North Carolina Coast
Carolina Beach is a town on the coast of North Carolina. Along the Cape Fear River, Carolina Beach State Park is home to fishing spots and the Flytrap Trail, named for the carnivorous plants along its path. Carolina Beach Boardwalk offers shops, restaurants and amusement rides. On the Atlantic, Freeman Park has campsites, plus sand dunes and sea grass. The Federal Point History Center has exhibits on local culture.
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Restaurants
Cafes
Cheap eats
Breakfast and brunch
Bakeries
Family restaurants
Bars
Seafood restaurants
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Top places to eat
affordable
Seafood restaurant
Shuckin' Shack is a popular seafood restaurant known for its steamed and raw shellfish, wings, and beers in a casual setting. With multiple locations across North Carolina, it has become a local favorite since opening in 2007. The laid-back atmosphere makes it ideal for family gatherings or hanging out with friends. The menu features fresh seafood like scallops, oysters, and fish along with classic dishes such as lobster rolls and shrimp.
Small but had some awesome food! We were there on a Tuesday and the wings were $1.50 each. The crab dip was absolutely amazing !
Drinks, we opted for the painkillers. They were fruity and delicious. We even got a free sticker after we paid.
Sterlyn — Google review
Stopped here for lunch during our family vacation in May 2024. It's a pretty small dining room so we decided to sit outside. I ordered the lobster roll and it was SO GOOD! There were large chunks of lobster meat and the dressing was evenly mixed - perfect lobster to bread ratio. Our server was attentive and friendly. My dad, husband and I also tried the oyster shooters which were a little spicier than I'm used to but overall very tasty. I'll definitely come back whenever I'm in Kure/Carolina Beach.
Great experience, great food just GREAT! Had the best seafood lunch ever! If you haven't been here yet I totally recommend y'all do!
Truly enjoyed this place! Food was hot and delicious made when ordered. We did not wait long to sit. You have a choice to sit inside or outside. All staff was friendly with great customer service.
Nice little restaurant and bar in the middle of Carolina beach.
Decent menu, I tried the fish and chips and it was delicious. $14.99 plus $2.99 for an ice tea.
My raw oysters were delicious! And my husband enjoyed his fish & chips. The service was friendly & the drinks were cold. The only thing that would have made it better would be a view of the water. But free parking this time of year was a plus.
Great service and atmosphere. Food and oyster shooters were on point. We stayed at lunch for 2 hours and that's unlike our standard. We loved it!
7/31/25 had another awesome visit! Long live the Carolina Beach Shuckin Shack!
Solid 4 out of 5 stars. We enjoyed the lobster roll which was $20.99 and it was worth the money. Friendly staff, and definitely a locals place for sure. Had to pay for parking but overall quite happy with my decision to eat here.
On a funny note, there is a sign that says “friends don’t let friends eat imported seafood” and on the chalkboard it said the crab was from Canada. (See pics) haha!
Would return
6A N Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428, USA•
Taco restaurant
Nollie's Taco Joint is a casual Mexican eatery located in Carolina Beach, NC. The restaurant offers a variety of tacos, nachos, and beer in a funky space adorned with skateboards on the wall. It's known for its fresh meat and wide selection of tacos, making it a great spot to enjoy lunch or dinner with beautiful views. Additionally, Nollie's Taco Joint features vegan options such as jackfruit, beans, and tofu tacos.
Awesome food! Nollie’s is a fun super casual place with a full-on skater vibe. Get the pulled pork nachos. They are fantastic. I also really enjoyed the grilled mahi burrito. Can’t imagine anything bad comes out of the kitchen.
Shane J — Google review
Service and ambiance were awesome. The whole taco place is skateboard themed. From the name of the restaurant to items on the menu and the skateboards attached to the ceiling, it was such a vibe! The food was good but definitely had better tacos! You come here for the chill and affordable ambiance and get to eat some yammi food but it won’t be like your authentic hole in the wall taco joint.
amazing spot for great tacos honestly! i was a bit shy to ask for hot sauce but the meat was absolutely amazing. really good prices and service would def come back.
