22 BEST Atlantic Beach Restaurants to Try! (NC)

In the evening, families enjoy meals at the finest restaurants in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina, and during the daytime, they unwind on the beach of this coastal region. It is a renowned destination to explore during the summer season, and during this time, this vacation spot is in close proximity to the beaches of Wilmington. Situated on the picturesque Crystal Coast of North Carolina is Atlantic Beach.

In the small area of the world, there are some fantastic restaurants that offer delicious German, Italian, and seafood cuisine, particularly in the Atlantic region.

Amos Mosquito’s Restaurant

  • Price: $$.
  • Cuisine: Seafood eatery.
  • Location: 703 E Fort Macon Rd, Atlantic Beach, NC (GPS).
  • Website: View the menu.
  • When it comes to the best restaurants in North Carolina’s Atlantic Beach, Mosquito’s Amos Restaurant is a top pick. This eatery is a laid-back place where you’ll enjoy a range of dishes made with fresh seasonal ingredients while overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

    Make sure to save some room for the mouth-watering homemade chocolate cake or crème brulee. While the most popular items on the menu include Amos’s famous crunchy sesame-encrusted chicken breasts and meatloaf, there are also other popular options such as seafood specialties and sushi.

    Front Street Grill

  • Price: $$.
  • Cuisine: Seafood eatery.
  • Location: 300 Front Street, Beaufort, North Carolina (GPS).
  • Website: View the menu.
  • The Grill Street Front, located nearby in Beaufort, has been serving delicious, high-quality food since 1987. The Beaufort Grill Street Front, operating inside a renovated old boathouse, has been providing delicious, high-quality food in a relaxed atmosphere since 1987.

    Also available on the menu are grilled ribeye with basil pesto, linguine with pesto and parmesan, and a variety of soups and salads. If you’re not in the mood for seafood, you can still dine on fresh local cuisine while enjoying waterfront views.

    On Sunday, stop by for brunch and enjoy a glass of wine as the sun goes down, then stick around for dinner while experiencing a dash of Caribbean spice in the described Southern home-style cuisine.

    The Island Grille

  • Price:$$$.
  • Cuisine: Seafood eatery.
  • Location: 401 Money Island Drive, Atlantic Beach, North Carolina (GPS).
  • Website: View the menu.
  • Crafted by hand and tailored to individual preferences, classic recipes are given a contemporary twist at The Island Grille, where patrons can indulge in a variety of upscale seafood and meat options prepared using locally sourced, fresh ingredients. Beyond being a trendy spot to enjoy a meal, this establishment caters to those who appreciate dining in a sophisticated manner.

    Do you want to take advantage of a great deal on your favorite entrees? Every Tuesday and Monday, you can enjoy a buy-one-get-one mix-and-match offer. The menu includes some of the most popular dishes, such as Southern shrimp and grits, jumbo lump crab cakes, and the signature filet.

    Crab’s Claw Oceanfront Caribbean Seafood Restaurant

  • Price: $$.
  • Cuisine: Seafood eatery.
  • Location: 201 W Atlantic Blvd, Atlantic Beach, NC (GPS coordinates).
  • Website: View the menu.
  • One of the best things to do in Atlantic Beach is to enjoy a meal at Caribbean Oceanfront Seafood Restaurant, Crab’s Claw. This casual eatery specializes in Caribbean-inspired dishes made with locally-caught fish and other fresh ingredients. With fabulous ocean views, you can get some of the best food around here! They claim to have the best view in the area.

    You’ll find a variety of entrees such as Gratin au scallops bay and cheese ‘n’ mac lobster, as well as sandwiches, salads, and soups on the menu. The most popular items are the Caribbean grouper and steam pots, but you can also complement your meal with a drink selection of margaritas and mojitos.

