Freddie's Restaurante
Ask anyone within an hour's drive of Freddie's Restaurante where to find good Italian, and this place it sure to top the list. It's a local spot that tourists adore as well, and in the summer months there is nearly always a line. Every minute is worth the wait, however. The tiny, wood-paneled restaurant is decorated with red-checkered tablecloths and a large mural of its namesake, Fred Shambora, who passed away in the late 1990s. Enjoy the fresh bread and herbed olive oil while choosing a bottle of wine and an appetizer, then move on to the famous family-style salad that comes with owner Barbara Gargan's famous dressing, which is also available to take home. Freddie's is known for its chops, but you can't go wrong with anything on the menu, from the fresh pasta sauces to the chicken dishes. Chicken San Remo is a favorite.
Freddie's Restaurante
111 K Ave.
Kure Beach, NC
Tel: 910-458-5979
http://www.freddieskurebeach.com
Old Pier House Restaurant
For breakfast or lunch, head to the Kure Beach Fishing Pier and enjoy a meal at the bustling Old Pier House Restaurant. You'll be taken back in time with the framed black and white photos of fishermen, their catches, and other local history that line the walls. Breakfast is served until 11 a.m., and you can order omelets, pancakes and other traditional offerings, but make sure to try one of the light, fluffy, buttermilk biscuits that are nearly a meal in themselves. The lunch and dinner menu continues from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. The Old Pier offers home-cooked, stick-to-your-ribs cuisine. Broiled, grilled and fried seafood are featured specialties. If you want something a little lighter, there are salads and sandwiches. The friendly service always comes with a smile.
Old Pier House Restaurant
101 K Ave.
Kure Beach, NC
Tel: 910-458-8616
Big Daddy's Restaurant
The large, casual dining room of Big Daddy's Restaurant welcomes thousands of hungry locals and tourists every year. Seafood platters, shrimp dinners, crab legs, prime rib, pasta, steaks and sandwiches are all on the menu here, and the salad bar is a popular addition to any meal. After lunch or dinner at Big Daddy's, check out the extensive candy store to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Big Daddy's Restaurant
206 K Ave
Kure Beach, NC
Tel: 910-458-8622
http://bigdaddysatthebeach.com/
Jack Mackerel's Island Grill
For a real treat in Kure Beach, visit funky Jack Mackerel's Island Grill for lunch or dinner, or just enjoy a cocktail at the restaurant's long bar or outdoor seating area. The large Caribbean-inspired menu here is diverse and delicious. Jack Mackerel offers coconut-crusted mahi mahi, seafood lasagna, jerk tuna steak sandwiches and "Major Mojo" baby back ribs. The porthole-style windows, colorful décor and friendly service make you feel like you're really in the islands, and the delicious drinks and desserts will make you never want to leave Jack Mack's, as the locals call it.
Jack Mackerel's Island Grill
113 K Ave.
Kure Beach, NC
Tel: 910-458-7668
www.jackmacks.com
About The Author
Ashley Talley has been a professional writer for more than 10 years, specializing in travel and health. Her work has been published in "Coastal Living" magazine, "Wrightsville Beach Magazine" and "Choice," an anthology praised by "Vanity Fair" and the "LA Times." She graduated from Brown University with honors and holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing from the University of North Carolina.
