Local’s Choice 2023
Have you ever visited somewhere new and wished you had a local to show you around?
Born in the wake of 2020, the ESVA Local’s Choice competition is a way for our locals to share their favorite businesses with you! It is not only a competition, but also a celebration of our incredible small businesses and the people that bring vibrance to our community. As you are planning your adventure on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, you can use the local’s favorites to guide your travels around our peninsula. What will you discover on Virginia’s natural coast?
Our 2023 Winners
Eat
Experience the local’s favorite places to eat on Virginia’s Eastern Shore! From seafood to burgers to fine dining, you can find the best here on the Shore!
Best Crab Cakes
Mallards
Ray’s Shanty
The Village
Eastern Shore style Clam Chowder
Bill’s Prime Seafood and Steaks
The Exmore Diner
Ray’s Shanty
Best Oyster Menu
The Oyster Farm Seafood Eatery
The Island House
Captain Zack’s Seafood
Best Soft-Shell Crabs
Captain Zack’s Seafood
Don’s Seafood Market and Restaurant
The Village
Best Clam Menu
The Great Machipongo Clam Shack
Steamer’s
The Oyster Farm Seafood Eatery
Best Flounder
The Island House
Captain Zack’s Seafood
Bill’s Prime Seafood and Steaks
Best Fresh Seafood Market
Ray’s Shanty
Taylor Seafood
Gary Howard Seafood
Best Burger
Maurice
Cape Charles Brewing Co
The Blarney Stone
Best Pizza
Deadrise Pies
Famous Pizza and Subs
Ocean’s Deli
Best Subs
J & B Subs
Onancock Deli
Ocean Deli
Best Sandwiches
Market Street Grill
Liv’s Café and Deli
Cravings
Best Tacos
Pico Taqueria
Lilly’s Little Mexico
Taqeuria El Ranchito
Best Waterfront Dining
The Island House
Ropewalk
Mallards at the Wharf
Best Outdoor Dining
Cape Charles Brewing Co
Captain E’s Hurricane Bar and Grill & Pico Taqueria
Woody’s
Best Craft Beer/Wine/Spirits
Cape Charles Brewing
Black Narrows Brewing
Chatham Vineyard
Best Orange Crush
Steamer’s
Mallards at the Wharf
The Shanty
Best Ice Cream
Island Creamery
Brown Dog Ice Cream
Cowlick’s Creamery
Best Bakery
Corner Bakery Onancock
Amarin
Coastal Baking Co
Bonus Award: Who serves the best desserts?
Corner Bakery
Market Street Grill
Becca’s Smith Island Cakes
Best Coffee
Slack Tide Coffee Co
Amarin
Foggy Place
Shop
Ready to go shopping on Virginia’s Eastern Shore? Be sure to visit each of the local’s favorites!
Best Specialty Gourmet Shop
Whiteraven’s Nest
Gull Hummock
North Street Market
Best Allergy Friendly Options
Channel Bass Inn
Don’s Seafood
The Island House
Best Kids’ Menu
Market Street Grill
The Island House
Don’s Seafood
Best Specialty Shop
Sandy Sky’s
Gull Hummock
Island Roots
Best Tackle Shop
Captain Steve’s Bait and Tackle
Bailey’s Bait and Tackle
Ocean’s East
Best Upper Shore Gift Shop
The Brant
The Book Bin
Jaxon’s
Best Lower Shore Gift Shop
Rayfield’s Pharmacy
Table & Tonic
The Boardwalk
Best Jewelry Shop
C.D. Marsh Jewelers
Moonrise Jewelry
Shore Creations
Best Boutique
Girl’s Day Out
Dawn
Shore Creations
Best Consignment Boutique
Periwinkles
Seaside Consignment
Bayside Kids
Best Kids Store
Book Bin
Pony Tails
Jaxon’s
Best Antique Store
Blue Crow Antique Store
Primitives and More
Exmore Antique Emporium
Best Upper Shore Art Gallery
The Flying Fish Gallery
Historic Onancock School Artists and Galleries
Crockett Gallery
Best Lower Shore Art Gallery
Lemon Tree Gallery and Studio
At Altitude Gallery
Coastal Creations
Best Farm/Farmers Market
Chincoteague Island Farmers and Artisans Market
The Onancock Market
Quail Cove Farms
Play
Find activities, adventures, and incredible experiences around Virginia’s Eastern Shore to enjoy!
Best Ecotours
Burnham Guides
Captain Barry’s Back Bay Cruises & Captain Dan’s Around the Island Tour
Seaside Ecotours & Daisey’s Island Cruises
Best Pony Tour
Captain Dan’s Around the Island Tour
Daisey’s Island Cruises
Cowboy Cruise Co.
Best Fishing Trip
Daytrippers
Cape Charles Fishing Adventure
Miss Jennifer (Cherrystone)
Best Kayak Tours
Burnham Guides
Chincoteague Island Outfitters
Southeast Expeditions
Best Family Fun Activities
Funland Amusements
Iron Pony Adventure Park
Surfside Golf
Best Rentals
Chincoteague Island Outfitters
Burnham Guides
C.C. Ryder Rentals
Best Museum
Museum of Chincoteague Island
Barrier Islands Center
NASA Wallops Flight Facility
Best Bird Watching Location
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
Eastern Shore National Wildlife Refuge
Barrier Islands
Stay
Find the local’s favorite places to stay on Virginia’s Eastern Shore!
Best Bed and Breakfast
Channel Bass Inn
The Inn at Onancock
Bay Haven Inn of Cape Charles
Best Hotel or Motel
The Charlotte Hotel
Hampton Inn & Suites
Refuge Inn
Best Vacation Rental Company
Seaside Vacations
Coastal Shore Vacations (formerly Chincoteague Resort Vacations)
Chesapeake Properties
Best Short-Term Rental
Artist Apartment
Chesapeake Dream
Bay Dreamin & Little Red House