Hot Tuna Bar & Grill
2817 Shore Dr, Virginia Beach, VA, 23451
Hot Tuna Bar & Grill Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant diabetes menu details.
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant blood pressure menu details.
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
2817 Shore Dr
Virginia Beach, VA, 23451 - Phone (757) 481-2888
- Website https://www.hottunavb.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :4:00 pm - 12:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Trendy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Grisseth R.
Nice place, good ambiance, make reservations ahead so you don't have to wait for a table. I order the mussels for dinner and they where good, sangria also very good. They have a small bar area with a small dancing floor, fun spot but not a place to go out dancing gets really tight. I would come back here.
(5)Suzanne L.
Amazing! Started with the hot crab dip and reverse oyster Rockefeller and finished with the filet stuffed with seafood, the ahi tuna with mushroom sauce and the Chesapeake pasta, EVERYTHING WAS MOUTH WATERING!!! Definitely a must go when in VA Beach!!
(5)Alan K.
Me and my girlfriend have been here multiple times for happy hour, (which they have 7 days per week 4-6). Our first visit was spectacular. We sat at the bar and watching the bar tenders perform there is a show amongst itself. We love watching them mix the drinks, which we've had some amazing drinks. Each bartender has their own creations and we will try them all. The Happy Hour "Bar Food" is not your normal wings and fries that you can get anywhere, but specially planned tasty treats and all are no less than phenomenal, at every level $3, $4, $5, $6, $7 & $8 (there's 3 or more dishes at every price point I've listed here) and top shelf drinks for $4. Their sangria is AMAZING. Every tapas type happy hour special dish is better than the next. I'll try to list some specials, but by far, this is the BEST HAPPY HOUR I've been to anywhere. Eggplant Meatballs, Oysters Rock, Pretzel Encrusted Salmon Skewer, She Crab Soup, BBQ Chix Sliders, Calamari and Jalepenos, Mahi Fish Taco, Tuna Tartar, Edamame, Chicken Nachos, Grilled Avocado, Fries, and Steamed Vegetables. I know there are more that I can't think of right now, and several I haven't tried yet, but everything is so flavorful and makes you want more and more. and & DAYS A WEEK? get out of town... My favorites; Eggplant Meatballs, BBQ Chix Sliders, She Crab Soup, Mahi Fish Taco. ( I seriously could keep naming them) I'm telling you, whatever you order, you will want more of it. I've heard others exclaim over the burgers and other dishes as well. We also had the crab dip with pretzels $12, and it is Very Good.
(5)Felicia G.
This is our favorite restaurant The food is consistent, drinks are awesome, service is always spot on and love the atmosphere. They do the little things like reserve a table for you if you call ahead; they even bought us a drink because we bought a new car! I love how the restaurant has great specials to change it up a bit and the experience is always high quality. The restaurant management knows what they are doing. Keep up the great work because we love to come here.
(5)Tia H.
She crab soup was amazing! If everything had been that good it would've been 5 starts hands down. Unfortunately the rest of the food was overly spicy(good flavor but unbearably spicy), super small portions, and overly priced. Its not often you pay 40$ for dinner and leave hungry. Their entrees are tapas sized portions. Also, flies everywhere. Yuck. This place is in a questionable looking strip mall. It looks like a dive on the outside, but the decor is nice inside. Expect for the flies.
(3)Sarou C.
I love this place. This is the second time i've been here, and honestly- it does not dissappoint. The first time I came here was last month during happy hour. I think we ordered like everything on the happy hour food menu! Everything was delicious. We came again yesterday after the beach. We sat at the round table that had the fire pit in the middle. There was a guy playing something that looked like drums. It was beautiful. We had calamari and tuna bites and they were great! I would suggest everyone giving this place a try :)
(5)Keiko M.
My friend's birthday after party. Cool ppl, live music, tasty mojito,...so many good things here. I really like their happy hour but fri and sat nights are fun too!
(4)Clare S.
I'm giving Hot Tuna 2 stars as a restaurant but 5 stars as a bar. The She Crab soup which was $7 a bowl or $5 for a small cup was good, but not the best I ever had and not worth the price in my opinion. Fish dishes were VERY bland and did not taste fresh. Calamari had a lack of seasoning... Something I rarely say. It just tasted like bland batter on squid. My daughter ordered the Mac and cheese which reminded me of the Knorr packages you get from the grocery for $.99 but with added Parmesan cheese. The kid's meals were around 6.99 and were served on a frisbee. They did not include a drink. In regards to service, our waitress was friendly but we had to remind her to get our appetizers since they did not arrive at the same time even though it was the exact same dish. We also had to ask for complimentary bread since she did not bring any to our table, something I feel like customers shouldn't have to do and a pet peeve of mine as a restaurant guest. The host and hostesses however, were very accommodating. The restaurant atmosphere was nice and cozy but I could care less because the food wasn't worth it. There are many other restaurants in VB that have that and good food to go with it. I probably won't be back to Hot Tuna, unless my husband and I want to go out on a Wednesday night.
(2)A L.
Went back for happy hour and to sit out in the new bar area and WOW am I a fan!!! The food was outstanding this time around!! I loved everything we ordered. Even the house Chard was yummy!! The salmon pretzel skewer was delish and might have been my favorite-maybe the oyster rock was my fav...it was all wonderful and we are going back tonight!! Don't know if there are specials on Sunday but I don't care...going anyway!!
(4)Jordan B.
