NEW BERN RESTAURANTS AND DINING GUIDE
 The
only source of
dining reviews
for New Bern NC restaurants, cafes, bistros, hot dog stands and other choices for
eating out in New Bern NC. Bon appetit!
 BOB'S BEST:
The "must-try" restaurants in New Bern
NC include (in
alphabetical order): Carolina Bagel, Captain Ratty's, Chelsea,
Christoph's, Morgan's, Sea Glass, The Kitchen on Trent.
In any
of these
eateries, you're guaranteed
to get a great meal in a pleasant setting. Scan below
for New
Bern local fast food places,
Southern favorite national chains, and
restaurants in
nearby towns :Oriental, Morehead City and Beaufort.
Note:
Click here to see additional restaurant Yellow Pages listings
not reviewed below. Some Yellow Pages listings include full
menus.
AGGIE'S STEAK SUB
3317 US 17 S
If you're a steak sub fan, don't pass by this little eatery. They
really have the best in town. Lots of other choices; lasagna, with lots of
onions and peppers for one. Spaghetti is usually light on sauce, so pass
it by, but the steak subs are great! Even hamburgers are decent, (with a
nickel more you get cheese).**
ALMOND TREE CAFE
208 Middle St (Old Marina Sweets)
changed the name, decor, and added internet access. Still
has their wonderful wrap sandwiches, breakfasts too! BEST ice
cream spot downtown. There's a 2nd location in a new strip
mall on Trent Rd. at the corner of Simmons. Same M.O. Same
good food, both locations aim for the neighborhood hang-out
niche...and we think it fills the bill. ***
ANDY’S
Multiple
locations:
3200 ML King Blvd (Hwy 17); 2600 Neuse Blvd, and 2317 US 70 Hwy E.
Local fast food chain, renowned for homemade as-you-wait orangeade and
lemonade (Yum! But unless you love drinks REALLY SWEET, you might want to tell
them to lighten up on the simple syrup. They have great chili dogs, cheeseburgers and
cheese steaks, '50's style diner food--even a blue plate special! Fast and
friendly.
ANNABELLE'S
Twin Rivers
Mall, Hwy. 17
Victorian Nouveau atmosphere ...Prime Rib dinner or sandwich, Chef Salad,
Fettuccine, Hamburger, French Silk Pie, this restaurant is an old timer (the
tired interior says so), and all
--esp. ribs and fajitas are good.
APPLEBEE'S
Hwy #17
A
well-known franchise. Ribs, burgers, all the fancy salads you could dream up.
Pastas especially varied. Quesadillas the best. Desserts yummy! Drink
specialties every day. Service always slow. Take a date.*
ARTURO'S
1906
S. Glenburnie
across from Harris Teeter. ¡HOLA, MUCHACHOS! Mexican restaurant is packing
them in! Live entertainment on weekends. Prices reasonable, menu
very
extensive, service improving, food typical with many combo plates,
but good. *
BAKER'S SQUARE
227 Middle
St.
Home cooking specialist run by Mennonites. Wonderful fried
chicken with all the trimmings, homemade breads, desserts--everything!
Specials every day, try the Dutch potatoes as a side dish and the Baker Square
croissant sandwich. Breakfasts are great, with amazing homemade
white bread toast! By an extra loaf to take home for the best toast and French
toast ever. Sweet potato fries.***
(Why are so many of our best in the "C" alphabet?
If you find out, let us know)
CAROLINA BAGEL
Village Sq.
Trent Rd.
Where the New Bern elite meet to greet
and eat. Best bagels in New Bern- compare to best in NYC! Packs 'em in and
only the limited space holds it back. You'll love breakfasts here, you can get
the works (even pancakes), or their homemade gourmet bagels and muffins with a
variety of cream cheese flavors. Lunch is terrific too! ****
CAPTAIN RATTY'S
corner Middle
& S. Front
Ratty's is a funky restaurant/oyster bar in the best location in town. Upstairs is a
piano bar with live entertainment several nights a week. They've added a new rooftop bar
with river views. Ratty's has achieved the New Bern icon status. It is the "in" place to relax and take friends
from out-of-town. Pricey.
Try "Buzzy
Salad" if you like salmon;
filet is the best we've ever had! ****
THE
CHELSEA
335
Middle St.
Kitchen professionals. It shows. Features better-than-good specials every day,
always evolving new menus. Wonderful lunch menu, dinners are packed on weekends,
call for reservations. Our all-time favorite. Can take groups-if you call ahead.
