North Carolina has more than 300 miles of coastline and some of the best seafood on the East Coast. Blue crabs, fresh shrimp, oysters, and fish caught that same morning. The estuaries behind the barrier islands, including Pamlico Sound, Core Sound, and the Cape Fear River, are some of the most productive waters in the country. You do not have to go to a fancy restaurant to eat well here. A picnic table at a dockside shack with a basket of fried shrimp will beat most places with white tablecloths.
Outer Banks Seafood
The Outer Banks is a string of barrier islands that runs along the northeastern coast of North Carolina. The fishing here is serious. The Gulf Stream comes close to shore and the sounds behind the islands are full of crab, shrimp, and flounder. The best OBX seafood spots tend to be small, unpretentious, and close to the water. Many of them have been open for decades.
- Blue Moon Beach Grill (Nags Head). One of the most popular spots on the OBX for a reason. Blue Moon does creative coastal dishes using fresh local catch. The crab cakes are outstanding and the seafood tacos are a good lighter option. The line gets long in summer. Go at off hours or arrive right when they open.
- Sam and Omie's (Nags Head). The oldest restaurant on the Outer Banks, open since 1937. Sam and Omie's started as a breakfast spot for fishermen heading out before dawn. It still opens early and it still does straightforward, honest seafood. The she crab soup is a local staple. No reservations, cash or card accepted, very much worth the wait.
- Basnight's Lone Cedar (Nags Head Causeway). The most scenic dining option on the OBX. Basnight's sits on the Manteo Nags Head Causeway with views over Roanoke Sound. The menu is upscale by OBX standards with local fish, NC oysters, and blue crab. Good for a special dinner if you want something beyond the casual shack experience.
Crystal Coast and Beaufort
The Crystal Coast, which includes Morehead City, Beaufort, Atlantic Beach, and the surrounding towns, is one of the best areas in the state for fresh seafood. The shrimping is excellent here and the oyster farms in Core Sound produce some of the finest shellfish in NC. Beaufort is a charming waterfront town with a working harbor and several excellent places to eat right on the water. The dock to table experience here is genuine, not a marketing phrase.
- Aqua Restaurant (Beaufort). Beaufort's best upscale seafood option. Aqua uses local NC shellfish and fresh catch and the waterfront location is beautiful. The steamed clams and the NC flounder are consistently excellent. Make a reservation for dinner in season.
- Clawson's 1905 (Beaufort). A Beaufort institution in a historic building on Front Street. Clawson's does a wide range of seafood dishes in a casual, neighborhood atmosphere. The steamed shrimp is simple and well executed. Good for lunch with a view of the harbor.
- Beaufort Grocery Company (Beaufort). A Downtown Beaufort staple for casual seafood and Southern comfort food. Great for lunch with fresh local catch and an easy walk from the waterfront.
FRESH OYSTERS, NORTH CAROLINA COAST
Wilmington Area Seafood
Wilmington is the largest city on the NC coast and the seafood scene here is a mix of local tradition and newer restaurants. The town of Calabash, just south of Wilmington in Brunswick County, gave its name to an entire style of fried seafood that is now famous nationwide. Wrightsville Beach, just east of Wilmington, has a strong lineup of beachside spots. This area is busy in summer but the quality at the best places holds up.
- Elijah's Restaurant (Wilmington). A downtown Wilmington waterfront institution at the Chandler's Wharf marina on the Cape Fear River. Elijah's does solid traditional NC seafood, including shrimp, crab, and fresh fish, with good river views. A reliable pick for a casual waterfront dinner.
- Tower 7 Baja Mexican Grill (Wrightsville Beach). A beach shack that punches well above its weight class. Tower 7 does fish tacos, shrimp burritos, and coastal Mexican food using fresh NC fish. Very casual, often a line, always worth it. A Wrightsville Beach institution.
- Dockside Restaurant (Wilmington). Right on the water with good views and solid, traditional NC seafood. Dockside does steamed shellfish, fried platters, and fresh local fish. One of the more reliably consistent spots in the Wilmington area for a casual seafood dinner.
