Amazing food and atmosphere! Easily the best shrimp and grits I've ever had. The grits were creamy and the sauce brought the entire dish together. All the ingredients paired well, especially the hash browns on the side. The crunch from those were perfect! The wait was not long at all either. read more

The Trading Post - Shrimp and Grits - Southern Near Me - Emerald Isle, North Carolina

The food was delicious! We went twice on our stay here. The southern soul rolls are good. They are stuffed with all sorts of delicious southern delectables. My daughter said the Mac and cheese was out of this world; it was very cheesy. I got the shrimp and grits on my second visit. I was expecting only about six shrimp, but it was jammed packed with shrimp! The only negative comment would be that it was super loud in there! But everyone had been stuck inside this week because of hurricane Debby, so we will cut them some slack! read more

I'm so glad the locals referred us to this restaurant! Not only is the ambiance rustic and nautical, but it's clean and welcoming. It's got a cool bar area with lively, fun lovin' patrons and an outdoor patio with a fireplace, a fire pit and another bar. But hold on folks... that's just the tip of the iceberg. The food is the bomb! Some of the best Southern down home cooking I've had! I got the lunch special, fried chicken with two sides for $10! Awesome deal! The platter was ginormous... 4 pieces of crispy, juicy fried chicken, a tasty cucumber and tomato salad in a delish dill dressing, and the best dang grits I've tasted! The grits were thick and creamy because they use butter and cream instead of just water and they are not runny like those gross instant brands. These were tongue cartwheeling good!! Awww shucks! My friend had the oysters and the fish stew which she liked, but mentioned that the oysters were over cooked and hence, a bit small. Good prices though. I'm not much of a seafood gal but the presentation was lovely. Our server Dawn, was congenial and efficient and Trevan was hopping from table to table cleaning and refilling the condiments. What a smooth operation. The restroom floor was a little sticky, but the boat sink was cool! I wouldn't trade my experience at the Trading Post for anything! read more

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Excellent food. Good service. Some excellent servers. Take out available. Average ambience.

Went for breakfast on a Sunday and we're disappointed yay we couldn't get a Bloody Mary until 10 am. It's not the restaurants fault at all....we liked the food so much that we hung out until past 10 to get some brunch beverages! Highly recommend the southern eggs Benedict! read more

The food was excellent. appetizer of Fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese spread and hot pepper jelly to start. Burger and fries excellent. blackened shrimp and crab cakes great! Fried oysters with flounder another hit. Sweet tea a true southern favorite! The best Cole slaw in a restaurant we have ever had! We would definitely eat here again! read more

I got the BBQ sandwich and my husband ordered the 1/2 pound of shrimp - literally so good! We ordered another 1/2 pound!

I went to The Trading Post a year ago before Covid-19 and it was a very beautiful restaurant. *Disclaimer* The wait was extremely long and we were the last ones to be seated. We were a party of 7 and waited about 2 1/2 hours to be seated. Thankfully they served us drinks outside and we listened to the live music, which was quite enjoyable. This was the highest rated restaurant at the time so we expected great food and service. Unfortunately, this was not the case. It could have been the hunger or being the last customers to be sat but there was no rush to help us. After 10 minutes of being sat we had our drink and appetizers ordered. After about five minutes, the server asked us to order so they could close the kitchen. Which was fine because we were starving. The appetizers came out and made an impression. The fried pork grinds are not a common on menus and we enjoyed most of them. About 1/4 were too burnt to eat though. The shrimp were good but the presentation was terrible came just how you see in the photo. I'm not sure if they ran out of ramekins but they served only portion cups. The salad was very poorly presented and prepared. I'll give them another shot but I'll make sure to get there early next time. read more

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Great job; Debbie, chef, and staff! We throughly enjoyed our home cooked Thanksgiving meal. We had enough for sandwiches later that evening as well as another portion today. I highly recommend this establishment for all your meals! read more

The Trading Post - Cooking instructions - Southern Near Me - Emerald Isle, North Carolina

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Always a great place to eat....following all covid safety guidelines...and still great food and service. Our server, Asia, had perfect recommendations of brew (Sandy White Peaches), fried crab balls appetizer, and both the grilled pork chops and ribeye. All were perfectly cooked, marinated and on point. read more

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We stopped in here for dinner on a Thursday on our way out of town. There was live music (which we learned is every Thursday and Saturday), so we were hoping to sit outside, but all the tables were full. We were fortunate enough that the bartender, Ryan, let us take the last 2 stools at the bar. He was slammed but still very attentive and kept us entertained. To drink, I ordered the Southern Belle Mule and my boyfriend got the old fashioned, both of which were very tasty. We ordered entrees that came with salads - pretty basic but I appreciate they use mixed greens instead of tasteless iceberg (and there's cheese!). I wish I knew where they get/how they make the poppyseed dressing because it is amazing! For dinner I got the crab cakes with a side of mashed potatoes, and it's nice that they come with hush puppies and slaw. I loved my crab cakes!! They were mostly crab and hardly any fillers, perfectly pan fried, and the aioli with it was tasty too. My mashed potatoes were meh but still ok. My boyfriend got the fried chicken with mac n cheese and black eyed peas..he loved all of it. Even though all the food wasn't perfect, I'm still giving 5 stars for the service and the atmosphere - would definitely return! read more

