13 of the best restaurants in beaufort nc

Whether you’re looking for waterfront options to give you a front row seat to beautiful, bold sunsets, an area sea specialty that comes blackened, seared, fried or sautéed, or a cold beer after a day of of adventures in the sun, sand and surf, here are some of the best restaurants in Beaufort NC that are sure to satisfy.

Looking for things to do or where to stay in Beaufort NC? Check out the best things to do in Beaufort NC in Off the Eaten Path’s Crystal Coast Travel Guide. 

What about a beach getaway? The best beaches near Charlotte, NC will have the spot for you!

If you’re planning a day trip, weekend trip or just looking for other things to do, places to visit, and where to eat across North Carolina, be sure to explore Off the Eaten Path’s North Carolina Travel Guide, which features weekend itineraries, travel and restaurant recommendations across the Tarheel State.

Beaufort, North Carolina is well known for being an area rich in history and nature.

But beyond its sandy beaches, swashbuckling history, wild horses and pristine, protected national seashore, did you know that Beaufort is a foodie destination too?

With more than 100 locally owned restaurants, five craft breweries, a family-owned and operated distillery, several sustainable oyster farms, a weekly farmers market and the United States’ only producer of Russian sturgeon caviar, the Beaufort and its surrounding area (known as the Crystal Coast because of the area’s extremely clear waters and miles of inviting, white beaches)  is home to a growing and thriving local food scene that celebrates the bounty of its surroundings.

Use this tide-to-table guide to learn more about Beaufort’s restaurants and seek out the best eats Beaufort has to offer!

34 DEGREES NORTH RESTAURANT

Fishing has been an integral part of the Beaufort’s heritage and economy for centuries.

34 Degrees North Restaurant and Bar celebrates Beaufort’s maritime history from its location to its menu.

The restaurant is located in the Beaufort Hotel; a boutique hotel along the banks of Taylor’s Creek and on the original site of Beaufort’s Menhaden fish processing plant. 

No only can diners enjoy gorgeous views at the waterfront restaurant, but 34 Degrees North also serves a delicious locally inspired menu featuring ingredients from local farms and fishermen. It’s a true dock to dish dining experience! 

Must order: Fish! We loved the local Mahi Mahi and the pan seared grouper, and I feel like you can never go wrong with shrimp and grits.

AQUA RESTAURANT

Opened in 2003, Aqua is a tapas restaurant with a unique, informal, fun and spirited vibe that is a favorite in Beaufort among locals and visitors. 

Aqua’s eclectic, locally sourced menu is divided into three categories:

• tapas: based on traditional Spanish dining, tapas are small, snack sized plates of food meant to be shared among everyone at the table. Order several of these in order to sample a variety of dishes with just a few bites!
• small plates: these are larger than tapas but still designed to be shared with the table.
• big plates: traditional entree sized meals for one person (but you can also share these too!)

Must order: A variety of tapas and small plates will fill you up with a bunch of different flavors…the most popular small plates are the local catch and grilled rack of lamb. And if you can’t decide on dessert…order the dessert sampler so you can get a taste of all three!

BEAUFORT GROCERY COMPANY

Beaufort Grocery Company has been a stalwart in the small, Southern city since they opened thirty years ago. Located in an old neighborhood grocery store called Owen’s, Beaufort Grocery Company  is a cozy, comfortable neighborhood bistro that started out by serving casual lunches and eventually expanded to elegant dinners as well.

Must order: Sumpin’s Jumpin, the fresh fish sandwich of the day; Apple Granny, Beaufort Grocery Co.’s first ever menu item; Sonnamabeach, and the pimento cheese gougeres. We loved eating lunch on their back garden patio!

BLACK SHEEP

Every place needs a really good pizza place and Black Sheep is Beaufort’s really good pizza place. Besides making really good Neapolitan style pizzas, Black Sheep also has great salads, sandwiches and mac n cheese specials and is located on the Front Street board walk so it has a great view of the water and Rachel Carson Reserve.

Must Order: Any of the pizzas (we really loved the Charcuterie Pie), Crab Dip, and the house made mac n cheese.

CITY KITCHEN

If you’re looking for one of the best sunsets in Beaufort with a side of fresh seafood dishes, head to City Kitchen for dinner in the Town Creek Marina. The menu, which changes often, features Asian inspired spins on coastal classics as well as staples like burgers and steaks for non seafood eaters.

City Kitchen also has a seasonal shaded outdoor Tiki Bar right next to the water where you can sip on a tropical cocktail.

