Circa 81 is such a hidden gem. It doesn't feel overly fancy or stuffy, just really thoughtful food…read morein a relaxed, cool space. We ordered the Half Chef's Tour, which is their charcuterie, and it was honestly one of my favorite parts of the night. Great variety, really well balanced, and perfect for sharing. It set the tone for the whole meal. The scallop nightly special was perfectly cooked with that golden sear and super tender inside. The rosemary steak had so much flavor and was cooked exactly right. The Brussels were crispy and savory, and even the potstickers were a standout. Nothing felt like an afterthought. Service was perfect for the tapas setting too. Not rushed, we didn't feel over bothered, but not neglected either. Overall, it felt elevated but still comfortable. A great experience without feeling over the top. We'll definitely be back.

Circa 81 quickly became one of my most memorable meals along North Carolina's Crystal Coast: a…read morerestaurant that understands both timing and tone. We arrived with a reservation (always a wise move), though we were seated immediately, greeted by a gracious host who set our lunch off on the right note. Once settled, we were welcomed by Philip, whose ease and genuine enthusiasm made the experience feel less transactional and more personal. He spoke about the menu with confidence and curiosity, the mark of someone who truly enjoys being there. Drinks came first: my husband ordered a Painkiller easily one of the best we had during our time on the coast while our son stuck with a classic Coke, and I opted for water. As we ordered, it became clear we were leaning fully into the small plates philosophy. When Philip smiled and dubbed us "tapas aficionados," it felt like an acknowledgment rather than a joke and in that moment, we felt perfectly at home. The table filled quickly. Spanish lamb meatballs arrived first, glazed with sriracha and paired with whipped feta and cilantro bold, balanced, and deeply satisfying. Pork pot stickers followed, tender and flavorful, with a soy-ginger dipping sauce and sweet Thai chili providing just the right contrast. The Gambas al Ajillo shrimp bathed in extra-virgin olive oil and garlic, served with crostini, was classic and comforting. But the standout was the Potatoes Bravas: sliced potatoes grilled to a crisp and finished with a spicy brava aioli. They were addictive in the best way, the kind of dish you keep thinking about long after the table is cleared. Circa 81 is polished yet relaxed, clean, and thoughtfully maintained, a place where the food arrives hot, the service feels human, and the atmosphere invites you to linger. It's a restaurant I would happily return to, and one that earned its place among my favorites on the Crystal Coast.

Food was excellent! All staff including the chef who came out to advise us of a wait while he had…read moreto make a fresh batch if sauce, communicated wonderfully and was friendly! Definitely a place to visit!

Had a great meal at the Boro restaurant. We walked in off the boat and were able to be seated…read moreimmediately outside in the courtyard. Our server, Ethan, was fantastic. We all thoroughly enjoyed our appetizers and meals. The calamari was delicious the breading was crispy but not too heavy and the chargrilled pineapples were amazing with it. The Philly cheesesteak rolls were excellent and our party enjoyed the crab dip. The burgers were a fan favorite. Us Pittsburgh folk's were happy to see Heinz ketchup. We enjoyed the fried shrimp and shrimp curry dish! Would definitely recommend. Bonus....we could hear some live music from down the street....apparently the streets are closed off for Sunday Funday.

I'm honestly surprised that Starlight Cafe still operates the way it does. The menu has been the…read moresame for years -- and not in a "classic staples" kind of way. It just feels stagnant and uninspired. Nothing new, nothing seasonal, nothing exciting. If you've been once, you've basically seen it all. The food itself was bland and boring. Dishes lacked seasoning and creativity, and nothing stood out as memorable. For the prices they charge, you expect at least some depth of flavor, but everything felt flat. Service was also slow, even though it wasn't especially busy. We waited far too long for basic things, and the staff didn't seem particularly attentive or professional. There was a noticeable lack of urgency and overall polish. Overall, it feels like a place that hasn't evolved in years -- same menu, same energy, same issues. Unfortunately, it just doesn't live up to expectations.

We had a superb dinner at the Starlight Cafe! Started with the carpaccio (highly recommend it) and…read morethen enjoyed the sea bass and the NY Strip. We ended our amazing dinner sharing an incredible white chocolate bread pudding. The place is kitschy & cool, taking full advantage of a busy storefront display. The service was perfect, not too invasive or pushy, just the right amount of southern hospitality and menu knowledge (we got the steak sauce on the side and the amazing dessert as suggested!). We look forward to returning.