    Ruddy Duck Tavern

  • Price: $$.
  • Cuisine: Seafood eatery., gourmet, pizza
  • Location: 509 Evans St, Morehead City, NC (GPS).
  • Website: View the menu.
  • Situated just five minutes away in the nearby town of Morehead, you’ll find Ruddy Duck Tavern, where you can indulge in top-quality, delicious lunch and dinner options from their menu. Some of the dishes on offer include slow-roasted herb-flavored flounder and chicken, cioppino, signature bowls of linguine, salads, soups, sandwiches, burgers, pizzas, and flatbread. Don’t miss the seafood dishes that are also available, providing hearty portions of mouthwatering goodness.

    Only the most fresh, locally sourced, and organic ingredients are utilized in the creation of these meals.

    Aqua Restaurant

  • Price: $$.
  • Cuisine: Seafood eatery.
  • Location: 114 Middle Lane, Beaufort, North Carolina (Global Positioning System).
  • Website: View the menu.
  • You can choose a meal to complement your well-trained wine connoisseurs, so the staff members are. The dishes are expertly prepared with the finest ingredients, including a range of entrees, salads, and tapas. Aqua is a nearby restaurant in Beaufort that specializes in fresh local seafood and is a relaxed and chic establishment.

    In addition, there is a variety of martinis and beers to choose from. Wine tastings take place twice a month at the restaurant, and on Fridays, bottled wine is offered at a discounted price.

    Promise Land Market

  • Price: $$.
  • Food: American eatery.
  • Location: 909-B Arendell St, Morehead City, North Carolina (GPS).
  • Website: View the menu.
  • If you’re looking for a lively and down-to-earth place to enjoy a delicious meal, Morehead City Market Land Promise is the place to be! On the menu, you’ll find a wide variety of items made with locally-sourced ingredients. This includes dinner specials, meatloaf, crab cakes, honey chicken burgers, barbecued dishes, tacos, and hors d’oeuvres.

    There is a variety of wines, mixed drinks, and artisanal beers to choose from. After dinner, you can relax at The Mullet Bar while enjoying live music, playing foosball, or watching a big game. Additionally, there are plenty of vintage photos to admire while waiting for your meal to be served.

    Sanitary Fish Market and Restaurant

  • Price: $$.
  • Cuisine: Seafood eatery.
  • Location: 501 Evans St, Morehead City, NC (GPS).
  • Website: View the menu.
  • The Sanitary Fish Market and Restaurant has been serving fresh local seafood since 1938. Located on the waterfront in Morehead City, this longstanding eatery offers a menu that includes sandwiches, pasta dishes, grilled items, soups, salads, cheese plates, and delicious meats. Step back in time and dine surrounded by fine retro decor.

    Don’t forget to complete your meal with a delicious slice of Key Lime Pie, and enjoy it with a cocktail or cold brew.

    Floyd’s 1921 Restaurant, Bar & Catering

  • Price: $$.
  • Cuisine: Restaurant specializing in Southern dishes.
  • Location: 400 Bridges St, Morehead City, NC (GPS).
  • Website: View the menu.
  • Floyd’s 1921 Restaurant, Bar & Catering in Morehead City primarily emphasizes traditional Southern cuisine, offering a delightful variety of tapas, soups, salads, seafood dishes, steak dishes, sandwiches, and burgers on their menu.

    You can enjoy your meal outdoors or indoors around the fire pits on the patio while listening to live music at times.

    Venice Italian Kitchen

  • Price: $$.
  • Culinary Delights: Italian eatery.
  • Location: 407 Atlantic Beach Causeway, Atlantic Beach, NC (GPS).
  • Website: View the menu.
  • You can also find a wide selection of breakfast items at Venice Italian Kitchen. They offer entrees such as veal parmesan cutlet and chicken parmesan cutlet, as well as signature pasta dishes, salads, pizzas, deli sandwiches, and subs. Head to Venice Italian Kitchen for authentic homemade Italian dishes.

    Oceanana Pier

  • Price: $$.
  • Cuisine: Seafood eatery.
  • Location: 700 E Fort Macon Rd, Atlantic Beach, NC (GPS).
  • Website: View the menu.
  • Oceanana Pier has been providing breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a breathtaking oceanfront spot since the late 1950s.

