Michael's Seafood

Michael's Seafood: Not your average fish camp! This is seafood with an upscale twist, at ridiculously low prices! I was impressed by the details put into the presentation of the food! Again, seafood at a reasonable price, can't go wrong! They also have a great outdoor covered and uncovered seating area! They were very accommodating for our group of 27 college students! It was a great pick after a long day of lounging on the beach!

I loved my coconut shrimp - the batter had more coconut than most, but fabulous flavor!

Carrot Cake - I've never liked Carrot Cake - and this was GOOD!

Coconut Cake - Also great!

Just remember, it's a beach restaurant, so your water and fountain drinks will taste like they scooped it out of the ocean! As a local you just get used to it, add some lemon!

Also - this is random - if you're coming FROM Carolina Beach - be careful as you're turning in and also leaving the restaurant - the traffic pattern is a bit strange getting there!

Michael's Seafood Restaurant and Catering

1206 N. Lake Park Blvd.

Carolina Beach, NC

(910) 458-7761

Bowman's Seafood Restaurant

Bowman's: This is where the Carolina Beach locals eat seafood. FRESH seafood! Though the curb appeal might not lure you in, their food will have you hooked. Bowman's family atmosphere just makes you feel right at home. Even the waitresses love working there. One said, "If you want a job here, one of us will have to die first." If a seafood platter is screaming your name, you will get bang for your buck here. Very reasonably priced food for the amount you get! And you'll be temped to eat it all...though you shouldn't...because they feed you well! Make sure to check out the hallway headed back to the restrooms - they walls are covered with postcards, pictures, and hurricane history of Carolina Beach. Oh, and if you're craving seafood but don't want to leave your beach house...they DELIVER!

Locals Love:

Classic Shrimp Seafood Platter

Bowman's Restaurant

911 North Lake Blvd.

Carolina Beach, NC 28428

(910) 458-6292

El Zarape Mexican Restaurant

Carolina Beach is home to El Zarape Mexican Restaurant. This is a popular place to eat, and especially in the summer, you can expect a wait! The restaurant itself is huge and can accommodate large party sizes. Overall, this really is great Mexican food. Their menu is also HUGE with about every food combination you could want! There is one drawback that must be noted. Plan on filling up on the complimentary chips and salsa, because regardless of how busy they are, it takes forever to get your food. It is worth the wait, and somehow always comes out piping hot!

What locals love:

• Tuesday's special is $3 Margarita

El Zarape Mexican Restaurant

101 N. Lake Park Blvd.

Carolina Beach, NC 28428

(910) 458-5226

Jack Mackerel's Island Grill

Need a break from sunbathing at Carolina or Kure Beach? Jack Mackerel's menu and ambiance is pretty fun. If it's beautiful and breezy, you can sit up on the top deck with an ocean view. Jack Mackerel's has a Jimmy Buffet feel with a large menu to choose from: seafood to chicken - they seem to have everything. A+ for presentation of food, very well done! The current special is 20% of all dinner entrees, which range from $15-$30. Lunch menu is less than $10.

Personal experience - Our waitress was ticked that we wanted to sit on the top deck...because she didn't want to walk up the steps to get to it. We wouldn't let her spoil our beautiful day! Coconut shrimp = AMAZING. And I'm a coconut shrimp snob! My mom ordered fried shrimp - which looked pretty normal, like fried shrimp should look. I ordered the blackened shrimp mango quesadilla which was really tasty! I would def order it again!

Overall I would recommend it if you are in the area of CB or KB, otherwise might not be worth the haul south.

Jack Mackeral's Island Grill

113 K Avenue

Kure Beach, NC 28449

(910) 458-7668