Top Picks from an NC Local!

Are you looking for the best restaurants in Carolina Beach?

You’re in the right place!

Whether you’re planning a visit or already soaking up the coastal vibes, I’m here to share my favorite dining spots in Carolina Beach.

From mouthwatering breakfasts to rooftop lunches and unforgettable seafood tacos, these are the places that keep me coming back—and might just become your new favorites too!

Disclaimer

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The Best Breakfast

Kate’s Pancake House

Best Restaurants in Carolina Beach
outside of Kate's Pancake house is baby pink and mint green

Worth The Road Trip Hunger!

Address: 102 Lake Park Blvd S, Carolina Beach, NC 28428-5133

Cuisine: Breakfast, Brunch & Lunch

Open: 12 months out of the year. Closed Thanksgiving & Christmas Day

Daily 6:30AM – 1:00PM

Special Features: Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

Here’s the thing about early morning road trips: I never eat before I hit the road.

It’s not a discipline thing—I just like to arrive at my destination ravenous and ready to dive into the best food the town has to offer.

On my most recent trip to Carolina Beach, I arrived at the Marriott Courtyard (the hotel let me check in early!) on an empty stomach, parked my car, threw my bags in the room and quickly searched “best places for breakfast near me.”

The top result?

Kate’s Pancake House. And lucky for me, it was just a couple of blocks away. In fact, I could spot the bright, welcoming sign from the hallway window on the 5th floor. It was basically calling my name.

Best Restaurants in Carolina Beach
meal and wooden booths in the background with 3 glasses of coffee, water and half a gass of orange juice

Kate’s did not disappoint. I ordered a hearty omelet, crispy hashbrowns, and—because I believe in balanced decisions—it came with a side of fluffy, golden pancakes.

Everything was delicious. Not Instagrammable fancy, but that kind of satisfying, old-school breakfast that makes you wonder why you don’t eat pancakes every day.

Turns out, this is where the locals flock in the off-season.

I ended up chatting with a friendly couple in the booth next to me who casually mentioned they eat at Kate’s every single morning once summer tourists head home. (How’s that for a breakfast endorsement?)

But they also dropped this little tip:

during peak summer months, Kate’s is so popular there’s often a line out the door, and the wait can stretch to an hour or more.

Best Restaurants in Carolina Beach
close up of hash browns and California omelet

Honestly, I’m not surprised. Between the cozy atmosphere, the smiling, small-town-welcoming staff, and the kind of breakfast that just hits the spot, Kate’s Pancake House has all the makings of a Carolina Beach legend.

If you visit, do yourself a favor—get there early, come hungry, and maybe even make friends with the locals. This place will bring you back again.

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Malama Cafe

Modern, Heathy Breakfast Bliss

Best Restaurants in Carolina Beach 
Malama Cafe
Outside, large floor to ceiling windos, wood cafe tables with orange chairs and a palm tree to the right side

If you’re craving a modern and healthy breakfast in Carolina Beach, Malama Café should be at the top of your list.

Conveniently located at the entrance to the Carolina Beach Boardwalk and just across the parking lot from the Courtyard Marriott, this charming café offers smoothies, hearty bowls, toasts, sandwiches, and even kids’ options.

Many of their dishes can be made vegan or gluten-free, making it a fantastic choice for any diet.

On my visit, I ordered the Caprese Toast, and let me tell you—it was next-level delicious.

Picture this:

a thick slice of toast piled high with creamy avocado smash, fresh mozzarella, roasted garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and a generous drizzle of balsamic.

Best Restaurants in Carolina Beach 
Malama Cafe
close up of Caprese toast with avacado toast, fresh mozzarella sun dried tomatoes and balsamic drizzle

It was so loaded with toppings that I had to break out a knife and fork to eat it, and every bite was worth the effort.

I paired my toast with a latte featuring sugar-free vanilla syrup, topped with thick, creamy foam and a delicate foam art design that made my coffee moment feel extra special.

What I loved most, though, was the cozy vibe of the café itself. I found a comfy little couch nook in the dining room where I enjoyed my breakfast, and it felt like the perfect spot to relax and start my day.

Best Restaurants in Carolina Beach 
Malama Cafe
Cute little nook where I ate my breakfast with an orange 1/2 sofa, white coffee table and a hanging basket chair in front and to the side of it. Blue and white macrame wall art above the orange sofa.

Between the thoughtful menu and the welcoming atmosphere, Malama Café is a must-visit for anyone seeking a breakfast that’s as satisfying as it is wholesome.

