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Groceries and Other Essentials
Groceries and Other Essentials
Once you come to the traffic circle in Emerald Isle, there are 2 major grocery stores:
Publix - More upscale and larger selection (Florida-based)
Food Lion - A North Carolina original - In general, better prices than Publix, but not as nice.
But wait, there's more...
Dollar General - When you don't want to drive 5 miles from EmOceanal Rescue to Food Lion or Publix, there is a Dollar General only a few blocks further east from the house! They have a great selection of basic groceries and sometimes you can find some good sales!
Cap'n Willis Seafood Market - If you want to cook some fresh seafood at home, you can shop at Cap'n Willis' for some great selections
Sound Ace Hardware - This store is worth a visit even if you don't need any hardware. They have packed about 200,000 square feet of stuff into a building that's a fraction of the size. Lots of knick-knacks, clothing, stickers, Shibumis, and even Cub Scout patches!
Bars
Bars
The Growler - Craft beers and a cool place to hang out and watch a game. They seem to be open 365 days a year, regardless of weather! Also the meeting point of the Emerald Isle Run Club every Monday at 5:30pm. They also have some live music. Located at the traffic circle.
Kathryn's Martini Bar - Huge selection of tasty martinis, but $15+ each. Imagine The Cheesecake Factory, but instead of dozens of cheesecake flavors, they have dozens of martinis! (And it's also a great restaurant - see below)
Emerald Isle Wine Market - Every Wednesday (in season) and Friday (year round), they have wine tasting with appetizers at 5-7pm. Very inexpensive and the apps are great! Also many craft beers. Located off of Coast Guard Road across from Gaffer's Restaurant (below).
Bar 1957 - New place we've been to only once so far. Dark and cozy. Chill. Like a speakeasy. Located in the same shopping center as Food Lion.
Torpedo Lounge - This is a rooftop bar above the Caribsea Restaurant. Great atmosphere with beautiful sunset views. Sometimes they have live music. (pictured)
The ABC Liquor Store is located to the left of Food Lion.
Torpedo Lounge Rooftop
Nightlife - Live Music - Entertainment
Nightlife - Live Music - Entertainment
Live music can often be seen at restaurants such as Gaffers and Trading Post. But if you're looking for less food and more of a music/bar scene, the top places are:
The Emerald Club - AKA the "E-Club" seems like a hole in the wall, but it is actually quite cozy inside and there's an outdoor patio in the back. Sometimes, they have 2 bands going at opposite ends of the place.
34 North - Cedar Point - Great spot for live music, with a large self-serve beer tap where you use your wristband to pour your own. Over the bridge. Take a left, and 34 North is about 0.6 miles on the left. It's a little difficult to see from the main road. You turn down the road next to Molly Maid, and then 34 North is behind that. See the map image.
34 North
Restaurant Advice for the Crystal Coast
Restaurant Advice for the Crystal Coast
Most restaurants are NOT open 7 days a week. Call to confirm.
Some restaurants take reservations, especially the smaller or more upscale ones. The more popular ones (ie. Caribsea) may need to be made days in advance.
Even if a reservation is not possible, many places have first-come, first-served bar seating.
Some restaurants do NOT offer a take-out option (ie Fish Hut Grill, Gaffers).
Top Restaurants We Recommend You Try
Top Restaurants We Recommend You Try
The full list is below, but if you really want to know our TOP recommendations...
Emerald Isle's MUST-visit restaurant: Fish Hut Grill- You can go for lunch or dinner
On-island family dining: Gaffers
On-island finer dining: Either Caribsea or Kathryn's Bistro and Martini Bar
Road trip dining: City Kitchen or Moonrakers in Beaufort
Quick lunch bite: Big Oak Drive-In & Bar-B-Q
Deli: Village Market & Deli
Pizza: Anchor Drafthouse in Salter Path or Michaelangelo's Pizza & Subs in Emerald Isle (Food Lion shopping center)
Ice Cream: Sweet Spot Ice Cream
The Full List of Restaurants We've Tried
The Full List of Restaurants We've Tried
We've not been to every restaurant on the island, but we're trying!
We have a hard time deviating from this go-to list, all of which we've tried and recommend:
Emerald Isle
Emerald Isle
These are in no particular order, except that we will say the most expensive and some of our most favorite ones are the first two.
