Milky Way martini. Enough said. This restaurant is probably the nicest restaurant in Emerald Isle and the prices are higher than most other restaurants in the area. However, the food here is delicious and I feel the prices are justified. I've been here a couple of times, cannot recall what I ordered on the first visit, but on my most recent visit I had the shrimp & grits, after my mom had talked them up most of our trip. I am a big fan of shrimp & grits and these were the best I have had. First of all, they came with a lot of shrimp and second, they were loaded with bacon and mushrooms, which is never a bad thing. The flavor of the dish was fantastic. My husband got their pesto-crusted grouper topped with lump crab meat, which was a special that night. The bite I had of this was very good, especially the crab on top. We finished our meals with Milky Way martinis (another suggestion by my mom, who has been here several times). These were a perfect way to end our meal and I loved the shaved chocolate that was on top. Their martini list was impressive, and I'd like to go back and try a few of the other types. Our server was very attentive and all-in-all this was a great meal at the beach. Don't hesitate to check this place out when visiting Emerald Isle! read more

HORRIBLE customer service and. Manager was rude and unnecessarily irate (screamed WTF into the phone) for being asked if it were possible to accommodate a large party. Someone from the restaurant even called BACK to tell us not to bother coming and to show up "at our own risk." During a pandemic where small businesses are struggling, it's absolutely appalling to witness a small restaurant turn away patrons willing to support their bottom line. We vacation here annually and will never consider visiting OR recommending this disappointing restaurant. What a shame. read more

For where this is and what surrounds it, I give it a 4. I think it's pretty good, the food seemed a little expensive, but I think it's one of the "nicer" restaurants on the island. It's not a huge place but enough room for lots of people, a bar in the front that you can probably wait at if there is a wait. Not much room to wait in the front of the building. I ordered the Seafood Coquina and it was really good, I wish there were more, the portions don't seem to be huge for the price but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I've never had scallops before and they were good. I'm a huge fan of shrimp so that's why I got it. There weren't as many vegetables that I wanted, squash and zuccini. Very nice decorations and the staff seemed friendly. read more

I really loved the crabcakes--the best I've ever had and I've been a life-long Marylander! The warm bread and olive oil was tasty as well. Fairly expensive. read more

The meal was delicious but to be honest a bit overpriced for what we got. The martinis were good and a large variety to choose from.

Excellent meal for all six of us! We started with the fresh bread and olive oil, always a hit. Don't forget to order your favorite martini. If you need a suggestion the bartender has been there for 12 years and is amazing. The grouper special was fresh with loads of crab underneath. The lobster special presentation was beautiful and a hit with my two female friends. I ordered the filet special, cooked to perfection with grilled shrimp, fresh asparagus, and mashed potatoes. Coffee was freshly brewed and the chocolate lava cake was big enough to to split around the table. Our waiter was attentive but not overbearing, no rush even with people waiting to be seated. Remember they do not take reservations so show up early or just enjoy the bar until a table opens up. We have been coming here for years and have never had s bad meal or experience. Enjoy! read more

Kathryn's - Grouper special at Kathryn's! - American Near Me - Emerald Isle, North Carolina

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Always the best food on the island! We went with a party of 5 and was sat right away. The martinis are always amazing and I love the seafood there!! read more

Kathryn's - Had to take a couple bites before the picture. - American Near Me - Emerald Isle, North Carolina

I am not usually a martini drinker, but after reading their extensive martini menu, I decided to take the plunge. The fuzzy martini was delicious! Warm French bread started our meal, followed by the firecracker shrimp appetizer. Yum! The grouper special and the pork tenderloin entrees were divine. Next time, I will try a beef dish. This is a must-visit when in Emerald Isle! read more

