This is one of our go to places. The food is awesome. Monday and Tuesday it is buy one get one…read morefree. Service was good. Ambiance is that this is a small restaurant. It tends to be noisy and I would say reservations are a must. However the food is great.

Went here for Easter Brunch... unusual, food was buffet…read morestyle yet served behind the bar. some of it was deliciou, but a lot of misses. for example the prime rib lacked seasoning and the creamy horseradish,.lacked horseradish. the deviled eggs were left out and as one knows after awhile the eggs look terrible. based on what was available the $50 per person is overpriced. what really bothered me was the fact they charged 18% gratupity for a buffet! what is really bad is that they never mentioned it, just charge. not acceptable. the stuff flounder was dry and very fishy. We will not go back...

Snapperz Grill & Steam Bar has one of the best simple shrimp boils I've ever had. Nothing overly…read morefancy -- just perfectly done steamed shrimp, kielbasa, corn, and potatoes -- but somehow it always hits exactly right. Now that we're older and no longer feeding growing boys with endless appetites, one shrimp boil is actually perfect for the two of us to split. There's something really enjoyable about sitting down together, sharing a simple meal, and realizing that's more than enough. Sometimes the best local spots are the ones that don't overcomplicate things, and Snapperz does this one exceptionally well.

We've eaten at the Snapperz in Emerald Isle, so we gave Snapperz a whirl in Morehead City since we…read moreare vacationing nearby. Great experience on a busy Mother's Day. Our server, Cameron was outstanding. She was even able to get my wife a margarita that wasn't on the drinks menu. I had the Bob Marley fish sandwich with those amazing Snapperz fries! Cooked to perfection. My wife got fish tacos and she gobbled them down quickly. My daughter also got some fish and it was enough to feed two. We all left full and happy. Again, thanks to our server, Cameron, and the whole staff. They even held the door open for us as we departed. Great dining experience.

I had a truly wonderful evening with my family. Our waiter was exceptional! He guided us through…read moremany creative choices from drinks,appetizers and entrees. The menu wasn't the same old thing! We all agreed that the top choice were the crab cakes and the delicious sides accompanying that dish. The chicken pesto dish came in second.Grouper was very good,but not outstanding. The grits in my scallops recipe needed to be enriched with cream and/or butter. At their price point I feel the dish needs to be the best I have tasted! Do not get me wrong,I will be returning for special occasions. So far, Parrott's on 11th is my favorite restaurant in the Beaufort and Morehead City area. Can't imagine how good it will be once they up there game a tiny bit more! Atmosphere very Southern and chic. Make reservations soon!

Parrott's is a lovely restaurant somehow fit into a historic house just off the main drag in…read moreMorehead City. The menu is creative both for food and drinks, and you're definitely going to need a reservation to get seated. While you're there expect top notch service, and food that is really good, but at least in my experience, falling a bit short of the excellence the prices are aiming for. We were all kind of hungry and thirsty when we came in, having spent the day on Shackleford island, and being shut down at every turn by the restaurant we stopped into first hoping to have some appetizers (they were out of everything we asked about). This boded well for Parrott's, we got several apps and cocktails in addition to our mains. Unfortunately, it was really those apps that I felt fell short. Our waiter talked up the lamb meatballs to the point where we were really expecting to be blown away, and ultimately, they were pretty ordinary, and just two of them, making it hard to split amongst 6 people. Same could be said for the pork belly bbq skewers, they were small and didn't thrill any of us. The main courses made up for those shortcomings, a couple of us got the grouper, there was a scallops and grits order, a delicious pesto chicken pasta, and some crab cakes that I ended up being pretty jealous of because they stole the show. These mains were a good size helping, and each robust in their own ways, showcasing creativity and excellence in the kitchen. In the end, for the amount of the bill, you expect everything to be top notch up and down, and it fell short of that to me... but not so drastically so that I wouldn't recommend the place to others, with the caveat to have appetizers somewhere else first.

