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Fishy Fishy Cafe

3.6 (801 reviews)
ModerateSeafood, Bars
Closed • 11:00 am - 8:30 pm
Updated 3 months ago

Fishy Fishy Cafe Photos

Business Info

FISHY FISHY CAFE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Touristy
Casual
Moderate noise
Outdoor seating

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Recommended Reviews - Fishy Fishy Cafe

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Reviews With Photos

Forgot to take a picture right away, but this is fried calamari and empty Buffalo shrimp plate lol
Jenny H.

FFC has been a tradition for our family since we started coming together oak island before the turn of the century. Haven't thought to do a review til now. It's ALWAYS busy in the summer so get there early or you'll be waiting for more than an hour for parties of 5 or more. This summer was even longer! Parking is also a challenge but if you are patient a spot usually opens up. We got a table on the patio and everyone really enjoyed our experience once we got seated. For apps we got 3 to share with 6 people which worked very well for our group. Fried calamari Cajun mahi bites Buffalo shrimp I thought the the mahi bites were the best. The calamari was a little chewy, but everyone else seemed good with it. I'm not a huge calamari fan though anyways. My husband who normally doesn't like blue cheese really enjoyed the Buffalo shrimp so that's saying a lot lol. For entrées we got: Caribbean Grouper-which was the special and it was incredibly delicious. Fresh and flavorful. Probably one of the best entrées I've had at fishy fishy. Fish and Chips- a staple at fishy fishy and always good. Large fish portions and perfectly crispy. Shrimp and Grits -also a staple and something my daughter can't resist every time she comes. She says it's the best shrimp and grits from any restaurant she's had. Service is generally friendly and prompt. Can't recall ever having a bad service day here in over 25 years. I can't really fault them for being popular and waiting a long time for a table. They could probably do a better job estimating sometimes though. On this particular visit, they said 40 minutes and we ended up waiting an hour and a half.

Fish and Chips
Taisiya S.

This place was packed and the wait was about an hour long. I was visiting so I am not sure if it's always like that, but my guess is that it is a pretty poplular spot. Funny, I have watched at least 1-2 movies and a tv show that all have this place and it's beautiful views since I have been here. Ok, down to business... 3 out 5 of us ordered the fish and chips, 1 had the clam chowder, rice and a side of bread, and 1 of had nachos. My favorite hands down was the bread. Sorry no photos but they were like these lil pillows of goodness, so warm and fluffy and either they had a touch of sweetness or the butter that they serve was like heaven. I also have NEVER had fried green tomatoes and was dying to try them. But because I do not know what the "standard" is to rate them against I am not sure it would be fair. They were fried in cornmeal which I believe is standard and they had a remoulade sauce on them. So I do not know if they are supposed to be crispy on the outside like fried pickles or if they sre supposed to be soft? These were soft and the remoulade gave it a tangy sour taste. I thought they were interesting but nobody else at the table cared for them. On to the fish and chips. This is most likely one of their popular dishes because it seemed like lots of ppl had them. But at out table, all 3 orders looked like they were 3 different things. I felt like Goldilocks and the 3 fish. 1. Looked battered, crispy and fried to a dark golden perfection. This guy loved it! 2. The other was slightly lighter but from what I hear it was still good according to my NON- FISH eating hubs. His was good!! 3. I'm the one who loves fish, and I'm not sure if it is because the fish was a very large piece and not your typical fish tender type, but mine looked fried but the batter was very greasy and not crispy at all and the fish inside just felt like a big hunk that was salty butwithout a lot flavor to me. They do give you vinegar and tarter sauce. I honestly think it was just me and my taste buds that day. But I couldn't get past that the coating wasn't crispy. It looked like it would be, but it wasn't. The cole slaw was also not a hit for me and tasted very bland. Take my experience and taste buds with a grain of salt because everyone else enjoyed their food. So I rate it a 3 because it was good, but not my favorite and maybe I shoulda opted for the fried shrimp or something else? It is cute as a button and I do think visitors should check it out if they are in town.

Clam Chowder with broccoli
Melissa G.

What a pleasant surprise to find a local seafood place which isn't all fried food. We had clam chowder, beautifully balanced smoke flavor combined with fresh sea taste. Texture velvety smooth from hearty amount of cream; potatoes retained the perfect texture. Shrimp and grits were well seasoned; the addition of okra was a nice twist and cooked to perfection , lost its slimy texture and retained the right amount of crunch. Even the humble broccoli was cooked to perfection. I added a squeeze of lemon which brightest it up and was a nice contract with butter and black pepper. Portion sizes are nice. Would visit again the next time we are in town.

Crab Dip
Stephanie J.