I believe in giving a restaurant 2nd chances, so my wife and I have given Kathryn's a 2nd chance, I even requested Erin (AGAIN) as our waitress. I'm STILL IMPRESSED because we ordered something different this time We wanted to go somewhere different which was a month ago. I had the Salmon Fillet and my wife had Soft Shell Crab w/SHRIMP, but the best part of it was when Erin repeated everything we ordered down to the beverages from memory. This time I order the Pork Tenderloins, Lemon Jasmine Rice & Corn. My wife has the Grouper we both had sweet tea w/lemons on the side. The only regret is I forgot to write the review from the 1st time but I found the photo from the 1st time experience, so I've included them. We will drive from Jacksonville in a heartbeat for the meals at Kathryn's. If you decide to make this place your dining experience for the evening ask for Erin, I promise you will not forget it!!! read more

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We had an amazing dinner at Kathryn's. Started with a delicious dirty martini at the bar. Had a perfectly cooked ribeye and soft shell crabs. Our server Michael made sure everyone had a terrific time. He's the best server on the island! read more

The food is great but the staff and waiters are rather snobby and rude. Doesn't effect me much but it is rather disrespectful.

Had a very solid meal here on our last night in EI. While it does not look like much from the outside, being in a strip mall with a fairly simple sign, the inside is attractive and clean. Our server was friendly, attentive, and very knowledgeable about the menu. We ordered appetizers, including the crab dip and a mix of fried seafood. The fried seafood was delicious. It came with very good dipping sauce and all of the seafood was tender. The crab dip was cheesy and served with crackers, also very good. One member of our party ordered an espresso martini from their extensive martini menu. He enjoyed it and remarked that they were generous with their pour. For dinner most of us ordered the night's fresh catch, a Parmesan-encrusted grouper with vegetables and two lobster ravioli on the side. The lobster ravioli were beautifully made and very good. The grouper was also very good but seemed to lack some seasoning. The drizzle of sauce on the top was not quite sufficient to cut the dryness added by the Parmesan crust. But the fish was cooked very well and was tender and moist overall. One note- one member of our group ordered the scallops and they were seared with some sort of sweet, cinnamon flavored sauce. I didn't particularly care for it, but the person who ordered it loved it. So your mileage may vary on the scallop dish. Overall a great tasting meal in a nice, relaxed environment. read more

Yes it's in a strip mall, but it was really yummy! I had the flank steak and my husband had scallops and they were both DELISH! Worth the short wait, and it was a little pricier than most places in EI. They have a long martini list and some reasonable wine choices. Check it out if you want more than your average beach dinner while visiting EI! read more

We have been coming to Kathryn's for years as it is one of my uncle's favorite restaurants in the area. Though the menu has not changed in that span of time, the meals I have had were delicious. Our last server was short at best, but I will give her the benefit of "we all have bad days" even though it was awkward to the point of is glancing at one another to confirm her tone being harsh. Other than the vegetable Napolitano, little is offered for vegans. Our server described a process of simply taking things off the plate and adding nothing back...and yet you pay the same? The stars average higher based on past experiences, but I think we have grown bored. read more

This was about as good a restaurant as you can find at the beach. We stuck to the meat dishes, which were credibly done. The drinks were, however, generously poured, and well made. The service we received was also good. All in all a pleasant experience, if you're not expecting a lot. Make it 31/2 stars. read more

The service was great. Our waiter was really knowledgeable and good. The food was excellent. We had a mix of seafood and steak ordered. Everyone loved the food. The restaurant is small and the wait can be long but it is worth it. read more

We didn't eat, but the martinis were delicious and we got two deserts that were also very good! The only complaint was the hostesses were the rudest and incompetent, I've encountered in awhile. She literally had no idea what was going on and we ended up seating ourselves and having to get our own extra chair as she sat there and watched, dirty looks were included free. For this reason I'm giving them a 4, hire people who make a good first impression on your business. read more

Ordered the salmon fillet and it was perfect! Really liked the lemon rice and steamed veggies too. read more

Kathryn's - American Near Me - Emerald Isle, North Carolina

Went to try a martini and since the bar was packed we took their offer on a table. However, apparently you have to "eat dinner" to sit at a table. Pretty strange and ridiculous if you ask me. Nothing taken because I am at the torpedo lounge now enjoying a drink anyway. read more