Nice New Bern 1920's style atmosphere; building originally owned and operated as
a drug store by Pepsi inventor Caleb Bradham. (Seafood dishes are terrific, creative; they even have great
liver 'n onions!)****
CHRISTOPH'S Oh Boy! The newest kid on the block is terrific!
Simply a Class Act. Located in the Hilton on the water, (beautiful view) the
upscale ambience is top notch. Chef Julio Rios knows how to prepare a
special night out, the food and the presentation is big-city-comparable. Got to
give it "rave" based on one evening. Keep up the great work, staff. ****
CICI'S PIZZA US 17S next to
Books a Million and WalMart OK. Got a lot of kids to feed
and they all like something different? Here's the spot. Churches have
their pizza nite out in Cici's. So you know the pizza is OK ---but not
memorable. Really reasonable prices. You can get a slice and a drink for
change (almost). Very popular.
COW
CAFE 319 Middle Street.
Kids
will love this home-made ice cream factory. Flavors ranging
from the ever-popular Moonilla to Chocolate CowPie. Watch the ice cream being made. South's best
barbecue here, the famous Raymond's brand. Great lunches: chicken, burgers and
dogs--salads too! A MUST for all visitors with kids. Holstein-themed---
You'll love the fun. Ice cream is not the best choice. *
EL CERRO GRANDE 2503 US 17 next to Smithfield's. The
number 2 in Mexican food now. Small place, tasty and huge servings. Late
crowd. !Aqui
se habla español, y hay chimichangas y burritos extraordinarios!
THE
FLAME
2303 Neuse Blvd.
Traditional steak house. It does have other choices, the chicken
teriyaki is featured. The Prime Rib is wonderful. They serve a cup of
soup-usually their prize-winning shrimp bisque with a great salad and the meal.
Lots of food--and great beef . Sunday Brunch
Buffet is now offered and wonderful! Wine list.
NOW
In the NEW
banquet facility.**
FLOUNDERS US
17S Seafood
& Smokehouse.
Traditional Southern seafood house and now a smokehouse barbecue.
Everything fresh, NOT everything fried.... Hushpuppies on the table,
shaved cole slaw, and homemade desserts. You'll like it.
Cocktail sauce takes getting used to...
**
FRIDAY'S
2307 Neuse
Blvd.
Fried seafood and the usual Carolina BBQ. The old gal shows her wrinkles,
food is OK, reasonable...fried. Lots of it.
FAMOUS SUBS AND PIZZA 2210 Neuse Blvd.
The name says it all. It's known for the hot subs. Pizza is top notch,
absolutely one of our favorites.
Subs are great too... Lunch and dinner specials.
Old time New Bernians have always loved this place with their own special
spaghetti sauce. Greek or Italian style. ****
GOLDEN CORRAL—ML
King Blvd (US 17) N of Wal-Mart.
You know the drill here, if you need to feed a lot of starving people, and are
not interested in fine dining--they're always crowded, which should tell
you something. Very popular breakfast all-you-care-to-eat buffet Thursdays
through Sunday 'til 10:30am (Get there early!). Other buffets and a-la-carte
dining lunches and dinner. *
HALF TIME
US 17S at McCarthy Blvd. NEW one. Our
first real sports bar, with 26 TVs: the booths all have their own
small screen that you can program to whatever melts your butter.
Extensive bar, limited but well chosen menu, with wings the way you
like them, (and by the tub if you have a crowd!) There are
salads ladies, one with fried oysters. Every kind of outdoor
activity that could be called a sport is on one of the high screens.
Late crowd as you'd expect, but pretty darn busy for lunch as well.
**
HAMS
James City on US
70E.
This is a franchise chain eatery,
but somehow they serve tasty food quickly while boasting an extremely extensive menu
with full choices ranging from sandwiches to mashed potatoes and gravy smothered
entrees! Try the homemade potato chips with ranch dip. A wonderful
specialty you won't find anywhere else. Some of the best fried shrimp scallops
and barbecue ribs in town.)***
HARVEY MANSION
HISTORIC INN 221 Front St. Waterfront
This
authentic 17th C waterfront mansion has lovely ambience, in one of Carolina's
oldest mansions. Dinner only. Pricey and usually worth it. Beef dishes
a specialty. Appetizers are fun and different. Bar scene.**
INTERNATIONAL
HOUSE OF PANCAKES
Corner US 17 and McCarthy Blvd.
A calorie lover’s dream. Under new management, so it's OK for breakfast...still
seems to have staff problems. The
votes are still out on lunch and dinner. Good coffee.
