A surprisingly strong 4.5 stars. Delicious food, great service, fair prices. My wife had the shrimp tacos. They were delicious and spicy. The Caribbean Shrimp Curry was an amazing blend of cuisines full of bell peppers, pineapple, and very spicy. The kids had burgers for kids meals and were happy. The Loaded Tater Tots appetizer is exactly what it is described as and delicious. Excellent service. When my daughter asked if they have strawberry lemonade, the waitress hooked her up with strawberry syrup with a smile. The location is very nice with a small park with a dock right across the parking lot. The prices are fair. We dropped $100 for a family of four. That's not cheap, but again, fair. It was something different, delicious, and spicy. read more

Food - fresh and quick. Havana bowl was very flavorful. Loved the potatoes. Pancake was only half crispy, but great flavor. Eggs were fluffy. read more

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Over all very impressed. The service was great the place is small the food was really good! I got the loaded tots from the apps and asked if they could add pork (what they did) and it was FANTASTIC. read more

By the Bridge - Loaded potatoes + add pork - Southern Near Me - Swansboro, North Carolina

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Whether for a quick drink or a full meal in the fresh air, I can always find fresh and local bites with a good beverage & service here. We came for a quick bite and drinks before a relaxing afternoon - Holly and the other staff were spectacular and more than willing to give us local recommendations. We'll definitely be back again throughout our stay - the food, prices and staff never disappoint and did not today! Even with a diverse group, we've been able to find something most will like on their menu. read more

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"Please don't tell my wife... but this the best biscuits and gravy I've ever had." That is what my life long friend said to me when we are having breakfast at "By the Bridge" last Monday. ...and I can tell you guys, I have been eating her B&G for 30 years and they are really good. However, if find yourself in Swansboro NC and have a craving for pimento cheese biscuits and gravy (yes, you are reading it right), this is the place for you. So like all my write ups, I'm going to give you as fair expectation from a food, service, ambience, and price per perspective. The place is a lot of fun, sitting right past the White Oak River bridge coming into Swansboro from Cape Carteret. It's in an old building right on the river and adjacent to a small park which is kind of fun to visit after you eat and look at the wildlife and relax. It's has they fun small hole in the wall feel, with about a dozen tables and a nice cozy suitable bar. The ambience is great, more so for a date or with four friends out to dinner together. I know I'm writing about breakfast but I've been there for dinner too and had the fish tacos, that are stuffed them full of grouper and they're absolutely fantastic. For breakfast, I had the brisket, eggs, and home fries bowl. The brisket was absolutely fantastic perfectly tender, the eggs were light and fluffy. The home fries were crispy on the outside and soft inside, so very yummy. . ...oh, I almost forgot, they had big coffee cups.. see the picture... I was extremely impressed by the hands squeezed orange juice, which was out of this world. Most items on the menu were between $12 and $18, which I thought was extremely reasonable for the quality of food that you're getting. The portions were big enough to split as well. Hollie, our server was sweet and very attentive, and a lot of fun to chat with. I highly recommend you give the place a try for breakfast, lunch or dinner. You won't be sorry. read more

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First time here and it was a Sunday afternoon, they have outside sitting with a decent view of the water. Started off with a spicy mango margarita and calamari. The calamari was good and the drink was good. We had the grouper bites, Fish tacos, avocado blt and chicken sandwich. The fish tacos were good but the black beans and white rice lacked flavor. The chicken sandwich was a good decent size but the chicken did lack flavor and the French fries were too salty. Our kids didn't finish the fries because it was loaded with salt. The grouper bites were decent. Waitress was good and checked on us often. The bill came and they do charge a fee when using a credit card and yes I know many places do it. The other thing that we didn't realize is that they had different prices on the food, than on the menu. Not sure if it was extra tax but not sure because there was a tax at the end of the bill. I guess next time if we ever come back, we will make sure we double check our bill. read more

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Came here after service was denied somewhere else but, the ambiance was very nice with the lights, location and decor. service here was straightforward which was easy you could just sit where you want instead of being assigned if not too full and our waitress was very friendly. The food was very customizable and absolutely delicious. read more

By the Bridge - Southern Near Me - Swansboro, North Carolina

Came in last weekend with a large group, stood in the middle of the restaurant for several minutes waiting to be acknowledged by the waitstaff so we could ask if we could sit outside. No one ever looked in our direction and the bartenders ignored us. Finally one person from our group walked up to someone behind the bar to ask, and she said "sit anywhere, we will get to you when we get to you" Ended up leaving due to lack of being acknowledged, and the rudeness from staff. read more

Very disappointed this year must have been a different cook! My hubby had fish n chips and I had fish tacos! This is our annual order but very little fish and Cole slaw fish tacos not as good. I'd wait a year before going back! Not our favorite anymore! Timi Ringstad read more

Food was good pork belly for app, smash burger and fried green tomatoes Service a little lacking Place was loud read more

