Leaping Lizard Cafe

European cuisine in an out of the way, off road restaurant? Yes! My meal had fruit, salad, soup and a meat biscuit. More than enough for 2 meals. Well flavored. My guest had a ham & cheese sandwich which was excellent because it was homemade bread with light rosemary and spices, ham was from a local plant and my ham was on a sweet potato biscuit with peach chutney sauce!

This restaurant is such a unique find—it almost feels like you’re dining at a cozy bed and breakfast or in someone’s backyard. Everyone was so kind, and the space had a fun, eclectic vibe. They even have their own chickens in the backyard, which adds to the charm! The food was pleasantly surprising. I expected more traditional flavors, but everything tasted incredibly fresh and truly homemade—just like they advertise. I’d definitely recommend this spot for a family breakfast or a relaxed late lunch date. 8.5/10.

The parking lot is a bit small and we had to wait in order to park, but I appreciated it very much that they have someone out in the parking lot managing things by having the waiting cars for an organized line. The young lady at the entry point is wonderful and makes everyone feel welcome as she assures them that their table is being prepared as soon as possible. The menu was nicely rounded out between breakfast items and lunch items, plus healthy items as well as big meals for hungry people. It was hard to choose what to order because there were really good options there. If things had stopped there this would have been a five-star place, but the food just didn't deliver for all of us at the table. Meaning, some of us were disappointed with our meals. They were lacking flavor in some cases. As an example, my beet salad had very little dressing on it and the dressing that was on it tasted mostly of just oil. It seemed like a lot of oily lettuce, and I was a bit disappointed. Only two out of 5 of us said they enjoyed their meal. There's a bakery next door, but we didn't order anything from it. Looked good though.

Leaping Lizard Café on Shore Drive is one of my all-time favorite spots in Virginia Beach for both a relaxed lunch and a charming date night. The atmosphere is inviting and cozy, with a screened in porch outdoor garden setting that captures the essence of coastal Virginia. Their commitment to using locally grown and seasonal ingredients truly sets them apart—many of the vegetables, herbs, and fruits come straight from nearby farms, and it shows in every fresh, flavorful bite. My personal favorites include the Blueberry Basil Mojito, which is refreshingly balanced with a perfect hint of sweetness, and the Crabcake Benedict, a standout brunch dish featuring tender, flavorful crab and perfectly poached eggs. For lunch, you can’t go wrong with any of their soup and salad combinations, but I especially recommend the sweet potato biscuit with Edwards Surry ham paired with their fresh garden greens salad—it’s the ideal mix of comfort and farm-fresh flavor. No visit is complete without dessert. The giant oatmeal chocolate chip cookies are simply irresistible, and the carrot cake—available by special order—is one of the best I’ve ever had. Whether you’re stopping in for brunch, a casual afternoon meal, or a cozy evening out, Leaping Lizard Café delivers a consistently excellent dining experience rooted in local charm and quality ingredients.

Worth the wait. This is a cute casual farmhouse restaurant, so if you need lux modern vibes you may want to skip this one. We went on a Sunday morning which is a busy time for them and waited a little under 45 min for a table of 4. Due to their location, although they have a free parking lot it's not large enough to accommodate them when they're busy. It took me 20min to park which was find based on the wait time we were quoted. They have an attendant who walks around to see when people come out to direct you to their now vacant space. The restaurant itself has an indoor and outdoor area. The indoor area during busy times is very tight. We had a visually impaired person with us and it was difficult for them to navigate between tables as we were being escorted to ours. Maybe difficult for those in wheelchairs or with strollers. Outside there is a literal farm enclosure with animals about within a close but not uncomfortable proximity to where you'll be eating. A flock of ducks walked past our table. They did allow my leashed small dog. Now to the food... I got the crab cakes Benedict and shared the pancakes with my mom. They were AMAZING!! I'm a Marylander and very picky about my crab and these did not disappoint. I dont recall what else my family got, but everyone enjoyed their meals. They do have a bar with a wide range of options.

Very cool place. We had a nice branch. A lot of people recommended duck tacos, unfortunately they didn't have it, so I got duck hush, it was really good. We also got rotsbeef melt, crubcake eggs Benedict and steak and eggs, all were very good. The service is excellent and it is a dog friendly place! They also have a small farm outside with chickens and geese. Nice for kids.

My son and his wife picked this for our son’s birthday dinner. We loved the character of the home, we sat on the back covered porch but there was outside seating as well. Loved the eclectic look- Older non matching tables and chairs that made it cozy as well. The backyard had chickens and geese and a goat that was asleep for the night! More adults than children during our visit but you can also bring your dog for outside seating. Now, to the food…. Unbelievable deliciousness! We started with goat cheese and toast points which as warm, with oil and roasted garlic to top the toast with ! We each had a different entree Local fresh flounder topped with a fresh chow chow mix, over mashed parsnips and a potato stack. This was our favorite dish! Chicken tournaudo was a rolled chicken breast stuffed with goodness and delicious per my daughter in law ! My husband had pasta with a beef ragout which was very good. My son had the pork chop which gad a great taste but was very overdone. That would be my only suggestion is to ask for it to be cooked less. The staff was also very chill and delightful ! A long post to say be sure to visit and enjoy !

Visiting from Maryland, I stumbled upon this hidden gem. It’s pet-friendly, serves amazing food, and has a cozy, inviting atmosphere. The staff is incredibly friendly and sweet. There’s a quiet, scenic trail leading to the waterfront, where you can watch a variety of chickens and sassy geese.