Back in 2018, David surprised me with a day trip to Topsail Beach, and even though I have lived in North Carolina my whole life, I had never set foot on that particular stretch of sand. This summer, we did a full redo — same easy two(ish)-hour drive from Raleigh, same gorgeous coastline — and this time our day trip to Topsail Island included a very important third member of the crew: Ruthie B, our almost-3-year-old Chocolate Lab/Boykin Spaniel mix.
This article was originally written in August 2018 and has since been updated and recirculated for June 2026.
Photo via Glory Roze Photography
A Dog-Friendly Day Trip to Topsail Island: Ruthie B’s First Beach Day (2026 Update)
We left mid-morning with the windows cracked and Ruthie’s head halfway out one of them, and despite running into some summer storms on our way down, we ended up with a beautiful, sunny day. It was the kind of day that makes you grateful for a spontaneous escape.
Lunch on the Patio at Beach Shop & Grill
We headed straight to Beach Shop & Grill for lunch so I could order my forever go-to — a Calabash shrimp burger. The patio at Beach Shop & Grill is dog-friendly and the seating is first-come, first-serve. Ruthie sprawled out under the table like she owned the place. It was David’s first time at here, so we lingered on the patio and enjoyed the sunshine and breeze. Be sure to take a few minutes to peruse the shop before heading out. If you are dining indoors, you can make a reservation online.
Beach Shop & Grill is located at 701 S Anderson Blvd, Topsail Beach, NC 28445.
Pick up a New Book & Coffee at White Crab Coffee & Books
After lunch, we walked across the street to White Crab Coffee and Books — a family-run coffee shop and bookstore with a breezy, sand-and-navy interior, a front porch swing, and shelves stocked with everything from bestsellers to local authors. The patio is dog-friendly, so I grabbed David a chocolate chip cookie & Ruthie a pup cup to enjoy while I was indoors picking up my next book. I will definitely be coming back here for a coffee on our next trip!
White Crab Coffee & Books is at 708 S Anderson Blvd, Topsail Beach, NC 28445.
Beach Time with Ruthie B
This was Ruthie’s first real beach day, and y’all — she took to it like she had been doing it her whole life. Chasing waves, doggy paddling in the tidal pools, and looking for shells. Topsail Beach is one of the most dog-friendly stretches on the North Carolina coast, though it is worth knowing dogs need to stay on a leash no longer than 20 feet during the warmer months (mid-May through September). We set up our Shibumi Shade and chairs before soaking up some uninterrupted hours of ocean.
Here is a list of public beach accesses.
Dinner at Shaka Taco
We wrapped up the day back in Surf City at Shaka Taco, a surf-shop-turned-taco-stand with a laid-back, order-at-the-window vibe that felt like the perfect bookend to a beach day with the dog in tow. The patio is covered, dog-friendly, and usually buzzing. We split chips and queso, and then David had the chicken taco bowl while I had a chicken quesadilla. — light, fresh, and exactly what you want after a day in the sun. Ruthie was perfectly happy people-watching from under the table while we ate.
Shaka Taco is at 107 N Shore Dr, Surf City, NC 28445.
Itinerary for A Day Trip to Topsail Island
- 10:00 AM – Left Raleigh for Topsail Island
- 12:00 PM – Lunch next door on the patio at Beach Shop & Grill
- 1:30 PM – Coffee and browsing at White Crab Coffee and Books in Topsail Beach
- 2:00 PM – Beach time with Ruthie B
- 5:00 PM – Dinner at Shaka Taco in Surf City
- 6:00 PM – Headed home, one tired and very happy pup in the back seat
Tips for Visiting Topsail Island with Your Dog
If you are planning your own version of this trip, here is what made it easy:
- Leash up. Topsail Beach requires a leash no longer than 20 feet from mid-May through September. We opted for a slip lead that would be light enough for her to swim with, too.
- Bring a fan for the patio spots. Both Beach Shop & Grill and Shaka Taco have dog-friendly outdoor seating on their patios.
- Bring water for the car ride home. A beach day plus a taco dinner makes for one worn-out, very thirsty dog.
For more tips for traveling with dogs, check out this article that features some of our favorite products that make traveling a breeze.
Pro Tip: White Crab Coffee and Books and Beach Shop & Grill are basically neighbors on Anderson Boulevard, so you can park once and walk between coffee, books, and lunch before you even need to get back in the car.
Final Thoughts
Eight years and 3 very good dogs later, this is still one of my favorite easy escapes from Raleigh. Topsail Island makes it simple to build a whole day around good food, beach time, and a dog who is welcome everywhere you go — and that is exactly the kind of day trip I will keep coming back for.
If you want to turn this into a full weekend, Topsail has a pet-friendly rental waiting for you, too — check out The Sandy Paws on my roundup of North Carolina pet-friendly beach rentals. And if this trip has you thinking about other coastal options, here is my full guide to the 13 best beaches near Raleigh.
Here is a throw back to the time we took Winston & Gizmo to Topsail Island for David’s birthday in September and neither of them knew what to expect!
Have you taken your dog to Topsail Island? Tell me your favorite dog-friendly stop in the comments below!
