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    Splash by the Sea

    4.3 (388 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    Splash by the Sea Photos

    Business Info

    SPLASH BY THE SEA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Live music
    Casual
    Touristy

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    Recommended Reviews - Splash by the Sea

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    Under our umbrella
    Michael M.

    The food is ok, the service is great and the location is almost perfect. This is a pool deck and stage area, lots of cement and terraced levels fenced off from the pool but this also blocks the ocean and beach views. All the cement makes it a bit loud but also hot because it soaks in the heat and radiates it back out all day. This is fine in the cooler months or if you have pool access as a guest. There is an inside dining room too but why use that when its so much nicer outside? The food was good, not great, and like most tourist areas a bit over priced for the quality. I'm not saying it wan't good because everything we tried we liked. Only it was nothing to get too excited about for the higher prices. Honestly you're paying for the view and the nice outdoor seating. Note: The closer parking lots are for condo/hotel guests only and they will tow you away. If you're just coming to the restaurant you must park across the street. When we went there was plenty of of available parking but it was a very hot day in the high 90s and high humidity so by the time I parked and walked over I was already sweaty and uncomfortable. On a normal day it would be no big deal for me, but if your with people who cannot climb a steep driveway or do a long walk then I would drop them off at the front door and then go park.

    Crab cakes
    Tabitha C.

    This was our favorite place we ate during our recent Topsail visit. My son had the crab cakes and key lime pie, I had shrimp tacos and some cocktail + beer specials. We loved all of the food, very fresh and filling portions. Outdoor seating was very nice, beautiful view, great service and many tables available during lunch. Prices were reasonable for the area. Good to know is the free parking is available across the street from the Villa Capriani condo that the restaurant is in and restaurant is right when you enter front doors.

    Jose B.

    We had such a wonderful experience at Splash by the Sea! The food was excellent from start to finish. We started with the crab dip and the braised short rib on mango and corn chutney, and both were absolutely amazing--full of flavor and beautifully presented. For drinks, we tried their canned pineapple cider, which was refreshing and paired perfectly with the meal. For the main course, we went with the Splash Burger, and it did not disappoint--juicy, flavorful, and cooked just right. The ambience was great, with a relaxed yet lively vibe, and the live music made the evening even more special. Our waitress (sadly I can't remember her name) was incredibly attentive, friendly, and made us feel very well taken care of. Overall, this spot is definitely worth a visit if you're in the area--amazing food, great drinks, a fun atmosphere, and top-notch service!

    Pasta Salad
    Brooke M.

    Be prepared to wait but it's well worth it. From the drinks to appetizers to the main course. We started with some fantastic cocktails, a mojito and pier punch. Both were excellent. For the appetizers, we had the charcuterie plate and Emma's loaded fries, again, both were excellent. The fries are waffles fries and they were crispy and topped with cheese and bacon crumble. The charcuterie plate was a nice mix up and the red pepper hummus was something I would bottle up. For entrees we had the Salmon, Filet, Crab Cake and Grilled Shrimp Plate. All 4 were flavorful. Lastly, the service was great. The hostess, bartender, server and manager were all professional, friendly and personable.

    Shrimp Tacos
    Megan C.

    We didn't get to sit outside because of the weather but it looked like a great spot to be. I wish there were more seafood options considering it's called splash by the sea. The shrimp tacos were good. Service was great. They have paper on the tables to color on which is fun for the kids... or the adults!!

    Ceviche appetizer - SO GOOD
    Chelsi U.

    We came here after coming into town for a wedding. We'd been driving for hours so we needed a drink and some good food. Driving up, we weren't sure if we were in the right location. It doesn't say "Splash by the Sea" anywhere. It's a hotel. Parking is across the street. We put our names on the list and went to the bar for the drink. The bartenders were efficient as they wanted to know the name on the list after taking our order so they can make sure we're seated on time. They also gave us the option to sit at the bar. We declined because we wanted the view. Our server, Carrington, was the sweetest. He was so busy but when he stopped by our table, it felt like he had all the time in the world. He was very attentive and didn't seem stressed at all. We ordered the crab cakes and the wicked tuna dish. Both were delicious! The wicked tartar sauce was mostly mayo, that's my only complaint. There wasn't much flavor there. But the crab cakes were fine on their own anyway. The views from the restaurant were so good! Carrington suggested that we go outside to see the views and he'd come get us when our food arrives, so that's what we did. Gorgeous. We loved it here and highly recommend it!

