Jailhouse Provisions was a decent stop during our time on Bald Head Island, but it didn't quite…read morestand out enough for me to rate it higher. Our group ordered the fried shrimp, and that was definitely the highlight of the meal. The shrimp were crispy, well-cooked, and flavorful, making for a satisfying coastal lunch. The food overall was solid, with no major issues from a quality standpoint. That said, like many places on the island, the prices felt inflated compared to what you receive (I understand some of that comes with the location). Service was another area that fell a bit short. We were dining with a group of nine, and while managing larger parties can be challenging, attentiveness was lacking throughout the meal. Overall, the food was good enough, especially the fried shrimp, but the combination of higher prices and underwhelming service kept this in three-star territory for me.

2026: Smaller shrimp, smaller portion and no longer locally caught (I inquired). Slaw seemed like…read moreit had been made day or more before because purple coloring from the cabbage had stained rest of slaw- that doesn't happen typically when fresh. (I know , I know - what do I expect on the 'off season'...I'm living and learning) Lemon aioli wasn't my favorite. Don't think will return for prices and taste/portion. I know it's off season but never got a water refill and had to find server to ask for check.

Hard to rate considering everything on this island is very expensive (understandably)…read more 4 stars feels valid given the context of the location and the friendly service they provide. Plus the outdoor seating has a beautiful view. The wings were very solid. And so was the burger--though it most definitely is not a smash burger. The name should be changed lol. The deep fried seafood platters were solid and what you'd expect out of a place like this.

Clean restaurant, friendly waitress, nice atmosphere, and the best hush puppies I've ever had.read more

Not so sure why this place is called American Fish Company. From what I remember this is an outdoor…read morewaterfront bar with live music. I don't remember any food at the venue either...just drinks. I think this was some sort of cannery or small fishing port and the name just stuck throughout the years. They describe themselves as "SOUTHPORT'S BEST WATERFRONT PUB" - https://americanfishco.com/ Cool place to chill, and enjoy the scenery. Not a lot of seats or shade available during the hot summer months. Still, it's a nice place to grab a drink or two and enjoy some live music. The casual ambiance and the waterfront views are very nice as well. The sweltering Southern Summer heat can be a bit of an issue.

I've been a patron of American Fish for 14 years and the service my family and I received last week…read morewas a disgrace. The bartender Ben was completely rude. He spoke profanity as he was behind the bar making drinks. I've never seen that from anyone at American Fish...not sure what was going on but that was totally unacceptable and unprofessional.

Shout out to Jodie, the hostess last night at Fizzy Jane's. They were super busy, under staffed…read moreand lots of people were a little salty and impatient. Jodie kept her smile and was very gracious. We learned that she was just here for the summer to help out and was heading back to Jamaica next week. While we did wait a long time for a table and our food, the atmosphere was fun and the food, when it came, was really great. Brian, our waiter, was a champ. We rolled with it and ended up have a really fun experience and will be back. The team pulled off a great evening even though they were on a skeleton crew on a holiday weekend.

We ate at several places the weekend we were in town, and this place is the only one that deserves…read more5 stars. Great menu! Great ambience! Amazing service! Outstanding bartender! And the chef! Whoa!!! Pass the other restaurants and check out this place next time you're in Southport!

On a winter offseason January afternoon, it was a delight to see that this was open. The…read moreatmosphere and decor was classic modern and the bartender met us with a smile and immediate acknowledgment of our arrival. Are the prices high? Yes, but that is to be expected on the island. Three of us enjoyed a wonderful Bottle of Sauvignon Blanc which we took to drink outside on the back porch since it was in the 60s. Will definitely return next time on the island.

Great wine bar on the island, very cute environment but pricy wine glass options compared to the…read morebottle prices. It was packed on Memorial Day weekend but we were able to order a few glasses and cocktails at the bar pretty quickly.

Food is amazing. Try the chicken sandwich, service is quick and friendly. And you're right next to…read morethe pool with music playing and the beach breeze coming in.

From the owner: Sandbar Grille is the Shoals Club's casual poolside dining spot, perfect for families looking to…read moreenjoy a great meal without stepping away from the fun. The menu features fresh seasonal salads, sandwiches, wraps, and other light favorites, along with kid-friendly classics and refreshing daily drink specials. Whether you're grabbing lunch between swims or relaxing with a frozen cocktail by the pool, Sandbar Grille delivers a laid-back coastal dining experience with beautiful ocean views. Sandbar Grille is open exclusively to Shoals Club members, their accompanied guests, and guest pass holders.

