Location: Oak Island
Top Restaurants in Oak Island
Top Things to do in Oak Island
- 1. Bald Head Island Lighthouse
- 2. Oak Island Golf Club
- 3. Oak Island Beaches
- 4. Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry
- 5. Oak Island Lighthouse
- 6. Southport Pier and RIverwalk
- 7. North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport
- 8. Ocean Crest Pier
- 9. Fort Johnston - Southport Museum & Visitors Center
- 10. Southport Marina
Oak Island Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Oak Island
Oak Island is a seaside town located mostly on the barrier island of Oak Island (which also contains the town of Caswell Beach), in Brunswick County, North Carolina, United States. The town extends onto the mainland north of the island's bridge. The population was 6,783 at the 2010 census. It was founded in 1999 by the consolidation of the towns of Long Beach and Yaupon Beach. Its main industry is tourism; the town has an average summer population of 30-50,000.
Things to do in Oak Island
1. Bob's Dogs
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 180 reviews
Reviewed By Bbqman3341 - Gainesville, Georgia
it was delightful, nice quality frankfurter, fresh bun, crisp cold onions just a hand full of paradise. then, upon further reflection there on the menu is a hot dog with pimento cheese. not just your average off the shelf grocery pimento cheese but an upper class, not for sale at any price, well maybe, home made pimento cheese loaded with pimento and a bright orange cheese color that predated clemson and had originated with the royal houses of continental europe. your daddy didn't have to be king to get pimento cheese this good, but to get it this fresh you had to know somebody. i'm still mad about it though. had it not been for that pimento cheese i could have had a 2nd chili dog. after all that's what got us into the parking lot. friendly staff greeted us warmly. place was clean, food was delicious but there was no mater de and reservations are not required. it was magic, as we we're leaving i felt as if i had been awakened from a dream it was so good.
2. Flying Pig Coffeehouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 88 reviews
Reviewed By arthur0215 - Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Stopped by on a cold and rainy Friday afternoon in December. One dark roast coffee, one cappuccino. Both very good. Coffee is reasonably priced, $2 for 16 oz. Quirky interior, lots of local color, newspapers, puzzles, etc. Very helpful owner and service. We spent an hour, talking, reading, drinking coffee. Couldn't ask for much more in a coffeehouse.
3. Ahoy Doughnuts
Overall Ratings
4 based on 104 reviews
Reviewed By OhOneMoreThing
Staff lacked the energy to affectively engage customers. When asked, staff could not say if their coffee is 100% Arabica. Further, they ran out of coffee, and while waiting, watched a staff member handle every single donut that came off their cooling racks with his bare hands. The health department would have a field day inspecting this establishment.
From an business standpoint, they only have one commercial coffee maker. If that runs out (like today) or breaks down, they are effectively out of business.
4. Sunset Slush
Overall Ratings
5 based on 47 reviews
The finest and most flavorful Italian Ice arrived via Sunset Slush - Classic Italian Ice® in Brunswick County, North Carolina in January 2003. Sunset Slush® is known for its unique flavor and texture; there is nothing quite like it - it has been called "designer ice." It is smooth, nutritious, thirst-quenching, dairy-free, low in calories, cholesterol free, gluten free and refreshing.Italian Ice has become one of the fastest growing and most popular segments of the frozen dessert market. The uniqueness of our Super Premium Italian Ice and our passion for the business will make your trip to one of our stores, the beach pushcarts or event pushcarts the most enjoyable Italian Ice experience ever.Sunset Slush - Classic Italian Ice® offers 50 flavors (including our creative flavor combinations) in our stores and our Italian Ice is available in cups, pints, quarts, 1 gallon buckets and 2.5 gallon buckets. We also offer Gelatis at our stores - any flavor of Italian Ice mixed with vanilla bean or chocolate ice cream. Sunset Slush® is also available for your special event. However you choose to enjoy Sunset Slush - Classic Italian Ice®, we strive to make it an experience to remember.
Reviewed By CateDarlington - Baltimore, Maryland
We have not been to Oak Island in a few years, and it was awesome that there was a cart rolling on the beach. We had the mango and the strawberry vanilla, and it is great way to cool down on the beach.