Best crab cakes I've ever had! I wish their restaurant was overlooking the water as that would make the dining experience more enjoyable than the strip mall location where it currently resides. I've been here several times with my husband over the years when we go visit the coast and the food has always been pretty good. Some times better than others so there is a slight consistency problem in the kitchen I think but nothing has ever been bad. read more

The food was absolutely amazing! We had the filet and lobster tail and both were great. The staff was very friendly and accommodating to us and our 4 month old son. We will be back! read more

Three of us visited this restaurant the second night we arrived in Atlantic Beach. Make a reservation for Wednesday night's 1/2 price bottles of wine! A Bellini Tini and the dirty martinis were refreshing! The Oysters Decadence appetizer is fabulous! The she crab & corn soup was interesting and tasty! Two of us ordered the grouper special of the night ... It was delicious! My best friend ordered the Filet Mignon, which was so tender you could cut with a fork! This hidden gem is SO good we've visited twice in a week! Try it, you won't be disappointed! read more

We have been coming to Kathryn's for many, many years. And we love the place. However I was shocked when I went to pick up take out in early January and saw the 2 bartenders tending bar without a mask (and about 8 people at the bar with no spacing). The hostess, waiter, and owner had masks, but the bartenders, who were close to the patrons, did not. I have always loved this place; the food, the drinks. Have had many wonderful meals here. And I understand the hardship, but really? Just tell the bartenders to wear a mask like the rest of us. I guess the owners are not concerned with the rampant spread of COVID in NC. I expected more. Pretty short sighted. Good luck to everyone who has recently visited. read more

Amazing!!! Great place, service and FOOD!! Loved the Grouper & Parmesan Shrimp w a sweet Thai Sauce. Hubby had filet with crab meat. Couldn't be any better. Definitely the best food on EI. A little pricey but worth it. You get what you pay for. Get a prickly pear martini too - very nice. read more

Great food and atmosphere. The crab dip appetizer was amazing. Staff was very friendly and they were taking the right precautions to keep people safe read more

Restarting is a little small but has a great atmosphere. Food was very good , I would recommend the Chicken Alfredo m. Will definitely be back. read more

Great food, great service but lacking in ambience and sound levels were terribly loud. I would go back if they could mitigate the high school basketball court acoustics. But again, great food and service. read more

We stop in here every summer for a great meal out. The quality of the food and wait staff is very consistent and high. If you want to leave your kids at home one night and have a grown up meal during summer vacation this is the place to be! read more

my favorite restaurant to work at the staff is wonderful bartenders are great and the people that are coming all the time or and they're just very friendly people and I just love where I work at. If you've never been here I recommend it read more

absolutely the worst dinning experience I have ever had. went with a group 12 friends we were seated at 2 tables. that was no big deal. Waitress came took drink orders at same time for both tables. After that things went down hill. one table was served their meal and waiting for their checks. our table was still waiting for our food. We brought this to the attention of the waitres. She started making excuses that she did not know we were all together... the hostess walked us all in together and she saw us all walk in together. 20 minutes later our food came. it was so overcooked and dry it was not eatable. We sent the food back and said we no longer wanted the meal because, it was not eatable and the couple we came with had finished their meal half an hour ago. One of the couples at our table had gotten so upset they simply walked out. They tried to bill us for their meal that was not eatable either and ours that we had sent back and did not even eat. My husband was livid. They expected us to pay $150+ for 2 glasses of beer, an appetizer that was over cooked and meals that were not fit to eat. Manager did not even offer to make good on any of the food or the nightmare experience. Needless to say there are now 12 people who will never be darkening the doors of this establishment again. read more

