12 Coastal North Carolina Spots Serving Incredible Food With Even Better Views

Craving fresh seafood with a side of ocean breeze? Along North Carolina’s coast, waterfront decks and marshside patios serve plates so good you will linger long after sunset. This guide takes you to spots where hushpuppies are golden, oysters are briny, and the views steal the show. Come hungry, stay for the scenery, and leave with a new favorite place to watch the tide roll in.

1. Oceanic at the Crystal Pier, Wrightsville Beach

Perched beside the historic Crystal Pier, Oceanic sets the scene with rolling surf and salty air. You will hear waves underfoot while you dig into shrimp and grits or a blackened mahi sandwich. The hushpuppies arrive hot with honey butter, perfect for sharing.

Time it for sunset and the whole horizon turns cotton candy pink. Friendly service moves at beach pace, never rushed, always attentive. After dinner, stroll the pier, watch surfers catch last light, and breathe deep.

Expect fresh catches, solid cocktails, and the kind of soundtrack only the Atlantic can play. Reservations help on busy weekends.

2. Bluewater Waterfront Grill, Wrightsville Beach

Bluewater sits right on the Intracoastal Waterway, so every table seems to face boats gliding by. Start with crab dip and a cold local lager, then go for grilled swordfish or the shrimp bowl. Portions are generous, flavors coastal, and the vibe is pure vacation.

Sundays often bring live music on the deck, which pairs perfectly with salty breezes. You will want sunglasses for that golden water glare. Service keeps things lively without feeling pushy.

Park once, wander the marina after dinner, and snap photos as the sky fades. It is your classic waterfront evening, easy and happy.

3. Shepard’s Pie at Soundside Restaurant, Hatteras Village

On the calm side of Hatteras, Soundside Restaurant showcases sunset like theater. Order the she crab soup to start, then the namesake pie layered with local fish and creamy potatoes. It is coastal comfort that tastes like a sea breeze.

The deck faces Pamlico Sound, where kiteboarders trace bright arcs across glassy water. You will linger between bites just to watch the color deepen. Staff knows the tides and the day’s freshest catch.

It feels personal and unpretentious, exactly what a coastal evening should be. Bring someone you like and split dessert while the last light melts.

4. Saltbox Café, Colington Island

Tucked on Colington Island, Saltbox Café is small, charming, and serious about local ingredients. The tomato pie and fresh catch specials change with the docks, so ask what is best tonight. You will taste care in every bite, from sides to sauces.

Windows frame calm marsh water, where egrets stalk quietly at dusk. It is a view that hushes conversation in the best way. Service is warm, like being a regular from your first visit.

Reservations help because the cottage fills quickly. Save room for dessert, especially cheesecake, then step outside to breathe in that serene marsh perfume.

5. Awful Arthur’s Oyster Bar, Kill Devil Hills

Awful Arthur’s is a no frills legend for raw and steamed oysters. Grab a bar stool, watch the shuckers fly, and order a cold beer. The ocean is just across the road, so you can hear surf when the wind shifts.

Fried seafood baskets hit every comfort note, crisp and salty. You will meet locals swapping fishing stories at the counter. Service is quick, friendly, and proudly old school.

Come for happy hour if you like a lively crowd. Afterward, cross to the beach for a sandy sunset walk, full and satisfied with briny goodness.

6. The Shoals Club, Bald Head Island

Reachable by ferry and golf cart, the Shoals Club feels like a hidden coastal sanctuary. Dine on a terrace overlooking Cape Fear where waves fan across shoals. The menu leans refined, with scallops, seasonal salads, and immaculate cocktails.

You will want to time dinner for the horizon show. Staff knows island rhythms and keeps everything unhurried. The lighthouse glow adds a storybook touch.

It is not inexpensive, but the experience lingers. After dessert, ride back under salt stars and listen to cicadas. You will dream of trading shoes for sand and staying longer.

7. Fishy Fishy Café, Southport

Fishy Fishy hugs the Southport waterfront with a lively dockside patio. Order mahi tacos or the shrimp platter, then watch boats slip past like moving postcards. The hushpuppies come sweet and hot, ideal with honey butter.

You will want to linger for the unbeatable Cape Fear sunset. Staff keeps refills coming and smiles easy. Music drifts over the water and sets a cheerful pace.

Wander the boardwalk after dinner to catch pelicans preening. It is casual, colorful, and exactly what a beach town dinner should feel like. Bring a light jacket for breezy evenings.

8. Provision Company, Southport

Provision Company keeps it simple and perfect. Order at the counter, grab a waterside table, and let the river provide the soundtrack. Peel and eat shrimp, grilled grouper sandwiches, and cucumber salad make a fast favorite lineup.

You will measure time by passing boats and gull calls. Prices are friendly, views are priceless, and nobody rushes you away. Bring cash for ease, though cards work too.

It is the kind of place you recommend to everyone. Finish with key lime pie, then stroll the pier to watch the current tug south. Effortless coastal joy.

9. Front Street Grill at Stillwater, Beaufort

Front Street Grill overlooks Taylor’s Creek, where wild horses sometimes graze across on Carrot Island. Start with oysters and a crisp glass of bubbles. The tuna is excellent, and the shrimp and grits do not miss.

Boats rock softly in the harbor while you eat. You will feel like you stepped into a coastal postcard. Service is polished yet relaxed, perfect for date night.

After dinner, walk the waterfront boardwalk and listen to halyards tapping. The evening air smells of salt and history. It is Beaufort at its most charming and delicious.

10. The Sanderling’s Lifesaving Station, Duck

Housed in a beautifully restored station, this Duck favorite pairs coastal history with refined plates. Breakfast with ocean views is a dream, but dinner truly shines. Try scallops over sweet corn or a seasonal fish special, always impeccably cooked.

You will hear the Atlantic whisper beyond the dunes. Service is professional without stiffness, letting conversation flow. The building itself feels like a story you get to sit inside.

Make time for a post meal beach walk to collect thoughts and shells. It is peaceful, polished, and unmistakably Outer Banks. Reservations recommended during peak weeks.

11. The Oceanic Pier House Bar, Carolina Beach

This pier top hangout is all about waves and easy bites. Order fish tacos, a smash burger, and a frozen drink, then claim a breezy table. The soundtrack is seagulls, laughter, and boards slicing through blue water below.

You will not find fussy, just fun and fresh. Service keeps things moving even when the pier is packed. Sunscreen and a hat help on bright afternoons.

Stay for the pier walk and watch anglers pull in surprises. It is an effortless beach day upgrade. Come hungry, leave happier, with salt in your hair and a smile.

12. The Dockside Restaurant, Wilmington

Dockside is a local favorite with decades of river watching baked into its boards. Grab a table overlooking boats and order crab cakes or fried green tomatoes. The blackened tuna sandwich remains a standout.

Sunset turns the water copper and slows conversation to a contented drift. You will appreciate the breezes and the easy parking. Staff moves with practiced calm even when lines stretch long.

Come early in summer to minimize waits. Afterward, walk the dock, point at dream boats, and plan the next visit. It is classic coastal North Carolina, plate and view aligned.