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Circa 81 Tapas & Cocktaileria, Morehead City, NC

Circa 81 Tapas & Cocktaileria

4.8
4.8
1180 Reviews
$30 and under
Tapas / Small Plates

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 4 times today
  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for creative cocktails
  • Neighborhood gem
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 1,180 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
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.6Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Coastal North Carolina

    Best Food

  • Coastal North Carolina

    Best Service

  • Coastal North Carolina

    Best Value

  • Coastal North Carolina

    Great for brunch

  • Coastal North Carolina

    Good for groups

  • Coastal North Carolina

    Neighborhood gem

  • Coastal North Carolina

    Great for fine wines

  • Coastal North Carolina

    Lively

1,180 Reviews
  1. Lisa

    Philadelphia

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Circa 81 has a wonderfully different menu, there’s nothing like it anywhere in the area. The food is fantastic and the service impeccable. It’s also one of the few local restaurants that takes reservations.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Patti

    Washington DC

    13 reviews

    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on September 22, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food great service. Our waitress was very attentive my favorite place to go

    Is this helpful?

  3. michael

    New York City

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 14, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    If you're looking for authentic Tapas experience with high quality gourmet items, this restaurant will not disappoint. The price point is a match for the quality, so if you're looking for a family night out with the kids, this may not be the place. However, business dinners, special occasions and first dates will benefit from Circa 81 being a part of the memorable experience.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Kristin

    Atlantic City

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on September 7, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We have never had a bad meal or experience . Moved here a year ago and we have been here at least 10 times !

    Is this helpful?

  5. Eric

    Houston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 7, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    One of the best places to eat on the coast. Great food. Great staff. The perfect place to celebrate that special date.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Stephen

    Raleigh

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on September 6, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    Excellent food. Great service . Salmon and succotash are my favorites.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Elaine

    Raleigh

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 1, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    What a wonderful brunch. Highly recommend. As a note they are very busy and book reservation times tightly. This creates a rushed feeling if you would like to linger and enjoy a little longer than average.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Holli

    Raleigh

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 31, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This restaurant was awesome! Our server, Paul, was wonderful and our food was absolutely delicious. We definitely plan to visit, again.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Carolyn

    St. Louis

    22 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    22 reviews

    Dined on August 30, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Everything was top notch! Our waiter was knowledgeable and excited about the food we ordered. He gave great suggestions! All the tapas had an amazing selection of flavors.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Melinda

    Greensboro

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on August 28, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food delicious and well presented. Service good. Atmosphere friendly and cozy. Definitely will return.

    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 1180 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 4 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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