Stopped by for a quick snack before the aquarium. We were seated quickly and our drinks orders were…read moreplaced immediately. We opted for the Thai chili smoked wings and duck fat fries. I also got a fruity cheesecake sour. The wings were extremely good... yummy flavor, and you could taste the smokiness in every bite! The duck fat fries were fried nicely, but I didn't get any duck flavor. The sour paired nicely with the football watching-esque food! Our waitress was busy but made sure we were doing alright! The restaurant is super cute with unique decorations and will def be back to try their entrees when in the area again. The food coming out looked amazing!

Went here for dinner the other night, not even realizing that there was a back room/ bar area!!!…read moreAll of the football games were on and it was a really cool atmosphere!!! great service, great bartender, and waitress!!! the food.... The duck fat fries were amazing along with the Shishido pepper appetizer! That's all I really actually needed and I could've eaten the peppers all by myself!!! I also had the fungus among us pizza!!! it was good, but our friend had the brisket burger (I think that's what it was called) and I had a bite. It was amazing. I'd probably have to get that next time we go.!!!! if you're in the area definitely check it out!!!! We're definitely going back and next time I won't jump into my food and I'll try to list some photos!!!!

The service was fast and efficient, and the staff was incredibly friendly! Special shoutout to…read moreAmber for doing an amazing job! The drinks were sweet and delicious, and the food came out quickly, hot, and full of flavor. The salmon paired perfectly with the balsamic and the grits were rich, cheesy, and absolutely delicious. The restaurant was beautifully decorated for Christmas and is located right across from the ocean. Highly recommend!

I had the blacken shrimp and friend had the stuffed grouper both where great. We shared a slice of…read moretheir yummy cheesecake our waitress was on top of it our water was never empty and she always checked in to see if we needed anything. The ambience is great their nice calm and relaxing for a nice peaceful meal

Great food and great prices! I will definitely be back again when I'm visiting Morehead City!read more

Home style cooking, seasoned to perfection. Great price. Prime Rib special is absolutely the best!read more

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.

In my many trips to the AB area, I've driven by the old Mosquito often but it's always, always,…read morealways packed no matter the time of year. New plan for this trip. Step one should be the same for everyone. Get there when they open at 4:45 because damn does this place get busy quick even on weekdays. When I rolled into the parking lot at 4:40, I had probably 15-20 already at the door. Step two, if you get there at open, consider bar seating. Clam Chowder - Scalloped Scallops - Key Lime Pie I'll just keep it at this. Is anything I ordered going to reinvent the culinary wheel? No, and one could argue that the only negative here is that most everything is on the pricey side. But with that said, everything was extremely consistent, everything was brought out perfectly timed, my cup never runnethed (sure, it's a word) empty and the bar staff are all excellent conversationalists. Also one big upside, the ambiance. The bar area is kept dark as it should be in any bar type situation and the music selection was mostly a fantastic mix of classic R&B and Blues. Can't tell you the last time I enjoyed seafood while listening to John Lee Hooker (well, I can and it would be never which is why my mind was sort of blown). Groaney, groan, groan on some of the pricing but the overall situation here is worth the five stars. I get the hype and I get why it's always busy. Also, kudos to the owner who was up front and making sure to thank every single person that walked by/out the door. Very classy.

Can't go wrong here. We enjoyed the drinks, food, etc. We ordered 2 things that they came later and…read moresaid they were out which was disappointing. Settled on the fried pickles instead of buzz-buzz shrimp they were out of. They were good and the sauce was awesome. I had the mixed seafood grill which was excellent. Service was very friendly, etc. We will be back when we come visit our son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren.

All always goes well The Dive bar to Dive in…read moreBeen going here for about 6 years My go to place after the beach Anytime for a cold one. Couldn't recommend enough

You can get food from next door at the Bait Box. Service was good. It's a dive bar that serves…read moremostly locals but that's my kind of place. Everyone was super friendly and laid back. Drinks were a good price and we had a great time there.

fast service even with the place packed out workers where friendly low price for the amount of food…read moreand taste.

We visit Morehead twice a year and Banks is always on the list of places to go. The food. Is…read morealways good and the server is attentive. Ambiance is nothing special but the grits are the best we have ever had and we love in the south. Thanks to them. Try the island jam, so good.