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Leaping Lizard Cafe
Fresh, farm-to-table flavors in a cozy coastal setting—where every bite feels like home.
4.8(5 reviews)
$$
cafe
cafe
breakfast-and-brunch
Enjoy made-from-scratch brunch dishes like Crabcake Benedict, duck hash, and sweet potato biscuits, featuring locally sourced ingredients.
Savor fresh salads, soups, and entrees such as tuna fried rice and chicken salad, with options for healthy and hearty meals.
Indulge in homemade treats including giant oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, carrot cake, and other baked goods available for takeout.
Experience farm-to-table dining with vegetables, herbs, and fruits sourced from nearby farms and our own backyard garden.
Relax in our inviting screened-in porch or garden setting, perfect for casual meals, dates, or family gatherings.
Fresh, farm-to-table flavors in a cozy coastal setting—where every bite feels like home.
No photos available
Leaping Lizard Cafe is a beloved Virginia Beach gem offering a unique dining experience with a cozy, eclectic atmosphere reminiscent of a backyard garden or bed and breakfast. We specialize in scratch-made brunch and lunch dishes using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients, including produce from nearby farms and our own backyard chickens. Our menu features standout items like Crabcake Benedict, tuna fried rice, and sweet potato biscuits, all served with warm hospitality. Perfect for family breakfasts, relaxed dates, or casual outings, we pride ourselves on delivering fresh, flavorful meals in a charming screened-in porch setting. Don't miss our bakery next door for irresistible desserts like giant oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.
Sip on refreshing beverages like the Blueberry Basil Mojito and other crafted drinks to complement your meal.
This places lives up to being on DDD. Wonderful food, atmosphere, and staff. Everyone was so friendly and the food was amazing. Tuna fried rice was some of the best fried rice I've ever had. My wife had rhe chicken salad and loved it. Can't wait to stop again our next time in town. Don't forgot to stop by the bakery before you leave.
This place is the best!! The vibes, the service, the FOOD - all scratch made (and you can tell!!) we had the duck hash and crab cake Benedict for brunch, and the sweet potato biscuit takes it to another level. This was a chance stop on a road trip, and I can’t believe how lucky we got finding this gem. We’ll be back.
This restaurant is such a unique find—it almost feels like you’re dining at a cozy bed and breakfast or in someone’s backyard. Everyone was so kind, and the space had a fun, eclectic vibe. They even have their own chickens in the backyard, which adds to the charm! The food was pleasantly surprising. I expected more traditional flavors, but everything tasted incredibly fresh and truly homemade—just like they advertise. I’d definitely recommend this spot for a family breakfast or a relaxed late lunch date. 8.5/10.
The parking lot is a bit small and we had to wait in order to park, but I appreciated it very much that they have someone out in the parking lot managing things by having the waiting cars for an organized line. The young lady at the entry point is wonderful and makes everyone feel welcome as she assures them that their table is being prepared as soon as possible. The menu was nicely rounded out between breakfast items and lunch items, plus healthy items as well as big meals for hungry people. It was hard to choose what to order because there were really good options there. If things had stopped there this would have been a five-star place, but the food just didn't deliver for all of us at the table. Meaning, some of us were disappointed with our meals. They were lacking flavor in some cases. As an example, my beet salad had very little dressing on it and the dressing that was on it tasted mostly of just oil. It seemed like a lot of oily lettuce, and I was a bit disappointed. Only two out of 5 of us said they enjoyed their meal. There's a bakery next door, but we didn't order anything from it. Looked good though.
Leaping Lizard Café on Shore Drive is one of my all-time favorite spots in Virginia Beach for both a relaxed lunch and a charming date night. The atmosphere is inviting and cozy, with a screened in porch outdoor garden setting that captures the essence of coastal Virginia. Their commitment to using locally grown and seasonal ingredients truly sets them apart—many of the vegetables, herbs, and fruits come straight from nearby farms, and it shows in every fresh, flavorful bite. My personal favorites include the Blueberry Basil Mojito, which is refreshingly balanced with a perfect hint of sweetness, and the Crabcake Benedict, a standout brunch dish featuring tender, flavorful crab and perfectly poached eggs. For lunch, you can’t go wrong with any of their soup and salad combinations, but I especially recommend the sweet potato biscuit with Edwards Surry ham paired with their fresh garden greens salad—it’s the ideal mix of comfort and farm-fresh flavor. No visit is complete without dessert. The giant oatmeal chocolate chip cookies are simply irresistible, and the carrot cake—available by special order—is one of the best I’ve ever had. Whether you’re stopping in for brunch, a casual afternoon meal, or a cozy evening out, Leaping Lizard Café delivers a consistently excellent dining experience rooted in local charm and quality ingredients.
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