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Elizabeth City, North Carolina is a small town with a population under 20,000 people. Our unique geographic location in the Inner Banks region of North Carolina offers a mild climate in a rural destination just an hour away from the big cities of Hampton Roads and the Outer Banks, jam-packed with fantastic dining opportunities. The surprising variety of food is wonderful, and the friendly locals who serve it are the cherry on top! From Japanese-style sushi and Caribbean cuisine to southern cooking and seafood, our quaint, coastal town has something for every taste.
At the heart of Elizabeth City is our Downtown District, teeming with small but savory dining options. Downtown is the perfect spot for the traveler looking for a myriad of options that are not only tasty, but one-of-a-kind as every restaurant in the district can only be found here in Elizabeth City. As you exlore EC, we encourage you to try several of these locally-owned eateries in and outside of the downtown area.
Satisfy your sweet tooth with paletas, churros and more at La Michoacana Jalisco. Enjoy unique tapas with a “back in time” vibe at The Mills Downtown Bistro. The Mills is still somewhat of a new kid on the block, but their specialty menu of creative tapas, crepes and flatbreads served on vintage, hand-picked china have made them a hit with locals and visitors.
If you’re looking for a classic American restaurant, Elizabeth City is in no short supply of delicious options. Montero’s Restaurant’s flat-iron steak is a local favorite but if seafood is more your style, you can’t go wrong with the Bangin’ Shrimp and Sausage tossed with linguini and deliciously tangy house-made sauce for an American-Italian fusion. For a meal with a southern flare, stop by Hoppin’ Johnz and enjoy a tasty Smokehouse Burger topped with crispy bacon, bourbon barbecue sauce, cheddar cheese and tobacco onions.
Enjoy the sights of our coastal town while you enjoy your surf and turf on the waterfront at Cypress Creek Grill with all locally-sourced ingredients or watch sailboats on the riverfront while you have a unique Italian experience complete with freshly-made pizza dough at Paradiso Roma Ristorante where all pastas are made-from-scratch and tossed in a bowl of Romano cheese.
Speaking of made-from-scratch, we’re excited for Happy Taco to open its doors later this year. This Mexican restaurant has humble beginnings as a food truck but has won the hearts of locals with their handmade tortillas and devotion to authentic and delicious Mexican fare.
After the main course is over The SweetEasy is the place to be. This new bakery is a one stop shop for cupcakes, cookies, Roaring ‘20s-themed gourmet coffees, and even cakes in a jar. If you prefer wine and cheese over sweets, 2 Souls Wine Bar is excited to bring premium wine and charcuterie to downtown Elizabeth City later this year!
These are just a few of the surprisingly large number of internationally diverse dining options in our rural, North Carolina town. Each one offers a unique-to-Elizabeth City dining experience for every kind of traveler.
In between meals, Elizabeth City is home to the Museum of the Albemarle, one of the largest Coast Guard Bases in the United States, and three institutions of higher education. While many people stop through Elizabeth City on their way to busy vacation destinations each year, they come back time and time again for the friendly atmosphere, eclectic meals, and beautiful scenery they discover along the way
For more information about things to do, places to see, and more,
check out our new Visitors Guide and Insider's Guide Blog!
Standing on the corner of South Poindexter and East Fearing Streets and nestled within Elizabeth City’s historic district is the building that housed the Albemarle Bank, the first African-American-owned bank in northeastern North Carolina.... READ MORE
There are a variety of options all throughout town, so no matter where you are, there’s sure to be a tasty meal right around the corner. By popular vote, these are the top places for local fare in Elizabeth City.... READ MORE
Ever since the U.S. Coast Guard made Air Station Elizabeth City its base in 1940, residents have welcomed and supported their beloved “Guardians of the Coast” and the important work they do keeping U.S. shorelines safe. On May 29, 2015 the special relationship between the base and community became official when Elizabeth City was designated a “Coast Guard City.”... READ MORE
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