Wine was excellent, food was DELICIOUS, and service was above what I expected having been referred…read morethere by a few people. Went with a friend who frequents and she's a food/wine lover (so I knew this experience would be a good one). Convenient location downtown and I've never had issues finding parking yet but it DOES get busy. There are some municipal lots around and I'd you capable of walking a block or two you may get lucky finding parking on the residential streets too. Just please drive responsibly and don't drink and drive The restaurant has a very relaxing vibe, the ambience is great for business for pleasure for get together or romantic- I loved the way the place is decorated and I absolutely love the small nooks for seating tucked into the wall (seats2-3) with two chairs tables for extra ppl. Overall great experience and I LOVED the charcuterie board as well as the selections. The person serving had great knowledge on pairings too. Will definitely go back.

I love this place. It feels sooo fancy but it's completely affordable. The vibes inside are super…read morecozy

The sweetest spot just before the island- and with no traffic to deal with!…read more Sara, Megan and all the staff are super welcoming and happy to help out! The vibe is coastal speakeasy if that's such a thing! You can get artisanal cocktails to domestic beer! Something great for all tastes!

This charcuterie bar delivers a truly enjoyable and well-crafted experience. The boards are…read morethoughtfully prepared, featuring a variety of unique flavors that complement each other perfectly. Every element feels intentional, creating a balanced and memorable tasting experience rather than just a simple assortment. The drink selection is equally impressive, with plenty of beer, wine, and liquor options to pair with your board. Whether you are looking for something casual or a more refined pairing, there is something for everyone. The atmosphere strikes a great balance--fun, relaxed, and inviting. It is the kind of place where you can unwind, take your time, and really enjoy the experience. Overall, this is a standout spot for anyone who appreciates quality charcuterie, great drinks, and a laid-back but vibrant setting.

If you're looking for one of the best hidden gems in the Surf City area, make sure you visit The…read moreSea Witch Lounge. The food, cocktails, atmosphere, and staff consistently make this one of our favorite local spots. The standout on the menu is the Roast Beef Sandwich. The combination of hand-carved roast beef, caramelized onions, brie cheese, arugula, and horseradish crema is absolutely incredible. Every ingredient works together perfectly, creating a sandwich that's both rich and flavorful without being overwhelming. What really takes it to the next level is pairing it with one of their homemade daily soups. The soups rotate regularly and are always fresh, creative, and delicious. If you're having trouble deciding, order a soup flight. It's one of the most unique offerings around and it never disappoints.

Bartender and staff was rude. We were from out of town our friends live in Top Sail. You think…read morethey would treat their locals good be that is who keeps you going in off season. But we were told that we have to ho to the bar when it got busy. There was only 21 people in the whole bar..The Bartender still did come over to us..it is sad..We tip good..because 2 of us have Bartended .I could have bought a bottle for what I paid for a shot of Captain

Super fun crowd and the bartenders are fast and always smiling!! Tons of locals which makes it nice…read moreduring tourist season!! Bands are playing out in the deck, cool eclectic decor and def one of the best dive bars on the island!!

We went on a Thursday afternoon...the bar was surrounded by ladies when we walked in and it got…read morereal quiet...I felt like we might have been interrupting something but we ordered our drinks and they started talking again. You can definitely tell that this is a locals bar. After our first drink the ladies started to talk to us and I started to really enjoy myself. The bartender was friendly and drinks were on par for what we'd paid the rest of the week. Not sure why I expected this bar to be bigger because I knew it was literally a trailer. But it was decorated hilariously and it was clean. I would have loved to return that night for karaoke but I must be getting old because when I heard it didn't start until 9pm, I knew that we'd have to do that another trip. We'll try again next year!

Stopped in because a known singer we like was playing there on a Friday night! The space was small…read morebut quaint! We chose to sit in the cozy chairs in the back which was a nice switch from bar stools for us! The bartender was fast, efficient and knowledgeable! The selection was great for all tastes! Draft beers, cocktails and canned beverages from the coolers! Although the entertainment cancelled, the music selection that was being played was awesome! We will definitely go back!

