8 Oceanfront Spots In North Carolina With Seafood As Fresh As The Breeze

North Carolina’s coastline offers more than just stunning views and sandy beaches.
The Atlantic Ocean’s bounty delivers some of the freshest seafood you’ll ever taste.
From the Outer Banks to the southern shores, oceanfront restaurants serve up catches so fresh, you might spot the fishing boats that brought them in.
Ready your taste buds for a mouthwatering journey along North Carolina’s coast where the seafood arrives at your table almost straight from the sea.
1. Oceanic At Crystal Pier

Perched dramatically on Wrightsville Beach’s historic Crystal Pier, Oceanic offers a dining experience where your feet practically dangle over Atlantic waves. The century-old wooden pier creaks with stories of fishermen past while modern-day chefs transform their catches into culinary masterpieces.
Signature dishes include the blackened mahi-mahi with pineapple salsa that dances on your tongue like a tropical vacation. Between bites, watch surfers ride waves below while pelicans dive-bomb for their own seafood dinner.
The restaurant’s panoramic windows frame sunset views that could make a photographer weep, while the outdoor deck seating puts nothing between you and the ocean spray except your plate of steaming Carolina shrimp and grits. Come at high tide when waves crash directly beneath your table for the full sensory experience.
2. Black Pelican

Ghost stories and grouper collide at Black Pelican in Kitty Hawk, housed in a former lifesaving station with over 100 years of coastal history. Legend has it the Wright brothers sent their famous ‘first flight’ telegram from this very building, making your hush puppy appetizer come with a side of aviation history.
Seafood platters arrive heaped with golden-fried treasures harvested just offshore. The wood-fired pizza oven (an unexpected beach treat) produces the famous ‘Wanchese Fisherman’ pie topped with shrimp, scallops, and crabmeat that would make any Italian chef nod in respectful approval.
Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the rolling waves, while weathered wood interiors transport you to a bygone maritime era. Arrive early for happy hour when locals swap fishing tales at the bar and oysters sell for a song during the daily ‘Shuck Yeah!’ special.
3. Cape Fear Boil Company

Newspaper-covered tables signal the delicious mess you’re about to enjoy at Cape Fear Boil Company in Carolina Beach. Buckets of steaming seafood arrive with theatrical flair – servers dramatically pour Low Country boils directly onto your table, creating an Instagram-worthy moment that smells like heaven.
Shellfish lovers rejoice as mountains of red potatoes, corn, sausage, and seafood (choose from shrimp, crab, mussels, clams, or lobster) tumble onto the paper. The secret seasoning blend has sparked heated debates among locals about its mysterious ingredients.
Bibs aren’t just suggested – they’re practically mandatory uniform. The oceanfront patio lets you wash down your feast with cold beer while watching fishing boats return with tomorrow’s catch. Pro tip: Their homemade cocktail sauce packs enough horseradish punch to clear sinuses three tables away.
4. Stoked Restaurant

Surfboards mounted on walls and sand practically spilling through the door set the laid-back vibe at Stoked Restaurant in Carolina Beach. What began as a food truck now serves ocean-to-table delights that have locals forming lines before opening time.
Their fish tacos – stuffed with whatever swam by that morning – come adorned with pickled red onions and cilantro-lime crema that’ll have you licking your fingers shamelessly. The chef’s daily specials appear on a chalkboard that might as well read ‘whatever the fishing boats brought in an hour ago.’
Grab a seat on the driftwood-decorated deck where you can spot dolphins while sipping their famous jalapeño margarita. The restaurant’s commitment to sustainability means your seafood feast comes with a clean conscience. Even their straws are made from pasta – a quirky touch that perfectly captures this place’s eco-friendly spirit.
5. Michael’s Seafood

Award-winning chowder has put Michael’s Seafood in Carolina Beach on the culinary map, snagging international seafood competition trophies that gleam proudly behind the bar. Their champion seafood chowder recipe remains more closely guarded than state secrets – a creamy, herb-flecked concoction loaded with chunks of seafood that keeps customers returning through hurricanes and heatwaves alike.
The nautical-themed dining room feels like the captain’s quarters of an upscale fishing vessel. Blackboard specials change with the tides, featuring whatever the local fishermen dragged in before dawn.
Families crowd around tables covered with newspaper for the famous Carolina crab pot – a steaming cauldron of blue crabs, corn, potatoes, and andouille sausage. The outdoor seating area catches refreshing ocean breezes, making the cold local brews taste even better. Don’t miss their key lime pie, which strikes the perfect balance between sweet and tart – just like a day at the Carolina shore.
6. Dune Street Raw Bar & Grill

Salt-weathered wood and turquoise accents give Dune Street Raw Bar & Grill in Wrightsville Beach the perfect beachy backdrop for oyster-slurping adventures. The shucking station takes center stage – a theatrical performance where nimble-fingered experts pop open bivalves faster than you can say ‘pass the mignonette.’
Morning fishing boats practically deliver their catch through the back door. The raw bar showcases nature’s ocean jewels: briny Pamlico Sound oysters, massive shrimp cocktail, and stone crab claws that require special crackers and a bit of elbow grease.
Sunset transforms the place into a glowing wonderland, with string lights reflecting off wine glasses and the day’s last rays painting everything gold. The cocktail menu features drinks garnished with edible flowers and herbs grown in their rooftop garden. Order their famous ‘Shipwreck Bloody Mary’ – served with a skewer of seafood so elaborate it’s practically an appetizer.
7. Howard’s Pub & Raw Bar

Colorful license plates from all 50 states plaster the ceiling at Howard’s Pub on Ocracoke Island, telling tales of travelers who’ve made the ferry journey to this remote seafood haven. This island institution sits where Blackbeard once roamed, serving up seafood with a side of pirate lore.
The screened porch catches cooling ocean breezes while protecting diners from the island’s notorious mosquitoes. Steamer pots arrive overflowing with clams harvested from nearby waters so pristine you can practically taste the Atlantic’s clean salt.
Their famous crab cake sandwich contains so little filler it barely holds together – just sweet lump crabmeat bound by what seems like wishful thinking and a prayer. The pub boasts 200+ beer varieties, though locals swear the house-brewed fig-infused ale pairs best with seafood. Save room for their signature dessert: Ocracoke fig cake, made from century-old island recipes passed down through generations of salty islanders.
8. Lone Cedar Café

Family fishing traditions run deeper than the Roanoke Sound at Lone Cedar Café in Nags Head, owned by the family of NASCAR legend Richard Petty’s daughter. Photos of weathered fishermen – many related to the staff – line walls, showcasing the folks who caught what’s on your plate.
Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the causeway where fishing boats parade past with the day’s bounty. Their signature dish? ‘Miss O’s Crab Cakes’ – a secret family recipe featuring jumbo lump crabmeat with so little filler you’ll wonder how they stay together.
The restaurant maintains its own crab shedding operation, ensuring soft-shell crabs are served within hours of molting – a freshness timeframe measured in minutes, not days. Even the vegetables come from their family farm, making ‘locally sourced’ more than just menu buzzwords. Their hushpuppies, served gratis before meals, have sparked marriage proposals and interstate smuggling operations for good reason.