Caribsea - is located in an office building, but don't let that sway you. The food is excellent, and unless you're lucky, you'll need a reservation. Known for their amazing "no-filler" crab cakes, filet mignon, and fresh seafood. Crown Old Fashioned is great. Plan on spending $60-$80 / per person if you get a drink and appetizer. Arrive early and watch the sunset from the 4th floor's rooftop Torpedo Lounge.
Kathryn's Bistro and Martini Bar - We mentioned the martini bar above. But the food here is outstanding. The Polenta Encrusted Fried Goat Cheese appetizer is a FLAVOR EXPLOSION! Fantastic! Filet is also very good. Like Caribsea, plan on spending $60-$80 / per person if you get a drink and appetizer. They do not take reservations.
Gaffers - We love the Southwest Eggroll appetizer here. Nacho plate is huge. Great bar food and breakfast. Good for a large party. Has some outside dining and a tiki bar outside. Often has live music. They only take reservations for large parties (~14+). There is also a cool little bar & store next to it while you wait (Gaffer's Sip & Shop).
Fish Hut Grill - A mainstay. Very casual and beach feeling. Usually a line out the door. Literally. But you have to go at least once for the experience. Fish tacos are outstanding.
Trading Post - Casual and small menu, but a lot of special home cooked meals. Has some outside dining. Live music outside.
Rucker Johns - In the Food Lion shopping center. Very large menu that will satisfy any eater. Good food.
Burger Boy - The newest place we've visited. Also in Food Lion shopping center. Burgers and dogs. Almost on par with Five Guys burgers. Lunch for two, including tip, was less than $25 which is not bad once you've dropped $250 for dinner for 4 at Kathryn's the night before.
Surf's Up Grill - At the pier. Great beach atmosphere because it is literally on the beach front. I think the only beach-front dining in this list and that we're aware of in Emerald Isle. The serve beach bar food like burgers and sandwiches among other things. We often will bike here from the house for a lunch.
Village Market & Deli - We have lunch here quite often.
Plaza Mexican Restaurant - Sometimes you have to vary from seafood and American dining. Service is great. Price is reasonable. And the food is tasty.
Sweet Spot Ice Cream - Sweet Spot is our favorite local ice cream shop. They have a nice little gift store, and it is one of the merchants in the area selling the Shibumi. We'll warn you... if you get two scoops on a cone, you will need some napkins.
Gaffer's
Kathryn's
Caribsea
Swansboro
Swansboro
Swansboro has a really neat little downtown with shopping and restaurants. After you cross the bridge, take a left, go through Cedar Point and the Swansboro shopping/dining district is just a mile or so away on the left.
Boro Low Country Kitchen - Great seafood - right on the water!
Saltwater Grill - More great seafood - right on the water! And their bathroom signs are hilarious!
Yanas Restaurant - Sandwiches and excellent breakfast!
Saltwater Grill
Salter Path / Indian Beach / Atlantic Beach
Salter Path / Indian Beach / Atlantic Beach
Sometimes you need a road trip. If you decide to head east on the island, there are some other great restaurants to try. The road turns to 35 MPH once you leave Emerald Isle town limits, so watch your speed. These are worth the trip and change of scenery.
Anchor Drafthouse (Pizza) - On the sound and great vibe
Crab Shack - Fresh local seafood.
Big Oak Drive-In & Bar-B-Q - This is a roadside drive-in / walk-up place and is a favorite of locals.
Amos Mosquito's - On the sound. Very tasty. Don't let the name deter you.
Table 9 Seafood - This is in a shopping center location, so there are no water views. But it's a great restaurant.
Big Oak
Beaufort / Morehead City
Beaufort / Morehead City
For an even further drive (35-40 min from beach house), check out these restaurants in Beaufort / Morehead City. Beaufort is a really pretty waterfront town. It's worth the drive.
City Kitchen - This is our new favorite place, on par with Caribsea and Kathryn's in Emerald Isle. It's on the water at a marina and the food was excellent. The airline chicken was fabulous. Need a reservation, and parties of 4 are about the largest they can handle.
Moonrakers - Get a reservation.
El's Drive-In - Similar to Big Oak, this local favorite has all sorts of tasty burgers, dogs, and shrimp foods.
Sanitary Restaurant & Fish Market - Of course, we want all restaurants to be "sanitary," but when this place opened, being a clean restaurant was a big deal. The name stuck. This place is huge, with seating of over 500, and if you go there, be sure to get one of their recognizable T-shirts! It's a Morehead City standard!
Front Street Grill (aka Rhumbar) - Great water-side dining.
The view from City Kitchen
Moonrakers
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