Savor the best of Wrightsville Beach with oceanfront dining, fresh seafood, and local favorites where every meal comes with a view and a sea breeze.
Wrightsville Beach is the kind of coastal town that stays on your mind long after you leave. It's not just the shoreline or the salt air that lures you back, but the way every restaurant feels connected to the sea.
The sound of the waves is never far away, and the menus tell stories of local waters, small farms, and Southern kitchens where recipes are written with heart. You can show up straight from the beach in flip-flops or make a night of it with candlelight and fresh catch specials. Either way, you'll eat well here.
At Carolina Beach Realty, we specialize in vacation rentals in the heart of Pleasure Island. Family-owned and locally operated since 1963, we've spent over 50 years helping guests discover the best of North Carolina's coast. Our blog is filled with insider tips on where to eat, must-visit spots, and year-round events, because we love sharing the hidden gems that make Carolina and Kure Beach so special!
Join us as we explore the top restaurants in Wrightsville Beach, NC, from pier-top seafood to sunset cocktails.
TLDR: Best Places to Eat in Wrightsville Beach
- Oceanic Restaurant: Pier-top seafood and sunsets over the Atlantic
- South Beach Grill: Southern seafood favorites with local charm
- Dockside Restaurant: Marina dining with oysters and cocktails
- Bluewater Waterfront Grill: Live music and big seafood platters
- Ceviche's: Panamanian flavor and tropical courtyard dining
- King Neptune: Historic Wrightsville favorite for surf and turf
- Motts Channel Seafood: Market-fresh catch to cook at home
- Drift Café & SUNdays Surf Café: Mornings filled with good coffee and ocean air
- Taste of Wrightsville Beach: The island's signature food festival
1. OCEANIC RESTAURANT
Perched at the end of the Crystal Pier, Oceanic is Wrightsville Beach's most iconic dining spot. The ocean literally surrounds you, waves rolling beneath the planks while you tuck into Carolina Crab Dip, Parmesan oysters, or a plate of shrimp and grits as the sunlight melts into the sea. The view alone would make it worth the visit, but the kitchen more than holds its own.
This is where the day slows down. Couples linger with wine as the sky blushes pink, while families gather over platters of fresh catch and soft conversation. Oceanic is best for those who love the feeling of dining with both feet almost in the surf, savoring seafood cooked as close to the source as it gets.
2. SOUTH BEACH GRILL
Set along Banks Channel, South Beach Grill feels like a secret shared among friends. The space is charming and casual, but the food is anything but ordinary. You might start with fried green tomatoes or a bowl of creamy she-crab soup before diving into Sweet Potato-Crusted Flounder or Low Country Shrimp and Grits topped with pimento cheese. The patio catches the light perfectly in the late afternoon, and there's almost always a breeze.
You go to South Beach Grill for flavor that feels familiar yet surprising, and for service that still remembers your name by the second visit. It's a place for lazy summer dinners, for friends catching up, and for anyone who thinks a little Southern flair belongs in every coastal meal.
3. DOCKSIDE RESTAURANT
Dockside sits right on the Intracoastal Waterway, and you can't miss it—boats glide past, and the air smells faintly of salt and grilled seafood. The menu reads like a local's dream: oysters on the half shell, crab cakes crisp at the edges, and shrimp served every way you can imagine. Order a drink, find a spot overlooking the water, and you'll quickly understand why generations of locals call this their place.
It's not fancy, and that's the point. Dockside is for sunsets, laughter, and shared plates of seafood with people you like being around. Go for the view, stay for the easy rhythm of marina life, and leave feeling like you just became part of the island's long, delicious story.
4. BLUEWATER WATERFRONT GRILL
Bluewater Waterfront Grill brings a lively energy to the marina, where the sound of clinking glasses blends with live music and the hum of boats returning from the water. The menu changes with the seasons, but seafood platters and mahi tacos are favorites year-round. The dining room is bright and breezy, with windows that frame the water like a living painting.
It's the kind of restaurant that works for every mood—big family dinners, a relaxed Sunday brunch, or just cocktails at sunset when the sky turns gold. Bluewater is best for those who want a little buzz in the background and the kind of views that make you stay for "just one more drink."
