I grew up on the water so eating outside, always meant we were waterfront dining. There is just something so comforting about being able to watch the waves while dining. I almost feel like it makes the food taste better too.
Once I moved, I was a little bummed to find the ocean was so far away. Since I have always been a fan of enjoying my meal shoreside, I needed to find a place to satisfy my seaside craving. Sadly, there aren’t any ocean views near Charlotte, North Carolina. However, we have lots of lakes and ponds to get that water fix.
If you are like me and find eating by the water more enjoyable than being stuck indoors, this list is a must to check out. I have made it my goal this year to visit each one.
Papa Doc's Shore Club
The Papa Doc’s Shore Club can be found at 3990 Charlotte Hwy Lake Wylie, SC 29710.
The waterfront overlooks the stunning Lake Wylie and is a perfect location to dock and dine. There is something for everyone at Papa Doc’s, from tiki cocktails to live music on the water. The menu includes mouthwatering dishes such as the Big Papa 3 lb steamed seafood tower, char-grilled oysters, a Lakehouse burger, a Shore Club sandwich, Flounder Filet, and more. Visit the website for more information. I can’t wait to try this one out this Summer.Hello, Sailor
This restaurant is my favorite. This hotel has a vibe of a 1960s motion picture, and the view of Lake Norman is beautiful. A tasty cocktail and some tasty seafood awaited me here last year in July. The address is 20210 Henderson Rd Cornelius, NC 28031. Visit their website for more information here.
Drift
Drift is located at 315-M Lanyard Ln. Belmont, NC. They are open Monday – Thursday from 4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 4:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m., and on Sundays from 3:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Enjoy a great day or night lakeside at Drift on Lake Wylie and enjoy a great view while eating great food. This fine-dining restaurant offers dinner, dessert, and libations for all of its guests. The restaurant opened officially on May 9, 2022, with limited reservations during the first week. This is your chance to enjoy such foods including shrimp cocktail, lobster crab cakes, scallops, salmon, creme brûlée, and more. I’ve yet to go here but I’m excited to try it this year.
Boardwalk Billy's Raw Bar and Ribs
Boardwalk Billy’s Raw Bar and Ribs has been a favorite of mine since college. When I was in college, I would go there almost every day. There is a nice little view of the pond and ducks, even though it is not a large waterfront. They serve bar food, Fresh seafood, award-winning barbecue, and class-A southern hospitality. It is located at the Shoppes at University Place 9005 J M Keynes Dr #2, Charlotte, NC 28262. It is open seven days a week from 11 am-11 pm. They also have an additional location on Sardis Road North. You can see more on their menu here.
River’s Edge
It might be the waterside view of an artificial river, but it still counts. At the U.S. Whitewater Center, you can eat at the River’s Edge. This restaurant is a full-service dining experience with a wide selection of food, beer, and wine. You can eat inside or on the patio overlooking the man-made whitewater river. The hours of operation vary, so be sure to check their website here.
Edgewater Bar & Grille
Located inside the Hilton in University City, you can eat at the Edgewater Bar & Grille. There’s a nice little view of the water, and they serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There are so many options on their menu to please everyone’s taste buds. Their menu features Farm-to-Table southern cuisine. It’s a great place for family dinners, after-work gatherings, drinks, and shared plates with friends. Visit their website for more information here.
Need a bite to eat? Enjoy a unique dining experience morning, noon and night at our on-site Lakefront Restaurant!
Posted by Edgewater Bar & Grille on Friday, January 31, 2020North Harbor Club Restaurant and Bar
Located at 100-D North Harbor Place Davidson, NC 28036 is the North Harbor Club Restaurant and Bar. The North Harbor Club offers waterfront dining at its finest! North Harbor Club offers fine dining using fresh ingredients and the perfect touch of our Executive Chef for lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch. Click here to see more on their hours and dining menu.
Come try our new cocktails!!! This is our Razztini!
Posted by North Harbor Club, Davidson NC on Saturday, March 5, 2022The Pump House
This is a short drive away from Charlotte. Located at 575 Herrons Ferry Rd Rock Hill, SC 29730 is The Pump House. This waterfront dining is such a cool experience. Locally sourced food that is inspired by the south is served at the restaurant. While you eat and drink, you can an amazingly-beautiful setting on the Catawba River. This celebrates our rich history and our exciting future. You can see more on their menu here.
Eddie's on Lake Norman
Ann-Margaret Wagner brings her hospitality and restaurant expertise to Lake Norman from New York. The view and food are both great at this restaurant. The address is 643 Williamson Rd, Mooresville, NC 28117. Although I haven’t been yet, I heard they offer a wide selection of seafood, raw bar, and Italian and American burgers. You can see more on Eddie’s menu here.
Port City Club
Located at 18665 Harborside Drive Cornelius, NC 28031 is the Port City Club. The Port City Club is a 13,500-square-foot waterfront restaurant located on beautiful Lake Norman. Fun fact, did you know Lake Norman is the largest man-made lake, known as the “Inland Sea.” At the restaurant, they use fresh ingredients to make tasty food for you. They even serve fresh line-caught Charleston seafood. Everything is made from scratch including pasta and bread. You can click here to see more about their hours and menu. I have never been but now it is on my list.
