Diners' Choice: Seafood restaurants in Coastal North Carolina

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Seafood cuisine in Coastal North Carolina? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

The Oyster Rock Waterfront Seafood

4.9

4.9 (3474)

$30 and under

Seafood

Calabash

About the restaurant

Welcome to The Oyster Rock, a family-owned and operated waterfront Calabash seafood restaurant specializing in excellent seafood and raw bar items, mixed with a flavorful variety of mouth-watering beef, chicken and pork dishes, along with sandwiches and burgers all prepared in house every day using only the freshest and finest ingredients from local and regional suppliers and the beautiful Atlantic Ocean right outside our doors.

Overlooking the scenic Calabash River and its pristine estuaries and relaxing atmosphere, The Oyster Rock provides the most amazing view around, from our indoor and outdoor seating areas and bars featuring more than 24 domestic and imported beers on tap, 30 wines by the glass and a delicious collection of specialty cocktails.

If you would like to order carryout, orders may be placed by calling 910-579-6875.

Top review

JeffVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Wonderful dinner at Oyster Rock. Food was very good and consistent with past experiences there. Staff was excellent. Enjoyable experience. Will definitely be back again in the future.

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Main & Mill Oyster Bar & Tavern

4.7

4.7 (277)

$30 and under

Seafood

Wilmington

About the restaurant

Seafood Restaurant in Winterville, North Carolina. Main & Mill Oyster Bar & Tavern offers an amazing menu with the service to match. We hope you join us soon.

Top review

Randy

Dined 1 day ago

Had the Cioppino which was great! Do order extra bread to sop up the broth, however. Oysters were very good and fresh, although a bit on the small side. Service was excellent. My wife had the steak salad and pork belly and grits which was also excellent.

Catch - Modern Seafood Cuisine

4.8

4.8 (2092)

$30 and under

Seafood

Wilmington

About the restaurant

Serving the Best Seafood in North Carolina. James Beard Semi-Finalist and Bravo Tv's "Top Chef"contestant, Chef Keith Rhodes and his team, explore the Cape Fear Coast,for the best it has to offer. We feature Wild Caught & sustainably raised Seafood. Organic and locally sourced Produce.Providing the perfect compliment to our fresh Catch. Consecutively Voted Wilmington's Best Chef Dubbed by NYT's,"Modern Seafood Cuisine” we offer an array Fresh Seafood and Vegetarian options. We offer our Signature NC Sweet Potato Salad. Appetizers include our “Fire Cracker” Shrimp, NC Oysters on the 1/2 Shell, Seafood Ceviche & Conch Fritters . Larger Plates include our "Angry" Maine Lobster, Prime Steaks, Blackend Mahi Mahi & our Award winning Charleston Crab Cakes, Seared OBX Scallops, Flounder Escovitch & Pan roasted Black Grouper. Full ABC Permits.Large selection of boutique Wines by the Glass, Hand crafted Cocktails And over a half a dozen rotating local beer offerings.

Top review

Brittany

Dined 7 days ago

Food, drinks and service were exceptional! Ricky was confident in the kitchen and food and everything was amazing! We will be back!

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Popular dish

Chop Chop Caesar Salad

Popular dish

Catch Shrimp & Grits

Popular dish

Southern Fried Seafood Platter

Cafe Pamlico

4.9

4.9 (339)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Buxton

About the restaurant

Cafe Pamlico's mission is to provide a world class dining experience through exceptional food, outstanding detail oriented service, an inspired wine and cocktail program, and gracious attentive Southern hospitality. Our contemporary coastal cuisine is driven by locally sourced seafood, meats, and produce. Our menu changes frequently in accordance with the fresh ingredients our chefs discover on the island, most notably the fresh local seafood we feature. The fish we serve each evening is frequently taken from the nets of friends that very morning. We are committed to supporting local farmers and artisan food producers first, sustainable resources second, and organic third. The Cafe serves elegant gourmet dinners prepared by our world class chefs from four to seven nights each week, depending on season. Dinner reservations are highly recommended, as the restaurant is often filled to capacity by reservation. We are open to the public every morning for our famous casually elegant breakfasts, called "Best on the Outer Banks" by National Geographic Traveler. Cafe Pamlico is committed to extending gracious hospitality beyond the walls of our restaurant and into the community. We manage our organization in an ecologically sensitive and economically sustainable manner, driven by genuine concern for our environment and the jobs we create in our community, and always in accordance with the customer satisfaction policies of our business model. We invite you to learn more about Cafe Pamlico by downloading our current brochure, or by getting in touch with us. Whether dining in one of our intimate well appointed dining rooms, at our elegant copper topped bar, or al fresco on one of our soundfront decks, you will experience exceptional food and service which the Times of London described as "Fabulous" while surrounded by the natural beauty and grandeur of the Pamlico Sound and the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

Top review

Michael

Dined 6 days ago

Fabulous food as always. Great wine pairings. Excellent service

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Popular dish

Scallops

Hieronymus Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar

4.9

4.9 (577)

