Good Eats and Great Views
Waterfront Dining in Southport, NC
With the arrival of Spring, Southport fills with activity. As the weather warms up, the sidewalks are dotted with people visiting boutiques in Historic Downtown. People relax on benches at Riverfront Park, and boats cruise by filled with passengers enjoying the sunshine. The town is alive with visitors relishing the budding flowers, sunny days, and warm temperatures! One of the best ways to get outside this spring and enjoy the mild climate is outdoor dining, and the area of Southport has plenty of waterfront options!
Fishy Fishy Cafe
Inspired by waterfront living, Fishy Fishy Café combines a casual atmosphere with Southern hospitality, making this restaurant a Southport favorite. Offering fresh local seafood served both grilled and fried, black angus burgers and refreshing coastal cocktails, the visitors, and locals alike flock to this waterfront gem. Boat slips allow visitors to come by boat, and a large outdoor patio serves up world class sunsets every evening. Stop by for a refreshing beverage and unwind on the water while listening to live local music. Fishy Fishy Café serves both lunch and dinner, and local favorites include the Fried Fishy’s Basket, Carolina Seafood Plate, and their Prime Rib offered Saturdays and Sundays.
Provision Company
Known as “Provisions” by the locals, The Provision Company was established in 1993. The restaurant serves up views of the Southport Yacht Basin, the Intracoastal Waterways, and the Cape Fear River. The casual atmosphere is perfect following a day on the boat or spent out on the beach. The restaurant is full of whimsy nautical décor, and the restaurant has a full-service bar as well as an honor-system based drink cooler. While casual in atmosphere, the food is nothing short of phenomenal. Favorites include baskets of steamed shrimp and clams, crabcake sandwiches, conch fritters and grouper salad. The open-air restaurant provides a covered deck with plenty of seating for guests to enjoy the warm salty breeze, great food, and even better company!
Oliver’s on the Cape Fear
Looking for a date night location or a celebratory meal? Look no further than Oliver’s on the Cape Fear. This elegant restaurant serves up southern cuisine and exceptional wines and spirits. The family-owned restaurant prides itself in exceptional service enamored by Southern charm and hospitality. Open for brunch, lunch and dinner, Chef Dustin creates delicious food designed to please and inspire his audience. You can’t go wrong with a meal at Oliver’s, however may we suggest the Grouper Oscar, Shrimp n’ Grits, or the Hand-cut Ribeye? Don’t forget to add a cup of the Maine Lobster Bisque or Spring Gazpacho and finish off with a slice of Key Lime Cheesecake! The restaurant offers outdoor dining on the covered patio and the waterfront terrace. Even when seated indoors, the vast windows provide an expansive water view of the Cape Fear River.
Frying Pan Restaurant
Specializing in grilled, blackened and pan-seared specialties, Frying Pan Restaurant serves fresh local seafood favorites. The restaurant is located along the old yacht basin on the Southport waterfront, and features a large, covered deck with gorgeous views and plenty of seating. Come by to be tempted by the coastal southern roots and charmed by the Southern hospitality! The menu features specialties including King Crab legs, bacon wrapped scallops and lobster mac-n-cheese. A local favorite, you can’t leave without enjoying a few grilled sweet potato biscuits, and a dessert homemade by Ms. Dot! Appreciate the views at the junction of the Cape Fear River and the Intracoastal Waterway while munching on calamari, or head over to the American Fish Company Waterfront Bar for live music and a great cocktail at sunset! Whether a local or on vacation, the Frying Pan Restaurant is sure to please!
Edgewater 122
Locally sourced food prepared with excellent technique, Edgewater 122 creates a phenomenal dining experience right on the water. The restaurant opened at the end of 2021, and provides views of sunsets, passing boats and local wildlife. One look at the menu will make your mouth water, with entrees such as Sea scallops served with sweet pea risotto, 14oz ribeye steak, and NC shrimp scampi served over crostini with blistered tomatoes as a starter. With two dock slips available, patrons are welcome to come by boat. Reservations are encouraged as this has already become a popular Southport spot!
These waterfront restaurants are a popular destination for the residents of Southport, as well as those vacationing. Interested in enjoying what Southport has to offer year-round? Check out Southport’s newest community, The Home Place of Southport. Private and gated, The Home Place offers single family homes and townhomes with low-maintenance living. Learn more about this opportunity just 3 minutes from historic Downtown Southport, and 10 minutes from area beaches! Call us today to get your tour scheduled. 833-939-3814