We were at Emerald Isle for almost three weeks...got back home last Thursday night. Normally we most always eat dinner at the rental house. Go to Capt Phillips/Swansboro and buy some fresh caught seafood, good bottle of wine and we have a fabulous dinner!!! We will go out to lunch maybe a half dozen times in the course of almost 20 days. For some reason, we decided to eat dinner out. It was cloudy, windy and after reading reviews, we chose Kathryn's. HUGE HUGE HUGE MISTAKE. Waste of money and time. First of all, you walk in and it looks like a tricked up Walmart lunch area. Does not convey fine dining as it advertises. Our server was young, attractive and mostly bored or didn't care at all. She would reply to my questions with almost a rolled eye look. The crab cake appetizer was good. The oyster appetizer was terrible with tiny, canned oysters and will only three on the plate. We both ordered the special which was the grouper. We waited a good long while for our dinner (had probably 7 tables filled). Finally they came out. On our plates was the grouper which was hot and overcooked along with an ice cream scoop of cold, sticky rice and mushy steamed veggies. Neither one of us ate our whole dinner. The dinner cost $124+ with three glasses of terrible wine, no desert. Outrageous! We wanted to like this place but in the end, just a huge regret. Do not go here to eat. Maybe they make their money on the drinks and the food is secondary. read more

Have been going here for several years now. Generally we go in December and then again in late spring, (May). The food is great the cocktails fun. Been there 4 or 5 times now and we always have a good time. Unlike the person complaining about the hours we walked in almost before it closed and they were wonderful had a great dinner we apologized when we realized they were almost closing they said do not worry have a good time, and it was. read more

1st time dining at Kathryn's, the food was very tasty. The atmosphere very nice. Social distancing was good. The dinning area was very clean. They wore their mask which was nice and respectable for all there. We all had a really enjoyable evening at Kathryn's. read more

I enjoyed a perfect gin martini. Then my dinner was Shrimp and Grits:BIG sweet shrimp and stone ground grits in a sauce of mushrooms, bacon with a hint of lemon and tobasco. My wife had 2x Scallops because she's allergic to shrimp in a perfect Asiago cream sauce. All were nicely served by Michael our waiter Dont miss Kathryn's Martini Bar in Emerald Isle NC read more

Always go there when I'm at the beach. Drinks are well done (I'm picky) and the seafood is amazing. Much better quality than most food on EI. read more

the food was aggressively bland. the drinks were mediocre. the server was very patronizing. absolutely not worth the prices.

I really wanted Kathryn's to blow me away. I really did. I mean, the reviews here lead me to this quaint place in a strip shopping center. I've found great food, high quality, and hidden talent in places just like this. However, from the canned ice tea to the lack luster entrees this place could use a make over. I appreciate the attempts to build a bistro-like atmosphere at the beach, but this spot doesn't hit the mark especially for the price-point. Don't tell me folks from across the state/region/country feel like they are in a comparable restaurant to others. Let's get a star chef on board, I'll return and happily pay $100 for a 2-person dinner out. Until then, pass right on by this step up from an Applebee's-quality diner and keep seeking out a fine eating establishment in Emerald Isle. read more

The Ahi tuna and lamb lolli-chop appetizers were both super tasty and the dirty martinis were delicious. Also love that bottles of wine are half-priced on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. A good place to splurge as the food is definitely a step above a lot of the other seafood/steak places in the area. read more

Food was great! I'm a Martini kind of gal and they know how to make them right! Service was awesome! Will visit again if I'm ever back in town! read more

Let me start by saying that had I posted a review 2 weeks ago it would have been a lot higher, however our last experience with Kathryn's caused our party of 8 to get up and walk out before they even took our drink order. We were out celebrating my brother in law's birthday. His great aunt wanted to take us all out to celebrate. So we had 7 adults and on child (8 months old). After telling the hostess how many we had she took us to our table, mind you that my son was in a car seat when we walked in so she knew that we had a little one. Once we got to the table that is when the shocking news that they did not have any high chairs only booster seats. I do understand that it is a nice restaurant but to not have 1 single high chair shocked me. They actually expected me to place my son on the floor in his car seat while we ate. When we asked the hostess if they had kids come in there she said "No not really", put our menus down and walked away. Our son was hungry too and to expect him to behave in a car seat for an hour or so while we ate in front of him was not going to happen. Really an 8 month old who wants to see everything because he is curious. So we took our business elsewhere (Portofinos and the food and service was amazing, no wonder that is one of the only places we will eat at in Emerald Isle, they are consistent) and I know Kathryn's may not be hurting for business but I will certainly NEVER eat there again. I just don't see how much a high chair could possibly cost them, especially for as pricey as their food is! read more