Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Coastal North Carolina
  4. Brunswick County
  5. Ocean Isle Beach
Sugar Shack, Ocean Isle Beach, NC

Sugar Shack

4.7
4.7
254 Reviews
$30 and under
Jamaican
An Ocean Isle family vacation destination since 1996. Serving all Dave’s traditional Jamaican dishes, almost world famous ribs, great steaks and burgers…something for everyone. Kids menu.
Fun Caribbean Vibes happening now!

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 6 times today

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Cuisines
    Jamaican, Steak, Burgers
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (910) 579-3844
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual

What 254 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Coastal North Carolina

    Kid-friendly

  • Coastal North Carolina

    Good for groups

  • Coastal North Carolina

    Neighborhood gem

254 Reviews
  1. AvlNative

    Western NC

    14 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food was amazingly good. The ribs had a great flavor and fell off the bones. The curried goat was tender and very tasty. Anthony was an engaging and efficient server.

    Is this helpful?

  2. DeniseJ

    Baltimore

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We enjoyed our wonderful dinner with long time friends at Sugar Shack! First, the ambience is colorful, tropical, laid back and appealing!! We had made reservations and were seated immediately upon arrival! Second, service was impeccable!! We adored our server, Anthony! What a charming guy!! Soooo friendly, informative, funny, and just great!!! We wanted to just sit and talk to him all night! Finally, the food!! Flavorful in a Jamaican way but not spicy! I enjoyed my Curried Chicken and rice.....way too much for me to eat it all! My husband loved his steak which, indeed, had been marinating for 24 hours! Tender, cooked perfectly! The homemade berry sangria was very tasty and a nice big pour! An inviting restaurant with great food!

    Is this helpful?

  3. MiguelM

    Atlanta Metro

    8 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    8 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    We had a great time and enjoyed great food. Our server was Anthony and he was wonderful. Would highly recommend this restaurant for good food with good prices.

    Is this helpful?

  4. LindaD

    E. Tennessee

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 15, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience3
    Ribs are fall off the bone delicious and coleslaw is very good.

    Is this helpful?

  5. RonanM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Every year we come from Ireland we have to visit food great and service excellent keep up the good work!!

    Is this helpful?

  6. AmandaD

    Greensboro

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 4, 2023

    overall3food1service4ambience3
    It’s a long-standing restaurant with a very sweet story of how the owners came together in Jamaica and opened the place. We went on a holiday weekend so granted they were busy, but they were out of several menu item staples when we went. I got the sautéed snapper with curried rice that lacked spice and flavor. I had to drown it in Jamaican hot sauce-which was delicious hot sauce! I recommend they cook some dishes in that sauce instead! My companion got the veggie plate which was almost $20 for a PILE of cabbage, a few baby carrots and more of the flavorless curried rice. It pains me to give a poor food review to a local, family-owned establishment. I realize it takes investment and work to upgrade and modernize, but a little spruce up on the atmosphere and menu would do the trick and make sure this place stays in business for 50 more years!

    Is this helpful?

  7. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    Our food was excellent as always !! The one only downside is there is no outside seating now and when restaurant is full it is very loud. On a scale of 1-10 would give 7.5 only because of noise level. Food and staff are great 😊😊 Would love to see the picnic tables outside come back !

    Is this helpful?

  8. Kdrh

    Charlotte

    42 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    42 reviews

    Dined on September 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Best goat I have ever had in my life. Also the only go I have ever had in my life. This place is awesome.

    Is this helpful?

  9. TiffanyP

    Charlotte

    13 reviews

    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on September 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We always love our meal here... Anthony was friendly and did a great job responding to our needs. The Steak and ribs are our favorite. We split both for the perfect meal. Don't forget to substitute the plantains as your side.... so so good

    Is this helpful?

  10. PamH

    Wilmington

    29 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    29 reviews

    Dined on August 23, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience4
    Food was good, service was great. Did not acknowledge birthday even though I requested and told them ahead of time.

    Is this helpful?

  11. OpenTable Diner

    Las Vegas

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 23, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience4
    We enjoyed the Snapper, Jerk Wings, Cole Slaw, Curried Rice & Cod Fritters.

    Is this helpful?

