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    Circa 81

    4.5 (343 reviews)
    Open 11:30 am - 2:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    Updated 2 months ago

    Services - Circa 81

    Bartending services

    Catering services

    On-site management services

    Circa 81 Photos

    Business Info

    CIRCA 81 ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Classy
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Circa 81

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    Spicy Lamb Mearballs
    Lorrie L.

    This place was very good! I would recommend to locals and visitors. Food is yummy and dare I say "easy". Drinks were delicious! Service was wonderful. The ambiance of the place is very nice. Would def return.

    Kiara I.

    Circa 81 quickly became one of my most memorable meals along North Carolina's Crystal Coast: a restaurant that understands both timing and tone. We arrived with a reservation (always a wise move), though we were seated immediately, greeted by a gracious host who set our lunch off on the right note. Once settled, we were welcomed by Philip, whose ease and genuine enthusiasm made the experience feel less transactional and more personal. He spoke about the menu with confidence and curiosity, the mark of someone who truly enjoys being there. Drinks came first: my husband ordered a Painkiller easily one of the best we had during our time on the coast while our son stuck with a classic Coke, and I opted for water. As we ordered, it became clear we were leaning fully into the small plates philosophy. When Philip smiled and dubbed us "tapas aficionados," it felt like an acknowledgment rather than a joke and in that moment, we felt perfectly at home. The table filled quickly. Spanish lamb meatballs arrived first, glazed with sriracha and paired with whipped feta and cilantro bold, balanced, and deeply satisfying. Pork pot stickers followed, tender and flavorful, with a soy-ginger dipping sauce and sweet Thai chili providing just the right contrast. The Gambas al Ajillo shrimp bathed in extra-virgin olive oil and garlic, served with crostini, was classic and comforting. But the standout was the Potatoes Bravas: sliced potatoes grilled to a crisp and finished with a spicy brava aioli. They were addictive in the best way, the kind of dish you keep thinking about long after the table is cleared. Circa 81 is polished yet relaxed, clean, and thoughtfully maintained, a place where the food arrives hot, the service feels human, and the atmosphere invites you to linger. It's a restaurant I would happily return to, and one that earned its place among my favorites on the Crystal Coast.

    JC G.

    Tapas: Don't get the Bread Service, balsamic vinegar (in olive oil) is too sweet. Nothing Italian about this. Truffle Honey Pork Belly- Asian inspired (with sesame seeds and all). Thinly-cut pork belly (like a thick-cut bacon). Quite too sweet (it's the freaking arugula salad we discovered. Bad dressing.). Skip. Gambas al Ajillo - talking about extremes, this one has too much cayenne pepper. The ordinary White American will probably think this is too hot. To me it's pretty good. Rosemary Beef- beef is blah. Served with asparagus and mashed potatoes. Shrimp & Grits - think Indian curry versus Cajun. Really good. Great ambience-- good music (it was "Chill" this visit); perfect lighting.

    Tapas!
    Tom S.

    This place has amazing food! We were surprised when we were able to get a reservation for a Saturday evening even though it was mid-afternoon so we weren't expecting what we got. When we got there for our 8pm reservation we were surprised again as it was maybe half full. We chalked that up to maybe people around here eat out early. But still there wasn't anyone for a second seating. So now we were skeptical. But we were relying on the outstanding Yelp reviews this place gets. We weren't disappointed. We chose to go the tapas route, a very good choice. The chef has an eclectic offering which was good. Although we had five different dishes, all of them delicious, the duck stood out high above the rest. We also had the beef, shrimp bruschetta, olives and crème brûlée for desert. Our waiter was helpful in our choices and a friendly guy. What a delicious evening!

    Gail C.

    I have been impressed with service all weekend here at Atlantic Beach and area. This restaurant is no exception. Service was outstanding. The food was average. Eggs overcooked, the specials over sold. Meh.

    Salmon
    Lesley L.

    Yummy food and attentive service, nice atmosphere too! Also enjoyed the background music. We'll be back!

    Duck-amazing! Best I've ever had.
    Caitlin R.

    We were here visiting the area for a few weeks. There didn't seem to be a lot of places that stood out to us as far as reviews go until we found this place. This is an excellent spot for outdoor dining or a date night. It's a bit small inside, so reservations are recommended. We grabbed a place at the bar instead of a table, even though we had a reservation. The bartender was friendly and thoroughly explained the concept and menu. They have full-size portions in addition to tapas and also several off-menu specials. It was hard to decide what to order since everything looked terrific. We got the duck, potstickers, scallops, pork belly, crab soup, and the flounder. Our favorite items were the pork belly with melt-in-your-mouth cheese grits, the duck, and the scallops. The chef took great care with the presentation, making each dish look like a work of art. They had an impressive wine list, many specialty cocktails, and local beer on tap. I highly recommend this place, and it is definitely on top of my list of excellent restaurants I'd like to return to someday.

    Seared scallop with puff pastry
    April R.

    We can't say enough good things about this restaurant! The food is always amazing. Love the regular menu, and the nightly specials are always so good, especially tonight's seared scallops with a puff pastry. Pete is always so attentive, and our server, Becca B. Could not have been any more attentive. Our favorite restaurant!

    Potstickers & Sesame Tuna Salad
    Alissa C.

    On yet another work trip... which means, find some healthy yet delicious eats! That's where circa 81 came in. They had a bunch of selections to choose from but to be honest if ahi tuna is on the menu, that's what I'm getting. Plop that on a salad and it's a picture of healthy eats. The salad dressing was so so delicious and added a lot of flavor. The potstickers are usually something I'll always get on a menu as well and while I thought these were yummy, I have high standards and these weren't my favorite I've had. Would I get them again though? Yes. In another positive note, it's next to a bakery

    Crème Brulee

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    4 years ago

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    Clarke M.

    Awesome thank you!

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    3 years ago

    Consistently tasty small plates. Very fresh food. Good drinks. Good staff. Glad to have a consistently wonderful special dinner spot

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    2 years ago

    They do not honor walk-ins so if you don't have a reservation, they will not seat you. I recommend looking elsewhere.

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    Clarke M.

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    3 years ago

    Best place to eat in Morehead City! Great ambiance and the food is outstanding! Staff are wonderful

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    2 years ago

    Best brussel sprouts ever!!! Wonderful sauce that i wish i could emulate. Salmon is wonderful too.

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    2 years ago

    Great place to sit at the bar and have small plates and a drink. Staff is great and always professional and pleasant!

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    6 years ago

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    Clarke M.

    Thanks! We look forward to serving you again!

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    4 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Always love Circa!! I have never been disappointed with any of the entrees. The wait staff are phenomenal!

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    4 years ago

    Food was excellent as was the service. We ordered multiple small plates and shared among the table. Will return again.

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    4 years ago

    Great food, great wine and great service. Best Sunday Brunch in town. We always enjoy ourselves at Circa.

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    4 years ago

    Never a bad meal or cocktail. It's embarrassing how I lick the bowl of the vanilla crème brûlée

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    3 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    Clarke M.

    Thanks so much for the kind feedback!

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    Thanks so much!

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    Page 2 of 9

    Ask the Community - Circa 81

    What safety measures are being taken in regards to Covid-19?

    Hi! All of our staff maintain strict cleaning procedures, including sanitizing seating and menus between guests. We do not seat guests within 6’ of each other and are at limited capacity for indoor dining. Our staff all wear masks and do deep… 

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Circa 81 - tapasmallplates - Updated September 2026

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