Lawson’s On The Creek

For one of the most genuinely rewarding waterfront dining stops in New Bern, NC, Lawson’s On The Creek is a real treasure. Set inside the North Carolina History Center on the historic Tryon Palace grounds in Craven County’s county seat, this deli-style café combines a meaningful historical name with gourmet sandwiches, house-made salads, North Carolina craft beer and wine, and one of the most scenic dining experiences anywhere in eastern North Carolina. Voted Craven County’s #1 Best Sandwich Shop & Lunch Spot and #5 Best Waterfront Restaurant, Lawson’s combines a warm, casual atmosphere with stunning views of the Trent River — making it a perfect lunch stop before, after, or in the middle of a day exploring Tryon Palace and the History Center. Click on the pictures below to get a feel for Lawson’s On The Creek before you go — or to relive the visit after.

A Name That Honors New Bern’s Founding

The “Lawson’s” in Lawson’s On The Creek is a meaningful nod to John Lawson, the English-born explorer, surveyor, and naturalist who co-founded New Bern in 1710 alongside Baron Christoph von Graffenried and a community of Swiss and Palatine German settlers. Lawson traveled extensively through the Carolinas in 1700-1701, documenting the land, plants, animals, and peoples he encountered, and his book A New Voyage to Carolina, published in 1709, remains one of the most important early descriptions of the Carolina colony. He went on to help found Bath (North Carolina’s oldest town) and New Bern before being killed during the Tuscarora War in 1711.

It’s a fitting tribute. The restaurant itself sits inside the North Carolina History Center, where the Regional History Museum features Lawson’s contributions to the region’s early settlement story. The “On The Creek” portion of the name reflects the café’s waterfront setting, with sweeping views of the Trent River, which has anchored the city since its very founding.

The Williamson Brothers’ Waterfront Vision

The story of Lawson’s On The Creek begins with brothers Richard and David Williamson, who came up with the idea for the café from a remarkably simple inspiration. As Richard once described it, the brothers “just wanted a place to eat some steamed shrimp and drink a beer on the New Bern waterfront on a Sunday afternoon.” That straightforward, warm-hearted vision — a place to gather over good food, drinks, and beautiful views — has shaped Lawson’s into the beloved community spot it is today.

The brothers’ approach to the menu reflects that same down-to-earth spirit: eclectic and casual, with a focus on local ingredients and fresh catch options whenever possible. The Tryon Fish Market is right across the street, making fresh local seafood a real possibility every day.

One of New Bern’s Only Waterfront Restaurants

Lawson’s occupies one of the most enviable spots in downtown New Bern — a waterfront patio with sweeping views of the Trent River, all within the modern North Carolina History Center building. It’s one of the only true waterfront restaurants in the city, and the location alone makes it worth the visit. Whether you’re settling in for a leisurely lunch on the patio, watching boats drift along the river, or just enjoying a sandwich and a drink with a view, the setting is genuinely hard to beat.

The location also makes Lawson’s the perfect lunch stop for visitors exploring the broader Tryon Palace complex — easy access from a tour of the Palace, the History Center, the Pepsi Family Center, the Duffy Gallery, the Guion Gallery, and the Regional History Museum all combine to make it a natural stop in the middle of a day downtown.

Gourmet Sandwiches, Salads, and Southern Favorites

The menu at Lawson’s is wonderfully expansive — built around fresh, house-made craftsmanship that runs through everything from the sandwiches to the salads to the desserts. Headline items include:

The Reuben — a beloved signature that draws regulars back again and again
Hot pastrami on rye with your choice of cheese and bread
Pastrami Reuben hotdogs — a creative house specialty
Specialty paninis — fresh-pressed and beautifully constructed
Shrimp Louie salad and chicken salad — two of the menu’s most popular options
The 3 Salad Plate — a combo of shrimp salad, chicken salad, and potato salad for the indecisive
Sour cream potato salad — a Lawson’s signature side
Pimento cheese — Southern tradition done right
Panini tots and loaded tots — inventive takes on a classic side
House-made soups and chowders — daily specials, especially welcome in cooler months
Cranberry bread pudding — a beloved house dessert

For visitors with dietary considerations, Lawson’s also offers gluten-free bread options and a vegetarian-friendly selection — making it a welcoming stop for groups with mixed dietary needs.