  12. JeffS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We've been dining at the Sugar Shack for years. The food is always superb. Everything on the menu is delicious. Be sure to try the ribs and coconut shrimp. The key lime pie is served ice cold and is the best!

    Is this helpful?

  13. OpenTable Diner

    Charlotte

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 20, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    I’ve drove past The Sugar Shack for 20 years saying “I’d like to go there one night” while on my bi-yearly visit to OIB. Well, thank god we finally stopped. We went 3 times in 3 days it is SO good! Skip the wait and reserve online…get the steak, ribs or brown stew chicken…you won’t regret it!

    Is this helpful?

  14. SusanU

    Central Coast

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on August 20, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    This place has such great food !!! It is always a little noisy for our taste, but we don't notice that as much when we come with a big group. Everything on the menu is fantastic! A must-do for a trip to OIB!

    Is this helpful?

  15. KellyB

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 18, 2023

    overall3food3service5ambience2
    Extremely noisy. Food good but definitely not worth the price!

    Is this helpful?

  16. AaronB

    Raleigh

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on August 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    This is the best restaurant in OIB by a pretty good margin! The wings, chicken, and ribs are fall off the bone amazing and the flavor is there to match. They use a 4 day marinade process for their meats and it is obvious! If you are within 25 miles of OIB, you need to check this restaurant out. On the negative side, it’s a little small and noisy if that is a problem for you but that is well offset by the quality.

    Is this helpful?

  17. FredA

    Charleston

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 17, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience3
    A smile and a welcome would have been nice when seated by the hostess. The curry chicken was over cooked but very tasty. Overall it was fine and we will probably try it again.

    Is this helpful?

  18. PatrickS

    Wilmington

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 15, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    First time at Sugar Shack! Food was good, tasty and tender! Service by George and staff was terrific! I’ll be back!

    Is this helpful?

  19. HildaP

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We have been vacationing at Ocean Isle beach for more than 30 years it is our favorite beach and Sugar Shack is our favorite restaurant. We have enjoyed the delicious and authentic Jamaican food since it opened in the mid- 90s. The food is always delicious, the service is great and the portions are generous. We also like that they accept reservations. Sugar Shack is always on our vacation must do list. We highly recommend.

    Is this helpful?

  20. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This is one of our favorite places to eat in the US. Haven’t had the goat, but you cannot go wrong with the ribs, chicken, steak, pork or coco shrimp. Enjoy, try something new, and don’t forget the sauce ;)

    Is this helpful?

  21. MatthewA

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We come back year after year. Their food is so flavorful and the portions are huge! Thanks for making us always feel like family.

    Is this helpful?

  22. PattiR

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Best fall off the bone ribs ever! Not spicy, great flavor! Priced right. Make a reservation!!! They do get very busy. Server's are awesome.

    Is this helpful?

  23. Gourmet4

    Greensboro

    12 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on August 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent food and festive place to eat. I had the coconut shrimp and my husband had the jerk pork. The coconut shrimp is fantastic! My husband enjoyed his dinner as well. Overall great place to eat in Ocean Isle.

    Is this helpful?

  24. Coco

    Greater Boston

    3 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 7, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience3
    The young hostess was dreadful and made a poor impression considering she’s the face of the business. Not a good first point of contact and knows nothing about customer service. Ribs were tasty and crab fritters were like expensive hushpuppies. Been coming there for years and glad they recovered from Covid. Maybe it was an off night.

    Is this helpful?

  25. OpenTable Diner

    Charlotte

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on August 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great place for real Jamaican food. Quaint place with Jamaican art of all types and comfortable seating. Service was great, food had lots of flavor and homemade sauces, though a bit too salty. Highly recommended.

    Is this helpful?

  26. MikeT

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 5, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience3
    Out of shrimp and snapper at 7:00 pm. Opens at 5:00 pm?? Other than that food was good.

    Is this helpful?

  27. ChrisJ

    Western NC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food was excellent. It was beachy and a nice break from the usual fried seafood restaurants. The jerk sauce is unbelievable and tastes good on everything.

    Is this helpful?

  28. RTheisen

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This was a great find. We were looking for something different and this was it. The food while seasoned was not overly spicy but very tasty. The menu is broad enough that everyone should be able to dings something to suit them but not so large that it is overwhelming or leaving you wondering how can they possibly prepare all these options fresh. Our server was timely and attentive. He also offered some suggestions and info on the options. I would have like some more beverage options (especially sugar free) but again there was something for everyone. Dinner, desserts, and frozen drinks all well done.

