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Circa 81 Tapas & Cocktaileria, Morehead City, NC

Circa 81 Tapas & Cocktaileria

4.9
4.9
1197 Reviews
$30 and under
Tapas / Small Plates

Make a reservation

2 people
10:30 p.m.
Booked 3 times today
  • Great for creative cocktails
  • Good for special occasions
  • Neighbourhood gem
Clarke Merrell's (Circa 81 Executive Chef/Proprietor) goal is for Circa 81 to provide creative, quality, & delicious food in a beautiful setting. Offering small plates that are perfect for passing around the table in true tapas style, our dishes are meant to inspire and engage our diners. So, start a conversation, relax, and enjoy a fresh take on cuisine. Clarke developed Circa 81 in hopes that guests will try something new and different and truly have a dining experience. Circa 81 offers great wine and cocktails too, with more than 30 specialty drinks on our cocktaileria menu. Our menu also includes medium and large plate selections - delicious sandwiches, homemade soups, local seafood and fresh-made desserts.

Circa 81 also offers take-out and catering - just contact us for more details.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Tapas / Small Plates, Seafood, Regional American (Southern)
  • Hours of Operation
    Brunch Sun 10:30 am–2:00 pm Lunch Wed–Sat 11:30 am–2:00 pm Dinner Wed–Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Sun 5:00 pm–8:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (252) 648-8300
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive Chef
    Clarke Merrell
  • Catering
    Circa 81 offers full service catering. Let us cater your next event. Think of us when you are planning your next, wedding, rehearsal dinner, bridal luncheon, office party, dinner party, baby shower. Also popular is our drop off menu. Email Clarke@81hospitality.com or call 252.648.8300 for your catering needs.
  • Private party facilities
    Circa 81 can be used for semi-private events or rented out and closed to the public for events. Contact us for details on special event bookings.
  • Neighbourhood
    Beaufort / Morehead City
  • Cross Street
    Across from EJW Outdoors
  • Parking details
    Big private lot. Will accommodate large vehicles
  • Public transit
    Taxi Cabs (sorry MHC does not offer public transportation)We are located 2.5 miles west of the Atlantic Beach bridge in Carteret Village Shopping Center.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,197 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.9
4.9 based on recent ratings
  • 4.9Food
  • 4.9Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.6Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Coastal North Carolina

    Great for brunch

  • Coastal North Carolina

    Lively

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Circa 81 Tapas & Cocktaileria is a coastal gem, renowned for its exceptional brunch and tapas. Guests praise the "fantastic food and impeccable service," highlighting dishes like eggs Benedict and creamy grits. The cozy atmosphere and attentive staff make it perfect for special occasions. Reservations are recommended for a seamless experience.

1,197 Reviews
  1. Wayne

    Raleigh

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Awesome meal. Always a top choice for us. Decorated beautifully for Christmas.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Myles Michael

    VIP

    Wilmington

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    As a local, this is our "go to" place. The food is excellent; the wine selection is long and well priced. Circa has a very nice bar for pre dinner socializing. The staff is great...very attentive and personable.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Mike

    Wilmington

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on December 8, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The cocktails (Old Fashions), appetizers (She Crab Soup and Corn Chowder), Tapas (Tuna and Rosemary Beef), and desert (Maple Bacon Cheescake) were outstanding. Our waiter and the bartender were great. Everything was fabulous as usual! Best food in Carteret County!

    Is this helpful?

  4. Bonnie

    Wilmington

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 6, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Cocktails and tapas were delicious, and atmosphere was really nice. A great experience!

    Is this helpful?

  5. Laura

    VIP

    Richmond

    25 reviews

    5.0

    25 reviews

    Dined on November 28, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great as always! The food, service and atmosphere was outstanding!!

    Is this helpful?

  6. Lynn

    Wilmington

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on November 22, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food and great service. One of our favorite places to eat.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Sandi

    Greensboro

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 17, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The Maitre D’ was exceptional. He went out of his way to help my friend who is in a wheelchair and had our table all set up for her as well. I am sorry that I did not get his name. The extra attention made everything very special.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Phyllis

    Wilmington

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 16, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food and service was amazing! Paul and Peter were our servers. They are always delightful and so attentive. I rated the value a 3 because a small wedge salad was $16 and my husband's chocolate molten dessert was $12.99. This seemed a bit pricey to me.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Holly

    Coastal Georgia

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 16, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful experience! Will definitely return. Food and service was exceptional!

    Is this helpful?

  10. Kristie

    Wilmington

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on November 14, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    All four of us raves about the food and service! Our waitress was Dani

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Circa 81 Tapas & Cocktaileria offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (252) 648-8300.

Circa 81 Tapas & Cocktaileria is rated 4.9 stars by 1197 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
10:30 p.m.
Booked 3 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Circa 81 Tapas & Cocktaileria

4650 C Arendell Street, Morehead City, NC 28557

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Across from EJW Outdoors
  • Neighbourhood
    Beaufort / Morehead City
  • Hours of Operation
    Brunch Sun 10:30 am–2:00 pm Lunch Wed–Sat 11:30 am–2:00 pm Dinner Wed–Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Sun 5:00 pm–8:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Tapas / Small Plates, Seafood, Regional American (Southern)
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Big private lot. Will accommodate large vehicles
  • Public transit
    Taxi Cabs (sorry MHC does not offer public transportation)We are located 2.5 miles west of the Atlantic Beach bridge in Carteret Village Shopping Center.
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Clarke Merrell
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (252) 648-8300
  • Catering
    Circa 81 offers full service catering. Let us cater your next event. Think of us when you are planning your next, wedding, rehearsal dinner, bridal luncheon, office party, dinner party, baby shower. Also popular is our drop off menu. Email Clarke@81hospitality.com or call 252.648.8300 for your catering needs.
  • Private party facilities
    Circa 81 can be used for semi-private events or rented out and closed to the public for events. Contact us for details on special event bookings.
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