Ports of Call is somewhere I'm going to have to come back to at some point! The grouper is some of…read morethe best fish I've had, and they have ways to make food I hadn't even considered. Who knew a sea food pot pie would be good? The waitress also did a fine job at juggling what was accidentally a complex order. The interior of the place leans into the cozy European air they try to present, and it's just a block or two from the waterfront for an after-supper walk.

When it's good, it's REALLY good. This is either the most delicious restaurant in Southport or the…read moremost average depending on the night. They seem to have quite a bit of turnover when it comes to chefs so you really never know what you're going to get. I have never had a bad meal here but I have brought multiple people who had major complaints about their dishes. The uncertainly is disappointing for the price point but I think it's somewhere everyone should try at least once. If it was consistent I would happily give 5 stars but had to go with 4.

This is a great place to hang out on a sunny day and the painkiller was delicious! The upper deck…read moreis small, but if you can grab a spot the view is awesome - just make sure to put on sunscreen. I deducted a star for the 'membership' fee and the children. I understand people popping in with their kids quickly before hopping on the boat tour, but it's a small bar so the bunch of kids taking up a whole table with their iPads (sound on) kinda ruined the chill vibe for us.

Interesting little place. Because they don't serve food it's a "private" club. But, for the amazing…read moredeal of $1.00 you can become a member and enjoy a beverage or two and a great view. Located between Fishy Fishy and Edgewater, it offers a few tables and a view! Great place to stop by and just take a few minutes and enjoy the scenery

Great service and great food good atmosphere. Definitely recommend the calabash platter, hadn't got…read morepast it yet to try anything else but love coming here when we come down.

While visiting friends on Oak Island they took us to Duffers. While our hostess wasn't the…read morefriendliest when we came in or when she sat us, our waitress was delightful as was the rest of the staff we came in contact with. Seating and ambiance was nice and certain areas of the restaurant have better views than others of the golf course or the ocean. Two of us got mixed drinks which were very good as was all the food we ordered. I would definitely go back to Duffers the next time we visit.

The Lowdown: Amazing ocean views, reasonably priced drinks, friendly locals mixed with tourists,…read morefun entertainment, and an all-around great beach bar atmosphere. Our girls' trip to Oak Island continued with a stop at The Lazy Turtle, and it definitely lived up to its name--in the best way possible. Parking is located across the street, and even though the place was packed the night we visited, there was still plenty of parking available. We didn't order any food this time around, but the drinks were reasonably priced, poured well, and exactly what we needed after a day at the beach. One of my favorite parts of the evening was the crowd. It was such a fun mix of locals and visitors, and everyone we met was genuinely friendly. It's one of those places where people actually smile, strike up conversations, and make you feel welcome. The entertainment was... memorable! The DJ was wearing a parrot on his head, so naturally I was expecting nonstop Jimmy Buffett, flip-flops, and full-on island vibes. Instead, he surprised me with a completely different playlist--but honestly, it worked! The crowd was having a great time, and so were we. They also tossed out free T-shirts during one of the games, and somehow I managed to snag one! I may or may not have celebrated like I'd just won the lottery. Between the ocean views, the lively atmosphere, the friendly people, and my unexpected T-shirt victory, The Lazy Turtle ended up being one of our favorite stops on the island. If you're looking for a fun, casual place to grab a drink, enjoy the view, and soak up the Oak Island vibe, this one is definitely worth checking out.

Very disappointed in our recent visit the Lazy Turtle on Friday night. The service was more than…read morehorrible. We got there around 7:15 and left at 9 without even eating! The place was kind of busy, but there were some open tables. We checked in with hostess and she was seating an another table and said it will be a few minutes because she just gave the server a few tables. Ok, that's fine. We wait a bit and wait and wait. Finally we asked different hostess if we could wait at bar and she said sure. It's been about 25 minutes at this point and I keep seeing other tables get seated but think maybe they had been waiting inside... so she tells us to come back and check with her at 8. We get a drink ( 1 good note - outside bartender was great!) and go back to hostess at 8 and we finally get seated and wait and wait for a server. No one comes over, so we go get another drink and bartender notes that we haven't been helped yet and says he will get someone. More waiting, another table comes in and gets waited on gets their food and leaves and we still haven't been acknowledged. Employee walks by and asked if we've been helped and we said no and she's say she will get someone... nope. We go back to hostess and say what is going on??? Oh, sorry, we forgot to write it down... ??? Huh? Someone will be there in a sec. Finally, a flustered server zips by takes order and never comes back! Meanwhile another table has sat down and received their food!!! That was it, I'm so done and it's now after 9 and we have nothing... (but our drinks from bar). Not sure how they stay in business, we gave them more than enough of our patience and I just can't believe how out of hand this became and not even one sincere apology or glass of water. Sorry to say, we won't be going back and I enjoyed walking up from beach to get a drink. Extremely disappointed and hungry!!