Sunset Beach, North Carolina Restaurants

Sunset Beach is a small barrier island located off the coast of North Carolina, south of Wilmington and close to the South Carolina state line. It is part of the South Brunswick Islands, along with Bird Island and Ocean Isle Beach. Golf courses, a planetarium and several wonderful restaurants await you on Sunset Beach's mainland. For a unique hiking experience, follow the beachfront to South Carolina, just five miles away.

Ella's of Calabash

Just south of Sunset Beach sits a nondescript one-story white building, which houses Ella's. Family-owned since the 1950s, the restaurant specializes in Calabash-styled seafood, which is locally-caught fried seafood. Free hush puppies with honey butter begin your dining experience. Menu items include local steamed clams, Calabash shrimp, grilled tuna and create-your-own seafood platters. Non-seafood items include a salad bar, barbecue plate and spaghetti. Ella's is open daily for lunch and dinner.

Ella's of Calabash
1148 River Road
Calabash, NC 28467
(910) 579-6728
ellasofcalabash.com

Joseph's Italian Bistro

Just up the road from Sunset Beach, Joseph's Italian Bistro sits overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway on the south end of Southport. Ask to be seated on the deck to view a Carolina sunset while dining. The dining room is decorated in warm reds reminiscent of Old World Italy. The menu is filled with what the owners call "family recipes" of calamari, roasted eggplant rollatini and lasagna. Everything is made in-house, from the foccacia bread to the many desserts. An extensive beer and wine list is available, and staff members are available to suggest wine pairings. Joseph's is open for dinner Monday through Saturday.

Joseph's Italian Bistro
5003 O'Quinn Boulevard
Southport, NC 28461
(910) 454-4440
josephsitalianbistro.com

Knotts Landing Cafe and Grill

Three dining rooms are available at Knotts Landing Cafe and Grill in Southport. The outside covered deck is rustically simple, while the two indoor dining rooms are decorated in a bright Caribbean style. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday, Knotts Landing serves American fare ranging from French toast to prime rib. Other menu items at the family-friendly restaurant include ribs, seafood, sandwiches and chicken.

Knotts Landing Cafe and Grill
1102 N. Howe Street
Southport, NC 28461
(910) 457-5337
knottslandingcafegrill.com

Resources

Article Written By Jennifer Maxwell

Jennifer Maxwell is a North Carolina based writer. She received her bachelor's degree from UNC-Greensboro, and has taken master's level courses at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro. With 10 years of professional writing experience, she has written on topics ranging from energy to entertainment, religion to travel. Her work has appeared on Eclecticcuts.com, CollegePress.com, as well as in regional print publications.

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