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The Best Rooftop with an Ocean View

Sunny Daze Smokehouse

BBQ Bliss with a Side of Ocean Breeze

Best Restaurants in Carolina Beach
blue skies with the outside of Sunny Daze. Corn hole board on the side

Address: 9 Pavilion Ave S, Carolina Beach, NC 28428-6334

Cuisine: Smokehouse BBQ

Open: Lunch & Dinner

Features: Corn hole game outside, ocean view, open aired rooftop seating or indoor seating.

When I say Sunny Daze Smokehouse was close to my hotel, I mean ridiculously close—I could spot it from my balcony at the Courtyard Marriott.

Best Restaurants in Carolina Beach
shows relationship of where the Marriott Courtyard is from the view of the roof top seating

It was one of those perfect December days on the coast, 65 degrees and sunny after a chilly spell, where eating lunch on a rooftop overlooking the ocean felt like the only sensible plan.

As I walked up, I noticed a game of corn hole set up outside, instantly adding a casual, fun vibe.

Inside, the décor was just as inviting—an eclectic mix of beachy, bar charm with a sprinkle of Southern smokehouse personality.

I decided to take the when in doubt, ask the waitress approach and asked her what the best item on the menu was. Without missing a beat, she enthusiastically recommended their loaded baked potato.

And friends, this wasn’t just any loaded potato—it was a North Carolina masterpiece.

Picture this:

a baked potato piled high with smoky pulled pork, brisket, crispy bacon, tangy BBQ sauce, gooey cheese, chives, sour cream, and butter, all served with a side of coleslaw.

Best Restaurants in Carolina Beach
loaded potato and cole slaw with a cocktail, red on top and blue on the bottom with the ocean and boardwalk in the background

It might just be the most North Carolinian dish I’ve ever had, and let me tell you—it delivered.

Sure, I was tempted by their $3 Taco Tuesday special (because who doesn’t love a deal, or tacos?), but the loaded potato stole my heart, and I have zero regrets.

And speaking of deals, Sunny Daze was running a $5 off cocktail special that day, so naturally, I had to partake.

I opted for the Blue Ocean, a drink as refreshing and beautiful as it sounds.

There I was, sipping on my cocktail, the sound of ocean waves crashing below, and the warm winter air brushing my face. It was a little slice of December paradise.

I’ll definitely be back to Sunny Daze—not just for the loaded potato encore, but to tackle more of their menu.

Best Restaurants in Carolina Beach
roof top seating over looking the ocean

Because if everything else is as good as that potato, I might just move in!


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Best Tacos

Buzz’s Roost

The Taco Stop You Didn’t Know You Needed

Best Restaurants in Carolina Beach
Buzz's Roost outside. Bright red awning with gray walls and out door seating next to open aired windows.

Nestled right on the boardwalk with the ocean breeze in the background, Buzz’s Roost might look more like a beach side bar than a restaurant at first glance.

Open-air windows for drinks, laid-back indoor and outdoor seating—it’s got the casual, toes-in-the-sand vibe you’d expect from a beach hangout.

But don’t let appearances fool you—this spot serves up some seriously unforgettable eats.

After a day of exploring Carolina Beach, I wasn’t in the mood to drive anywhere, and Buzz’s Roost was just a short walk from my hotel.

Perfect.

I wandered in, grabbed a table, and asked the waiter the million-dollar question: “What’s the best thing on the menu?”

Best Restaurants in Carolina Beach
lobster tacos and chips and salsa in baskets

His answer? “Anything seafood or our tacos.”

Well, challenge accepted. I went all in and ordered the lobster tacos. I’ll admit, I’ve never had lobster tacos before, so I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect.

What I got was pure magic.

The lobster was tender, perfectly cooked, and packed with flavor—a hint of spice giving it that little extra kick. Each bite was a delightful mix of fresh seafood and taco goodness that left me thinking, Why haven’t I been eating lobster tacos my whole life?

As I sat there with the sound of waves in the background and the moonlight dancing on the ocean, I knew one thing for sure: Buzz’s Roost just set the taco bar impossibly high.

I’ll be dreaming of these lobster tacos until the next time I’m in Carolina Beach. And trust me, that day can’t come soon enough.

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Best Wrap

Hurricane Alley’s

A Lucky Find with Seaside Charm

Best Restaurants in Carolina Beach
Murals painted on the outside of the restaurant and two cyclists

Sometimes the best finds are the ones you stumble upon—and that’s exactly how I discovered Hurricane Alley’s.

