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Circa 81 Tapas & Cocktaileria, Morehead City, NC

Circa 81 Tapas & Cocktaileria

4.8
4.8
1192 Reviews
$30 and under
Tapas / Small Plates

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 6 times today
  • Great for creative cocktails
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
Clarke Merrell's (Circa 81 Executive Chef/Proprietor) goal is for Circa 81 to provide creative, quality, & delicious food in a beautiful setting. Offering small plates that are perfect for passing around the table in true tapas style, our dishes are meant to inspire and engage our diners. So, start a conversation, relax, and enjoy a fresh take on cuisine. Clarke developed Circa 81 in hopes that guests will try something new and different and truly have a dining experience. Circa 81 offers great wine and cocktails too, with more than 30 specialty drinks on our cocktaileria menu. Our menu also includes medium and large plate selections - delicious sandwiches, homemade soups, local seafood and fresh-made desserts.

Circa 81 also offers take-out and catering - just contact us for more details.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Tapas / Small Plates, Seafood, Southern
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sun 10:30 am–2:00 pm Lunch Wed–Sat 11:30 am–2:00 pm Dinner Wed–Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (252) 648-8300
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Clarke Merrell
  • Catering
    Circa 81 offers full service catering. Let us cater your next event. We will cook and clean, and you can take all of the credit. Think of us when you are planning your next, wedding, rehearsal dinner, bridal luncheon, office party, dinner party, baby shower etc. Also popular is our drop off menu. We will drop off your food so you can eat at your own leisure. This has been a big hit for the big family beach gatherings. Email Clarke@circa-81.com or call 252.648.8300 for your catering needs. Gather, Eat, Enjoy!
  • Private party facilities
    Circa 81 can be used for semi-private events or rented out and closed to the public for events. Contact us for details on special event bookings.
  • Neighborhood
    Beaufort / Morehead City
  • Cross street
    Across from EJW Outdoors
  • Parking details
    Big private lot. Will accommodate large vehicles
  • Public transit
    Taxi Cabs (sorry MHC does not offer public transportation)<br /><br />We are located 2.5 miles west of the Atlantic Beach bridge in Carteret Village Shopping Center.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,192 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Coastal North Carolina

    Best Value

  • Coastal North Carolina

    Great for brunch

  • Coastal North Carolina

    Innovative

  • Coastal North Carolina

    Lively

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Circa 81 Tapas & Cocktaileria delights guests with "exceptional service" and "fantastic food." Known for creative tapas and standout brunch, patrons rave about the "best eggs Benedict" and "wonderful martinis." The "cozy atmosphere" and "friendly staff" make it a must-visit for both special occasions and casual outings.

1,192 Reviews
  1. Lynn

    Wilmington

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food and great service. One of our favorite places to eat.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Sandi

    Greensboro

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The Maitre D’ was exceptional. He went out of his way to help my friend who is in a wheelchair and had our table all set up for her as well. I am sorry that I did not get his name. The extra attention made everything very special.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Phyllis

    Wilmington

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food and service was amazing! Paul and Peter were our servers. They are always delightful and so attentive. I rated the value a 3 because a small wedge salad was $16 and my husband's chocolate molten dessert was $12.99. This seemed a bit pricey to me.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Holly

    Coastal Georgia

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful experience! Will definitely return. Food and service was exceptional!

    Is this helpful?

  5. Kristie

    Wilmington

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 14, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    All four of us raves about the food and service! Our waitress was Dani

    Is this helpful?

  6. Bruce

    Wilmington

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 3, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Fabulous food, drinks and service. We go there frequently

    Is this helpful?

  7. Jonathan

    Raleigh

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 2, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great experience and great food! First time to a Tapas restaurant and we will definitely be back

    Is this helpful?

  8. Ana

    Wilmington

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 31, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Consistently exceptional service and appealingly creative fare!

    Is this helpful?

  9. Laura

    Richmond

    24 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    24 reviews

    Dined on October 26, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great as usual. One of our favorite places to dine.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Dr. John

    New York City

    85 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    85 reviews

    Dined on October 18, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Dinner was delicious as always! The drinks and service great!!!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Circa 81 Tapas & Cocktaileria offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (252) 648-8300.

Circa 81 Tapas & Cocktaileria is rated 4.8 stars by 1192 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 6 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Circa 81 Tapas & Cocktaileria

4650 C Arendell Street, Morehead City, NC 28557

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Across from EJW Outdoors
  • Neighborhood
    Beaufort / Morehead City
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sun 10:30 am–2:00 pm Lunch Wed–Sat 11:30 am–2:00 pm Dinner Wed–Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Tapas / Small Plates, Seafood, Southern
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Big private lot. Will accommodate large vehicles
  • Public transit
    Taxi Cabs (sorry MHC does not offer public transportation)We are located 2.5 miles west of the Atlantic Beach bridge in Carteret Village Shopping Center.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Clarke Merrell
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (252) 648-8300
  • Catering
    Circa 81 offers full service catering. Let us cater your next event. We will cook and clean, and you can take all of the credit. Think of us when you are planning your next, wedding, rehearsal dinner, bridal luncheon, office party, dinner party, baby shower etc. Also popular is our drop off menu. We will drop off your food so you can eat at your own leisure. This has been a big hit for the big family beach gatherings. Email Clarke@circa-81.com or call 252.648.8300 for your catering needs. Gather, Eat, Enjoy!
  • Private party facilities
    Circa 81 can be used for semi-private events or rented out and closed to the public for events. Contact us for details on special event bookings.
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