    Ahi tuna tacos with their waffle fries and tuna steak dinner
    Shawna T.

    Great first time visit on a beautiful early evening in mid September. We arrived around 4pm and were instantly sat outside with views of the ocean. The ambiance and music they play was great. Service was good, dinner course was good. Appetizers we could have skipped. We sat on the benches to enjoy some Saturday night live music afterwards for about 20 min before they got busy. I recommend if you're ever in the area. Indoor seating and bar appeared to be really nice as well.

    Amazing view
    Jeremy H.

    Amazing view for lunch or dinner. The service was excellent, good food, and big portions. A little pricey for lunch, as it was $47 for two meals and one beer. Otherwise, great place to eat!

    Tuna
    Justin B.

    These tuna taco are awesome. I've never had a tuna taco with so much tuna in it. I think between 3 soft shells they used an entire tuna steak. The cook was from NOLA so we got the gumbo and it was delicious. Went here a second time and got the chicken sandwich. Holy sheet(I work in paper) was that good. The chicken sandwich was cooked perfectly. You know how normally if they bread chicken they dry it out? Not here. The chicken was perfectly succulent. Talked to the bar tender and learned a lot about NC liquor laws. Sounds like you need a monopoly buster in here. *not the opinion of the bar. My opinion based on the answer to my questions.

    Pool and Atlantic ocean
    Linnea M.

    Absolutely loved our experience at Splash by the Sea! The staff was warm and welcoming, and we enjoyed dining on the back patio with a gorgeous view of the pool and ocean. The Wicked Tuna with wasabi mashed potatoes was out of this world--my girlfriend and I wished we could eat it every day! My partner loved the garlic thin crust pizza, and our drinks (mojito, pier punch, and Boater Cream Ale) were all top-notch. We shared the skillet cookies for dessert and they were off the chain! Our waitress was friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable. We also noticed they have live music a few nights a week--can't wait to come back!

    Tuna nachos

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    22 days ago

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    9 months ago

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    7 days ago

    Food is great, service is wonderful and that view is just amazing phenomenal!! Best place on the island for outside dining!!

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    11 months ago

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    18 days ago

    The food is good. The service is excellent. The atmosphere is wonderful! The menu is varied.

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    10 days ago

    Everything was delicious. Service was excellent and waiter was VGL. I would return next time in TopSail island

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    3 months ago

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    1 month ago

    Great food! Service was excellent! Had a great time on the patio listening to Eddie Yeager.

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    2 months ago

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    6 months ago

    Every time we have been here the food is good ant the service is amazing. We will definitely keep going :)

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    3 months ago

    Cute outside eating area. Service was good. There are very few options for vegetarians.

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    10 months ago

    Splash is still mediocre bar food. Even the pizza was rough this year (2025). Can't recommend at all.

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    Page 1 of 10

    Ask the Community - Splash by the Sea

    Do they take reservations ? Since COVID, seating is obviously limited.

    No reservations. But the wait time is usually minimal.

    So they have a lot of daily specials?

    I'm not sure if a lot, but we had monkfish that evening which was wonderful. But the menu was varied and I'm eager to return.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Centerfire Cocktail Lounge

    Centerfire Cocktail Lounge

    3.8(4 reviews)
    2.6 mi

    Centerfire was a great relief from the typical bars and taverns that reside within this corner of…read moreNC. Locals will remember this location as the former Crooked Lotus, but is now a comfy, cozy adjustment into a well stocked cocktail bar. The staff is great (ask for Sara) and the menu is a simple, yet creative blend of simple favorites and original recipes. The ambience is a soft, warm setting with a random but fun mix of playlist music and live performances. Check the placard on stage for the schedule. The liquor selection isn't the world's biggest, but it is stocked with some good, above average choices that non-beginners will appreciate. There is also a good selection of wine, as well as some limited tap options (call ahead to confirm taps are flowing. Seasonal traffic impacts the flow). Whether it's a private affair, celebration of sorts, one-on-one meetings, or catching a breath after a long stretch, Centerfire is a must stop for anyone. The prices are reasonable and the quality stands above the local average of the area. Enjoy!