The sangria was awesome for only $3 each. Nice tall glasses and not watered down either. The waitress was nice, but a little slow, but I understand she was busy because it was happy hour. This is a place I definately plan on coming to again.
(4)Linda Allen C.
Met up again with our friends for another great dinner at Hot Tuna. It's so funny ~ we used to go but then for some reason didn't for a LONG time. We went back again about 6 months ago and we've all been hooked since!! Every meal we get has been great! Perfectly cooked and sauced and just the right amount ~ actually usually more than I can eat which I love as I have lunch the next day! I order Cedar Plank Smoked Salmon and it was amazing. Cooked to the perfect temperature with just the right amount of smokiness ~ creamy risotto and crisp, tender green beans! LOVED my dinner! Now writing about it I am ready to go back.
(5)Bess L.
Great service and great food. Went for tapas and drinks and wasn't disappointed! The grilled avocado was surprisingly delicious!!
(4)Laura C.
Amazing food, great staff, and best birthday dinner. The drink special for $4 is awesome dont miss out on the refillable pint glass for $4 as well. The portion so perfect i even have enough for lunch.
(5)Pooja K.
Cool things about this place: The Drink specials: -they have happy hour 4-9pm on wednesdays ( longer than most places who stop by 6). Their wed happy hour also includes all day tapas, free taxi ride home and one other thing i forget now. - They also have this deal where u buy a pint glass for 4$ and every drink you get in there ( selection of - well drinks, beer, sangria, basically one type of alcohol) is 4$ thereafter. You may bring the glass back and keep filling her up for 4$ on your next trip. Its a great idea! This glass is also valid at shorebreakers about 2 blocks down. Ambiance: - It has a uppity yet casual vibe- you could get away with wearing anything here i think, but most girls were in casual dresses and men in khakis. There is a dining area , a separated bar area and a patio out doors. The patio is decorated with blue hanging lights -- it was pretty. Prices & food & service - Fair. Oysters were 9$ for 5 pieces of fried oysters. They were over marinated in some spinach sauce, it was flavorful but my friend couldn't taste any of the oysters. I got the baja fish tacos fried- i really enjoyed my tacos which came with side of rice and beans, however next time ill get it grilled. The topping o the tacos were a salad avocado mix that was refreshing. Service was good, Jesse gave us plenty of time to think over the menu and also suggested to us that we could get white wine sangria ( even though it was not on the menu). She knew the menu inside out and made some great suggestions. We will definitely return here, or hit up their sister joint, shorebreakers. Remember to buy a glass!
(3)Brandi B.
FLIES IN FOOD!!! We walked in, great ambiance, everything smelled delicious. We got our fried green tomato crab stack and upon closer inspection, there was a fruit fly with its legs stuck in the sauce. We sent that back and waited for our next appetizer, the she crab soup smelled amazing, and as I went to sprinkle some Sherry on to the soup, yet another fly floating in the Sherry!!!! Of course we were never able to taste the food, but needless to say, we won't be going back. Imagine what that kitchen looked like!!!! Blechhhh!
(1)Marisa S.
Been here a few times now and I am very impressed with the great service and delicious food! Come before 6:00pm and you get early bird prices! Very pleased with this restaurant! My kids enjoyed homemade mac and cheese with a side of steamed broccoli...in-laws got the catch of the day with a salad...and the dragonberry mojito is so delicious!!!! Manager came to table personally to make sure we enjoyed our meal!
(5)Debbie B.
My husband and I where here over the summer and truly enjoyed everything! The food was divine and the drinks delicious. We sat outside and enjoyed their new seating.
(5)Pete S.
One of my top picks in virginia beach. Their food is priced well for the quality and boy is it good. Last time I went, I had my favorite which was their friend calamari. As usual, it is amazing and their spicy dip is just tops. I dream about this stuff. The she-crab soup is also very tasty and they provide a bit of sherry for you to add in as needed. Love their burgers as well. Been coming here for years and the quality is always top notch. The service is a amazing as well.
(5)A K.
Only come here to drink. Good location away from ocean front. Good free parking. The happy hour drink prices are great. Friendly staff and quick service. A number of regulars at the bar to see game.
(3)Jacob V.
This is a fun place to go have drinks after dinner. The staff was friendly and the bartenders made excellent drinks.
(4)Emily ..
Came here twice in one night. Once for dinner and once to go out. The food was amazing. We all had different things from the fish tacos to the burgers. Everything was delicious. For the club/bar scene - it was fun. More country music was playing than anything and the alcohol was a little over priced, but it was still a good time.
(4)Mari M.
Hot tuna is the best!!! I love coming here for food, it's one of my favorites on shore drive. I came in for dinner last week and had an amazing time. Kellen was my server and she did a great job. My best friend and I ordered a bunch of stuff to share. We had the Caesar salad, crab dip (with the soft pretzel and the pitas, the fish tacos, and the grilled avocado. Everything was AWESOME. I love the food here, but I felt like tonight it was extra good. The Caesar salad here is one of my favorites, I'm a huge fan of their Parmesan crisps - I always ask for extra :) the crab dip was great, savory and rich - I would say that I enjoyed it with the pitas more. The soft pretzel was good too, but it was a bit salty for me, hence why i requested the pitas. My favorite thing I ordered though was the fish tacos. Kellen recommended we requested them grilled and I'm so glad she did - thank you! We ordered a side too from special sheet - blue cheese mashers - and the chef was happy to accomodate! Of course we had dessert - the coconut cake and it was also really good!! If you haven't been to hot tuna yet check it out! Great food and service!
