Food Scene
World renowned best fresh donuts on the island. They only take cash and have coffee, milk and one type of delectable fresh, hot donuts. You won't be disappointed. Open only in the warm season, limited hours.
277 locals recommend
Britts Donuts
13 Carolina Beach Ave NWorld renowned best fresh donuts on the island. They only take cash and have coffee, milk and one type of delectable fresh, hot donuts. You won't be disappointed. Open only in the warm season, limited hours.
Their clam chowder is UNREAL DELICIOUS! Great brunch, healthy but also delectable yummy foods. Literally a few blocks away. Great service, bar, outside seating. No views of the ocean but good food!
115 locals recommend
Havana’s Restaurant
1 N Lake Park BlvdTheir clam chowder is UNREAL DELICIOUS! Great brunch, healthy but also delectable yummy foods. Literally a few blocks away. Great service, bar, outside seating. No views of the ocean but good food!
If you love to taste something different, meander over to Ida Thai. The have great pad thai, tom ka soup, papaya salad, you name it, make it spicy if you're adventurous!
48 locals recommend
Ida Thai Cuisine
5920 N Lake Park BlvdIf you love to taste something different, meander over to Ida Thai. The have great pad thai, tom ka soup, papaya salad, you name it, make it spicy if you're adventurous!
Michaelangelos Pizza
9 S Lake Park BlvdGreat NY style pizza right near the boardwalk!
Organic foods, fresh local produce, yummy coffee, organic smoothies, ready-made dishes, unusual ingredients, must check out The Veggie Wagon while at Carolina Beach, it's a local phenomenon, not to be missed!
86 locals recommend
The Veggie Wagon
3315 Masonboro Loop RdOrganic foods, fresh local produce, yummy coffee, organic smoothies, ready-made dishes, unusual ingredients, must check out The Veggie Wagon while at Carolina Beach, it's a local phenomenon, not to be missed!
Coffee & beer, what a great combination! Very welcoming owners, they also sell local foods/goods from places like The Veggie Wagon! Right on the corner by the new Hampton Inn.
43 locals recommend
Crush & Grind
7 Harper AvenueCoffee & beer, what a great combination! Very welcoming owners, they also sell local foods/goods from places like The Veggie Wagon! Right on the corner by the new Hampton Inn.
Great Mexican food and large enough space to accommodate large groups quickly yet has intimate tables for couples or small groups. Fast, good, inexpensive ;)
36 locals recommend
El Cazador Carolina Beach
103 N Lake Park BlvdGreat Mexican food and large enough space to accommodate large groups quickly yet has intimate tables for couples or small groups. Fast, good, inexpensive ;)
VERY good fresh seafood, all kinds, great bar scene, always packed in high season. They also have bar foods like fried pickles, etc.
115 locals recommend
Shuckin' Shack
6 N Lake Park BlvdVERY good fresh seafood, all kinds, great bar scene, always packed in high season. They also have bar foods like fried pickles, etc.
Nikki's Gourmet & Sushi
6 S Lake Park BlvdGood place to get sushi while on the island!
Fork n Cork
102 Cape Fear BlvdNauti Dog
5 Cape Fear BlvdCarolina Smokehouse
9 Pavilion Ave SBuzz's Roost at the Beach
8 Pavilion Ave SStoked Restaurant
313 Canal DrFentoni pizza
1018 Carolina Beach Ave NButts n Such
802 Lake Park Boulevard SouthThe Southerly Biscuit & Pie
1206 N Lake Park BlvdThe Spot Bar & Kitchen
1006 S Lake Park BlvdUncle Vinny's Pizzeria & Ristorante
1012 S Lake Park BlvdBig Daddy's Seafood Restaurant
206 K AvenueRiverview Restaurant
Drinks & Nightlife
You won't find a more diversely stocked beer cooler which you're encouraged to go into on your own and pick out your favorite beer or try something different! It's really nice on HOT summer nights to cool off in the beer cooler while picking out your beverage of choice and the interior and outdoor seating leave nothing to the imagination as there's much to see and do! A local cultural experience, must not miss! They sell wine, too.
165 locals recommend
The Fat Pelican
8 S Lake Park BlvdYou won't find a more diversely stocked beer cooler which you're encouraged to go into on your own and pick out your favorite beer or try something different! It's really nice on HOT summer nights to cool off in the beer cooler while picking out your beverage of choice and the interior and outdoor seating leave nothing to the imagination as there's much to see and do! A local cultural experience, must not miss! They sell wine, too.
Live music at the SeaWitch Cafe & Bar can be heard usually year-round from the front balcony of the Cabana Condo's. It's a nice place to go to with a crowd, bar type food but great atmosphere. Sometimes we've ordered food to go to eat on the beach!
175 locals recommend
SeaWitch Cafe & Tiki Bar
227 Carolina Beach Ave NLive music at the SeaWitch Cafe & Bar can be heard usually year-round from the front balcony of the Cabana Condo's. It's a nice place to go to with a crowd, bar type food but great atmosphere. Sometimes we've ordered food to go to eat on the beach!
