Harpoon Larry's Oyster Bar — Restaurant in Virginia Beach

This was, by far, the worst restaurant experience of my life.

It all started with the hilarious individual plasticware packets we were given for our $77+ meal that answers the question, "How best can we destroy the very beach whose tourism keeps us in business?" Next, one member of our party asked for a few more moments to look over the menu before ordering and, Jesus, did we all pay for that. By the time the server came back we had all become eligible for in-state tuition in Virginia.

When our appetizer arrived, we were almost fooled into thinking that the rest of our experience would be as wonderful as the Oysters Rockefeller! Luckily, things got back to normal soon after. We watched as the other two families around us began to grow old and weary, the children turning against each other out of starvation. One Karen didn't make it--she asked that her family’s order be cancelled and that their check be brought to them immediately.

At last, our food arrived. But it wasn't our food. It was the food of the Karen and her brood. Still, we waited. And waited. And waited. The one remaining family next to us finally received their food. One of the dishes was promptly sent back to the kitchen. We were out of our minds with anticipation of the dumpster fire we knew was coming.

Just as we were getting our affairs in order and preparing to die in our new home state of Virginia, our food arrived, and it was everything we hoped it would be: lukewarm, soggy, dry, and odd. The Lays potato chips were great, except that some of them were touching the other food.

Finally, we were free. Two members of our party went outside, yearning to breathe air that didn't smell of warm oyster and crevasse sweat. My father and I stayed behind, waiting for the check. After ten minutes we asked a hostess if she could let our server know we were ready for said check. She looked on us with pity, like we hadn't yet realized that we would be trapped in this dreary, dank room for the rest of our lives. We asked another server, and then another if they had seen our server--around five foot eight, dark hair, deep voice? I was on the phone with the Virginia State Police filing a missing person’s report when he finally returned, older now, with longer hair.

"Can I help you?" he said sleepily.

"Could we get the check?" I asked.

He went off to get the check and returned soon after. "Is this going to be on one check or two?" he asked.

"One," I said, starting to feel hungry again.

He left again and returned with the check.

The last thing I remember was stumbling from the restaurant in a daze, not knowing where I was or how long it had been since seeing light. Harpoon Larry's did...

We've visited Harpoon Larry's over the past 3 years consistently. Here's our take away after thinking long and hard.

Their is little to no consistency in the drinks. Drinks never come the same way, with the same ounces, nor in the same glass. We've had pina coladas come in every form here and the alcohol content in them also seems to range or atleast tastes that it ranges.

Service takes awhile. Bring a book, or get ready to get to entertain yourself for sometime. You will be waiting for a long time for your drinks, appetizers, and meal. We've repeatedly waited over an hour, sometimes an hour and a half for our food, in the off season. When the restaurant is full, or close to, I recommend skipping, as it takes them a very long time.

The food is great, and one of our favorite places to eat at. It's no secret that we love their food, their crab dip, oysters, hush puppies are wonderful. We're always over ordering because we adore the taste and often leave with to-go boxes.

The server staff for outside seating has always been kind and welcoming. It's no secret to us that their outside area could use sprucing up, but their waiters and waitresses have always been kind calm and collected. I do not know if I can say the same about management, as we've havnt had any personal experience with them.

Their outside seating needs to be upgraded/refreshed. I'm big on environmental consciousness, however there comes a time where I feel you may need to make sacrifices for comfort. The chairs are mainly made of metal and a "wooden" material. This "wooden" material is easily burned my cigarettes and such, and you're able to visibly see holes from the burns. There's no consistency with the outside seating, some have arm rests, some don't. I would recommend a new set of outside dining equipment.

Prepare for smoke. If you sit outside, their designated smoking spot is between the outside seating and the building. If you don't smoke, this can cause a grief while you're eating. The thick smell of smoke and sometimes liquor can leave a bad taste in your mouth.

We love this restaurant, and want to see it do well. Especially since we believe it's local and family owned(could be wrong) Yet, we want to see improvement to have us keep coming back. It's been awhile since we've been here, since the last time we were, it took them over 45 minutes to collect our drink order.

We hope to see this restaurant evolve and improve, until then I can't stick...

Harpoon Larry's Oyster Bar is a true Virginia Beach institution, and it delivers a reliable and enjoyable seafood experience that makes it a solid four-star choice. It's the kind of place that embodies the casual, laid-back charm of the oceanfront, focusing on fresh catches in a relaxed setting. Stepping into Harpoon Larry's, you're greeted with a classic, rustic nautical atmosphere. It's unpretentious and comfortable, with a buzzing energy that feels perfectly at home at the beach. While it's not directly on the boardwalk with ocean views, its location just a block off, on 24th Street, makes it easily accessible and still very much part of the oceanfront vibe. They have convenient parking and a patio area that overlooks Pacific Avenue, which is nice. The star of the show, as the name suggests, is the oysters. They typically have a good selection on their raw bar, and they're always fresh and shucked to order. Beyond oysters, their seafood offerings are diverse and generally well-prepared. Favorites include the crab dip, which is incredibly rich and flavorful, and their steamed shrimp and crab legs are always a good bet for a classic seafood feast. They also offer a variety of fried seafood platters, sandwiches, and even some landlubber options like burgers and pasta, so there's usually something for everyone in a group. Their hushpuppies are also quite popular and worth a try. Service at Harpoon Larry's is usually efficient and friendly. The staff is accustomed to handling a busy crowd and keeps things moving, even during peak dining hours. It's a great spot for a casual lunch or dinner, especially when you're looking for that authentic, local seafood joint feel. So, why not five stars? While the seafood is fresh and good, it doesn't always reach an elevated, "gourmet" level of culinary execution. It's classic, straightforward seafood, which is exactly what many people are looking for, but it might not blow away those seeking innovative preparations. Also, it can get quite busy and loud, which is part of its charm for some, but less ideal for a quiet, intimate meal. Nevertheless, Harpoon Larry's Oyster Bar is a fantastic choice for dependable, fresh seafood in a fun, relaxed environment at the Virginia Beach oceanfront. It's a beloved local spot for good reason and a must-visit for...