Second visit with a bunch of girlfriends. Prices went up just a hair but still a GREAT DEAL! Three of us got Shrimp and Scallop basket. I got chips, and the others got sweet poto fries. Two friends got Catfish with sweet poto fries. The basket comes with two hushpuppies and coleslaw. The food was delicious. I wish I lived closer. Our server Renee was busy but that did not stop her from being quick, professional, and friendly with a smile. The only complaint was it was very cold inside, so bring a sweater. March 2026 KUDOS STARFISH! read more

Went with a party of four Friday night. Not sure if it was a night where people didn't show up to work but our service was terrible. Everyone was running around very stressed and it did not help the ambiance. Took about 45 for us to get our food after ordering. They brought out the wrong salad for one of us two separate times. When we did receive the right salad the grilled chicken was cold. The shrimp is very good but everything else looked fairly basic. read more

The architecture of a restaurant, like the cover of a book, speaks volumes, often before the first bite is taken. In the case of Starfish Grill, that volume is unfortunately a dull pamphlet. The ambiance is, to put it mildly, aggressively utilitarian. One dines not in a room designed for pleasure, but in a functional calculation--a frantic, high-speed cafeteria where the atmosphere, tragically, leaves much speed to be desired. And yet, it is here the establishment finds its singular, flickering grace: in the service. The floor staff were the true, harried protagonists of the evening. They were friendly, yes, and unmistakably stressed--the consequence of an overflowing house and the relentless pressure of the moment. But they executed their duties with a smiling, impeccable precision. I appreciate the sheer dedication required to maintain such an edifice of grace amidst the frantic necessity of feeding the masses. It is a rare kindness to be served by someone so clearly working through the demanding rituals of their duty while wearing an authentic expression of hospitality. The fare itself is a subject of careful distinction: it is good, but not great. It is honest, well-executed comfort, and undeniably cheap. This is the key. One must know precisely what one is consuming to venture here. Starfish Grill makes no apology for its sensory vacuum. It offers a simple, crucial contract: good, cheap, friendly food, served with commendable haste. For those who prioritize this specific constellation of value--food that satisfies, service that delights, and a bill that does not wound--over the pretense of atmosphere, this is your joint. If this establishment earns its high regard, and it does, the merit belongs not to the kitchen, but entirely to the dedicated people in service. It fulfills its humble, honest destiny with admirable success. read more

Renee is a rockstar server!! Talk about ensuring you have everything you could need or want! Hush puppies and mini crab cakes are fantastic!! Hidden gem!! read more

Super clean place , fast and friendly service with great seafood baskets ! Daily specials like meatloaf and cute decor.

Food was freshly made and delicious. Service was kind and attentive. Ambiance was clean and nicely decorated. It was a long wait on a Friday night but that only means it's a popular local spot. read more

Great experience! An amazing server, super friendly and helpful. Very delicious food. North Carolina, grilled and black and shrimp.!

This place never disappoints! The service is consistently friendly and efficient, and the food is delicious. If you're looking for a solid recommendation, get the nachos--they're loaded with flavor and perfect for sharing (or not, no judgment here!). Whether I'm stopping by for a quick bite or hanging out with friends, I know I'll leave satisfied. Highly recommend! read more

Have been back living here since 1987! How is it that today was my first time here? Delicious! Tried the mini crab cakes...yum! The fried shrimp basket! The cook knows how to properly cook shrimp! Fantastic! I will be back! read more

Great food, great value, and great service!!! We eat there almost every time we are at the beach!!!

Tried this place due to a Google search and the reviews. We were not disappointed. The food was delicious. I got a crab cake sandwich and my husband got the shrimp Philly. For dessert we shared apple pie. They put Carmel sauce on it which for me is a big hit. The service was fast and our waitress and other staff very friendly. It is a casual place with good food. We will definitely be back. read more

Quick service sat ourselves and we split crab dip and had the 1 item fried platter $12 2 item 15 we had blackened scallops and fried clam strips reg fr had choices lol read more

Starfish Grill - Crab dip - American Near Me - Newport, North Carolina

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Great friendly service, fresh seafood any way you like it. The crab cakes are made in house and not covered in Old Bay or all filler!! read more

Starfish Grill - American Near Me - Newport, North Carolina

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Found this place 3 years ago and went back on our most recent trip. Love this place. The food is spot on!

Really depends on the day there. We live right down the road and used to eat there often but it's so inconsistent in food quality we only go out of extreme laziness because we don't want to drive or cook. The first year we went there it was pretty good but even the service has dropped off. read more

Ordered to go and watched their kitchen staff as a well oiled machine. The staff were super friendly and helpful with complex order. Everyone's food was amazing. What a hidden gem!!! read more

Wonderful staff and the food was fast and hot. Our waitress was super friendly and everything came out perfect. They accommodated our party of twenty with no issues. Will visit again when I'm back in town. read more

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Excellent local food. Good service. Casual dining. Loved it. The Ahi and scallops were amazing.