(4)Dee W.
Wow!! What an amazing experience!!! From start to finish! Don't let the shopping center local fool you!! This place is Top notch!! 1. Called to get information (1st visit) and the gentleman who picked was courteous, professional, and inviting! 2. Arrived, with my family of hungry boys and was welcomed and seated right away!! 3. Once seated our waitress, was patient, extremely knowledgable, and genuinely friendly! Not to mention quick & efficient with service!! 4. Last but certainly not least, the FOOD and DRINKS were AWESOME Fish tacos, salmon skewer, mesquite tuna, SheCrab soup, grilled avocado. Drinks: dragon berry & coconut Mojitos. Kids meals: chicken tenders & fresh fruit, Mac N Cheese & steamed Broccoli!!! All hand-made, fresh & hot. Even the kid's meals!!! All on a busy Wednesday night during happy hour specials!!! Manager, also came to our table, to insure the quality of service!!! You know what they say about 1st impressions!!!! $$$ well spent!!
(5)Kyle H.
Can't exactly speak to the quality of food, but apparently making a reservation here is worthless. Showed up for our 8pm reservation at 745. Waited until 830 and we were never sat. Additionally while waiting at the bar there were issues with both our drinks; a soapy tasting beer and a margarita with salt even after the bartender asked if we wanted salt and replying no.... Twice. Also we just happened to notice that we were the only reservation for the night.
(1)Curtis M.
Wed is the best to go there. Happy hour is till 21:00. Drinks are only 5USD. They have great mojitos. Their food was ok. They used to have a really tasty Tuna Nachos tho... The other day, my wife ordered that. It was not on the menu.They charged 15USD. More expensive than before. About 5 USD. We won't order again. They have a live band show from 22:00. A good spot for a date night.
(4)Geno D.
Just had the worst service ever. Finish eating at the bar, all four bartenders knew where i was sitting. I get up and go to the restroom, they clear my spot and let someone else sit in my place. I think tonight was the first time I've ever left a $0 tip.
(1)P D.
Went here on a Friday night and it was packed! We were still able to quickly get a table though. We ordered their fresh catch of the day (blackened mahi), bourbon steak and their tuna (I forget what kind of tuna that was, I didn't order it hehe). Everyone loved their orders! My blackened mahi though was okay. It was good but wasn't memorable. I felt that the mahi should have had more flavor. I got their Death by Chocolate for dessert and while it was good, if you're the only one eating it, it gets old quick. Service was pretty good too. Although it was a bit hard to call their attention in the beginning just because they had so many customers that day.
(4)John Z.
Ok, I only had drinks here, but I'll be back no matter what. Had awesome service from Michelle, and relaxed by the fire-pit outside. Definitely try this place if you are looking for an after-work hangout. I'll be back even if the food is mediocre (worst case scenario).
(5)Ashlea L.
Hot Tuna is starting to become one of my favorite happy hour spots. Service is always excellent & the sangria is on point. They have great food options & you cannot beat the prices. I love the tuna tartare & fish tacos. I used to frequent here a bit back in my clubbing days & they can pack a place at night. The boyfriend & I stopped in for a few drinks when Cheap Thrills were playing & I couldn't believe the skill that the bartenders had dealing with all of the drinkers at the bar. I would love to try the actual dinner menu next time...hint hint Shaun ;-)
(4)William P.
Had a great meal at Hot Tuna last night. We sat outside by one of their new fire pits since it was such a beautiful night. They had a really nice happy hour with some good food and drink specials. $3 drinks until 9pm!!!! I ordered Blackened Tuna off of the regular menu because I was craving a piece of fish. It was cooked and seasoned perfectly. Service was excellent. I highly recommend Hot Tuna for good food, service , and atmosphere.
(5)Marlon T.
I only came at night for some drinks with some new friends. It was my first night going out in Virginia Beach. I didn't know what to expect when coming here. It wasn't too crowded and it wasn't too hard to get a drink. The music was decent. The crowd was young. We had a couple drinks and left after about 25 minutes of standing around. If I ever come back, it would be for the food or some event. The exterior was unimpressive and it just wasn't an amazing eye candy experience the time I went (people or interior design).
(3)Carlos G.
Came here for after hours drinks with friends. Staff was friendly drinks were great. There was a live band playing who was decent. Great atmosphere, clean just a little too crowded.
(3)Xerxes N.
Five stars for excellent food, excellent wait service and attentive bar service. We celebrated Dani's birthday there last night and just had one heck of a time. The ladies in our group got tore up from the floor up and that left me and the other wing man in the group to people watch as the girls went about having their fun. Try their portobello mushroom appetizer. Wow! That is the most delicious thing on their menu. The next best thing was their steak and seafood kabob. As with any place the bands here are hit or miss but if you're a single dude looking to meeting some purty ladies this is the place to be.
(5)Carla L.
When my spouse was out of town for work, the kid and I had our dinner date here. The kid and I started dinner with appetizers. I had the chicken skewers while kiddo had the seasonal pumpkin soup. I asked her how her soup was, which she responded with two thumbs up! And my chicken was extremely tender. Our waiter, Chad, was very attentive with us, making sure that everything was to our liking and that our glasses were always filled. After the first coarse, we shared an entree between the two of us. Usually when we do this, I have to ask the server for an extra plate, but once the food arrived, Chad made sure that the meal was split between us on separate plates. The little things like what Chad had done made our dining experience wonderful. In our house we had what we normally call the manna of the sea, which is mostly referred by others as sea scallops, were extremely tender, just cooked to perfection and as I'm reviewing about the scallops, I'm still salivating over the taste of it. Later in the evening, it turns into a place to hang out, see and be seen. The social night life really opens up here. And as far as the food goes, we will definitely be back
(4)Matthew L.
