5 Best Restaurants in The North Carolina Coast, North Carolina

Moonrakers

$$$$ Fodor's choice

There's a lot to love at this gorgeous three-story destination restaurant, from the blackened grouper that emeges from the open kitchen's wood-fired grill, to the sunset views, enjoyed with a signature mai tai on the appropriately named Sky Deck.

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.

Basnight's Lone Cedar Café

$$$$

Despite a modern rebuild after a fire, 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. Soft-shell crabs come from an on-site shedding facility, and an extensive herb garden provides fresh seasoning.

Seafood Dinner Brunch $$$$ Family
7623 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head, North Carolina, 27959, USA
252-441–5405
www.lonecedarcafe.com
Known For
  • local seafood and produce
  • extra-friendly service
  • massive glass-walled wine rack
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon., Credit cards accepted, Reservations not accepted

Beaufort Grocery Company

$$$$
Well known for its lunchtime sandwiches, salads, and gumbo, this quaint neighborhood bistro's dinner menu expands and goes upscale, with an emphasis on duck, pork, and local seafood. Seating expands from the rustic, black-and-white-checkered-floor dining room out onto the sidewalk.
Modern American Lunch Dinner Brunch $$$$
117 Queen St., Beaufort, North Carolina, 28516, USA
252-728–3899
www.beaufortgrocery.com
Known For
  • big selection of soups, salads, and sandwiches for lunch
  • gougères (Parmesan pastries filled with shrimp or chicken salad)
  • upmarket dinners like pan-seared duck with candied orange rind
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues.

Recommended Fodor's Video

Oceanic

$$$
At Crystal Pier, this casual fine-dining destination lets you indulge in entrées like crab-stuffed salmon or a platter of Calabash seafood while sitting directly over the sand and surf. Sunday brunch—when specialties like crab and wild mushroom hash make their appearance—is particularly popular.
Seafood Lunch Dinner Brunch $$$
703 S. Lumina Ave., Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, 28480, USA
910-256--5551
oceanicrestaurant.com
Known For
  • Carolina crab dip
  • upscale but reasonably priced seafood
  • stunning location with outdoor seating directly on the ocean

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.