JERSEY MIKE'S
2309 Highway
70 East, New Bern.
Part of the national chain selling deli-style sandwiches and hot and cold subs. Fast service for multi-taskers.
Cheese steaks, hot and cold subs, soups too. *
THE
KITCHEN ON TRENT
2500 Trent Rd.
has enlarged, it is a very good place to eat! Warm,
welcoming: the
chicken salad is to die for! Low-fat muffins. NOTHING FRIED. The
tastiest (healthy) eatery in town. No comfortable seats though...eat fast. You'll like their
style; low fat choices are
Super!! Desserts, breakfast goodies...must try.
Catered treats make a smashing party****
MICHELLE'S PICNIC BASKET
1822 S.
Glenburnie The name is slightly misleading, they serve
breakfast and lunch. Not fancy, but very well prepared and
served. Lots of sandwiches and salads.
They'll do your eggs they way you want them, and are fine for
take-out (picnic) choices.
MORGAN’S
TAVERN AND GRILL
235 Craven Street,
Great restaurant in a
historic building with great steaks, seafood,
burgers,
and bar. They also have
an all-crab no-bread crabcake- YUM! Try the lunch soup and salad combo with
lobster bisque, or the dinner scallop entree. Awesome salads! Vies with
Chelsea. ****
MOORE'S
BARBECUE
Hwy. 17 S.
If you haven't tried barbecue North Carolina style-this is the place to start.
They have the best! Don't expect beef slabs with a tomato sauce, that's not our
way. Shredded pork is the only TRUE barbecue. Fried shrimp sandwich also a good
choice. No frills, (to understate the case). Try the shrimp and
fish platters... Moore's serves food, not fancy. It's an eatin' place--period.
**** RIBS ON SATURDAYS (only) ARE FOUGHT OVER!
MJ'S RAW BAR
216
Middle St. Nice understated decor, set up for eatin'
the good stuff! Crabcakes are good. Lots of well done seafood entrees for a step up from
fried
everything. Limited seating, call for reservations. Middle St. is becoming the gourmet eaters paradise. **
MUSASHI
2041 S. Glenburnie Japanese Steak &
seafood. Good theater and a fun atmosphere. Very heavy on the veggies
here: a nice night out.*
OSAKA EXPRESS GRILL.
2503 Neuse Blvd. (252) 637-0444. Japanese
fast food... It's getting a lot of buzz and is a very popular lunch spot.
Carry-out is running hard. Opening another site on US70E, so gotta be doing AOK.*
OUTBACK
STEAKHOUSE
111 Howell Rd.
Next to the Bridgepointe Hotel. What can you say? It's the best. Coconut shrimp
is at least as good as the steaks...and the chops...the absolute best pork
chops anywhere! ***
PAULA'S Italian
1713 Red Robin Lane,
fronting on US 17S Popular neighborhood
eatery, good pizza, mostly Italian specialties. They seem to
have their ducks in the proverbial row---except for the salads. Good food, fast
service, friendly personnel; It CAN be done, Paula's proves it. Seniors delight!
Voted best pizza in town!? (We don't agree but that's what makes the world
go round!)*
PIA's
Corner
of Trent Rd. and Highland.
Very
small, good food, noisy place with that neighborhood feel. Rather pricey. Dinner
is better choice. Salads
and sandwiches for lunch, full dinner menu. Fast dinner service. American and Greek dishes.
It’s very popular with its Trent Woods neighbors. **
POLLOCK STREET
DELI
208 Pollock St.
Open 7 days for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Tiny cluttered rooms in authentic colonial
house, but surprisingly serves a good-sized crowd. Can't go wrong here. More
parking in rear. Service is sometimes leisurely. (Try the spinach salad
with grilled chicken
or large shrimp.) Terrific variety. Three minute walk from Riverfront Convention
Center ****
QUIZNO'S SUBS
1809 S. Glenburnie Popular franchise featuring hot
and toasted subs. You are familiar with this spot, the hot sandwiches have a
different spice package that appeals to the eating explorer.*
RUBY
TUESDAY’S
1004 Highway 70 East:
Well known national chain, signature enormous salad bar and equally enormous serving sizes.
Sandwiches, pasta, ribs, American food with no surprises.*
SEA GLASS CAFE & BAKERY
Moved to new location on US 17 just past US 70 interesction (252) 634-2327. WOW! winner of New
Bern's "2008 Taster's Choice" A great new menu, with a
splendid
bakery for take-home specialties. Wonderful tomato basil bisque!
