Food + Drink (Date Night)
Where to Eat, Drink & Make a Night of It on Pleasure Island
Beach days may get all the attention, but evenings on Pleasure Island can be just as good.
Whether you're celebrating an anniversary, planning a night out without the kids, or simply want to trade sandy beach clothes for something a little nicer, Carolina Beach and Kure Beach have some great date-night options.
And "date night" here doesn't necessarily mean white tablecloths and fancy dress codes. Around the island, it might mean cocktails and dinner in a historic beach cottage, Italian food near the pier, or drinks overlooking the ocean as the sun goes down.
Here are some of our favorite spots for date night in Carolina Beach and Kure Beach.
Havana’s Restaurant
If you're looking for a romantic setting without anything feeling overly formal, Havana's is one of our favorite choices in Carolina Beach.
Located inside a charming historic cottage near the ocean, Havana's combines coastal atmosphere with seafood, steaks, pasta and cocktails. The outdoor patio is especially nice on a warm evening.
Why you'll love it:
Charming historic setting
Seafood, steaks and pasta
Cocktails and wine
Beautiful outdoor dining area
Elevated without feeling stuffy
Vesta Tip: Ask for outdoor seating when the weather is nice, then take a walk toward the ocean or Boardwalk after dinner.
Lake Park Steakhouse
Sometimes date night calls for steak and a good glass of wine.
Lake Park Steakhouse offers a more intimate dinner experience in the heart of Carolina Beach, with steaks, seafood and classic steakhouse dishes that make it a great choice for birthdays, anniversaries or a night when you want dinner to feel a little more special.
Why you'll love it:
Steaks and seafood
Wine and cocktails
Intimate atmosphere
Great special-occasion option
Central Carolina Beach location
Perfect for: When you've spent three days living in a swimsuit and decide it's finally time to dress up.
Salt Fish Restaurant & Tiki Bar
For date night with a little more island personality, Salt Fish brings tropical flavors and creative dishes to Carolina Beach.
The menu draws inspiration from Caribbean and coastal cuisine, with seafood, fresh ingredients and cocktails served in a colorful, relaxed setting.
Why you'll love it:
Creative coastal cuisine
Fresh seafood
Tropical-inspired cocktails
Fun, intimate atmosphere
Something a little different from traditional beach fare
Vesta Tip: Salt Fish is a smaller spot, so planning ahead during the busy summer season is a smart move.
Ocean Grill & Tiki Bar
If your ideal date involves an ocean view and a cocktail, this one is hard to beat.
Ocean Grill sits directly on the beachfront, while its iconic tiki bar extends out toward the Atlantic. Start with dinner, then head outside for a drink and enjoy the ocean breeze.
Why you'll love it:
Oceanfront setting
Seafood and coastal dishes
Cocktails
One of the island's most unique tiki bars
Great evening atmosphere
Vesta Tip: Time this one around sunset and don't rush it. Grab a drink, enjoy the view and let vacation mode do its thing.
Freddie’s Restaurant
Small, cozy and just steps from the Kure Beach Pier, Freddie's is practically made for date night.
This longtime Kure Beach favorite is known for Italian-inspired dishes, seafood and its famous pork chops. The intimate dining room gives it a completely different feel from many of the island's larger, more casual restaurants.
Why you'll love it:
Cozy, intimate atmosphere
Italian-inspired dishes
Seafood and legendary pork chops
Excellent date-night setting
Steps from the Kure Beach Pier
Vesta Tip: Freddie's is small and popular. Plan ahead, especially during summer and holiday weekends.
Make It More Than Dinner
Our favorite date nights on Pleasure Island aren't complicated.
Start with drinks, have a great dinner and leave enough time afterward to actually enjoy being at the beach.
A few easy ideas:
Dinner at Havana's + an evening walk along the Carolina Beach Boardwalk
Ocean Grill + cocktails overlooking the Atlantic
Freddie's + a walk on the Kure Beach Pier
Dinner in Carolina Beach + sunset at Carolina Beach Lake Park
Dinner in Kure Beach + a drive south toward Fort Fisher
You can also grab dessert afterward, find live music, or simply take a bottle of wine back to your vacation rental and sit outside.
Honestly, that's pretty hard to beat.
Celebrating Something Special?
If you're visiting for an anniversary, birthday, honeymoon or romantic weekend, reservations are worth considering, particularly during summer, holiday weekends and peak vacation season.
Popular restaurants around Pleasure Island can fill quickly, and some of the island's best date-night restaurants are also among its smallest.
Planning dinner ahead means less time standing around hungry and more time enjoying the reason you came here in the first place.
Date Night, Vesta Style
At Vesta Property Group, we think the best vacations are made up of the little moments in between the big plans.
A cocktail overlooking the ocean. A ridiculously good dinner you weren't expecting. Walking down the pier after dark. Coming back to your rental, opening a bottle of wine and realizing you don't have anywhere you need to be tomorrow morning.
That's the good stuff.
Explore Vesta vacation rentals and start planning your next getaway to Carolina Beach and Kure Beach.
