5 Best Restaurants in Beaufort, The North Carolina Coast

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We've compiled the best of the best in Beaufort - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.

Beaufort Grocery Company

$$$$

Well known for its lunchtime sandwiches, salads, and gumbo, this quaint neighborhood bistro's dinner menu expands and goes upscale, with an emphasis on duck, pork, and local seafood. Seating expands from the bustling, black-and-white-checkered-floor dining room out onto the sidewalk.

117 Queen St., Beaufort, NC, 28516, USA
252-728–3899
Known For
  • Big selection of soups, salads, and sandwiches for lunch
  • Gougères (Parmesan pastries filled with shrimp or chicken salad)
  • Upmarket dinners like pan-seared duck with candied orange rind
Restaurant Details
Closed Tues. and Wed.
Reservations recommended

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City Kitchen

$$$

At an otherwise working marina, this small-plates restaurant and cocktail bar offers a touch of upscale class with its excellent water views. The rotating "Littles" menu is globally inspired and full of flavor, while the "Bigs" are heartier, meatier choices for dinner. A seasonal tiki bar operates on the outdoor deck that's perfect for sunsets.

114-A Town Creek Dr., Beaufort, NC, USA
252-648–8141
Known For
  • Small menu with a diverse selection
  • Sticky-toffee pudding
  • Sophisticated but local vibes
Restaurant Details
Closed Sun. and Mon.

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Clawson's 1905 Restaurant and Pub

$$

A combination of fresh seafood, racks of ribs, local beers, and live music make this a Front Street staple, especially for lunch. Housed in a 1900s grocery building with lots of exposed brick framing wooden booths, Clawson's is stuffed with memorabilia dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of Beaufort.

425 Front St., Beaufort, NC, 28516, USA
252-728–2133
Known For
  • Casual atmosphere for lunch or a hearty dinner
  • Good selection of microbrews
  • Historic memorabilia about Beaufort
Restaurant Details
Closed Sun. and Mon.

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Recommended Fodor's Video

CRU

$

In the morning, pick up a bagel, a breakfast burrito, and a latte at this downtown hub that's half coffee shop and half wine bar. Grab a sandwich or wrap to go for lunch, and come back in the evening for ice cream or to enjoy one of the Crystal Coast's best wine selections by the glass or the bottle.

Moonrakers

$$$

There's a lot to love at this gorgeous three-story destination restaurant, from the blackened grouper that emerges from the open kitchen's wood-fired grill, to the sunset views, enjoyed with a signature mai tai on the appropriately named Sky Deck. The spiced pompano fish sandwich is a winner for lunch.  Order liberally from the small plates—amidst all the seafood of coastal North Carolina, this is the spot for next-level crab dip and calamari.

326 Front St., Beaufort, NC, 28516, USA
252-838–0083
Known For
  • The best views in town
  • Award-winning wine list
  • Seafood cooked to perfection on a wood-fired grill
Restaurant Details
Closed Tues. and Wed.
Reservations recommended

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Not finding what you're looking for?

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