and well balanced. Over all - a fantastic dining experience for date night or just to hang with friends.

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  2. Theresa

    Richmond

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 14, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We celebrated our 10th anniversary here and received the best treatment! We were able to choose our table and have the most excellent wait staff. The crab cake was the size of my head and the wine was delicious. We shared the brownies for dessert and I think it's the best dessert I've ever had - I'll be dreaming of that chocolate for years to come!

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  3. Kate

    Richmond

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 12, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our server was over the top attentive & professional. Cocktails and food were exquisite - among the best at the beach.,The oyster stew is a must try, especially on a cold, winterous night.

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  4. Brandon

    Richmond

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 11, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    A Fabulous Evening to Remember Last night was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment we arrived, the ambiance set the stage for an unforgettable dining experience. The warm lighting, attentive staff, and an energetic yet relaxed atmosphere promised a great evening—and it absolutely delivered. We began with the tuna appetizer, a masterpiece of balance and flavor. The tuna was impossibly fresh, delicately seasoned, and paired with a zesty, vibrant sauce that elevated every bite. It was light yet indulgent—an ideal way to start the meal. Then came the spontaneous cocktails from the bar. Each drink felt like a creative surprise. The bartender clearly knows their craft, delivering concoctions that were as visually stunning as they were delicious. From a perfectly balanced citrus-forward refresher to a bold, smoky whiskey creation, every drink added its own layer of joy to the evening. For the main course, the steak was nothing short of perfection. Cooked to a flawless medium-rare, it arrived tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor. Paired with a decadent sauce and sides that complemented the dish without overshadowing it, this steak reminded me why classic dishes, when done right, remain unbeatable. The service was impeccable throughout the night—attentive without being overbearing. Our server anticipated our needs before we even voiced them, and the pacing of the meal was spot-on. This wasn’t just dinner; it was an experience. A perfect balance of spontaneity, craftsmanship, and indulgence, all coming together in one remarkable evening. I can’t wait to return. Bravo to the entire team!

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  5. Geoff

    VIP

    Richmond

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 7, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We always have a great experience at Eat! We had the Oyster Stew last night, and it was amazing! We had a very attentive and friendly server, and the hostess was great too. Eat is our “go to” place when we want to guarantee an amazing meal.

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  6. Amy

    Richmond

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on November 20, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We truly enjoyed the food and cocktails. Staff was attentive, professional, knowledgeable, and helpful. The meal was pricey but the portions were large and food quality was excellent.

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  7. Lynn

    VIP

    Richmond

    33 reviews

    3.0

    33 reviews

    Dined on October 25, 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    The drinks were good. A pretty nice selection of bourbons. The food was tasty, but not a lot of it. $40 for 3 scallops didn’t really work for me. The crème brûlée was very flavorful; however, the chocolate decadence with coffee didn’t really hit the spot. Delaney our server took excellent care of us and gave some good recommendations.

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  8. Sarah Jane

    VIP

    Richmond

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on October 25, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We thoroughly enjoyed our meal at EAT. Highly recommend.

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  9. Glenn

    Richmond

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 23, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful & delicious crabcake dinner. Excellent service, easy parking, 1st Class!!!

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  10. Paula

    Baltimore

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 19, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Dinner was fantastic! Every single dish. Our waitress was amazing, friendly and knowledgeable. This will be a must too every time visiting Virginia Beach..

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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 4.9 stars by 1261 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people
9:00 PM
Booked 3 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Eat. An American Bistro

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
  • Phone number
    (757) 965-2472
  • Private party facilities
    Contact us at yum@eatbistro.net to book a private event.
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  • Terms of Use
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  • Cookie Preferences
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