Must order: Some of the most popular dishes include the Duck Bolognese, the Thai meatballs with coconut curry, and the crab cakes with soy citrus sauce and cilantro Aioli.

CLAWSON’S 1905

Beaufort Grocery Co. isn’t the only grocery store turned restaurant in downtown Beaufort.

When it originally opened, Clawson’s grocery store sold canned goods, fresh produce from local farmers and fresh baked goods from the bakery out back. The store closed during the Great Depression and the building served as home to several different businesses including a hat shop, a dress shop and a children’s clothing shop before becoming a restaurant in 1977.

Must order: Clawson’s has a robust menu offering a little something for everyone in a relaxed atmosphere…so you can’t go wrong with a seafood dish or a burger. Wash everything down with a craft beer!

CRU

Cru is an all day affair: its part coffee shop, part wine store and part wine bar. Cru opens in the morning at 630AM with a variety of speciality coffee drinks and teas and a full breakfast menu. During afternoons and evenings you can wind down with a glass or bottle of wine and munch on a selection of sandwiches, pizza, salads as well as cheese and charcuterie.

Must order: Since coffee and 

FRONT STREET GRILL AT STILLWATER

Located in the historic Topsail marine boathouse on the Beaufort waterfront, Front Street Grill at Stillwater serves lunch, brunch and dinner with a spectacular view. Come for the “coastal food with a Southern soul” and stay for a Painkiller (or two) while taking in gorgeous views of Taylor’s Creek, Carrot Island, wildlife (include horse and occasionally dolphins) and killer sunsets. The dining room has panoramic views of the water through huge windows, but we’d recommend you grab a seat at the outside waterfront bar which serves light food and drinks all day long.

Must order: Before our visit to Beaufort, we were told Front Street Grill’s Rhum Bar was known for Painkillers so that’s what we got to kick off our afternoon happy hour overlooking the water.

LES CISEAUX

Les Ciseaux is Beaufort’s local French bakery (or Boulangerie if you will) serving freshly baked baguettes and pastries three days a week: Thursdays and Fridays are baguette days and Viennoiseries (croissants and other pastries) are Saturdays only. Les Ciseaux limited hours and space means that you have to get there early if you want any hopes of getting the goods. 

Must order: Baguettes and chocolate croissants.

MILL WHISTLE BREWING

Located on the site of an old Safrit lumber mill, Mill Whistle brewing is Carteret County’s first nano brewery. In opening the brewery, the owners wanted to make sure to draw from Beaufort’s incredible history, so they drew the name and theme of the brewery from its location—the mill’s steam whistle was something that rang throughout the town everyday for 125 years, so the brewery started blowing the whistle daily at 4:45 telling everyone it was beer o’clock in Beaufort.

While Mill Whistle Brewing drew a lot of inspiration from its location from everything from its name to its décor and tap handles, the brewery draws on other aspects of Beaufort’s history too by naming its beers after local folklore. The one barrel brewery can brew 31 gallon of 25 different beers, so there’s always a new style on tap for guests to try.

Must order: A flight of their locally inspired ales.

MOONRAKER’S

Named after the rectangle sail flown at the uppermost height of a three-mast 17th-century ship, Moonraker’s serves Carribbean inspired coastal cuisine with a side of beautiful views. The three story restaurant has two beautiful dining rooms with water views, but you need to take the elevator to the third floor Sky Deck at least for a cocktail (a painkiller perhaps) and to take in the sunshine, breeze and 360 degree views.

Must order: You can opt for a seafood entree, but we’d recommend you go for shareable small plates off of the Skydeck’s lunch or late afternoon Tacking Menu and wash it down with a tropical cocktail or a glass of wine from their award winning wine list.

SALTY CATCH SEAFOOD COMPANY

If you’re looking for super fresh seafood to cook back at home, make sure you make a stop at Salty Catch Seafood Company!

“Our goal at Salty Catch Seafood Company is to provide affordable and accessible fresh, local seafood to the people of North Carolina,” says the owners of this local fish market. When you shop at Salty Catch, you are buying seafood directly from the Cartert County community and supporting local fishermen.

TURNER STREET MARKET

If you’re looking for a one stop shop, look no further than Turner Street Market! They have a variety of breakfast staples, lunch sandwiches, salads and soups, plus all the wine, beer and gifts you’d need. Recently, Turner Street Market has been offering Friday Family Meals for pickup and delivery which gives you a delicious and affordable dinner with none of the cooking. 

Must order: A sandwich for your next beach picnic!