One of my favorite parts of eastern North Carolina is the culinary scene that has emerged in recent years. There are destination restaurants in some of the small towns that are creating a buzz and are collectively working with the local industries to support shops, bed and breakfasts, boutique hotels, and breweries. These restaurants prove that food can bring people together and can help revitalize areas. Here are 14 of the best destination restaurants in eastern NC you need to try!
This post was originally published in August 2019 and has since been updated and recirculated for 2026.
From Hen & the Hog in Halifax, which closed in Fall 2025.
Best Restaurants in Eastern NC: 14 Destination Spots to Try (2026 Guide)
Beaufort Grocery — Beaufort
Beaufort Grocery has been serving lunch and dinner since 1991 and is such a culinary gem in Beaufort. For lunch, the menu features delicious salads, deli-style sandwiches, homemade soups, and exceptional desserts. At night, the restaurant transforms into one of the best fine dining culinary destinations in the region, featuring fresh seafood specials and an outstanding wine list with a cozy atmosphere. The hot gorgonzola and spinach dip is a must-order, and I daydream about their salad options with either a crab cake or a filet of tuna.
Beaufort Grocery is at 117 Queen St, Beaufort, NC 28516.
The Beefmastor Inn — Wilson
The Beefmastor Inn is a no-frills steakhouse in Wilson, and it is still one of the best destination restaurants in eastern NC. They do not take reservations, the room is small and quaint with red and white checkered tablecloths, and the whole experience centers on one thing: ribeye. You choose your portion straight from the slab, and each steak comes with a drink, a baked potato, garlic bread, and an all-you-can-eat salad bar. Bring a chair and a cooler to tailgate in the parking lot while you wait for your table — there is even cornhole to pass the time. It is a short hour drive from Raleigh, and you’ll often see chartered buses and vans with larger groups making the trip.
The Beefmaster Inn is at 2656 US-301 South, Wilson, NC 27893.
Blue Jay Bistro – Littleton
One of the newer restaurants on the culinary scene in eastern North Carolina is Blue Jay Bistro in Littleton. Littleton is located near Lake Gaston, a beautiful spot in northeastern NC. Blue Jay Bistro features a seasonal menu with locally sourced ingredients. While the menu changes frequently, the fish on the menu is my go-to order. There are great dessert options and an extensive wine list. Make a reservation and enjoy the gorgeous dining room and bar in my home county.
Blue Jay Bistro is at 141 E South Main St, Littleton, NC 27850.
Chef and the Farmer — Kinston
No list of eastern NC destination restaurants is complete without Vivian Howard’s flagship. After closing during the pandemic and operating for a stretch as the counter-service and the ticketed Kitchen Bar dinner series, Chef & the Farmer has returned to regular weekly dinner service — an era Howard herself has nicknamed “Chef New.” The format is a three-course, weekly-changing, hand-written menu with a handful of starters, entrees, and desserts, built around whatever’s freshest from the farmers and fishermen Howard has worked with for two decades. It is reservation-only, so plan ahead.
Chef and the Farmer is at 120 W Gordon St, Kinston, NC 28501.
Cypress Hall — New Bern
Visiting Cypress Hall is no different than stepping into a swanky restaurant in Charleston or Chicago. There is outdoor seating on the street, seating that overlooks the sidewalk and downtown New Bern happenings, gorgeous bar seating, and sophisticated booths and table seating. The menu boasts eastern North Carolina staples, making for a creative dining experience. Chef Ashley Moser has done a fantastic job with this restaurant concept, and I cannot stop raving about this spot.
We started with the pimento cheese served with pork rinds. David ordered the spicy chicken sandwich while I had the pan-seared salmon, which was served over a hoe cake with ham hock succotash. This restaurant is absolutely worth the trip to New Bern to experience this delightful restaurant.
Cypress Hall is at 219 Middle St, New Bern, NC 28560.
