The Food & Beverage Scene of Carolina & Kure Beach
From fresh-caught seafood on the boardwalk to quiet morning coffees by the pier, the culinary landscape of Carolina Beach and Kure Beach is the soul of coastal living. Discover why locals love the eclectic mix of casual bars, refined cafes, and family-owned restaurants that define our unique island flavor.
Where to Eat in Carolina Beach & Kure Beach
Breakfast / Brunch
1. Kate’s Pancake House — Carolina Beach
Style: Breakfast, pancakes, waffles, omelets
Phone: (910) 458-3663
Address: 102 S Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Family style: Yes
Good to know: One of the classic family breakfast spots in Carolina Beach.
2. Gulfstream Restaurant — Carolina Beach
Style: Breakfast, seafood, Southern/home-style cooking
Phone: (910) 458-8774
Address: 780 Myrtle Ave, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Family style: Yes
Good to know: A long-running family restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast is available all day.
3. Granny’s Country Kitchen — Carolina Beach
Style: Country breakfast, Southern comfort food
Phone: (910) 458-0515
Address: 1310 S Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Family style: Yes
Good to know: Casual breakfast/lunch spot with a local, old-school feel.
4. Brunches — Carolina Beach
Style: Brunch, breakfast plates, cocktails, lunch
Phone: (910) 707-0073
Address: 300 N Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Family style: Yes, but also brunch/bar atmosphere
Good to know: Better for visitors looking for a more lively brunch option.
5. Ocean View Restaurant — Kure Beach
Style: Breakfast, diner food, lunch/brunch
Phone: (910) 458-8778
Address: 101 K Ave, Kure Beach, NC 28449
Family style: Yes
Good to know: Good Kure Beach breakfast/lunch option near the pier area.
6. Ocean Grill & Tiki Bar — Carolina Beach
Style: Oceanfront breakfast, seafood, lunch, dinner
Phone: (910) 707-0049
Address: 1211 S Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Family style: Yes during the day; more adult/tiki-bar feel later
Good to know: One of the better oceanfront dining settings on the island.
Lunch / Casual Eats
7. Beach House Burgers — Kure Beach
Style: Burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, casual beach food
Phone: (910) 458-8586
Address: 118 N Fort Fisher Blvd, Kure Beach, NC 28449
Family style: Yes
Good to know: Easy, casual, kid-friendly stop near the Kure Beach Pier.
8. Nollie’s Taco Joint — Carolina Beach
Style: Tacos, Mexican-inspired casual food
Phone: (910) 707-0455
Address: 3 Pelican Lane, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Family style: Yes
Good to know: Casual taco spot near the beach and boardwalk area.
9. Hang Ten Grill — Carolina Beach
Style: Burgers, sandwiches, seafood, wings, breakfast
Phone: (910) 458-5959
Address: 308 S Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Family style: Yes
Good to know: A solid all-around casual restaurant when everyone wants something different.
10. Pop’s Diner — Carolina Beach
Style: Diner food, burgers, sandwiches, lunch, dinner
Phone: (910) 458-7377
Address: 104 N Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Family style: Yes
Good to know: Casual 1950s-style diner in the heart of Carolina Beach.
11. El Cazador Mexican Restaurant — Carolina Beach
Style: Mexican, fajitas, tacos, casual lunch/dinner
Phone: (910) 458-5226
Address: 103 N Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Family style: Yes
Good to know: Easy family option when you want something besides seafood.
12. Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar — Carolina Beach
Style: Oysters, seafood, wings, sandwiches, casual bar food
Phone: (910) 458-7380
Address: 6A N Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Family style: Yes, especially earlier in the day
Good to know: Good lunch or casual dinner stop for oysters, peel-and-eat shrimp, and drinks.
13. Michaelangelo’s Pizza & Subs — Carolina Beach
Style: Pizza, subs, calzones, casual Italian
Phone: (910) 458-4100
Address: 9 S Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Family style: Yes
Good to know: Easy pizza option for families, beach days, and takeout.
14. Fentoni’s Pizzeria — Carolina Beach
Style: Pizza, slices, subs, casual Italian
Phone: Verify before publishing
Address: 9 Carolina Beach Ave N, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Family style: Yes
Good to know: Boardwalk pizza option.
