Kate’s guidebook
Recommended Island Restaurants for lunch and dinner
Not a comprehensive list, just some of our favorites on the island. Please check online to find hours and days of operation as many of these are not open 7 days a week.
Selfishly, we'd like to recommend Malama Cafe, as we own it. :-). Summer of 2022 will be our third summer and we think we've found our niche on the CB food scene. It's unique for it's quality craft coffee, healthy toasts and sandwiches as well as a variety of smoothies and smoothie bowls. Open for breakfast and lunch.
Please check Google and Yelp reviews to see why it's earned an excellent reputation in it's short existence.
37 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Malama Cafe
108 Cape Fear BlvdSelfishly, we'd like to recommend Malama Cafe, as we own it. :-). Summer of 2022 will be our third summer and we think we've found our niche on the CB food scene. It's unique for it's quality craft coffee, healthy toasts and sandwiches as well as a variety of smoothies and smoothie bowls. Open for breakfast and lunch.
Please check Google and Yelp reviews to see why it's earned an excellent reputation in it's short existence.
We love this place. It's a no-frills gathering spot to enjoy fresh seafood, cold drinks in a laid-back beach vibe. Best place on island for shellfish (shrimp, oysters and crab legs) among other good menu items. They also serve one of the best Bloody Mary's around.
115 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Shuckin' Shack
6 N Lake Park BlvdWe love this place. It's a no-frills gathering spot to enjoy fresh seafood, cold drinks in a laid-back beach vibe. Best place on island for shellfish (shrimp, oysters and crab legs) among other good menu items. They also serve one of the best Bloody Mary's around.
Soul Flavor is one of our favorite places on the island for dinner. A delicious varied menu that would satisfy almost anyone's tastes. Cool bar too. You won't be disappointed.
93 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Soul Flavor
716 N Lake Park BlvdSoul Flavor is one of our favorite places on the island for dinner. A delicious varied menu that would satisfy almost anyone's tastes. Cool bar too. You won't be disappointed.
We would argue that this is the best Thai food on, or off, the island. We used to live in New York City and it rivals the Thai food there. Not much on atmosphere, but well worth it whether eating in or taking out.
54 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Ida Thai Cuisine
304 N Lake Park BlvdWe would argue that this is the best Thai food on, or off, the island. We used to live in New York City and it rivals the Thai food there. Not much on atmosphere, but well worth it whether eating in or taking out.
Good food and a nice outdoor dining area in the heart of CB, makes this one of our favorites. Good, varied menu to satisfy a variety of tastes served in a great island vibe. Our favorite is the Key West salad.
115 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Havana’s Restaurant
1 N Lake Park BlvdGood food and a nice outdoor dining area in the heart of CB, makes this one of our favorites. Good, varied menu to satisfy a variety of tastes served in a great island vibe. Our favorite is the Key West salad.
Set in an old church, and a little more on the sophisticated side, The Deck House features a well rounded menu of seafood and steak. Always a good meal
66 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Deck House
205 Charlotte AveSet in an old church, and a little more on the sophisticated side, The Deck House features a well rounded menu of seafood and steak. Always a good meal
Located on the CB boardwalks, Carolina Smokehouse is one of the very few places you can dine with a view. The upstairs let you peruse the surf and you sample their excellent BBQ menu.
51 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Carolina Smokehouse
9 Pavilion Ave SLocated on the CB boardwalks, Carolina Smokehouse is one of the very few places you can dine with a view. The upstairs let you peruse the surf and you sample their excellent BBQ menu.
Fun, hip, small taco joint near the beach. Good for a sit outside on a nice day. Kate likes the Classic Gringo, Tom the Shove-It Shrimp.
80 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Nollie's Taco Joint
3 Pelican LnFun, hip, small taco joint near the beach. Good for a sit outside on a nice day. Kate likes the Classic Gringo, Tom the Shove-It Shrimp.
Good classic Mexican restaurant with all the familiar choices.
There's a small outside area upstairs where you can check out the action on CB's main drag
36 現地メンバーのおすすめ
El Cazador Carolina Beach
103 N Lake Park BlvdGood classic Mexican restaurant with all the familiar choices.
There's a small outside area upstairs where you can check out the action on CB's main drag
While the food is pretty good, it's more about the oceanfront setting. Best views in the restaurant are upstairs. Better yet, we love going to the classic "Tiki Bar" out on the pier that traverses the beach into the ocean. Plenty of seating on the pier, it has bar food menu. Also, they often have bands playing at the end of the pier on Thursday nights during the summer.
164 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Ocean Grill & Tiki Bar
1211 S Lake Park BlvdWhile the food is pretty good, it's more about the oceanfront setting. Best views in the restaurant are upstairs. Better yet, we love going to the classic "Tiki Bar" out on the pier that traverses the beach into the ocean. Plenty of seating on the pier, it has bar food menu. Also, they often have bands playing at the end of the pier on Thursday nights during the summer.
The SeaWitch is an interesting combination of bar, outdoor dining and music venue. A large place, the food is better than you would think based on the setting. It's the liveliest place on the island in the evenings between the bar scene and live music. Usually, there are solo musicians during the week and bands on the weekend (sometime leading to a cover charge if you're not eating).
176 現地メンバーのおすすめ
SeaWitch Cafe & Tiki Bar
227 Carolina Beach Ave NThe SeaWitch is an interesting combination of bar, outdoor dining and music venue. A large place, the food is better than you would think based on the setting. It's the liveliest place on the island in the evenings between the bar scene and live music. Usually, there are solo musicians during the week and bands on the weekend (sometime leading to a cover charge if you're not eating).
