Whether you’re in Carolina Beach during the summer or winter, a plate of eggs, bacon, toast, and orange juice will always be the breakfast of champions. This list is for during the summer, when you wake up with a slight sunburn after a good night’s sleep and are in need of fuel for the long beach day ahead. This list is also suitable for the winter when you’ve already been on a wintry cold morning beach walk and worked up an appetite! Enjoy this list of local favorites on the island for breakfast and brunch. It’s time for biscuits and grits, y’all!
Gulfstream
1. The Gulfstream is an aptly named diner-esque restaurant located off the main road, overlooking the yacht basin and charter marina. The restaurant serves up classic American diner fare- complete with plenty of butter and seafood if you so desire. Breakfast is served all day (6:00 am to 2:00 pm). We’d recommend any dish with a biscuit, their side offering of cinnamon toast, or the eggs benedict. When recently ordering here, I was told, “everything here is good. You really can’t go wrong with whatever you order!” And they were right. This is a no-frills establishment tucked away from the traffic serving hot coffee and very solid breakfasts. This has been a CB staple for many many years and continues to keep its hungry locals and tourists fed!
Kate’s Pancake House
2. Known for its iconic colored building and larger-than-life breakfast plates on the roof, Kate’s Pancake House serves up just that- pancakes! In addition to waffles, eggs, grits, toast, and all the other classic breakfast accompaniments. At Kate’s you’ll likely be nestled in a wooden booth and served coffee in those classically-shaped diner mugs. Kate’s is particularly convenient if you’re staying at/around the Carolina Beach Boardwalk or at any of the North Carolina Cottages vacation rental homes because it is walkable! Enjoy those stacks of pancakes.
Malama Cafe
3. For a bright, walkable location close to the Carolina Beach Boardwalk, head over to Malama Cafe! Malama is a go-to for locals and tourists alike year round, offering acai bowls, smoothies, and comforting seasonal beverages in the winter. This cafe also has a variety of delicious toasts on the menu. Imagine thick sourdough breads, homemade nut butters, and a variety of fresh fruits on top. Beware that seating is competitive, especially on holidays and weekends. Enjoy!
Brunches
4. Our next recommendation is Brunches! Brunches is a Southeastern chain with locations concentrated mostly in Eastern NC. They specialize in all things brunch and operate everyday from 7:30 am-3:00 pm. For a more in-depth review, check out our whole article on Brunches here!
Kure Beach Overview
5. This quaint restaurant is a gem! The staff are exceptionally friendly and make your breakfast/brunch/lunch even more enjoyable because of their authentic approach to hospitality. This spot nods more diner than restaurant, serving up tasty bites until 1:30 pm Thursday-Sunday. The ambience is relaxed as you can get a peek of the ocean from certain tables. If you find yourself in Kure Beach, Oceanview is definitely the place to check out for breakfast.
Southerly
6. If you’re in the mood for biscuits, the Southerly is your best bet for breakfast! They boast all things southern- biscuits, grits, and a variety of pies. They offer a build-your-own-biscuit option that allows you to create the most indulgent and delicious sandwich (if you can call a biscuit a sandwich) possible. This is definitely a driving destination as it is just over the bridge in Carolina Beach but their “Skip the Line/Order Online” tab on their website makes it possible to order all the fix-ins at home, pay ahead of time, and just stop in to pick it up.
Stoked
7. This is definitely a brunch option, open with breakfast-y options on Saturday and Sundays ONLY from 9:30 am-3:00 pm. Many of the menu items incorporate local seafood with southern favorites, like Chicken-N-Waffle and Shrimp and Grits. The views are unbeatable as Stoked is on the canal side of CB and sits on the water overlooking many boats and fishing charters. This is as fresh as it gets! Bonus points: pets are allowed on the deck for dining!
