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    Moonrakers

    3.8 (344 reviews)
    PriceyAmerican, Seafood
    Open 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

    Moonrakers Photos

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    MOONRAKERS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Touristy
    Trendy

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    Recommended Reviews - Moonrakers

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    Michael M.

    Moonrakers came highly recommended to us from a friend who lives locally. She told us that the view from the sky deck just can't be beat, and she was definitely correct! What an amazing start to the meal! All of the staff, from the hostesses at the front to the server and bartender were all super pleasant and helpful. We started with a Painkiller and a draft special, which were both fantastic. Our server said that the Cajun chicken panini was "life changing", and he wasn't far off! It was a real joy to experience Tasso again. In a rare development, all three of my kids loved their food: chicken fingers, cheese pizza, and cheeseburger. My wife ordered the fish taco and it was also delicious. Perhaps my best endorsement is that we bought some tshirts before leaving!

    Seafood Chopinno
    Monica C.

    The food was wonderful. Tasty fresh seafood in an upscale restaurant. A fresh and wonderful offering of seasonal options. The food presentation is artistic and more filling than it looks. Service was excellent. Very attentive and friendly. The restaurant overlooks the water with a beautiful view. There is inside and outside seating. Great location for groups, family, friend or business dining. Great location for special occasions.

    A very happy table of four.
    Stephan C.

    Such a beautiful spot for a restaurant! The views are spectacular. The staff are exceptional! The manager, Steve was wonderful and checked in to be certain we're being taken care of. The Blackened Grouper was the best I've had. The Grouper was surrounded by small clams in a delicious sauce. The Ribeye was cooked perfectly and the Trigger Fish was wonderful. The bartender was so nice and helpful. This is a beautiful restaurant.

    Fish and chips
    Gloria M.

    Really good food and drinks. This restaurant is newer and always busy, this one is my favorite is the area- there is also a rooftop bar but it seems to have a waitlist, the bar in the main level has space available to grab something quick. The menu is simple and the dishes are good, service is fast.

    Handcrafted cocktail menu
    Linda S.

    Meghan was our waiter & she's actually a manager, she's superb at customer service. Very, very professional & personable. We enjoyed the potato & broccoli side. Also, the baked shrimp appetizer with pineapple was innovative. The blackened grouper was very good. I had the chefs presentation of scallops & the best risotto I've had outside of Italy. The frozen painkiller was very good & lovely presentation in a frosted pineapple with pineapple spears garnish. There is a sky deck that is the highest point In Beaufort besides the church of course;)

    Sabrina F.

    Well the waitress was super sweet, the top floor view was great. But still sitting here over an hour later waiting for our order. So super frustrating. Ok update the food is amazing! We all loved our food! Chicken, shrimp, clam chowder and fish. All excellent.

    Rebecca M.

    Moonrakers is a great restaurant in Downtown Beaufort. There is indoor seating as well as outdoor seating right on the water. I chose to sit inside as I'd been out in the heat earlier in the day. Next time, I will need to enjoy the outside view. The restaurant was gorgeous inside and my table had a view of the open kitchen. My waitress was also the bar tender but I didn't know that until I was leaving. She made me a special drink after asking what I liked and recommended the lobster roll saying it was the best she's had. I'd agree with that statement. The lobster roll was fantastic with tons of lobster mixed with mayo and chives stuffed into the buttery bun. I couldn't finish it so had to take some to go. I wasn't sure how it'd taste as another meal but it tasted as great as it was in the restaurant. The fries for my side were also tasty. Moonrakers will get a return visit from me.

    James M.

    Right off the water and in the downtown area. Nice Hostesses, a great Waiter/Server who made our dining experience great. Nice airy seating with a great vibe. Menu had options, and everything we ordered was delicious. We started with fried calamari, which was very good, not a huge portion for the price. My wife rolled with the chowder and said it was good. I personally loved my grilled Mahi tacos. Overall, it was good, a little pricy for the portions, but in my opinion are paying for the tourist location.

    Karla C.

