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Related Items: Local Recommendations

Outdoor dining options are more popular than ever these days and there are so many beautiful sunny days at the beach throughout the year, not to mention the breathtaking views found throughout the island. 

So, as you plan for your next visit to Holden Beach, we compiled this quick reference list for you that features Holden Beach restaurantswhere you can enjoy an outdoor meal with family or friends.

Outdoor Dining at Holden Beach

Archibald’s Deli

This local favorite is a deli-style restaurant offering breakfast and lunch, and seating options include an outdoor separate screened-porch area and outdoor picnic tables. Their menu features a variety of sandwiches, wraps, salads, and more. Patron favorites include the lobster roll or shrimp salad, though there are lots of amazing options!

Castaways Raw Bar & Grill

This fun raw bar and grill has patio seating on two levels (plus open-air seating during the warmer months) with amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean. Of course, there are oysters on the half shell, but you will also enjoy the crab dip, the seafood mac ‘n cheese, the lobster ravioli, flatbreads, and so much more for lunch and dinner. Castaways regularly features live entertainment.

The Cove Restaurant

This family-owned restaurant features outdoor patio seating. The Cove is open for dinner, featuring a farm-to-table menu. After your delicious meal, you may enjoy a quick stop next door for some Holden Scoop ice cream to enjoy while relaxing outside in the rocking chairs.

Dock House Seafood

When you take your seat on the outdoor patio overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway, you will truly feel like your beach vacation has started. This local restaurant offers a unique selection of menu items for lunch and dinner, including seafood pot pie and redneck eggrolls.

LouLou’s Waterfront Restaurant

LouLou’s is situated along the Intracoastal Waterway with unobstructed views that can be enjoyed from their expansive deck and outdoor patio seating. This dinner-only restaurant features a variety of local seafood entrees on the menu, though other choices are also available, with live music as a backdrop as scheduling allows.

Mermaids Island Grill

Terrific ocean breezes and views are enjoyed by outdoor diners of all ages for lunch or dinner at Mermaids. This casual dining restaurant is located on the island on the corner across from Castaways, and features a variety of local seafood, a yummy Greek salad, specialty sandwiches, and other popular menu selections. 

Mini Jalapeno

Our local Mexican restaurant, Mini Jalapeno, is located near the Holden Beach Bridge next to the Magic Mountain Water Slide. Their popular dishes focus on using fresh, high-quality ingredients. The environment is friendly and vibrant, and some outdoor tables are available.

Provision Company

Located along the Intracoastal Waterway just before the Holden Beach Bridge, you can enjoy your go-to Provision Company menu item(s) in the screened-in dining area. Outdoor seating is also available on the deck, sometimes accompanied by live music and always offering an amazing view of the ICW across to the island. ProCo is a local and visitor favorite for lunch and dinner.

Order Takeout and Eat on the Beach

There are so many amazing restaurants in and around Holden Beach. Though they don’t all offer outdoor seating options, you can also order your food to go and enjoy it on the beach or from the deck of your Hobbs Realtyvacation rental!

The Hot Buffalo

Located near the Holden Beach Bridge on the mainland side, Hot Buffalo offers chicken wings, pizza logs, fried avocadoes, fried pickles, and more. After a quick stop to pick up your order followed by a short drive over the bridge onto the island, you can be enjoying your outdoor picnic in no time!

Jersey Girls Deli

Jersey Girls Deli – yes, started by some Jersey girls who now call North Carolina home – is open for lunch, serving a variety of salads, subs, sandwiches, soup, and more. Call ahead with your order, pick it up, and get out there and enjoy that sunshine!

Mankins Causeway Cafe

The best burger on the North Carolina coast? Many would shout out for Mankins and their hand-pressed burgers, hot dogs, fries, and sweet tea. This busy diner is a favorite among locals and visitors alike, so we recommend calling ahead with your lunch order to pick up at the outside window on the front porch. The perfect picnic fare – if you don’t mind fending off a few seagulls!

Patronies Pizza

Patronies is known for its authentic Italian food, including specialty pizzas, calzones, and pasta dishes, along with wings and sandwiches. Grab your favorites for dinner and have a family-style picnic on your vacation rental deck for a relaxing end to your day!

Simply Barbecue

A selection of in-house smoked meats and sides are available at Simply Barbecue. Nothing says outdoor lunch or dinner like barbecue, so you don’t want to miss a stop here during your week at the beach. They do have a few picnic table spots in front of their food truck, or carry it with you to hit the sand that much sooner.

We Hope to See You Soon!

So, now that the food is checked off your vacation planning checklist, call our knowledgeable vacation pros at (800) 655-3367 if we can help with any other Holden Beach or reservation details. That’s what we’re here for!  And you can always browse our selection of vacation rentals here.

We look forward to seeing you on the beach soon!

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Darcy Geho is a contributing author to this Hobbs Realty blog. She spent 11 years working in the vacation rental industry while she lived on and traveled the North Carolina coast. Like most of our visitors, when Darcy isn’t on Holden Beach, she looks forward to her next visit. In her spare time, Darcy enjoys sharing her adventures on her blog (external link to http://www.PreservingMySanity.com).