Local’s Choice 2024

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 2024 Winners

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 at the Wharf 

Ray’s Shanty 

Exmore Diner 

Best Eastern Shore style Clam Chowder 

Bill’s Prime Seafood and Steaks 

Exmore Diner 

Ray’s Shanty 

Best Oyster Menu 

The Oyster Farm Cape Charles 

The Island House 

Captain Zack’s Seafood

Best Soft-Shell Crabs 

Captain Zack’s Seafood

The Village  

Don’s Seafood Restaurant

Best Clam Menu 

Steamer’s  

The Great Machipongo Clam Shack 

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 

AJ’s Bar and Grill 

Best Pizza 

Deadrise Pies 

Cosa Pizza 

Famous Pizza and Subs 

Best Subs 

Onancock Deli 

Ocean Deli 

J & B Subs

Best Allergy Friendly Options

Machipongo Trading Co 

Mallards 

AJ’s on the Creek, Captain Zack’s Seafood, Don’s Seafood, and Channel Bass Inn Restaurant  

Best Sandwiches 

Machipongo Trading Company 

Blackfin Island Grill and Tapas Lounge 

Mallards

Best Tacos 

Pico Taqueria 

Lily’s Little Mexico 

Taqueria El Ranchito (Cheriton food truck) 

Best Waterfront Dining 

The Island House 

The Ropewalk 

The Shanty 

Best Outdoor Dining 

Cape Charles Brewing 

Pico Taqueria  

Captain E’s Hurricane Bar and Grill 

Best Craft Beer/Wine/Spirits 

Cape Charles Brewing 

Chatham Vineyards 

Cape Charles Distillery 

Best Orange Crush 

Steamer’s 

The Shanty 

Mallards at the Wharf 

Best Ice Cream 

Island Creamery 

Brown Dog Ice Cream 

Mister Whippy 

Best Bakery 

Corner Bakery 

Amarin 

Mason Avenue Bakery 

Best Desserts

Corner Bakery 

Becca’s Cakes

Coastal Baking Co.

Best Coffee 

Slack Tide Coffee Co 

Amarin 

Machipongo Trading Co. 

Specialty Gourmet Shop 

Whiteraven’s Nest 

North Street Market 

Wine, Coffee, and Gourmet 

Best Kids’ Menu

Ropewalk 

AJ’s on the Creek

Don’s Seafood Restaurant

Ready to go shopping on Virginia’s Eastern Shore? Be sure to visit each of the local’s favorites!

 Best Specialty Shop 

Sandy Sky’s  

Gull Hummock

Fable Made

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 

The Boardwalk 

The Barrier Islands Center 

Rayfield’s Pharmacy 

Best Jewelry Shop 

C.D. Marsh 

Moonrise Jewelry

Shore Creations 

Best Boutique 

Dawn 

Girl’s Day Out Boutique 

Buoy 56

Best Kids Store 

Book Bin 

Pony Tails 

Cape Charles Candy Company

Best Antique Store 

Blue Crow Antique Mall

Exmore Antique Emporium 

Primitives and More

Best Upper Shore Art Gallery 

The Flying Fish

Historic Onancock School Artists and Galleries

Danny Doughty Gallery 

Best Lower Shore Art Gallery 

At Altitude Gallery 

Lemon Tree Gallery 

Local-ISH Art 

Best Farm/Farmers Market 

Chincoteague Island Farmers and Artisans Market 

Quail Cove Farms

The Onancock Market 

Find activities, adventures, and incredible experiences around Virginia’s Eastern Shore to enjoy!

Best Ecotours 

Burnham Guides 

Captain Barry’s Back Bay Cruises 

Cowboy Cruise Co. 

Best Pony Tour 

Captain Dan’s Around the Island Tour 

Cowboy Cruise Co.

Daisey’s Island Cruises

Best Fishing Trip 

Daytrippers 

Tidewater Charters 

Cape Charles Fishing Adventure 

Best Kayak Tours 

Southeast Expeditions 

Burnham Guides 

Assateague Explorer

 Best Family Fun Activities 

Funland Amusements 

Cape Charles Mini Golf 

Iron Pony Adventure Park 

Best Rentals 

Chincoteague Island Outfitters 

Burnham Guides 

Eastern Shore Custom Carts 

Best Museum 

Barrier Islands Center 

Museum of Chincoteague Island 

NASA Wallops Visitor Center 

Best Bird Watching Location 

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge 

Eastern Shore National Wildlife Refuge 

Barrier Islands 

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 Cape Charles 

Best Hotel or Motel 

Hampton Inn and Suites, Chincoteague 

Northampton Hotel 

The Charlotte Hotel 

Best Vacation Rental Company 

Seaside Vacations 

Chincoteague Island Vacation Cottages 

Coastal Shore Vacations 

Best Short-Term Rental 

Stoney Point 

Slack Tide & Marsh Madness (tied) 

The Parsonage & Camp Belle Haven (tied)