Gretchen’s Bistro — Oriental
Photo via Gretchen’s Bistro
Gretchen’s Bistro has quickly become one of the most talked-about additions to the eastern NC dining scene, bringing an award-winning, coastal fine-dining experience to the sailing village of Oriental. The seasonal menu leans into upscale coastal fare — think oysters on the half shell, buttermilk shrimp, smoked salmon carpaccio, and a rotating list of prime steaks and fresh catches — paired with curated wines and cocktails. There is live piano music some evenings, a charcuterie board worth building a meal around, and a polished-but-welcoming atmosphere that feels like a big-city restaurant tucked into a tiny coastal town. Reservations are required.
Gretchen’s Bistro is at 807 Broad St, Oriental, NC 28571.
The Hackney – Washington
The Hackney is a truly gorgeous restaurant in the heart of downtown little Washington, led by James Beard-nominated executive chef Jamie Davis. It is located in the 1922 restored town bank, with nods in the dining room to the art deco designs of the 1920s. The furniture was custom-made in High Point and is truly stunning. Not only does the restaurant have a delicious menu, it also has a distillery next door that produces 1000 Piers gin. Lunch is served on Saturdays only, and the dining room is open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Make plans to visit, and whatever you do, order the shrimp and grits if it is on the menu.
The Hackney is at 192 W Main St Suite A, Washington, NC 27889.
The Herringbone on the Waterfront – Edenton
The only waterfront restaurant in Edenton is the gorgeously renovated Herringbone on the Waterfront. It is located in the former ice house, built in the 1800s and originally used for the herring fishing industry on the Albemarle Sound and Chowan River. Now, it is a massive restaurant with historical nods in its decor, including my personal favorite, a cured tobacco leaf bar top. The breadboard, oysters Rockefeller, and the market fish, served in a curry broth with grilled shrimp, are all must-orders while dining here. You will definitely want to make a reservation, especially if you are visiting on a weekend.
The Herringbone is at 119 W Water St, Edenton, NC 27932.
Mar Restaurant — Morehead City
Photo via Crystal Coast Tourism Authority
Mar Restaurant & Lounge has brought a bold, contemporary-luxury take on surf-and-turf to the Morehead City waterfront. Billed as “a symphony of land and sea,” Mar pairs the freshest catches of the Atlantic with some of the finest hand-cut steaks in the Carolinas, backed by an ambitious wine and cocktail program. The vibe skips the casual, come-as-you-are feel of most Crystal Coast seafood spots in favor of something more polished — expect a dress code (no ball caps or gym wear in the dining room) and a menu that treats local tradition through a modern lens. It is a great choice if you want a special-occasion dinner along the waterfront.
Mar Restaurant is at 812 Shepard St, Morehead City, NC 28557.
On the Square – Tarboro
On the Square is one of the OGs in eastern North Carolina for food destinations. I love Inez and the work she has done in her hometown with her husband. On the Square is a delicious spot for dinner and has an excellent wine list. There are many delicious menu options, and it’s also a great spot for lunch. Come and spend a day and check out Tarboro Brewing Company while you are in town. One of my favorite things about On the Square is that they brought sushi to Tarboro. This may not seem like a big deal to you, but in eastern NC, trust me, that is a huge feat.
On the Square is at 115 E St James St, Tarboro, NC 27886.
The Rustler at the Mills — Rocky Mount
The Rustler at the Mills is one of the newest additions to this list, opened in 2025 by a trio of longtime Wilson restaurateurs — Travis Milligan, Joshua Barnes, and Patrick Mitchell — inside the historic Rocky Mount Mills campus off Falls Road. It is a steakhouse through and through: USDA Prime, hand-cut steaks are the star, and the mission is simple — quality steaks, great prices, and unforgettable service. If you are not in the mood for a big steak dinner, you can still order a baked potato and hit the fresh salad bar for a lighter meal, and there is a full bar and heated outdoor seating for enjoying a cocktail on the patio while you wait for your table. It is a great stop if you are exploring the Rocky Mount Mills district, which is also home to a handful of local breweries and a bottle shop worth wandering to afterward.