The only reason it's not a 1 star is because I could tell the server was new and didn't know right from left. Server did great regardless but could use training. Food is overpriced but tastes cheap Fries taste frozen And the papas appetizer is trash Think a skinned boiled potato left in the fridge for a day then served onto your plate. A boiled potato costing cents was $14 read more

We sat outside and enjoyed a few beverages, they were very busy but our waitress was very nice and attentive. We have been here a few times and ate. The food is delicious and the quantity was well worth the price, which is very reasonable. Highly recommend. read more

We went there for breakfast and no one took our drink order after 20 minutes so we left. If you have a bigger party 8+ people I would stay away from this place. read more

Tasty food. Fun waitress. Surprisingly good glass of wine. We were passing through late from my in laws house and needed a food stop. Great experience and we will definitely stop here again! I can vouch for the fries, jerk tacos, and Cuban sandwich. Give them a try! read more

A Hidden Gem worth finding. I had the pleasure of dining at this incredible restaurant recently, and I can't recommend it highly enough. From the moment we walked in, the service was absolutely top-notch--friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming without being overbearing. You could tell the staff cared about creating a great experience. The food was equally impressive. I ordered the western omelette, and it was perfectly cooked--fluffy eggs filled with fresh peppers, onions, ham, and just the right amount of cheese. It was flavorful, well-balanced, and clearly made with quality ingredients. Sitting on the bank of the White Oak river, it is a quaint little place to eat and plenty to do within walking distance after the meal. I definitely plan to return next time I'm in town. read more

I assume the manager, since she wouldn't give me her name, would not allow my service dog into the restaurant. I explained that this was a violation of the law, the disability act. She did not care. Do not eat there. Plus it is very noisy and the staff are quite rude. My husband fell down the steps as we left and the manager didn't even come out. Some patrons came out and helped him. read more

Jambalaya is really good Servers were very nice Both Ohio girls Place was packed but were greeted quickly Food took a while but worth the wait read more

This was a nice little place to eat. Very nice service and good selection. Highly recommend.

This was our first stop for my planned Mother's Day Surprise on May 10th and I can honestly say that we were NOT disappointed! Despite the awkward parking this place was cozy and was just close enough to the water for a pleasant breeze. Our waitress was bright and cheerful even for so early in the morning and was very attentive. I was a little sad that they were out of lobster bisque but we still had a wonderful Breakfast! My mom was so happy to finally try the food there and was thrilled that it was such a pleasant experience. My mom said it was the perfect way to start a nice Saturday. read more

I ordered the pork tacos. This huge bone was in one of them. Told the waitress and her reply was. "Ok I'll tell the kitchen". Last time for me going here. We have too many other places to eat as a local. read more

By the Bridge - Southern Near Me - Swansboro, North Carolina

We arrived on a rain Wednesday evening around 7. They were wrapping up Trivia. It starts at 6. Hate we missed it. It looked fun. We ordered the Surf n Turf. 12 oz ribeye, seared mahi, fried green beans, potato au gratin, with chimy ghurri sauce. Street corn, loaded tots, and Pork belly. Food was average. read more

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Excellent service and the food was great. It took a little while to get our food to us, but it was definitely worth the wait. It has a good ambiance. read more

The perfect brunch spot overlooking the water! I've come here a few times and every time has been a hit! From bottomless mimosas to killer breakfast bowls and avo toast, this place is the perfect spot to enjoy some in on the patio and have a boozy brunch! Kind servers and the best vibes! 10/10 read more

Go there for brunch! The service is always good with great relaxing vibes. The brunch food is fantastic. Highly recommend the Havana bowl. read more

By the Bridge - Havana Bowl - Southern Near Me - Swansboro, North Carolina

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Hands down, the strongest cup of coffee you'll find in Swansboro! Super rich, flavorful and reminiscent of the thick Cuban coffee you'll find in south Florida. On our first visit, the Cornbread Eggs Benny ($14) came with two perfectly poached eggs on top of thick, fried green tomatoes, cornbread cakes, all covered in a thin'ish Hollandaise sauce. The tart tomatoes and sweet cornbread is a wickedly welcoming combination. Choose bacon or sausage links as side. The Havana Bowl ($12) features perfectly seasoned black beans, a generous portion of "Spanish" pulled pork, scrambled eggs topped with cheddar cheese, pickled jalapeno peppers and home fries. The fries were more like diced baked potatoes during our last two visits - maybe a little more time in the fryer would crisp them up a bit. The Pernil-like Cuban pork seems to be less citrusy at times, so a squeeze of fresh lime juice is always welcome. A riff on Southern chicken and waffles, the Wings & Toast is served with six maple bourbon glazed chicken wings with a thick piece of eggy French toast. The chicken is nicely smoked and a generous offering for only $12. We've gotten take-out wings there twice and they are always plump and juicy. On the lunch side, I can't get past the Ybor City Cuban Sandwich ($14) - it's a crunchy, crusty, savory throwback to the Cuban sammies I enjoyed at Hemingway's in Tampa. Perfectly roasted pork, sliced ham, tangy Swiss cheese, pickles and a touch of tangy mustard, all compressed and toasted up hot and melty. Served with crispy sweet plantain chips, this is certainly a nap-worthy lunch item. The service is always spot-on and the wait staff is attentive, but not hovering. The bar may be tiny, but the nightside crew serves up some great boozy beverages, from martinis to coastal concoctions. The vibe is kinda hip with pressed tin ceilings, warm lighting and an inviting digital fireplace and hearth on a blustery fall morning or late night cocktail. The views of the White Oak River are impressive from just about any seat in the house. read more

