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    Gaffers

    4.1 (280 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Gaffers Photos

    Business Info

    GAFFERS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Touristy
    Trendy
    Live music

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    Recommended Reviews - Gaffers

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    Shark attack
    Jared C.

    Server was nice Ambiance was chill and tropical, with wood planks Go to inside hidden bar for a quieter experience when busy We got the shark attach which we were not a fan of (too sweet for my SO and good sweetness for my sweet tooth) Especially enjoyed the gummy shark surprise! Don't plan to come back any time soon but was nice to stop in for a drink

    Coffee bar menu
    David A.

    What I ate: Blackened Shrimp Nachos - $18.99 The Gaff - $16.99 Reuben - $15.99 The blackened shrimp nachos were served on a giant tray and easily satisfied four people. Generous portions, and great flavor despite some odd choices that I wouldn't make back home in SoCal (shredded lettuce and banana peppers). The Gaff GRILLED was so fresh-tasting and thick. A two-hander, for sure. I almost didn't have room for the half of the Reuben that ended up being the highlight of the meal for me. I know the seafood is front-and-center, but that house made corned beef and house 1000 island sauce won me over. They didn't go easy on the sauerkraut, either, which is what makes or breaks a Reuben. 4.5 stars!! Accommodating and friendly staff. They let our party switch locations because we didn't want to get rained on in the typical bipolar North Carolina weather (it was raining on/off). They forgot to serve my sweet potato fries during my meal, but they still gave them to me 'to-go.'

    Fried Mahi Mahi
    Sean R.

    Have you ever had a baking sheet completely loaded with nachos? Evenly distributed with shrimp, cheese, jalapeños, a delicious sauce, and other assorted and necessary nacho toppings? If you haven't and want to, look no further than Gaffers on Emerald Isle! Everything we ordered and shared from the menu was lovely but the nachos still stand out in my mind as a new standard for how the dish should be served. Every bite could have the same volume and flavor, and nothing got soggy. Our server was cracking jokes with us all night and regularly came by to make sure we had not drowned in the entrees we ordered. The restaurant itself was very cute, very islandy, and a whole lot of fun. There was an outdoor bar and seating area that I imagine is a heck of a good time in the summer.

    Parmesan crusted Mahi Mahi
    Alex K.

    Hadn't heard about this place but I now see why it is so popular. The vibe is very beachy which is fitting considering I came from the beach right beforehand. Our waitress was very knowledgeable and had some great recommendations on the menu. Ended up getting the Parmesan crusted mahi mahi and it was fabulous. Would definitely recommend it! The only single thing I was a little disappointed about was they don't do anything for birthdays (no birthday desert). Can't wait to dine here again next time I'm in town!

    Troy B.

    My wife and I spent a week in Emerald Isle in May.. we were told to go to this place for dinner one evening. It was not a very good recommendation It reminds me of a beach area Red Lobster... with a mandatory 20% gratuity! And the food nor the service warranted that. I had to go hunt them down to get the check so we could get leave.

    House Made Onion Rings

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    6 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Ashley was amazing . So friendly and knows her stuff . And food was awesome. I would ask for her every time

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    2 years ago

    Food was great. Love the grilled shrimp. Avery the waitstaffer, was the best...helpful and gracious.

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    2 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Gaffers has great food, drinks and atmosphere! I have visited this restaurant a handful of times and love it.

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    2 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Cassie, made the whole evening fun with her great service and smile! The food was good; I always recommend their specials!

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    3 years ago

    Ordered 4 prime rib dinners for shut it-Did not get potato-Upset over $ 200 -- give me a break!

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    4 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Food was great. Service was really good. They had live music which was cool. Would definitely go back.

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Down East Clam Chowder is the best I have ever eaten. The service was impeccable and the atmosphere was great.

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    5 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Good food. Quick service. Fun drinks. Good band on Friday night. Scallops were delicious.

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Food was good & service was quick. Prices seemed pretty high for how laid back the environment was. We were in and out in about 45 minutes.

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    6 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    Page 5 of 7

    Gaffers Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Gaffers

    What And when are the specials?

    We have lunch and dinner features daily.

    What are the times the breakfast menu is available?

    If I remember correctly, breakfast is until 11. We stopped in the way out of town at 1045 and breakfast was still being served. We opted for an early lunch, shrimp nachos- super yum!

    View All 3 Questions

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    Surf's Up Grill and Bar

    Surf's Up Grill and Bar

    3.7(297 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$

    I paid a visit to Surf's Up a per our usual during our week long stay at Emerald Isle. No matter…read morehow busy they are, we manage to get seated quickly and this year was no different. The hostess guided us to our table suitable for our party which was 4 adults and three children. The environment is lively and spirited; all signs of a good visit to come. Savannah S was our server and did a fantastic job navigating the chaotic children with us and delivering great service with a smile. The food was great as usual. I ordered the smothered chicken while others ordered grilled salmon and sesame glazed salmon bowl. You don't get fine china and plates here, but what you will get is a consistent good time with an abundance of drink and menu items that deliver as promised. It's why we enjoy coming here every year and will continue in the future!

