Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in Coastal North Carolina

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2025

Looking for the best overall restaurants 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!

Southern, a gathering place

4.9

4.9 (602)

$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

JanetVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Really delicious food (best crabcakes in Brunswick County) and Carl is an excellent server! Love the hyper-localness of the food and dining on the porch. Thanks!

Genki Sushi Bar and Japanese Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (662)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Wilmington

About the restaurant

We look forward to welcoming you into our warm environment, with food so good you will swear you just stepped off of the train in Tokyo.

If you are reading this description, please take note that:
* Starting October 1st 2024: We will no longer be able to seat you unless your entire party has arrived and ready to sit ON TIME.
We will hold your Table/Seats for ONLY 10 minutes past the reservation time.
*After 10 minutes, you will lose your reservation to someone who is on the waiting list.
*Please take this serious as, it will allow us to provide better customer service to our guests as we increase in volume, and allow the evening to flow better with timing for our reservations through out the evening.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding! Our customers mean the world to us!

*Also, please remember to count small children and babies as a person for seating. Thank you for your participation and understanding in this.
Thank you for your business! See you soon!

Top review

Marissa

Dined 3 days ago

Love this restaurant! We have been going there for years and it is still amazing!

Aqua Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (2862)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Beaufort / Morehead City

About the restaurant

AQUA is OPEN Tuesday-Saturday from 5:30 - Until. CLOSED Sunday and Monday.

Executive Chef Jon McGregor’s menu is created to bring you the freshest seasonal items available presented with a creative touch. Aqua’s small plates offer you an exciting array of tastes in
"just right” portions, ideal for passing around the table or enjoying two or three as a full meal. Aqua’s Big Plates feature the freshest local seafood and premier meats, as well as local produce. Aqua prides itself on offering fresh, local products and supporting our local fisherman and farmers.

Enjoy our upscale bar offerings, including specialty cocktails and expansive wine list.

Enjoy your experience in our Dining Room or on our comfortable, breezy screened-in porch. Please take care to select the dining area of your choice when making reservations.

We can’t wait to serve you soon. Cheers for now!

Top review

Jacob

Dined 2 days ago

Great ambience, food, and service. we would highly recommend. Our waitress Sam was awesome.

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The Oyster Rock Waterfront Seafood

4.9

4.9 (3821)

$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

Susan

Dined 6 days ago

Excellent service , beautiful views, outstanding food --every course

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4.9

4.9 (644)

$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

OpenTable Diner

Dined 2 days ago

We enjoyed delicious Tile Fish and Scallop entrees with the artichoke appetizer. Service was excellent as well. Drinks were also wonderful and we will be back. Highly recommend.

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4.9

4.9 (673)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Wrightsville Beach

About the restaurant

Upscale yet casual restaurant located in Wilmington, NC. Located near Wrightsville Beach. Menu changes weekly to highlight the freshest seafood and land dishes. Enjoy flavorful dinners and extensive wine selection in our welcoming atmosphere. When weather permits, book a seat outdoors on our covered patio. For reservations, please utilize Opentable or call us directly. However, reservations for Fridays and Saturdays can ONLY be booked by calling us directly. 910-839-3131.

Top review

KathyVIP

Dined on Jun 8, 2025

Brent’s, in my mind,is the best restaurant in Wilmington. We brought our friends from Ma. on Sunday. They could not stop talking about how delicious their meal was. We look forward to Tuesdays to see what this weeks menu is. Going for Father’s Day, can’t wait.

Prime Bistro & Wine Bar

4.9

4.9 (453)

$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

Lynn

Dined 4 days ago

Great food, great service. We love this place so much.

Seabird

4.9

4.9 (1657)

$31 to $50

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

Chris

Dined 1 day ago

Loved the diversity of brunch menu, highlighting local and seasonal food! BBQ oysters cooked to perfection with great balance of flavors without overpowering delicate oyster. Tuna benny on point with local sea beans, basil, and tomato. Buddy had NC state rockfish poboy, 10/10. Thoughtful sustainable food and great service, will definitely be back!!!

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Experience

New Years Eve Prix Fixe Menu Only

Ocean Blvd Bistro and Martini Bar

4.9

4.9 (2891)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Kitty Hawk

About the restaurant

Ocean Boulevard Bistro and Martini Bar is an upscale dining restaurant on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. We are open nightly for dinner and drinks through all seasons. We pride ourselves in using fresh local and regional ingredients, in season, to create interesting and flavorful meals. We have a comprehensive wine list and have been awarded "Best of the Beach - 2014-2017" for our Martini Bar. We also have an oceanside patio, across the street from the beach, for drinks and waiting. If your reservation can not be completed online, please call us at 252-261-2546 to inquire about special seating arrangements.

Top review

Don

Dined 5 days ago

Excellent food and great service. Terrific owners!

Port Land Grille

4.8

4.8 (2182)

$31 to $50

American

Wilmington

About the restaurant

Port Land Grille has progressive American regional cuisine masterfully executed in a casually elegant coastal setting since November 2000. We have both indoor and outdoor dining and private rooms are available. Thank you for dining with us!

COVID-19 updates: Masks are no longer required to be worn indoors but they are still recommended if you are not vaccinated. Our staff is fully vaccinated and ready to serve you!

We have suspended the ability to bring in outside food or beverage (ex. cakes or wine) while we continue to recover from the devastating affects of COVID-19. Thank you in advance for your understanding and continued support.

Top review

David

Dined 5 days ago

Really good. Outstanding wine list. Great food and service.

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