# Best Restaurants in Emerald Isle, NC
Emerald Isle's dining scene is quieter than the state's bigger beach towns, but quality over quantity wins here. The standout is Kathryn's Bistro, along with a rotating lineup of seasonal food trucks and nearby gems.
The Star of the Island
Kathryn's Bistro & Martini Bar – Emerald Plantation shopping center
The best restaurant on Emerald Isle, hands down. Kathryn's serves modern coastal cuisine in a relaxed but refined setting. The she-crab soup is the best we've had on the Crystal Coast – rich, creamy, loaded with crab. The seared tuna and shrimp and grits are standouts. The martini list? Forty-plus options. Reservations are essential in summer.
Casual & Seasonal
Emerald Isle's casual dining scene leans heavily on food trucks and seasonal spots that set up near public beach accesses from May through September:
- Island Grill & Taco Bar – Tacos, burritos, and cold beer. Look for the truck near the Western Regional Beach Access.
- Big Daddy's Food Truck – Fried seafood baskets, hushpuppies, and fresh-squeezed lemonade.
- RuckerJohn's – Home cooking in a converted gas station. Breakfast and lunch. A locals' institution.
Nearby (Morehead City & Atlantic Beach)
The neighboring towns offer more dining variety, just a 15-minute drive east:
- The Crab Shack – Atlantic Beach. Casual waterfront dining, steamed seafood, incredible sunset views.
- Sanitary Fish Market – Morehead City. An Eastern NC institution since 1938. Fried shrimp, coleslaw, and hushpuppies.
- Floyd's 1921 Restaurant – Morehead City. Farm-to-table coastal cuisine. Higher-end, worth the drive.
FAQ
What's the best restaurant in Emerald Isle?
Kathryn's Bistro & Martini Bar is the clear winner – excellent food, great martinis, consistent quality.
Are there any seafood restaurants on the water?
Not directly in Emerald Isle. The Crab Shack in Atlantic Beach is the closest waterfront seafood option.
Do I need reservations?
At Kathryn's, yes – especially for dinner in summer. Everywhere else is walk-in.
Is there good takeout?
RuckerJohn's does excellent takeout breakfast and lunch. Food trucks are all takeout by nature.