The North Carolina Coast Restaurants
We’ve compiled the best of the best in The North Carolina Coast - browse our top choices for Restaurants during your stay.
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43 Recommendations
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21. Buxton Munch Company
$ | |This casual lunch spot, tucked away in a strip center, has been going strong for over 20 years, specializing in fish and shrimp tacos, wraps, burgers, salads, and sandwiches. There's nothing fancy here, but prices are reasonable, and there may be a line at peak times.
47359 NC 12, Buxton, North Carolina, USA252-995–5502Known For
- Crabby pattie crab cakes
- Inexpensive and fairly quick
- Local institution
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. -
22. Catch
$$$$ | Midtown |Native Wilmingtonian chef Keith Rhodes is a James Beard Award finalist who sources local seafood for inspired, beautifully plated Asian- and Southern-influenced dishes. Copper fish sculptures decorate the dining room's sky-blue walls and watch you enjoy lump crab cakes, blackened swordfish, pan-roasted grouper, and other seafood dishes.
6623 Market St., Wilmington, North Carolina, 28405, USA910-799–3847Known For
- Locally sourced seafood
- Artistic presentations
- Celebrity chef owner, of Top Chef fame
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon., Credit cards accepted -
23. Ceviche's
$$ | |Panamanian-inspired food is the focus of this lively rum bar and restaurant just across the bridge from the beach. The eponymous ceviches—traditional Panamanian corvina, lobster, and tuna "cooked" in lime juice—are all wonderful, but ropa vieja (flank steak served over coconut rice) and blackened tuna are tasty, too. Outdoor seating includes a pleasant interior atrium, and tables on the patio by the road.
7210 Wrightsville Ave., Wilmington, North Carolina, 28403, USA910-256–3131Known For
- Flavorful empanadas and tacos
- Four house ceviche blends
- Big selection of high-quality rum drinks
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. -
24. City Kitchen
$$$ | |At an otherwise working marina, this small-plates restaurant and cocktail bar offers a touch of upscale class with its excellent water views. The rotating "Littles" menu is globally inspired and full of flavor, while the "Bigs" are heartier, meatier choices for dinner. A seasonal tiki bar operates on the outdoor deck that's perfect for sunsets.
114 A Town Creek Dr., Beaufort, North Carolina, USA252-648–8141Known For
- Small menu with a diverse selection
- Sticky-toffee pudding
- Sophisticated but local vibes
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25. Clawson's 1905 Restaurant and Pub
$$ | |A combination of fresh seafood, local beers, and live music make this a Front Street staple, especially for lunch. Housed in a 1900s grocery building, Clawson's is stuffed with memorabilia dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of Beaufort. Hearty food such as ribs, steaks, pasta, and seafood are part of the attraction, and ask about blue-plate lunch specials. The pub highlights a selection of North Carolina microbrews and schedules regular Friday Night Flights tastings.
425 Front St., Beaufort, North Carolina, 28516, USA252-728–2133Known For
- Casual atmosphere for lunch or a hearty dinner
- Good selection of microbrews
- Historic memorabilia about Beaufort
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun., Credit cards accepted -
Recommended Fodor’s Video
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26. Cow Café
$ | |This black-and-white-spotted café and ice cream parlor is popular with families. Sandwiches, "cowlossal" all-beef hot dogs, "cowsadillas," house-made caramel corn, and apple pie "à la moo" are served, too.
319 Middle St., New Bern, North Carolina, 28560, USA252-672–9269Known For
- Many varieties of ice cream
- Black-and-white cow toys, gifts, and memorabilia
- Kid-friendly fun
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, Reservations not accepted -
27. CRU
$ | |In the morning, pick up a bagel, a breakfast burrito, and a latte at this downtown coffee shop. Grab a sandwich or wrap to go for lunch, and come back in the evening for ice cream or to enjoy one of coastal North Carolina's best wine selections, by the glass or the bottle.
120 Turner St., Beaufort, North Carolina, 28516, USA252-728--3066Known For
- House-made chocolate bars
- Gourmet coffee drinks
- Ice-cream cones and floats
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28. Freddie's Restaurant
$$ | |Dining at this family-run Italian joint—steps from the beach but in dark-wood-laden environs that feel like a haunt from The Sopranos—is an experience, but to enjoy the hearty pastas, lasagna, and pork chops without a wait, arrive early.
105 K Ave., Kure Beach, North Carolina, 28449, USA910-458--5979Known For
- Massive center-cut pork chop
- Martinis
- Classic atmosphere, with a lively bar sharing space in the tiny dining room
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. -
29. Hatteras Sol Waterside Grill
$$$ | |The Widespread Panic concert posters lining the walls are the first clue that this isn't the usual waterfront seafood spot; the next is the quality of the non-seafood options, like a strawberry and arugula salad, or the spicy margherita flatbread pizza. Of course, the ocean's bounty is well represented, from seafood corn chowder to a creamy shrimp carbonara.
58646 NC 12, Hatteras Village, North Carolina, 27943, USA252-986--1414Known For
- Upscale food with a laid-back vibe
- Sunset views across the sound
- Creative approach to fresh seafood
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. -
30. MJ's Raw Bar and Grille
$$ | |This little downtown seafood joint with sidewalk and indoor seating serves fresh coastal food in a setting full of local charm. You'll see plenty of fried seafood on the menu, but reasonably priced plates from the raw bar (combination platters of oysters, clams, steamed shrimp, and crab) do not disappoint. Daily specials include deals on whole Maine lobsters, peel-and-eat Carolina shrimp, and beach-friendly cocktails.