15. Lazy Pirate Island Sports Grill — Carolina Beach
Style: Sports bar, seafood, burgers, crab legs, casual American
Phone: (910) 707-0222
Address: 701 N Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Family style: Yes
Good to know: Good for groups, families, sports, outdoor seating, and casual island energy.
16. Hurricane Alley’s — Carolina Beach
Style: Oceanfront bar food, sandwiches, seafood, drinks
Phone: (910) 707-0766
Address: 5 Boardwalk, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Family style: Better for lunch/early dinner; more adult later
Good to know: Boardwalk/oceanfront location with a true beach-bar feel.
17. HopLite Irish Pub & Restaurant — Carolina Beach
Style: Irish pub, burgers, sandwiches, pub food, brunch
Phone: (910) 458-4745
Address: 720 N Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Family style: Yes during lunch/early dinner; more bar-oriented later
Good to know: Neighborhood pub-style restaurant with food, drinks, games, and brunch.
18. Sunny Daze Smokehouse — Carolina Beach
Style: BBQ, smoked meats, casual boardwalk dining
Phone: (910) 636-3111
Address: 9 Pavilion Ave S, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Family style: Yes
Good to know: Boardwalk BBQ option with a relaxed coastal feel.
Dinner / Sit-Down Restaurants
19. Michael’s Seafood Restaurant — Carolina Beach
Style: Seafood, chowder, casual coastal dinner
Phone: (910) 458-7761
Address: 1206 N Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Family style: Yes
Good to know: One of the most recognized seafood restaurants in Carolina Beach.
20. Havana’s — Carolina Beach
Style: Seafood, steaks, pasta, brunch, island-style American
Phone: (910) 458-2822
Address: 1 N Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Family style: Yes
Good to know: A polished-but-still-relaxed dinner option that works for families, visitors, brunch, or date night.
21. Stoked Restaurant — Carolina Beach
Style: Waterfront American, seafood, harbor dining
Phone: (910) 458-8300
Address: 313 Canal Dr, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Family style: Yes
Good to know: Harborfront setting with lunch, dinner, weekend breakfast, drinks, and live-music energy.
22. SeaWitch Cafe & Tiki Bar — Carolina Beach
Style: Seafood, sandwiches, casual American, tiki bar, live music
Phone: (910) 707-0533
Address: 227 Carolina Beach Ave N, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Family style: Daytime/early evening, yes; later night is more adult/bar scene
Good to know: Despite “Cafe” in the name, this is more of a restaurant/bar/live-music spot than a coffee shop.
23. Salt Fish Restaurant & Tiki Bar — Carolina Beach
Style: Caribbean, Polynesian-inspired, seafood, tiki cocktails
Phone: (910) 707-1225
Address: 718 N Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Family style: More adult/date-night style
Good to know: Smaller, more elevated dinner option. Better for cocktails, seafood, and a less chaotic meal.
24. Soul Flavor Kitchen & Bar — Carolina Beach
Style: Southern, soul food, seafood, elevated comfort food
Phone: (910) 707-1113
Address: 716 N Lake Park Blvd, Unit 3, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Family style: Yes, but more dinner-focused
Good to know: A good change of pace from the typical beach seafood menu.
25. Lake Park Steakhouse — Carolina Beach
Style: Steakhouse, seafood, American dinner
Phone: (910) 707-0996
Address: 12 S Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Family style: More adult/upscale, but families can go
Good to know: Better for date night, steak, or a more traditional sit-down dinner.
26. Bella Vita, formerly Uncle Vinny’s — Carolina Beach
Style: Italian, pizza, pasta, subs
Phone: (910) 458-2028
Address: 1012 S Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Family style: Yes
Good to know: Local Italian restaurant formerly known as Uncle Vinny’s. Good family dinner or takeout option.
27. Freddie’s Italian Restaurant — Kure Beach
Style: Italian, pasta, pork chops, seafood, dinner
Phone: (910) 458-5979
Address: 105 K Ave, Kure Beach, NC 28449
Family style: Yes
Good to know: One of Kure Beach’s most popular dinner spots. Reservations are recommended.
28. Jack Mackerel’s Island Grill — Kure Beach
Style: Caribbean-inspired seafood, island grill, lunch/dinner
Phone: (910) 458-7668
Address: 113 K Ave, Kure Beach, NC 28449
Family style: Yes
Good to know: Very Kure Beach in feel, with seafood, island-style dishes, and a location near the pier.
