Explore Award-Winning Carolina Beach Restaurants

Are you thinking about taking the trip to Carolina Beach? While one of the smaller North Carolina coastal towns, Carolina Beach is south of Wilmington and shares the same coast as Kure Beach to the south. Don’t let its size fool you though, there are plenty of restaurants from which to choose.

Regardless of whether you are looking for traditional American cuisine, BBQ, Mexican, or even your own slice of Little Havana, there are plenty of restaurants from which to choose and this beautiful part of North Carolina.

What are some of the best restaurants in Carolina Beach? Take a look at a few of the top options available so you won’t pass up the opportunity to enjoy some fresh seafood and good food while in town.

1. HANG TEN GRILL

Looking for an island favorite with some live music? Then you may want to take a closer look at Hang Ten Grill. This is a great opportunity for you to relax next to Carolina Beach Lake Park while enjoying brunch, breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

This is a relatively inexpensive restaurant, and it is a great place to enjoy some traditional Southern eats. For example, you might be looking for some clams, shrimp, or even soft shell crab legs. If you want to create a delicious meal inspired by the local surf, this is the place to go.

To check out Hang Ten Grill, you can find it located at 308 Lake Park Blvd S, Carolina Beach, NC 28428.

2. SHUCKIN’ SHACK

If you are someone who likes to get your hands dirty, then you may want to check out Shuckin’ Shack. This eatery is a favorite among locals who live in the area, and if you decide to pay a visit to this restaurant, you will immediately see why. For the freshest seafood, like scallops, oysters and fresh catch fish, this is definitely the place to go.

When you visit, do not forget to ask about the specials. You might be treated to an amazing meal that cannot be matched anywhere else. You only have so many nights in Carolina Beach, but make sure you don’t pass up an opportunity to check out the Shuckin’ Shack. It might be a bit more expensive than some of the other options, but it is definitely worth it.

If you want to check out this restaurant, you can find it at 6 N Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428.

3. FLAMING AMY’S BURRITO BARN

If you are looking for a quick, inexpensive bite to eat, then you’ll want to check out Flaming Amy’s Burrito Barn. You probably never realized that there were so many burritos from which to choose, but you will certainly have your fill here!

It is one of the least expensive restaurants in the area, and it is also a great opportunity for you to check out some spicy food, as the name suggests. If you can handle spice, order their classic burrito, Flaming Amy. It might not be as fancy as some of the other restaurants, but you will certainly have your fill if you swing by this establishment.

If you want to give Flaming Amy’s Burrito Barn a try, then consider checking it out at 1140-A N Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428.

4. CAROLINA SMOKEHOUSE

There is nothing quite like enjoying a bit of barbecue during your visit to the Carolina beaches. For the best barbecue in the area, then you would definitely want to check out Carolina Smokehouse.

They make all of their sauces in-house, and you can customize your meals to meet your needs. You can even enjoy some gluten-free options. Of course, in North Carolina, there is only one type of BBQ, so you should be prepared for your meal to have a bit of zing to it. Be sure to check out the pulled pork and order some appetizers to share, as there is nothing quite like it in the area.

If you feel like giving Carolina Smokehouse a try, you can find it located at 9 Pavilion Ave S, Carolina Beach, NC 28428.

5. IDA THAI CUISINE

You might be looking for something a bit different, and that could include Asian food. If you are looking for the best Asian food in the area, you will definitely want to check out Ida Thai Cuisine. Even though it is a bit more expensive than some of the other restaurants in the area, it is definitely worth it.

You can enjoy some hot, spicy curry and other Thai delicacies. They also have specials from time to time, so you do not want to forget to ask about those.

If you want to check out Ida Thai Cuisine, you can find it located at 304 N Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428.

6. KATE’S PANCAKE HOUSE

There is nothing quite like going out for breakfast in the morning, and if you are looking for one of the best breakfast joints in the area, you should check out Kate’s Pancake House. You probably never knew there were so many pancakes from which to choose, that you will definitely have your fill here. Perhaps you want to combine your pancakes with some tropical fruit. Maybe you want to enjoy some fresh maple syrup on your pancakes. No matter what your fancy might be, there is a good chance you can find it here.

Kate’s Pancake House is very easy to find. You can find it at 102 Lake Park Blvd S, Carolina Beach, NC 28428.

For another sweet breakfast option, give Britt’s Donuts a try. While I personally prefer pancakes, if you’re a donut person, Britt’s might be perfect for you!

7. LAZY PIRATE

If you don’t want to miss the big game while on vacation, then you will definitely be looking for a sports bar in the local area. One of the best options from which to choose is Lazy Pirate.

This is a sports bar that is fun for the whole family. There is indoor and outdoor seating available, so you shouldn’t have to worry about waiting for a table. In addition, this is one of the best locations for live music. There is a tiki bar that is always serving up delicious drinks, and you can take in as many sporting events as you want. This is one of the most convenient restaurants in the area.

If you want to check out Lazy Pirate, you can find it located at 701 N Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428.

8. NOLLIE’S TACO JOINT

If you’re in the mood for Mexican food, look no further! Nollie’s Taco Joint is home to the best tacos in the area. This is a great place to go if you want to save some money, and they always have some amazing beers on tap.

All of the meat is fresh, they have a wide variety of tacos from which to choose, and you can enjoy some beautiful views as you eat your lunch or dinner.

If you want to give Nollie’s Taco Joint a try, you can find it at 3 Pelican Ln, Carolina Beach, NC 28428.

9. SEAWITCH CAFE

If you are looking for the best place to grab a quick bite to eat, then you will want to check out Seawitch Cafe. This is a cheap restaurant that is known for its fast food-like service. I’m sure you want to maximize your time on the beach, so you do not want to waste time waiting for your food. They always have some fresh sandwiches ready to go so you can get in and out as quickly as possible.

If you want to try some of their sandwiches, you can find this restaurant located at 227 Carolina Beach Ave N, Carolina Beach, NC 28428.

For more options that didn’t quite make the cut for our list, I suggest trying Ocean Grill, Michael’s Seafood Restaurant, or Granny’s Country Kitchen. 

Book your stay along the Northern Carolina Coast with Carolina Retreats today!