5. CEVICHE'S
Cross the drawbridge, and you'll find Ceviche's—a colorful Panamanian restaurant that somehow feels tropical even in winter. Citrus, spice, and seafood mingle across the menu, with dishes like Caribbean Fried Oysters and Panamanian Paella stealing the spotlight. The bar, built from reclaimed wood, glows under soft lighting, and the courtyard hums with conversation.
It's the perfect spot for anyone craving something bold and different from the usual beach fare. You come here for the bright flavors, the welcoming energy, and the feeling that you've been transported somewhere between Central America and coastal Carolina.
6. KING NEPTUNE
King Neptune is pure Wrightsville nostalgia, and stepping inside feels like flipping through an old family photo album. Since 1947, this cozy spot has been serving seafood and steak to locals, visitors, and anyone who appreciates a good meal without fuss. Bacon-Wrapped Scallops and Flounder Francaise headline the menu, but the warmth of the place is what really stands out.
You go for the food, but you stay for the stories—the laughter in the Pirate Lounge, the sense that time doesn't move quite as fast here. King Neptune is best for relaxed evenings that end with full plates and easy smiles.
7. MOTTS CHANNEL SEAFOOD
If you prefer to cook your own seafood feast, head straight to Motts Channel Seafood. The market has been part of Wrightsville's rhythm since 1990, stocking shrimp, grouper, tuna, and local specialties packed fresh for the trip back to your rental. The staff are always ready with a tip or a recipe, and their cocktail sauce has its own loyal following.
It's more than a shop; it's a ritual. Travelers stop by after a day on the water to plan dinner, locals drop in to say hello, and everyone leaves with something delicious. It's the perfect choice for those who like their seafood as fresh and local as it comes.
8. Drift Café & SUNdays Surf Café
Every beach town needs a good breakfast spot, and Wrightsville has two. At Drift Café, the mood is calm and coastal, with a menu full of smoothie bowls, fresh juices, and avocado toast that looks like art. SUNdays Surf Café is livelier—surfers chatting over coffee, the scent of pastries in the air, and sunlight streaming through the windows.
Both spots are for slow mornings and early starts, for conversations that stretch longer than planned, and for that perfect coffee before a day in the waves. You'll feel like a local after just one visit.
9. TASTE OF WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH
Each fall, Wrightsville hosts one of the most beloved food festivals on the coast. The Taste of Wrightsville Beach brings together more than thirty local restaurants, breweries, and wineries for an evening of bites, music, and waterfront views. Judges award prizes, but the real joy comes from sampling it all and discovering new favorites in one place.
If you time your visit right, this event turns a weekend getaway into a culinary adventure. It's festive, flavorful, and exactly what makes this beach town special.
FAQ: Dining in Wrightsville Beach, NC
What are the best waterfront restaurants in Wrightsville Beach?
Oceanic, Dockside, and Bluewater Waterfront Grill offer unbeatable views and menus built around fresh local seafood. Each one gives you a slightly different take on island life—from pier-top dining to marina-side evenings with live music.
What are the best places to eat in Wrightsville Beach on the water?
South Beach Grill and Bluewater Waterfront Grill are standout choices. Both balance casual charm with the kind of scenery that reminds you why you came to the coast in the first place.
Where can I find the best breakfast in Wrightsville Beach?
Locals swear by Drift Café and SUNdays Surf Café. The food is fresh, the coffee is strong, and both spots serve the kind of breakfasts that fuel long, happy days on the beach.
Who has the best pizza in Wrightsville Beach?
For great wood-fired pies, Pizzeria Il Forno near the island is hard to beat. The margherita and truffle pizzas are favorites, and the atmosphere is as relaxed as everything else in Wrightsville Beach.
Make the Most of Your Trip to the North Carolina Coast
At Carolina Beach Realty, we offer a curated selection of vacation rentals across North Carolina's coast — from classic beach cottages to spacious oceanfront homes. With over 50 years of local experience, we take pride in delivering personal service, exceptional comfort, and that unmistakable Carolina hospitality.