Supporting local restaurants is one of the best ways to experience the real Carolina Beach and Kure Beach lifestyle. These are the places locals love, visitors remember, and future homeowners start picturing as “their spot.” If you’re visiting the island and wondering what it would be like to make Carolina Beach or Kure Beach home, WIN Realty can help you understand the neighborhoods, the market, and what life here really looks like beyond the beach.
Coffee Shops & Cafes
Enjoy the best morning brews and casual bites in the Carolina Beach area.
1. Mālama Cafe — Carolina Beach
Style: Specialty coffee, smoothies, healthy breakfast/lunch
Phone: (910) 707-5077
Address: 108 Cape Fear Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Family-friendly: Yes
Good to know: Locally owned cafe with specialty coffee, smoothies, avocado toast, breakfast, and lunch options. Good for a lighter breakfast or lunch near the boardwalk area.
2. Drift Coffee — Carolina Beach
Style: Coffee, breakfast, brunch, lunch
Phone: (910) 236-3033
Address: 1000 N Lake Park Blvd, Suite 11, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Family-friendly: Yes
Good to know: A polished coffee-and-brunch style spot with coffee, breakfast, brunch, and lunch. Good for a sit-down cafe feel or quick pickup.
3. Janeen’s Majik Beanz Espresso — Carolina Beach
Style: Espresso, coffee, lattes, casual coffee shop
Phone: (910) 599-1555
Address: 10 S Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Family-friendly: Yes
Good to know: A small local coffee shop right in the heart of Carolina Beach. Good for classic coffee, espresso drinks, and a quick caffeine stop.
4. Crush & Grind — Carolina Beach
Style: Coffee, craft beer, wine, cocktails
Phone: (910) 707-0909
Address: 7 Harper Ave, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Family-friendly: Daytime, yes; more adult later
Good to know: Coffee shop by day, beer/wine/cocktail stop later. Great option near the boardwalk if you want coffee in the morning or a more adult drink later in the day.
5. The Vault Coffee and Pour House — Carolina Beach
Style: Coffee, espresso drinks, beer, wine
Phone: (910) 707-0347
Address: 612 N Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Family-friendly: Daytime, yes; more adult later
Good to know: Veteran-owned coffee-and-pour-house concept in a former bank space. They serve craft coffee plus local beer and wine.
6. North End Cafe To-Go / North End Mini Mart Cafe — Carolina Beach
Style: Coffee, breakfast sandwiches, grab-and-go food
Phone: Verify before publishing
Address: 901 Carolina Beach Ave N, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Family-friendly: Yes
Good to know: Casual north-end stop near Freeman Park with coffee, breakfast items, and grab-and-go food. Good for beach days and early starts.
7. The Southerly Biscuit & Pie — Carolina Beach
Style: Biscuits, breakfast sandwiches, pies, cookies, grab-and-go cafe
Phone: Verify before publishing
Address: 1206 N Lake Park Blvd, Unit D, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Family-friendly: Yes
Good to know: More breakfast-and-biscuit than coffee shop, but it fits the cafe-style category. Good for biscuit sandwiches, pies, cookies, and quick breakfast/lunch takeout.
Kure Beach Coffee Shops & Cafes
8. Happy Hippies Java Hut — Kure Beach
Style: Coffee, lattes, cold brew, smoothies, muffins/light bites
Phone: (910) 660-6386
Address: 109 K Ave, Kure Beach, NC 28449
Family-friendly: Yes
Good to know: The main true coffee shop in Kure Beach. It is near the Kure Beach Ocean Front Park, Pavilion, and Pier area. Good for coffee, signature drinks, smoothies, and a casual beach-town coffee stop.
Quick Grabs in Carolina Beach & Kure Beach
The Southerly Biscuit & Pie — Carolina Beach Style: Biscuit sandwiches, pies, cookies, grab-and-go breakfast Phone: (910) 707-0776 Address: 1206 N Lake Park Blvd, Unit D, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Good to know: A true grab-and-go concept with biscuit sandwiches, pies, cookies, and quick breakfast/lunch items.
Island Bagels — Carolina Beach Style: Bagels, breakfast sandwiches, lunch sandwiches, coffee
Phone: (910) 707-1144 Address: 1328 N Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Good to know: Good for a fast breakfast before the beach, bagel sandwiches, or easy lunch pickup.