The Trading Post - Crab cakes (pick one) with a side of mashed potatoes - crab cakes are AWESOME! - Southern Near Me - Emerald Isle, North Carolina

I visited this restaurant with my friends on Saturday for lunch after visit to the beach. We were told the wait would be around 30 minutes. It took longer to be seated while there were empty tables. After ordering our food and drinks, we waited for another 30 minutes to receive our food. That was unpleasant. We ordered seafood plate. The portion was small -- shrimps were fresh, but crab legs, sausages, potatoes and others come with were just okay. Perhaps our expectation was too high. The ambiance was cute and welcoming though. read more

Great place to have a drink and listen to live music. Gus making drinks was wonderful!! I've been there a few times, food is good as well. read more

Long wait time.. not worth it! Terrible food. When we first arrived we were told it would be a 40-45 minute wait. We waited outside for over an hour before coming inside to find 3 open tables and no wait. When asked why we weren't called, we were told it was due to a high chair and they could only accommodate a booster seat for the three booth tables. Apparently a high chair is not allowed at the booth tables..?? 1) It would've been nice to have had the option of a booster seat right from the very beginning if that is what was in fact causing a longer wait time. 2) If people are walking in with no wait time, wouldn't you seat them at the booth tables, so you could accommodate the party of 4 that has been waiting over an hour? We ordered the specialty "crab balls" for an appetizer.. very burnt and not great at all. Our surf and turf dinner came out with tasteless steak and very salty crab mush on top. The crab "cake" or mush had shells in the crab cake as well as big chunks of onion and celery making the mush consistency more weird. When I say these were salty, it's an understatement, it's like someone spilled the salt in the mixture. The squash and asparagus side was overly black and overpowered by a burnt taste. Our other meal was a shrimp platter. We ordered blackened shrimp, the shrimp on this platter were the size of salad shrimp and tasted frozen. The best thing on this platter were the 3 small hush puppies. The collard greens were not tasteful either. After informing our waitress of all the "mishaps" she apologized but didn't attempt to make up for the lack of service or terrible food. Not sure why they have a great rating. read more

Finally we were able to eat here and it did not disappoint us. We came from a early supper as we were returning home. The food was excellent: scallop dinner special- grill scallops over asparagus & mashed potatoes, spinach salad with grilled shrimp. Our server was fabulous -Amanda S. The only negative is the parking reason for 4 stars instead of 5. read more

The Trading Post - Spinach salad with grilled shrimp - Southern Near Me - Emerald Isle, North Carolina

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Tasty breakfast and friendly service. Lots of locals, which is a sign that it is good. Drop by if you're in town.

Was visiting from Texas and stopped in for a quick bite. The oysters and grits were spot on! Great restaurant in a cute little coastal town. Would highly recommend it. read more

Went twice for dinner during our week long stay at Emerald Isle. Solid food and atmosphere. My first dinner was shrimp and grits. I personally would like to see them cook the shrimp separately and kick up the spice and then place on top of the dish. My second dinner was fried shrimp and they were good and just what I wanted. My companions ordered the fried green tomatoes, chicken wings and burger, all satisfied. read more

The Trading Post - Fried green tomatoes - Southern Near Me - Emerald Isle, North Carolina

Five of us for breakfast, three had chicken and waffles. The chicken was outstanding, hot , moist, tender, with a delicious fried coating; but all the waffles were thin, tough, dry to the point where syrup didn't help, and tasted like long-time steam table fare. Otherwise coffee was good, service good, and the remaining food OK. read more

The macaroni and cheese is absolutely amazing. We recently vacation At Emerald Isle and we always do Eat at the local cuisine and you can't beat this place. They take time to prepare your food but when you get it is well worth it. I recommend The chicken and teriyaki a.k.a. barbecue sauce mashed potatoes and gravy are wonderful ..green beans and the local shrimp fresh not frozen absolutely delightful. And let's not even forget about the magnanimous hush puppies. You get a little bit of everything here. Even music if you come at the right time. Five stars all the way.... read more

Awesome food and service. I had the flounder and shrimp combo and it was excellent. My wife had the hamburger and she said it was awesome, cooked to perfection. A little shout out to our waiter Dakota. He was awesome, great service. Look forward to coming back when in the area. read more

I found this place on my last vacation at Atlantic Beach, i decide to drive to Emeral Isle to try it, and I think it was worth it, I ordered the flounder sandwich I think it was and is huge, very good, my daughter got the shrimp and grits and it was delicious as well. Service was good and the patio seating options was good as well. read more

We went here for dinner and it was so delicious! The menu does not have much on it but what's on it is amazing. My parents also say this is where they go for breakfast all the time. There is seating inside and outside. There was a long wait but my opinion is what worth it. The only thing that could've made it better is if they had Coke products instead of Pepsi. Lol read more

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There are never enough servers. We waited at least 45 min for our food . Did not get a refill on tea. Food is not as good as it use to be.

