Food + Drink (Seafood)

Fresh Coastal Favorites on Pleasure Island

You can't come to the Carolina coast without having at least one seafood dinner, although we fully support making it several.

Carolina Beach and Kure Beach are home to everything from casual fish tacos and fried shrimp baskets to oysters, fresh local catches and waterfront dinners with a view. Whether you're coming straight from the beach in flip-flops or getting dressed up for a vacation dinner, there's a seafood spot for every kind of evening.

Here are some of our favorite places to enjoy seafood around Pleasure Island.

Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar

If oysters, cold drinks and a laid-back coastal atmosphere sound like your kind of vacation meal, Shuckin' Shack is an easy choice.

Located near the Carolina Beach Boardwalk, this casual seafood spot is known for oysters, steamed and raw shellfish, crab legs, shrimp and plenty of shareable seafood favorites.

Why you'll love it:

• Fresh oysters and shellfish

• Steamed seafood

• Casual, lively atmosphere

• Great location near the Boardwalk

• Perfect for groups

Vesta Tip: This is a great stop after an afternoon around the Boardwalk when nobody feels like getting dressed up for dinner.

Michael’s Seafood Restaurant

A longtime Carolina Beach favorite, Michael's Seafood is best known for its award-winning chowder, but there's plenty more on the menu.

You'll find fresh fish, shrimp, crab cakes, seafood platters and Southern coastal favorites in a relaxed setting that's welcoming for families and groups.

Why you'll love it:

• Famous seafood chowder

• Fresh fish and seafood entrées

• Family-friendly atmosphere

• Longtime Carolina Beach staple

• Plenty of options for non-seafood eaters, too

Don't skip: The chowder. Seriously. There's a reason people talk about it.

Havana’s Restaurant

Set inside a charming historic cottage just steps from the ocean, Havana's offers a slightly more elevated take on coastal dining without losing the relaxed Carolina Beach feel.

Seafood plays a big role on the menu, alongside steaks, pasta and other coastal-inspired dishes. The outdoor patio is especially nice on warm evenings.

Why you'll love it:

• Fresh seafood and coastal entrées

• Beautiful cottage setting

• Outdoor patio dining

• Great option for date night

• Easy walk from the Boardwalk and beach

Perfect for: A nicer vacation dinner that still feels comfortably beachy.

SeaWitch Café & Tiki Bar

Part restaurant, part tiki bar and part live-music destination, SeaWitch is one of those quintessential Carolina Beach spots where dinner can easily turn into your entire evening.

The menu includes seafood baskets, shrimp, fish tacos and other casual coastal favorites alongside burgers, sandwiches and plenty of drinks.

Why you'll love it:

• Casual seafood favorites

• Outdoor tiki-bar atmosphere

• Live music

• Fun nightlife vibe

• Great for groups

Vesta Tip: Check the entertainment schedule before heading over during the summer. If there's live music, expect it to be busy — and plan on hanging out awhile.

Ocean Grill & Tiki Bar

It's hard to beat seafood with an ocean view.

Ocean Grill & Tiki Bar sits directly on the beachfront in Carolina Beach and is one of our favorite places when the atmosphere matters just as much as the meal.

Enjoy seafood, sandwiches and coastal dishes in the restaurant, then head out onto the pier-style tiki bar stretching toward the ocean for a drink and one of the best views on the island.

Why you'll love it:

• Oceanfront location

• Fresh seafood and coastal dishes

• Iconic tiki bar over the beach

• Great drinks

• Fantastic sunset and evening atmosphere

Vesta Tip: Go around sunset, grab a drink and give yourself time to enjoy the view. This isn't the place to rush dinner.

Fish Bites Seafood Restaurant

Located just off Pleasure Island in nearby Wilmington, Fish Bites is worth the short drive when you're serious about seafood.

Known for fresh local catches, seafood platters, stuffed fish, shrimp, oysters and generous portions, it's a longtime favorite among Wilmington-area locals.

Why you'll love it:

• Extensive seafood menu

• Fresh catches

• Generous portions

• Local favorite

• Great choice when everyone wants seafood

It's not technically on the island, but it's close enough, and good enough, that we're including it anyway.

Jack Mackerel’s Island Grill

Down in Kure Beach, Jack Mackerel's brings colorful island vibes and a seafood-heavy menu just a short walk from the Kure Beach Pier.

Expect fresh fish, shrimp, crab cakes and coastal-inspired dishes alongside tropical drinks and a casual vacation atmosphere.

Why you'll love it:

• Kure Beach location

• Seafood and island-inspired entrées

• Fun, colorful atmosphere

• Tropical cocktails

• Close to the pier and beach

Perfect for: Dinner after a full day exploring Kure Beach or Fort Fisher.

Freddie’s Restaurant

Freddie's may be famous for its pork chops and Italian dishes, but seafood lovers shouldn't overlook this tiny Kure Beach institution.

The intimate restaurant sits just across from the Kure Beach Pier and has been a local favorite for years. Seafood specials and pasta dishes make it a great choice when your group wants something beyond the traditional fried-seafood experience.

Why you'll love it:

• Cozy, intimate atmosphere

• Excellent seafood and Italian-inspired dishes

• Steps from Kure Beach Pier

• Great date-night option

• True local favorite

Vesta Tip: Freddie's is small and extremely popular, especially during summer. Plan ahead whenever possible.

Want to Cook Your Own Seafood?

Sometimes the best seafood dinner happens right at your vacation rental.

Stop by a local seafood market, pick up fresh shrimp or the day's catch, and take advantage of your rental's kitchen or grill. Add some corn, potatoes, Old Bay and cold drinks and you've got an easy coastal dinner without having to leave the house again.

A low-country boil on the deck after a beach day? 10/10 vacation decision.

Casual or Elevated? Pick Your Seafood Mood

If you're looking for oysters and a lively atmosphere, head toward Shuckin' Shack.

For a classic local seafood dinner, try Michael's.

Want oceanfront drinks and seafood with a view? Ocean Grill & Tiki Bar is hard to beat.

For date night, Havana's or Freddie's are great choices.

And when you're staying in Kure Beach, Jack Mackerel's puts you right in the middle of the laid-back Kure Beach experience.

Explore Pleasure Island with Vesta

The best beach trips aren't just about finding somewhere to sleep. They're about discovering the places you'll still be talking about after you get home.

At Vesta Property Group, we pair thoughtfully managed vacation homes with local recommendations to help you experience the best of Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and the surrounding Cape Fear coast.

Whether your perfect evening involves oysters and cocktails, fresh fish overlooking the ocean or a shrimp boil back at the house, there's always something good waiting nearby.

Explore Vesta vacation rentals and start planning your next stay on Pleasure Island.