Experience true coastal living by dining “al fresco” on the water.  Boating enthusiasts can enjoy numerous options for dockside dining and avoid the hassles of traffic jams and parking meters.  Several local, “flip-flop” friendly restaurants accommodate transient dockage, whether you are just stopping in for a cool beverage, or to enjoy some delicious local seafood, or staying overnight. 

The Dockside Restaurant & Bar has been a Wrightsville Beach establishment for over 25 years. 

This favorite local spot has a casual atmosphere and serves fresh, local and regional seafood.  The marina has 180 feet of transient dockage, with some of the best overnight rates in the area.

The Bridge Tender and the Fish House Grill are located right up the street, or waterway, from the Dockside.  Fish House Grill has a more casual atmosphere, with outdoor deck dining along the water, with affordable seafood selections.  

The Bridge Tender has been a Wilmington favorite for over 40 years and has both indoor and outdoor dining options, serving unique chef preparations of seafood and steak.  The Bridge Tender marina can host dock and dine guests for both the Bridge Tender and the Fish House Grill. Directly across the Intracoastal waterway, the Bluewater Grill offers a more upscale atmosphere. 

Every Sunday at 4:00 pm, from April through October, the Bluewater Grill hosts a waterfront concert series, with fun, live bands and a festive crowd.  The menu offers chef-inspired local seafood specialties and American fare.  For boaters, there are seven spaces in front of the restaurant’s open-air dining area, with experienced dockhands during the season.  For those arriving in yachts, disembarking is unnecessary, as the Bluewater Grill offers onboard options for food and beverages. 

Downtown Wilmington has convenient docking options along the Cape Fear River for those just wanting to enjoy exploring the eclectic, historic, downtown area for a few hours, or can accommodate overnight dockage. Wilmington City Docks have reasonable rates of just $5.00 for partial day dockage, and priced per foot for overnight transient dockage, with a maximum stay of 14 days. 

The George on the Riverwalk offers 80’ of dock space, and is the only true dock and dine restaurant downtown. 

Their menu features southern coastal cuisine and they offer lunch and dinner, as well as brunch on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 

Pull your boat up to Gibby’s Dock and Dine at Carolina Beach for breakfast, lunch or dinner.  This local favorite offers indoor and outdoor harborside dining with live music in the evenings, Thursday through Sunday.  Gibby’s serves local and regional seafood, and traditional American cuisine. 

Be sure to check out Sear’s Landing in Surf City if you are exploring the Surf City/Topsail Beach area, located on the mainland, at the foot of the Surf City swing bridge on the Intracoastal waterway. The docks at Sear’s Landing can accommodate small pleasure crafts, fishing boats and yachts for daily, weekly or monthly slip rental.  The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and features local and regional seafood with an island flare. 

Visit the quaint, Victorian fishing village of Southport by boat, and dock and dine at the Provision Company.  Their docks accommodate up to 25 boats, depending upon size. The Provision Company boasts views of the Southport Yacht Basin, and serves fresh, local seafood in a casual atmosphere. 

The southern Carolina coast offers a vast array of picturesque, waterfront dining venues to enjoy the incredible sunsets, and fresh local seafood, whether you come by car, boat, bicycle, or on foot!

Greenlands Farm is home to a three-generation farm family, the Burkerts and Kelleys, who practice the full-circle system known as sustainable homestead farming. 
 
On July 23, Greenlands, 668 Midway Road SE in Bolivia, will offer an opportunity for guests to enjoy a meal and learn about the farm with the Farm to Fork Tapas and Tour.
 
The afternoon begins with a meal prepared by the farm chef. The tapas-style menu will feature ingredients from the farm and store, served at the family farmhouse. A selection of wine and craft beer are available for purchase by the glass.
 
The meal will be followed by a tour showcasing the farm's vegetables, flocks and herds, as well as picturesque gardens and pastures. The tour will be led by a family member and may include discussions of sustainable farming practices, how to manage farm animals, a visit with pasture-raised chickens or a demonstration on goat milking.
 
The tour will conclude with a stop at the farm store, which features farm-made products, pesticide-free veggies, hand-made goats milk soap, baked goods, canned preserves and pickles and a variety of gift items.
 
The tasting and tour runs 3-5 p.m. and is $49 per person. A portion of the proceeds will go to Helpers of Our Farm, (HOOF), a nonprofit educational farm animal sanctuary at Greenlands Farm.

Greenlands Farm hosts farm to fork tours from April to October.