10 North Carolina Oceanfront Seafood Spots That Capture The Taste Of The Coast
North Carolina’s coastline is dotted with seafood spots that bring the ocean straight to your plate.
From flaky fish to buttery crab and tender shrimp, each restaurant captures the flavors of the coast with every bite.
Locals and visitors flock to these oceanfront gems for fresh catches, scenic views, and meals that feel like a true taste of the sea. Dining here turns any day into a memorable coastal adventure.
1. Nags Head Pier House Restaurant — Nags Head
Perched literally above the Atlantic waves, this iconic eatery gives you front-row seats to nature’s greatest show while you feast.
The weathered wooden structure has withstood countless storms since the 1940s. Local fishermen often bring their catch straight to the kitchen.
Try their legendary hush puppies paired with the daily catch – typically Spanish mackerel or flounder depending on the season.
2. Fish Heads Bar & Grill — Nags Head
Surfers flock here after riding waves, creating a laid-back vibe you can’t manufacture. The open-air deck practically hovers over the beach, making your fish tacos taste even better with salt spray in the air.
Their signature Orange Crush cocktails arrive in mason jars alongside heaping platters of peel-and-eat shrimp.
Weekend afternoons feature live music that perfectly complements the rhythmic ocean soundtrack just steps away.
3. Ocean Grill & Tiki Bar — Carolina Beach
Built on the remnants of a hurricane-destroyed pier, this place literally rose from the ashes. Wooden steps lead down to a tiki bar situated impossibly close to the breaking waves.
Bartenders mix rum drinks in coconuts while cooks prepare blackened mahi-mahi sandwiches in the tiny kitchen.
The sunset views are so spectacular that a local tradition involves clapping when the sun finally dips below the horizon.
Restaurant Location and Where to Stay Nearby
4. Beachside Bistro (Sea Ranch Resort) — K*ll Devil Hills
Morning breakfast here means watching dolphins play while munching on crab cake benedict.
The floor-to-ceiling windows blur the line between restaurant and beach, especially during high tide when waves nearly reach the glass.
Their seafood pasta combines local clams, shrimp, and seasonal fish in a light white wine sauce. The staff knows exactly when migrating whales might appear and will happily alert diners to grab their cameras.
5. Daddy Mac’s Beach Grille — Surf City
A turquoise beach house converted into a restaurant, Daddy Mac’s screams coastal charm before you even taste the food.
The wraparound deck offers 180-degree ocean views that pair perfectly with their famous she-crab soup. Fishing boats visible on the horizon often supplied the very flounder on your plate that morning.
The owner still works the kitchen most nights, greeting regulars and sharing stories about the massive hurricane that nearly destroyed the building in 2018.
6. The Oceanfront Grille at Corolla Light — Corolla
Wild horses sometimes gallop past this northernmost Outer Banks eatery while you sip local craft beer.
The sprawling wooden deck sits atop a dune, providing unobstructed views of the Atlantic and Currituck Sound simultaneously.
Their seafood tower features oysters harvested that morning from nearby waters.
Families love the shallow wading pool beside the outdoor seating area where kids can splash while parents enjoy fresh catches in peace.
7. Oceanana Pier House Restaurant — Atlantic Beach
Fishing enthusiasts often wander in with their catch, asking the chef to cook it up.
This no-frills diner sits at the entrance to one of North Carolina’s oldest fishing piers, combining serious seafood with serious fishing culture.
The hush puppies recipe hasn’t changed since 1959, and locals would revolt if it did. Watch pelicans dive-bomb for fish through the salt-crusted windows while enjoying simple but perfect fried shrimp baskets.
8. Ocean’s Edge Restaurant — North Topsail Beach
Hurricane survivors proudly display the water line marks from past storms on the wall of this resilient eatery.
The kitchen specializes in Carolina-style seafood boils dumped directly onto paper-covered tables for communal feasting.
Sunset brings a nightly ritual as diners pause mid-meal to photograph the spectacular colors.
Their key lime pie uses a recipe passed down through four generations of a local fishing family, perfectly balancing sweet and tart.
9. Solstice Kitchen + Cocktails — Wrightsville Beach
Celebrity chefs occasionally pop in to this upscale spot that somehow maintains a barefoot-friendly vibe.
The rotating menu follows whatever local fishermen bring to the back door each morning, often featuring lesser-known but delicious species.
Innovative cocktails incorporate seaweed-infused spirits and local botanicals. The chef’s table sits in a glass alcove that extends over the dunes, creating the illusion of dining directly on the beach itself.
10. Molly’s Beachside Bar & Grill — Atlantic Beach
Colorful surfboards form the ceiling of this converted beach cottage where sandy feet are not just accepted but expected.
The signature dish – grouper cheeks in spicy butter sauce – sells out nightly, so locals know to arrive early. Beach chairs and umbrellas provided by the restaurant let you take your meal directly to the sand.
During full moons, they host midnight oyster roasts around bonfire pits dug into the beach just yards from the dining area.