Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in Coastal North Carolina

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance in Coastal North Carolina? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

The Green House Restaurant - Wilmington

4.9

4.9 (367)

$31 to $50

Vegetarian / Vegan

Wrightsville Beach

About the restaurant

The Green House offers inventive, plant-based menu with an emphasis on sustainability, seasonality, and all of the amazing local producers this area has to offer

Top review

Kaitlyn

Dined 6 days ago

The Green House Restaurant was a lovely dining experience all around. We went for brunch and all of the food was boldly flavored and high quality. The environment and atmosphere was so pleasant as the lighting is romantic, the live music was peaceful and the decorations and details were beautiful. We can’t wait to go back. This is a must stop place if you are in Wilmington

Discover more

Experience

Dolce Vita: Italian Food and Wine Experience

4.9

4.9 (214)

$30 and under

American

Edenton

About the restaurant

A life long dream of Karin and Andy Montero, this 1904 home has been transformed into
Elizabeth City's premier location to "Meet. Eat. Celebrate." With our guests in mind,
Montero's is committed to providing a complete "Restaurant Experience"...exceptional service,
creative cuisine and a casual atmosphere. Our staff possesses the same passion and desire for
this restaurant that we do and we hope you will as well!

Top review

Shelby

Dined on Sep 5, 2024

I had an exceptional dining experience at Montero's Restaurant! From the moment I walked in, the warm and inviting atmosphere set the tone for a fantastic evening. The staff were incredibly attentive and friendly, making sure every aspect of the meal was perfect. A special shoutout to the owner, Andy, who personally checked in with us and made us feel right at home—his passion for creating an amazing dining experience truly shines through. As for the food, I have to say the Katsu Chicken & Ramen was the absolute highlight! It’s easily my favorite dish and one I’ll be coming back for. Montero's offers not just a meal, but a memorable experience, thanks to the incredible staff, thoughtful menu, and Andy's personal touch. Highly recommended!

Blue Moon Bistro

4.8

4.8 (509)

$31 to $50

French American

Beaufort / Morehead City

About the restaurant

BLUE MOON BISTRO of Beaufort, NC; Casual fine dining experience with superb service team, a creative and well-stocked bar, & TWO chefs sharing in our culinary leadership of French/American cuisine.

CHEF JAYSON FOSTER graduate of CCCCP; Culinary Arts student who studied in France under two-starred Michelin Chef Marc Meurin. A stalwart on the Beaufort Food Scene, Jayson has cooked at Chef’s 105, Circa 81, and at Aqua, where he was the Chef for 10 years. In 2012, Jayson and team won the Fire on the Docks Competition in Wilmington, NC.

CHEF JOSH MACKLIN, Honors graduate of CCCCP, Josh ALSO went to France to study with two-starred Michelin Chef Marc Meurin. Josh joined Floyd’s 1921 as banquet chef. He has worked at Circa 81 as Chef/Restaurant Manager for 10 years. He then joined the Oysters and Pearls group, opening Catch 109 and Executive Chef for Table 9. Josh loves how food brings together families and friends. He is a proud believer of food being a bond we all share.

Bon Appetit!

Top review

Barbara

Dined 4 days ago

We hadn't been to Blue Moon Bistro in several years and wanted to revisit it for an anniversary dinner. We had an early evening reservation and chose to sit out on the covered front porch. It was a very relaxing experience and we thoroughly enjoyed "watching the world go by." Our dinners were wonderful, and we appreciated the option to choose lighter fare selections. Our server, Judy, was a delight. She looked after us very well, provided detailed suggestions, but was not at all intrusive. During the course of our dinner (no pun intended), we saw numerous parties entering the restaurant. Clearly, Blue Moon is a popular choice among the fine restaurants in Beaufort. We certainly won't let so much time pass before we make our next reservation!

Discover more

Prime Bistro & Wine Bar

4.8

4.8 (352)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Beaufort / Morehead City

About the restaurant

An elevated dining experience with wood-fired steaks, seafood, housemade pasta and world-class wines.