$30 and under

Seafood

Wilmington

About the restaurant

The Area's Authentic Seafood Restaurant The experience that you will have at Hieronymus Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar is uniquely Wilmington, North Carolina. Our specialty is Cape Fear cuisine, including fresh local seafood, fresh vegetables, and local craft beer. When you walk through our doors, take a look around. You will see many items that are a part of our history. The shells inside the tables have been brought to us by many guests throughout the years. Nameplates on the bar designate locals that have told many a tale. News releases show Hieronymus cooking for Bryant Gumbel on the Today Show. You might copy a recipe for soft shell crab or take a gander at some of the "stars" that have dropped by for dinner.

Top review

David MVIP

Dined 3 days ago

We love going to this restaurant because of the fresh fish selection that is always on the menu!

Seabird

4.9

4.9 (1491)

$50 and over

Seafood

Wilmington

About the restaurant

Mindfully sourced and thoughtfully prepared ingredients highlight the landscape of the food in our coastal community. Menu subject to change daily with local availability of seafood and produce. James Beard nominated chef and owner, Dean Neff.

Reservations available for dinner Wednesday through Monday. Closed Tuesdays.

Brunch now served Saturday & Sunday!

Top review

Denise

Dined 1 day ago

Best restaurant in Wilmington NC. Have eaten here msny times and always excellent.

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Experience

New Years Eve Prix Fixe Menu Only

King Neptune Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (309)

$30 and under

Seafood

Wrightsville Beach

About the restaurant

King Neptune is now offering fresh, local seafood as well as variations of pork, beef, and poultry dishes. There are several salad options as well. Our chef Em Ecker has a very creative way of combining locally sourced ingredients to create the most tasteful and delicious meals for our guests.

Top review

Virginia

Dined on Dec 8, 2024

Our brunch experience was great. We had nine women for a birthday and the service, food and atmosphere was perfect!

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5.0

5 (395)

$30 and under

Seafood

Buxton

About the restaurant

Adventure at Rusty's Surf and Turf!
Indulge in a culinary journey that will transport you to exotic shores and create cherished memories with your loved ones. At Rusty's, we're passionate about delivering the highest quality seafood and steaks, prepared by our chefs using global techniques.
Immerse yourself in a symphony of flavors as you savor our mouthwatering shrimp and grits, lovingly crafted with homemade country sausage. Or dive into our tantalizing Spanish-style paella, brimming with a delightful fusion of ingredients.
Our mission is to make every moment unforgettable, evoking nostalgia for past vacations and igniting the joy of shared experiences. We cater to locals, Island visitors, tourists, families on vacation, and adventure seekers like you, creating a welcoming atmosphere where everyone feels at home.
Reserve your table now.

Top review

Phil

Dined on Oct 9, 2024

I have been coming to the Outer Banks over 50 years and this may be the best meal that I have ever had. Absolutely outstanding! Coconut mahi bites with mango chutney were unique and flavorful. The shrimp and grits were better than any I have had anywhere across the country. My wife loved the tortellini with scallops and shrimp. She had them spice it up and said it was perfect. And, the cocktails and dessert drinks were made to perfection. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention our server, Kelly. Attentive with a great personality. Best dining experience in the Outer Banks all the way around.

Roberto's Ristorante

4.6

4.6 (146)

$30 and under

Seafood

Shallotte

About the restaurant

Roberto's has been serving the Ocean Ilse Beach area since 1985. Its a second generation family business now being run by Chef/Owner Dave Gundrum and Executive Chef Ryan Duganne. The atmosphere is casual and relaxed. The menu is diverse from signature seafood dishes like Salmon Rockefeller or Grouper Saint Thomas to classic Italian dishes including Chicken Piccata, Veal Parmigiana and Homemade Lasagna. For the steak lover hand cut Filet Mignon, Ribeye and Berkshire Duroc Pork Chops prepared on our 1600 degree flame broiler. Appetizers include homemade Cheese Crab Dip, Ahi Tuna, Bang Bang Shrimp and more. To finish your night our Creme Brulee is world class.

Top review

Michelle

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

Everyone was professional. Service was phenomenal!

The George on the Riverwalk

4.7

4.7 (679)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Wilmington

About the restaurant

The George on the Riverwalk is in the downtown area of Wilmington, North Carolina. A great location, along with the great food, have helped to make this a very popular eatery. You can find inside or outside seating right on the river. As one of the only dog friendly restaurants in the area, we welcome your furry friends! We provide heated decks in the winter as well as amazing views of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge, the USS North Carolina Battleship and amazing sunset views year around! Whether you choose to visit us by car or boat, we provide 3 hour parking vouchers for the lot across the street and have a 90ft floating dock located directly on the Cape Fear River!!

Top review

Ricky

Dined 1 day ago

Wonderful location and food was great. Our server was outstanding

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