Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Coastal North Carolina

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies 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 favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Seabird

4.9

4.9 (1495)

$50 and over

Seafood

Wilmington

About the restaurant

Mindfully sourced and thoughtfully prepared ingredients highlight the landscape of the food in our coastal community. Menu subject to change daily with local availability of seafood and produce. James Beard nominated chef and owner, Dean Neff.

Reservations available for dinner Wednesday through Monday. Closed Tuesdays.

Brunch now served Saturday & Sunday!

Top review

Roma

Dined 4 days ago

This was an exceptional dining experience! The menu had lots of choices and it was hard to decide. The recommendation for bar b q oysters was perfect! Seabird has ambiance without being stuffy, a friendly, knowledgeable serving staff and is all around next level!

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Experience

New Years Eve Prix Fixe Menu Only

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!

Aqua Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (2794)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Beaufort / Morehead City

About the restaurant

**Only in Beaufort, NC** Executive Chef Jon McGregor’s menu is created to bring you the freshest seasonal items available presented with a creative touch. Aqua’s small plates offer you an exciting array of tastes in
"just right” portions, ideal for passing around the table or enjoying two or three as a full meal. Aqua’s Big Plates feature the freshest local seafood and premier meats, as well as local produce. Aqua prides itself on offering fresh, local products and supporting our local fisherman and farmers.

Enjoy our upscale bar offerings, including specialty cocktails and expansive wine list.

Enjoy your experience in our Dining Room or on our comfortable, breezy screened-in porch. Please take care to select the dining area of your choice when making reservations.

We can’t wait to serve you soon. Cheers for now!

Top review

John

Dined on Dec 17, 2024

One of our very favorite restaurants! But - we had never been there on wineOrama night! Great food and great wine. Can’t beat it. We were able to buy some of the wine at fantastic prices and bring it home for the holidays!!

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Shrimp & Grits Provencal

Catch - Modern Seafood Cuisine

4.8

4.8 (2094)

$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 on Dec 15, 2024

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

Riverside Kitchen & Bar

4.8

4.8 (185)

$30 and under

American

Wilmington

About the restaurant

At Riverside Kitchen & Bar, we specialize in New American Fusion cuisine, providing a sophisticated casual dining experience that strikes the perfect balance between upscale casual and relaxed comfort.

Our eclectic menu caters to diverse tastes, offering everything from indulgent
mac 'n' cheese to succulent short rib. We take great pride in using only the finest locally sourced ingredients to create a memorable culinary journey for our guests. Our chefs expertly fuse traditional American flavors with contemporary techniques, resulting in a menu that boasts both classic comfort dishes and innovative creations.

We offer a versatile menu that has something for everyone, including fresh salads, artisanal flatbreads, and mouthwatering sandwiches, in addition to our elegant entrées. Whether you're joining us for a casual lunch, a celebratory dinner, or a special event, we promise an unforgettable dining experience in a stylish yet relaxed setting at Riverside Kitchen & Bar.

Top review

Leslie

Dined on Dec 18, 2024

As always, the food & service are wonderful. Luke is an amazing chef & he always makes it fun to go the his restaurant. Brook & Ryan are great too.

PinPoint

4.7

4.7 (1814)

$50 and over

American

Wilmington

About the restaurant

Welcome to PinPoint Restaurant!

Located in Wilmington, NC, PinPoint Restaurant serves food deeply rooted in Southern tradition. Featured in Southern Living's Best Restaurants of 2019. The menu changes daily and features local seasonal offerings from Wilmington’s farmers, fishermen, and oystermen.

Top review

Laurie

Dined 3 days ago

Food is amazing. Service was impeccable. Monday night special is well worth it.

The Green House Restaurant - Wilmington

4.7

4.7 (382)

$31 to $50

Vegetarian / Vegan

Wrightsville Beach

About the restaurant

The Green House offers inventive, plant-based menu with an emphasis on sustainability, seasonality, and all of the amazing local producers this area has to offer

Top review

RaymondVIP

Dined on Dec 4, 2024

Our favorite place!!! It’s always a positive and pleasant experience.

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A night of Old Hollywood elegance

Ellipsis

4.6

4.6 (33)

$31 to $50

Dining Bar

Wilmington

About the restaurant

Our new fall/winter menu, Farfalla, offers a rich celebration of Italian flavors tailored for the cooler seasons. Featuring comforting dishes like handmade pastas, hearty braised meats, and seasonal vegetables, each plate embodies the warmth and soul of traditional Italian cuisine. Indulge in bold flavors with our curated selection of wines, perfect for pairing with these seasonal delights.

Known for its culinary innovation, Ellipsis features pop-up concepts that change periodically, offering an ever-evolving dining experience. The restaurant sits on the corner of the South Front District of downtown Wilmington, NC, featuring an inviting outdoor porch under string lights and a quaint side garden that complement its cozy, inviting interior and exterior, perfect for any occasion.

Created by We Are True Blue restaurant group by Chef Bobby Zimmerman, Ellipsis invites you to discover the unexpected and stay surprised by what comes next...

Top review

Debbie

Dined on Dec 14, 2024

Delicious Italian inspired entrees with a tasty twist!

Metropolis

4.5

4.5 (638)

$30 and under

Tapas / Small Plates

Corolla

About the restaurant

Metropolis has a chic, urban adult atmosphere where creativity is king. Lava lamps, abstract art and the clever fusion of food and drink await. More than 80 hand crafted martinis, 20 single malt scotches, a sophisticated winelist and an everchanging assortment of fabulous things to eat are offered. Metropolis offers more than 50 "small plates" (the literal translation of "tapas"), some lighter, some heavier, some hot, some cold, and from there the fun begins.
Between the two of them, Mark and Matt of Metropolis have over 30 years of restaurant experience in Corolla, and they pride themselves on making your experience at Metropolis a memorable one. Open year round for dinner. Metropolis is a favorite of locals and those in the restaurant industry.
Come and see what so many people are talking about. Metropolis...just like in "the city"...but better!

Top review

TIMOTHY

Dined on Nov 30, 2024

As usual, Metropolis was great. The food is imaginative and delicious and the cocktails are above and beyond. We returned the next night just for a nightcap.

The Lifesaving Station - Sanderling Resort

4.3

4.3 (783)

$30 and under

American

Duck

About the restaurant

Located in the original Caffey’s Inlet Life Saving Station No. 5, the Lifesaving Station is Sanderling’s casual, three-meal-a-day restaurant celebrating southern coastal cuisine. After the winter renovations, the second level now offers sweeping views of the Currituck Sound and available for large parties with an expansive kid’s menu.

The menu changes seasonally, and specials feature the freshest of the day’s catch. This season’s highlights are Shrimp and Grits, Crab Stuffed Flounder or Pan Seared Duck Breast. Since the restaurant's inception in 1985, the Sanderling Blue Crab Chowder has been a favorite.

The Lifesaving Station maintains an impressive wine list. At the newly renovated No 5 Bar now located on the first level, local North Carolina breweries are featured on tap while specialty cocktails include “Keeper’s Watch” . A new No 5 bar food menu is available all day.

Top review

Jeff

Dined on Dec 4, 2024

We enjoyed our meal. The service was great. A bit pricey, though.

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