Easy Does it in Morehead City

Lay back and rest easy in Morehead City

Living feels easy in Morehead City, North Carolina. After graduation, I did what many twenty-three-year-olds dream of: live by the water. I’d start each day on my balcony, coffee in hand, looking out at the sound. In the afternoons, I’d float from thrift store to thrift store, and at night, dine at hurricane-worn diners or seafood-fusion restaurants. 

The main appeal of Morehead, however, lies in the city’s soundside character. Summer brings a touristy hum and businesses embrace this, but I’ve found true coastal living in the places the locals go. So, here’s how I spend a weekend.

Day 1: Stock Up and Stay Up

My prep begins at The Friendly Market, shopping for their premade hors d’oeuvres and locally made snacks. I’ll grab a box of cheese straws, made extra crispy and sharp. The market’s jalapeño popper dip, paired with Mamacita’s chips, makes the perfect predinner graze. 

For out-of-towners, the Bask Hotel is in the heart of downtown, so I recommend dropping your things off here if you’re looking to stay in the thick of it. Or, for a quainter boutique stay, The Beaufort Inn is a short drive away.

Ioannis is a local favorite for a Friday night. With every inch covered in Southern collegiate gear, the cheap drinks and top-tier bar food make unwinding easy. The sweet chili wings are saucy and savory, made even better with homemade ranch and deep-fried chips.

Day 2: Fuel and Fancy

My Saturday morning either starts at Big Rock Café or Mug Shot. At Big Rock, the servers keep my coffee mug full, so I’m plenty awake and warm when their house skillet, layered with home fries, cream cheese, and meaty delights, arrives hot off the grill. Part coffee shop, part cocktail bar, and part restaurant, Mug Shot’s menu spans breakfast to dinner. Their iced coffee is some of the best in town, a perfect complement to their breakfast bowl or avocado toast. My heart belongs to their lunch menu, however, as their slow-roasted pork tacos, supplemented with kimchi and jalapeño aïoli, are incredibly tender. 

Saturday evening is my favorite reason to break out a new dress, and Circa 81 is the perfect destination. The modern tapas restaurant makes dining an experience. Each dish sparks lively discussion. The stuffed brie, covered in pepper jelly and toasted walnuts, almost melts onto the plate. Garlic demi-glace adds the perfect umami touch to the rosemary beef. To end the night, I’ll continue the good vibes at Jack’s on the Waterfront—one of the last places with a dance floor, it comes to life during the peak season with live music. 

Day 3: Slow Down and Savor

Unfortunately, Sunday is not the day to sleep in, as the lunch rush usually has The Banks Grill’s line out the door. Arrive before noon to grab a table and try their well-loved loaded beignets. The lighthouse omelet, packed with fresh shrimp, bacon, and pimento cheese, is another local favorite.

I love a slow Sunday afternoon spent exploring, and Morehead’s waterfront is great for just that. After browsing consignment shops and boutiques, the weekend’s final stop belongs to The Promise Land Market. 

Co-owner Gerhardt Schnibben recalls the organic process through which the wine, beer, and cheese shop evolved. After Hurricane Matthew in 2013, co-owner Dave Quinn salvaged his farm’s wood to craft the restaurant’s tables and chairs. The menu has shifted with the seasons, but Schnibben recommends the yellowfin tuna, a long-standing favorite, in addition to their locally sourced wine collection. “The wine list is a living breathing thing. It’s always changing and we’re tasting four to five times a week,” shares Schnibben.

And just like that, another weekend comes to a close, spent between dive bars and craft markets in Morehead City. Between the scenery, good food, and better company, life is easy on this side of the sound.

keep reading

On the Road

Snapshot: Durham, North Carolina

A renaissance is afoot in the Bull City, filling old tobacco warehouses and textile buildings with nationally-recognized restaurants, tech companies, artisan shops, contemporary hotels, and makers cut from every cloth.

On the Road

Snapshot: Easton, Maryland

In recent years, the colonial city center has seen a renewed sense of pride with compelling reasons to linger, including top-notch restaurants, thriving farmers markets, and a full slate of year-round festivities.

Partnered

On the Road

Snapshot: Pinehurst, North Carolina

Discover the dozens of idyllic adventures and mouthwatering restaurants that await in Pinehurst, North Carolina, and Moore County.