Where to Dock and Dine in Beaufort
Set sail via Freedom Boat Club and anchor at these favored local restos.
Drop it like it’s hot… anchors, that is. Boating season is still fully in session—and Freedom Boat Club’s “dock and dine” experience is the ultimate way to blend two of life’s greatest pleasures: food and the open sea.
Set sail from Raleigh to the coastal gem of Beaufort, North Carolina, with your own personal captain, who will take you on a tour of some of the best waterfront dining spots around. Seaside bites and bevs to close out summer? Don’t mind if we do. Here, the boat club’s top picks for where to dock and dine.
Black Sheep
Break away from the herd with wood-fired pizzas that are anything but ordinary—think charcuterie pie; pulled pork pizza; and The Bishop, topped with arugula pesto, roasted heirloom cherry tomatoes, garlic, Parmesan, serrano ham and dressed arugula–while enjoy killer sunset views that are sure to have you cheesin’.
Aqua
Dive into this nee-2003 fine-dining resto where fresh local flavors are represented across a mix of small and large plates like mussels, seared local tuna, and duck confit—and best served with wine, beer or a specialty martini.
Moonrakers
Why reach for the stars when you can dine under them? The open-air dining destination boasts a dining room and bar overlooking the waterfront—not to mention a gorgeous rooftop with views for days—that makes for the perf place to post up for coastal cuisine and handcrafted cocktails.
Beaufort Grocery Co.
Grocery run? More like gourmet run. This time-honored charming resto is reminiscent of a French country bistro, dishing out Southern comfort foods with a twist for brunch, lunch and dinner. By day, enjoy the likes of sandwiches and salads; and, by night, dig into entrees like smoked sea salt seared tuna, chargrilled New York strip steak, ginger apricot chicken and more.
34 Degrees North
Set your compass to 34 degrees north, where local flavors and seasonal ingredients sourced from local farms and fishermen meet a modern menu that’s about as Crystal Coast as it gets. You can’t go wrong with any of the seafood dishes (local grouper, shrimp and grits), but don’t sleep on the butcher’s cuts, salads and apps either.
Blue Moon Bistro
Once in a blue moon, you’ll indulge in locally sourced modern French cuisine at this homey bistro located in a circa-1827 historic gem. The intimate, charming surrounds set the stage for an array of dishes featuring fresh local produce, from lobster bisque to NC crabcakes to filet mignon.
Clawson’s 1905 Restaurant & Pub
History gets a tasty makeover at Downtown Beaufort’s storied building dishing out classics such as pimento cheese, fried seafood platters, baby back ribs and more, while memorabilia and other nostalgic knickknacks set the scene.
City Kitchen
A “quality of life restaurant” located above Town Creek Marina, Bryan and Karen Carithers’ City Kitchen serves up locally sourced food drawing inspo from Caribbean, Asian and Southern cuisine—with waterfront views offering the ideal backdrop. Start with the truffle Romano chips or Southern sampler before making your way to West Indian-style fish cakes, duck Bolognese and the like.
Ribeyes Steakhouse
If you’ve got beef with boring meals, look no further than this larger-than-life steakhouse offering steaks cut to any size you like (really). Also gracing the menu is seafood, chicken, burgers, sandwiches and other traditional American fare.
Finz Grill
Two fins up for this playful eatery where the seafood’s fresh, the vibe’s laid-back and flip-flops are basically the dress code. Pro tip: Order the stuffed spuds, hot crab dip or firecracker shrimp—but you really can’t go wrong with any of the burgers, sandwiches or seafood platters.
Dock House Restaurant
Dock House, as the locals call it, has been a mainstay since 1978 for its upper deck/boardwalk views of Taylor’s Creek, live music, cold beer and cocktails, and elevated seafood-leaning bar food. Nosh on the likes of buffalo shrimp, chili cheese nachos, fried seafood baskets, burgers and more as you sway to the breezy tunes—and keep your eyes peeled for wild ponies and jumping dolphins.
