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Topsail Island is renowned for its natural beauty and slow way of life, which makes it perfect for a vacation. This North Carolina island has a small-town feel that is a nice retreat from the busy buzz of everyday life. When you leave behind the stresses of your normal life–work, personal commitments, commuting traffic, soccer practices, deadlines–and head to the island, your priorities will start to shift. You`ll no longer be planning your mornings, trying to get your kids ready for school, and making it to work on time. Instead, you might find yourself sipping coffee on the porch of your vacation rental, thinking about where you`re going for lunch or where you want to grab a drink in the evening. Topsail Island is full of local gems that are a valued part of the community and a must-visit for newcomers to experience. If you`re looking for some tasty places to visit while you`re here at Topsail Island, read on to discover some of the best establishments to grab a pint and relax.
If you`re traveling with your family, you might like to find some child-friendly grills that have a great kids` menu to ensure the whole family is happy. These are good places to take your kids for lunch or dinner, while the adult members of the party can still grab a drink or two with the food. You can check out the kids` menu online before you arrive or even get your food to go to most of these restaurants if you`d rather eat outside or at home.
Located in Surf City, High Water Sports Bar and Grill is a family-friendly restaurant. Grab some lobster nachos with a beer after a day of fishing on the water. Or take your family out to dinner. There are great pasta dishes for adults, like high seas linguini. And for the kids, the classic pasta alfredo is a great choice.
Coastal Wing and Spirits Company is a delicious restaurant to enjoy southern comfort fare with the big football game on multiple screens. The varied children`s menu makes this an excellent place for families to enjoy. Pick out a crafted cocktail to go with the mouthwatering food options available. From familiar game day snack favorites like hot wings, loaded tots, and soft pretzels to dinner entrees like burgers, shrimp tacos, and smoked meat plates, there are a lot of options to choose from.
If you`re looking for a place with great food and fun fruity cocktails, then you`ll want to check out Daddy Mac`s Beach Grille. Their lunch and dinner menu is filled with seafood, steak, ribs, and pasta options. This coastal cuisine extends to their bar menu. On a warm summer day, pick out a fun island cocktail like the Lava Flow (rum, pineapple juice, coconut syrup, and strawberries) or the Ocean Walk (Blue Shark Vodka, Malibu Rum, Curacao, and pineapple juice). You`ll be able to drink cocktails and eat your meal while enjoying the stunning oceanfront view.
While you are at one of the vacation rentals on the island, you might like to experience some of the nightlife available. Even though you might have a kitchen to cook your own food, experiencing some of the local nightlife is a priceless and memorable vacation experience. Whether you`re looking for a low-key brewery where you can hang out and chat with friends, or you`re looking for a bar with a bit more high-energy and mixed drinks, there are some local places for you to check out. Most of these places are located in Surf City, so if you`ve booked one of the vacation rentals located in Topsail Beach or North Topsail Beach, then you`ll need to find safe and reliable transportation after your night of drinking.
Beach Shop and Grill is a high-quality restaurant that focuses on bringing the freshest ingredients to your table. Located in Topsail Beach, this grill has many lunch and dinner options that include seasonal produce and seafood selections. With a full-service bar and an extensive wine list, this restaurant is very popular amongst locals and visitors alike who are looking for a nice meal. There is also a cute small retail space attached to the restaurant, in case you want to do some shopping. The shop carries assorted wine, kitchen accessories, and branded apparel that you might like to take home with you.
The Peak Taphouse and Kitchen have a great beer selection. If you are looking for a casual place with food to enjoy a few pints with friends, then you`ll want to grab one of their pizzas and some beer. This place has a bit of a dive bar energy, so don`t expect anything ritzy or glamorous. Instead, expect a great selection of brews and good, unpretentious bar food.
The Salty Turtle Beer Company is a hip place to enjoy a few beers with your pals. Though it`s a fairly new brewery for the island (2017), the Salty Turtle Beer Company has quickly made itself a staple business in the community. With fundraising events for the Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation center (as well as other organizations/charities), this brewery keeps an active and positive presence in the community on the island. If you`re looking for fun things to do on Topsail Island, then The Salty Turtle Beer Company is one of the best spots to begin your search. Be sure to check out their calendar of events, as you might want to check out this brewery on trivia night or hang out for the live music. The selection of drinks is varied, so you can opt for their malty and nutty Barnacle Bill`s Brown Ale or go with their refreshing and fruity Surfizz Blueberry and Lemon hard seltzer. Bring your furry friends as well; they are welcome at the brewery. Kids are also welcome before eight pm; however, there isn`t food, so you`ll have to bring your own snacks for them to enjoy.
If you`re looking for a bar that has a down-to-earth and local vibe, then The Trailer is an awesome bar for you to try. Though you may be staying at one of the vacation rentals on the island, you`ll start to feel at home pretty quickly. The quirky decor (you`ll probably notice the toilet with flowers placed out front) and laid-back energy will immediately make you feel like you`ve stepped into a familiar dive bar that you know and love. With reasonable prices, friendly service, a pool table, and live music, this is a great bar to hang out at, like a local.
There are plenty of things to do on Topsail Island–surfing, sunbathing, fishing, swimming, and more. Besides all of the amazing outdoor activities available, there are many restaurants and bars to check out while staying at vacation rentals around the island. From local haunts to sports bars and breweries, there are many tasty things to do on Topsail Island. If you`re looking to explore the vibrant nightlife on the island, you`ll want to head to Surf City, as that`s where most of the recommendations listed are located. For your next visit, you will want to consider all the bars and restaurants, as there are many different options for a memorable night out with your friends or family. For a full list of restaurants, activities, attractions, and more things to do on Topsail Island, check out our recommendations.