Famous NC Flavors

Authentic Coastal Cuisine

Meandering along North Carolina’s coast, it’s easy to eat your way through the state’s tasty coastal cuisine. Thanks to the bountiful sea and many bays and rivers, along with farm-to-table vegetables and more, many restaurants along the Carolina coastline feature food that’s true to it’s environs – from steaming hot hush puppies to just-steamed blue crabs to fresh fish just caught that morning. Pass the slaw and pour a glass of sweet tea!

From the Virginia state line to the South Carolina border, it’s relatively easy to find a classic coastal Carolina meal. These recommendations aren’t meant to be all encompassing, but rather geographically and stylistically diverse. Along with our restaurant recommendations, we also highly recommend asking about North Carolina wines on wines lists – and stopping at one or more of the plentiful seafood shops to take home a taste (and catch) of the coast. Here are some top tasty picks starting up in the Outer Banks and heading all the way down the coast to Calabash.

• Since 1985, Kelly’s Outer Banks Restaurant and Tavern has offered one of the area’s best fine dining spots. Located in Nags Head proper, Kelly’s specializes in the creative use of lots of fresh local seafood – flounder, crab, shrimp, oysters, and more are all on the menu when available (those who can‘t decide go for the “NC Seafood Collection”). Veteran visitors know they can’t go wrong with one of “Kelly’s Klassics” – favorite dishes for 20+ years.

• About six miles south, Owens’ Restaurant is another North Carolina coastal classic. Originally open in 1946, Owens’ is literally a slice of Outer Banks history. The Hatteras-style “Clam Chowder” makes for a great appetizer, while entrees like “Carolina Jambalaya,” “Carolina Bouillabaisse,” “Seafood Outer Banks,” “Hatteras Combination,” and “Miss O’s Crab Cakes” are all appetizing. After homemade dessert, history buffs will want to check out the collection of local maritime artifacts.

• Down on the causeway heading to Manteo, it’s hard to take your eyes off the view from Basnight's Lone Cedar Café. However, those who do will see and savor some seriously creative local fare. The menu features fresh caught fish, crab, shrimp, tuna, squid, and much more – brought right to their dock. Pork and poultry comes from North Carolina farmers, as do the just-picked vegetables. Start with “Wanchese Clam Chowder” and finish with dessert prepared by their resident pastry chef.

• The ferry takes visitors to Ocracoke Island and its award-winning Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach (proclaimed “Top Beach” in 2007 by Steve “Dr. Beach” Leatherman). Once there, visitors find miles of quiet beaches and a quaint waterfront town that’s a throwback to earlier simple times – where food was caught or picked and immediately prepared. Several options on Ocracoke include: Howard’s Pub & Raw Bar Restaurant(great waterfront deck, prepared-to-order “fast food,” live music, and lots of locals); Jolly Roger Pub & Marina (fresh seafood and sublime sunsets); Back Porch Restaurant (fresh seafood, a popular screened porch, with casual lunches at the nearby Back Porch Lunchbox); and Café Atlantic (lots of seafood combos and a tasty Sunday brunch).

• Sanitary Fish Market & Restaurant has been a Morehead City landmark since 1938 for good reason. This sprawling 600-seat waterfront establishment has a loyal following of patrons (and long-time staff members like John Tunnel, who never forgets a name). The hush puppies are legendary, as are the varied seafood-oriented “baskets” and other fresh seafood constantly heading out of the kitchen. Still family-owned and -operated, the “Sanitary” also features a fresh seafood market next to the restaurant (they’ll even provide ice to those who have to head inland).

• Heading farther south, Topsail Island has several top restaurants specializing in seafood and other local fare. Mainsail Restaurant & Bar in Surf City works with lots of nearby fishermen and farmers to prepare a wide variety of locally focused cuisine. The Pasquantino family takes working with local vendors quite seriously and it shows on the menu – and the table. From the “Shrimp Bisque” and “Cream of Crab” soups to a long list of “Island Seafood” entrees, Mainsail makes authentic coastal cuisine a main priority. In addition, Surf City’s II Beauchaine’s and Indigo Marsh are two more casual upscale options for creatively-prepared local catch and more. They don’t have a website, but Daddy Mac’s Beach Grille right on Surf City’s beach is worth the search!

• Down on the Cape Fear Coast, the region’s beaches beckon with several top restaurants serving up the local catch. On Wrightsville Beach, the seafood-dominated menu and views at The Oceanic Restaurant have made it a long-time oceanfront favorite. And, though located a block inland, fresh and creative local fare (like “Signature Seafood Selections”) also reigns supreme at Savannah’s Low Country Casual. Further south on along the Cape Fear Coast, Michael’s Seafood at Carolina Beach focuses on fresh fish throughout the menu (be sure to read their “Fish Story” and check out the restaurant’s aquariums). A bit further south in Kure beach, Jack Mackerel’s Island Grille is the place to head for casual fare and atmosphere – like their tasty seafood sandwiches and salads and a killer crab dip!

• Those arriving in Southport by land or sea head straight to Yacht Basic Provision Co. This waterfront favorite usually has a line before ordering at the counter and grabbing self-service drinks and dining outside. Provision Co. favorites include conch fritters, freshly made seafood chowder, steamed shrimp, crab cakes, a great grouper salad sandwich, and some seriously tasty hamburgers. Veteran visitors often order the fritters or chowder as appetizers and then head back to the counter to order their main course. It doesn’t get any more authentic (or coastal) than here.

• When a style of coastal cooking earns its own name, you know it’s authentic. That’s what happened down in Calabash, where “Calabash-style” fried seafood was born (and is now served all over the map). To get the real deal, head to one of several tasty restaurants in the tiny waterfront town of Calabash (often called “The Seafood Capital of the World”). Coleman’s Original Calabash Seafood Restaurant, Ella’s Restaurant, and Beck’s Seafood all cook (or should we say fry?) up Calabash favorites like shrimp, varied fresh fish, and more. Without a website in sight, these restaurateurs would obviously rather be at the deep-fat fryer than sitting at a computer. Wherever you choose to dine, plan to start with ubiquitous (and delicious) hush puppies and wash it all down with some sweet tea served by friendly wait staff with southern accents.

Fun Fact:
The entertainer Jimmy Durante frequently dined at Coleman’s, calling the restaurant’s Lucy Coleman “Mrs. Calabash” and later closing his show by saying, “Good night, Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are.”

By Lynn Seldon

added: December 15, 2008

updated: January 2, 2009