What, Where and How do you get it in your belly?
From dining out at local eateries or buying local, fresh seafood and grilling at the inn to catching your own right off our dock, we’re here to help!
Dining Out
There are great places to choose from for fresh seafood in our coastal town. Each eatery is different and prepares local fish, shellfish etc. in their own ways. Some spots are on the water with indoor and outdoor seating and a few “downtown” restaurants offer dining outside as well.
Dining “Downtown” (restaurants located in our central historic area):
The Seafood Shack:
Located downtown next to M & M building supply. The Seafood Shack specializes in seafood as the name implies. TSS started out as a food truck but has now settled into a brick and mortar right in downtown. It’s a family-owned market and restaurant that offers fresh seafood and delicious seafood meals. This place is the only restaurant that serves steamed crabs that you can dine in with or take out. ABC permit, and indoor and outdoor dining available. Live music some weekend nights.
The White Dog Bistro:
Located on Church Street in historic Downtown, The White Dog Bistro is a true gem in our little town of Mathews. This bistro is elegant with a casual atmosphere. Their menu offers fresh seafood, local produce, vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options. The White Dog is located in an old historic building that used to be one of the first hotels in Mathews County.
Reservations recommended.
Southwind Pizza and Café:
Located in “downtown” Mathews, and known for their handmade hearth baked pizzas featuring unique ingredients and flavor combinations. Southwind’s offers more than pizza too. Fresh seafood dinners, apps and sandwiches. Even pizza with shrimp or scallops. Enjoy a meal on the front porch overlooking the historic courthouse green or meet new friends at the friendly bar area.
Richardson’s Café:
Located on the corner of Church Street, Richardson’s Café has a menu that features local seafood including fried oysters, seasonal fish and crab cakes. Like many of the local restaurants, Richardson’s will often broil or sauté many of the fried menu options. But ask before you order.
Dining on Gwynn’s Island: just a short drive from the Inn
Hole in the Wall:
Located on Gwynn’s Island right after you cross the bridge, you can’t miss it to the right. You can dine and enjoy beautiful bay views and sunsets with large picture windows. They offer outdoor deck seating during warmer weather, and feature local raw oysters as well as other local seafood and daily specials. Full-service Bar.
The Hatchery at Oyster Seed Holdings:
Brand New to Mathews in June 2023, an oyster food truck located at Historic Callis Wharf on Gwynn’s Island. Fresh oysters from the on-site farm, and other local farms, prepared several ways, serving beer and wine as well. Open only on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 5-9. Outdoor seating only. The Hatchery is brand new, with a unique and fun atmosphere. (OSH offers farm tours and tasting every other Friday, with Food Truck available as well; reservations for the tours are pretty much required, tickets can be purchased online.) This is brand new and they are still developing and working out the kinks, so please be patient with this awesome new dining experience!
Topping: The Topping area is in Deltaville, a neighboring county.
Merroir:
This one is a little drive from the Inn, but our guests go time and again for the views and the fresh oysters. Owned by Rappahannock River Oyster Company, these folks know oysters, and the view just cant be beat. Definitely order the Stuffin’ Muffin…don’t ask questions, just order it. Open everyday but Wednesdays.
Seafood Markets:
Island Stop:
This market is located right up our lane, so it’s an easy walk or bike ride away. A cute little market that offers everything from fishing gear and bait to a little wine room in the back. Menu items may include freshly made to order sandwiches as well as great crab cakes, deviled crab and other fresh seafood. Lots of great sides as well including a loaded potato salad and kale/broccoli salad. They also have a fresh meats and seafood case, where you can find snow crab legs, or shrimp, and some fish filets. Bring these items back to the Inn where you can use the grill. You can also call ahead and inquire about getting shrimp or crabs steamed for you.
The Seafood Shack:
Located downtown next to M & M building supply. We mentioned this place above because they are a full service restaurant but they are also a market! Fresh fish, shellfish, oysters, clams, and even prepared food items, you want it, they probably got it. Call ahead and order something to take back home with you. This place is the only restaurant that serves steamed crabs that you can dine in or take out.
Crabs Express:
This Seafood Company is technically in Gloucester, but its just a short drive from the Inn. These folks are selling LIVE crabs and oysters fresh from the York River and Chesapeake Bay. Crabs express does offer more than crabs, I wouldn’t expect to find fresh fish here, but definitely crabs and all types of shellfish, oysters and clams. Call ahead and order crabs to take home!
Catch your own!
Crabbing from our dock:
Bring some string and some raw chicken, and have fun crabbing from our dock. Ask us for a pot, and you can steam your own crabs right here on our grill, and have a nice crab pickin’ overlooking our creek. Picnic tables provided.
Fishing from our dock:
All you need to fish from our dock is a pole, some bait, and a little patience. No permit required. Guests are welcome to bring their own poles, rods and tackle, but we do carry those things for you to use for fishing in our “Crab Shack”. You can also fish from one of our kayaks that can be launched right here at our dock into Tabbs Creek. You will need a fishing license for that however. Species you might expect to catch are Spot, Croaker, Perch, Drum and Striped Bass.
Local fishing beaches and permitted areas:
Haven Beach and Bethel Beach allow fishing, but you will need a permit. Bethel Beach is more suitable for bird and wildlife watching or picnicking as it is a nature preserve. Haven Beach is a good fishing beach and has public restroom facilities. Just a few minutes from the inn is Williams Wharf Landing. Williams Wharf is a public boat landing and fishing area, with a picnic area and a covered pavilion. Fishing permits will be required at these locations.
Fishing Charters:
Chesapeake Bay Boat Tours : A converted deadrise to charter boat, The Helen Elizabeth resides at our dock and departs here. Captain Trey offers several tours and charters to choose from including half-day bottom feeding charters.
Bay Fly Fishing Captain Chris Newsome specializes in fly and light tackle fishing charters. No matter your skill level there is something for you. From the least experienced fisherman/woman who may not even know how to bait the hook to the serious accomplished angler. An expert at his craft, Chris can use fly, spin, and bait casting tackle for numerous species. Some fish you may catch are striped bass, speckled trout, flounder and more.
