An assortment of fresh seafood including fish, shrimp, crab legs, oysters, clams, scallops, and lobster tail arranged on a bed of ice.

The Best Holden Beach Seafood Restaurants and Markets

Published: April 2, 2025

Holden Beach is a picturesque island in North Carolina and is known for its natural beauty and thriving Holden Beach restaurants. Nestled between the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean, this small beach town offers not only stunning sandy shores but also a rich, centuries-old tradition of seafood harvesting.

Seafood plays a central role in the town’s food culture, where local seafood restaurants and eateries proudly showcase dishes prepared with freshly caught fish. Popular dishes include shrimp and grits, clam chowder, and steamed oysters, often served with a side of Southern hospitality. The abundance of fresh seafood is not just a culinary tradition but a way of life.

If you’re unsure of where to start this delicious foodie vacation then look no further... Here are the best restaurants and seafood markets in Holden Beach, NC!

Holden Beach Seafood Restaurants

Castaway’s Raw Bar & Grill

A casual beachside seafood restaurant with wooden tables, plastic chairs, surfboards on the ceiling, and a large TV showing a football game.
Photo Credit: @davidwdraper

112 Ocean Blvd W, Holden Beach, NC 28462

Located on Ocean Blvd, this incredible two-level restaurant includes stunning ocean views and delicious cuisine. Enjoy live entertainment, cornhole games on the beach, and some of the city’s best oysters and crab dip all in one place. Open for lunch and dinner, Castaway’s is a must for your Holden Beach foodie vacation.

Dock House Seafood

A pint of Golden Road beer sits on a wooden table beside a Dock House menu, with a waterfront seafood shack visible through the sunny window.
Photo Credit: @dockhouse_hb

103 S Shore Dr, Holden Beach, NC 28462

Located on South Shore Dr, Dock House Seafood offers a unique selection of delicious cuisine! Enjoy the wonderful flavors of fresh food while basking in the stunning views of the Intracoastal Waterway. Welcome to all, Dock’s is sure to show you what true Southern hospitality truly is. Make sure you check the hours before you go, as this seafood restaurant in Holden Beach tends to close for the season!

The Cove Restaurant

Slices of seared ahi tuna with a sesame crust are served on mixed greens, drizzled with a creamy dressing, and accompanied by pickled ginger and wasabi.
Photo Credit: @jline71183

2633 Holden Beach Rd SW, Supply, NC 28462

This incredible family-owned local restaurant is located on Holden Beach Rd, and welcomes both people and their pets to enjoy this establishment! There is even a special seating area for those with dogs. Not to forget to mention, the delicious Holden Scoop ice cream parlor is right next door.... This is a spot you do not want to miss!

SmacNally’s Waterfront Bar & Grill

A seafood platter featuring fried shrimp and oysters, hush puppies, seasoned curly fries, coleslaw, and dipping sauces served on a black plate.
Photo Credit: @smacnallys

1045 B-Var Rd SW, Supply, NC 28462

While enjoying breathtaking views of the Holden Beach Bridge and the Intracoastal Waterway, SmacNally’s will show you a great time with live music from the bar and food goodness that can’t be beaten! Located on 1045-B Var Rd, this is a restaurant the whole family will love!

Mermaids Island Grill

Two paper plates of fried seafood sit on a wooden table—one with spicy battered shrimp and ranch dressing, the other with golden fried fish bites.
Photo Credit: @robbybeamer

102 Jordan Blvd, Holden Beach, NC 28462
Featuring local and from-scratch ingredients, Mermaids Island Grill is sure to be your favorite Holden Beach stop. Open for lunch and dinner, the whole family can enjoy an ocean view indoors or out. Located on Jordan Blvd, Mermaids truly brings the flavor to Holden Beach.

Holden Beach Seafood Markets

Old Ferry Seafood

A close-up of a seafood boil featuring crawfish, mussels, clams, sausage, corn, and orange slices seasoned with spices.
Photo Credit: @blissfulescapebeachhouse

1069 Songbird Ln SW, Supply, NC 28462

Owned by Anna and Phil Robinson who have been catching and cooking seafood for 30 years, you will find some of the area’s best and most fresh selection! Choose for pre-prepared and delicious dinners, as well as the choice of catch such as clams, shrimp, mussels, and more. You may even get a show of fishermen docking and unloading by the shop, delivering the fresh seafood for you to take home.

Beacon 1 Seafood

A cardboard box filled with rows of fresh blue crabs is displayed on ice at a seafood market.
Photo Credit: @jkpatriot1217

1 Fisherman Rd, Supply, NC 28462

Beacon 1 Seafood Market near Holden Beach is a local gem offering fresh, high-quality eats straight from the Atlantic. You may enjoy their homemade seafood dips as well, a well-known favorite for locals. Renowned for its friendly service and wide selection, it’s the perfect spot to pick up shrimp, oysters, crabs, and fish.

Capt’n Pete’s Seafood Market

A close-up view of live blue crabs stacked together, highlighting their detailed shells, claws, and textured exoskeletons.
Photo Credit: @captn.petes.seafoodmarket

101 S Shore Dr, Holden Beach, NC 28462

Capt’n Pete’s Seafood Market in Holden Beach is a beloved local spot offering fresh, top-quality eats, including shrimp, crabs, and fish. Famous for its homemade crab cakes, this market is a local favorite that keeps customers coming back for more.

Making Holden Beach a Home Away From Home

Aerial view of beachfront vacation homes with pools along a sandy coastline, overlooking a calm inlet and barrier island in the distance.

For the perfect home to enjoy all of your seafood market goods, Hobbs Realty has you covered with the perfect Holden Beach vacation rental. These rentals feature high-quality amenities and stunning views that you just can’t find anywhere else. Enjoy a fully equipped kitchen, oceanfront pools, hot tubs, private boardwalks, and expansive decks when staying with Hobbs Realty for your foodie vacation!

Holden Beach stands out as one of the best places to enjoy seafood. It offers delicious fresh catches, whether it be at favorite local markets, or coastal restaurants! With markets and restaurants beloved for their quality, service, and dedication to the freshest fish available, visitors have the opportunity to enjoy truly authentic, coastal flavors. Book your stay today and experience a true tasty vacation in the heart of Holden Beach!

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