    The menu presents an extensive assortment of wines, brews, and mixed drinks. Within the menu, you will also come across a variety of salads, sandwiches, tacos, and main courses, including shrimp and grits, jerk chicken, and Carolina crab cakes. However, the primary highlight at this establishment suitable for families is the locally sourced seafood.

    Idle Hour Biergarten

  • Price: $$.
  • Food: German beer garden.
  • Location: 153 Atlantic Blvd, Atlantic Beach, North Carolina (GPS).
  • Website: View the menu.
  • When looking for a friendly place to enjoy a meal with your dog, look no further than Biergarten Hour. This place is situated right on the beach and features comfortable and bright indoor and outdoor seating. Sometimes, there is even live music!

    On the menu, you’ll find a variety of fresh seafood dishes, salads, burgers, and tacos, along with the best craft cocktails and locally brewed beers, all enjoyed around one of the fire pits.

    On the Rocks

  • Price: $$.
  • Cuisine: Seafood eatery., steak and salad bar
  • Location: 2604 West Fort Macon Road #5344, Atlantic Beach, North Carolina (GPS).
  • Website: View the menu.
  • The Rocks On is the perfect place to enjoy a night out and an all-in-one meal. The cozy setting, friendly service, and live music create a nostalgic atmosphere. The extensive menu features a wide range of dishes made with fresh ingredients, including steaks, sandwiches, pasta, soups, wings, burgers, and specialty seafood.

    The skilled team is adept at accommodating dietary limitations. They will create a customized dish that aligns with your preferences, be it vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free. Take some extra time to savor a delectable beverage from the bar selection and conclude your dining experience with a serving of funnel cake or key lime pie.

    The Shark Shack

  • Price: $$.
  • Cuisine: Seafood eatery.
  • Location: 100 S Durham Ave, Atlantic Beach, NC (GPS coordinates).
  • Website: View the menu.
  • Can you ask for more of the best fresh seafood that a restaurant serves, with beach-inspired decor, a homey atmosphere, outdoor seating by the water, and a friendly dog-friendly ambiance?

    At The Shark, you will find a variety of seafood dishes that are accompanied by homemade sauces. If you enjoy seafood, be sure to try the famous crab cakes, fried shrimp or clam strips, and oysters. In addition, you’ll also find a variety of salads, soups, tacos, wraps, sandwiches, and burgers.

    Table 9 Seafood Restaurant

  • Price: $$.$
  • Cuisine: Seafood eatery.
  • Location: 1104 W Fort Macon Rd, Atlantic Beach, NC (GPS).
  • Website: View the menu.
  • Additionally, there is a variety of wines and cocktails to choose from. The menu at Table 9 Seafood Restaurant offers a delectable array of dishes including lobster ravioli, Cajun-style salmon, seafood fettuccine, pan-seared yellowfin tuna, and mahi-mahi stuffed with crab. This upscale dining establishment prides itself on serving the finest, freshest local seafood available.

    Full Moon Oyster Bar

  • Price:$$.
  • Food: Grilled seafood.
  • Location: 505 Atlantic Beach Causeway, Atlantic Beach (GPS).
  • Website: View the menu.
  • Cooked by grilling, broiling, or frying. There are a variety of delectable choices available to you, encompassing a diverse selection of freshly caught seafood, which takes center stage on the menu. Full Moon Oyster Bar, known for its vibrant, coastal-inspired atmosphere, is a well-liked establishment that specializes in seafood dishes and beverages.

    The homemade pastries cannot be overlooked! Numerous of the meals are rooted in ancestral formulas that were passed down over the years.

    The Crab Shack Restaurant

  • Price: $$.
  • Cuisine: Seafood eatery.
  • Location: 144 Shore Dr, Salter Path, NC (GPS).
  • Website: View the menu.
  • Located on the picturesque waterfront nearby, The Crab Shack Restaurant serves local, fresh, and delicious seafood prepared in your preferred style – whether it be broiled or steamed, grilled or fried.

