17 Best Morehead City Restaurants (From A Local)

We live in Morehead City and have eaten at countless restaurants across town. As locals, we know the best places to eat throughout the city.

Morehead City is one of the most charming coastal towns in North Carolina. Not only is this small town known for its close proximity to the water and fantastic fishing but it also has some truly remarkable places to eat.

Below you will find a guide to the best Morehead City restaurants to enjoy while visiting the area!

Best Restaurants In Morehead City: Quick Guide

If you’re in a rush, here’s a quick guide of the best places to eat in our small coastal town:

• El’s Drive-In – best shrimp burger, a famous establishment in Morehead City
• The Banks Grill – best breakfast in town
• Floyd’s 1921 Restaurant – best “fancy” meal
• HappyCakes Cupcakery – best dessert
• Luigi’s Pizza – best pizza in Morehead

The Ultimate List of The Best Morehead City Restaurants

Whether you are searching for delicious southern cuisine, fresh seafood, or practically anything in between, Morehead City restaurants have something for everyone to enjoy!

1. Floyd’s 1921 Restaurant

One of our go-to restaurants is Floyd’s 1921 Restaurant. This is a great place to go for fresh seafood or American cuisine.

Floyd’s has both indoor and outdoor seating and we highly recommend that you come during the summer months and sit out on their patio! 

We have tried several dishes from Floyd’s and cannot recommend enough the redneck egg rolls, macaroni and cheese, crab cakes, and any fish specials they have on the menu. 

2. Dank Burrito

For those searching for one of the best spots for lunch in Morehead City, NC, you must check out Dank Burrito.

This restaurant is known for its creative burritos and tacos.

We love the colorful and vibrant atmosphere along with the indoor and outdoor seating options to pick from.

3. El’s Drive-In

One of the most classic and unbelievably delicious establishments in the Morehead City area is El’s Drive-In.

We cannot recommend this place enough for delicious shrimp burgers, drive-in style burgers, mouth watering hush puppies, and other delicious to-go foods. 

El’s is one of our favorite places to grab the best lunch in Morehead City, NC but it is also a fabulous option for dinner for those looking for a fast and casual meal. 

Be sure to bring cash with you because El’s does not accept credit cards! Although this may seem like an inconvenience, it is totally worth it.

4. The Banks Grill

Another one of our favorite restaurants in Morehead is The Banks Grill. This restaurant serves up some of the best breakfast and brunch in the Morehead area.

We recommend the delicious biscuits and gravy or the cinnamon roll for those looking for something sweet. 

5. Red Fish Grill

For those searching for downtown Morehead City restaurants, be sure to check out Red Fish Grill.

Not only is this restaurant in a prime location downtown near the water but it also serves up scrumptious fresh seafood. 

6. Circa 81 

Circa 81 is not your traditional Morehead City restaurant.

They are known for serving up delicious tapas and cocktails and we highly recommend that you check this place out for a truly memorable dinner experience! 

For those that don’t know much about tapas, they are typically smaller portioned plates that pair well with a cold beer or delicious glass of wine. 

Circa 81 is a fabulous place to visit for those looking for a unique and tasty dining experience. 

7. Tight Lines Pub and Brewery

Tight Lines Pub and Brewery is another one of our go-to restaurants in Morehead City.

We absolutely love the craft beer that they make and serve.

Additionally, they have a fabulous menu of seafood and American classics. 

We love going to Tight Lines and enjoying a few pints of beer with their pretzel appetizer, black and bleu burger, and their mahi tacos!

8. Cox Family Restaurant

Cox Family Restaurant is one of the best Morehead City restaurants.

They are known for their tasty southern style cuisine and infamous for their fried chicken. 

For those searching for warm and cozy restaurants near Morehead City, NC, look no further.

Cox Family Restaurant will make you feel as though you are enjoying a home cooked meal in the south with friendly service and delicious bites to eat. 

9. Luigi’s Pizza

Another one of the best Morehead City restaurants is Luigi’s Pizza. As the name suggests, this restaurant serves up some truly remarkable pizza.

Additionally, they are known for their tasty calzones and subs.

This is a great establishment to come to for lunch or for dinner!

10. Parrott’s on Eleventh

Parrott’s on Eleventh is a great place to visit for those looking for a warm and vibrant atmosphere and is one of the best seafood restaurants in Morehead City.

Parrott’s is known for their incredible fresh seafood and lively but welcoming atmosphere.