Casual spot with good food and good outside seating. Popular with the locals
41 現地メンバーのおすすめ
The Spot Bar & Kitchen
1006 S Lake Park BlvdCasual spot with good food and good outside seating. Popular with the locals
Things To Do
A site with huge Civil War significance. The fall of this fort was the beginning of the end of the war.
315 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Fort Fisher State Historic Site
1610 Fort Fisher Blvd SA site with huge Civil War significance. The fall of this fort was the beginning of the end of the war.
As a nice day trip take your car to the Ft. Fisher Ferry to Southport and explore a quaint downtown and a nice array of restaurants on the water.
242 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Southport
As a nice day trip take your car to the Ft. Fisher Ferry to Southport and explore a quaint downtown and a nice array of restaurants on the water.
To access the pier, you walk through an old school beach store filled with souvenirs, some arcade games and plenty of fishing gear. It's free to walk the pier, but if you want to fish off it (and plenty people do) they charge a fee. It extends a good way out into the ocean, so either activity is a good day.
93 現地メンバーのおすすめ
クレ・ビーチ・ピア
100 Atlantic AveTo access the pier, you walk through an old school beach store filled with souvenirs, some arcade games and plenty of fishing gear. It's free to walk the pier, but if you want to fish off it (and plenty people do) they charge a fee. It extends a good way out into the ocean, so either activity is a good day.
Despite its name, CB Jet Ski Rentals is actually just over the bridge, on the other side of the intracoastal from Freeman Park.
7 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Carolina Beach Jet Ski Rentals
1112 S Seabreeze RdDespite its name, CB Jet Ski Rentals is actually just over the bridge, on the other side of the intracoastal from Freeman Park.
Sunfun Rentals
1204 N Lake Park BlvdA good place to rent a golf cart and vacation like a local.
The heart of the action in summertime with the carnival in full swing from Memorial Day through Labor Day. There's also a good sized arcade there as well. And, of course, Britt's Donuts
184 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Carolina Beach Boardwalk
Carolina Beach Avenue SouthThe heart of the action in summertime with the carnival in full swing from Memorial Day through Labor Day. There's also a good sized arcade there as well. And, of course, Britt's Donuts
We listed this under "Things To Do" because it's a rite of passage. Britts is an institution and CB landmark that EVERYONE should visit for their melt-in-your-mouth warm glazed donuts. Most agree it is the best donut you'll every have. Lines will be long early morning (sometimes an hour wait) but tend to lessen as the day goes on. Spartan atmosphere, but a classic place!
277 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Britts Donuts
11 Carolina Beach Ave NWe listed this under "Things To Do" because it's a rite of passage. Britts is an institution and CB landmark that EVERYONE should visit for their melt-in-your-mouth warm glazed donuts. Most agree it is the best donut you'll every have. Lines will be long early morning (sometimes an hour wait) but tend to lessen as the day goes on. Spartan atmosphere, but a classic place!
A historic downtown featuring a beautiful riverwalk and home to a great variety of restaurants, bars and shops.
37 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Wilmington Trolley
15 S Water StA historic downtown featuring a beautiful riverwalk and home to a great variety of restaurants, bars and shops.
Great place for the kids. Water Park, Arcade, go-karts and a nice mini golf course.
138 現地メンバーのおすすめ
ジャングル・ラピッズ・ファミリー・ファン・パーク
5320 Oleander DrGreat place for the kids. Water Park, Arcade, go-karts and a nice mini golf course.
A bit far afield, but might be worth the 30 minute drive on a rainy day to get the kids energy out.
27 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Flip N Fly - Wilmington Trampoline Park
830 Inspiration DrA bit far afield, but might be worth the 30 minute drive on a rainy day to get the kids energy out.
On the river across from downtown Wilmington, you can tour this iconic battleship
435 現地メンバーのおすすめ
ノース・カロリナ・バトルシップ
1 Battleship Rd NEOn the river across from downtown Wilmington, you can tour this iconic battleship
Movies are a classic rainy day option. The Pointe is about a 20-minute drive from the island.
26 現地メンバーのおすすめ
The Pointe 14
2223 Blockbuster RdMovies are a classic rainy day option. The Pointe is about a 20-minute drive from the island.
Another rainy day option. Cardinal Lanes is the closest bowling alley to the island - about 20 minutes away.
7 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Cardinal Lanes Shipyard
3907 Shipyard BlvdAnother rainy day option. Cardinal Lanes is the closest bowling alley to the island - about 20 minutes away.
Another CB institution, this one of a kind bar features a walk in cooler filled with a huge beer selection. Sit outside at the picnic tables and wiggle your toes in the sand. Inside by the wood burning stove is a nice spot in the winter
165 現地メンバーのおすすめ
The Fat Pelican
8 S Lake Park BlvdAnother CB institution, this one of a kind bar features a walk in cooler filled with a huge beer selection. Sit outside at the picnic tables and wiggle your toes in the sand. Inside by the wood burning stove is a nice spot in the winter
Shopping
CB Surf Shop
209 S Lake Park BlvdGood spot for beach apparel
A classier version of with brand name beachwear and a better level of Carolina Beach branded merchandise
Palms Beachwear
1300 N Lake Park BlvdA classier version of with brand name beachwear and a better level of Carolina Beach branded merchandise