We chose Aqua Restaurant for our anniversary dinner, guided by the kind of recommendations that…read morematter most: a local in the know and a friend who never tires of Beaufort. Aqua announces itself quietly, and even our brief misstep on arrival felt intentional an elegant sign gently redirecting us around back, where we later realized there's a convenient entrance directly across from the parking lot. A small discovery we tucked away for our next visit. From the moment we stepped inside, the hospitality set the tone. The host greeted us with genuine enthusiasm and an ease that made it clear he knew exactly why we were there. His warmth felt celebratory without being performative, just right. We were led to our table and introduced to Iesha, whose presence defined the evening. Iesha guided us through the menu with confidence and care, highlighting a thoughtful anniversary tradition: a complimentary glass of champagne or crème brûlée. We happily chose both. She struck that elusive balance of attentiveness and restraint present when needed, graciously invisible when not allowing the evening to unfold at its own pace. Our table sampled a range of the menu. The rare curry-seared local tuna arrived with curry riced cauliflower and traditional accompaniments unexpected in flavor but satisfying nonetheless. The The special for that evening, was rich and comforting. Even the simplest order, the kids' shrimp and fries was met with enthusiasm from our youngest diner, always a good sign. Aqua delivers food that is thoughtful, distinctive, and well-suited for a celebration. It's the kind of place that feels special without trying too hard a reliable choice for marking a meaningful moment. And when you go, do yourself a favor and ask for Iesha. She's the kind of server who turns a good dinner into a memorable one.

Visiting Beaufort, NC with friends and when we ate at Clawson's for lunch, we were told that their…read moresister restaurant, Aqua was excellent. We dined at Aqua this evening and were not disappointed! Everything was excellent and they treated my shellfish allergy with much care and attention. The server was friendly and excited about all of the food. The small plates are a wonderful idea and although what they consider "small", the flavor and size were perfect for us. Two in our party had the small plate Filet over Truffle dusted hash browns (yummy) while another member had the clams in saffron sauce that was amazing. Another member asked to substitute the Grouper on the Crab Cake small plate which was no problem for the kitchen and wonderful tasting. We had Creme Brulee and Chocolate Mousse for dessert and both were awesome. We will definitely return to this restaurant in the future.

I've been dining here for numerous years. My sister and I arrived from Warsaw first seeing a 3…read morelegged ginger cat who was just sublime as we parked. The weather was extremely generous for Feb no jacket sun in 70s with a view you can never buy. Persimmons being on waterfront is huge pull but so much more its the history of a small town which played such a huge history in NC history and all the historical architectural structures and ability to park walk enjoy. The entrance lounge area is so comfortable and filled with local artist portraits for sale. We were quickly seated. My sister thought she reckonized an old family friend they were just ladies who liked our outfits who came over to chat. Toby was our server very gracious and splendid service. We decided to switch previous entree orders plus I added appetizer which was so divine the feta pita was amazing. I am unfortunately plagued by allergies and sensitive to certain spices got a peppercorn during appetizer so had to excuse myself and refresh but the flavor profile of appetizer was worth my fault of chatting too much got pepper rush. Nothing could spoil our time my sister had just had bday day before so it was festive conversation and dining. Her entree of pork chop was a tad rare for her our server was very accommodating and Mananger quickly came over to reassure her that Chef was making her the chicken which I was having fresh to perfection. The plate size here match charger size plus heated and food always arrives extremely freshly cooked even broccoli isn't overcooked so rare. Portions are beyond most dining experiences. I could never eat full entree here always having leftovers is great to bring back to Raleigh. Look at pics there are 3 butterfly chicken breasts buttery mashed potatoes and succulent broccoli the mushroom peppercorn en glaze tie all flavors to a higher taste profile. After dining chatting enjoying as we were leaving I asked staff about ginger cat whom is named Sampson he's quite the legend in marina. Thanks for wonderful time as always will be back soon!

Service is truly rude and not worth the wait or the expensive attitude to serve you a meal.read more

We love this place for date night and to celebrate our anniversary…read more Never a bad meal.

Starts with excellent and friendly servers. Have dined at Circa several time since moving to NC…read more We have always had an excellent time, All our visiting friend have also enjoyed the fine culinary presentations from the Fabulous Chef. Crab Dip is our favorite appetizer. The weekly Prix Fixe is a fantastic offering.

