CP Shuckers Cafe & Raw Bar — Restaurant in Virginia Beach

My husband loves Shuckers and I admit to being impressed with the atmosphere and food at the oceanfront location.

We decided to try this location for dinner last Saturday night and I wasn't as impressed.

To start - I'd been having fish every day for every meal for the past week and wanted some chicken, or turkey, or something.

Sadly, the only two dishes I saw with chicken (that weren't salads add protein and I'd had a salad that same day already for lunch) was a pasta dish and a fried chicken buffalo sandwich.

I asked if I could get the sandwich with grilled chicken and was told no. There is grilled chicken you can add to the salads, and a grilled chicken with broccoli on the kids menu, but apparently the kitchen doesn't like to change the sandwich. Well, then add something else on the menu for people who maybe don't want fish but don't want red meat or fried foods.

No wedge salad here either, which is a fav. In the end, I chose the salmon bowl which was good - with rice, cucumber salad, spicy slaw, broccoli, pickled red onion and some yummy salmon. But I had had salmon multiple times and really didn't want it. So it wasn't my top 1-5 choice but I had no other option other than fish fish fish.

I was happy with the dish but they need more options for non-meat eaters and more grilled chicken for adults; or to tell the kitchen to accommodate requests from people who are trying to eat healthier and not eat fried chicken or pasta.

It's incredibly loud inside - even if you sit in the main area away from the bar. We were two couples and my step-son and we had to yell to be heard at the same table.

Outdoor patio seems nice, but it faces the busy shore drive and both going and coming all we smelled was cigarette smoke. I firmly believe patios should be non-smoking bc maybe I want to enjoy the outside without enjoying someone's poor choices and nasty deadly habits I didn't choose.

They can go to the back of the parking lot to a smoke pit to do it if they want to smoke, not force everyone else to breathe it in.

Not everything was bad, the service was stellar and friendly and proficient, inside had nice decor and the bar was huge.

I just think I'll stick to the beach one from now on - they have far...

CP Shuckers Cafe & Raw Bar on Shore Drive of Virginia Beach CP Shuckers has carved out a well-deserved reputation as a lively and reliably good spot for seafood and casual dining on Shore Drive. It's the kind of place where you can easily settle in for a relaxed meal, a quick bite at the bar, or a more extended evening with friends. The raw bar is a definite highlight, with fresh oysters and clams that are consistently briny and delicious – exactly what you want from a coastal establishment. Beyond the raw bar, their menu offers a solid selection of classic seafood dishes and bar bites. The wings, often touted as a local favorite, live up to the hype, crispy and saucy with a good variety of flavors. Other standout items include the crab cakes, which are generously portioned and well-seasoned, and their various fish preparations, often featuring fresh local catches. The portions are generally ample, offering good value for your money. The atmosphere at CP Shuckers is exactly what you'd expect from a popular Shore Drive establishment: energetic, casual, and often bustling. It's a great spot to catch a game, enjoy the breeze on their outdoor patio (which is also notably dog-friendly), or just soak in the Virginia Beach vibe. The service is typically friendly and efficient, even during peak hours, and the staff seems genuinely focused on making your dining experience a pleasant one. While CP Shuckers generally hits all the right notes, there are occasional moments that keep it from a perfect five-star rating. The interior, while functional, can sometimes feel a bit dated, and during very busy periods, the noise level can be quite high. However, these are minor considerations when weighed against the consistently good food, vibrant atmosphere, and reliable service. For a dependable, tasty seafood experience with a welcoming and fun atmosphere, CP Shuckers is a fantastic choice on Shore Drive. It's a local go-to for a reason, delivering satisfying meals in a...

I am very disappointed that CP Shuckers has gone downhill so badly. Two friends and I ate there last night. Most beers we asked for were not available. We ordered a fresh squeezed by Deschutes from the draft menu. This is a beer all three of us love, but tasted terrible – presumably because their taps are not clean.

We then ordered some of the fried cheese. For about six dollars, we got for finger links cheese sticks and a soupy “marinara“ sauce. The cheese tasted OK – it’s difficult to screw up fried cheese… But the sauce they served was certainly not a marinara. It was watery and mostly flavorless. It’s consistency was about two times more watery than restaurant salsa.

My friends ordered the tuna Philly cheesesteak, and I ordered the chicken Parmesan sandwich. I used to love their oysters Rockefeller, but I was told they could not make that dish either. My friends said the cheesesteaks were mostly flavorless, with the meat itself being especially bland and unseasoned.

The chicken Parmesan sandwich looked amazing – I was very excited when I saw it. But when I took my first bite, I was very disappointed that the chicken and the breading were nearly flavorless. I could not detect any seasoning – not even salt or pepper. Also, this sandwich used the “marinara“ sauce from before, which only took away from the experience. I was starving, so I did eat it, but it was easily the worst chicken Parmesan I have ever had – sandwich or regular.

Our server was extremely nice and courteous, so we appreciated that very much. However, I am very disappointed with the experience we had, as this used to be one of my favorite places to go. My two friends felt the same way and I don’t think any of us will return until we hear about major changes in...