Great early bird specials. Good tasty food and great prices. $13 for a 4oz tuna dinner with a salad and a side. Grilled to perfection. Yum. Highly recommend if You are in VA beach area. Service is good also. Would give 5 stars but has strip mall feel.
(4)Britt S.
I'm always happy at Hot Tuna. The grilled avocado appetizer is one of my particular favorites! The chicken skewers are also great, but the tapas menu is really where it's at--I've never had anything that I didn't like off of the regular menu except for the crab dip, but the tapas menu never disappoints! It's a great spot for when you want to meet up with some friends for a few drinks and some nibbles, especially on a Wednesday night when you can then make your way into the bar and enjoy live music. Service is great, and the coconut cake kicks ass!
(5)Jax B.
Once again hot tuna does not disappoint. The service was pleasant and efficient, the food was excellent, and the atmosphere was not your typical Virginia Beach tourist trap. As far as seafood goes in Virginia Beach hot tuna is at the top of our families list. In particular the calamari appetizer was popular at our table as well as the hot crab and salted pretzel dip. This spot is located right across the street from where our family stays on shore Drive.
(5)Ronald N.
We came to this place. Being here before, and they won't let a DD be under 21, they said no exception . This place is kinda a scam. And it kinda sucks, that they won't let some people with a DD come in and enjoy the environment. At least be a little understanding. But they won't and it kinda sucks.
(1)Sarah C.
Will always and forever be a fan of seafood restaurants. Especially when you're on the coast. The decor of this cozy spot was seafood-riffic. Is that a word, you ask? Of course! I ordered a shrimp pasta dish and it was perfect. I worked on eating out of this pasta bowl for what seemed like an eternity and it appeared as if I only nibbled. My point is - if you're not incredibly hungry, don't hesitate to share a meal. I had my leftovers the next day, and low and behold - it was still delicious. We had the calamari as an appetizer. Mind you, there were only two of us and the appetizer was ginormous. Once again, I had that the next day as leftovers as well. For your money, you get a great amount of food. Very close to Chick's Beach if you're familiar with the area. :)
(4)Amanda S.
I'll be honest, I've been to Hot Tuna to drink, not eat in the past, and was leery of their food. But I was pleasantly surprised! My family and I came here for dinner on Labor Day. We arrived around 6pm and it was not overly crowded. We ordered the blackened tuna nachos and some shrimp for appetizers. Everything was delicious! My grandfather ordered the She Crab Soup and said that was delicious as well. I had the blackened chicken sandwich with rice and beans and loved it! The beans were spicy, which I prefer. I couldn't stop eating! Everything was perfect and would love to go back!
(5)Josie S.
Best Oyster Rockafeller in VA Beach, hands down. The place is a bit pricey,but it's fun nonetheless. Wednesday nights with live music is a lot of fun!
(4)Nikki F.
First of all, any Restaurant with a name like HOT TUNA, automatically makes me a fan because I am extremely lewd and perverted. However, my husband brought me here for a hot date night and I could not have been more pleased with his selection of venue. The service was stellar. Our waitress was on the ball with drinks, communicated and asked how we wanted the timing of our food and apps to come out. Not only that, but she was beautiful, as well as every other waitress I saw in there and that is awesome. Hot chicks, hot tuna, so far so good. We began our evening with a couple martinis and the calamari, the hubs fave, which was delicious. As far as our entrees, I got the Panko fried Scallops and Dan got the Sesame fried Ahi which we accompanied with a bottle of I have no idea what, because my mouth was so consumed with the flavorful dishes we were devouring. My very favorite part of this place was the ambiance. I did not envision this place to look how it did.. it was funky and sexy and I felt like i was underwater with all the hanging glass bubbles. Their is a separate bar if you don't feel like eating, which I will certainly be hitting up again soon. I hear there is live entertainment, which I am so effing excited to check out! Thus far, Hot Tuna is a Va Beach favorite of mine.
(5)Tyler C.
I have never eaten here only partied here. If you are looking to dance in a confined tight space this is a great place. I personally don't care for that but the bar is decent only had a problem getting a drink a couple of times. Bartenders are usually good and get you drinks quickly. I hope you like standing because you won't find anywhere to sit after about 10pm on the weekends. On a Friday and Saturday night this is pretty much a meat market with a dance floor. This place is the best place in Virginia Beach if that is your scene!
(3)Richard S.
Food and decor was bland. Happy hour was definitely the deciding factor here. $3 you call it. Can't go wrong with that. At one point during our meal we overheard the host ordering a waiter to log into Yelp and give the restaurant 5 stars.
(2)James C.
Our family met in Virginia Beach last week for a get together. Our hotel suggested this place for good seafood. I had the mixed seafood grill. It was fresh and the sauces were creative and tasty. We also ordered their calamari app. It was gone so fast we ordered another one. My sister raved about the sashimi (not my thing). This restaurant was a much needed reprieve from the fried food tourist spots on the strip.
(4)Mandi M.
