Where to eat in Southport, North Carolina
Of course! Grab a napkin, foodie friends, because we're about to take a delicious dive into the culinary heart of Southport, North Carolina. This charming coastal town isn't just about breathtaking river views and historic oak trees; it's a secret hotspot for some of the most crave-worthy, soul-satisfying eats you'll find anywhere on the Carolina coast. As your local guide, I'm here to walk you through ten essential stops, telling you not just what to eat, but how to experience each one like a true Southport native. Let's get to it!
### **1. Falcone Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria**
*5013 Southport Crossing Wy*
Step through the door of Falcone's and you're immediately wrapped in the warm, garlicky embrace of a classic, family-run Italian joint. The checkered tablecloths, the friendly chatter from the open kitchen, the scent of simmering marinara—it’s the real deal. This is the place for a noisy, joyful, family-style feast.
**The Must-Order:** You simply cannot leave without trying their **Eggplant Parmigiana**. This isn't some flimsy, thinly sliced affair. We're talking thick, tender planks of eggplant, breaded to a perfect golden crisp, smothered in a tangy, herbaceous house-made marinara and an avalanche of molten mozzarella and parmesan. It’s a masterpiece of comfort food. Pair it with a side of their perfectly al dente spaghetti. For the table, start with the **Antipasto Platter**—a massive, shareable landscape of cured meats, cheeses, and marinated vegetables that perfectly sets the stage for the carb-loaded glory to come.
### **2. Carolina Coastal Cafe - CaCoCa**
*607 North Howe Street*
Affectionately dubbed CaCoCa by the locals, this bright and breezy cafe is your go-to for a spectacular breakfast or lunch that tastes like the Carolina coast itself. It's casual, it's quick, and it's always buzzing with energy. Grab a spot on the patio if you can; it’s prime real estate for people-watching.
**The Must-Order:** Hands down, it’s the **Shrimp & Grits**. This is a Southern icon done right. They use plump, local shrimp, sautéed and often finished with a bit of bacon, scallions, and a decadent sauce that might have a hint of cheese or a splash of beer (it’s a house secret!). It's poured over a bed of stone-ground, creamy grits that are the perfect velvety canvas. For a lighter bite, their **Crab Cake Sandwich** on a soft brioche bun is a flawless execution of sweet, fresh crab meat with just enough binder to hold it together.
### **3. Moore Street Oyster Bar**
*110 E Moore St*
Welcome to Southport's quintessential seafood shack. Don't let the unassuming exterior fool you—this place is an institution. The vibe is pure, unpretentious coastal cool: wooden tables, a chalkboard menu, and the sound of oysters being shucked to order. It’s small, it gets packed, and it’s worth every minute of the wait.
**The Must-Order:** Obviously, it’s the **Oysters**. Get them on the half-shell, fresh and icy cold from the raw bar with a mignonette cocktail sauce. But the magic doesn't stop there. You MUST also order a basket of the **Oyster Sliders**. These are legendary: fried oysters, crisp on the outside and briny-sweet inside, tucked into soft slider buns with lettuce, tomato, and a remoulade that’ll have you licking your fingers. It’s a perfect bite of the sea.
### **4. Castucci's Italian Restaurant**
*4332 Long Beach Rd SE*
Castucci’s offers a slightly more refined but still wonderfully cozy Italian dining experience. The lighting is low, the wine list is robust, and the atmosphere hums with the sound of a satisfied crowd. It feels like a place for a date night or a special family celebration.
**The Must-Order:** While their menu is extensive, you are here for the **Lobster Ravioli**. These aren't your average ravioli. Imagine delicate pasta pillows, impossibly thin, stuffed with a rich and sweet lobster filling, and then draped in a luxurious pink vodka sauce or a sherry cream sauce. Each bite is an explosion of oceanic luxury and creamy perfection. Complement it with a classic **Caesar Salad**, prepared tableside if you’re lucky, for a truly classic experience.
