Food Scene
Best BBQ around! Make sure you stop in for lunch or dinner. Be sure to try the BBQ, hush pupppies and sweet potato fries with cinnamon butter, or the fried chicken. All are yummy!
42 locals recommend
BBQ House
5002 E Oak Island DrBest BBQ around! Make sure you stop in for lunch or dinner. Be sure to try the BBQ, hush pupppies and sweet potato fries with cinnamon butter, or the fried chicken. All are yummy!
Best hot dog in town! Don't leave without getting the key lime cookies!
21 locals recommend
Bob's Dogs
8903 E Oak Island DrBest hot dog in town! Don't leave without getting the key lime cookies!
Awesome up-scale Italian! Plus, if you take kids with you they can order pizza from the adjoining pizzeria.
Bella Cucina
5177 Southport-Supply Rd SEAwesome up-scale Italian! Plus, if you take kids with you they can order pizza from the adjoining pizzeria.
Authentic Italian fine dining in a small, intimate setting. Pastas are made fresh daily. Perfect for that relaxing dinner for two. You’ll want to make a reservation.
16 locals recommend
Castucci's Italian Restaurant
4332 Long Beach Rd SEAuthentic Italian fine dining in a small, intimate setting. Pastas are made fresh daily. Perfect for that relaxing dinner for two. You’ll want to make a reservation.
The ONLY place we buy fresh seafood. And the best place to buy your fishing bait - who knows better than the locals what to eat and how to catch it. Be sure to grab a container of their crab dip and a homemade key lime pie too.
8 locals recommend
Clem's Seafood
4351 Long Beach Rd SEThe ONLY place we buy fresh seafood. And the best place to buy your fishing bait - who knows better than the locals what to eat and how to catch it. Be sure to grab a container of their crab dip and a homemade key lime pie too.
A trip to OI would not be complete without an evening trip for ice cream. Ride your bike or take the car, but don't skip it.
12 locals recommend
Dairy Queen (Treat)
5701 E Oak Island DrA trip to OI would not be complete without an evening trip for ice cream. Ride your bike or take the car, but don't skip it.
Family owned ice cream shop offering warm waffle cones, rich ice cream, and shopping too.
9 locals recommend
Frosty's Ice Cream
8600 E Oak Island DrFamily owned ice cream shop offering warm waffle cones, rich ice cream, and shopping too.
Hippie Chick Granola Co.
6402 E Oak Island DrBest granola ever and you can taste samples while you are there.
Great coffee, warm crisp bagels with amazing cream cheese selection, hearty sandwiches & wraps. The desserts are yummy too!
52 locals recommend
Island Jo Coffee & Cafe
7916 E Oak Island DrGreat coffee, warm crisp bagels with amazing cream cheese selection, hearty sandwiches & wraps. The desserts are yummy too!
Absolute best tacos and burritos around. Shrimp/seafood tacos are outstanding. Outside seating & takeout only.
The owner of this restaurant also owns the Koko Cabana at the Oak Island pier.
72 locals recommend
Kai-Joe's
4722 E Oak Island DrAbsolute best tacos and burritos around. Shrimp/seafood tacos are outstanding. Outside seating & takeout only.
The owner of this restaurant also owns the Koko Cabana at the Oak Island pier.
We recommend you go to Koko Cabana for drinks and appetizers at sunset (meals are a bit overpriced in our opinion). It sits at the base of the Oak Island Pier. The breeze and view are worth it. Afterwards take a walk on the pier or beach.
67 locals recommend
Koko Cabana
705 Ocean DrWe recommend you go to Koko Cabana for drinks and appetizers at sunset (meals are a bit overpriced in our opinion). It sits at the base of the Oak Island Pier. The breeze and view are worth it. Afterwards take a walk on the pier or beach.
Local bar a restaurant right on the beach. Outdoor DJ, Tiki bar, indoor and outdoor seating.
39 locals recommend
Lazy Turtle Bar & Grill
601 Ocean DrLocal bar a restaurant right on the beach. Outdoor DJ, Tiki bar, indoor and outdoor seating.
Great homemade ice cream with lots of selection.