The Rustler at the Mills is at 1135 Falls Rd, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.
Seabird – Wilmington
Photos by Glory Roze Photography
Seabird in downtown Wilmington is absolutely delightful and in a bright, retro space. It was hands down one of the best meals of my life. The historic building has been transformed and celebrates the seasonality of North Carolina’s seafood and ingredients. Their handcrafted cocktails pair well with the oysters and shellfish on the menu. Order one of each of the roasted oysters — you will not regret it, though my absolute favorite is the broiled hollandaise.
Seabird is at 1 S Front St, Wilmington, NC 28401.
Spoon River – Belhaven
We had supper at Spoon River on our overnight stay in Belhaven. It had been on my list of restaurants to try for quite a while, and it came highly recommended by our friends at Between Water and Main. We are so glad we stopped in for dinner. The space is eclectic and beautifully decorated, the menu is delicious, the wine list is extensive, and you cannot leave without getting dessert. Make a weekend trip out of it and spend some time on the Pungo River and shopping at the local boutiques before enjoying a delicious dinner at Spoon River!
Spoon River is at 263 Pamlico St, Belhaven, NC 27810.
Theodosia — Duck
Vivian Howard’s second act on this list, Theodosia is the signature restaurant at The Sanderling Resort on the Outer Banks, set right on Currituck Sound with dramatic sunset views through floor-to-ceiling windows. Named for Theodosia Burr Alston — the daughter of Aaron Burr, whose disappearance is the stuff of Outer Banks legend — the restaurant leans into coastal storytelling as much as coastal cooking. Expect Howard’s now-famous tomato pie and dishes built around local oyster farms like Slash Creek and Little Star, alongside inventive small plates and shareable seafood. It is a bit of a drive if you are not already on the Banks, thought it has become one of the most talked-about tables in the region since opening. Note that it is seasonal, so check hours before you go. You will want a reservation.
Theodosia is at 1461 Duck Rd, Duck, NC 27949.
Wild Will’s Revenge — Atlantic
Photo via Crystal Coast
Tucked way down east on Morris Marina Road, Wild Will’s Revenge is worth the drive to the tiny town of Atlantic for some of the freshest local seafood in Carteret County. Owned and operated by the Chadwick family — grandchildren of longtime fishing industry leader Billy Smith, with Down East roots dating back to the 1700s — the restaurant is named for their late father, William Ellis Smith. The menu leans into hearty, home-style Southern and coastal cooking: pound-net flounder, jumbo lump crab cakes, shrimp your way, homemade crab dip, and a prime rib that regulars swear by, plus a homemade peanut butter pie you will want to take to go. It is only open a few nights a week during the summer and early fall, so check ahead, and enjoy the scenic drive through the marshes on your way in.
Wild Will’s Revenge is at 1015 Morris Marina Rd, Atlantic, NC 28511.
Final Thoughts
These 14 restaurants prove that small towns like Kinston, Belhaven, Oriental, and Atlantic can hold their own against any big-city dining destination — and honestly, that it is one of the reasons that what makes this region so special. Each of these spots is doing more than just serving good food; they are anchoring their downtowns, supporting local farmers and fishermen, and giving people a reason to get off the highway and explore.
My best advice: do not try to knock these out in one trip. Pair a couple of restaurants with an overnight stay, a stop at a local brewery or boutique, and some time on the water, and you will get the full eastern NC experience. And keep checking back — this list gets updated as new restaurants open and others evolve, so there is always another reason to plan your next eastern NC food trip.
Whether you are planning a stop on your way to the Outer Banks, looking for a quiet weekend getaway, or just need a good day-trip idea, be sure to make a plan to visit these spots! Use this interactive Google Map to plan your trip.
Looking for other favorite North Carolina restaurants? Check out the 12 best restaurants in North Carolina and the restaurants in North Carolina I want to try.
Definitely saving this list for if I make future trips to this area! I’m hungry just reading about these!
xoxo A
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