The dining scene in Brunswick County's beach towns has changed a lot in recent years. In addition to restaurants that have beenserving locals and tourists for decades, new eateries are offering waterfront views, award-winning wine lists, and new versions of the favorites have opened in recent months and years.
This year, more restaurateurshave brought on a new wave of eateries expanding the options from Sunset Beach to Sunset Harbor. There's a new tropical-themed escape with a backyard oasis, a casual spot overlooking Mary's Creek and a new concept in a restaurant space in Ocean Isle Beach.
Kalani, Sunset Harbor in Bolivia
There's a Kalani sign on a wooden fence at the perimeter of this property at 3792 Sunset Harbor Road, in the Sunset Harbor area of Bolivia. But other signage
shows that it's a new iteration of the Felix Cafe from restaurateur Felix Scroppo that closed in Wilmington in 2023.
There are other clues, too. Like the Felix's Legendary Monte Cristo, one of the former spot's most popular dishes, and the Jamaican Jerk Chicken Wrap on the menu. There are some Kalani-branded items too, such as a crab dip, salad, burger and steam pot. Also look for starters, tacos, handhelds, and entrees like crab cakes, a hand-cut ribeye and a return of the customizable build-a-mac bowl that starts with a base of truffle mac and cheese.
But the decor, which features mermaids, ships, fish and other nautical elements throughout the restaurant, is also a draw -- as is the large backyard oasis with a water feature, bonsai trees, a tortoise and tropical birds.
Tuscan Sunset Restaurant & Lounge, Ocean Isle Beach
The owners of the former The Cove Restaurant in Holden Beach have opened this new business at 925 Seaside Road S.W. in the former Talk of the Town Restaurant. It opened in August, but early reviews are positive for the something-for-everyone menu that plays up the Italian flavors in a selection of pastas, flatbread pizzas and entrees like Salmon Piccata, Chicken Francaise and Sunset Ribeye. There's also a bar side, with drink and app specials.
The two-part restaurant has a cozy bar space to the left with some table seating. To the right, there's a spacious dining room and a private party room that's available for booking.
Rustic Reel Bar & Grill, Sunset Beach
Many locals remember Crabby Oddwaters, which opened in 1989 and served waterfront drinks and eats for more than three decades before it closed. Now, the newest eatery in the space opened in recent months at 310 Sunset Blvd. N., overlooking Mary's Creek. There's still an upstairs dining room above Bill's Seafood Market, as well as a covered bar, and a patio and space for games on the lower level out back.
The vibe and the menu are casual, but it does have some twists like frogs' legs, conch fritters and shrimp-and-grits bites on the starter menu. Other options include salads, handheld, po' boys and seafood baskets.
Allison Ballard is the food and dining reporter at the StarNews. You can reach her at aballard@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: These 3 Brunswick County beach town restaurants are creating buzz
