Carolina Beach Waterfront Restaurants: Where to Eat and Enjoy the View
Picture-perfect Carolina Beach is one of North Carolina’s top destinations for beach vacations. One of the main draws for visitors is the area’s local food scene, which features dishes made from regional ingredients and international flavor. Combine good food with scenic views, and guests have the perfect recipe for dining. To get started, check out these Carolina Beach waterfront restaurants.
Carolina Beach Waterfront Restaurants Travelers Will Love
Gulfstream Restaurant CB
For more than 40 years, Gulfstream Restaurant CB has offered dining with beautiful views overlooking a yacht basin and charter marina.
They serve breakfast all day, lunch and dinner. Breakfast favorites include omelets, combos, seafood and grits, biscuits, pancakes and French toast. Lunch and dinner bring sandwiches, burgers, salads, fresh seafood, steak and daily catches. In addition, Gulfstream Restaurant serves daily homestyle meals such as meatloaf and fried chicken.
Ocean Grill and Tiki Bar
This oceanfront gem ranks among the best Carolina Beach waterfront restaurants because it sits between rows of sand dunes. It also features panoramic views of the ocean from the upstairs dining room. Just steps from the main restaurant sits the tiki bar where guests can hang out.
Ocean Grill and Tiki Bar opens for lunch and dinner. Start with crab dip, pimento cheese or wings. Main dishes include salads, sandwiches, tacos and fresh seafood. For some favorites, try NC barbecue chicken, fish tacos, fresh catch specials, oysters and burgers.
Buzz’s Roost at the Beach
Coastal views and fun vibes make Buzz’s Roost at the Beach a must. This restaurant offers a bar-style atmosphere where visitors can kick back and grab a quick bite.
On the menu, expect plenty of seafood and handhelds. Appetizers range from fried pickles and loaded nachos to soup and crab cakes. Popular lunch and dinner items include tacos, sandwiches, baskets with fries, wraps and salads. Those with hearty appetites enjoy the seafood platter or steak and seafood option.
Cape Fear Boil Company
Cape Fear Boil Company is one of the top Carolina Beach waterfront restaurants for views and seafood. Plus, they offer different take-out options, so customers can customize their experience.
The restaurant specializes in boils, a.k.a. the “best pot on the beach”. Each steam pot comes with jumbo shrimp, andouille sausage, red potatoes, corn and onions. Add-ons include snow crab, clams, mussels, oysters and lobster. It’s steamed, fresh seafood with a Louisiana twist.
Stoked Restaurant
This dockside gem sits on Canal Drive and features waterfront views and boat-watching opportunities on Cape Fear River.
At Stoked Restaurant, visitors enjoy sharing hummus, deviled eggs and nachos. Guests also welcome to build their own salad, or pick some seafood platters, burgers, sandwiches and tacos. Those searching for large entrees enjoy shrimp scampi, ribeyes, mahi, salmon and grouper.
SeaWitch Cafe and Tiki Bar
This restaurant is located a block from the beach, making it easy to visit after a day outside. SeaWitch Cafe and Tiki Bar serves lunch and dinner and offers live entertainment.
For a crowd-pleasing starter, try the shrimp bruschetta or ahi tuna nachos. Then select from burgers, po’ boys and mahi tacos. In addition, SeaWitch Cafe serves Carolina shrimp and grits, chicken alfredo, seafood combos, and daily fresh-cut steaks.
Carolina Smokehouse
Carolina Smokehouse is located on the boardwalk. This location provides guests a casual spot to enjoy famous North Carolina barbecue and scenic views.
Visitors come here for lunch and dinner. Fried pickles and homemade onion rings are popular appetizers. For the main course, select from large plates, sandwiches and burgers. Barbecue options feature pulled pork, chicken, beef and ribs. Not into barbecue? Try the seafood baskets, salads, grilled cheese or wraps.
Hurricane Alley’s
Hurricane Alley’s overlooks the ocean and offers a casual place for refreshments, beer, and live music. Some people say it has the best view of Carolina Beach.
In addition to Carolina Beach views, Hurricane Alley’s offers affordable lunch options and small plates. Nachos, wings, salads and tacos are all good picks. Or select some steamer pots, fried seafood baskets, wraps and fresh steamed seafood.
Ready to try fresh seafood and North Carolina barbecue? Book a Carolina Beach vacation rental and plan a trip today.