Go ahead, let your mind wander and picture this scene: You’ve spent the day on one of the most beautiful beaches on the East Coast. Happy hour is coming up so you grab a seat on the patio of one of many waterfront eateries and settle in to watch the sunset. What will you start with? A chilled glass of white wine and a plateful of Lynnhaven Oysters, served on the half shell! You think to yourself, “I want to remember this moment, always.” Couldn’t we all use a vision like that right about now? Especially if we’re living nowhere near a coast where the freshest-possible seafood is always at the ready. That lovely scene is a reality in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay meet. Read on to find out how you can get a better feel for the experience in our podcast.

Virginia Beach’s Lynnhaven Oysters served on the half shell. Photo by Virginia Beach.

The iconic Lynnhaven Oyster is available throughout the year. But it’s celebrated every November, dubbed “Virginia Oyster Month.” Named after the Lynnhaven River, the oysters gained notoriety when Captain John Smith had them as one of his first meals in America in 1607. The oysters gained an international following when colonists shipped them to English aristocracy.

Despite the Lynnhaven Oyster getting its own month devoted to it, it’s far from the only seafood in Virginia Beach. Visitors can enjoy other products of the local waters including Chesapeake Bay Crabs, Rockfish, Tuna, and Shrimp. To learn about the way they, and the Lynnhaven Oysters, are typically enjoyed by the locals, as well as the many things to do in Virginia Beach VA, we hopped on a Zoom call with Director of Public Relations for Virginia Beach, Erin Goldmeier. She gives us an insider’s view into experiencing the destination like a local on the Real Food Traveler Podcast. You can also find our entire podcast series, and subscribe, on iTunes, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Radio Public and other listening services.

For more information about Virginia Beach, Virginia, visit their website, here. And to get your culinary travel dreaming started, here are four recipes Virginia Beach shared with us for unique ways to enjoy oysters.

Please note, this article is sponsored content provided by Virginia Beach, VA on RealFoodTraveler.com to serve as information and inspiration to our readers. 

Hungry for more? Find out what the iconic cocktail is in Virginia Beach in our podcast. Get four recipes for enjoying oysters from Virginia Beach restaurants. And, for a little history lesson, learn what part Virginia played in one of George Washington’s most dramatic periods.

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