    This restaurant stands out due to its skilled culinary creations and profound understanding of seafood preparation, which can be anticipated. This is an exceptional characteristic of the establishment, as it has been under the ownership and management of a family of professional fishermen since 1976.

    There are daily specials for dinner and lunch. The menu includes a variety of items such as hot steaks, hot dogs, chicken, wings, burgers, and even seafood if you don’t like buds taste.

    Beaufort Grocery

  • Price: $$.
  • Food: Vegan American eatery.
  • Location: 117 Queen Street, Beaufort, North Carolina (GPS).
  • Website: View the menu.
  • What sets this establishment apart is that many people come for a unique item, but only some of the items on the menu are entrees, sandwiches, and salads. Grocery Beaufort, located nearby in Beaufort, is actually a cozy little bistro serving a range of items for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, making it one of the best places to grab a quick bite.

    If you’ve never tried Gougeres, this is your chance! Gougeres is a tasty appetizer that originated in France and it is a pastry. It can be stuffed with your choice of bacon and egg or shrimp, and also cheese and pimiento. It is commonly served with a chicken salad.

    4 Corners Diner

  • Price: $.
  • Food: American eatery.
  • Location: 100 E Fort Macon Rd, Atlantic Beach, NC (GPS coordinates).
  • Website: View the menu.
  • Corners 4 Diner is one of the best restaurants in North Carolina’s Atlantic Beach. It offers a variety of specialties for both dinner and lunch, making it a great place to eat at any time of the day. Additionally, it provides a traditional eatery experience with a family-friendly atmosphere, giving you the opportunity to enjoy a delicious breakfast.

    The menu offers a variety of sandwiches, waffles, soups, salads, seafood meals, and traditional American favorites.

    City Kitchen

  • Price: $$.
  • Food: American seafood, plant-based.
  • Location: 114 A Town Creek Dr, Beaufort, NC (GPS).
  • Website: View the menu.
  • An appetizing feast in a stunning coastal setting is savored at City Kitchen in the nearby town of Beaufort. If the weather is pleasant, you can choose to dine al fresco and indulge in the vibrant Tiki bar.

    The beverage menu features a large selection of signature wines and cocktails. The menu also includes a wide variety of dishes, such as all-American favorites, classic burgers, salads, and seafood dishes.

    Full Circle Cafe

  • Price: $$.
  • Food: American eatery.
  • Location: 708 Evans St, Morehead City, NC (GPS).
  • Website: View the menu.
  • Enjoy a lively and casual ambiance while dining on a variety of tasty specialties such as seafood, pasta dishes, burgers, ramen noodles, salads, and wood-fired pizzas, all while taking in the beautiful waterfront views! Cafe Circle Full is another great eatery located nearby in Morehead City, close to but not exactly one of the best restaurants in Atlantic Beach, NC.

    A wide-ranging wine and beer menu is accessible, and the choices vary regularly.

    Moonrakers

  • Price: $$.
  • Cuisine: American, cuisine from the coast.
  • Location: 326 Front St, Beaufort, NC (GPS coordinates).
  • Website: View the menu.
  • I did mention the food, it is incredibly amazing. Moonrakers offers an unforgettable experience with three stunning levels of waterfront dining and friendly service. It is one of the best places for waterfront dining in the historic town of Beaufort, near Atlantic Beach, with a chic dining room and a casual atmosphere.

    Atop the picturesque rooftop, you can savor your meal during pleasant weather. However, why confine yourself indoors when you have the opportunity to appreciate local artwork as you await the completion of your meal?

    Music is frequently performed on-site. The menu features an extensive selection of craft beers, handcrafted cocktails, and approximately 90 wines. You’ll find a range of items on the menu, including fresh seasonal seafood dishes, salads, and soups. Entrees such as Chesire braised pork and blackened grouper are also available.

    Best Atlantic Beach Restaurants Map