If you're looking for tasty tacos on Pleasure Island that offer a unique twist beyond the usual American flavors, Nollie's is a solid choice. They use fresh ingredients, and the flavors really stand out. They also have the best selection of hot sauces on the island. The vibe is laid-back with a casual skater feel, making it a nice spot to grab tacos, burritos, or quesadillas. I especially enjoyed the grilled mahi tacos. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area!
We ordered a large queso, the tictac tofu burrito and a pesky taco and everything was so fresh and delicious!! Our server was wonderful and we loved sitting outside on the patio. We had some piña coladas on the rocks and a margarita as well and the drinks were also really great. Would highly recommend and can’t wait to go back to Carolina Beach to visit Nollie’s again 😊 Thank you guys for the great service and delicious food and drinks!
Great little spot near the beach! Excellent tacos. Love the old beach vibe inside. Staff is amazing, as well ass food and specialty drinks.
Great food, service and atmosphere! I highly recommend checking this place out if you come to the Carolina beach NC area.
This place has been a favorite of mine...until tonight. We will not return. Food is good. I like the outdoor seating. But the service was awful tonight. It was Not busy so that is not an excuse. I work in food service so I know the expectations. We were charged 20% gratuity because we had a "party of 7" ( i guess if you count the 2 year old who eats of our plates. So our server was getting a tip regardless! And you could tell. We literally got one meal to go because it came after everyone else had eaten. Drinks didn't get checked on. Short responses. Checks were wrong and they were not corrected or offered to correct. We handled the change of money between ourselves. We won't return
3 Pelican Ln, Carolina Beach, NC 28428, USA•
cheap
Breakfast restaurant
Kate's Pancake House is a laid-back diner located in Carolina Beach, offering a relaxed atmosphere with nautical decor. The restaurant is known for its specialty pancakes and a variety of delicious breakfast options. Visitors praise the awesome selection of pancakes and generous menu featuring waffles and other breakfast foods. It's considered one of the best breakfast spots near the beach, making it an ideal choice for those looking to start their day with a satisfying meal.
You can tell from the pictures this restaurant has many great choices. The food can be dialed back if you prefer to keep it simple but for kids who want to jazz it up you can go wild. Ice cream, whipped cream, etc can be added. My kids love visiting here and it is a must anytime we visit the area. Also, the waitress was awesome and very nice to the kids.
Eric J — Google review
What a great brunch treat! The food was amazing...so many options. The server and restaurant staff were so friendly and accommodating! A New Testament book on the table to read or take with you was something I've never experienced at a restaurant. Definitely will make this place a stop when I'm in Carolina Beach again!
Speaking with locals, and reading a couple of reviews, and this diner is awesome. Weekend off season breakfast at 9, no waiting. We heard that most of time there is a wait, but late October is a perk. Wait staff, and everybody is super friendly and fun. Lots of food selection from the menu, and it is cooked hot and fresh! Shrimp and grits platter was great. Small parking lot but we had no problem.
Our family came from MD and stopped here with our friends to enjoy a recommended breakfast and it was well worth it. The place is small and cozy and the staff were all working abundantly hard, including one of the owners. I appreciate Ms. Robyn for her excellent service and gentle demeanor. This is a five star establishment. I recommend the pancake trio.
This place has a warm welcoming environment. All staff are friendly and personable. The owners are very courteous and present! The food is absolutely delicious!! We had the pleasure of having Brittany as our waitress! She was so nice and on top of everything! She made sure we had everything we needed and she was beyond sweet! The food came out extremely fast considering the place was a full house! I highly recommend dining at Kate’s pancake house! Awesome place and tasty food with so many options it’s hard to choose!