The Blue Parrot
This is a favorite spot of mine. Where I grew up we had tons of tiki bars so I am a sucker for them. Located at 169 Pinnacle Lane Mooresville, NC. Blue Parrot Grill is a Patio Tiki Bar & Grill on Lake Norman. They have a large outside patio with an outdoor Tiki Bar. Their drinks are great. They also offer live entertainment Thursday thru Sunday. The menu is your classic tiki bar eats with fish, shrimp, burgers, sandwiches, salads, pasta, ribs, and more. You can see more on The Blue Parrot hours and menu here.
Posted by Blue Parrot Grill on Tuesday, April 28, 2020
J.R. Cash
J.R. Cash is a fresh, scratch-made, classic American grill. This restaurant actually had five different locations. The location that is closest to us is 1000 Marina Village Dr. Mount Holly, NC 28120. I have yet to visit this restaurant but it is now on my must-visit list. You can see more on their menu here.
Try out our patio the next time you join us!
Posted by J.R. Cash's Grill and Bar NC Mount Holly-Lake Wylie on Wednesday, May 4, 2022
14 Best North Carolina Beaches to Visit
14. Kure Beach
Kure Beach, NC | Events, Outdoor Adventures & Special Deals
Experience natural wonders and outdoor activities on the beach and beyond the sand. Take a break from your deadlines to see why life's a little less hectic at Kure Beach. Located just 18 miles from Wilmington, here you'll find the kind of small-town beach you visited as a kid.
13. Kitty Hawk
Things to Do in Kitty Hawk, NC | Find Hotels & Restaurants
Of all the beach towns on the Northern Outer Banks, Kitty Hawk may have the most-lovely name but it's one whose roots are lost to time. Some say it's the Anglicization of the native word , for which we have no translation.
12. Carolina Beach
Carolina Beach, NC | Fun, Festivals, Fishing & The Beach
With outdoor adventures, island tiki bars and more, coastal fun beckons all season long. Trade your ordinary beach vacation for an extraordinary one! Find your laid-back beach vibe at Carolina Beach, one of the most down-to-earth, good-time beaches on the Atlantic Coast located just 15 miles from Wilmington.
11. Nags Head
Nags Head, NC - OuterBanks.com
Home of the Crab Leg & Lobster Buffet! Jimmy's Seafood Buffet is a great stop for an all you can eat affordable dinner extravaganza. The buffet offers over 100 different items. It even serves Jumbo Alaskan crab legs and Jumbo steamed shrimp, something you will not find on any other buffet in the OBX.
10. Duck
Duck, NC | Restaurants, Hotels & Outdoor Recreation
Duck, the northernmost town on the Outer Banks, earned its name at the turn of the 20 th century thanks to the popularity of duck hunting in the Currituck and Albemarle Sounds.
9. Atlantic Beach
The Atlantic Beach Official Website! | Official Website
The City of Atlantic Beach, City of Neptune Beach, Atlantic Beach Police Department, and Neptune Beach Police Department are paying homage to this fallen officer, a historical figure in the Beaches community. Paul M. Patrick was Town Marshal Read on...
8. Wrightsville Beach
Wrightsville Beach, NC | Events, Fishing & Activities
Enjoy scenic beauty on water tours, relax in coastal gardens or get active with wellness adventures. From active lifestyles with plenty of watersports and outdoor healthy and wellness activities to friendly community gatherings, there's never a shortage of something happening year-round in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina's most accessible beach located just 8.5 miles from Wilmington.
7. Oak Island
Oak Island, NC
Situated on the southern end of North Carolina's picturesque coastline, the Town of Oak Island encompasses nearly 20 square miles; offering 10 miles of pristine beachfront, along the 12 mile-long island from which the Town derives its name.
6. Topsail Island
History of Topsail Beach
Situated at the southern end of Topsail Island, off the coast of southeastern North Carolina, the Town of Topsail Beach is the smallest of the three communities located on the 26-mile long island. North Topsail Beach occupies the northernmost section, and Surf City, the largest town on the island, is in the center.
5. Ocracoke Island
Ocracoke Island Photo Tours and Travel Information
The Ocracoke Island Lighthouse may not be the most imposing of the Outer Banks lighthouses, but as North Carolina's oldest lighthouse in operation, (and the second oldest in the United States), it is certainly one of the most beloved. At just 65' ft.
4. Corolla/Currituck Beach
Outer Banks Beaches | Corolla, Currituck County Beach Access
Overlooking the vast expanse that is the Atlantic Ocean, you'll find Currituck's northern Outer Banks beaches of Corolla and Carova - more than 20 miles of windswept remote seascapes where you can enjoy strolling along our unspoiled shoreline, shelling or simply relaxing in the sun with a good book.
3. Cape Hatteras
Cape Hatteras National Seashore (U.S. National Park Service)
The sound of ocean waves, the starry night sky, or the calm of the salt marshes, you can experience it all. Shaped by the forces of water, wind, and storms these islands are ever changing. The plants, wildlife, and people who live here adapt continually.
2. Bald Head Island
Bald Head Island NC
On February 25, 2022, Bald Head Island Transportation, Inc. (BHIT) provided initial public notification as required by law of a change in checked-baggage policies ordered by the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC). The NCUC order becomes effective April 1, 2022.
1. Emerald Isle
Emerald Isle, NC | Bogue Inlet & Emerald Isle Beach
Emerald Isle greets Crystal Coast visitors at the western end of Bogue Banks, offering 12 miles of pristine shoreline and incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean and Bogue Inlet.