### **5. Tengu Japanese Steakhouse**
*4956 Old Long Beach Rd SE #8497*
For dinner and a show, Tengu is your spot. The sizzle of the teppanyaki grill, the flash of the chef’s knife, and the theatrical flair of onion volcanoes make it a blast for families and groups. It’s lively, interactive, and the smell of grilled steak and soy sauce is utterly intoxicating.
**The Must-Order:** The **Filet Mignon and Shrimp Hibachi Combo** is the undisputed champion. The filet is always tender and cooked to your exact specification, while the shrimp are juicy and seasoned with that signature hibachi magic. The real star of the show, however, is the **Yum Yum Sauce**. You’ll want to put it on everything—the rice, the veggies, the meat, even a spare napkin. It’s that good. Pro tip: ask for extra sauce on the side!
### **6. Fat Andy's Burgers**
*4655 Long Beach Rd SE*
This is not a drill, burger lovers. Fat Andy’s is a no-frills, order-at-the-counter burger paradise. The vibe is retro, a little gritty in the best way possible, and dedicated to one thing: crafting magnificent, greasy, glorious burgers. The smell of chargrilled patties will hit you from the parking lot and pull you right in.
**The Must-Order:** Go for the namesake: **Fat Andy's Burger**. Double patty, double cheese, and all the standard fixins. But the key is in the details—the quality of the beef, the perfect toast on the bun, and the ideal sauce-to-meat ratio. Make it a combo with their crinkle-cut fries and a thick shake. It’s a messy, heavenly experience that requires both hands and a stack of napkins.
### **7. Famous Subs and Pizza**
*1541 N Howe St*
A beloved no-nonsense deli that has been fueling Southport for years. It’s fast, it’s efficient, and it serves up massive, overstuffed sandwiches that are the perfect grab-and-go meal for a day on the boat or at the beach.
**The Must-Order:** The **Italian Sub** is a work of art. They pile on generous layers of ham, salami, capicola, and provolone, then top it with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, oil, vinegar, and a sprinkle of oregano. The bread is key—a soft yet sturdy Italian loaf that holds up to the juiciness within without falling apart. It’s a classic, done to perfection.
### **8. Erics Grille**
*1671 N Howe St*
Eric’s is the neighborhood sports bar you wish was in your neighborhood. With TVs tuned to the game and a friendly, laid-back crowd, it’s the ideal spot to unwind. The menu is packed with American pub classics, but executed with a surprising level of care and quality.
**The Must-Order:** You have to try the **Prime Rib Sandwich**. Thinly sliced, slow-roasted prime rib, piled high on a hoagie roll, smothered in melted provolone and rich au jus for dipping. It’s incredibly tender, deeply flavorful, and arguably one of the best sandwiches in town. It’s the ultimate comfort food in a comfortable setting.
### **9. Fizzy Jane's**
*614 W West St*
Feeling fancy? Fizzy Jane’s is a delightful anomaly in Southport—a chic, modern wine and beer bar that also serves incredible, elevated small plates. It’s the perfect place for a girls' night, a first date, or just treating yourself to something a bit different.
**The Must-Order:** The menu changes, but you must seek out their **Charcuterie and Cheese Board**. It’s a curated selection of artisanal meats, cheeses, house-made jams, nuts, and crusty bread. It’s a beautiful, shareable experience. Pair it with one of their prosecco-based **Fizz cocktails** for a truly effervescent and delightful evening. This is a place to sip, savor, and relax.
### **10. Beach Road Pizza & Wings**
*4688 Long Beach Rd SE*
Sometimes, you just need pizza. Really good pizza. Beach Road delivers with a cozy, casual atmosphere that’s perfect for a family pizza night. The smell of baking dough and zesty wing sauce is downright heavenly.
**The Must-Order:** You’re doing a two-fer here. First, a large **Meat Lovers Pizza**. Their crust is a great balance—chewy yet crisp, with a slight char—and they are generous with the pepperoni, sausage, ham, and bacon. Second, you absolutely must get an order of their **Old Bay Dry Rub Wings**. These wings are a local obsession. They’re crispy, saucy, and coated in a magical blend that captures the essence of the Chesapeake Bay. It’s the perfect salty, spicy, savory counterpart to the cheesy pizza.