My youngest daughter and I had just wrapped up a fun overnight stay in Kure Beach, where we visited the Fort Fisher Aquarium and walked the trail to the Fort Fisher Hermit’s bunker and even found the coquina crop outlet.

On our way out of town, we swung by Carolina Beach for lunch. It was February, and not many places were open, so I decided to stop at the first place we saw.

Lucky for us, that place was Hurricane Alley’s.

From the moment we walked in, I loved the vibe—laid-back and fun, with a pool table downstairs and rooftop seating overlooking the boardwalk and ocean.

Best Restaurants in Carolina Beach
Pool table with green felt

My daughter opted for the popcorn shrimp basket, which she happily devoured, while I took a chance on the lime, shrimp, and avocado wrap.

Let me tell you, it was love at first bite. The combination of tangy lime, succulent shrimp, and creamy avocado was so refreshing and satisfying that it became one of those meals I couldn’t stop thinking about.

Fast forward to my most recent trip to Carolina Beach, and there it was again—Hurricane Alley’s, calling to me from my hotel balcony. I was so tempted to return, but I was on a mission to try new spots this time. Still, the memories of that wrap almost had me throwing my plans out the window.

Best Restaurants in Carolina Beach
lime, shrimp and avacado wrap in a red basket with red and white checkered paper

Hurricane Alley’s is the kind of place you know you’ll return to, not just because of the food but because of the whole experience.

🌊 The rooftop views

🌊 the laid-back vibe

🌊 and the unexpectedly amazing food make it a spot you won’t want to miss.

Rest assured, I’ll be back soon enough—probably ordering that wrap again.

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Best Egg Rolls & Coolest Concept

The Tropical

Three floors of flavor and fun!

Best restaurants in Carolina Beach 
The Tropical 
Outside, lit up at night. sparkly flamingo on the door and neon sign above it that says "the Tropical' There's also a sign to the side with an arrow pointing up and says rooftop bar.

Address: 2 Cape Fear Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428-6205

Cuisine: Appetizers, egg rolls, sides, bowls, vegan options

Open: Daily 11AM – 11PM

Features: Three levels with different aesthetics. Lower floor is a bar, 2nd floor is a lounge/dining area. 3rd floor is a rooftop bar. Vegan options.

If you’re looking for a restaurant that’s as cool as it is delicious, The Tropical on the Carolina Beach Boardwalk is where you need to go.

This unique spot spans three floors, each with its own vibe: a lively bar on the ground floor, a speakeasy-style lounge and dining area on the second, and a rooftop bar on top with ocean views. It’s a destination in itself!

I’d heard that egg rolls were their specialty, so naturally, I had to try one.

Best restaurants in Carolina Beach 
The Tropical 
The Hermie egg roll and cole slaw

Enter the Hermie: a crispy egg roll stuffed with krab meat, cream cheese, green onion, and soy sauce, served with a side of homemade duck sauce.

Imagine your favorite crab rangoon, but leveled up.

When I took the first bite, I’m pretty sure I did that slow, eyes-closed savor that only happens when something is truly heavenly.

This might just be the best egg roll I’ve ever had.

I also enjoyed their version coleslaw that came on the side, which was refreshingly unique and a perfect complement to the rich flavors of the egg roll.

I dined in the second-floor lounge, a cozy space with a relaxed vibe that instantly made me feel at home. It was so inviting, I found myself wishing I’d brought my laptop—I could’ve easily spent the afternoon sipping on a cocktail, nibbling on snacks, and getting some work done.

Best restaurants in Carolina Beach 
The Tropical 
2nd floor speak-easy style lounge and dining area. gold drapes with white lights, plants and two orange fabric chairs with a cocktail table in between them.

The friendly service made the experience even better, and I left already planning my return visit.

Whether you’re there for the food, the atmosphere, or just to enjoy the rooftop views, The Tropical is a must-visit for a memorable meal in Carolina Beach.

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Carolina Beach is packed with amazing places to eat, and these are just a few of my favorites. But now, I want to hear from you!

Have you discovered a restaurant in North Carolina that you absolutely love?

Join my North Carolina Traveler Facebook group and share your go-to spots—I’m always on the hunt for hidden gems and local favorites.

Plus, it’s the perfect place to connect with other foodies and explorers who are passionate about all things NC.

Let’s swap recommendations and make every meal an adventure!

Let’s connect on Socials!