Foodie Favorites

Sea- And Farm-To-Table

Salt Fish Restaurant and Tiki Bar serves up eclectic dinners with Caribbean and Polynesian influences all made using fresh, local ingredients. The restaurant has created a casual, island dining atmosphere showcasing seafood and meat entrees, enticing appetizers, fresh vegetables and more. Start your meal with Smoked Fish Dip or Jerk Chicken Lettuce Wraps, followed by a Shrimp, Chinese Sausage and Fried Rice-Stuffed Pineapple. Or try the Saigon Style Noodles tossed in a ginger soy sauce, or Crab Cakes with a smoked tomato remoulade for the main course. Savor the fresh flavors with a festive cocktail served in a tiki-themed glass.

Soul Flavor Kitchen & Bar offers everything from fresh catch dishes to vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options – all using the freshest possible Southern ingredients. Everything is prepared completely in-house, including one of the signature dishes, Nana Maria’s Paella – a savory preparation of seafood in a vegetable and saffron tomato broth.

Noteworthy Noshes

The beloved BBQ restaurant featured on PBS and the Food Network, Carolina Smokehouse, moved from its original location in Cashiers, N.C., to the Carolina Beach Boardwalk. The western-style, fall-off-the-bone BBQ seaside restaurant with a view is known for its hardwood-smoked brisket, pork, ribs and chicken, as well as a homemade tomato-based barbecue sauce. Carolina Smokehouse serves Certified Angus Beef® and uses local fish and produce in all of its offerings.

"Delicious is an understatement," said Guy Fieri of the Duck Confit Wings when Fork N Cork was featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. The restaurant originated in downtown Wilmington and has expanded to include a location in Carolina Beach. Nosh on gourmet burgers with toppings like pimento cheese and Carolina slaw, savory sandwiches like the salmon club and sharable appetizers like classic poutine, and see why the restaurant has become a local favorite.

Lake Park Steakhouse welcomes guests of all ages to indulge in delicious steaks and seafood, offering everything from filet mignon to pork chops to scallops. Locals and visitors alike rave about the prime rib and build-your-own salad with over 20 toppings from which to choose. To accompany your dish, peruse the well-curated wine list.

Recognized by Yelp as the "Top Cheeseburger for the State of North Carolina," Island Burgers & Bites is a must-try for foodies and burger lovers alike. Located in a gas station in the heart of Carolina Beach, the eatery offers visitors a chance to customize their burger by choosing from more than 20 different toppings including candied bacon, fried eggs, homemade slaw, and more.

For a polished but casual lunch or dinner, head to Havana’s where you’ll enjoy favorites like Cha-Cha Salmon, Fat Daddy Crab Cakes and Shrimp and Grits under the twinkly lights of three outdoor dining areas. Set in a 100-year-old beach house, the front porch and outside deck of the restaurant is also the perfect spot to watch the fireworks during the summer’s weekly Fireworks by the Sea and Boardwalk Blast.

Situated at the Carolina Beach Marina, Stoked Restaurant provides dock-and-dine, picturesque views, a menu offering something for everyone and seasonal live music. You’ll be stoked to enjoy “forkless features” like the Captains Fish Sandwich or Stoked Up Island Tacos for lunch. Dinner options include “from the sea” and “from the land” selections, ranging from the fresh catch to a bone-in pork chop or ribeye.

With daily specials including seafood, tacos, burgers and sandwiches showcasing local seafood and fresh ingredients, Hang Ten Grill is an island favorite. Relax on the elevated deck next to Carolina Beach Lake Park while enjoying breakfast, lunch or dinner. Southern ingredients like fried green tomatoes and pimento cheese are combined with local shrimp, softshell crab and fresh beef to create a surf-inspired meal.

Expertly combining sweet and savory into unique pancake flavors, foodies will enjoy the variety of breakfast options at Kate’s Pancake House. Try Sweet Potato Pancakes with cinnamon chips, nuts and whipped topping, or indulge in the Death by Chocolate Pancakes smothered in chocolate syrup. This breakfast spot also serves up Chicken Waffles, more than 15 omelet options, a variety of benedicts and vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free options like the Tofu Skillet and Healthy Breakfast Burrito.

Delicious Dives

Named one of the "Best Seafood Dives in America" by Coastal Living, Shuckin' Shack Oyster Bar serves fresh seafood in a casual atmosphere. The menu features fresh seafood and the restaurant’s spin on surf and turf: oysters, shrimp or crab legs with chicken wings.

Nollie’s Taco Joint bills itself as the “Best Tacos and Burritos at the Beach” and operates on the belief that simplicity is best. Inspired by a skater vibe, meat options for its On-Time Tacos, Back-Flip Burritos, Kick-Flip Quesadillas, No Comply Nachos and Slash Grind Salads include “Airwalk Asada,” “Cross Bone Chicken” and “Power Slide Pork.”

Carolina Beach regulars have been coming to Gulfstream Restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner near the Carolina Beach Marina for more than 40 years. Diners can feast on a range of daily specials, classic Calabash-style seafood and creative offerings that range from tacos to Cajun pasta and more.

Foodie Tours and Events

Combine a love of good food with a thirst for learning during a Tasting History Tour of Carolina Beach and its neighbors, Kure Beach and Fort Fisher. As you enjoy samplings from local restaurants, you’ll learn about the significant history of the island dating back to the Civil War during this guided walking tour. Try different cuisines from one (or more!) of the local food trucks appearing at beach events during the year.

Seafood Market

Blackburn’s Brothers Seafood may be off the beaten path, but it’s known for providing the freshest seafood around. Offerings include a variety of fresh fish, mussels, oysters, clams, shrimp and crabs, along with fresh spices, sauces and knowledgeable, friendly staff.