    Is this helpful?

  29. KellyS

    Philadelphia

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on August 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Always a favorite place to eat dinner in OIB! Thank you for the good food, excellent service and fun atmosphere.

    Is this helpful?

  30. AnnaG

    Charlotte

    21 reviews

    5.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on August 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Exceptional food and service in a fun, vibrant, clean, family beach, Jamaican vibe environment. Well worth a drive. Exceptional experience!

    Is this helpful?

  31. OpenTable Diner

    Columbus

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 31, 2023

    overall2food2service3ambience3
    We had a 5pm reservation (opening time). Our coconut shrimp was served raw, ate one piece and and thought it tasted off. Bit into another and it was gray and cold. We let our server know. He took it back and kindly didn’t charge us. Not long after we left, we called to let the manager/owner know we were served raw food. Yea, “they heard.” They said that the fryer thermometer was not working properly. We loved this restaurant but don’t plan to return. Bummer.

    Is this helpful?

  32. OpenTable Diner

    Charleston

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on July 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Still my favorite restaurant at Ocean Isle, and the one place I have to go every time I’m here!

    Is this helpful?

  33. RobOrBeto

    Baltimore

    46 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    46 reviews

    Dined on July 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Delicious food and great service!! We’ll be back next time we’re in town.

    Is this helpful?

  34. MaryC

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 28, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    Must make reservations as this is a popular restaurant! The food is great, coconut shrimp outstanding. The tables are close and it was moderately noisy.

    Is this helpful?

  35. Diamond

    Atlanta Metro

    6 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on July 28, 2023

    overall3food3service5ambience3
    The service was great, however the food was “okay”. The best items we ate was the coconut shrimp and meet pie. The pork, ribs, and chicken were tender but bland. The portions are large, enough for 2 people, which is a positive. This was our first time, maybe we will try it again. Definitely worth a try. I might be comparing the food too much to what my husband and I had in the Caribbean.

    Is this helpful?

  36. BillyM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Sugar Shack is consistently delicious. Service is always great.

    Is this helpful?

  37. ShannonD

    Portland

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always a favorite when we are in OIB/Sunset Area. The food is always excellent!

    Is this helpful?

  38. carrieanne49

    Columbus

    2 reviews

    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 26, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    The restaurant opened at 5, and we arrived early for our 5:30 reservation. They were out of shrimp (which 4 of the 7 of us had planned to order), but the waitress neglected to inform us until after we had ordered appetizers. The appetizers were less than good: burnt (but mushy) crab fritters, and a combo wings (unrecognizable) and pork. The service was slow, and inattentive. Two of us ordered Caesar salads, which were pretty mediocre. The snapper was okay, nothing to write home about. The ribs were good, but average. And all this for a bill that totaled $252 (including tip, because we did tip 15%, although it wasn’t earned). We had been to Sugar Shack several years ago, and enjoyed it, but the current version in no way resembles that experience. We will not be returning.

    Is this helpful?

  39. GreyB

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We visit Ocean Isle every year and never miss a trip to the Sugar Shack. Great food and a lively, cozy atmosphere. The Jerk bites are delicious!

    Is this helpful?

  40. Cathy

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Coconut shrimp is the best! Too bad they no longer had the 1/2 shrimp, 1/2 ribs dinner, which makes no sense, because they're both about the same price. So I ordered coconut shrimp, husband ordered ribs, ta-da! Got our half/half dinner!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Sugar Shack is rated 4.7 stars by 254 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 6 times today
Google Map for Sugar Shack

1609 Hale Beach Rd SW, Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469-4751

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Ocean Isle Beach
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Cuisines
    Jamaican, Steak, Burgers
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    None
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Beer, Corkage Fee, Gluten-free Options, Wine
Discover
OpenTable
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • Press
More
Businesses
  • Restaurant reservation software
  • Industry insights
  • Hospitality resources
  • Marketing resources
  • Operation resources
  • How to open a restaurant
  • For restaurants
  • For restaurant groups
Join us on
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2023 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
Rentalcars Logo
OpenTable Logo