Diners' Choice: Best Food restaurants in Coastal North Carolina

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall cuisine 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 favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Genki Sushi Bar and Japanese Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (619)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Wilmington

About the restaurant

We look forward to welcoming you into our warm environment, with food so good you will swear you just stepped off of the train in Tokyo.

If you are reading this description, please take note that:
* Starting October 1st 2024: We will no longer be able to seat you unless your entire party has arrived and ready to sit ON TIME.
We will hold your Table/Seats for ONLY 10 minutes past the reservation time.
*After 10 minutes, you will lose your reservation to someone who is on the waiting list.
*Please take this serious as, it will allow us to provide better customer service to our guests as we increase in volume, and allow the evening to flow better with timing for our reservations through out the evening.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding! Our customers mean the world to us!

*Also, please remember to count small children and babies as a person for seating. Thank you for your participation and understanding in this.
Thank you for your business! See you soon!

Top review

LeeannVIP

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

Genki Sushi is truly a Wilmington treasure. Their service is consistently warm and friendly, and the food is simply unmatched in the area. Every dish reflects their high preparation standards, making it a go-to spot for quality sushi. One note for patrons: the restaurant tends to be quite cold inside, likely because of the small space and the staff’s need to stay cool while working hard in the kitchen. We’ve learned to bring an extra layer to enjoy our meal comfortably. Despite this, it’s always easy to get a table, and it’s one of our favorite spots for a cozy date night. Highly recommended for anyone looking for exceptional sushi and a welcoming dining experience.

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The Oyster Rock Waterfront Seafood

4.9

4.9 (3474)

$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

JeffVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Wonderful dinner at Oyster Rock. Food was very good and consistent with past experiences there. Staff was excellent. Enjoyable experience. Will definitely be back again in the future.

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Flying Machine Oyster Bar

4.7

4.7 (134)

$31 to $50

Oyster Bar

Wrightsville Beach

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of Harbor Island on Wrightsville Beach, Flying Machine Brewing Oyster Bar focuses on serving fresh oysters in creative ways showcasing local mariculture alongside Southern-inspired cuisine, craft cocktails, and Wilmington's award-winning Flying Machine Brewing Company beer. Join us inside or sit at our patio area overlooking the Loop!

Top review

J. Scott

Dined 1 day ago

Great food…great beer. Service was attentive. Atmosphere was friendly.

Prime Bistro & Wine Bar

4.9

4.9 (388)

$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

Brian

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

Everything was great -- from being welcomed at the door, seated quickly, friendly and knowledgable service staff, great food and drinks. We had -- King Crab cocktail, King Crab stack, lobster bisque, wedge salad, bone-in filet, whipped potatoes -- all delicious. They are open to splitting things and modifying items. We also had caramel cheesecake for dessert - fantastic. We will definitely go back.

Southern, a gathering place

4.9

4.9 (477)

$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 seats at 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).

Top review

JanelleVIP

Dined on Dec 14, 2024

The food is always excellent! Tight quarters but the noise level not bad. Warm welcome and great service!

Ocean Blvd Bistro and Martini Bar

4.9

4.9 (2813)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Kitty Hawk

About the restaurant

Ocean Boulevard Bistro and Martini Bar is an upscale dining restaurant on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. We are open nightly for dinner and drinks through all seasons. We pride ourselves in using fresh local and regional ingredients, in season, to create interesting and flavorful meals. We have a comprehensive wine list and have been awarded "Best of the Beach - 2014-2017" for our Martini Bar. We also have an oceanside patio, across the street from the beach, for drinks and waiting. If your reservation can not be completed online, please call us at 252-261-2546 to inquire about special seating arrangements.

Top review

Debbie

Dined on Dec 10, 2024

The appetizers were outstanding as well as the entrees and desserts. You just can’t go wrong with Ocean Boulevard. Excellent service snd fun cocktails.

Port Land Grille

4.9

4.9 (2112)

$31 to $50

American

Wilmington

About the restaurant

Port Land Grille has progressive American regional cuisine masterfully executed in a casually elegant coastal setting since November 2000. We have both indoor and outdoor dining and private rooms are available. Thank you for dining with us!

COVID-19 updates: Masks are no longer required to be worn indoors but they are still recommended if you are not vaccinated. Our staff is fully vaccinated and ready to serve you!

We have suspended the ability to bring in outside food or beverage (ex. cakes or wine) while we continue to recover from the devastating affects of COVID-19. Thank you in advance for your understanding and continued support.

Top review

GwenB

Dined 2 days ago

Family Christmas Dinner celebration—- exceptional menu and service from start to finish. Never disappoints!

Main & Mill Oyster Bar & Tavern

4.7

4.7 (277)

$30 and under

Seafood

Wilmington

About the restaurant

Seafood Restaurant in Winterville, North Carolina. Main & Mill Oyster Bar & Tavern offers an amazing menu with the service to match. We hope you join us soon.

Top review

Randy

Dined 1 day ago

Had the Cioppino which was great! Do order extra bread to sop up the broth, however. Oysters were very good and fresh, although a bit on the small side. Service was excellent. My wife had the steak salad and pork belly and grits which was also excellent.

Catch - Modern Seafood Cuisine

4.8

4.8 (2092)

$30 and under

Seafood

Wilmington

About the restaurant

Serving the Best Seafood in North Carolina. James Beard Semi-Finalist and Bravo Tv's "Top Chef"contestant, Chef Keith Rhodes and his team, explore the Cape Fear Coast,for the best it has to offer. We feature Wild Caught & sustainably raised Seafood. Organic and locally sourced Produce.Providing the perfect compliment to our fresh Catch. Consecutively Voted Wilmington's Best Chef Dubbed by NYT's,"Modern Seafood Cuisine” we offer an array Fresh Seafood and Vegetarian options. We offer our Signature NC Sweet Potato Salad. Appetizers include our “Fire Cracker” Shrimp, NC Oysters on the 1/2 Shell, Seafood Ceviche & Conch Fritters . Larger Plates include our "Angry" Maine Lobster, Prime Steaks, Blackend Mahi Mahi & our Award winning Charleston Crab Cakes, Seared OBX Scallops, Flounder Escovitch & Pan roasted Black Grouper. Full ABC Permits.Large selection of boutique Wines by the Glass, Hand crafted Cocktails And over a half a dozen rotating local beer offerings.

Top review

Brittany

Dined 7 days ago

Food, drinks and service were exceptional! Ricky was confident in the kitchen and food and everything was amazing! We will be back!

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Popular dish

Chop Chop Caesar Salad

Popular dish

Catch Shrimp & Grits

Popular dish

Southern Fried Seafood Platter

Jerry's Food, Wine and Spirits

4.8

4.8 (422)

$30 and under

Regional American (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

Sharon

Dined on Dec 6, 2024

Excellent food and excellent service. Even had a happy birthday message on the menu. Very friendly. Two of us had their classic tuna, one person had the chateaubriand and one the short rib special. All great dinners!

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