We had an awful experience tonight at The Trading Post. We were there to listen to love music, which was phenomenal but everything else was awful. Our food took two hours to come out and when it did we were missing many items and a lot of the food was overcooked and flavorless. We spoke with the front of house manager and explained the situation and he apologized and told us he would take care of it. Well his "taking care of it" was a 10% discount and then refusal to come back to our table when we explained that multiple entrees were poor quality and almost inedible and we'd like them taken off. Our server was very kind and extremely apologetic about the poor food quality and lack of proper customer service from the manager. She talked with him multiple times asking him to take items off the bill and he refused to discount anything else. Even with the incredible musician that played, we will still never go back to this restaurant due to the awful food and even more awful management. read more

The fried green tomatoes and the grits and shrimp are OMG good!!! We also ordered the crab boil it was good. read more

The Trading Post - Crab boil and shrimp and grits!! - Southern Near Me - Emerald Isle, North Carolina

Loved the fried green tomatoes that was my favorite out of everything I had. Had a fantastic waitress who had only been working there 3 days (wish I remembered her name) so between the two it was a win for me! Will definitely return for brunch or breakfast next visit. read more

We have gone here for years every summer and unfortunately this year it seemed to go downhill. Our waitress was amazing but the menu was lacking from previous years- we all ordered seafood platters and the fried clams weren't edible very clearly frozen beforehand. Just a bummer when we were looking forward to it. read more

Rustic beach vibes and a really fun back patio with live music. Extremely friendly and helpful staff. Whiskey flights with very unique bottles. We weren't the hungriest so we just split appetizers and they were awesome. The oysters over grits were incredible! The crab cake balls were cooked perfectly. read more

The Trading Post - Oysters over grits, crab cake balls and a whiskey flight. - Southern Near Me - Emerald Isle, North Carolina

Breakfast is top notch. We had Chicken and waffles and the chicken biscuit bowl. The waffle was actually crispy on the edges! House made bloody mary mix is well balanced. Excellent service! read more

The Trading Post - Chicken and Waffle and Chicken Biscuit. - Southern Near Me - Emerald Isle, North Carolina

Asking me to drive 20 mins back to refund me for their mistake is unacceptable. I didn't receive half my order and they wouldn't refund me unless I came back in person. I've only given a few bad reviews my whole life. I ordered for pickup and came when they said it would be ready. They had me wait 30+ more mins. When I got home I realized they forgot 3 of the 7 orders. All that can be forgiven but I called to be refunded for the 3 meals I didn't receive and they told me I could only be refunded if I drove 20 mins back so they could swipe my card. I am so frustrated and disappointed. All I wanted was a partial refund because of the food I didn't receive. read more

We were seated and for 15 minutes no one came to check on us. No acknowledgment at all. The staff were on their cell phones. We were the ONLY customers in the restaurant! We decided to leave and spend our money somewhere else. read more

Good, fairly standard breakfast near the beach. Eggs & Bacon etc... Very good chorizo and egg breakfast burrito. Good coffee. Quick service on our last trip. read more

We can in the off season when they first opened so not very busy. Given the amazing customer service and fun I going to guess they are very busy Or definitely should be during the summer. They have a kids menu for the littles with awesome kids choices. My husband and son loved their burgers and the chicken and waffles were delicious. They also have outside seating with fun games to entertain children and adults while you wait. Will be back. read more

Took our beagle and ate outside--fun and casual atmosphere. Food delicious although we would've liked a little more on our low country boil for 2. Would like to go back and try breakfast! read more

Great food and wonderful service. I really enjoy the Benedict. Casual and inviting. Worth the 45 minute drive when time allows

Food was good, not great. Service was a bit slow, although the staff was friendly. I don't think I will be back. Too many other good options in the area. read more

The trading post reminds me of a boutique deli downtown new york city loved it The bacon, egg and cheese is a must on a sesame seed bagel.

Breakfast was horrible and the gooey gross things they call hash browns we're disgusting. Wouldn't recommend

Friendly service, a kid friendly outdoors, and an excellent fried green tomatoes app earned this place the first 2 stars but the rest of the food and drinks failed. Unbelievably swampy fish and grits was like fishing through a bowl of water and the shrimp themselves just were not good. The drinks were sugary and way too sweet. Nice server. read more