I am so happy that Fishy Fishy was able to accommodate our party of 2 with a table located inside as Southport was so busy. To start it was a beer for me, the bourbon orange crush for my husband and the crab dip to split. For our entrees it was the bacon wrapped stuffed shrimp for me and the fresh catch for him. It was all really good and so was the service. The only thing that we did not care for was the cocktail. This is a good spot to grab dinner and/or drinks on the water.

Bacon cheese burger with sweet potato fries
Regina R.

We went here for lunch and sat outside in the beautiful sunshine with lovely views. Our server Miranda was "The best". She was Fun and personable. We ordered the bang bang shrimp tacos that were "perfection" and a bacon cheese burger that tasted like it came right off the backyard grill (sooooo good). We've been traveling for months and this was one of the best meals we've had along our journey. We'll be in the area for another week so we may have to come back one more time before we leave.

Manish C.

Seaside eating is a must when visiting Southport, and Fishy Fish Cafe is one of more spacious places on the water that visitors tend to gravitate towards. It has been used as a filming location regularly for movie and television productions over the years. As I'm not big on seafood and came here mostly for the atmosphere, I was pleasantly surprised with the lunch experience here. We went with the nachos, a chicken tender basket, and a salmon sandwich with side Caesar salad. The nachos were a huge portion perfect for sharing, and while it won't win any awards, were tasty for a place that specializes in seafood. Both the chicken tenders basket with fries and the salmon sandwich with Caesar salad were well enjoyed and much better than we were expecting. For a restaurant on the water with decent waterfront views, the kitchen delivers food in quality and flavor a notch above what you'd find at your average pub/bar. Service was quick and friendly, and checked in on us just the right amount. Overall I'd rate the food 3.5/5, but the views alone are worth the price of admission, so happy to round up to 4 stars for this enjoyable lunch experience at Fishy Fish Cafe.

My Good Boy Ottis His first time at A Restaurant
LongLive R.

Our first time in NC Oak island was super excited to try some seafood and also our dogs first time in a restaurant where he was welcomed did have to wait about 10 mins for a table for outside seating but the hostess made sure to get us sat as quick as possible. We were very serviced as well wish I could of gotten the the servers name but over all 10/10 experience the music was great the vibes were definitely there everyone was so friendly hope I could come back sooner

Fishy Chimi and fries
Tom G.

Came here for an early dinner with a party of four and was sat right away with no issues. Atmosphere is just about as seaside chic as you can get, distressed wood, bright colors, aluminum roof, it doesn't get any more stereotypical than that, but that's a good thing! You have the option of sitting inside or out, which is nice, but given the lateness in the year, we opted for the indoor option. Staff were kind, attentive and quick even as things were starting to pick up for the evening rush. We split the fried green tomatoes as a perfectly tasty and delicious appetizer to start, be careful not to burn your tongue though, they come out HOT! I got the Fishy Chimi for my main, which was a deep fried fishy delight. Also tried their chicken nachos, which on top of being delicious were enormous! You definitely get your money worth there. But affordability feels good here for everything, especially considering the quality you get too. Would definitely love to come back here in warmer weather and get to enjoy the outdoors while sipping on some refreshing drinks and trying more of the menu! Parking is pretty good in the attached lot, but it can get busy so show up early if you can.

Blackened mahi sandwich with fries and the haddock sandwich with salad
Amber R.

Five star experience in every way! View cannot be beat. Service was impeccable. The blackened Mahi could have been a little more blackened, but that is a personal preference. The haddock sandwich was among the best I've ever had!

Shrimp tacos, crispy french fries, what's not to love?
Team KP S.

Dining at this restaurant is like slipping into a comfortable pair of perfectly worn-in shoes--you know what you love, what you don't, and exactly what to expect. It's familiar, reliable, and so very comforting. On our recent trip to Oak Island, we made it a point to come for lunch on Sunday right at 11 AM when they open, which is our favorite time to visit. We chose a seat outside on the patio with our dog, enjoying the view of boats coming in and watching the restaurant gradually fill up as the post-church crowd arrived. My wife absolutely adores their shrimp tacos, and for me, it's all about the classic fish and chips. The staff is always friendly, and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming--our adorable schnauzer was a hit, with many stopping by to say hello. We've made so many happy memories at this spot over the years, and it's always a pleasure to return. To those about to nosh, we not only salute you but envy that you're there right now while we're not!

Carolina Seafood Plate
Lynne A.

Brought my Neighbor today for her 76th birthday lunch. Got here a little after 11 it was already busy. We started with bloody Mary's and fried green tomatoes. Neither of us got a buzz and tasted no booze, but they were flavorful. Fried green tomatoes a must! We both had the grilled shrimp and scallops Carolina platter. Fries were crisp fresh and so worth the calories. I would have liked some seasoning on the seafood but it came with tarter and cocktail sauce. Our waitress was attentive and friendly. At noon this place had a wait, so best to come right when they open to be seated right away. Nice view of the water. But today was way too windy to sit outside. Bathrooms and clean, always a good sign. All in all I would come again.