This place rules. Good vibe inside, as the new owner did a great job improving the atmosphere…read more Totally reasonable drink prices, sit down or to-go. Really nice in the warmer months when they have food trucks and outdoor patio going.

Such a cute spot! My mom and I stopped by here a few weeks ago and loved the vibe, wine list and…read moreservice. When we first got there, the owner was working and was able to pick a perfect cabernet based on the typical wines we told her we liked. The bartender working in the evening was super nice and gave us all kinds of recommendations around Surf City. The shop is basically an art gallery with really good wine so perfect spot for girls night. I'll definitely be back!

Love the owners and staff. The ambiance is so relaxing and super clean. I could just sit there…read moreand stare at all the artwork and drink their wine...Oh I do!

Driftwood Craft Kitchen was one of the highlights of our visit to Hampstead. The atmosphere strikes…read morea great balance between upscale and coastal, with warm wood tones, modern finishes, and subtle nautical touches that feel inviting without being overdone. We started with The Amelia cocktail, which was refreshing and well-balanced. For appetizers, the Sesame Ahi Tuna was incredibly fresh and perfectly prepared. The C.A.B. Ribeye was the standout of the meal--tender, flavorful, and cooked exactly as ordered. We also shared the chocolate mousse, which was smooth, decadent, and the perfect finish. What stood out most was the attention to detail in both the food and the overall experience. With excellent ingredients, skilled preparationu, and a beautiful atmosphere, Driftwood Craft Kitchen is absolutely worth a visit. We'll definitely be back.

Where do I begin... We ordered martinis,…read moreThe glasses were no where near "full" Wife ordered the chef special, Chilean Seabass. I think it was the special because it was almost ready for the dumpster, She said she thought the sauce tasted odd. But later her stomach wasn't feeling well I ordered the steak sandwich, And specifically asked if the steak was chopped up, As I do not like fat or gristle in the bites of my steak sub. It was large chunks of steak that the fat had not been trimmed off of there were a lot of bites that I had to simply expel onto my plate. When Kimmy our server, asked, how was the meal? I told her and she could clearly see that I did not eat most of my steak sandwich and I had spit out a lot of it. When the overpriced Bill reached our table, A tall man with a big beard came to the table and asked how was the meal? I told you him about the steak sandwich. And he asked, If we were locals I said yes we were. And he said this, Well, maybe we can take care of it the next time you're in... HE SHOULD'VE TAKEN CARE OF IT THERE AND THEN Not sure what that's really means, Since now I will never be going back. And neither should you As you read the other reviews, it is CLEARLY an overpriced menu. With overpriced drinks Just like the Owner's other "bar and grill" in Sneads Ferry Spaggia (sp)? We went there a while back and found the same thing to be true. I think they're a "couple" from New York and wanna come down here to SouthEastern, North Carolina and charge New York prices Now, I reached out to the owner the next day and never received a call back. My advice. Don't waste your time OR your money

We had a blast at Ponysaurus. They have a great beer selection, friendly staff, and delicious…read morefood. We enjoyed appetizers and pizza as well as a sandwich. Everything was great. They have a huge Biergarten area that was perfect for our large group. We also appreciated having the outside bar available. We will definitely be back.

Super fun place to check it. It is pretty big (back garden, upstairs, and tables up front), which…read moremeans it can get super packed. There was a whole pub crawl group when we went and it definitely got busy! Frozen drinks, THC drinks, beers, and cocktails for drinks. Ended up getting a guava wit 6 pack on the way out and it was great - sour, fruity, very drinkable. Lots of food options but we were told to get the garlic knots and we definitely needed those! The sausage and fennel pizza was delicious, I do wish the fennel had been a little more caramelized/charred. Pepperoni and basil came out fresh, they do let you customize a basic pizza if you don't want any of the specialty ones.