22 Best Restaurants in The North Carolina Coast, North Carolina

What was once a beloved local eatery in a strip mall grew into impressive new-build stand-alone digs in 2023 with a wraparound porch, a spacious backyard with hammocks and cornhole, and inside, surfboards and taxidermied marlin sharing airspace under the vaulted ceiling. The lively scene at a wraparound bar and live musicians playing beside the oyster-shell-adorned fireplace set the scene for generously portioned fresh seafood and Southern comfort food. First-timers feel at home and regulars keep returning for perfect flounder filets, mahi tacos, and the Truckstop, a pan-fried pork loin with potatoes and gravy.

The Outer Banks' first farm-to-table restaurant, this upscale foodie haven marries Southern roots with contemporary flair and Currituck Sound views. During its three decades of existence, the Blue Point has maintained a sustainably sourced menu with seafood, beef, and other dishes prepared to highlight their texture and flavor. Try the seared Outer Banks scallops with quinoa and turnips or the fish of the day. Next to the restaurant, the Back Bar (no reservation needed) offers a short menu, creative craft cocktails, and waterfront sitting areas.

Overlooking Pamlico Sound, this upscale bistro focuses squarely on locally sourced seafood, vegetables from the accompanying inn's garden, and friendly service by local staff. Among the favorites are shrimp and grits, grilled catch of the day, tuna ceviche, and crab cakes. There's a dedicated vegan menu, live music at least two nights a week, and a popular Sunday brunch.

The small plates and seafood that emerge from the open kitchen at this bold and bright waterfront eatery are a lot more creative than the name, although it is fitting—sunsets from the dining room or the outdoor tables along the deck are truly stunning. If there's a long wait or you'd like more of a great experience, the same chef owns Red Sky Cafe across the street.

On a prominent Market Street corner, chef Dean Neff's celebrated seafood-and-cocktail lounge lures diners in with wide windows, sparkling white tile, smooth wood chairs, and gold flourishes. The open kitchen fully delivers, from the selection of local raw oysters to the impossibly buttery swordfish schnitzel, served with lemon jam and a mustard emulsion. A comfortable bar and small dining room's throwback style invites leisurely meals lubricated by addictive concoctions that rotate with the seasons. The bar doubles as one of the city's best coffee shops in the morning and fills in on weekends for a brunch menu highlighted by fish and grits and a smoked cobia Benedict. 

This beautifully located restaurant offers creative takes on locally sourced seafood and other dishes; there's seating on a waterside patio for great sunset views, at the bar (live music some nights), or in the main dining area. You can also get a massage at AQUA Spa upstairs or relax with a craft cocktail at the restaurant's popular afternoon happy hour. At lunch, try the corn and crab soup and the fish or shrimp tacos. At dinner, besides the sunset, enjoy the selection of fresh fish (catches of the day vary), pasta, and steaks. There's plenty of parking.

This cozy little cottage under a stand of pines serves stellar seafood like crab cakes and fresh diver sea scallops. Other highlights include a pecan-crusted chicken breast in bourbon sauce and the seasonal veggie Dragon Bowl. Enjoy your meal indoors or on a screened porch. If you need picnic fare, the Back Porch Lunchbox, just a block away on North Carolina Highway 12, has sandwiches, snacks, and sweets to go.

This classic seafood house directly on the water (there's an osprey nest mere feet from the dining-room window) feels old-school thanks to nautical decor and the laid-back atmosphere. North Carolina produce and seafood star here, including OBX-style clear clam chowder and whole fried flounder—or bring your own fresh catch and they'll prepare it however you like for $20, with two sides. Soft-shell crabs come from an on-site shedding facility, and an extensive herb garden provides fresh seasoning.

Perched atop Oden's Dock with views across the sound, this mid-priced, seafood-oriented spot serves broiled and fried shrimp and fish, and plenty of specialty entrées like Cajun scallop tortellini and veggie options like coconut-curry stir-fry. The dining room is a bit small, but waiting for a table in comfortable chairs on the deck overlooking Pamlico Sound is not a chore.

The seafood doesn't get fresher than the fried bounty you'll find at this celebrated food truck. Expect a half-pound of shrimp on your shrimp burger, or opt for seasonal specials like a softshell crab or crab cake sandwich. 

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.

Sit inside the cozy dining room if you must, but the outdoor patio—lit by string lights—and the bar are where the action is at this family-friendly go-to for local seafood entrées at night and hearty po'boys for lunch. They're also one of the last spots to close as the island shuts down for winter.

New owners in 2023 have further elevated this waterfront spot known for seafood pastas, po'boys, and non-seafood options like flatbread pizzas. There's a lively scene for sunset cocktails, but come early—they don't take reservations.

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 the raw bar (combination platters of oysters, clams, steamed shrimp, and crab) does not disappoint. Daily specials include deals on whole Maine lobsters, peel-and-eat Carolina shrimp, and beach-friendly cocktails.

There's a lot to love at this gorgeous three-story destination restaurant, from the blackened grouper that emerges from the open kitchen's wood-fired grill, to the sunset views, enjoyed with a signature mai tai on the appropriately named Sky Deck. The spiced pompano fish sandwich is a winner for lunch.  Order liberally from the small plates—amidst all the seafood of coastal North Carolina, this is the spot for next-level crab dip and calamari.

Look for a roadside aquamarine horse painted with starfish and coral to find this long-established, welcoming spot to get local seafood, pasta, or a wrap. 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, and they stay open year-round for lunch and dinner (seasonally for breakfast).

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 watching surfers catch waves just steps away. Dishes are thoughtful—they're not solely relying on the view. Sunday brunch is particularly popular.

Housed in a replica of an early-19th-century Outer Banks Lifesaving Station, the dining room of this classic since 1946 feels like a nautical museum: classic clapboard construction, pine paneling, and walls of maritime artifacts. Miss O's crab cakes are perennially popular, as is the 14-layer chocolate cake.

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 simply taste even better when you're seated directly over the water.

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.