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Clare & Don’s Beach Shack has brought Florida-inspired food, live entertainment and a laid-back coastal atmosphere to downtown Falls Church for more than two decades.
Located at 130 N. Washington Street beside the State Theatre, the restaurant pairs a beach-themed patio and quirky nautical décor with a menu built around seafood, Southern comfort food and extensive plant-based options.
Siblings David and Rebecca Tax established the business in 2005 after growing up in Florida. It began in Clarendon—providing the inspiration for the Clare & Don’s name—and operated there for two years before moving to Falls Church.
The family also runs Lazy Mike’s Delicatessen, a companion venture inspired by their father, Mike.
Clare & Don’s embraces its beach-shack identity with mismatched outdoor furniture, fishing nets, flip-flops and shells. The restaurant includes an indoor sports bar and a family-friendly patio that hosts live bands, catered gatherings and other community events.
Seafood offerings include fish, shrimp and oyster baskets, fried lobster, fried gator, crab cake sandwiches, fish tacos and shrimp and grits. Raw and roasted Chesapeake oysters are served Fridays through Sundays.
A separate vegan and vegetarian menu offers blackened or coconut-fried tofu, tofu crab cakes, vegan chili, a vegan burger and plant-based fish and chips. The broader menu also includes familiar options such as pickle chips, hush puppies, onion rings, nachos and tater tots.
Family Supper Club boxes and catering selections are available, including a crab cake combination with sautéed shrimp, mashed potatoes, vegetables and salad. Ice cream from Lazy Mike’s provides another connection between the two family businesses.
Entertainment is a major part of the restaurant’s identity. Regular programming has included Thursday trivia, Beach Babes Drag Brunch and Swamp Listening Room performances. Its annual Beach Fest brings outdoor music and crowds to the center of Falls Church.
The restaurant’s ties to the community extend beyond food and entertainment. David and Rebecca have provided meals for people at the Safe Haven Day Shelter and supported Falls Church public school students who participate in free and reduced-price lunch programs.
“It’s about just reaching across the street to help your neighbors when they need it,” David said.
Safe Haven co-coordinator Joni Laurence said the restaurant’s meal contributions relieve a significant financial burden, accounting for roughly one-quarter of the shelter’s monthly budget. She said guests especially look forward to “a Beach Shack Thursday.”
With its Florida roots, eclectic menu and busy events calendar, Clare & Don’s has grown into both a dining destination and a neighborhood gathering place in Falls Church.