Dock House Restaurant

For one of the most iconic waterfront dining experiences in Beaufort, NC, the Dock House Restaurant is a real treasure. Set directly along Taylor’s Creek in the heart of downtown Beaufort, this beloved restaurant has served fresh coastal seafood, sandwiches, and salads since 1978.

The boardwalk dining setup offers direct views of passing boats, the Beaufort waterfront, and the famous wild horses grazing on the Rachel Carson Reserve just across the water. Be sure to check out the pictures below to get a feel for the Dock House Restaurant before you go — or to relive the visit after.

A Beaufort Waterfront Restaurant Since 1978

The Dock House Restaurant has been serving the Beaufort waterfront since 1978 — making it one of the longest-running restaurants along Carteret County’s Crystal Coast. The restaurant sits directly along Taylor’s Creek in the heart of downtown Beaufort.

The character is genuinely casual and laid-back, with a clear focus on the waterfront experience. The combination of long-standing local presence, working-port views, and a thoughtful menu has made the Dock House one of Beaufort’s most beloved everyday dining spots.

Fresh Coastal Seafood and Pub Fare

The menu at the Dock House balances fresh local seafood with familiar pub-style options:

Fresh shrimp — A coastal Carolina staple served multiple ways
Flounder — Pan-seared or fried, locally sourced
Crab cakes — Hand-formed and pan-seared with local lump crab
Hearty sandwiches — A solid range of casual options for lunch or dinner
Crisp salads — Lighter options that work well for sunny waterfront meals

The seafood-forward menu reflects the working maritime tradition of the broader Crystal Coast, where many local restaurants source from the same regional fishing fleet.

Boardwalk Dining with Live Music

One of the most distinctive features of the Dock House is its boardwalk dining setup directly along Taylor’s Creek. The boardwalk-side seating puts diners right at the water’s edge — close enough to watch boats moving through the channel and to spot wildlife across the creek.

The boardwalk genuinely comes alive on weekends. Live music plays every weekend starting Memorial Day through the warmer months — a regular fixture for both locals and visitors looking to enjoy cold beers, tropical cocktails, and the broader waterfront atmosphere. Diners can choose between the breezy outdoor patio and the indoor dining room, depending on the weather and the mood.

Views of Taylor’s Creek and the Rachel Carson Reserve

The Dock House’s waterfront position offers some of the most beautiful views anywhere in downtown Beaufort. Diners can take in:

Passing boats moving in and out of Taylor’s Creek and the broader Beaufort waterfront
Wild horses grazing on the Rachel Carson Reserve just across the water — descendants of horses introduced to the islands in the 1940s
Coastal sunsets paint the sky over Taylor’s Creek and the broader Crystal Coast

The combination of fresh seafood, live weekend music, and the chance to spot wild horses across the water makes the Dock House one of the most distinctive dining experiences in the broader North Carolina coastal region.

Good to Know

Location: Directly on Taylor’s Creek in downtown Beaufort, NC
Year established: 1978
Cuisine: Fresh coastal seafood (shrimp, flounder, crab cakes), hearty sandwiches, crisp salads
Drinks: Beer and tropical cocktails
Seating: Boardwalk dining, breezy outdoor patio, indoor dining room
Live music: Every weekend starting Memorial Day through the warmer months
View: Across Taylor’s Creek to the Rachel Carson Reserve; wild horse sightings possible on clear days; passing boats and waterfront sunsets
Hours: Check the Dock House Restaurant website for current hours
Best for: Seafood lovers, families, couples, casual diners, live music fans, and visitors looking for a quintessential Beaufort waterfront experience
Pair with: A walk along the Beaufort waterfront, a stop at the nearby Black Sheep Beaufort for brick-oven pizza, a daytime visit to the North Carolina Maritime Museum, a tour of the Beaufort Historic Site, or an evening on the Beaufort Ghost Walk

A Beaufort Highlight

The Dock House Restaurant is the kind of stop that genuinely captures the working-port character of downtown Beaufort. The 1978 founding date gives the restaurant nearly five decades of presence along Taylor’s Creek.

The menu of fresh local seafood — shrimp, flounder, and crab cakes — reflects the broader working maritime tradition of the Crystal Coast. The boardwalk dining setup puts diners directly at the water’s edge.

The live music program elevates the experience during the warmer months. Weekly live music starting Memorial Day has made the Dock House a Friday and Saturday evening fixture for both locals and visitors.

Whether you’re a seafood enthusiast chasing fresh local catches, a Front Street regular looking for a casual outdoor dinner, or a visitor combining live music with a Beaufort waterfront view, this is one of the most iconic food and beverage stops you can make in Carteret County.