Serving breakfast and lunch, plus fantastic Sunday brunch. Lots more breakfast choices; some creative things and some
very well-done usuals.
You've tried them and voted them the best! They DO stack up!! ****
CATERED AFFAIR
3402 Trent Rd. (Name Changed back to the
original).
For lunch
and dinner in an enlarged space, try this full service restaurant. Decorated for
the ladies, limited menu, but very done well. Off the beatne
track.
37TH ST. PIZZERIA 2402 Neuse Blvd.
Old-timer,
with a late bar scene, Italian food and more Italian food, if you're not hungry
for delicious old-style Italian, go elsewhere! Good lunch menu, calzones
a
specialty. Pizza really tasty. Draft and wine. Delivery. **
TRENT RIVER COFFEE COMPANY
Craven
St. Downtown.
A favorite stopping -and listening place- with almost
nightly live music in all categories!. Wonderful coffee, pastries and
conversation too. (Hot Chocolate is not a good choice.) Terrific
atmosphere, and a great spot to read your morning paper; a real
community asset!**
The TEXAS STEAK HOUSE
3231 US
17S, (near the Wal-Mart/ Twin Rivers mess of intersections). Noisy, noisy,
with the required "Yee-haws". The onion appetizer is enough for 6 people! Prime rib is a great memory maker. Perfect for your beef fix. HOWEVER, THE
CATFISH IS THE BEST IN TOWN!
***
THAI THAI
2405
Neuse Blvd.
WOW!
we love this one. Authentic Thai cuisine, with a light hand on the
spices for the American palate, this is a winner. Nice atmosphere, Thai
wait staff with manners and charm; this is a fine dining experience.
Sunday and lunch buffet. (Outstanding "Crispy Duck"-ask for less gravy!)***
SCHLOTZSKY'S DELI
3335 US 17S.
Lunch here. You'll be satisfied and immediately decide to come back and try
other things. Our favorite: those little pizzas. Don't pass up the Reubens or
the Original Combo mini pizza... Internet access.**
SPUNKY McDOOGLE’s
1908
S. Glenburnie. Short orders done right. Great lunch place, good food
and service. Lots of action at the large TV bar. Fish sandwich,
quesadillas, prime rib
night is standing room. **
STARBUCK'S We have two actually. One is in the Harris Teeter Grocery Store, where
you can actually buy a cool guilt-free salad bar lunch and indulge in a
Starbuck's as a reward. The second is in Super Target.
SUPER CHINA BUFFET
2000 S Glenburnie.
Small
franchise, catering to the "eat-it-all-at-one-setting" crowd. Mega
choices, from chow mein to salmon to ....whatever. The Chinese choices are OK, sorta
tastes similar to each other, but caters to the gourmand's tastebuds.
Get that inevitable pizza for the kids...
WAFFLE HOUSE
on US 17S and
another (better) one in James City on US 70E.
(Doing that voo-doo that they do so-o-o-o well... with all that great
cholesterol!) *
READERS' CHOICE (A
new category that Alan B. of Greenbrier suggested
(inadvertently) when he wondered why his personal favorite wasn't
included.
I f you have a favorite you want
listed OR feel it need more stars (or less) let us know.
bobbartram@c21zr.com
Alan's Choice:
Front St. Grill
in Beaufort. "...if you haven't been there. It's our
absolute favorite for food and view."
Mr. & Mrs. Adolphson: Pia's
in New Bern. "...I am fortunate to say that it has been our best
dining experience in New Bern...Their quality dishes are well
presented, authentic and genuinely created to reflect the
Mediterranean Greek cuisine. I know, because I come from a
mediterranean country myself.
LOCAL
NEW BERN FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS YOU SHOULD NOT
MISS
Every town has local fast food and take-out restaurants that
are a beloved tradition. New Bern is no exception, and here are some
of the local favorites. Give them a try; it's nice to have
alternatives to the Golden Arches, don't you think?
in
McCarthy Crossing Shopping Center (Food
Lion) on MLK Blvd (enter via McCarthy Blvd)
Kinston-based
franchise, has the best steak subs ever and great prices.
China Wok
in
McCarthy Crossing Shopping Center (Food
Lion) on MLK Blvd (enter via McCarthy Blvd).
