The 12 Best Seafood Restaurants in New Bern NC (According to Me)

New Bern NC is known for its outstanding seafood restaurants – and we’ve identified seven of the best! Whether you’re looking to indulge in savory lobster rolls or satisfy your craving with an array of fresh fish dishes, these eateries are sure to deliver a top-tier dining experience.

Top 12 Places to Eat Seafood in New Bern NC

Morgan’s Tavern & Grill

Address: 235 Craven St, New Bern, NC 28560, United States
Map: Click here
Rating: 4.7 (2832)
Phone: +1 252-636-2430
Website: Link
Opening hours:

Monday: Closed

Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Thursday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Friday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Saturday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Sunday: Closed
Reviews:

Had lunch here today and it was fabulous! They were very busy, but they handled everything perfectly. The building itself is very historic and beautiful. The service was friendly and efficient. The food was delicious! If you’re local, you probably know these things. If you’re just visiting like us, Go!! You won’t regret it. Pictured: crab dip, fried shrimp with Tavern fries and the Emily salad with Cajun shrimp.

✭✭✭✭✭ By Stephanie Adams (3 months ago)

This place is excellent. The atmosphere is cozy and rustic, but still very clean. The staff was attentive and friendly. The food and drink, phenomenal. I had the special of scallops and it was to die for. The crab dip was also insanely delicious. You certainly won’t be sorry for stopping!

✭✭✭✭✭ By Caitlin Spilker (6 months ago)

If I could give this place 6 stars, I would. The food and the services was fantastic! I had the fried shrimp and fries and I have to say it was the best I have ever had. The shrimp was so sweet and fresh. The croissants, which were drizzled with honey were to die for! Hats off to our server, Cat. She took great care of us!

Update: went back the next day for lunch and again was not disappointed. Great sandwiches and the sweet potato fries were delicious!

✭✭✭✭✭ By Valerie Jones (6 months ago)

So delicious!! You start out with the warm honey-glazed croissants, which just get your mouth watering at the sight. We had the 3 cheese Buffalo fries as an appetizer. Lunch was the “big quesadilla” salad and the Big Shrimp sub. Food was awesome, environment was homey and unique. Had a nice outdoor sitting area as well but we stayed indoors at a high top in the bar area. Very friendly and attentive staff as well. Definitely a new favorite in New Bern!

✭✭✭✭✭ By Taylor Porter (a year ago)

I dropped by for a late lunch yesterday and absolutely loved the environment and food!

The server I had was incredible and I ordered their chicken salad sandwich with some sweet potato fries. It was delicious! And I ended up having leftovers for dinner. I love the ambiance of this place and the sandwich was made perfectly! I’ll definitely return again soon. 🥰

✭✭✭✭✭ By Nadine Howe (3 months ago)

Moore’s Olde Tyme Barbeque Chicken & Seafood

Address: 3621 Dr. M.L.K. Jr Blvd, New Bern, NC 28562, United States
Map: Click here
Rating: 4.3 (1773)
Phone: +1 252-638-3937
Website: Link
Opening hours:

Monday: 10:30 AM – 9:00 PM

Tuesday: 10:30 AM – 9:00 PM

Wednesday: 10:30 AM – 9:00 PM

Thursday: 10:30 AM – 9:00 PM

Friday: 10:30 AM – 9:00 PM

Saturday: 10:30 AM – 9:00 PM

Sunday: 10:30 AM – 9:00 PM
Reviews:

This Texan was fortunate to venture into beautiful New Bern, NC and try some of the world famous North Carolina bbq. This place was recommended by several locals. I had the chopped pork and my wife had the spiggy(baked potato). Perhaps Carolina bbq is an acquired taste as there was a line wrapped around the building. The service was excellent and everyone was especially nice, but the food. Oh the food. The bbq tasted like cured dirty dish water. The macaroni was devoid of seasoning and tasted like cheesy plain doughnuts. The hush puppies were okay. My wife didn’t finish the potato. We tried adding their hot sauce but that didn’t work. Hopefully we get to try another place as one sampling doesn’t define an area or a style and anyone can have an off day.

✭✭✭ By John Augillard (7 months ago)

On my visit I had a great amount of portions. Their chicken is kind of salty. My sides were so good. If I would go to any Moore’s I would go to this location. The food is delicious. Thank you Moore’s Barbeque of New Bern!

✭✭✭✭✭ By Fanecia Daye (4 months ago)

BBQ sandwich delicious and so tender. Love the addition of coke slaw. Served with a generous portion of French fries. Serves is quick, .Wait staff very friendly. Fun atmosphere.

✭✭✭ By Barbara Parsons (3 months ago)

From out of town. Intrigued by the idea of a collard sandwich. Love collards. But the intrigue wasn’t quite strong enough to lure me away from delicious Eastern NC BBQ. Hope they keep the collard sandwich on the menu for next visit!

