Diners' Choice: Best Service restaurants in Coastal North Carolina

OpenTable

Updated March 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best service 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!

Steamers

4.9

4.9 (117)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Kitty Hawk

About the restaurant

New and exiting things are coming soon!! Stay Tuned

Top review

Marci

Dined on Feb 22, 2025

My favorite on the beach. Great ambience, drinks, flavors, and people, alike.

Southern, a gathering place

4.9

4.9 (528)

$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

Laurie

Dined on Feb 26, 2025

Delicious, Fresh and beautiful place! Service was wonderful Filet cooked to perfection.

Prime Bistro & Wine Bar

4.9

4.9 (410)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Beaufort / Morehead City

About the restaurant

An elevated dining experience with wood-fired steaks, seafood, housemade pasta and world-class wines.

Top review

LaurieVIP

Dined on Feb 13, 2025

We had their heavenly bistro rolls, bacon wrapped scallops that were amazing! My husband had the Grouper and I had the crab cake. It is literally giant lumps of absolutely heavenly crab. Gluten free option for those who need it. Dinks and service are always great. We miss the chefs dessert plate but chocolate cake was delicious.

Montero's

4.9

4.9 (263)

$30 and under

American

Edenton

About the restaurant

A life long dream of Karin and Andy Montero, this 1904 home has been transformed into
Elizabeth City's premier location to "Meet. Eat. Celebrate." With our guests in mind,
Montero's is committed to providing a complete "Restaurant Experience"...exceptional service,
creative cuisine and a casual atmosphere. Our staff possesses the same passion and desire for
this restaurant that we do and we hope you will as well!

Top review

Steven

Dined 7 days ago

The food was delicious and the service was excellent. Even though it was busy all of the staff were pleasant and attentive. Great place to eat for all occasions.

Brent's Bistro

4.8

4.8 (660)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Wrightsville Beach

About the restaurant

Upscale yet casual restaurant located in Wilmington, NC. Located near Wrightsville Beach. Menu changes weekly to highlight the freshest seafood and land dishes. Enjoy flavorful dinners and extensive wine selection in our welcoming atmosphere. When weather permits, book a seat outdoors on our covered patio. For reservations, please utilize Opentable or call us directly. However, reservations for Fridays and Saturdays can ONLY be booked by calling us directly. 910-839-3131.

Top review

josephVIP

Dined on Feb 18, 2025

We had an enjoyable dinner night out It’s a great restaurant with a nice selection of entrees

Seabird

4.9

4.9 (1544)

$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

GretchenVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Great place for uniquely and deliciously prepared seafood.

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Experience

New Years Eve Prix Fixe Menu Only

The Oyster Rock Waterfront Seafood

4.9

4.9 (3596)

$30 and under

Seafood

Calabash

About the restaurant

Welcome to The Oyster Rock, a family-owned and operated waterfront Calabash seafood restaurant specializing in excellent seafood and raw bar items, mixed with a flavorful variety of mouth-watering beef, chicken and pork dishes, along with sandwiches and burgers all prepared in house every day using only the freshest and finest ingredients from local and regional suppliers and the beautiful Atlantic Ocean right outside our doors.

Overlooking the scenic Calabash River and its pristine estuaries and relaxing atmosphere, The Oyster Rock provides the most amazing view around, from our indoor and outdoor seating areas and bars featuring more than 24 domestic and imported beers on tap, 30 wines by the glass and a delicious collection of specialty cocktails.

If you would like to order carryout, orders may be placed by calling 910-579-6875.

Top review

SusanD

Dined 2 days ago

The Oyster Rock is the best restaurant around!! Always delicious and great staff!!

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Catch - Modern Seafood Cuisine

4.9

4.9 (2105)

$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

VickiVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Catch is a great restaurant! The food is always amazing and the service impeccable! Love it!

Blue Moon Bistro

4.9

4.9 (575)

$31 to $50

French American

Beaufort / Morehead City

About the restaurant

BLUE MOON BISTRO of Beaufort, NC; Casual fine dining experience with superb service team, a creative and well-stocked bar, & TWO chefs sharing in our culinary leadership of French/American cuisine.

CHEF JAYSON FOSTER graduate of CCCCP; Culinary Arts student who studied in France under two-starred Michelin Chef Marc Meurin. A stalwart on the Beaufort Food Scene, Jayson has cooked at Chef’s 105, Circa 81, and at Aqua, where he was the Chef for 10 years. In 2012, Jayson and team won the Fire on the Docks Competition in Wilmington, NC.

CHEF JOSH MACKLIN, Honors graduate of CCCCP, Josh ALSO went to France to study with two-starred Michelin Chef Marc Meurin. Josh joined Floyd’s 1921 as banquet chef. He has worked at Circa 81 as Chef/Restaurant Manager for 10 years. He then joined the Oysters and Pearls group, opening Catch 109 and Executive Chef for Table 9. Josh loves how food brings together families and friends. He is a proud believer of food being a bond we all share.

Bon Appetit!

Top review

Susan

Dined on Feb 26, 2025

Great dining experience. The service was spot on. Our meals were delicious. Definitely will be back.

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4.9

4.9 (46)

$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

John

Dined 1 day ago

The staff was accommodating and friendly. The chef remade a dish that was too spicy. Clare was very helpful and knowledgeable.

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