    My family and I were vacationing in Emerald Isle and chose this restaurant for one of our evening…read moremeals. On June 24th, we first attempted to call the restaurant multiple times in order to place an order. So my husband and I chose to drive to the restaurant to place a carry out order and wait. When the hostess was placing the order, she said that anything over $100 would impose a 18% gratuity. This was a carry out order. We were not being seated in the restaurant. The hostess got the manager Amber. Amber was not receptive at all to our point that this was a carry out order. Our choice to tip or not is our choice. The order was $103. Really. Wow. My daughter insisted she would pay the tip. But my husband and I will not set foot inside this establishment again. Very disappointing. First we were told that the phones were working, but I got a message saying the voicemail had not been set up. Second, we drove in thinking we had to pay to park. Third we placed the order, but, I had to call my daughter to get additional info about cooking preferances. Fourth, we placed the order with the hostess who then tells us there is a 18% tip imposed on orders over $100. The order was $103 (after my husband and I dropped our meals from the order). This is absolutely absurd. Very frustrating evening for my husband and I. We are on vacation, and this is the hospitality shown to visitors. We asked to split the order, so that I could place an order for my daughter and my husband could place an order for us. But oh no, you can't do that. And then we were told that there would be a charge to use a credit card. Do you know how to rub salt in the wound. We paid $133.89 for a carry out food order that was barely over $100.

    Photos
    Surf's Up Grill and Bar
    Surf's Up Grill and Bar
    Surf's Up Grill and Bar - Outside back

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    Outside back

    Angie's lighthouse cafe - French toast

    Angie's lighthouse cafe

    4.3(148 reviews)
    3.2 mi
    $$

    I went for the Lighthouse Beacon Special and it did not disappoint. Biscuits and gravy were great…read more Eggs and bacon were generously portioned and delicious. My wife had the Hawaiian Chicken Sandwich and steak fries which was delicious. My son had a hamburger cooked the way he liked it and fried and he enjoyed it. If that was all they had, it would've been great, but this is where I start talking about the fried mushrooms. Honestly, we were not ready for how awesome those fried mushrooms were. They were delicious and they were well cooked. They were perfectly crispy and the sauce was delicious. They should really talk more about those in their menu because that was the key note to this entire meal. I haven't seen fried mushrooms that big. They were absolutely delicious. We got this as a takeout and they were amazing, so I can only imagine what they were like. If we would've got them served to us hot and fresh from the kitchen. The restaurant was nice very well equipped, and everything was very clean. The servers and waitresses were very friendly and definitely made the visit. Very fun. I highly recommend this place and when we come again, we're going to realize that their meals are so generously portion. We probably could've ordered half of what we had and still ate like royalty.

    I have a great breakfast at Angie's with my team. We had coffee and orange juice. The waiter was a…read moregood dude and the food was devious. I highly recommend the Cape Fear if you are hungry and love a loaded omelet.

    Photos
    Angie's lighthouse cafe
    Angie's lighthouse cafe - Condiments

    Condiments

    Angie's lighthouse cafe

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    Yana's Ye Olde Restaurant - Cheeseburger & fries! +cherry coke!

    Yana's Ye Olde Restaurant

    4.1(251 reviews)
    3.8 mi
    $

    Very classic CHEAP breakfast place. So cheap, Amazingly…read morepriced. I guess they're known for their fruit fritters and they never disappoint. Good fast friendly service, cute and small inside. Love to come here every time on vacation!

    Way back in the day (2003) I worked for OCHD as their immunization tracker & would accompany our…read moreimmunization nurse to the middle schools for Hep B & Tetanus shots to 6th graders. The best part about those outreach clinics was lunch with the school nurses. It's how I found all the locals places. Yana's was our Swansboro go to and despite moving away in 2011 and just now going back, the food was just as delicious today as it was then. And everyone who has dined repeatedly at a favorite place knows things rarely stay (or taste) the same. Bestie & hit Yana's shortly after 11 this beautiful Saturday morning and even though there were 4 parties ahead of us, we barely waited 15 minutes. I've had alot of the items on the menu during those outreaches (and with family) and never had anything I didn't enjoy but today, I went with breakfast of a western omelet (minus the sausage & tomato) with hashbrowns (home fries) and toast. My omelet had fresh green peppers, perfectly cooked, griddle bacon and cheesy cheese. I just wanted to keep eating but I was getting full. Bestie & I also had a combination order of banana & apple fritters. My food was just as I remembered-DEEEEELICIOUS! And our fritters just makes me want to go back in a few days to see if they have strawberries in supply. Honestly, I would drive from our new home in Richlands down to S'boro every weekend if hubby would let me lol. If you decide to dine here & are put off by the wait, don't be. Get on the wait list & do a little shopping. You won't regret it. Ps, omelet didn't last long enough for a pic!

    Photos
    Yana's Ye Olde Restaurant
    Yana's Ye Olde Restaurant - Peach Fritters

    Peach Fritters

    Yana's Ye Olde Restaurant - Cup of Joe 05-01-2026

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    Cup of Joe 05-01-2026

    Gaffers - bars - Updated September 2026

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