The OBX Raw Bar Scene
The raw bar scene on the Outer Banks has grown significantly in the last decade. NC oysters, especially those from the Core Sound and Pamlico Sound area, are getting national attention and the OBX has benefited from that. Several spots now do proper raw bars with local oysters on the half shell, clams, and local craft beer pairings.
The pairing of NC oysters with a dry, crisp local lager or a saison is simple and perfect. The brine in the oysters cuts through the carbonation. Most OBX raw bars will have a handful of local North Carolina beers on draft alongside the shellfish. Order half a dozen oysters, a local beer, and watch the sun go down over the sound. That is as good as it gets on the coast.
What to Order in NC: A Seasonal Guide
Not everything is in season at the same time. Here is a quick breakdown of what to order and when:
- Shrimp (May through December). NC shrimp season runs from late spring through early winter. Brown shrimp come first in summer, then white shrimp in the fall. Fresh NC shrimp are smaller and sweeter than imported shrimp. If you see "local shrimp" on a menu in season, order them.
- Blue Crab (summer months). Peak blue crab season in NC is June through August. Steamed blue crab with Old Bay at a picnic table is the platonic ideal of coastal NC eating. Soft shell crabs are a delicacy in late spring and early summer when crabs are molting.
- Oysters (fall through winter). The traditional oyster season in NC runs October through March. NC oysters from Core Sound and Pamlico Sound are some of the best on the East Coast. Avoid raw oysters in summer when water temperatures are high.
- Flounder (year round). NC flounder is available most of the year and is one of the most versatile local fish. It takes well to frying, grilling, and stuffing. Look for "local flounder" rather than imported tilapia on menus along the coast.
Calabash Style Seafood
Calabash is a tiny fishing town in Brunswick County, just south of Wilmington near the South Carolina line. In the mid 20th century, the town became famous for its fried seafood. The style uses a light, thin batter that lets the fresh seafood flavor come through. The style spread and "Calabash seafood" became a name used by restaurants across the Southeast and eventually nationwide.
The real thing is still the best. The original Calabash restaurants, and there are several in the town itself, serve enormous portions of lightly battered fried shrimp, flounder, oysters, and clams with hush puppies and coleslaw. The batter is barely there. What you taste is the seafood. It is unpretentious, filling, and deeply satisfying. If you are driving between Wilmington and Myrtle Beach, stopping in Calabash for lunch is not optional.
Frequently Asked Questions
What seafood is North Carolina known for?
North Carolina is best known for blue crabs, fresh shrimp, oysters, and flounder. The state has over 300 miles of coastline and some of the most productive estuaries on the East Coast. NC blue crabs and Pamlico Sound shrimp are considered among the best in the country. The Crystal Coast and Outer Banks are especially well known for fresh off the boat seafood.
Where is the best seafood in the Outer Banks?
Sam and Omie's in Nags Head is the oldest restaurant on the OBX and one of the best for straightforward fresh seafood. Blue Moon Beach Grill in Nags Head is excellent for creative coastal dishes. Basnight's Lone Cedar on the Manteo Nags Head Causeway is the best fine dining seafood option with views of Roanoke Sound. For raw oysters, look for waterfront raw bars in Nags Head and Manteo.
What is Calabash style seafood?
Calabash style seafood is a North Carolina tradition that started in the small Brunswick County fishing town of Calabash. It refers to lightly battered, quickly fried fresh seafood, usually shrimp, flounder, oysters, and clams, served in large portions with hush puppies and coleslaw. The batter is thin and light so the seafood flavor comes through. The style became famous nationwide in the mid 20th century and dozens of restaurants in the Wilmington and Brunswick County area still specialize in it.
When is the best time to eat oysters in NC?
The best time to eat oysters in North Carolina is fall through winter, typically October through March. NC oysters follow the traditional 'months with an R' rule and are at their best when the water is cold. Pamlico Sound and the Crystal Coast produce some of the finest oysters in the state. Many coastal restaurants host oyster roasts in the fall. Avoid raw oysters in summer months when water temperatures are high.
The NC coast rewards people who are willing to get off the main road, find the spot with no sign out front, and trust that the plastic tray of steamed shrimp will be better than anything you could order at a nice restaurant back home. That is almost always true here.