So far I've been here twice - great food and service both times. First time for a weeknight dinner in November w/my boyfriend: Crabstack App - O.M.G - would have this as a meal it was so yummy! Fish Tacos and Tuna Steak Entree's - Both were above average. Secont time was for NYE w/ boyfriend: We did the all inclusive package, drinks were great, service phenominal, and of course the food was again above average. Overall - love the atmosphere, location, quality, and service. Will definitely be going back there often!
(4)Sheena W.
What happened? It's been at least 3+ years since I last visited Hot Tuna..... and will probably be even longer until I visit again. Where's the SEAFOOD???? We had friends in town from NORVA and we all decided this would be a good place to meet. Total of seven at our table. First - let me start out by saying Shaune (our friendly/helpful server) was outstanding/excellent. She alone was a 5 star - girlfriend, you need deserve a better place to work. You handled our table with all the 5 stars one could give. Separated the checks with no problem. I'm not slamming the place - just the fact that it's supposed to be a seafood place and had little to no choices of fresh seafood. I ask for scallops - no. Husband ask for rock fish - no. Husband ordered the flounder that was listed on the window as a special AND on the menu as a special. But within minutes was informed the flounder dinner wasn't available as a special. ????? Makes no sense to me. Sad that on the door/window they advertise flounder yet it wasn't available. Hummmmmmmmmmmmm..... guess it's a way to get people in. We're surrounded by water - is it really that difficult to get fresh seafood? Guess so. With all my negative feelings towards the lack of seafood - we went with burgers. YES, hamburgers at Hot Tuna, slap me silly. The "Early Bird Burger" was $12.99. You get a soup or salad with that and your choice of a side. I had veggies (green beans/mushrooms and onions); husband had mashed potatoes with garlic. Both of our burger/dishes were good. LARGE burgers, I didn't eat the buns; tossed it to the side and just focused on the meat. We each had 2 Blue Moons ($12.00). Total bill was $42.35. Would NOT recommend this place if you're looking for seafood. WOULD recommend this place if you're looking for appetizers/Early Bird specials. Again - the BEST part of our dining experience was Shaune - THANK YOU for your suggestions/advice and honesty.Won't return here unless I just want a cold Blue Moon served by Shaune - and hopefully, by then another establishment will swoop her up. THANK YOU again for your excellent customer service!!!!
(2)Kendall K.
I enjoyed coming here but just for dinner. There's always trashy girls or men hanging out here which makes me not want to come in. I like some of the food but they are smaller portion sizes which is disappointing. Don't come back much now
(3)Valencia B.
Great seafood and great service. I went a couple of times during the day. The atmosphere was relaxed. It seems to have an upbeat night crowd.
(4)John M.
Hot Tuna is a great place for dinner. I try to eat there whenever I get a chance to go to Virginia Beach. The food is always delicious and the staff is very nice.
(4)Meredith E.
My favorite time to hit Hot Tuna is on a Wednesday night when they have a great tapas menu and Snackbar Jones is playing. It can get super crowded, especially on the patio area, but you tend to expect that for a club. The band starts around 10 PM, so service can get sketchy, but there are always waitresses walking around with (really strong) jello shooters for $1 if you get desperate.
(4)Jacqui R.
My friend and I went to Hot Tuna Friday night around 8pm and I was surprised to see that the bar was pretty much empty. The surrounding tables and outside patio had some people eating dinner, but it wasn't the vibe that I expected from the place. I've been there a couple times before later at night for live music and the place is usually packed. I like the setup of Hot Tuna, it has a separate dining room, a room with a bar and more dining and a very nice patio area. Our bartender was nice but probably not as attentive as she could have been since we were the only patrons sitting there. Hot Tuna does have a good drink special where you buy a pint glass for $7 (includes the first drink) and you can get any draft beer, house margarita and well drinks. Every refill with the glass is only $3 and you get to keep the glass and can bring it back to Hot Tuna or Shorebreak for more $3 drinks. We ordered the BBQ chicken nachos which were $10.99, but they were huge. Way too much for just one person and almost too much for the two of us. They were very good though, and definitely a good price for how much food we were getting. There was a ton to choose from on the menu with lots of seafood options. The atmosphere its a little too 'uppity' for me but I do think I'll come back here another time to enjoy a meal and a couple of the $3 drink specials.
(3)Vanessa G.
I love coming to the Hot Tuna! Not only is the food good, like the shrimp, steak bites and Greek salad, but it's also a really cool hang out to burn up some energy on the dance floor. I think just about every night they have either a DJ or live band. By 11pm, that place is PACKED! When the music gets going, it gets really loud inside, but there is also covered outdoor seating. The bar is cool, in the middle of the place with fun lights and decor. The only gripe I can come up with is that the service is not stellar, but is fairly decent. Besides that, I've had some very fun times dancing with friends here at the Hot Tuna.
(4)Margaret Z.
Was there on a Saturday night, and waited approximately 15 minutes for a table for 3 people. It was pretty packed given the time, but the wait was very reasonable. Hostess was very courteous. I ordered the Fra Diavlo, which is basically linguine in a spicy marinara with a whole bunch of seafood on top. It was okay - the marinara was a little too spicy, and something in there was extremely salty. Pretty skimpy on the seafood - I literally only had 4 pieces of calamari for a whole plate of pasta. Big pasta portion, tiny seafood portion. My mom ordered the special that night that consisted of the Tsunami tuna, the Sesame tuna, and the Spicy roll. The Tsunami tuna was rare-cooked tuna in teriyaki sauce; a little sweet for my tastes. The spicy roll was good but not anything spectacular. Sesame tuna was very yummy - cooked to just the right texture and the wasabi mayo on top was a great touch. My dad got the baja tacos, which I didn't try, but they looked pretty good and popular in the restaurant as the tables next to us got them too. Our appetizer was the crab dip.. the portion was a littleeee on the skimpy side, but the texture and taste were pretty good. Again, nothing fantastic though. Service was mediocre. The food came as quickly as one would expect but the waitress never once came by to refill my water in the course of our 1.5 hours there. Atmosphere is pretty loud. I'd say this is a good place to go for a round of drinks or for a date night, but less so for sit-down family dinners.
