Guidebook for Carolina Beach

Chris
Guidebook for Carolina Beach

Food Scene

The Ocean Grill is the only oceanfront dining option in Carolina Beach - and it's walking distance to Pelican Watch! The food is quite delicious with a focus on local ingredients. The Tiki Bar is a great place to grab a drink, enjoy the view, and they also serve food but it is a limited menu option. They will sometimes have live music and that always makes for a great night on the beach.
163 locals recommend
Ocean Grill & Tiki Bar
1211 S Lake Park Blvd
163 locals recommend
The Ocean Grill is the only oceanfront dining option in Carolina Beach - and it's walking distance to Pelican Watch! The food is quite delicious with a focus on local ingredients. The Tiki Bar is a great place to grab a drink, enjoy the view, and they also serve food but it is a limited menu option. They will sometimes have live music and that always makes for a great night on the beach.
This is a must for any CB vacationers. The best biscuits and pies on the island! If there is someone looking to earn a few brownie points, offer to pick up breakfast from this spot and bring it back. Your friends and family will very much appreciate you. One of my favorites is the homemade Oatmeal Creme Pie.
34 locals recommend
The Southerly Biscuit & Pie
1206 N Lake Park Blvd
34 locals recommend
This is a must for any CB vacationers. The best biscuits and pies on the island! If there is someone looking to earn a few brownie points, offer to pick up breakfast from this spot and bring it back. Your friends and family will very much appreciate you. One of my favorites is the homemade Oatmeal Creme Pie.
This is a great family-friendly restaurant in downtown Kure Beach. Every Thursday night they have a Prime Rib that will blow your mind! Matter of fact, I don't even like Prime Rib, and I go out of my way to get some of theirs! It's even good if you get it to go and bring it back to enjoy on your oceanfront deck!
58 locals recommend
Jack Mackerels Island Grill
113 K Avenue
58 locals recommend
This is a great family-friendly restaurant in downtown Kure Beach. Every Thursday night they have a Prime Rib that will blow your mind! Matter of fact, I don't even like Prime Rib, and I go out of my way to get some of theirs! It's even good if you get it to go and bring it back to enjoy on your oceanfront deck!
Delicious italian food! Their pork is out of this world and the large portions of lasagna are guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. If you're in the mood for some italian comfort food, this place delivers. Once again - great for take out and enjoying on your oceanfront deck!
109 locals recommend
Freddie's Restaurant
105 K Avenue
109 locals recommend
Delicious italian food! Their pork is out of this world and the large portions of lasagna are guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. If you're in the mood for some italian comfort food, this place delivers. Once again - great for take out and enjoying on your oceanfront deck!
Fresh seafood is a guarantee at this local favorite, but it has lots of options so everyone is guaranteed to find something that they love. Also has a nice bar for meeting new people and enjoying a well made cocktail.
113 locals recommend
Michael's Seafood Restaurant
1206 N Lake Park Blvd
113 locals recommend
Fresh seafood is a guarantee at this local favorite, but it has lots of options so everyone is guaranteed to find something that they love. Also has a nice bar for meeting new people and enjoying a well made cocktail.
You can't ever go wrong with fried dough and glaze - and trust me when I tell you it tastes even better at the beach! This place is on the boardwalk and is famous. They only serve 1 kind of donut, but it's guaranteed to be hot and fresh now. Krispy Kreme has met its match in my opinion.
277 locals recommend
Britts Donuts
13 Carolina Beach Ave N
277 locals recommend
You can't ever go wrong with fried dough and glaze - and trust me when I tell you it tastes even better at the beach! This place is on the boardwalk and is famous. They only serve 1 kind of donut, but it's guaranteed to be hot and fresh now. Krispy Kreme has met its match in my opinion.
As the name might imply, this is the craft beer of donut shops. They let their imagination run wild and you'll find some great donut inventions here. We like to order 4-6 and then cut them up and sample them all!
65 locals recommend
Wake N Bake Donuts - Carolina Beach
1401 N Lake Park Blvd
65 locals recommend
As the name might imply, this is the craft beer of donut shops. They let their imagination run wild and you'll find some great donut inventions here. We like to order 4-6 and then cut them up and sample them all!
Great made-to-order food with an Irish twist. They have a little more than just bar food and everything is freshly made in house. We highly recommend this spot for good food, drinks and nightlife. Occasionally they will have live music too!
22 locals recommend
HopLite Irish Pub and Restaurant
720 N Lake Park Blvd
22 locals recommend
Great made-to-order food with an Irish twist. They have a little more than just bar food and everything is freshly made in house. We highly recommend this spot for good food, drinks and nightlife. Occasionally they will have live music too!
Best place for NY-style pizza, stromboli and calzones on the island! This restaurant is located at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk and also delivers.
16 locals recommend
Frank's Pizza
9 Carolina Beach Ave N
16 locals recommend
Best place for NY-style pizza, stromboli and calzones on the island! This restaurant is located at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk and also delivers.
Tiny little restaurant that serves up the freshest tacos on the island - You can't go wrong with any of them! Eat here or get them to go and enjoy them from your oceanfront porch!
80 locals recommend
Nollie's Taco Joint
3 Pelican Ln
80 locals recommend
Tiny little restaurant that serves up the freshest tacos on the island - You can't go wrong with any of them! Eat here or get them to go and enjoy them from your oceanfront porch!
They are always good but they have one of the best brunches on the island!
115 locals recommend
Havana’s Restaurant
1 N Lake Park Blvd
115 locals recommend
They are always good but they have one of the best brunches on the island!
This stuff is addictive! Some of the best sushi. We like to eat at the bar or call ahead and get it to go so we can enjoy it with the view.
43 locals recommend
Nikki's Gourmet & Sushi
6 S Lake Park Blvd
43 locals recommend
This stuff is addictive! Some of the best sushi. We like to eat at the bar or call ahead and get it to go so we can enjoy it with the view.