Island Bagels Pickup Window — Kure Beach Style: Bagels, breakfast sandwiches, quick pickup
Phone: (910) 707-1144 Address: 102 Fort Fisher Blvd S, Kure Beach, NC 28449
Good to know: Quick walk-up option near the Kure Beach Pier area.
North End Cafe To-Go / North End Mini Mart Cafe — Carolina Beach Style: Coffee, breakfast sandwiches, bagels, acai bowls, handhelds, grab-and-go food
Phone: (910) 707-0411 Address: 901 Carolina Beach Ave N, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Good to know: A good north-end option if you’re heading toward Freeman Park or need a fast beach-day breakfast.
The Veggie Wagon — Carolina Beach Style: Market, prepared foods, sandwiches, snacks, take-and-bake items Phone: (910) 805-3014 Address: 608 S Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Good to know: Great for vacation-rental food, beach snacks, prepared meals, sandwiches, and easy provisions.
Sweet Treats, Desserts, Donuts & Ice Cream
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1. Britt’s Donut Shop — Carolina Beach
Style: Classic glazed donuts
Phone: (910) 707-0755
Address: 13 Boardwalk, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Good to know: Britt’s is the Carolina Beach sweet treat. Opened in 1939, this iconic Boardwalk stop is known for simple, fresh glazed donuts and is one of the most recognizable local traditions on the island. CASH ONLY BUSINESS2. Wake N Bake Donuts — Carolina Beach
Style: Gourmet donuts, specialty donuts, coffee
Phone: (910) 636-3229
Address: 1401 N Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Family-friendly: Yes
Good to know: A fun donut stop with creative flavors and specialty donuts. Good for families, vacation mornings, and visitors looking for something beyond a basic donut.3. Beach Break Donuts & Ice Cream — Carolina Beach
Style: Made-to-order donuts, açaí bowls, coffee, sweet treats
Phone: (910) 707-0044
Address: 1009 N Lake Park Blvd, Unit C3, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Good to know: Best listed here as a donut and sweet-treat stop. Good for hot made-to-order donuts, coffee, açaí bowls, and a quick treat near the north side of Carolina Beach.4. The Fudgeboat — Carolina Beach
Style: Fudge, candy, chocolates, sweet treats
Phone: (910) 458-5823
Address: 107 Carolina Beach Ave N, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Good to know: A classic Carolina Beach Boardwalk sweets stop for fudge, candy, and old-school beach treats.Ice Cream
1. Celtic Creamery — Carolina BeachStyle: Handmade Irish ice cream, waffle cones, pints
Phone: (910) 707-0943
Address: 201 N Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Good to know: One of the best true ice cream stops on the island. Celtic Creamery makes handmade Irish-style ice cream and is a strong pick for a classic ice cream outing in Carolina Beach.2. Boombalatti’s Ice Cream — Carolina Beach
Style: Handcrafted ice cream, homemade flavors, pints
Phone: (910) 707-0032
Address: 1000 N Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Good to know: A newer Carolina Beach ice cream option from a popular Wilmington-area brand, known for premium homemade ice cream and creative flavors.3. Squigley’s Ice Cream & Treats — Carolina Beach
Style: Ice cream, custom “Squigley” creations, waffle cones
Phone: (910) 458-8779
Address: 208 S Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Good to know: A long-time Carolina Beach ice cream stop known for custom ice cream creations and homemade waffle cones. Their hours can change seasonally, so it is worth checking before going. CASH ONLY BUSINESS4. Fun Time Ice Cream — Carolina Beach
Style: Ice cream, frozen treats, casual dessert stop
Address: S Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Good to know: A South Lake Park Boulevard ice cream stop that fits well on the island sweets list. Good for a casual after-beach treat, especially for families staying or spending time on the south end of Carolina Beach.5. Dude… Sweet! Ice Cream & Sweet Shop — Carolina Beach
Style: Ice cream, soft serve, Dole Whip, rolled ice cream, candy
Phone: (910) 707-0633
Address: 100 N Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Good to know: Best listed as an ice cream and frozen-treat stop. Good for families, kids, soft serve, Dole Whip, rolled ice cream, candy, and fun beach-town desserts.