(3)Danielle B.
This is the best dance floor scene in Hampton Roads. All the times I have been there they had a live band. The dance is small and a little crowded, but you can always get your dance on! The bar itself is spacious, especially with the deck outside. The deck has its own bar and is open all year round!!! The bar only has a couple places to sit, so leave your coats and purses in the car. The bartenders are nice and helpful, but service is a little slow at times. If it is really busy expect a wait time. I will say that the drinks are mildly strong. I was only tipsy after 4 rum and cokes (FYI: I am very short and petite). I have never been there to eat, so I cannot speak for their food. The bars decor is very dark and grungy, but looks nice. I would definitely suggest this place for a girls or boys night out. Cat S. is right when she said the crowd is diverse so be ready for surprises and an awesome time!
(4)Kurt B.
Pretty much the mainstay for dining and drinks on Shore Drive. They recently changed the menu (which they do often) and seemed to add more Tapas. The crunchy tuna roll was tasty and interesting. The hand muddled mojitos were popular around the restaurant to I had to order one, it was as good as it looked. The special was a seafood bake the featured shrimp, scallops, crab, flounder, & dusted with butter & garlic. This was on of the best seafood dishes I have had in a long long time. Service was friendly and efficient.
(5)Kimberly H.
Don't plan anything here! I had planned a wedding after party here. The people are despicable. They had 2 other brides in the section roped off for our party and didn't let our bride and groom in. They even escorted them off the premises without any provocation. They left champagne and a gift certificate for us the next morning, but the damage was done. Who treats locals this way? I would never ever go back to this awful place again. Save yourself the trouble and just party at the local hotel bar. At least you will be treated right!
(1)Karma N.
This cool place in a strip mall always brings out some great food and drinks. I love their blackened tuna bites and the Greek salad. Generous portions and nice kitschy beach decor make for a solid dinner out when at the beach. Now if they would just add a cool shrimp cocktail to their menu, I would love them even more!
(5)Terrence M.
GREAT place! I've been here many times for bands. I have been here several times for dinner. The food is good. They have quality drinks and bartenders. I have had many many drinks here. The deck is okay I guess. I never really go out there. I stick by the bands or sit in my seat eating. It is in a cool area near the bay. It is crowded sometimes. Hard to get to the restroom sometimes. The wait inside the bathroom is not bad, but inching around all the people to get there is a job sometimes. Fun times though! Fun times.
(5)Alec C.
Don't be put off by the location, this is a very good restaurant! We were a family of 10. The restaurant handled our party with ease and charm. The ambience inside combined with very good service, a creative and well prepared menu, and a great bar made this the best night out for us during our week in Virginia Beach. The trio dishes of various seafoods, the Rockfish prepared blackened, medeterainian style or broiled was excellent. The specialty Mohitos are terrific. Even it's location in a strip shopping center somehow makes it seem like a cool find. It's a great place. If you want a great night out go there!
(5)Tizi G.
The food was great and the music there was excellent. Totally awesome atmosphere in general.
(5)Don H.
Great food! Great service! Great drinks! Can't wait to go back.
(4)Chel R.
Retaurant: 2 stars I've had dinner at Hot Tuna many times for an office Christmas party as well as with friends. I can't say I've ever been impressed. The food is good, but just good. No better than a chain restaurant like Ruby Tuesday or Applebees in my opinion. I do like that most of the food has a little spicy kick to it. If you're vegetarian, don't expect to get anything creative from here. A pasta with sauteed vegetables and a butter sauce is usually the only option other than a salad. Even the desserts are average. Bar/Nightlife: 3.5 stars Hot Tuna is a fun place to go on a Friday/Saturday night (it's pretty dead on weeknights). There is usually a cover band playing as well as a DJ for between sets. There is a small area for a dance floor and usually it's standing room only by the bar (there are a few seats if you can snag one). The only down side is it gets really hot -- in the winter as well as in the summer. This is more of a place to see and be seen. Ladies, you'll want to dress up to fit in here even though the guys all dress casual. Also, the drinks are a bit pricier. I'm always shocked at my bar tab at the end of the night, and I'm a very light drinker.
(3)Clark S.
I expected allot more form this local grill. Food is average the staff is average and the crowd is old and gray. I will do my best to never go back.
(1)Carol S.
This was my second trip in the last 6 months. I steered clear of Hot Tuna for years, as I used to go when it was more about clubbing than dining, but they seem to have combined quality dining with a hopping bar separate from the dining area. I had the award winning skinny peartini and the potato encrusted salmon. The peartini lived up to its hype and the salmon was one of the best meals I've had in years. Everything was prepared perfectly, including my mixed veggies. The service was excellent.
(5)Michelle D.
We went back for another visit this past week. The new updated decor is great and the seafood was amazing! What a great place to come for fresh seafood. One of the best seafood restaurants in VB. The bar area is great too and service is always reliable, friendly, and quick!
(5)Tony R.
