If you’re planning a trip to Beaufort, North Carolina, one question always comes up: Where should we eat?

As someone who spends a lot of time exploring Beaufort’s historic waterfront, photographing families and couples around town, and welcoming friends and family to the Crystal Coast, I’ve worked my way through quite a few menus.

This guide isn’t sponsored. These are genuinely my favorite places to eat in Beaufort and the spots I find myself returning to again and again.

Explore Beaufort Like a Local

One of the best things about downtown Beaufort is how walkable it is. Whether you’re arriving by car or docking your boat at the waterfront marina, nearly every restaurant, coffee shop, and ice cream stop on this list is just a short stroll away. Use the map below to locate my favorite local restaurants, public parking lots, day docks, marina access, and public restrooms so you can spend less time searching and more time enjoying everything Beaufort has to offer. From waterfront dining and rooftop sunsets to hidden brunch spots and locally made ice cream, this guide will help you navigate one of the Crystal Coast’s most charming coastal towns.

First Things First: Parking in Downtown Beaufort

One of the most common questions visitors ask is where to park.

During the summer season, many of the street parking spaces throughout downtown Beaufort are paid parking. The waterfront area along Front Street fills quickly, especially on weekends and during events.

Local Tip: If Front Street is packed, head a few blocks inland toward Turner Street, Cedar Street, or the public lots near the Beaufort Historic Site. You’ll often find significantly more availability and still be just a short walk from the waterfront.

If you’re arriving by boat, Beaufort’s day docks and marina make it easy to walk to nearly every restaurant on this list. One of my favorite things about Beaufort is that you can dock your boat, step off onto Front Street, and spend the day exploring shops, restaurants, coffee shops, and ice cream stops without needing your car.

Best Brunch in Beaufort, NC

Beaufort Grocery Company

Website: https://www.beaufortgrocery.com

Address:
117 Queen Street
Beaufort, NC 28516

Typical Hours:

• Sunday Brunch: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
• Lunch & Dinner: Thursday–Monday
• Closed Tuesday & Wednesday

If I had to recommend one brunch spot in Beaufort, it would be Beaufort Grocery Company.

Honestly, you really can’t go wrong with anything on their brunch menu. My personal favorite is the No. 18 Uncle Claude, but every time I visit, I find myself tempted by something different.

Beyond brunch, Beaufort Grocery is also known for its desserts, creative cocktails, and one of my favorite mocktail menus in town.

Local Tip

Most visitors don’t realize that Beaufort Grocery has a beautiful backyard seating area tucked behind the restaurant.

While the inside dining room can be lively, the garden patio feels like a hidden oasis in the heart of historic Beaufort. Surrounded by lush plants and tucked away from the street, it’s one of my favorite places to enjoy a slow Sunday brunch.

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Best Healthy Breakfast or Lunch

Beach Bowls

Website: https://www.beachbowlsnc.com

Address:
816 Cedar Street
Beaufort, NC 28516

Typical Hours:
Daily: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Beach Bowls is one of the best healthy food options in Beaufort.

They specialize in dairy-free and gluten-free offerings, making it easy for almost anyone to find something they’ll love. Their menu includes açaí bowls, smoothies, coffee drinks, healthy grab-and-go meals, sugar-free lemonade, and plenty of refreshing options for hot coastal days.

One thing I love is that they offer smaller bowl sizes for younger kids, making it a great stop for families.

The atmosphere is fun and welcoming with both indoor and outdoor seating, lawn games, and a pet-friendly environment.

Whether you’re looking for a post-workout breakfast, a healthy lunch, or just something refreshing after a day at the beach, Beach Bowls is hard to beat. Plus, Beach Bowls offers some fun photo op areas while you wait for your bowls!

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Best Coffee Shop in Beaufort

Historic Grounds Coffee

Website: https://www.coffeehistoricgrounds.com

Address:
806 Cedar Street, Unit A
Beaufort, NC 28516

Typical Hours:
Open Daily (hours may vary seasonally)

When friends ask me where to grab coffee in Beaufort, Historic Grounds is usually my first recommendation.

The atmosphere is charming, cozy, and uniquely Beaufort. The coffee shop is nestled inside a space filled with antiques and local character, making it feel much more memorable than your average coffee stop.

My personal favorite is their chai latte, though their seasonal coffee menu always has something fun to try.

They also offer baked goods if you’re looking for a quick breakfast or afternoon treat while exploring downtown.

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Best Lunch in Beaufort

Mezcalito

Address:
527 Front Street
Beaufort, NC 28516

If you’re hungry, Mezcalito delivers.

Their lunch menu offers generous portions, fresh ingredients, and some of the best table chips and salsa I’ve had anywhere. The chips are perfectly seasoned and somehow always disappear before the main course arrives.

My favorite menu items include:

• Fresh guacamole
• Lunch bowls
• Nachos
• Ribeye Con Queso

The Ribeye Con Queso deserves its own mention. An 8-ounce grilled ribeye served with cheese, onions, mushrooms, chorizo, pico de gallo, rice, refried beans, and flour tortillas. It’s absolutely incredible.

Local Tip

Go for lunch if possible.

Dinner is extremely popular and often comes with a wait. It’s absolutely worth it, but lunch tends to be a little easier if you’re trying to fit more sightseeing into your day.

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Best Waterfront Pizza

Black Sheep Beaufort

Website: https://www.blacksheepbeaufort.com

Address:
510 Front Street
Beaufort, NC 28516

Typical Hours:
Wednesday–Sunday
11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

When I’m craving pizza, Black Sheep is always at the top of my list. Their brick oven pizzas come out fresh, hot, and perfectly cooked every time.

One of the biggest draws is the location. Their outdoor seating sits directly along the waterfront marina, making it an incredible spot to watch boats come and go while enjoying lunch or dinner.

If pizza isn’t your thing, they also offer lighter options including charcuterie boards and cheese boards that pair perfectly with the views.

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Best Rooftop Dining in Beaufort

Moonrakers

Website: https://www.moonrakersbeaufort.com

Address:
326 Front Street
Beaufort, NC 28516

If you’re looking for the best sunset views in Beaufort, head straight to Moonrakers.

Their rooftop Sky Deck offers panoramic views of Taylor’s Creek, the Beaufort waterfront, and passing boats. It’s one of the most popular spots in town for sunset cocktails, dinner, and people watching.

Local Tip

Many visitors don’t realize Moonrakers also offers private event space.

They can host private dinners, rehearsal dinners, celebrations, and larger events while providing full-service staff and waterfront views.

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Best Ice Cream in Beaufort

Beaufort Creamery

Website: https://www.beaufortcreamery.com

Address:
117 Turner Street
Beaufort, NC 28516

No Beaufort food guide would be complete without ice cream.

Beaufort Creamery is Carteret County’s only ice cream shop that makes its ice cream on-site using fresh and local ingredients. They offer a rotating selection of unique flavors that keep locals and visitors coming back.

They’re easy to access whether you’re arriving by car, walking downtown, or visiting by boat.

Bonus points for offering pup cups for your four-legged travel companions!

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Final Thoughts

One of my favorite things about Beaufort is how walkable it is.

You can spend the day browsing local shops, strolling the waterfront, watching wild horses across Taylor’s Creek, and enjoying incredible local food all within a few blocks.

Whether you’re looking for brunch, coffee, waterfront dining, rooftop views, healthy lunches, pizza, or ice cream, Beaufort offers something for everyone.

And if you’re visiting the Crystal Coast and thinking about updating your family photos while you’re here, Beaufort’s historic streets and waterfront views also happen to be some of my favorite photography locations in North Carolina.

Happy exploring—and happy eating!