The summer season at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk is in full swing, and here’s the rundown on where to find some of the beachside eats you’re craving, from burgers to barbecue and more.
Carolina Smokehouse
9 Pavilion Ave. S.
With the hashtag #beachin’bbq, Carolina Smokehouse is serving up real pit barbecue and cold drinks.
Both the lunch and dinner menus offer barbecue plates and sandwiches featuring pulled pork, chicken and beef, as well as pork ribs and half chickens and burgers with a choice of sides. Guests will also find bang bang shrimp and apps such as fried pickles, homemade onion rings and Mama Mel’s shrimp and crab dip.
With a full bar, plenty of cold beer on tap and a roof deck overlooking the water, this may just be the best spot on the beach for barbecue.
Nauti Dogs
5 Cape Fear Blvd.
This nautical-themed hot dog joint on the boardwalk invites guests to get Nauti in CB with signature dogs ranging from the traditional Carolina Dog to the Jamaican
Me Nauti.
The global lineup includes a German Dog, an Italian Sausage, a Chicago Dog, a Cali Turkey Dog and the Beyond Mi Bratwurst.
Nauti Dogs also offers Deconstructed Dogs such as the Beyond Bowl with sliced Beyond bratwurst served over a bed of superfood slaw, and the Keto Guido with sliced Italian sausage atop sauteed broccoli rabe and roasted red peppers.
But if dogs are not your thing, never fear; Nauti Dogs also serves chicken salad, a BLT, house and Caesar salads and a variety of starters. And for the truly Nauti, plenty of beer, wine and cocktail options.
Nollies Taco Joint
3 Pelican Ln.
Just off the north end of the boardwalk is Nollies Taco Joint, which has been serving up So-Cal-style tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos and salads for nearly five years. The skate-themed restaurant is as colorful as it is lively. Nearly every menu item has a skateboarding reference in its name, making this a must-stop for shredders of all ages.
Nollies No Comply Nachos are made with homemade chips, kickin’ queso, shredded cheese, black beans, scallions and a choice nearly a dozen seafood, meat and meatless toppings.
Tacos include the Airwalk Asada, the Method Mahi and the Power Slide Pork. Kick Flip Quesadillas come with a choice of fillings and sides of house-made pico and sour cream.
Nollie’s has a rotating selection of beers on tap, as well as canned beer, wine and champagne. Don’t forget to check out the daily homemade desserts.
Fork n Cork
102 Cape Fear Blvd.
While Fork n Cork’s downtown location is often jammed, the beach location is considerably more spacious, offering ample indoor and outdoor seating.
Not only does the beach location offer nearly all the same menu items as downtown, it also offers some of the barbecue favorites that were found at Bone & Bean, owner James Smith’s barbecue joint on Carolina Beach Road that closed last year.
While many flock here for the burgers, Fork n Cork has a dozen sandwiches on the menu, as well as flatbreads and salads. Although the portions are extremely generous, several of the appetizers such as the Classic or Texas Poutines, Rattlesnake Bites and Wellington Bites are not to be missed.
Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
SeaWitch Café & Tiki Bar
227 Carolina Beach Ave. North
The SeaWitch Café & Tiki Bar serves everything from brunch to late night bites and has live music throughout the summer.
Menus focus on fresh seafood with appetizers such as Carolina crab dip, peel-and-eat shrimp and Ahi tuna nachos served with crispy wonton chips. Entrees feature crab cakes, shrimp and oyster baskets, shrimp scampi, shrimp and grits and mahi tacos.
Current drink specials include $1 off all wine on Wednesday, $5 Captain Morgan drinks on Thursday and $5 Bacardi Sliver on Friday.
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