A Focus on NC Craft Beer and Wine

Lawson’s puts a real emphasis on North Carolina craft beer and wine — with NC craft beer on tap, bottled beer options, and wine by the glass all available. Beyond beer and wine, the café offers a thoughtful selection of refreshing non-alcoholic drinks, including:

House-made lemonade and orangeade
Raspberry pink sparkler
Stone fruit sangria (seasonal)
Old-school root beer floats

The beverage program complements the menu wonderfully — making Lawson’s an equally good fit for a casual family lunch or a more leisurely afternoon on the patio.

Family-Friendly, Pup-Friendly, and More

Lawson’s has built its reputation on warm, attentive service and a genuinely welcoming atmosphere. The café is:

Family-friendly — with grilled cheese sandwiches, hot dogs, and kid-friendly options
Pup-friendly — featuring a dedicated menu for canine companions
Group-friendly — accommodating larger gatherings and celebrations
Catering-available — for events of all sizes

The combination of indoor and outdoor seating, the regular rotation of occasional live music and themed events, and the warm hospitality of the staff make Lawson’s a place that genuinely captures the spirit of a great New Bern lunch destination.

Good to Know

Location: Inside the North Carolina History Center on the Tryon Palace grounds
Address: 529 S Front Street, New Bern, NC 28562
Founders: Brothers Richard and David Williamson
Name origin: A nod to John Lawson, the English explorer who co-founded New Bern in 1710
Awards: Craven County’s #1 Voted BEST Sandwich Shop & Lunch Spot; Voted #5 BEST Waterfront Restaurant
Distinction: One of the only waterfront restaurants in New Bern
Style: Gourmet deli-style café with a focus on fresh, local, house-made ingredients
Menu highlights: The Reuben, hot pastrami on rye, pastrami Reuben hot dogs, specialty paninis, shrimp salad, chicken salad, sour cream potato salad, panini tots, pimento cheese, daily soups and chowders, cranberry bread pudding
Beverages: NC craft beer (on tap and bottled), wine by the glass, house-made lemonade and orangeade, stone fruit sangria, raspberry pink sparkler, root beer floats
Dietary options: Gluten-free bread, vegetarian-friendly selections
Welcoming policies: Family-friendly, pup-friendly menu, group-friendly, catering available
Features: Indoor and outdoor seating, waterfront patio, occasional live music and themed events
Parking: Shared lot with the Tryon Palace visitors center
Best for: Tryon Palace visitors, waterfront diners, sandwich lovers, families with kids and dogs, and anyone looking for a relaxing lunch with a beautiful view
Pair with: A tour of Tryon Palace, the Regional History Museum (which features John Lawson’s story), the Pepsi Family Center, or a stroll through historic downtown New Bern
Located at 529 S Front Street within the North Carolina History Center, New Bern, NC

A New Bern Highlight

Lawson’s On The Creek is the kind of stop that genuinely makes a visit to Tryon Palace and the History Center complete. The meaningful tribute to John Lawson in the name, the Williamson brothers’ warm-hearted waterfront vision, the gorgeous Trent River views from the patio, the award-winning sandwich and salad menu with signatures like the Reuben and the famous sour cream potato salad, the strong focus on North Carolina craft beer and wine, and the genuinely welcoming family- and pup-friendly atmosphere all add up to one of the most rewarding lunch experiences anywhere in Craven County. Whether you’re settling in for a Reuben and a pink sparkler before a Palace tour, sharing a 3 salad plate on the waterfront patio, or just stopping in for a slice of cranberry bread pudding with a view of the river, this is one of the most rewarding stops you can make in downtown New Bern.