    We were visiting from Chicago for our yearly Labor Day weekend trip and decided to have dinner at Moonrakers after checking out other establishments near by. Definitely did not disappoint! The food was delectable, the decor was sophisticated, and the staff were welcoming and attentive. We were lucky to catch the sunset and the views were beautiful. Service was a bit slow compared to what we are used to in the city but thankfully we weren't in a rush and I'm sure they were busier than usual due to the holiday. I highly recommend and we plan on returning!

    Kale Caesar Salad
    Chelsea P.

    Stopped here for appetizers and drinks on a Saturday afternoon and got two seats at the bar immediately. I've tried to eat here before when we couldn't get it so I was very pleased.... It was a chilly afternoon in December. The views from inside are lovely. They were preparing a mulled cider for the flotilla that evening that smelled divine. Our appetizers were delicious. I could have licked the bowl of the whipped feta and the kale Caesar salad was really unique and flavorful. I hope to return again in the future for dinner and maybe catch the flotilla next year.

    Blackened grouper

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    2 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Service was patient and attentive... food was excellent...the drum special was full of compatible flavors

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    2 years ago

    Very good food. Had the specials which were piping hot when served, fresh and different than run of the mill entrees.

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    3 years ago

    Everything about this place was great! I recommend it. I sat outside on the upper patio and the view was wonderful. I had a great server.

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    2 years ago

    Service is nonexistent everything takes an enormous amount of time. The only good thing is the view if you're in a good table.

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    3 years ago

    Worst bar staff ever at the sky bar. Miserable moody people . You'll be lucky if you get served.

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    2 years ago

    The food was so good, most of us ordered the grilled mahi. Will definitely eat there any time we are in town.

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    Page 3 of 9

    Ask the Community - Moonrakers

    What are the vegan options?

    This is a waterfront seafood restaurant. It does not offer a vegan meal.

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    Beaufort Grocery

    Beaufort Grocery

    4.1
    (385 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    This is the current "it" spot in Beaufort and for good reason! I will say this, if you want to try…read morethem either make reservations or get take out. I am in here on a Monday night at 9:30 and there is no where for anyone else to sit. So make a reservation. Also, they are not open on Tuesdays & Wednesdays. Onto why they are in high demand. The food is exceptional, we tried many different dishes and each one was perfect. From the seasoning to the presentation and even the garnish, everything was spot on. The staff was all very pleasant and friendly. Our waitress was very informative and helpful when we requested what she would suggest, super great personality and a perfect service experience. In short, if you are in Beaufort and you're looking for a great restaurant that is a little off the main path check this place out. Just don't tell everyone - or we may never be able to get in again!

    What a fabulous lunch spot! Beaufort grocery was kind to host a larger sized party for us for lunch…read morewhile in town for a friend's wedding. The bridal party along with a few others met here for lunch and they were able to seat us outside rather quickly by putting tables together which was so kind. All of us enjoyed our drinks. I had the spicy margarita and it was delish! I split the special sandwich of the day with my friend and had the broccoli salad on the side. Both were super fresh and everyone else enjoyed their meals as well! No complaints on the service or food. The outside patio was perfect for the spring weather we were enjoying!

    Photos
    Beaufort Grocery
    Pan Seared Duck Breast
    Pan Seared Duck Breast
    Beaufort Grocery

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    34° North Restaurant + Bar

    34° North Restaurant + Bar

    3.9
    (171 reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$

    We were so happy to stumble upon this restaurant for our last evening at the Crystal Coast. We…read moredefinitely saved the best for last! When we arrived we were immediately greeted by the valet. They were so pleasant and welcoming. We entered the restaurant and took a seat at the end of the bar. The bartenders were dressed to impress. They didn't have uniforms, but instead nice pants, a pressed collared shirt and a fitted vest. The way that they presented themselves before even speaking said to me that we are going to take care of you and you are going to enjoy a wonderful evening. We love to start with bar bites or small plates to sample the menu. This allowed us to try the crabcake, calamari and the scallops & bacon. Everything was cooked perfectly and full of flavor. We shared a bottle of red wine and split the asparagus and steak cooked medium-rare. The steak was cooked to perfection! There is a standard fee of $3.00 to split a meal. I love, love that the bartender waived the fee and allowed us to share a meal. Because we start each meal with small plates a dinner each just isn't possible. This evening out was worth each dollar spent. We will definitely come back each time that we visit the coast.

