Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in Coastal North Carolina

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best overall restaurants 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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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.

Hieronymus Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar

4.9

4.9 (577)

$30 and under

Seafood

Wilmington

About the restaurant

The Area's Authentic Seafood Restaurant The experience that you will have at Hieronymus Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar is uniquely Wilmington, North Carolina. Our specialty is Cape Fear cuisine, including fresh local seafood, fresh vegetables, and local craft beer. When you walk through our doors, take a look around. You will see many items that are a part of our history. The shells inside the tables have been brought to us by many guests throughout the years. Nameplates on the bar designate locals that have told many a tale. News releases show Hieronymus cooking for Bryant Gumbel on the Today Show. You might copy a recipe for soft shell crab or take a gander at some of the "stars" that have dropped by for dinner.

Top review

David MVIP

Dined 3 days ago

We love going to this restaurant because of the fresh fish selection that is always on the menu!

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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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!

The Melting Pot - Wilmington(NC)

4.8

4.8 (724)

$31 to $50

Fondue

Wilmington

About the restaurant

Welcome and thank you for choosing The Melting Pot of Wilmington. We offer a very unique and interactive dining experience, with a heavy focus on personal service. Our Wait staff has been hand picked and extensively trained to have the ability to provide you, our guest, with nothing less than a "Perfect Night Out." Every visit will be hand tailored to fit your wants and needs during your fondue experience. We are a four-course full service restaurant. We offer a stunning variety of creamy, perfectly balanced cheeses that our servers hand craft table side for your dining pleasure. We have a selection of cold, crisp and fresh salads, paired with house made dressings. Our entrées are as beautiful as they are delicious. We offer a wide range of premium meats and seafoods with a variety of sophisticated marinades and sauces for dipping.

Top review

ThomVIP

Dined on Dec 7, 2024

We love this place. We eat there a couple of times a month. Always great food and service. We also appreciate their commitment to Saint Judes Hospital and the fundraiser they do every year for the children.

Brent's Bistro

4.9

4.9 (651)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Wrightsville Beach

About the restaurant

Upscale yet casual restaurant located in Wilmington, NC. Located near Wrightsville Beach. Menu changes weekly to highlight the freshest seafood and land dishes. Enjoy flavorful dinners and extensive wine selection in our welcoming atmosphere. When weather permits, book a seat outdoors on our covered patio. For reservations, please utilize Opentable or call us directly. However, reservations for Fridays and Saturdays can ONLY be booked by calling us directly. 910-839-3131.

Top review

Dennis

Dined on Nov 24, 2024

Wonderful meals and outstanding service as usual. The daily blackened snapper special was excellent ad was the current salmon entree. We loved our experience.

Blue Moon Bistro

4.8

4.8 (543)

$31 to $50

French / American

Beaufort / Morehead City

About the restaurant

BLUE MOON BISTRO of Beaufort, NC; Casual fine dining experience with superb service team, a creative and well-stocked bar, & TWO chefs sharing in our culinary leadership of French/American cuisine.

CHEF JAYSON FOSTER graduate of CCCCP; Culinary Arts student who studied in France under two-starred Michelin Chef Marc Meurin. A stalwart on the Beaufort Food Scene, Jayson has cooked at Chef’s 105, Circa 81, and at Aqua, where he was the Chef for 10 years. In 2012, Jayson and team won the Fire on the Docks Competition in Wilmington, NC.

CHEF JOSH MACKLIN, Honors graduate of CCCCP, Josh ALSO went to France to study with two-starred Michelin Chef Marc Meurin. Josh joined Floyd’s 1921 as banquet chef. He has worked at Circa 81 as Chef/Restaurant Manager for 10 years. He then joined the Oysters and Pearls group, opening Catch 109 and Executive Chef for Table 9. Josh loves how food brings together families and friends. He is a proud believer of food being a bond we all share.

Bon Appetit!

Top review

JenniferVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Awesome dinner great food , drinks and Awesome service. Michelle was attentive and it was a great evening. The chef did a remarkable job. Love when Chef Jason prepares the meal.

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4.8

4.8 (236)

$30 and under

American

Edenton

About the restaurant

A life long dream of Karin and Andy Montero, this 1904 home has been transformed into
Elizabeth City's premier location to "Meet. Eat. Celebrate." With our guests in mind,
Montero's is committed to providing a complete "Restaurant Experience"...exceptional service,
creative cuisine and a casual atmosphere. Our staff possesses the same passion and desire for
this restaurant that we do and we hope you will as well!

Top review

Chrise

Dined 3 days ago

Montero’s is a large restaurant with an intimate dining layout and experience. The food is authentic, fresh and DELICIOUS! Service was friendly and attentive. In addition, it was my Birthday and at my reserved table was a Birthday greeting from the restaurant, signed by the staff. Another plus, if this pertains to you or someone in your party, Montero’s offers a large selection of inventive Vegan entrees. My sister is Vegan and usually has to settle for a salad or an appetizer, she was extremely pleased! Montero’s is an excellent dining experience, whether for a special ox or just a dinner out.

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.

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