Great bar and restaurant, outdoor and indoor seating, play corn hole or volleyball while waiting for a table. Usually have live music in warm seasons. Great atmosphere, busy, lots of food and drink options.
92 locals recommend
Lazy Pirate Island Sports Grill
701 N Lake Park BlvdGreat bar and restaurant, outdoor and indoor seating, play corn hole or volleyball while waiting for a table. Usually have live music in warm seasons. Great atmosphere, busy, lots of food and drink options.
Great live music, great menu with many options that satisfies a crowd.
175 locals recommend
SeaWitch Cafe & Tiki Bar
227 Carolina Beach Ave NGreat live music, great menu with many options that satisfies a crowd.
BEST place to go and watch a game! LOTS of screens and speakers..also has outdoor seating that is right on the marina with gorgeous views! Amazing food, service is hard to beat, and make sure you get a jar of the salt scrub..its AWESOME!
50 locals recommend
Stoked Restaurant
313 Canal DrBEST place to go and watch a game! LOTS of screens and speakers..also has outdoor seating that is right on the marina with gorgeous views! Amazing food, service is hard to beat, and make sure you get a jar of the salt scrub..its AWESOME!
Hurricane Alley's
5 BoardwalkThe Dive Food & Spirits
6 N Lake Park BlvdJack Mackerels Island Grill
113 K AvenueGood Hops Brewing
811 Harper AveEssentials
Located a block behind Havanna's restaurant, great local grocery store and the easiest one to get to without driving to Food Lion back towards the bridge!
25 locals recommend
The Sea Merchants
257 Cape Fear BlvdLocated a block behind Havanna's restaurant, great local grocery store and the easiest one to get to without driving to Food Lion back towards the bridge!
The Veggie Wagon
3315 Masonboro Loop RdParks & Nature
I mean, who doesn't LOVE the aquarium?! Go there if the beach is too hot or for rainy days!
550 locals recommend
North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
900 Loggerhead RdI mean, who doesn't LOVE the aquarium?! Go there if the beach is too hot or for rainy days!
Get your history lesson in at Fort Fisher State Historic Site, it's great to take a tour, watch the video of the action that went on right on-site and learn a part of NC history! You won't be disappointed!
315 locals recommend
Fort Fisher State Historic Site
1610 Fort Fisher Blvd SGet your history lesson in at Fort Fisher State Historic Site, it's great to take a tour, watch the video of the action that went on right on-site and learn a part of NC history! You won't be disappointed!
We haven't been but have heard it's lots of fun to see all the interesting animals they have! You pass it on the way in and out of Carolina Beach, can't miss the big lion's mouth entryway from the road!
10 locals recommend
Tregembo Animal Park
5811 Carolina Beach RdWe haven't been but have heard it's lots of fun to see all the interesting animals they have! You pass it on the way in and out of Carolina Beach, can't miss the big lion's mouth entryway from the road!
This is one of the few places where you can pay a small fee and DRIVE your own 4-wheel vehicle ON the BEACH! Also, there are some local businesses that rent Jeeps for you to take out on this beach park. Don't forget to ask for the bonfire package where you can drive on the beach at sunset and pick out your own spot to make a bonfire!
245 locals recommend
Carolina Beach State Park
1010 State Park RdThis is one of the few places where you can pay a small fee and DRIVE your own 4-wheel vehicle ON the BEACH! Also, there are some local businesses that rent Jeeps for you to take out on this beach park. Don't forget to ask for the bonfire package where you can drive on the beach at sunset and pick out your own spot to make a bonfire!
The battleship is iconic, must see while in town, also check out downtown Wilmington while there!
10 locals recommend
Battleship Park
191-199 USS North Carolina RdThe battleship is iconic, must see while in town, also check out downtown Wilmington while there!
Kure Beach Pier
100 Atlantic AveFort Fisher State Recreation Area
1000 Loggerhead RoadFort Fisher State Historic Site
1610 Fort Fisher Blvd SFreeman Park
1800 Canal DrCarolina Beach State Park
1010 State Park RdSightseeing
Don't miss the pier on the north end of the island, a great family has run this business for decades. You can fish or just watch. Gift shop, friendly restaurant and bar!
17 locals recommend
Carolina Beach Fishing Pier
Don't miss the pier on the north end of the island, a great family has run this business for decades. You can fish or just watch. Gift shop, friendly restaurant and bar!
Entertainment & Activities
Amazing little amusement park goes up in May and down in September, love that they offer day passes so the kids can ride all day/night for a reasonable price. It completes the Carolina Beach living scene, perfect fun right next to the beautiful ocean!
37 locals recommend
Carolina Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
1 Cape Fear BlvdAmazing little amusement park goes up in May and down in September, love that they offer day passes so the kids can ride all day/night for a reasonable price. It completes the Carolina Beach living scene, perfect fun right next to the beautiful ocean!
Carolina Beach Boardwalk
Carolina Beach Avenue SouthFood scene
VERY good Italian! Small place. Call ahead to make a reservation or a couple can dine at the bar.
109 locals recommend
Freddie's Restaurant
105 K AvenueVERY good Italian! Small place. Call ahead to make a reservation or a couple can dine at the bar.