    Dinner at 34 Degree North was one of the highlights of our stay in Beaufort. Our waitress was…read morefantastic - very knowledgeable about the menu and attentive. The food was all wonderful. We tried the crab dip, crab cakes, chicken adobo and one of their many speciality cocktails. Everything was delicious! And then, to top it all off, the view was beautiful. Couldn't ask for a better dinner experience!

    Photos
    Main Dining Room at 34° North Restaurant in Beaufort, NC.
    Main Dining Room at 34° North Restaurant in Beaufort, NC.
    Pan Seared Scallops, 16
    Pan Seared Scallops, 16
    34° North Restaurant, Beaufort, NC

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    34° North Restaurant, Beaufort, NC
    Clawson's 1905 Restaurant

    Clawson's 1905 Restaurant

    3.9
    (346 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Amazing food, properly sized portions EXCEPT for the insane onion rings. Bracelets are smaller…read more Crazy big. But bigger isn't better. Unless "bigger" is also the absolute best batter ever, and the onions are just-right textures. Ok, yeah, not "health food" so balance it out with the mahi dish, fabulous. You get MASSIVE onion rings, alongside a properly-sized Mahi with the best coconut mango rice and beans you will ever eat. We arrived 15 minutes before closing and felt badly until they also seated an 8-top with us and were super friendly and accommodating. Excellent. Wish we lived closer.

    Clawson's used to be a post office and I like the way that they kept the service windows, scales…read moreand other things that now are just memories of the past. This restaurant was busy, however we could still carry on conversations and hear each other from across the table. This is definitely a nice place for a casual date night or an evening out with your family. I ordered the crabcake sandwich. My boyfriend had the mahi-mahi and my son ordered the fish and chips. The portions were a very good size and we were grateful that we had not ordered starters. Never have I ever seen so much food on a fish and chips platter. My crabcake sandwich was very good. The sandwich was so flavorful due to the mixed greens tomato slices and remoulade sauce. My boyfriend really liked the mahi-mahi with the mango salsa, coconut, jasmine rice, and steamed vegetables. Has came with thinly sliced carrots and string beans. My son had the fish and chips.... Really fish and chips. This is the first time I've ever been somewhere where they don't give you fish and french fries.

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    Clawson's 1905 Restaurant
    Crab Dip
    Crab Dip
    Shortway Down East IPA

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    Shortway Down East IPA
    Aqua Restaurant

    Aqua Restaurant

    4.5
    (205 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$$

    The two of us visited on a Tuesday night around 6PM as a walk-in and were able to get a table on…read morethe patio. Definitely recommend reservations as the place filled up quickly. Good selection of local brews. We started with the Calabrian Hummus ($11) and it was a generous serving and my bride really liked the pita chips. For entrees, I went with the Seared Local Tuna ($27) and it was excellent. My bride went with the Fresh Catch Grouper ($34) and she enjoyed it but thought it was a little pricey for the serving size. She also commented she thought it would have better if the orzo was served warm along with the fish (it was chilled). Service from Ieisha was super friendly. We would love to come back again when in town!

    We chose Aqua Restaurant for our anniversary dinner, guided by the kind of recommendations that…read morematter most: a local in the know and a friend who never tires of Beaufort. Aqua announces itself quietly, and even our brief misstep on arrival felt intentional an elegant sign gently redirecting us around back, where we later realized there's a convenient entrance directly across from the parking lot. A small discovery we tucked away for our next visit. From the moment we stepped inside, the hospitality set the tone. The host greeted us with genuine enthusiasm and an ease that made it clear he knew exactly why we were there. His warmth felt celebratory without being performative, just right. We were led to our table and introduced to Iesha, whose presence defined the evening. Iesha guided us through the menu with confidence and care, highlighting a thoughtful anniversary tradition: a complimentary glass of champagne or crème brûlée. We happily chose both. She struck that elusive balance of attentiveness and restraint present when needed, graciously invisible when not allowing the evening to unfold at its own pace. Our table sampled a range of the menu. The rare curry-seared local tuna arrived with curry riced cauliflower and traditional accompaniments unexpected in flavor but satisfying nonetheless. The The special for that evening, was rich and comforting. Even the simplest order, the kids' shrimp and fries was met with enthusiasm from our youngest diner, always a good sign. Aqua delivers food that is thoughtful, distinctive, and well-suited for a celebration. It's the kind of place that feels special without trying too hard a reliable choice for marking a meaningful moment. And when you go, do yourself a favor and ask for Iesha. She's the kind of server who turns a good dinner into a memorable one.