---
So there you have it, folks—a culinary tour of Southport that will leave your belly full and your heart happy. From the fancy fizz to the messy burgers, the fresh oysters to the hearty Italian plates, this town has a flavor for every mood. Now get out there and eat your way through it
### **1. Falcone Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria**
*5013 Southport Crossing Wy*
Step through the door of Falcone's and you're immediately wrapped in the warm, garlicky embrace of a classic, family-run Italian joint. The checkered tablecloths, the friendly chatter from the open kitchen, the scent of simmering marinara—it’s the real deal. This is the place for a noisy, joyful, family-style feast.
**The Must-Order:** You simply cannot leave without trying their **Eggplant Parmigiana**. This isn't some flimsy, thinly sliced affair. We're talking thick, tender planks of eggplant, breaded to a perfect golden crisp, smothered in a tangy, herbaceous house-made marinara and an avalanche of molten mozzarella and parmesan. It’s a masterpiece of comfort food. Pair it with a side of their perfectly al dente spaghetti. For the table, start with the **Antipasto Platter**—a massive, shareable landscape of cured meats, cheeses, and marinated vegetables that perfectly sets the stage for the carb-loaded glory to come.
### **2. Carolina Coastal Cafe - CaCoCa**
*607 North Howe Street*
Affectionately dubbed CaCoCa by the locals, this bright and breezy cafe is your go-to for a spectacular breakfast or lunch that tastes like the Carolina coast itself. It's casual, it's quick, and it's always buzzing with energy. Grab a spot on the patio if you can; it’s prime real estate for people-watching.
**The Must-Order:** Hands down, it’s the **Shrimp & Grits**. This is a Southern icon done right. They use plump, local shrimp, sautéed and often finished with a bit of bacon, scallions, and a decadent sauce that might have a hint of cheese or a splash of beer (it’s a house secret!). It's poured over a bed of stone-ground, creamy grits that are the perfect velvety canvas. For a lighter bite, their **Crab Cake Sandwich** on a soft brioche bun is a flawless execution of sweet, fresh crab meat with just enough binder to hold it together.
### **3. Moore Street Oyster Bar**
*110 E Moore St*
Welcome to Southport's quintessential seafood shack. Don't let the unassuming exterior fool you—this place is an institution. The vibe is pure, unpretentious coastal cool: wooden tables, a chalkboard menu, and the sound of oysters being shucked to order. It’s small, it gets packed, and it’s worth every minute of the wait.
**The Must-Order:** Obviously, it’s the **Oysters**. Get them on the half-shell, fresh and icy cold from the raw bar with a mignonette cocktail sauce. But the magic doesn't stop there. You MUST also order a basket of the **Oyster Sliders**. These are legendary: fried oysters, crisp on the outside and briny-sweet inside, tucked into soft slider buns with lettuce, tomato, and a remoulade that’ll have you licking your fingers. It’s a perfect bite of the sea.
### **4. Castucci's Italian Restaurant**
*4332 Long Beach Rd SE*
Castucci’s offers a slightly more refined but still wonderfully cozy Italian dining experience. The lighting is low, the wine list is robust, and the atmosphere hums with the sound of a satisfied crowd. It feels like a place for a date night or a special family celebration.
**The Must-Order:** While their menu is extensive, you are here for the **Lobster Ravioli**. These aren't your average ravioli. Imagine delicate pasta pillows, impossibly thin, stuffed with a rich and sweet lobster filling, and then draped in a luxurious pink vodka sauce or a sherry cream sauce. Each bite is an explosion of oceanic luxury and creamy perfection. Complement it with a classic **Caesar Salad**, prepared tableside if you’re lucky, for a truly classic experience.
### **5. Tengu Japanese Steakhouse**
*4956 Old Long Beach Rd SE #8497*
For dinner and a show, Tengu is your spot. The sizzle of the teppanyaki grill, the flash of the chef’s knife, and the theatrical flair of onion volcanoes make it a blast for families and groups. It’s lively, interactive, and the smell of grilled steak and soy sauce is utterly intoxicating.