    Stopped in on a Thursday night to meet friends for Christmas. Here is what we liked:…read more* Immediate seating, only one other person when we arrived. A variety of seating, bar, tables or couches. * Decent selection of holiday cocktails. * Variety of spirits to make what you would like. * bartender was helpful and cool. What could of been better: *Not sure what the vibe was supposed to be, brightly lit and very low background music. Almost seemed sterile. * Drinks were just ok, nothing stood out as impressive for a cocktail lounge.

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    Centerfire Cocktail Lounge - Smoked old fashioned

    Smoked old fashioned

    Centerfire Cocktail Lounge - Holiday drink

    Holiday drink

    Centerfire Cocktail Lounge

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    The Cove At Salty Turtle Beer

    The Cove At Salty Turtle Beer

    5.0(3 reviews)
    9.9 mi

    If you love Salty Turtle, you'll love The Cove even more!…read more The Cove is a cocktail bar/event space that is owned by Salty Turtle. They carry a few of their beers to serve as well as wine and liquor. Ever wish you were having a cocktail at Salty Turtle while your partner was enjoying a beer? Well now you can! Hit up the cove and you can have the best of both worlds with no one compromising. The Cove is a "club" so you'll need to sign up for a membership at the bar before you can enjoy some drinks, but don't worry it's free to join! We enjoy coming here on Wednesday nights to play trivia with friends that is hosted by Meeser Eddie. My favorite drink to sip on when coming here is probably the spicy margarita. It's not on the printed menu, but you ask and your wish shall be granted!On Wednesdays they also offer $15 bottles of Prosecco. Yes you read that right $15 for a BOTTLE of Prosecco. Nothing beats coming to play trivia with friends and sharing a great bottle together. The staff here is always so friendly, it's clean, the service is fast & the cove itself provides excellent vibes. We love the cove & salty turtle so the hardest decision is usually choosing which one to go to... and sometimes we just hit up both!!

    My friend and I went in here on a whim when we had a ladies night at Salty Turtle. Prior to this,…read moreI thought this was only an event space. Which it is but it is also open a few days a week, one of which being on Wednesday nights at 6:00pm for trivia. The place is smaller but very cozy. The decor inside is super cute and the drinks are great. We got a tequila drink that looked beautiful and tasted very good. They also have beer and wine. Super cool place to check out and really excited for an upcoming event I am going to at their location too!

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    The Cove At Salty Turtle Beer
    The Cove At Salty Turtle Beer
    The Cove At Salty Turtle Beer

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    Grant's Oyster House

    Grant's Oyster House

    4.4(20 reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$

    Had some really amazing oysters for Christmas, but didn't feel like driving 45 minutes to…read moreWilmington for them. Who would have guessed an oyster shack would be placed conveniently near my mother's house? ... Okay, anyone would have considering we live right on the coast. I'm slow, okay? Looked up Grant's on Yelp and headed straight there. Upon arrival, I was greeted by a very enthusiastic dog... and then another dog! And then an adorable sleeping cat! Apparently there was another cat lurking about, but I never met them. The gentleman working there welcomed me and invited me inside. I asked how buying oysters goes because I had never purchased them fresh before. He directed me to the gentleman running the place who told me the current price for a bushel was $70, half for $40. I gave the woman at the desk my credit card while I chatted them up. They've been in busy since 1939, selling crabs, oysters, grouper, snapper, you name it. People tend to wipe them out daily, so it's best to show up as early as possible. I thanked everyone (including the animals) and drove home with my half-bushel in hand. Thank goodness I had a random cardboard box in my car or else I would have gotten ocean water all in the trunk. And, of course, the oysters were sublime. Salty with a smooth ocean aftertaste. Great raw and steamed, but even better with cocktail sauce and lemon juice on top. Yes, I ate half a bushel by myself in three days. It took a day to clean them all! Don't judge me. Cheers to a year of more oysters!

    Definitely recommend Grant's. Was greeted by the best receiving staff, Kelly, Little Bit, and Lady…read moreBug (cats). The shrimp I got were fresh and great. While it might look well loved from the outside, the fish is fresh, the walk-in cooler billows frosty air when opened, and the owners are nice. Establish on 1939.

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    Grant's Oyster House
    Grant's Oyster House
    Grant's Oyster House - All cleaned and ready to steam!

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    All cleaned and ready to steam!

    Splash by the Sea - seafood - Updated July 2026

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