Drinks & Nightlife

Great spot for local bands and a fun crowd. They also serve really good bar food.
175 locals recommend
SeaWitch Cafe & Tiki Bar
227 Carolina Beach Ave N
175 locals recommend
Great spot for local bands and a fun crowd. They also serve really good bar food.
The Fat Pelican Voted #1 Dive Bar in NC and Top 25 in the Nation. It's definitely a one-of-a-kind place and if you enjoy a cold beer, you'll love being able to walk in the cooler and peruse their assortment. They have a great backyard area with games, swings, seating, and lots of eye-catching decor.
165 locals recommend
The Fat Pelican
8 S Lake Park Blvd
165 locals recommend
The Fat Pelican Voted #1 Dive Bar in NC and Top 25 in the Nation. It's definitely a one-of-a-kind place and if you enjoy a cold beer, you'll love being able to walk in the cooler and peruse their assortment. They have a great backyard area with games, swings, seating, and lots of eye-catching decor.
The island's only brewery. It has lots of activities for singles, couples and families to take part in. Check out their Facebook page for events and current beers on tap.
71 locals recommend
Good Hops Brewing
811 Harper Ave
71 locals recommend
The island's only brewery. It has lots of activities for singles, couples and families to take part in. Check out their Facebook page for events and current beers on tap.
Great boardwalk spot with rooftop seating so you can catch the breeze while enjoying a great drink. Occasionally they will have live music as well.
39 locals recommend
Hurricane Alley's
5 Boardwalk
39 locals recommend
Great boardwalk spot with rooftop seating so you can catch the breeze while enjoying a great drink. Occasionally they will have live music as well.

Sightseeing

Until the last few months of the Civil War, Fort Fisher kept North Carolina's port of Wilmington open to blockade-runners supplying necessary goods to Confederate armies inland. By 1865, the supply line through Wilmington was the last remaining supply route open to Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. When Ft. Fisher fell after a massive Federal amphibious assault on January 15, 1865, its defeat helped seal the fate of the Confederacy
315 locals recommend
Fort Fisher State Historic Site
1610 Fort Fisher Blvd S
315 locals recommend
Until the last few months of the Civil War, Fort Fisher kept North Carolina's port of Wilmington open to blockade-runners supplying necessary goods to Confederate armies inland. By 1865, the supply line through Wilmington was the last remaining supply route open to Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. When Ft. Fisher fell after a massive Federal amphibious assault on January 15, 1865, its defeat helped seal the fate of the Confederacy
Make connections with the natural world at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. Feel the smooth skin of a gliding stingray. Climb along Adventure Reef. Talk with a diver swimming the depths with eels and sharks. Look an albino alligator in the eye. Wonder at baby sea turtles. Discover aquatic wildlife at free daily dive shows and animal encounters. Explore more with behind-the-scenes tours, outdoor adventures and kid friendly camps. See why visitors vote the Aquarium a top regional and national attraction each year.
550 locals recommend
North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
900 Loggerhead Rd
550 locals recommend
Make connections with the natural world at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. Feel the smooth skin of a gliding stingray. Climb along Adventure Reef. Talk with a diver swimming the depths with eels and sharks. Look an albino alligator in the eye. Wonder at baby sea turtles. Discover aquatic wildlife at free daily dive shows and animal encounters. Explore more with behind-the-scenes tours, outdoor adventures and kid friendly camps. See why visitors vote the Aquarium a top regional and national attraction each year.