✭✭✭✭✭ By Glenda Aultowski (a month ago)

Had a good meal while listening to a local band. Food was ready quickly and very good. A bit cheaper than the other BBQ boace up the road, so a win all around!

✭✭✭✭✭ By Alan Clegg (2 months ago)

Outback Steakhouse

Address: 111 Howell Rd, New Bern, NC 28562, United States
Map: Click here
Rating: 4 (1761)
Phone: +1 252-672-9394
Website: Link
Opening hours:

Monday: 4:00 – 10:00 PM

Tuesday: 4:00 – 10:00 PM

Wednesday: 4:00 – 10:00 PM

Thursday: 4:00 – 10:00 PM

Friday: 4:00 – 11:00 PM

Saturday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM

Sunday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Reviews:

Very disappointing. Absolutely horrible experience. This was a second try at the same place. There won’t be a 3d. For the price I sure expected more than low rate fast food.

Someone called me and left a message. I tried to return the call 2x with no answer, no voicemail.

✭ By cshaeffer123 (2 weeks ago)

Wife and I went tonight for our 45th. Anniversary and they made it extra special. They were attentive and even comped us a Thunder and Lightning dessert.
Next time we’re in New Bern we’ll be back!!

✭✭✭✭✭ By Jim Tyndall (6 months ago)

I had the pleasure to meet Laina at curbside this afternoon! Her personality was just excellent. She greeted me with a smile and even asked how my day was going so far. She was very professional when taking my order and when giving me my order. Laina handed me my bag and restated my order let me know everything was in the bag..Customer Service is important to me.. I left Outback filling great.

✭✭✭✭✭ By TAEJON OWENS (2 months ago)

Hands down the worst dining experience I’ve had in years. We were seated rather promptly in the bar area booths but that is where the service stopped. We saw who I would guess was our waiter one time and made the entire drink, app, and food order at the same time. Once the drinks arrived we never saw a refill the entire time even after asking multiple times to different people. Dishes were not picked up once from our table and between courses we had many start to pile up. The cheese fries were so cold the cheese never melted. My steak was burnt on one side and looked to have never hit the grill on the other. My daughters chicken tenders were fried so hard and burnt that you couldn’t even eat them and her “mixed fruit” was one strawberry cut 4 times a half of an oranges. The loaded potato soup tasted like they took the water of boiled potatoes and just cut a baked potato in it, it was absolutely disgusting. Where was a manager you might ask? One was chatting with some people at the bar the entire time we were there and the other was so running around trying to act like a manager rather than being one. All in all it was a pure waste of money and an experience that no one should have to endure. We paid, left most the food still on the table, and left.
Good luck!

✭ By T Phillips (a year ago)

Really good service. Walked in, seated right away. Drinks and bread were prompt. Bloom’in Onion came out well before our order. Food was great, served very hot. Waitress was friendly and the restaurant over all was very nice. It can be a little pricey, but good service helps. Cheers

✭✭✭✭✭ By 1mangoldrush (a month ago)

Captain Ratty’s Seafood

Address: 202 Middle St, New Bern, NC 28560, United States
Map: Click here
Rating: 4.2 (1700)
Phone: +1 252-633-2088
Website: Link
Opening hours:

Monday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Thursday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Friday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Saturday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Sunday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Reviews:

With a lot of competition in downtown New Bern you have to be good to survive. This is a very nice place to eat. We were met at the door by a friendly guy who walked us to the hostess desk, then we were escorted to a table. Our waiter came right away and took our drink order. For appetizers, We got tuna guac, which has small chunks of sushi-like tuna in guacamole and fresh chips. We also shared fried green tomatoes. Both dishes were a step above what we’re used to. I like to try the shrimp and grits wherever I go, just to see how many ways it can be prepared. Here, it was a broth over some of the creamiest grits I’ve ever had, and lots of fresh tasting shrimp. My wife got oysters with arugula. My daughter got crab cakes. It was all delicious and we were too full to even consider dessert. Oh yeah, dinner includes a salad bar which has a selection of veggies to choose from, as well as some soups.

✭✭✭✭✭ By Dennis s (2 months ago)

Considering the reviews, I wanted to give this place a try. First of all, despite the restaurant’s claim to be a seafood restaurant, the menu was not at all what I had expected. I guess I had hoped for more choices. The Choose Three Seafood Basket, which costs $19.95, is the only dish I want to focus on. It included a tiny bowl with perhaps five oysters in it and two skewers each holding four little scallops and five medium-sized shrimp. It also comes with one side, which I decided to be the bland coleslaw. The fact that this is all I received for $20 astonished me when it first came out. It should have been embarrassing for the chef and restaurant owners to serve this food. I’ve had both good and bad seafood over the course of my life, but this was by far the worst. The shrimp was very overcooked and the oysters were also terrible. Not to mention, the $20 they charge you is not at all reasonable. The onion rings that someone else with me ordered and the water were the best parts of the entire meal. Extremely disappointing for a location that calls itself a seafood restaurant.