**The Must-Order:** The **Filet Mignon and Shrimp Hibachi Combo** is the undisputed champion. The filet is always tender and cooked to your exact specification, while the shrimp are juicy and seasoned with that signature hibachi magic. The real star of the show, however, is the **Yum Yum Sauce**. You’ll want to put it on everything—the rice, the veggies, the meat, even a spare napkin. It’s that good. Pro tip: ask for extra sauce on the side!
### **6. Fat Andy's Burgers**
*4655 Long Beach Rd SE*
This is not a drill, burger lovers. Fat Andy’s is a no-frills, order-at-the-counter burger paradise. The vibe is retro, a little gritty in the best way possible, and dedicated to one thing: crafting magnificent, greasy, glorious burgers. The smell of chargrilled patties will hit you from the parking lot and pull you right in.
**The Must-Order:** Go for the namesake: **Fat Andy's Burger**. Double patty, double cheese, and all the standard fixins. But the key is in the details—the quality of the beef, the perfect toast on the bun, and the ideal sauce-to-meat ratio. Make it a combo with their crinkle-cut fries and a thick shake. It’s a messy, heavenly experience that requires both hands and a stack of napkins.
### **7. Famous Subs and Pizza**
*1541 N Howe St*
A beloved no-nonsense deli that has been fueling Southport for years. It’s fast, it’s efficient, and it serves up massive, overstuffed sandwiches that are the perfect grab-and-go meal for a day on the boat or at the beach.
**The Must-Order:** The **Italian Sub** is a work of art. They pile on generous layers of ham, salami, capicola, and provolone, then top it with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, oil, vinegar, and a sprinkle of oregano. The bread is key—a soft yet sturdy Italian loaf that holds up to the juiciness within without falling apart. It’s a classic, done to perfection.
### **8. Erics Grille**
*1671 N Howe St*
Eric’s is the neighborhood sports bar you wish was in your neighborhood. With TVs tuned to the game and a friendly, laid-back crowd, it’s the ideal spot to unwind. The menu is packed with American pub classics, but executed with a surprising level of care and quality.
**The Must-Order:** You have to try the **Prime Rib Sandwich**. Thinly sliced, slow-roasted prime rib, piled high on a hoagie roll, smothered in melted provolone and rich au jus for dipping. It’s incredibly tender, deeply flavorful, and arguably one of the best sandwiches in town. It’s the ultimate comfort food in a comfortable setting.
### **9. Fizzy Jane's**
*614 W West St*
Feeling fancy? Fizzy Jane’s is a delightful anomaly in Southport—a chic, modern wine and beer bar that also serves incredible, elevated small plates. It’s the perfect place for a girls' night, a first date, or just treating yourself to something a bit different.
**The Must-Order:** The menu changes, but you must seek out their **Charcuterie and Cheese Board**. It’s a curated selection of artisanal meats, cheeses, house-made jams, nuts, and crusty bread. It’s a beautiful, shareable experience. Pair it with one of their prosecco-based **Fizz cocktails** for a truly effervescent and delightful evening. This is a place to sip, savor, and relax.
### **10. Beach Road Pizza & Wings**
*4688 Long Beach Rd SE*
Sometimes, you just need pizza. Really good pizza. Beach Road delivers with a cozy, casual atmosphere that’s perfect for a family pizza night. The smell of baking dough and zesty wing sauce is downright heavenly.
**The Must-Order:** You’re doing a two-fer here. First, a large **Meat Lovers Pizza**. Their crust is a great balance—chewy yet crisp, with a slight char—and they are generous with the pepperoni, sausage, ham, and bacon. Second, you absolutely must get an order of their **Old Bay Dry Rub Wings**. These wings are a local obsession. They’re crispy, saucy, and coated in a magical blend that captures the essence of the Chesapeake Bay. It’s the perfect salty, spicy, savory counterpart to the cheesy pizza.
---
So there you have it, folks—a culinary tour of Southport that will leave your belly full and your heart happy. From the fancy fizz to the messy burgers, the fresh oysters to the hearty Italian plates, this town has a flavor for every mood. Now get out there and eat your way through it
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