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    The Purple Onion Cafe

    4.0 (357 reviews)
    Closed 6:30 am - 3:00 pm

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    THE PURPLE ONION CAFE ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - The Purple Onion Cafe

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    Chef Salad
    Lynn R.

    I've passed by the PO many times and read the reviews and finally got to stop in and have lunch. Everyone's plates were over flowing with food and our lunch was delish. I heard several patrons chatting about how much they loved their sides - onion rings and fry's specifically. We ordered chef salads and asked for a few tweaks which they gladly accommodated. I ordered the avocado ranch dressing and it was creamy and flavorful. The salad was piled high with ham, turkey and cheese and the salad items were all fresh. Lunch came with a nice looking roll too but I'm not eating bread these days. I thoroughly enjoyed my lunch here and will be back. And if you want to sample the bakery items the cake and cookies looked ridiculous.

    Scott G.

    Just on a search for a lunch spot. The Purple Onion came up and boy it's a winner. Such a nice surprise to find a place that you can get in and out of in just a snap! Sandwiches are like something that I would make up at home.

    Cheddar cheese Omelette.

    We had a pancake well done, which it was not and was a bit smaller than we remembered. I had a Cheddar Cheese Omelette, hash browns and toast. All good but you could tell this was done at the end of the breakfast service (10:45). Was also nice to see the place cleaned up and new tables. Looks like the tourist crowd is back. Busy.

    1/2 Combo Sandwich & salad Purple Onion Club (roast beef, turkey, capicola, and bacon
    Judy I.

    The food was very good today. I ordered the 1/2 sandwich with a side salad. I chose the Purple Onion Club on grilled sourdough bread, and a side salad with homemade poppyseed dressing. The sandwich was so thick, I could hardly get it in my mouth. The place was full and our order took quite a long time to come out, and then all four of us did not get our food at the same time. Service was average. The restaurant was noisy and it was hard to carry on a conversation at our table. On the way out, we bought one of their delicious desserts. My favorite is the two oatmeal raisin cookies with cream in the center... Always delicious!!!

    It's a small town dinner and a bit chilly when I went in. Servers had pants on and a jacket. So they don't have the HVAC system set up right. Food was the worst I've had yet in theb8 months in the Calabash area. Didn't finish my plate even. The potatoes had to be left overs and deep fried again to heat them up. The flavor of old oil is all you get and dried out. Toast was dry and you have to butter it yourself. Sausage and bacon deep friend in the same old oil. Just nasty.

    Biscuit with sausage gravy (extra).

    Ayden was the best server I've had in a long time. Service was excellent. Food was great. It was a cute diner setup with a nice bakery. I did buy 2 pastries to try later. Great job

    Cantaloupe Chicken Salad
    Matt H.

    Yummy! I had the cantaloupe chicken salad and couldn't have enjoyed it more! I really enjoyed the melding of flavors in this dish and was very pleasantly surprised in the food here. I must say service was a bit off and our waitress wasn't the friendliest in the world, but the food did make up for it. Ambience is very casual and easy which is what we were looking for for a quick lunch. I would recommend the purple onion to anyone in the area for a no-frills decent meal.

    Waiting on his food and too early to talk to me so I'm honored to annoy him!
    Kim Y.

    Good food! I had the Southern BLT $8.25 Fried green tomatoes, crisp bacon and lettuce on sourdough w avocado+ ($1.75)! My son got the Breakfast Burrito $11.75 ! They have enough menu pictures for y'all to check out on this site. Coffee was strong and hot! Melissa was really sweet and took our order fast. Bathroom is clean. Decent morning crowd for a Tuesday. Place can comfortably seat 60+ and not feel crowded.

    Aimee N.

    I was driving home from MB to Wilmington and had heard about this family restaurant in Shallotte for years. Pulling in off of the busy street was kind of hard and parking can also be alittle tricky. Inside I was greeted by a large array of cakes and cookies. Employees definitely showed their southern hospitality. My server could not have been any sweeter and more helpful. The menu was very large. I was wanting breakfast but I got there 15 minutes to late it stops at 1045 I saw all of the food going to other tables and noticed the huge portions. I didn't want anything that big so I ordered a 1/2 sandwich and soup. I chose the turkey avocado bacon on sourdough and a cup of chili. I cut the half into another half and enjoyed the sandwich. I didn't like the chili at all. Server offered to switch it but it wasn't their fault so I didn't. This is a nice spot for a Asian family breakfast or lunch. Locals just having conversations around food. Bathrooms could have been cleaner but the restaurant is a charmer.