Great food, plan on getting groped at the bar. The bouncers need to do a better job keeping the rif raf out.
(2)Julie F.
A friend of mine took me here for a beer when we were waiting to pick up our Chinese take out from the place next door. I had a lot of fun, and the atmosphere was great. I think I am going to ask my boyfriend to take me here for dinner sometime. The menu looked great and I can't wait to go back.
(4)Danielle V.
Best place to go and drink on a Wednesday Friday and Saturday night!
(5)Andy B.
We discovered this place during our first night in town for the 1/2 marathon - didn't feel like cooking and wanted someplace local. . .It's located in a random strip mall, but don't let that deter you! Atmospher is loud bar and grill with some funky fish touches - good option for families (we had three little ones with us). Music during the weekend really amps up the noise level but it's fun. Service was good initially - quick drink orders, efficient ordering. However, it took FOREVER for our food to arrive. Not sure if it was a pacing or kitchen issue. . .however our server (Vanessa) was very nice and accomodating, especially since we had a lot of special kid requests. Food-wise I would stick with either their specials (ie the Sesame Tuna) or the simple catch of the day with toppings. The fish taco's looked pretty good and the crab cakes were ok, but the Sesame Tuna was awesome! It came rare, sliced very thin with this wonderful ponzu-soy sauce on it. Basically it was sashimi with more kick and it completely hit the spot! The catch of the day with Med. toppings also was great as was the asparagus side dish. Value-wise it's right in the middle - cheaper than the touristy places, more expensive than the seafood dives that some locals prefer. Overall, thumbs up - as long as you are patient with your order and selective you could do a lot worse in VB.
(3)Rachael M.
My husband & I were in Virginia Beach for 1 night in April but since neither lf us had ever been there before, we had no idea where to head for dinner. I used my iPhone Yelp app & found Hot Tuna. We were a little skeptical to try it because it is next to a grocey store, but I'm so glas we did! The Special was the Tuna Trilogy and it was amazing! It was raw tuna prepared three different ways & it did not disappoint. The waitresss was attentive & quick with drinks. We ate late (around 11pm) so we saw the transformation from restaurant to club scene & the servers do a waredrobe change, which was kind of funny. Overall, I loved the food & would absolutely go back if we are ever in the VB area again.
(5)Vanessa J.
Was there with a group of about a dozen people. We got there a little after everyone else but didn't have a problem putting another table together and getting menus. The waitress was pretty friendly and did a really good job keeping the drinks coming and clearing the table considering how many of us were there. We shared the calamari appetizer which was pretty good. My biggest problem was that it took FOREVER to get our food! Someone else in our group who came in after us got their food ahead of us. The rest of our group got their food in a timely manner but for whatever reason, ours took significantly longer...to the tune of over 45 minutes. Kudos to the manager and waitress for giving us a heads up that they had not forgotten us. And we got a free drink for having to wait so long. I ordered the Caesar salad (7.99) with grilled shrimp (an extra $5.99). Not bad tasting by any means but there were only about 5 shrimp. If I have to pa an extra $6 for a salad to get shrimp I would hope that there would be more of them than that. Overall not a bad place for dinner...a little over-priced for what you get but it had a good atmosphere and friendly, considerate wait staff.
(3)K A.
Excellent food, GREAT service, superb drinks, but relatively high prices. Steak was done right, and the calamari was good and plentiful. Didn't expect the bill to be what it was for the drinks but "Bar" in "...Bar & Grill" should have been a warning. Overall: Good classy (in comparison to the other near-beach spots) place, great food on the nicer side for ambiance but you pay for it. Choose it over Catch 31!
(4)Greg F.
I have spent a lot of time in Hot Tuna over the past 7 or so years and mostly go in the evening for beer and live entertainment. I have gone in early evening a few times for food though and it was very good. It was reasonably priced and slightly above average. I give it 4 stars all in all because the food is good, the service was good, I really like the atmosphere & it's a great late night spot. If you go in at night on the weekend it gets very busy and it takes a while to get a drink.
(4)Kris I.
Great new menu. Ate at the bar service was excellent as usual. The grilled avocado appetizer is awesome. The Sesame Fired Ahi is the best tuna dish ever....the perfect blend of spicy and sweet. Hot Tuna is one of of the best restaurants in VB.
(5)lynn v.
I love this place! I've been going there for at least 10 years. It's a good place to take the kids and sit outside on the deck. The food is always good and very creative. This restaurant has some of the freshest seafood in Virginia beach. My family also like the neat decor. It's just a fun place to go. They also have great bands there!
(5)Leslie O.
This bar was about a 15 minute cab ride but I thought it was worth it. It seem to be a place for locals. They have a dining room on one side and bar with a stage and outdoor patio on the other. I went on a Saturday night and there was a good live band playing. In between sets they would people top 40's music. It was really crowded and compared to Shakas: yelp.com/biz/shakas-virg… I kind of preferred the crowd at this place.
(4)Laura W.
Just moved to the area and had a friend tell me about this place. I came in around 8:00 with two other friends on a Saturday and you could tell this was the place to be. The hostess greeted us delightfully and told us there would be a small wait. We went up to the bar and grabbed a drink while we waited for our table. We didn't have to wait long till we got sat. The service and food were excellent. After dinner we decided to stick around to listen to the band that came on at 10:00. The band they had that evening was fun and energetic and the place got packed. The bartenders were really friendly and the drinks were great. I had a blast and will definitely be returning to Hot Tuna!