37 locals recommend
Lil & John's Sweetreat Ice Cream Parlor
6324 E Oak Island DrGreat homemade ice cream with lots of selection.
Don't leave the island until you've had their burgers. It can be crowded, but once you eat there you'll know why!
87 locals recommend
Pepperoni Grill at the Beach
4320 E Beach DrDon't leave the island until you've had their burgers. It can be crowded, but once you eat there you'll know why!
This is your restaurant for a quiet, adult dining experience. Food is deliciously made by their chef and atmosphere is great, plus it's right in downtown Southport.
44 locals recommend
Mr. P's Bistro
309 N Howe StThis is your restaurant for a quiet, adult dining experience. Food is deliciously made by their chef and atmosphere is great, plus it's right in downtown Southport.
If you want family-friendly, casual fish then this is the place. Order the flounder plate, shrimp plate, or anything on the menu. Reasonable prices, good food.
15 locals recommend
Oak Island Restaurant
6302 E Oak Island DrIf you want family-friendly, casual fish then this is the place. Order the flounder plate, shrimp plate, or anything on the menu. Reasonable prices, good food.
Perfect place to grab a sub for lunch when you step off the beach.(shirt/shoes required)
26 locals recommend
Oak Island Sub Shop
5705 E Oak Island DrPerfect place to grab a sub for lunch when you step off the beach.(shirt/shoes required)
The place to go for fresh fish in Southport. Buy by the pound and watch the staff filet your fish in front of you as they pull in the day's catch.
Potter's Seafood
94 Yacht Basin DrThe place to go for fresh fish in Southport. Buy by the pound and watch the staff filet your fish in front of you as they pull in the day's catch.
You have to eat here if you go to Southport. You dine outside at the marina watching the ships sail in. What could be better? Food is casual, crowd is friendly, sunsets are breathtaking. You must try the tuna plate pictured above - it's awesome!
Note: dining is currently not open during high tide (2020 hurricane season shifted the tide line such that parking is cut off during high tide).
109 locals recommend
Provision Company
130 Yacht Basin DrYou have to eat here if you go to Southport. You dine outside at the marina watching the ships sail in. What could be better? Food is casual, crowd is friendly, sunsets are breathtaking. You must try the tuna plate pictured above - it's awesome!
Note: dining is currently not open during high tide (2020 hurricane season shifted the tide line such that parking is cut off during high tide).
Great seafood, big TVs and offers indoor plus outdoor seating. It screams Jimmy Buffett!
19 locals recommend
Pirates Deck
5827 E Oak Island DrGreat seafood, big TVs and offers indoor plus outdoor seating. It screams Jimmy Buffett!
Pepperoni Grill at the Beach
4320 E Beach DrEat pizza and sit by the sea - perfect!
Best view of the waterway. Great seafood. Our favorites include: crab dip, mussels, mahi mahi wrap and their fresh catch. The wait for a table can be long, but there are waiting areas by the marina with great scenery.
27 locals recommend
Rusty Hooks Dockside Grill
4907 Fish Factory RdBest view of the waterway. Great seafood. Our favorites include: crab dip, mussels, mahi mahi wrap and their fresh catch. The wait for a table can be long, but there are waiting areas by the marina with great scenery.
Wonderful food, great bar, plus outdoor seating if you choose. Oliver’s has a perfect view of the Oak Island lighthouse and intracoastal. Sunsets are spectacular here.
49 locals recommend
Oliver's on the Cape Fear
101 W Bay StWonderful food, great bar, plus outdoor seating if you choose. Oliver’s has a perfect view of the Oak Island lighthouse and intracoastal. Sunsets are spectacular here.
Paul's of Oak Island
5419 East Oak Island DriveCasual (outdoor seating only) restaurant/bar
Sightseeing
Just an hour from our home this is a great way to spend your day in Wilmington, NC exploring local history.
435 locals recommend
Battleship North Carolina
1 Battleship Rd NEJust an hour from our home this is a great way to spend your day in Wilmington, NC exploring local history.
You must see it at night as it casts light and shadows across the beach. It takes walking the beach at night to a whole new level.