216 Middle St., New Bern, North Carolina, USA252-635–6890Known For
- Crab cakes
- Steamed seafood platters
- Bloody Marys
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. -
31. Oceanas Bistro
$$$ | |Open year-round for lunch and dinner (seasonally for breakfast), this long-established and popular roadside restaurant is a great spot to get local seafood and a variety of other dishes at moderate prices. Daily specials range from prime rib to tacos and grillers, a cross between a pizza and a quesadilla that's topped with tuna, crab, chicken, or veggies. The bistro has a full bar and a good selection of local beers to wash it all down with.
40774 NC 12, Avon, North Carolina, 27915, USA252-995–4991Known For
- Well-prepared seafood and other dishes
- Moderate prices
- Tuna, crab, or chicken grillers
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32. Oceanic
$$$ | |At Crystal Pier, this casual fine-dining destination lets you indulge in entrées like crab-stuffed salmon or a platter of Calabash seafood while sitting directly over the sand and surf. Sunday brunch—when specialties like crab and wild mushroom hash make their appearance—is particularly popular.
703 S. Lumina Ave., Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, 28480, USA910-256--5551Known For
- Carolina crab dip
- Upscale but reasonably priced seafood
- Stunning location with outdoor seating directly on the ocean
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33. Orange Blossom Bakery & Cafe
$ | |There's a line out the door during summer for this bakery's "Apple Uglies," fried amalgams of doughnut dough and apples. There's also a full menu of breakfast burritos and egg sandwiches to enjoy on the patio out front.
47206 NC 12, Buxton, North Carolina, 27920, USAKnown For
- Pastries doused in chocolate
- Homemade biscuit sandwiches
- Breakfast burritos
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed weekdays Jan.–mid-Mar. -
34. Outer Banks Brewing Station
$$$ | |Craft beer rules at this wind turbine--powered brewery and British Isles--style pub. Upscale pub fare complements the beer—opt for seared local tuna atop a garden salad or noodle bowl, or go for a bratwurst sausage plate. Cooper accents, lots of wood, and fun, retro touches (a Superman doll denotes the men's room; Wonder Woman, the ladies' room) characterize this huge white building, modeled after a turn-of-the-19th-century lifesaving station. Regularly scheduled live music adds to the festive atmosphere.
600 S. Croatan Hwy. (U.S. 158, MM 8.5), Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, 27948, USA252-449–2739Known For
- The bison, elk, pork, and Wagyu beef combo Beast Burger
- Full bands inside and singer-songwriters outside
- Big backyard with picnic tables
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues., Credit cards accepted, Reservations not accepted -
35. Owens' Restaurant
$$$$ | |Family owned since 1946, this restaurant, housed in a replica of an early-19th-century Outer Banks Lifesaving Station, feels like dining in a nautical museum: classic clapboard construction, pine paneling, and walls of maritime artifacts. The traditional crab cakes are popular, and the 14-layer chocolate cake is a long-standing favorite.
7114 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head, North Carolina, 27959, USA252-441–7309Known For
- Fresh-off-the-boat local seafood
- Filet mignon topped with lump crabmeat and asparagus with béarnaise sauce
- History as a Nags Head institution
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues., Credit cards accepted, Reservations not accepted -
36. Persimmons
$$$ | |New Bern's only waterfront restaurant doesn't rely on geography to impress—the craft cocktails, seared scallops, and entrées like salmon and local littleneck clams over angel-hair pasta taste even better when you're seated directly over the water, but this inspired menu is a win even without the stunning views.
100 Pollock St., New Bern, North Carolina, 28560, USA252-514--0033Known For
- Rich tomato pie
- Live music on the waterfront deck
- Inspired takes on the local catch
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. -
37. PinPoint Restaurant
$$$$ | Downtown |The sophisticated dining room delivers inventive new American dishes, crafted out of local ingredients and coastal catches. There are no wrong choices on the menu, from cornmeal-crusted North Carolina catfish to beef tartare, but the smoked trout with baked oysters is especially noteworthy.
114 Market St., Wilmington, North Carolina, USA910-769–2972Known For
- Triggerfish with ramp bisque
- Polished farm-to-table experience
- Raw and baked oysters
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38. Provision Company
$$ | |This laid-back, colorful joint right on the water is the place to enjoy the day's catch with zero pretension, prepared to simple perfection, from steamed local shrimp and clams to a 10-ounce yellowfin tuna steak.
130 Yacht Basin Dr., Southport, North Carolina, 28461, USA910-457--0654Known For
- Grouper salad
- Peel-and-eat shrimp
- Waterfront dining
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39. Sam and Omie's
$$$ | |Named after two fishermen, father and son, this no-nonsense shack opened in 1937 and is one of the Outer Banks' oldest restaurants. Fishing photos hang between mounted catches on the walls, and classic country music twangs in the background. Locals flock here, especially for breakfast or a lunch of Hatteras-style clear clam chowder and fried seafood.
7228 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head, North Carolina, 27959, USA252-441–7366Known For
- Big breakfasts
- Local-style steamed and fried seafood
- Oysters lauded as the best on the beach
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Wed., Credit cards accepted, Reservations not accepted -
40. Sealevel City Vegan Diner
$ | North Metro |The culinary creations here may be free of animal products, but they're certainly not lacking in flavor, from the addictive lentil burger patty melt to a kimchi tempeh Reuben that hits all the right notes.
1015 S. Kerr Ave., Wilmington, North Carolina, 28403, USA910-833--7196Known For
- Healthy, filling burgers and sandwiches
- A towering plate of nachos
- Relaxed, courteous service
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon.
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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