We had such a wonderful experience today at The Old Pinnix! From the moment we sat down, everything…read morefelt welcoming and easy. The staff were both knowledgeable and genuinely friendly--such a great combo. The standout for us was the fig & pig toast--absolutely amazing. It was perfectly balanced with sweet and savory flavors and easily one of the best things we've had in a while. The drinks were bright, fresh, and really well done too. We'll definitely be back!

This is a really neat space with great drinks, just make sure you park strategically... the road…read morecan get entirely blocked by a train for a really long time, and you might find yourself a bit stuck! Didn't happen to us, but when we arrived, there was indeed a train sitting there, and some cars in front, well, they weren't going anywhere anytime soon. Inside is all vibes, kind of set up like an old pharmacy, but slinging cocktails instead, and I have to say, the cocktails were very tasty and well priced. All the tables were full of friend and family groups playing board games and enjoying various flatbreads and libations. Seems like the kind of place the local neighborhoods enjoy and spend quite a bit of time at. At the moment, can't remember the names of the cocktails we got, its been a few months. But I do remember the toasts. This place doesnt have a kitchen in a traditional sense, more like a prep area where they bring ingredients together (that I imagine are made off site) and toast it up to present you with some pretty unique combos and flavors. Honestly, a great way around some of the health code restrictions that start to apply to more in-depth operations while still having a robust menu. We ordered a variety for the 4 of us, as this was dinner that evening. Gettin Figgy with it was a favorite, as were the Pig and the Goat, and the Reuben. Their version of a Cubano was alright, but as could be the case you'd imagine, the pork was a little dry. The caprese was the only one we got that seemed to be a universal thumbs down, the avocado spread wasn't working with the other ingredients. Definitely would come back for some of these toasts, and drinks!

This was a great meal and superb service and wine selection. We especially enjoyed not being rushed…read morethrough our appetizers. The wine selection was outstanding , as was the lamp that 2 of us ordered. We highly recommend. Best kept secret in New Bern.

Loved this place when it opened. Each time we returned we spent more money and the food became…read moreplain. The lady behind the bar will never interact with the customers. A very snooty spot. The regular waitress is always awesome and sweet. Just not a favorite any longer.

Wow. Great dinner. Great service. Before I forget Samantha was awesome. Charming and informative…read more Did not hover but provided excellent service. Appetizers both oysters. Rockefeller and Raw. Both were excellent. Well seasoned and fresh. Entrees I had the striped bass. Husband had the swordfish. Every bite was perfect. Great flavors. Mixed textures on the plate and mine with a little heat to finish. The food could not have been better. Truly a celebration on a beautiful day in New Bern.

I dined for lunch at Cypress Hall in Downtown New Bern. The decor is great. I liked the exposed…read morebrick and high ceilings in the historic building. It also feels modern. One half feels historic and the other half feels modern with the artwork, mirrors, and finishes. The lighting is dim but you can still read the menu. It wasn't busy while I was there but quiet enough I couldn't hear other conversations. Initially the host wanted to seat me at the bar but when I declined, gave me a seat near the open kitchen. My waitress was friendly and helped me select the strawberry blonde to go with the strawberry salad. This was smaller than expected and just one or two strawberries. There was a little too much dressing for my taste as I forgot to order it on the side. I did like how the flavors came together. I also had the chocolate torte which was rich and decadent. I left here a little squeamish from what I witnessed. After all, I was seated at a booth table with a full view of the open kitchen. I noticed the food runner repeatedly touching his nose then the plates of food. I watched him reset a table and was touching the silverware by the tines, the part that goes in your mouth, rather than the handles. I'm not sure if the hands had been washed when he added by hand garnish to my dessert. I immediately removed the garnish but should have returned the dish to get it remade. Also, a table of six was seated then left a few minutes later and the glasses and silverware were not replaced while I was there, leaving me to assume they were not replaced for the next guests. I also noticed the restaurant had many cameras, so these hygiene lapses were likely recorded. For an upscale spot, these hygiene issues were disappointing. I truly enjoyed the flavors and the atmosphere, and I would be happy to return in the future if I could be confident that basic hygiene and service protocols were being strictly followed. I'd particularly love to come back and try the strawberry cake next time.