Garden Salad with shrimp
Quinn M.

We arrived around 1:45 on a weekday and were seated immediately with no wait. Our server Carrie greeted us and quickly had us beverages. Our party of 7 (6 adults and one 5 year old) all found something to our liking. Pros: 1.) Excellent service. Carrie provided great recommendations that our party enjoyed, including for vegetarian guests. Additionally, when one of our dishes was dropped while being delivered to the table, it was quickly remade and that person was given a side to enjoy while waiting for their plate to be remade. 2.) The food. From top to bottom, we enjoyed everything we ordered. The fish was well seasoned and well cooked. The crab cakes contained plentiful crab. The fries were crispy. 3.) The location. We sat outside right on the water with a view of the Oak Island Lighthouse. Cons: 1.) Each of the adults had an alcoholic beverage and the consensus was that they were okay, but not nearly as good as everything else on the menu. This is a very minor criticism, though, as everything else was exceptional! An excellent restaurant we visit every time we're in Southport!

Shrimp tacos

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3 months ago

Great place to eat. The clam chowder is absolutely the best I've ever eaten. The service was great as well.

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Ask the Community - Fishy Fishy Cafe

Yelp has you listed as a karaoke bar, but it seems you don't have any. Has that changed? Do you have karaoke?

Do they have live music anywhere in Southport Feb 28

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

Olivers On the Cape Fear - Ahi Tuna Appetizer

Olivers On the Cape Fear

4.1(583 reviews)
0.2 mi
•$$

Delicious food, vegetable burger, excellent service from Cathy and her delivery lady, clean, lovely…read moreambience! We will be back!

Pretty disappointed about our two most recent visits. I feel like their attention to detail and…read morequality is going down hill. Originally reviewed 2 years ago and was so pleased. We have been to the restaurant 6 times over the last several years and our visit in March 2026 and last night, May 15th 2026, has prompted me to lower the rating. First, my wife's shrimp cocktail had not been deveined, for $17 dollars would expect the few shrimp to be pristine and ready to eat. Plus the greens that were under the shrimp were not just wilted but "gooey" like they were past their due date. I had the ribeye and ordered it medium rare. It came out well done without a hint of pink. The chefs potatoes last night were a mashed variety and they were cold and stiff enough to lay brick with. Our server, Richard, was friendly enough but he came to our table a total of 4 times in the 70 minutes we were there. Even if we wanted to communicate about our meals preparation it would require for our service to have been better. The lobster bisque was excellent and my wife had a side of fries that were also good. The ambience is lovely and we like the location, but after two recent visits with really poor food and service, we won't be back. To those about to nosh, you have been warned. Go elsewhere.

Photos
Olivers On the Cape Fear - Interior

Interior

Olivers On the Cape Fear - Grilled Caesar salad

Grilled Caesar salad

Olivers On the Cape Fear - Outdoor seating on the river

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Outdoor seating on the river

Blue Cow Grille - Fried green tomato pimento cheeseburger

Blue Cow Grille

4.3(161 reviews)
0.3 mi

Took the Fort Fisher ferry over to Southport for the day, and we stopped in for an early lunch…read more They were not busy yet, which was our plan. Eat first, then do all our walking. We were greeted by very friendly staff that seated us in a back corner. No foot traffic over there. Server came by for drink orders and we had some time to look over the large menu. It is your typical diner food. Big portions and all fresh made. We tried the Henny Penny sandwich with side of fries and the Reuben with side of fries. Chicken was cooked perfectly on this wonderful roll. Looked delicious. The Reuben meat was chopped and mixed with the sauce and sauerkraut. Very easy to eat this way. And I love the marble rye bread. Not sure where they get their bread but both sandwiches were amazing. Fries were hot and crispy too. This is a great spot right in the middle of Southport. When we finished and left, almost every table was full, even outside tables. There are only about 8 tables inside, so when they are busy, I'm sure there is a wait. We will definitely return when in Southport. Give this little place a try. Great food and service right in the heart of Southport. 5 stars

Good burgers & service, in a great location. Ambience leaves a bit to be desired but overall…read morepositive experience. Prices a little on the high side but average for downtown Southport. A solid choice, especially if with teens or picky eaters.

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Blue Cow Grille - Small but great vibes on the interior

Small but great vibes on the interior

Blue Cow Grille - Grilled cheese

Grilled cheese

Blue Cow Grille - Dining area

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Dining area

Fishy Fishy Cafe - seafood - Updated May 2026

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