Parks & Nature

Hiking, fishing, camping, birdwatching and boating. This unique state park is a great place to explore and learn about coastal life.
245 locals recommend
Carolina Beach State Park
1010 State Park Rd
245 locals recommend
Hiking, fishing, camping, birdwatching and boating. This unique state park is a great place to explore and learn about coastal life.

Entertainment & Activities

Spend a day exploring the NC Battleship. Moored in quiet dignity and majesty the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA, across the river from downtown Wilmington, beckons visitors to walk her decks. Envision the daily life and fierce combat her crew faced in the Pacific Theatre during World War II.
435 locals recommend
Battleship North Carolina
1 Battleship Rd NE
435 locals recommend
Spend a day exploring the NC Battleship. Moored in quiet dignity and majesty the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA, across the river from downtown Wilmington, beckons visitors to walk her decks. Envision the daily life and fierce combat her crew faced in the Pacific Theatre during World War II.

Arts & Culture

Great place to learn about local culture and history. Kids love it too! The Cape Fear Museum collects, preserves and interprets objects relating to the history, science, and cultures of the Lower Cape Fear. Founded in 1898, it's also the oldest museum in the state.
87 locals recommend
Cape Fear Museum of History and Science
814 Market St
87 locals recommend
Great place to learn about local culture and history. Kids love it too! The Cape Fear Museum collects, preserves and interprets objects relating to the history, science, and cultures of the Lower Cape Fear. Founded in 1898, it's also the oldest museum in the state.
This is a beautifully restored historic theater in downtown Wilmington. If you are looking for a classy experience in downtown Wilmington, check out the show times.
101 locals recommend
Thalian Hall
310 Chestnut St
101 locals recommend
This is a beautifully restored historic theater in downtown Wilmington. If you are looking for a classy experience in downtown Wilmington, check out the show times.
The over-1,500-1,600 seat performance theater – the largest in the area – is designed to accommodate Broadway touring productions, concerts, symphonic performances, recitals, symposiums, and other events. The performance hall will offer professional-quality lighting systems, rigging, acoustics and orchestra equipment, and will boast two tiers of balconies and two levels of opera boxes for a variety of seating options.
41 locals recommend
Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College
703 N 3rd St
41 locals recommend
The over-1,500-1,600 seat performance theater – the largest in the area – is designed to accommodate Broadway touring productions, concerts, symphonic performances, recitals, symposiums, and other events. The performance hall will offer professional-quality lighting systems, rigging, acoustics and orchestra equipment, and will boast two tiers of balconies and two levels of opera boxes for a variety of seating options.

Shopping

Looking for Wilmington NC Shops & Restaurants? Look no further than the Cotton Exchange - Historic Downtown Wilmington NC's #1 Shopping & Dining Destination! The Cotton Exchange of Wilmington, North Carolina is a shopping complex consisting of over eight historical buildings dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries
77 locals recommend
The Cotton Exchange
321 N Front St
77 locals recommend
Looking for Wilmington NC Shops & Restaurants? Look no further than the Cotton Exchange - Historic Downtown Wilmington NC's #1 Shopping & Dining Destination! The Cotton Exchange of Wilmington, North Carolina is a shopping complex consisting of over eight historical buildings dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries
If you're looking for a local shop to buy a cool souvenir this is your place. Just a bit off the beaten path, Checkered Church specializes in 'beachy' and nautical gifts and home decor: local art, collectables, Yankee Candles, etc. You are always welcome to browse...you never know what treasures you may find!
Checkered Church Gift Shop
800 St Joseph St
If you're looking for a local shop to buy a cool souvenir this is your place. Just a bit off the beaten path, Checkered Church specializes in 'beachy' and nautical gifts and home decor: local art, collectables, Yankee Candles, etc. You are always welcome to browse...you never know what treasures you may find!
This quaint fishing village has tons of cute little boutique shops. Catch the car ferry from Carolina Beach and enjoy a 45 minute ride across the Cape Fear River. You'll find lots of little shops all within an easy walking distance.
242 locals recommend
Southport
242 locals recommend
This quaint fishing village has tons of cute little boutique shops. Catch the car ferry from Carolina Beach and enjoy a 45 minute ride across the Cape Fear River. You'll find lots of little shops all within an easy walking distance.