Top review

Brock

Dined 3 days ago

I loved the atmosphere here and the food was awesome. Wine selection was great and the servers were very knowledgeable on pairings. All the recommendations we received from our server were fantastic. Can’t wait for my next meal here! Also the host has a beautiful singing voice and made my wife’s birthday very special. Thank you Primo team!

Cafe Pamlico

4.7

4.7 (322)

$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

Heather

Dined on Sep 5, 2024

Six friends traveling together had a lovely dinner excellent food and service.

Discover more

Popular dish

Shrimp & Grits

Kipos Hellenic Cuisine

4.7

4.7 (679)

$30 and under

Greek

Wrightsville Beach

About the restaurant

Kipos Hellenic Cuisine, an elevated extension of Kipos Greek Taverna in Chapel Hill, boasts a large garden and extensive bar which features double-sided seating indoors and out – all of which lends to a spacious dining area that flows seamlessly from the dining room to the patio. The bright, light-filled dining room, with high ceilings, terrazzo floors, and a variety of seating areas.

Enjoy Kipos’ classic Greek menu, curated by Executive Chef George Delidimos – including its legendary Avgolemono, Moussaka, Tzatziki, grilled whole fish. In addition to the largest Greek wine selection in the area.

Top review

Anne

Dined 3 days ago

We love Kipos and go there every time we visit Carolina Beach. To start, the bartenders are always so welcoming and personable. They go out of their way to make sure we will enjoy whatever we choose to drink. It’s easy to experiment with new wines. We could be very pleased eating dinner at the bar. All the staff is so pleasant. Whatever we choose to eat it is incredible. I go there for the Greek dishes but have now expanded my choices. We can’t say enough about how much we enjoy Kipos The decor and atmosphere is an added plus. We can’t wait to return.

Discover more

The Melting Pot - Wilmington(NC)

4.9

4.9 (717)

$31 to $50

Fondue

Wilmington

About the restaurant

Welcome and thank you for choosing The Melting Pot of Wilmington. We offer a very unique and interactive dining experience, with a heavy focus on personal service. Our Wait staff has been hand picked and extensively trained to have the ability to provide you, our guest, with nothing less than a "Perfect Night Out." Every visit will be hand tailored to fit your wants and needs during your fondue experience. We are a four-course full service restaurant. We offer a stunning variety of creamy, perfectly balanced cheeses that our servers hand craft table side for your dining pleasure. We have a selection of cold, crisp and fresh salads, paired with house made dressings. Our entrées are as beautiful as they are delicious. We offer a wide range of premium meats and seafoods with a variety of sophisticated marinades and sauces for dipping.

Top review

Noah

Dined 1 day ago

Amazing as always, great experience will come again

The Oyster Rock Waterfront Seafood

4.9

4.9 (3300)

$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

OpenTable Diner

Dined 3 days ago

Always a fantastic dining experience! The escargot, ribeye special and tuna were all phenomenal and the service was fantastic, timely and professional

Discover more

4.8

4.8 (1408)

$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

Karen

Dined 3 days ago

Great craft cocktails & unique food. Recommend the ribs, bavette steak, catfish. Tuna tartare was awesome too! Very unique wine list. Cool decor.

Southern, a gathering place

4.9

4.9 (420)

$50 and over

Farm-to-table

Southport

About the restaurant

Farm to fork creative southern cuisine. Handcrafted cocktails and fabulous wine list. We offer seating by reservation for all seats in the restaurant including seats at our bar, indoor dining room, and our outdoor porch which is a wonderful place to sit during all seasons (since porch sitting is a true Southport thing to do).

Top review

Nancyvip

Dined on Sep 13, 2024

This was our second time there, and it was wonderful! The food is delicious and thoughtfully prepared. The staff is so friendly and welcoming. We will continue to frequent Southern when in search of casual delicious meal!

Discover more

Experience

End of Summer Southern 'CookOut'

Explore Diners' Choice best of Coastal North Carolina

Explore more Diners' Choice lists