As a Hispanic food vlogger, my life is built on three principles which are exploring the beautiful world we live in, finding Hispanic food, and sharing my experiences with people around the world.
Over the years, I’ve traveled to various locations around the US to try and find some of the best Hispanic food. Recently, this mission brought me to Virginia Beach, and I must say, it was a journey of a lifetime.
The Hispanic culinary delights I found in Virginia Beach are definitely up there with some of the best I’ve had in my life. Whether it was a main course, a drink, or a dessert, I found a range of restaurants offering an authentic experience of Hispanic cuisine from different nations.
In this article, I’m going to share some of these spots with you. Whether you’re a food vlogger looking to make your mark, a Hispanic family looking for a taste of home on your vacation, or just someone looking to enjoy a world of flavor, these restaurants will help you make the most of your journey.
Now, without further ado, let’s munch into the 4 must-try Latin restaurants in Virginia Beach!
1. Gringo’s Taqueria
If you’re looking for some of the greatest tastes straight out of Mexico, this one’s for you. The beautifully decorated restaurant is located close to the Virginia Beach oceanfront and offers a wide variety of Baja-style cuisine. Whether you’re looking for authentic burritos, tacos, or salsa, I can bet my life you won’t be disappointed. They are well known for their fish tacos, so I just had to try those, and they were worth every penny.
That’s not all! Whether you’re into beer or margaritas, they have some of the best drinks that go along with the food beautifully. Oh, and did I mention that they have various vegetarian and gluten-free options as well? With a wide range of dishes and a location close to the ocean, this one’s a must-try whether you’re looking for a dine-in experience or want to eat on the go.
- Open Hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Location: 612 Norfolk Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451-4419
2. De Rican Chef Restaurant
De Rican Chef is as Puerto Rican as it gets. The restaurant has a wide range of mouth-watering traditional Puerto Rican dishes and drinks.
It has multiple locations in Virginia Beach, with one on Holland Road, one on the oceanfront, and one with an ocean view. I visited their ocean view branch, and it was an experience to die for. The food, drinks, view, decor, and the in-house music make this one a must-try.
Whether you’re into sandwiches, seafood, or something more traditional, De Rican Chef has it all. I had heard about their octopus before I visited, so I gave it a go, in addition to their Cubano sandwich, stuffed mofongo, and their ensalada de la casa (house salad), gotta keep it healthy, right? Each of them had me high on flavor! Their food is renowned for being prepared fresh and to order each day, and you can also order online through their website if you have access to the internet.
- Open Hours: Monday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Location 1: 3208 Holland Rd Ste 105, Virginia Beach, VA 23453-2864
- Location 2: 325 Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
- Location 3: 201 West Oceanview, Norfolk, Virginia
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3. Side Street Cantina
If you’re all about big portions packed with an authentic touch of Mexican taste, you might want to give Side Street Cantina a visit. This vibrant restaurant is just a block away from the beach and has a wide range of Mexican dishes and drinks that will have you hooked. It is very beautifully decorated, and I had no trouble waiting for my order as I was too captivated by the décor, particularly the skulls.
From cocktails, mojitos, and aplastas to nachos, enchiladas, and tacos, they have all you need for a happy tummy. They, too, have a large range of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. I particularly loved their quesadillas and their shrimp tacos, the portions of which left me feeling like a stuffed Thanksgiving turkey. Since I ordered a large range of tacos, I just had to have some tequila, and their Cazadores Blanco and Cazadores Reposado did not disappoint. The best part is, they’re open every day till midnight!
- Open Hours: Monday to Sunday from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m.
- Location: 205 11th St, Virginia Beach, VA 23451-3508
4. Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge
The Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge brings the authentic flavors of Venezuela straight to Virginia Beach, and I’m all for it! The restaurant is well-known for the authenticity and flavor it delivers with its traditional Venezuelan cuisine of arepas. But that’s not all, they also offer other Venezuelan delicacies such as cachapas, empanadas, parrillas, and pabellon. Of course, I had to get one of all of them, I mean, why wouldn’t I?
The flavors literally blew my mind, and I looked forward to each bite. At times, I found myself confused about which item I should take a bite out of next, because they were all too good. Their sauces, particularly their garlic sauce and Venezuelan-style hot sauce, paired extremely well with each of the main items. Their drinks and desserts are the perfect wingmen, and I must recommend the Chicha and Tres leches if you want to add the cherry on top of your dining experience. They also allow online orders!
- Open Hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. / Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Location: 1642 Pleasure House Rd Suite 108, Virginia Beach, VA 23455-4019
Virginia Beach – A Hub of Authentic Hispanic Food
Food is one of the most important parts of Hispanic cultures everywhere, and to see my culture being loved and appreciated around Virginia Beach meant the world to me.
The 4 restaurants I shared in this article pave the way for shared experiences, cross-cultural acceptance, and timeless memories. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, Virginia Beach offers an authentic experience of Hispanic culture through the best language – food.
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