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About This Place

Welcome to Fish Hook Grill, a delightful seafood restaurant situated at 980 Island Rd, Harkers Island, NC. Just a stone’s throw from the picturesque Cape Lookout ferry, this charming eatery embodies the essence of coastal dining with its inviting nautical decor and warm, friendly atmosphere.

As you step inside Fish Hook Grill, you’ll be greeted by the friendly chatter of locals and an inviting ambiance that feels like home. The menu showcases a variety of seafood specialties, highlighting the freshest catches from the nearby waters. Diners rave about the signature dishes like the NC Shrimp & Grits, which marries smoked sausage, tomatoes, and a smoky cream sauce over stone-ground grits, transforming a simple Southern classic into an irresistible feast. Another standout is the Blackened Mahi Mahi, served over butter-herbed rice and drizzled with a creamy lobster sauce that makes each bite a luxurious experience.

Start your meal off right with a plate of Buffalo Shrimp ($10.99) or the ever-popular Catfish Bites ($10.99) that have garnered enthusiastic praise from visitors. A review from a delighted patron sums it up perfectly: “The food was lightly breaded and excellent.” With a respect for seafood that shines through in every dish, it's clear that the chefs at Fish Hook Grill are committed to delivering quality and flavor.

Not just for seafood lovers, the diverse menu caters to all palates, featuring options like Mediterranean Chicken and even a hearty Ribeye steak that won't disappoint. The dining experience is further enhanced by a selection of refreshing beers at reasonable prices, rounding out the casual yet delightful experience.

Service is a highlight here, with staff known for their attentiveness and personal touch. As one customer noted, “You feel like family,” which speaks volumes about the caring environment cultivated by the team at Fish Hook Grill. From the quick service to the delectable hush puppies delivered promptly upon arrival, every detail is designed to ensure you enjoy your meal to the fullest.

All in all, Fish Hook Grill is not just a place to eat; it’s a hidden gem waiting to be discovered! Whether you're a local or just visiting, make sure to stop by and savor the flavors of this charming seafood spot. Your taste buds will thank you!

Service options

Accessibility

  • Has wheelchair-accessible car park
  • Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Has wheelchair-accessible seating
  • Has wheelchair-accessible toilet

Service options

  • Has outdoor seating
  • Offers takeaway
  • Serves dine-in
  • No delivery

Highlights

  • Has fast service

Popular for

  • Popular for lunch
  • Popular for dinner
  • Good for solo dining

Offerings

  • Serves alcohol
  • Serves beer
  • Serves cocktails
  • Serves coffee
  • Serves comfort food
  • Serves healthy options
  • Quick bite
  • Serves small plates
  • Serves spirits
  • Serves wine

Dining options

  • Serves lunch
  • Serves dinner
  • Serves dessert
  • Has seating

Amenities

  • Has bar on site
  • Has toilet

Atmosphere

  • Casual
  • Cosy
  • Trendy

Crowd

  • Good for groups
  • Popular with tourists

Planning

  • Doesn't accept reservations

Payments

  • Accepts credit cards
  • Accepts debit cards
  • Accepts NFC mobile payments
  • Credit cards

Children

  • Good for kids
  • High chairs available
  • Has kids' menu

Parking

  • Free of charge street parking
  • Free parking lot
  • Plenty of parking

Locations

Guest Reviews (762)

Small restaurant just down the road from the Cape Lookout ferry. Fish of the day was flounder - very good.

The service was outstanding. We came in as a larger family (party of 8), and the staff was so great at making sure everyone was fed and happy. The hash puppies were a crowd favorite, and the kids were crazy for the pretzel bites. I loved the catfish bites. Shrimp and grits were fantastic! The clam chowder is broth based (not cream or tomato based), light and flavorful. One of us got a Ribeye steak and it was great, too. We were too full to try their desserts, though they too sounded delicious.

Food was lighty breaded and excellent. Sabrina was an awesome bartender and hostess Atmosphere was cozy and cool

DO NOT miss out on the lobster sauce! I had to stop myself from asking for a cup and a straw. Hush puppies to start were the epitome of perfection and delivered to the table as soon as we arrived. Orange Crush drinks were fantastic. Margarita mix was a bit too sweet. Mary Ann who took care of us was awesome. Food was hot, quick, and absolutely delicious. This is a hidden gem of Down East. Even the salad was fresh rinsed romaine lettuce. Can’t wait to be back from Virginia to enjoy this place! Perfect location to visit from any area community by car and a quick trip from anywhere on Harkers Island via golf cart.

Drove from the Emerald Isle / Morehead City / Beaufort areas down to Hawker’s Island for birding on a Saturday afternoon. We stumbled onto this spot and it instantly looked like my kind of place – a casual seafood restaurant in a classic fishing village. Walked into The Fish Hook Grill and that’s exactly what we saw. Nautical décor, a lot of friendly folks (likely locals) chatting over lunch, and a cheerful welcoming staff. Since it was mid-January, they mentioned they might be out of some items (for example, the Hatteras Clam Chowder) since they were closing for a few weeks at the end of the month and into February. But having seen rows of shrimp boats docked just a few blocks away, I figured that was the right move to make. So, we ordered a Buffalo Shrimp appetizer (in honor of the football game taking place the same weekend), and two Shrimp Burgers (in honor of what seems to be a classic dish on the Crystal Coast). The food and service were excellent! One bite of one shrimp and I knew right away these were super-fresh. I eat a LOT of shrimp, and these really stood out as superb! I highly recommend The Fish Hook Grill. My wife and I will definitely be doing a 1.5-hour trip from the Triangle again - just so we can eat here while on a birding adventure. I absolutely loved this place. You feel like family. Oh, and they had a great Pandora channel on the tv for nice background music. Check out my photos for more details... Our waitress should also be mentioned as she did an excellent job all around. She was polite and friendly, helped us with menu selections, and our drinks were quickly refilled. We'll definitely be back at The Fish Hook Grill on our next trip to Harkers Island.

Was Recommended and was not disappointed!! Joann our waitress was AWESOME… had the Flounder Platter and Flounder Sandwich, which was outstanding!! Lemon Pie is good too!!!! Very nice quaint place for lunch. Great atmosphere and people!!!!!

Nice road trip to Harkers Island for a delicious fish sandwich! Great portions and flavor. Not too greasy. The staff was very friendly and welcoming. Will definitely be coming back!

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