While Virginia Beach’s resort area is bustling with tourism, the southern section of the city, particularly the Pungo area, is a peaceful countryside full of farmland. Virginia Beach’s strong agricultural heritage is evident with the bountiful farms and farmers markets, as well as farm-to-table restaurant options, available throughout town. During your visit, be sure to make an effort to shop local and support the Virginia Beach farming community, as well as other small businesses.
Buy produce at a farmers market
Throughout the city, there are farmers markets, with their season opening up in April and May, selling a large variety of locally grown produce, homemade goods and handcrafted items.
The Virginia Beach Farmers Market, on Dam Neck Road, is open year-round and has a large number of produce stands as well as specialty stores including a butcher shop, café, ice cream shop, gift shops and more. Old Beach Farmers Market, on 19th Street in the ViBe District, is an outdoor marketplace that runs every Saturday morning, where you can shop for produce, baked goods, meats, cheeses, jewelry, art, flowers and so much more. Also check out Kings Grant Farmers Market, open the first and third Thursday evening of the month, and Shore Drive Farm Market, on Saturday mornings, in the northern section of the city.
Visit a farm in Virginia Beach
For a deeper farm experience, set aside a couple of hours to spend time at one of Virginia Beach’s farms. Hunt Club Farm is a very popular farm attraction, including a petting farm, farm market, plus large seasonal events. Opportunities for “U-Pick” fruits and vegetables, especially strawberries and pumpkins, abound at many local farms, such as Flanagan Farm, Henley Farms and Salem Berry Farm. Many of the farms in the area also have a market as part of their farm operation.
Dine at farm-to-table restaurants
Throughout Virginia Beach, diners will find delicious farm-to-table dining options with high-quality, locally sourced ingredients presented in creative, unique dishes. Some restaurants with a farm-to-table focus to consider trying while in town include Harvest, Commune, Hearth Wood Fired Cuisine & Craft Beer, The Rustic Spoon, Esoteric, Heirloom, and The Bee and The Biscuit, just to name a few.