Kate’s is a cozy little beach restaurant serving typical breakfast meals. I had the pancakes eggs and bacon meal and my wife had the French toast breakfast. The breakfast was good as was the service. My only complaint is that the ice tea was dry weak and had very little flavor it was like drinking water.
If you’re looking for friendly service, delicious dishes, and a convenient location, you’ll love Kate’s Pancake House. I’ve had some of my best breakfasts here, and the staff is always warm and inviting. It’s a must-do on every trip to the beach!
Friends, do not miss out. The country fried steak and eggs, and the biscuits and sausage gravy, are an almost religious experience. Becky was new, and my personal coffee angel.
102 Lake Park Blvd S, Carolina Beach, NC 28428, USA•
affordable
Seafood restaurant
Salt Fish Restaurant and Tiki Bar offers a laid-back island vibe with colorful and tasty seafood dishes. The restaurant features an eclectic menu with dishes inspired by the Caribbean, Polynesia, and local ingredients. Guests can enjoy festive cocktails served in tiki-themed glasses and indulge in exotic bites such as Bahamian Style Clam Fritters or the Half Pineapple stuffed with shrimp, fried rice, and edamame.
I’ve loved Saltfish on CB for years, but the new owners have really kicked it up to a whole new level. I hate to make it more difficult to get a reservation in this cute little tiki bar, but I gotta sing their praises. The service and food have gone from ‘really good’ to ‘omg I’m gonna dream about this meal forever’. I’m currently obsessed with their scallops- they’re served with a stunning curry sauce, fragrant rice, fresh citrus slaw, and Maduros. It’s a beautiful meal and perfectly executed every time. Last night we got the coconut shrimp app, the scallops and their chicken katsu, and then finished it off with their homemade rum cake with candied pineapple and fresh whipped cream. Everything was just incredible.
They’re staffed better than they used to be- service is quick and friendly. Expansive menu of tiki drinks. Definitely recommend reservations even in the off season- it’s a tiny spot with limited seating. 10000/10 definitely recommend this little gem.
Samantha S — Google review
Do yourself a favor and make a reservation (you need one) at Salt Fish! Hands down, best meal we had all week at the beach- actually best meal at a restaurant in a very long time! Every single thing we ordered was delicious! The Cucumber Kimchi & half pineapple with shrimp were SO good!
The food was amazing. It is a great twist on Asian and Island influences. The service was great. Don’t skip the Key Lime pie.
This was hands down the best food we had all weekend, and after chatting with some locals the best restaurant in CB! 10/10 recommend making a reservation at Salt Fish when you’re in the area 🙌
We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner at Saltfish! Brianne was our server and she was absolutely delightful! It’s tiny, so be sure you make a reservation!
Pictures do not do it justice, it looks and tastes amazing, you cannot go wrong with anything on that menu, totally loved it. Worth every penny!
(Reservation is likely needed, though my husband and I got lucky because someone canceled)
My wife and I went to Salt Fish last night for the first time. The food was amazing. We had three apps, the meatballs, the fish dip, and the crab wontons. All three were absolutely delicious but the fish dip and meatballs were ona whole different level! We can’t wait to go back and try the Pineapple dish and the steak! Highly recommend!
If you're looking for a casual spot to enjoy delicious seafood, Salt Fish Restaurant and Tiki Bar is the perfect place. They offer a relaxed atmosphere with a focus on fresh ingredients.
The menu features a variety of dishes, I highly recommend the pork chop with coconut rice, collards and black beans, a unique and flavorful combination.
The service is friendly and attentive, making for a pleasant dining experience.
The tiki drinks are wonderful, providing the perfect tropical escape to complement your meal.
Overall, the food was delicious, the atmosphere was laid-back, and the service was friendly. I would definitely recommend.