    Photos
    Ambiance
    Ambiance
    Crème brûlée
    Crème brûlée
    Aqua Restaurant

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    Floyd's 1921 Restaurant & Catering

    Floyd's 1921 Restaurant & Catering

    4.2
    (285 reviews)
    2.3 mi
    $$

    Excellent! My friends brought me here for dinner. I had been here many, many years ago but am…read morenever in the area, so what a delight it was to come. The menu has so many wonderful items to chose from, along with the specials of the night. We must have changed our minds three times. Our poor waitress just laughed. She was a sweet girl but I don't have the bill to remember her name. My friend always gets seafood; shrimp and scallops. He loved it. My friend and I both got the Country Fried Chicken Breast and a cheddar scallion biscuit smothered with sawmill gravy served with whipped potatoes and garlic green beans $28.95. OMG so much food. We ended up taking 3/4 of it home. I had lunch for the next two days. Our service was excellent. Our food excellent. The atmosphere pleasant. We dined on a Friday night around 5:30. We did not have reservations, but it is recommended that you do. Kudos to the Chef.

    Floyd's Restaurant Review - (4/5) Floyd's delivers exactly…read morewhat great Southern comfort food should: generous portions, rich flavors, and dishes that are clearly made with care. Unfortunately, several sanitation observations during my visit kept an otherwise excellent meal from earning a higher rating. The dining room was noticeably warm throughout the evening, making it somewhat uncomfortable during the meal. On the positive side, every member of the staff we encountered was friendly, welcoming, and eager to help. We also had the opportunity to meet the pastry chef, who was personable and clearly passionate about his work. The meal began with the house rolls, which were outstanding. They were warm, incredibly soft, buttery, and practically melted in your mouth. The Shrimp Napoleon was an excellent appetizer and easily one of the highlights of the evening. The shrimp were well prepared, the flavors were balanced, and the dish had wonderful depth. I'd rate it an 8/10. The deviled eggs had good flavor overall, although the filling leaned heavily toward mustard. The egg whites were somewhat firm and gave the impression they had been prepared well in advance and refrigerated. While enjoyable, they weren't nearly as memorable as the other dishes. The meatloaf was exceptional--without question one of the best I've ever had. It was tender, flavorful, and complemented perfectly by a rich, savory gravy. The green beans tasted remarkably fresh and were cooked beautifully. I added a side of cheese grits, which were creamy, cheesy, and absolutely outstanding. Portion sizes throughout the meal were generous and represented excellent value. Dessert finished the evening on a high note. The Key lime pie was outstanding, with a perfectly balanced tartness, smooth filling, and excellent crust. It was one of the best restaurant desserts I've had in quite some time. Where the experience suffered was in several sanitation and food-handling observations. During service, I observed an employee visibly sweating, wiping away perspiration, and then continuing food service. A fly was also discovered in an iced tea, and from my seat I was able to observe that the tea had been poured from a communal pitcher that was being used to refill multiple guests' glasses. One observation was particularly concerning. While seated near the service area, I watched an employee package a guest's leftover meal. During the process, the container slipped, partially opened, and the food fell onto the kitchen floor. Rather than discarding it or replacing the portion, the food was simply picked up, placed back into the container, and boxed as though nothing had happened. As someone who pays close attention to restaurant operations, moments like these raise legitimate concerns about food handling standards and overall sanitation practices. Floyd's has all the ingredients of a destination restaurant. The food is genuinely excellent, the staff is welcoming, and several dishes are worth returning for. However, consistent execution extends beyond the plate. Food safety and sanitation are just as important as flavor, and the observations from this visit make it difficult to award a higher score.

    Photos
    Garden art
    Garden art
    Meatloaf sandwich with a side of collards
    Meatloaf sandwich with a side of collards
    Floyd's 1921 Restaurant & Catering

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    Moonrakers - tradamerican - Updated July 2026

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