By the Bridge - The Havana Bowl ($12)-seasoned black beans, pulled pork, scrambled eggs topped with cheddar pickled jalapenos and cheesy eggs. - Southern Near Me - Swansboro, North Carolina

Very good food AWESOME burger!!!! They were out of wings when I was here unfortunately but had the calamari and mexican street corn were both decent. Chicken BLT was pretty good very thin chicken breast but all around everything fresh and tasty. Can't recommend the smash burger enough read more

I had lunch here today. Great Atmosphere. Kind of busy for only one server. But the server was great and surprisingly fast. She really did a great job! I had the SMASH burger, which was really good, but the French fries were soggy, which is the reason for the 4 stars. I'll probably be back before I leave town. I recommend visiting, but good luck with the fries ;-) read more

Took 55 minutes for food to come out. When it came out it was cold. Brisket Smash bowl was not good. Brisket was flavorless, very fatty and tasted boiled. Eggs were over cooked and had a hard crust. Very disappointing! Won't go back. read more

10 / 10 would definitely go again. Great food, great service, nice views and with cozy space

By The Bridge is such a fun little restaurant that is way underrated. The atmosphere, especially in the summer time with the outdoor seating, is just perfect. Staff are nice and helpful. The menu is on the smaller side but everything is so good. I think they really focused on making a few GREAT selections which I can appreciate. read more

I will say that we went for breakfast on a Saturday and it was not very busy. That being said the wait was much longer for food than it should have been. However, the food was very good!! I had the Loco Moco which is a Hawaiian comfort food! I thought it was very good! I would recommend for breakfast any time. Just don't go if you are in a hurry. read more

By the Bridge - Southern Near Me - Swansboro, North Carolina

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First time eating there this weekend. All of the food was very good and the service was excellent. Great location and food came out in good time for how busy there were. It's just a little overpriced in my opinion when compared to other local restaurants for the same quality and food. Not by much just a little over in my opinion. Because the food was good we will definitely go back. read more

8 of us ate here during summer vacation. The food was good with a decent mix of options. The pernil was tasty, glad the waitress convinced me to try it. Would get again. Both families liked our food, we all had something different. Everything seemed fresh. Overall, we'd return if we return to emerald isle. Give it a try. read more

Lots of breakfast options and they serve it 8-4. Coffee could be richer tasting, bacon could be thicker. Fast and friendly service. read more

By the Bridge - Full English breakfast - Southern Near Me - Swansboro, North Carolina

I come in for the old fashions that are smoked, I haven't seen that anywhere else. It is the only way I like it now. I have been in here many times and I feel like it's my go to as it's right on the water which I love, they have a touch tunes for music, the service is always top notch and the food is good. It is a bit pricey for the drink, but worth it! read more

By the Bridge - Old Fashion - Smoked with peach tree wood I believe. My favorite. - Southern Near Me - Swansboro, North Carolina

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Had breakfast and it was amazing. The service was top notch. Now I need to go back for dinner

8/31/25- group of belligerently drunken teachers ( Swansboro elementary) BEYOND LOUD - multiple groups of people have left due to this party . Management encouraged it , and when I as a regular customer for almost a year now . Asked them politely to take it down a level the management came after me by saying get away from the table and the party of beyond drunken teachers - that teach your kids - didn't care and were very disrespectful after asked politely to tone it down . Kaleigh and a few other waitresses are the only people who keep this place afloat - the manager - Brooklyn - poor management and poor attitude. Food is great tho ! I eat here on the regular, the parking lot is also a huge take away ! read more

Very disappointing. I can confidently say the highlight of the meal was the water. Had fried green tomatoes for an appetizer and it was under-fried, had a pile of batter next to it. We went for breakfast and ordered the bacon egg and cheese patty melt with grits: grits were cold and patty melt smelled like a barn. My mom ordered the "crispy" brisket bowl which was fatty and mushy with broken hollandaise sauce. We also ordered the Loco moco which I asked for over hard eggs, very simple to do and it was very raw still and the yolk broke everywhere. Not the biggest deal in the world, but disappointing when you ask for something quite simple. Even when I asked for it, our waitress said that I think we can do it. It really shouldn't be thinkable. It should just be automatic. Nice view. Seating arrangement is tight. read more

Great food and service! Went in on the way home on a Sunday and had a Bloody Mary too! read more

By the Bridge - Love the ceiling. - Southern Near Me - Swansboro, North Carolina

Service was ok a little bit of a wait even though not busy . Food we ordered was good however and so were drinks. read more

By the Bridge - Espresso martini - Southern Near Me - Swansboro, North Carolina