    Purple Onion Cafe Salad with crab cake.

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    11 days ago

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    3 days ago

    Great service and food. Always a wait for breakfast. A bit pricey but the best breakfast in town. Great bakery.

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    8 months ago

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    10 months ago

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    8 months ago

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    8 months ago

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    6 months ago

    Good eats, good and efficient service. I live an hour away and I occasionally drive to Shalotte to go.

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    4 months ago

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    8 months ago

    Great southern breakfast, delicious homemade cakes, and danishes. courteous staff. Take out available

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    7 months ago

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    11 months ago

    Breakfast order was served cold. Best sweet tea ever. Chili's was delicious and BLT was good.

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    9 months ago

    Had a great lunch! Staff were very friendly! Fried green tomatoes were awesome! Huge portions.

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Business owner information

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    Terry B.

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    2 years ago

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    Terry B.

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    1 year ago

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    10 months ago

    Great family run cafe and bakery. We enjoyed the friendly staff, great breads a variety of sandwiches.

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    1 year ago

    Great hole in the wall breakfast option! Our food was delicious, and our service was even better! We will happily return

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    1 year ago

    Been here several times. The food is always great, comes promptly, and the service is perfect.

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    Page 1 of 9

    Ask the Community - The Purple Onion Cafe

    Tee Time Cafe

    Tee Time Cafe

    3.7
    (41 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $

    Tee Time is the locals' favorite spot for breakfast and lunch, and after visiting, it's easy to see…read morewhy! For breakfast, you can choose between the buffet or ordering from the menu. The buffet has everything you'd want in a traditional breakfast--eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, French toast, biscuits, gravy, and more. We also tried menu items, which came out quickly and were freshly made to order. The food was hot, flavorful, and exactly what you'd hope for from a hometown diner. One of the best things about Tee Time is that it feels like a hidden gem in Shallotte that often gets overlooked. The friendly atmosphere, good food, and reasonable prices make it well worth a visit. They also offer daily lunch specials, giving you another reason to stop by throughout the week. If you're looking for a great local breakfast or lunch spot, Tee Time is definitely worth checking out. We'll be back

    First things first , the young lady at the counter let me bring Sir Teddy in and he really…read moreappreciated that ( my gentleman Dogg ) . When I say Tatum Hun Bun I mean it . These biscuits are the best in town , I have been hunting a real big pillow soft amazing biscuit .. You find it here at Tee Time Cafe ! Breakfast Buffet, Home cooking hit out of the park. The menu is so much more than breakfast .. So you know , Teddy and I will be back for some Lunch and Dinner . On the way out please pass on this great meal bye buying someone else less fortunate breakfast a meal ! Ty

    Photos
    What a cool idea to buy someone less fortunate breakfast here ! I did ..
    What a cool idea to buy someone less fortunate breakfast here ! I did ..
    Weekly dinner specials
    Weekly dinner specials
    The Buffett has a great variety of yummies !!

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    The Buffett has a great variety of yummies !!
    Smoke'd

    Smoke'd

    3.6
    (99 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    Service was great, love the environment. Only issue is they do not have really anything to eat for…read morepeople with shellfish allergy. I know it isn't their issue but I wish more places would take it into consideration since so many people have the allergy. The Mac and cheese is good though! That's what I was able to eat! Everyone in my family enjoyed their meal!

    I always check online menus before I decide on eating somewhere to make sure that they have…read moresomething I would like. My fiancé and I met two friends of ours here to eat dinner. I was going to get their southern belle pasta. When we were seated and given menus, I noticed that there were a lot of items on their menu that were marked out with sharpie... Including the pasta that I planned on getting. Which then put us in an awkward situation because there was nothing else on their menu that I eat except the fries... The waitress was kind and explained that it is because they are about to completely change their menu and change the whole name of the restaurant in fact. Which is understandable, but in that type of situation, they should also update their menu online not just the physical copies that they have inside the restaurant. It made dinner with our friends, awkward because everyone was eating a full meal except me, because the items that I would have ate, were not on their menu anymore. Attached to my review are photos of the online menu and their in store menu so you can see the differences. Was a disappointing experience.

    Photos
    Apps menu
    Apps menu
    Salads menu
    Salads menu
    Sandwiches menu

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    Sandwiches menu

    The Purple Onion Cafe - cafes - Updated June 2026

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