Beach Favorites
Kure Beach: Small Beach Town with Larger than Life Flavors
Kure Beach may be a small beach town, but it’s got a big variety of options to fill your getaway days on the island. Enjoy flavorful bites from Southern favorites to fresh seafood dishes and pork chops worth waiting in line for – all near an ocean view. Visitors can even learn about the treasured tales of the island during a food-themed tour.
Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives
Start your morning off right with a home-style breakfast and seaside views at Ocean View Restaurant. The restaurant prides itself on its timeless, neighborhood vibe and offers traditional breakfast favorites from pancakes to french toast and biscuits. It also serves lunch options including burgers, fried chicken and more.
Fuel your afternoon or evening with a burger from Kure Beach favorite Beach House Burgers. The seasonal shack offers fresh-to-order classic American fare including BLTs, French fries and the infamous Double ET – two patties with everything. Beach House Burgers offers a seasonal walk up and take out, right next to the Kure Beach Fishing Pier.
The quintessential beach bar, Bud & Joe's Sandbar is a perfect spot for a casual drink. Select a song from the jukebox, rack the pool balls and enjoy a game on the flatscreen TVs. With beer and drink specials every day, stop by for a good time and "get stranded at The Sandbar."
Island Eats
Savor a meal at Jack Mackerel’s Island Grill, a Caribbean-inspired restaurant that incorporates local, flavorful ingredients into its dishes. The island vibe and expansive menu features dishes like Island Salmon – fresh Atlantic salmon blackened and finished with a mango crab butter – and Out Island Chicken – jumbo chicken breasts with spicy jerk seasoning or a sweet Caribbean rum glaze, served with sweet plantains. Jack Mackerel’s second-floor outdoor patio is the perfect spot to enjoy a breezy lunch or dinner.
With peek-a-boo views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Kure Beach Fishing Pier, Big Daddy’s Restaurant invites you to sip on a cocktail, sample an appetizer such as Big Daddy’s Crab Dip and dine on fresh seafood, perfectly grilled burgers, sandwiches, wraps and more. You can also catch live entertainment on the weekends.
Indulge in authentic cuisine at Freddie’s Restaurant. The restaurant is famous for its eight variations of braised pork chops created with sweet and savory toppings ranging from vegetables, nuts, fruits and liqueurs. Classic Italian favorites including Chicken Parmigiana, Barb’s Special Spaghetti and Fried Calamari and Spicy Mussels are also crowd-pleasers.
Look for the colorfully painted purple storefront to perk up your day at Happy Hippies Java Hut. This beach-favorite java joint serves hot and iced coffees with fun names, like the Mermaid Magic, as well as frappes, smoothies and Kombucha. The shop also has groovy handmade stuff like handmade jewelry and wellness items.
Foodie Tours
Feast while you step back in time and learn about the interesting history of Kure Beach, Fort Fisher and nearby Carolina Beach during a Tasting History Tour. The tour invites you to learn the significant history of the island that dates back to the Civil War.
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