✭ By Brandy M (5 months ago)

5/5 would definitely recommend! I didn’t get the seafood (I got the chicken breast), but the food was delicious and filling and the seafood seemed to be great quality as well! There is a very good soup and salad bar and many menu options for everyone! Service was great as well and our food came very quickly. All of the servers and employees were very friendly. The dessert was great too. I would definitely recommend it if you’re visiting downtown New Bern. 🦐

✭✭✭✭✭ By Caleb Jones (9 months ago)

Food was great! The service was so good. Not only was our waitress super friendly and helpful,so was the other waitress!!!! Talking to us recommending places to go!!! We had such a great experience

✭✭✭✭✭ By Esther munoz (5 months ago)

My friend and I went here for breakfast this morning. We had NO idea they had a breakfast buffet until today. It was delicious! They have French toast, biscuits and gravy, cheesy grits, link and patty sausage, bacon, fruit, scrambled eggs, loaded hash browns and an omelette station where the chef makes fresh omelettes or pancakes to order. The staff was very attentive and super friendly. The owner even stopped by to say hello. I think this may have to be a new Saturday thing. It was absolutely delicious.

✭✭✭✭✭ By N “Linagirl” (2 months ago)

Mj’s Raw Bar and Grille

Address: 216 Middle St, New Bern, NC 28560, United States
Map: Click here
Rating: 4.6 (1694)
Phone: +1 252-635-6890
Website: Link
Opening hours:

Monday: Closed

Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Thursday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Friday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Saturday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Sunday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Reviews:

Good seafood recommended by hotel staff. Excellent service, fresh fried Cod and Chips. Food came out fast, I greatly appreciated it, as I was starving. Easy walk from the hotel. I took my car though as it was a windy and cold December day. Found free street parking in front of restaurant! Yay!!!

✭✭✭✭✭ By Kristina Hailey (a month ago)

Update: Went back again. I think this is my new fav place! Fish and chips, shrimp salad sandwich, clam chowder, and the crab topped pretzel (OMG amazing!)

Great little place. Didn’t expect much, and it exceeded our expectations. Nice variety on menu so seafood lovers, and non-seafood eaters had plenty of choices. For an app we had the crazy shrimp appetizer. Delicious. The New England clam chowder was phenomenal. Loaded with clams! The seafood pot pie was amazing with tons of shrimp, crab, scallops, and clams. Homemade crust too! The shrimp roll was light and fresh, with a nice amount of shrimp. Service was on point as well. We will definitely be going back to work our way through the menu!

✭✭✭✭ By Tracy Antonelli (5 months ago)

Small but comfy seafood spot in the heart of downtown. Shrimp & Grits was a unique take on the classic with a spicy Thai Chili Sauce. Very good. Grouper Fish n Chips is extremely noteworthy. Friendly staff. The quest for the best Shrimp n Grits in town continues… But definitely Top 2. #1 if you’re looking for a something different. Cheers.

✭✭✭✭✭ By 1mangoldrush (6 months ago)

Do not stop but run to this quaint and lively restaurant! Best clam chowder and my oh my seafood pot pie are must haves! Great waitress and service! We hope to visit again because there were SO many yummy choices on the menu! The place was hopping in the middle of a Sunday afternoon but we got a booth right away and we ordered and received our food with hardly a wait!

✭✭✭✭✭ By Amy Hardy (10 months ago)

By far one of the better experiences in NC. Juicy oysters and some must have crab cakes. The seafood pot pie also blew my expectations! Service was great and attentive. A must try when in the New Bern area!

✭✭✭✭✭ By Xufeng Li (4 months ago)

Persimmons Waterfront Restaurant

Address: 100 Pollock St, New Bern, NC 28560, United States
Map: Click here
Rating: 4.2 (1653)

Carolina Grill

Address: 998 State Rd 1155, New Bern, NC 28560, United States
Map: Click here
Rating: 4.2 (1379)

The Chelsea

Address: 335 Middle St, New Bern, NC 28560, United States
Map: Click here
Rating: 4.6 (1325)

Musashi Japanese Steak

Address: 2041 S Glenburnie Rd, New Bern, NC 28562, United States
Map: Click here
Rating: 4.6 (977)

Friday’s 1890 Seafood & BBQ

Address: 2307 Neuse Blvd, New Bern, NC 28560, United States
Map: Click here
Rating: 3.8 (856)

Sake Hibachi Sushi & Bar

Address: 400 Hotel Dr, New Bern, NC 28562, United States
Map: Click here
Rating: 4.2 (815)

The Stingray Café

Address: 520 S Front St, New Bern, NC 28562, United States
Map: Click here
Rating: 4 (637)

Thank you for reading! We hope this list helps you find the best seafood restaurants in New Bern NC. If you have any additional information, please leave a comment below!