Ballyhoo's Island Sports Grill
$-$$$
140 Fairview Dr., Emerald Isle
(252) 354-9397

Ballyhoo's Island Sports Grill serves lunch and dinner in a casual, fun atmosphere. This sports-themed restaurant is popular with locals and visitors. Lunch favorites include the 8-ounce certified Angus cheeseburger, along with shrimp burgers, pizzas and a variety of sandwiches. You'll can also enjoy soups, salads and great desserts. The signature dinner appetizer is the jumbo lump crab meat martini — it's outstanding. Dinner entrees include certified Angus steaks, ribs, crab cakes, chicken and pork chops. Ballyhoo's is open seven days a week and has all ABC permits, a nice selection of wines, and the largest beer selection in Emerald Isle, complete with microbrews.

Bushwackers Restaurant
$$-$$$
100 Bogue Inlet Dr., Emerald Isle
(252) 354-6300

Bushwackers, at Bogue Inlet Pier, is known for its fun wait staff, spectacular oceanfront view and adventurous decor. It is a favorite dinner spot for fresh seafood prepared in a variety of ways, including grilled, blackened, broiled and steamed, all served with a nice variety of fresh vegetables. There are also steaks and inventive pastas and ribs. The appetizer menu is extensive, including gator bites, calamari and a blooming onion. Entrees feature fresh seafood, chicken, char-grilled Angus steaks, prime rib and more. Bushwackers has all ABC permits, serves beer and has an expanding wine selection. The island adventure opens for dinner every night during the season, and winter hours vary.

RuckerJohns Restaurant
$$$
Emerald Plantation Shopping Ctr., MM 19.5, N.C. Hwy. 58,
Emerald Isle
 (252) 354-2413

Bring the whole family to RuckerJohn's to enjoy great food in a casual, contemporary atmosphere filled with plants and handsome woodwork. Dinner entrees, prepared to order, include fresh seafood, pasta, barbecue shrimp, beef ribs, steaks, chicken and pork chops. Favorite appetizers include fried calamari, hot crab dip and chicken wings. For lunch, try the grilled Cajun chicken salad, the spinach salad with hot bacon-honey mustard dressing, any of the juicy burgers or a creative sandwich. Or opt for a grilled pizza in distinct flavor combinations. In the warmer months, have lunch on the sunny outdoor patio. Be sure to save room for fresh homemade cakes and cheesecakes for dessert. The lounge (see our Nightlife chapter) is a cozy gathering place enjoyed by the local population, especially on winter nights when there's a crackling fire in the fireplace. RuckerJohn's is open for lunch and dinner every day.