(4)Jeanne B.
My husband and I went to Hot Tuna Bar and Seafood Grill on Thursday evening and we both had such a delicious time. We arrived a little late for our reservation, but were quickly seated by our host and warmly greeted by our server. Our cocktail orders were quickly taken and delivered, and we're off to review the menu. We began our meal with a dozen of the Oysters Rockefeller and a bowl of She crap Soup. Both dishes left our mouths watering for what was to arrive next. The service was top-notch, and timing perfect, allowing just enough time between courses. Although the Cedar Plank Salmon with wild mushroom risotto and sauteed vegetables is always one of my favorites, I opted for the special, which was a Pepper seared Flounder, atop grilled Asparagus, Cajun Florentine, and potato cake, topped with the freshest of Eastern Shore Oysters. This dish left almost no room for dessert; however, thanks to my husband's sweet tooth, we split a piece of homemade Red Velvet Cheesecake. With the evening's wonderful seafood and wine choices, we couldn't help but feel just a little bit special.
(5)Keith W.
Went out to Virginia Beach for a conference and had no idea what to expect as for food out here. Tried a lot of different restaurants by the beach near the hotel, but then found this place in a small shopping center. It's nothing really fancy, but still nice inside. They have a bar and a band that plays on certain nights. What is really good here is the fresh seared tuna. The portions are huge and the fish is really fresh. Next time I am out there I plan to go back.
(5)Sasha B.
I don't get the hype except maybe this is one of the few places to pick from in this area. The bf and I came here for dinner and ordered the crab dip, the grill sampler, and the Greek salad with shrimp. The crab dip was pretty good but everything else was so so. The salad tasted like a salad at a diner. The mojitos that they are ''famous'' for was the worst mojito I've ever had. I'm rarely this harsh but if you're going to claim to be the best you can at least be good at it. This wasn't even close to ok. Although this place has not completely been written off my list I don't see myself craving to go back. The one thing that I can say is that service was attentive and we were well taken care of.
(2)Kim M.
We stopped at Hot Tuna on an impulse while cruising up Shore Drive. Turned out that it was a pretty great idea! My husband had an Angus Burger, which he thought was fairly average and I had their Portabello and Goat Cheese Burger, which I thought was fantastic (it was huge, too; the mushroom was about twice the size of the bun). Their burger and sandwich menu was very reasonable ($8-10) and their fish prices were higher ($16-20). They had an interesting and diverse midrange-priced cocktail menu which looked interesting. In terms of atmosphere and seating, the place was hopping; the restaurant had three sections. We were seated in an indoor restaurant section full of mostly families with kids, decorated with papier mache sea animals (kind of strange). They had a bar and stage section, which looked like mostly middle-age middle-class people, which was very lively. And they had a deck with outdoor tables, which was mostly full of young couples and looked pretty comfy. In terms of service, there was no wait to be seated, the food was pretty fast and the waitstaff was friendly and helpful. Altogether, it was a decent meal, and a pretty great experience; we'll probably go back, and try sitting outside and ordering some cocktails ^_^.
(4)Jacob S.
This bar doesn't disappoint on the weekend. always packed with beautiful women! haha
(4)al a.
I've got lots of great memories about this place. I used to go regularly between the years 1992 to 1997. So, this review is way old. But judging from the newer postings, the place did not change much from it's original fun atmosphere. I remember coming to this restaurant for a glass of chardonnay and Cesar Salad. Their Caribbean take on pasta was also a favorite of mine. This was the place where I first tried andouille sausages, too.
(4)Joseph H.
The best time in VB!!
(5)Brad F.
Super attractive Hostess and Bartender, big TV's in the bar, but the food wasn't up to par for what it cost.
(3)Jenn C.
I went here recently with a friend. I am no longer in my 20s and was worried that it was going to be a meat market. On a Wednesday night, it was nice and we had a table in the back where it was quiet. The server was great and the food was excellent. We both ordered mojitos and I didn't find them as good as apparently Va Beach thinks they are. However, the salads made up for it. I would highly recommend the fried goat cheese/blackened tuna salad. It is a nice sized portion. I would definitely visit again.
(4)Katie B.
Hot Tuna is a great hang out in the Shore Drive area of VA Beach. Good drinks, good food! The happy hour specials are superb...but otherwise..it's pretty pricey. If you hang out long enough here..you'll see all different cliques come and go!
(4)Eddie W.
I personally love this place it wonderful place for dinner and night life..wed,fri&sat had live band sometime u had to wait in line just to get in .The food is superb the server is very nice.They also own peabody club at atlantic ave where the beach front.
(4)Missy I.
I stayed at the Virginia Beach Resort Hotel and Conference Center right across the street for a convention. My friend and I stopped by on a Thursday night for drinks. We started out with the Margarita which was not actually all that good even though it said it was "award winning" definitely not award winning in my book. We asked for some pretty generic drinks for the next round and the bartender asked if we would be interested in seeing the drink menu (yes at premium prices, but that's OK) my friend loved the chocotini and I had a Southern Comfort Hurricane, which I liked as well. The Eye candy was great lots of good looking young men, and the bartenders were cute too. However- I picked my purse up from the foot ledge at the bar, and a roach definitely crawled up my hand. GROSS. We left after that, partially because of the roach, partly because the reason I was getting my purse was to pay the tab anyway. Maybe I brought it in from outside, maybe it came in from someone else, I don't know- other than that the place seemed pretty clean- but I thought it was worth mentioning.
(3)