We strongly recommend that you try their scallops and one of their delicious wines. 

11. Beach Bowls

For those looking for healthy restaurants near Morehead City, NC, look no further.

Beach Bowls is not only right in downtown Morehead City but they serve up incredible acai bowls and smoothies that will have you transported to a tropical island. 

We have tried several different bowls from Beach Bowls and each one is incredibly tasty!

We highly recommend the traditional acai bowls but you can’t go wrong with any of the mango or dragon fruit based bowls either. 

We recommend visiting this small gem on a warm morning and sitting out on their patio area to enjoy your healthy meal in the coastal sun. 

12. HappyCakes Cupcakery

If you are in search of something to cure your sweet tooth, you must check out HappyCakes Cupcakery.

This charming and quaint shop serves up incredibly delicious and fresh cupcakes.

They are known for not using artificial flavors and for having a variety of different options to pick from.

We highly recommend that you check out their website in advance along with their flavor schedule so that you can plan your visit accordingly so that you can get your favorite flavors to enjoy!

The Best Restaurants in Beaufort, NC

Right near the small town of Morehead City is the town of Beaufort, NC.

For those looking to drive a few minutes down the road, Beaufort has some truly incredible things to do and some awesome restaurants to try out as well. 

13. Mezcalito

One of the best restaurants in Beaufort, NC is Mezcalito. This restaurant is known for serving up delicious Mexican cuisine and fabulous cocktails and margaritas.

You truly cannot go wrong with any of their fantastic dishes and we strongly recommend that you try any of their margaritas for a delicious drink that pairs perfectly with each dish. 

14. Aqua Restaurant

Aqua Restaurant is a great place to visit for those looking for a more fancy dining experience.

This establishment is known for their seafood dishes, tapas, and drinks.

For those searching for a romantic restaurant near Morehead City, you must check out Aqua Restaurant for a memorable dining experience!

The Best Restaurants in Atlantic Beach

Atlantic Beach is just across the bridge from Morehead City and they have quite a few delicious restaurants to choose from. 

15. Amos Mosquito’s Restaurant

One of the best restaurants in Atlantic Beach is Amos Mosquito’s Restaurant.

This establishment is known for their seafood dishes and incredible water views.

We highly recommend that you grab a spot out on their patio and take in the gorgeous views for dinner. 

16. The Shark Shack

Another one of the best restaurants in Atlantic Beach is The Shark Shack.

This restaurant is known for its sandwiches, fried seafood, and quick but delicious atmosphere.

We strongly recommend that you visit The Shark Shack for lunch on a beach day to truly get the experience and enjoy a delicious meal out in the sun.

17. Oceanana Pier & Pier House Restaurant

For those searching for waterfront restaurants near Morehead City, you must make your way across the bridge to Oceanana Pier & Pier House Restaurant.

This is a fabulous place to grab breakfast or lunch right by the beach with incredible ocean views. 

We highly recommend that you try their pancakes, omelets, or any of their breakfast sandwiches.

Not only is their food delicious but the views of the beach and ocean are truly remarkable. 

FAQs About The Best Morehead City Restaurants

What are the most popular restaurants in Morehead City?

Two of the most popular restaurants in Morehead City are Cox Family Restaurant and El’s Drive-In.

Is Morehead City NC worth visiting?

Morehead City is absolutely worth visiting! This quaint and charming coastal town will have you in awe of the views and loving the friendly atmosphere and people. 

What is Morehead City known for?

Morehead City is known for its fabulous fishing, fantastic coastal views, and Big Rock Blue Marlin fishing tournament. 

Does Morehead City have a downtown?

Morehead City does have a small downtown area that is known for its delicious restaurants, boutique shops, and waterfront views. 

What is there to do in Morehead City?

Besides eating at delicious local restaurants and shopping at the charming boutique shops around town, one of the most popular activities to do near the area is to go fishing! 

We highly recommend that you pack your favorite surf fishing rod, beach fishing cart, rod holder, and saltwater tackle box so that you come prepared to have one of the best fishing experiences on the North Carolina coast.

Where is the best place to stay in Morehead City?

Our favorite hotel in Morehead City is the Bask Hotel at Big Rock Landing A Trademark Collection Hotel.

We love this hotel because of its phenomenal interior as well as its incredible location right in downtown Morehead near countless restaurants and shops!

For more great accommodation options in the Morehead City area, be sure to check out the map below!

We hope you enjoyed this article on the best Morehead City restaurants. Happy Exploring!