Civil Libation Bistro — Restaurant in Virginia Beach

A Culinary Triumph at Civil Libation

From the moment we arrived, Civil Libation offered more than just a meal — it delivered an elevated dining experience steeped in warmth, hospitality, and culinary excellence.

Our celebration began with a gracious welcome from Ella, the hostess, who immediately and sweetly escorted us to a beautifully secluded booth — a thoughtful touch that made our anniversary feel incredibly special from the very start.

The Avocado Toast was a standout — expertly prepared with a crisp foundation and a creamy, vibrant topping. The flavors were balanced with precision, brightened by a hint of citrus and elevated with seasoning that whispered rather than shouted.

Stephanie chose the burger, and it was simply exceptional — juicy, rich, and crafted with care. Every bite offered the perfect balance of bold flavors and comfort, an elevated take on a classic that showcased Civil Libation’s culinary finesse.

Then came the showstopper: the Filet Mignon with Eggs — a dish that was nothing short of magnificent. The filet was exquisitely seared, tender and buttery, paired with perfectly cooked eggs for a plate that was both luxurious and soul-satisfying.

And I must say — I absolutely fell in love with their homemade blackberry jam. It was vibrant, fresh, and bursting with flavor — the kind of house-made touch that lingers in memory long after the last bite.

The artistry in the kitchen deserves high praise. Compliments to the chef — your talent is evident in every detail, every flavor, and every dish that leaves the pass.

Service was equally outstanding. Our server Charlotte was attentive, warm, and genuine — the kind of person who makes you feel at home while elevating the entire experience. And a special thank you to April, the manager, who took the time to stop by and check in with us. Her grace and presence made it clear that hospitality is at the heart of Civil Libation’s culture.

Civil Libation isn’t just a restaurant — it’s a place where exceptional food, heartfelt service, and thoughtful details come together to create something truly memorable. We can’t...

Outstanding food, service, and atmosphere! Really lucked out with $2 off all drinks and appetizers on a Tuesday. All drinks well-crafted and balanced, Apple Pipe a delicious apple-cinnamon mezcal drink, Mercury's in Retrograde strong but perfectly tempered by blackberry and sour mix, Friends with Benefits a delicious coconutty take on a Paloma, Hole in One a subtly-sweet bourbon cocktail, and No Hard Feelings a unique and tasty blend of gin, ginger, lime, and coconut! Tapenade is massive and fun, especially if you like olives! Squash rings a fantastic must-try, chipotle aioli is perfect. Grilled rustic bread and side salad simple, but perfectly executed and both a great value. Steak rolls another must-try, especially for the jalapeño bacon ketchup! Stuffed chicken unique and very nice, sautéed greens and garlic mashed potatoes maybe a little bland. Cinnamon bun bread pudding for dessert quite good, could've used a little more Bailey's, but excellent with ice cream!

Update 12/2024: Made it in for brunch and it was fantastic! Donut holes are a must-try; lots of great and well-balanced breakfast cocktails to choose from! The Unserious, Side Eye, and Yippee Ki Yay were all delicious and perfectly balanced, with just the right amount of alcohol you might want at brunch and not too much. Banana foster French toast is unique and awesome - love the crispy edges! Waffle & Gravy is massive and magnificent, particularly the sausage gravy, maybe the best we've ever had. Fast and impeccable service as always, definitely one of the best...

I cannot speak highly enough of Civil Libation. From beginning to end, their staff (chef, hosts, professional servers, bartenders) recently accommodated my wife and I in a way that was way above and beyond (mid September). Long story short: my wife’s birthday was coming up and we wanted to have a special celebratory dinner with two of our friends, however, we had some dietary restrictions to deal with (so complex that we would never, ever go out to eat- save the special occasion-due to allergies). We were concerned about getting high quality, trustworthy meals on this special occasion AND we wanted to try out Civil Libation. I inquired two weeks in advance and after some brief email exchange, the menu was set for those of us with allergies! Upon arrival that evening we were treated as appreciated guests, not pests and were treated with the utmost discretion and respect. From the cocktails, to the service to the food- I cannot speak highly enough of ALL of the staff. They even presented a special plant based dessert for my wife and that just topped it all! Even our guests that had no dietary restrictions loved everything and they even raves about their unprocessed plant based dessert! It was a wonderful evening and this type of accommodation goes a long way in my book! I highly recommend this restaurant for its quality food and hospitality! Their cocktails are a bit pricey but fresh and balanced.... worth the investment! Thank you sooooo much everyone! It was a lovely evening and the...