When on vacation, many people seek out the restaurants where the locals go. Big Sam’s Inlet Cafe & Raw Bars is where the locals in Virginia Beach go for Seafood. Big Sam’s is located right on Rudee Inlet.

Big Sam’s Inlet Cafe & Raw Bar offers a great view of the Rudee Inlet. It is a fun place to enjoy lunch or dinner while visiting the Virginia Beach Fishing Center or the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Dolphin-Watching Boat Trip. There is seating both indoors and outside in a partially screen in deck area. We chose to sit outside to enjoy watching the boat activity.

Big Sam’s Inlet Cafe & Raw Bar offers daily fresh seafood and daily deals on their chalkboard. Their menu includes their famous Raw Bar, seafood baskets, soups, burgers, sandwiches, signature dishes and classic dinners. They even have a full breakfast menu.
We always ask the waitress what the local’s favorite is at any restaurant we visit. One of Big Sam’s Inlet Cafe & Raw Bar’s signature dishes is the Big Sam’s Inlet Platter. It’s at a hefty price of $29.99 but is piled high with fresh, fried seafood including crab cakes, shrimp, and fresh fish.

The Big Sam’s Inlet Platter comes with two side dishes too. We selected fresh cole slaw and Charro Beans. It was enough for my husband and I to share, however next time, I’d pair it will a fresh side salad too.

Big Sam’s Inlet Cafe & Raw Bar offers a great kids menu for both breakfast and lunch/dinner. Kids can choose from Popcorn Shrimp, Fried Chicken, Grilled Cheese, Corn Dogs, 4-Cheese Penne Pasta and a Clam Basket. Usually we encourage our kids to select something local, like seafood, however they had enjoyed seafood all during our trip and was ready for some “regular” foods. My son enjoyed a hearty basket of chicken and fries.

My daughter dug into the 4-Cheese Penne Pasta. The variety was excellent for kids meals at Big Sam’s. It is always good to know that there will be something available for your kids that they will like!

Big Sam’s is where the locals in Virginia Beach go for Seafood. We actually enjoyed overhearing some of the locals talking about taking their boats out, ocean fishing, and even a teenager getting his first job working on a boat. It is a different way of life and kinda neat to hear about. I wasn’t eavesdropping, the family next to us was just really boisterous. 😉

While we visited Big Sam’s, it was a hopping place. It is just a small casual place on the Rudee Inlet but for those in the know, they don’t mind waiting in line for a table to enjoy the cozy atmosphere and great seafood right on the inlet. It’s where all the locals in Virginia Beach go for Seafood.
Big Sam’s Inlet Cafe & Raw Bar
300 Winston Salem Ave
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
This was not a paid post. My own opinions were used based on my perceptions and experience. Thank you to Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau who provided us with the dinner for review.