718 N Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428, USA•
cheap
American restaurant
Hang Ten Grill is a laid-back, surf-inspired eatery at Carolina Beach that offers a variety of traditional favorites like burgers, sandwiches, seafood, and weekend breakfast options. The restaurant caters to families with a separate children's menu featuring dishes like crispy chicken and cheese pizza. It's an excellent choice for quick bites and accommodating competing tastes within the family. The vibrant ambiance with surfboards on the ceiling makes it popular among families with young kids and those young at heart.
Hang Ten has scored a solid 12 out of ten in my book today! These folks went out of their way to accommodate our family group of six adults and 4 kids. The food was delicious and timely with good proportions. What really stood out was the service - everything we needed was offered before we even knew we needed it. If you want a great meal with great service - go Hang Ten!
Frank P — Google review
It was amazing! I got the fish n chips and it was delicious. Amazing service. Server was very friendly and gave us recommendations for food and for ice cream at Celtic creamery. If you take your receipt to Celtic Creamery they will give you 10% off your order! There was only two problems! A bug on the floor and the salt wouldn’t come out of container due to humidity inside the shaker making it clumpy. A way to fix this is to put rice inside the shaker. Other than that it was amazing and I definitely would come again!
We got the chili nachos, a tuna garden salad, fish and chips and Mahi fish tacos. First off the chili was AMAZING. I wanted to just eat spoonfuls of is. The salad was great I got the homemade ranch and it was perfect. I got the tuna blackened rare and it was perfect. The fish and chips were cooked to perfection. The only thing I did not like were the Mahi tacos. They were very fishy. But please do not let that deter you from this restaurant. The atmosphere is superb. The staff was beyond friendly and the prices are very affordable. Im definatly going back to try a burger with chili, to get more chili nachos and to eat anything that I can dip in the homemade ranch. If you are in carolina beach I would recommend this place 100 times over. They have for sure earned a regular customer.
Hang Ten = Good Vibes + Great Eats!
Hang Ten Grill totally hit the spot! The food was delicious, the service was friendly and fast, and the whole place has that laid-back beachy vibe you want at Carolina Beach.
It’s super close to the beach, which makes it the perfect stop before or after some sun and sand. Parking was a bit tricky at first, but we think there might be a lot in the back—wish we had realized before we paid up front!
Either way, totally worth the visit. We’d definitely come back for more good food and good energy!
Sweet little spot with deck seating. There were about 4 free spots in front which, we were lucky enough to snab(late lunch).
Lovely waitresses. Food didn't take long and was HOT. I ordered the shrimp and clam basket with a side boom boom sauce (it was creamy, spicy, and flavorful!) it came out decadent and delicious!
Food was delicious, servers were all friendly and welcoming, and the service was very quick! I think we only waited like maybe 5 minutes to get our food. My husband got the fried shrimp, and I got a chicken sandwich. Both were delicious!
They said we could seat ourselves, but they also pointed out a booth for us to sit in, which I appreciated because we had never been there and it was busy and a little overwhelming.
Very casual, laid back, and enjoyable. We had a great time!
First off Family friendly and would highly recommend. Second, and astonishingly enough, this place hands down has the best Philly Cheese steak I have ever had (no I'm not some untravelled heathen that just throws this out.) I didn't even expect to grab one at the beach at all. It however, was recommended and I'm glad I tried it. The service there was exceptional and if your looking for a great place in Carolina Beach this is the spot.
This restaurant has a very beautiful atmosphere and relaxing atmosphere! I really enjoy the patio seating. The staff is phenomenal and the service is fast and excellent. However I'm not a big fan of the food. I have been there twice... The first time I had a burger which was pretty good so I went back and had the loaded nachos. I wasn't impressed. They were salty and the shredded cheese on them was cold and not melted and the chicken cut into chunks just rolls off the nacho. They were a bit dry and most were plain. They may have been better with the chili. And the fries were cold and hard. I felt like I wasted my money on that meal 😞 but the waitress was wonderful and did her best to accompany me!
308 Lake Park Blvd S, Carolina Beach, NC 28428, USA•
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