Best Chinese take-out in town, they also have seating. Try their shrimp egg
foo yung, General Tso's Chicken and Beef with Snow Peas. All very fresh, not
greasy.*
Chik-Fil-A on US 17S in
front of the Mall. One of the best of these franchises, always a line of
cars at the drive-thro
-
Gina's Pizza: Multiple locations,
including:
1)1904
US Highway 70 E, New Bern - (252) 672-9063
2)1904 S Glenburnie Rd # B, New Bern - (252) 633-9000 (next to
CENTURY 21 Zaytoun Raines' office); and
3) 505 D St # A in Bridgeton - (252) 636-0031
Great cheesesteak subs, stromboli, lasagna, and terrific pizza. (Try their
Veggie Pizza or "the works" Gourmet
Pizza with a little bit of all the toppings.
SOUTHERN
FAVORITE FAST FOOD FRANCHISES
Even though these are national chains, somehow they "seem southern."
Enjoy!
-
Dairy Queen
on US 17 just past Hotel Drive.
Open April through October, it's the
place to get your "brain freeze" or family ice cream fix on a sultry night.
-
Sonic Drive-In
on Neuse Blvd near intersection with US 17 (next to the hospital).
Very popular for your 1950's drive-in fix. Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner,
sundaes and shakes, with "Happy Hour" slushie drink specials from 2-4pm.
-
Bojangles
Three
locations- Glenburnie Rd near the Food Lion, US 70 in front of Food Lion,
and US 17 South toward Jacksonville.
Go for that spicy chicken and lots of fixin's, and all-day breakfast biscuits
including country ham.
-
Smithfield
Chicken & Barbecue on US 17 past Hotel Drive.
Go here for
the best fast food southern fried chicken in town, including potato salad,
baked beans and other fixin’s (great for picnics and beach lunches)
Oriental, NC Restaurants
Oriental, NC, is a 40-minute drive from New Bern on Route 55 east--across
the bridge, past the Fairfield Harbour entry on US 55, and follow signs.
ORIENTAL MARINA RESTAURANT
Hodges St. (On the harbor)
Most varied and interesting seafood menu around. Steaks are good
too, if you want it. Lots of care in the preparation of each dish. Reservations
on weekends. 249-2204 ***
Morehead
City and Beach Restaurants
Take Hwy
#70E, 45 minutes later you'll dead-end at Morehead City and the ocean!
There are gobs of restaurants on the waterfront to the right of US 70.
"Sanitary" is a good fried seafood place that is a curiosity. Lots of
"Captains'" places, most are ho-hum, but here are our favorites:
BOURBON ST. CAFE
20 Atlantic Station (Over the causeway, turn right), Atlantic
Beach 252
808-2888.
Reservations a must, and you'll love the food. Creole yummy. **
BISTRO-BY-THE-SEA
Atlantic Beach 252 247-2777
Great eating experience. You'll think you are in a 5 star! Always
crowded and you'll wait even with reservations. If slightly late, you'll lose
your reservations***
The SANITARY RESTAURANT
on the
waterfront.
Family seafood spot with an interesting history and name, at one time (as
recent as a dozen years ago) all staff wore spotless white neck to toe
aprons and hair nets....hence the name. Mostly fried seafood, mostly delicious and a great
view, in summer prepare for quite a wait between 5:30 and 7pm.
Beaufort, NC Restaurants
Take US 70-East from New Bern through Morehead City and over the main bridge,
following signs to Beaufort. Turn right at signs toward waterfront.
Lots of good restaurants in town.
In
Beaufort,
there are so many choices and most are passable. But
there are some outstanding restaurants-try:
CLAWSON'S
on Front St. One of the oldest, and most popular lunch places. Charming decor, noisy, and
handy--right in the center of the action.
Crabcake sandwich !*
The BEAUFORT GROCERY COMPANY Queen St.
You
want the best--here 'tis EXCEPT for the noise level--
you will love this food! The yacht crowd has made it into a real winner.
You'll like the ambience altho it's very noisy... it's in an old grocery bldg.
lots of wooden walls and floors. Everything we've tried there is
good, Cobb salad is a real nice surprise, pies are the best anywhere.****
CHART HOUSE
is right on the water,
views would be wonderful if they kept the windows cleaner. Eat outside if
you can---seafood of course.
**
THE SPOUTER INN.
Forget about what it was years ago. This is a clean, well-run,
dockside restaurant that serves up-scale seafood. Outside dining
available too. **
*FRONT STREET
INN Our Reader's Choice for
Beaufort |
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NEW BERN DINING GUIDE is brought to you by Bob Bartram of CENTURY 21 Zaytoun Raines,
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