This place is a hidden gem. The food was outstanding. I got the pick 3 basket with NC shrimp, flounder, and a crab cake with the house made chips. The crab cake was out of this world, good with lump crab and no filler. The house made travern chips and the house made ranch are a must if you visit. My husband got the seafood Mac & cheese which was pretty good as well. read more

Starfish Grill - Pick 3 with NC shrimp, flounder and crab cake with tavern chips - American Near Me - Newport, North Carolina

This is a hidden gem at the beach. It is a small place with simple decor but great food and good service. The food was outstanding at a very reasonable price. Don't forget to try some AB pie! We will be back! read more

Starfish Grill - Blackened whitefish, grilled shrimp, onion rings and slaw - American Near Me - Newport, North Carolina

Food is amazing and has a laid back vibe in the dining room. Everything we have gotten from here has been fantastic Easy access off hwy 24 and a drive thru window when you don't want to get out of vehicle I highly recommend Starfish Grill, check it out read more

Decent food. Atmosphere is not very inviting. Service was good and prices are reasonable.

It's a seafood place, I'm not a seafood lover but my friends are, so I ordered the burger. Very disappointing. Our server was a very sweet young girl. read more

Great food as usual! Staff are always super friendly and attentive. Small area so get there early! read more

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This place has good food and the waitress we had was excellent and quick! But I wish they gave you more food, the portions were extremely small. There prices were better than most the other restaurants but we quickly saw why. Fill up the baskets with food! Maybe charge a dollar or two more if you have to but it's hard to leave and still want to eat more. Food was good though and quick and fresh. read more

Great shrimp baskets and excellent slaw. Delicious food and daily specials. Good to drop in and enjoy! Very clean.

My wife and I stopped for lunch last Tuesday. Starfish is in a strip mall and wasn't expecting much. I ordered fried shrimp and it was great, almost as good as Ruddy Duck which has closed. My wife had a chicken Philly that was also pretty good. I recommend this restaurant for lunch. read more

Loved our dinner so much our first time we came back the next night. Shrimp were delicious!!

From the service to the cleanliness to the yummy Ahi Nacho, it was a good experience read more

Starfish Grill - Ahi tuna nachos - American Near Me - Newport, North Carolina

This is a very comfortable little place. The food was delicious and affordable. The service was excellent and the owner even came by to say hello. Might be the best kept secret in Newport. read more

Good food, good people, good prices. - the hush Puppies are great. The flounder was well cooked. The fries were good. The tavern chips are very tasty. The shrimp or not over breaded and had a great flavor. Well the location is a little odd in the atmosphere a little sparse, definitely give this place a try. read more

Went to this place several times for calamari and found it to be really good until last night. Calamari was overcooked and had different breading which was not appealing. Staff is always friendly and helpful and offered to send my order back but I said I would try it. As in any restaurant staff is limited but was okay. read more

Good choices of food from locals and the prices are reasonable. Staff is very friendly and attentive.

Good Food,Friendly Service,had the shrimp basket for lunch.fair price can't wait to come back for dinner

My husband and I were staying in Newport and asked several locals where we could get good seafood. Nobody told us about Starfish Grille. I'm glad I prefer to patronize small businesses in the areas where I'm staying. I Googled seafood near me, and they popped up. I'm so glad to have found them. Friendly staff, great food, and the place was spotless. The salmon was cooked to perfection, and the shrimp philly was delicious. Don't leave without trying their homemade potato chips. I will definitely eat there again whenever I'm in the area. read more

Good portions, all food fast and delicious. Cassie was our server, super sweet and attentive. True southern SWEET sweet tea, which I got half and half and was still really sweet. My husband loved the sweet tea. A bit pricey for lunch, but have enough leftovers for dinner. Next time we will share an entree and app. read more

Great restaurant with lots of yummy choices! Hubs and I had shrimp dip with pita crisps, fried okra, and fried mahi fish tacos with mango salsa. The dip was enough for two, creamy and filling with perfectly crisped buttery pita points. I'm a sucker for fried okra and ranch dressing-this hit the spot...just the right amount of breading, crispy and served golden and hot in their cute basket. Choices are 2-3 fish tacos, broiled, grilled, or Frieda. Hubs are those before I could see details to review! Friendly service, casual/beachy decor, very enjoyable lunch! read more

Food was to greasy. I have gotten takeout and was disappointed that is was so greasy. Tried the place after it first opened for a sit down dinner but main cook was out that night, so it was a long wait. Not many places to get food on Hwy 24, so was hoping it would be the spot to go to. read more

Unassuming seafood diner. Two of us decided to stop in one weekday. Small inviting diner with friendly engaging staff. We both ordered the shrimp tacos with fried ocra. Excellent flavors. Shrimp and ocra were both cooked spot on. The mango salsa with the spicy blackened shrimp was outstanding. I have been back since with the same result. Simple and tasty. Well done! read more

Starfish Grill - Blackened shrimp tacos with fried ocra. - American Near Me - Newport, North Carolina

This is a locals restaurant and the food is excellent! They have fresh fish, grilled, fried or blackened right off the boats. Their salads are plentiful with crispy assorted lettuces. We love the tavern chips but the other fried food is yummy. Try the Maui tacos you'll love them. The service?....always great with happy waitresses and if you can get Liana you will love her!!! They offer great assortment of beer and wine. The over all prices leave money in your wallet as you walk out with a full belly! read more