5. The Barbeque House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 428 reviews
Reviewed By NYSkeptic - Albany, New York
The Barbeque House is what it says on the label - barbeque and pretty much nothing but. We had a short wait to clear a booth big enough for six. I noticed the smell of smoke but nearly as much as I would have expected. And I think that sums up my impressions of the Barbeque House - just not as much as I expected - other than the food portions which were more than abundant.
We all had two meat platters with assorted sides (the Big Daddy plate - two meats, two sides, plus puppies - a bargain a the price). I found the pulled pork to be flavorful but surprisingly dry. The brisket was moist but could have used more smoke. The baby backs were sweet, juicy, and tender as expected, and came with a sweet barbecue sauce as the only option and I am the spicy sauce type. The chicken wings had just a hint of smoke (which was enough in this case) and a hot sauce with chunks of crushed chilis swimming in it. Very nice.
There was a nice selection of 5 or 6 different sauces to add including sweet, spicy, mustard, vinegar, and a Tennessee (?) tomato and vinegar. They should cover every palate. The list of sides was lengthy - the sweet potato fries, baked beans, and red slaw our favorites. The side salad was big enough and quite fresh, though just "normal" and limited to standard toppings. The hushpuppies were bland and dry. Fortunately, the came with a nice cinnamon butter which helped them out.
Didn't have dessert because we couldn't. There was simply too much food to leave any room at all and we all took boxes out with us. Service was very good - attentive and friendly. Would I go back again? Absolutely. But would this be one of the must-visit restaurants on the island? No. It's barbecue, and I've had better.
6. StaarrCakes
Overall Ratings
5 based on 36 reviews
StaarrCakes is a unique, "small batch" bakery. Cupcakes and biscuits offered daily with cakes and pies baked by special order. Everything is made from scratch with the finest ingredients, no preservatives added. Special orders accepted.
Reviewed By GretchenDT - Washington DC, District of Columbia
Happened to see the sign when driving from Southport to Oak Island. The owner was very nice. I arrived at closing time but she was kind enough to go ahead and wait on me.
I had the banana with banana filling and banana frosting. I also had the honey wedding cake with white frosting, you could really taste the honey. Very good. I wish I had picked up a few more to eat during my long weekend in Southport.
I would certainly stop by if I ever find myself in the area again. I would like to try some of the other flavors.
7. Tropical Treats
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 44 reviews
Reviewed By Hannah B - Statesville, North Carolina
This ice cream shop is consistently good. Our favorite flavor is the coconut chocolate almond. It has a rich coconut flavor and makes a great milkshake. The coffee flavored frappucinnos are also very good. The menu and options are endless. They offer a huge variety of all sorts of frozen treats. The staff is very friendly and helpful if you can't decide. The outdoor tables are also nice. We always visit several times while on the island.
8. Flying Fish Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 344 reviews
Reviewed By blueaiz1 - Leland, North Carolina
I had the California veggie sandwich which was good and the crab soup which was outrageously good. My wife had the shrimp quesadilla and raved about it. Very attentive service (Brad P) and beautiful view. I think the veggie sandwich would have been better if the bread was heated or toasted. The bloody mary was great as well.
9. Nancy Jo's Homemade Bakery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By Michael W - Concord
We were planning to get ice cream next door, but decided to stop in because they were open. It smelled wonderful from the moment we opened the door. The young man working was very polite, explaining the ingredients. They have single serving cakes, pies, and...MoreThank you so much. Chris Owner
10. Turtle Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 389 reviews
Reviewed By William H - Bolivia, North Carolina
Turtle Island has long been my yardstick for excellence in dining. But each of my last visits was a bigger disappointment than the one before. Frankly, the service was the
first thing to go. The quality of the food remained good, for a while, but that too has started to suffer.
These changes have been subtle and have taken over a year, but they are real.
Our last visit we were shown to a table in the front of the restaurant by a window.
Fly's were gathered in this window and harassed us the entire time we were there.
The waitress just disappeared. We only saw here when food was delivered. I had
the baby flounder. The baby flounder ain't. It's a whole flounder that covers your entire plate. It's scored and fried. My flounder was dry and lacked taste.
It's a shame that Turtle Island has been allowed to become so mundane.
