6 Best Restaurants in The North Carolina Coast, North Carolina

Chef Ashley Moser's open kitchen at this magnificent, brick-walled, fine-dining hall (it's arguably the best restaurant in a 100-mile radius) generates intensely pleasant flavors, from smoked deviled eggs adorned with a fried oyster to the local striped bass over succotash and mushroom puree. The wine list is excellent, but don't overlook cocktails like a margarita that's crowned with sea-salt foam.

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.

Sleek design, creative lighting, and carefully orchestrated music provide a mesmerizing backdrop to chef Carson Jewell's seasonal culinary artistry and the talented mixologists who create cocktails using seasonal ingredients and house-made bitters. Try the braised pork shank with sweet potato puree, collards, and radish pico de gallo, or the pan-seared Virginia scallops with parsnip puree, braised leeks, and apple salsa. The sign by the door reads, "Kindness Is Contagious," and the service reflects that ethos—you're made to feel very special here.

The sophisticated dining room delivers inventive new American dishes, crafted out of local ingredients and coastal bounty. There are no wrong choices on the nightly changing menu, from beef tartare to a fried pork chop with honey apple glaze.

Don't be fooled by the strip-mall location—this tiny dining room is a haven for farm-fresh, creatively constructed dishes served in generous portions. The menu changes frequently, but you can always expect interesting versions of seafood, beef, pork, and other standards. Reservations aren't accepted, so come early in prime periods (May to August) or expect a wait at the bar, where the pours are generous.