126 locals recommend
Oak Island Lighthouse
300a Caswell Beach RdYou must see it at night as it casts light and shadows across the beach. It takes walking the beach at night to a whole new level.
If you came to fish, this is a must. Local fisherman, both novice and pros, swear by this pier. Or, if you are not into fishing, but love a great view, take a walk on the pier and sit on one of the many pier benches for as long as you choose for just a $1.00 charge.
59 locals recommend
Oak Island Pier
705 Ocean DrIf you came to fish, this is a must. Local fisherman, both novice and pros, swear by this pier. Or, if you are not into fishing, but love a great view, take a walk on the pier and sit on one of the many pier benches for as long as you choose for just a $1.00 charge.
The Point
7001 West Beach DriveA must for the perfect sunset photo, shelling, or fishing.
This car ferry is perfect for individuals or families with kids who want an adventure. Feed the seagulls, see the ocean, and be surprised to land at historical Fort Fisher, complete with an aquarium.
31 locals recommend
Southport station
This car ferry is perfect for individuals or families with kids who want an adventure. Feed the seagulls, see the ocean, and be surprised to land at historical Fort Fisher, complete with an aquarium.
Shopping
Dollar General
4815 E Oak Island DrGreat cause (supporting battered women) and fun thrifting opportunity. The Hope Chest offers clothes, books, albums, home goods, and more.
6 locals recommend
Hope Chest
5602 E Oak Island DrGreat cause (supporting battered women) and fun thrifting opportunity. The Hope Chest offers clothes, books, albums, home goods, and more.
Pass a rainy day at the beach tinkering around in our local Habitat - you never know what treasure you might find.
Habitat For Humanity
4170 Long Beach Rd SEPass a rainy day at the beach tinkering around in our local Habitat - you never know what treasure you might find.
Lowes Foods of Oak Island
2829 Midway Rd SEWonderful grocery store with amazing selection
Food Lion
5901 E Oak Island DrThe Oak Island Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market is a great opportunity to see, and financially support the very best of Oak Island’s local farmer and artisan community. Whether on a regular market day (each Monday during the season) or during a Special Event, the Market is a great way to find local baked goods, produce, handmade crafts, and artistic masterpieces!
Regular Market days are held each Monday, from 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM, May–September in Middleton Park (behind Town Hall) at 4610 E Dolphin Drive
The Oak Island Farmer’s Market offers local fresh produce, homemade jams, cakes, and a variety of homemade goods including jewelry, furniture, rugs and potholders, and many more items. It’s a great place to meet the locals and neighbors and to experience the culture of Oak Island. There is plenty of parking in the cabana parking lot, directly across the street from the market. Come on out and shop!
The Farmer’s Market takes place on the soccer fields behind Town Hall.
15 locals recommend
Oak Island Farmers Market
Southeast 49th StreetThe Oak Island Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market is a great opportunity to see, and financially support the very best of Oak Island’s local farmer and artisan community. Whether on a regular market day (each Monday during the season) or during a Special Event, the Market is a great way to find local baked goods, produce, handmade crafts, and artistic masterpieces!
Regular Market days are held each Monday, from 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM, May–September in Middleton Park (behind Town Hall) at 4610 E Dolphin Drive
The Oak Island Farmer’s Market offers local fresh produce, homemade jams, cakes, and a variety of homemade goods including jewelry, furniture, rugs and potholders, and many more items. It’s a great place to meet the locals and neighbors and to experience the culture of Oak Island. There is plenty of parking in the cabana parking lot, directly across the street from the market. Come on out and shop!
The Farmer’s Market takes place on the soccer fields behind Town Hall.
The newest grocery store to arrive on the island.
32 locals recommend
Publix Super Market at Oak Island Marketplace
5003 E Oak Island DrThe newest grocery store to arrive on the island.
Walmart Supercenter
1675 N Howe StBig Lots
4956 Long Beach Road SoutheastEverything Else
Great place for fun to entertain kids, or kids at heart, on a rainy beach day.
14 locals recommend
Planet Fun & Starz Grille Family Entertainment and Bowling Center
349 Whiteville Rd NWGreat place for fun to entertain kids, or kids at heart, on a rainy beach day.