Diners' Choice: Best Service restaurants in Coastal North Carolina

OpenTable

Updated November 05, 2026

Looking for restaurants with the best service 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!

Jerry's Food, Wine and Spirits

5.0

5 (613)

$30 and under

Contemporary Southern

Wilmington

About the restaurant

Serving the best from North Carolina's land and sea in a warm, casual setting since 1992. Contemporary American dishes lined with classic flavors of the South. Couple your meal with a glass/bottle from our hand picked wine list featuring many Napa, Sonoma, and Oregon options, or go with a delicious hand crafted cocktail like the Hellcat Holler. Jerry's has been featured on PBS' "NC Weekend" with Bob Garner, Wilmington Today, the Wilmington Star News, and has had the pleasure of serving a sitting Vice President, Hollywood actors, pro athletes, tourists and the wonderful Wilmington community for 30 years. We look forward to serving you soon!

Top review

KimberlyGold

Dined 3 days ago

An extraordinary dining experience as always! Jerry’s offers an outstanding menu and wonderful service. We truly enjoyed our evening.

Prime Bistro & Wine Bar

4.9

4.9 (623)

$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

Mike

Dined 4 days ago

If I could give more stars on here I would! The reservation prices was wonderful. They accommodated changing the time. We were greeted with all smiles and lovely compliments. They used Christine’s name to say hello and happy birthday. They have her a gift set of olive oils from a sister company with a hand signed card! We enjoyed the meal at our place - no rush to turn the table. The food was amazing. The service was equally amazing! I even like the dress code: be comfortable and make your mother proud. They have a way of crafting the service and seating to give you the feeling you’re in your own private oasis.

Southern, a gathering place

4.9

4.9 (951)

$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 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).
Our menu changes on a daily basis depending on what is fresh, local, and of the season.
We offer seating for parties of 6 guests or less.

Top review

GeorgeGold

Dined 3 days ago

As always, food and service was exceptional. Menu choices are great.

The Oyster Rock Waterfront Seafood

4.9

4.9 (4752)

$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

AlanGold

Dined 1 day ago

Excellent Had not eaten there before and the waiter was great We had the oysters char broiled and Rockefeller style and steamed garlic shrimp with crab stuffing both very well prepared Entree was a Mahi and a rockfish specials both were moist and delicious Cocktails were also well prepared

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4.9

4.9 (872)

$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

Liz

Dined 6 days ago

Excellent food, ambiance and service. Blue Moon Bistro is one of our favorite restaurants on the Crystal Coast!

Montero's

4.9

4.9 (387)

$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

Steffi

Dined 5 days ago

We had an excellent experience from the moment we walked into the restaurant! The ambiance was warm, inviting, and welcoming, setting the tone for a wonderful dining experience. The food was delicious, and the portions were very generous. The prices were outstanding for the quality and amount of food you receive. The staff was very attentive and detailed when it came to our booking, making sure everything was taken care of. The music selection was great and added to the overall atmosphere, making the experience even more enjoyable. The establishment was clean, welcoming, and well-maintained, and the service was absolutely excellent from start to finish. Overall, everything exceeded our expectations. We truly enjoyed our experience and would definitely recommend this restaurant to others. We look forward to coming back!

Full Circle

4.9

4.9 (21)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Atlantic Beach

About the restaurant

Nestled in the vibrant downtown of Morehead City, North Carolina, Full Circle Cafe offers a welcoming culinary journey just steps from the bustling waterfront. Owner and Chef Cam Simpson brings over three decades of experience, the cafe presents an eclectic array of flavors in a casual, fun, and lively atmosphere. The culinary philosophy emphasizes quality, with a commitment to sourcing fresh ingredients from local farmers' markets, celebrating the rich tastes of the Crystal Coast and beyond. Guests can anticipate a creative and relaxed dining experience, where every visit promises delightful discoveries and a genuine connection to the community. Please call us at 252-773-0703 for parties of 6 or more, outdoor seating or any special requests.

Top review

Mary AnnGold

Dined on Oct 16, 2026

We enjoyed a great night celebrating friendship over good food and wine. The menu has something for everyone and the staff is so welcoming. Thanks for a wonderful dinner out!

The Hackney

5.0

5 (76)

$50 and over

Seafood

Washington

About the restaurant

The Hackney is located in a beautifully restored former bank building dating from the 1920's. Inside its elegant main hall Chef Jamie Davis's (James Beard Finalist Best Chef in the Southeast 2024) team serve a Southern Eclectic fine dining, farm to table, ever changing menu. The emphasis is on locally sourced seafood and seasonal produce. The Hackney also features a stunning bar showcasing an innovative range of house-made cocktails and a carefully curated wine list. We produce our own gin, 1000 Piers Gin! Many cocktails feature our gin!

Our flagship 1000 Piers London Dry Gin won 2025 Best Contemporary Gin in the United States in the World Spirits Competition and our 1000 Piers Blueberry Gin won 2025 Best Flavored Gin in the United States in the World Spirits Competition. Our 1000 Piers Gins and The Hackney Vodka are available to taste and buy at the restaurant and distillery.

Call for Upstairs Reservations, Prix Fixe Menu Only 252-623-2368.

Top review

AnneGold

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent, as always. The Hackney is truly a gem in Little Washington.

Voyce Bistro

4.8

4.8 (128)

$30 and under

Seafood

Wilmington

About the restaurant

**CRAFT BEER & BOUTIQUE WINE NOW AVAILABLE!
Voyce Bistro was inspired by beach trips with my grandparents and my culinary travels. The name is a tribute to them (Virgie + Royce Rhodes). This project is small and cozy, very much like a tiny French bistro. Our culinary “Voyce” takes on a casual seafood eatery that includes Pan African and Caribbean flavors, along with West & North African spices blends. Items like Escovitch & plantains and can be enjoyed at Voyce in addition to daily specials like Striped Bass Collars with Chermoula and other staples like our Seafood Fried Rice are also a hit! We’re a local restaurant, serving food with a story, come taste the culture through our lens.

Lunch is first come, first serve.
Dinner reservations HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

PLEASE NOTE:
-WATCH YOUR STEP UPON ENTERING
-PARTIES 5 OR MORE, PLEASE CALL RESTAURANT-DO NOT BOOK MULTIPLE TABLES
-PLEASE CALL IF YOU’RE RUNNING LATE, RESERVATIONS 15 MIN LATE WILL BE MARKED “NO SHOW’

Top review

Doug

Dined 5 days ago

Nice restaurant with a small menu but nice choices . Enjoyed the fried oysters and seafood rice . Cool space ! Give them a shot ! Specials on the menu . Enjoy

Seabird

4.9

4.9 (2111)

$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. Owned and operated by James Beard finalist chef Dean Neff.

Reservations available for dinner Wednesday through Monday. Closed Tuesdays.

Brunch now served Saturday & Sunday!

Top review

Ronald

Dined 2 days ago

Excellent Food and Service. Will definitely return.

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Experience

Collaborative Chef Dinner, NC Seafood Festival

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