The 20 Best Restaurants in New Bern

Morgan's Tavern & Grill offers a welcoming tavern-style setting with a warm, inviting ambiance and spacious dining room. The menu features classic American grill fare with a strong emphasis on seafood, including dishes such as haddock, crab cakes, scallops, and salmon. Guests highlight well-prepared plates, generous portions, and efficient, attentive service that enhances the relaxed experience.

The Bruin Craft Beer and Wine is a intimate bottle shop and taproom in downtown New Bern, offering a rotating selection of beers on tap alongside a curated range of bottled beer and wine. Guests can sample regional brews and varied wine options in a quiet, comfortable space that makes good use of its historic building. Attentive staff and street-view seating add to the laid-back, welcoming experience.

Crema Brew is a welcoming coffeehouse known for its house-roasted coffee, flavorful lattes, and a range of café-style offerings. Guests find handmade breakfast sandwiches, soups, baked goods, pies, smoothies, and ice cream prepared with care. The space is cozy and clean, with both indoor and outdoor seating and a relaxed area with games. Attentive, friendly baristas contribute to an inviting neighborhood atmosphere.

Famous Restaurant & Baking Company offers a broad menu of familiar favorites, from pizza, subs, and burgers to hearty pasta dishes. The atmosphere suits families and groups, with staff described as welcoming and efficient even during busy visits. An in-house bakery adds to the appeal, featuring fresh breads, cookies, pastries, and classic cheesecakes that draw guests in with their aroma and rich flavor.

Baker's Kitchen Restaurant & Bakery serves classic American and Southern-style comfort dishes for breakfast and lunch, from fried shrimp and sweet potato fries to chicken fried steak and omelets. House-made touches, including granola with fresh fruit, reflect its bakery roots. Service is attentive and welcoming, and meals arrive hot and freshly prepared.

The Chelsea offers a seafood-focused menu with dishes such as crab cakes, blackened fish, and shrimp and scallop preparations, noted for their fresh flavors. Attentive, thoughtful service contributes to a welcoming experience, whether dining indoors or outside. The restaurant also provides professional catering for special events in New Bern.

Musashi Japanese Steak offers classic hibachi-style dining with grilled steak, shrimp, rice, and vegetables prepared in front of guests. Diners mention a lively, social atmosphere, complemented by a full bar serving cocktails. Attentive staff are noted for being accommodating and helpful, contributing to an enjoyable, relaxed experience.

Taco Loco serves hearty Mexican fare in a straightforward, counter-service setting. An extensive menu features tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and other classics, with options to customize fillings. Portions are notably generous and served hot and fresh, often accompanied by house-made salsa and chips. Friendly, efficient staff contribute to the easygoing, welcoming atmosphere.

Mj's Raw Bar and Grille offers a casual setting for freshly prepared coastal-style seafood and bar favorites. Diners highlight crisp fish and chips, flavorful grouper sandwiches, crab appetizers, and oysters, along with fresh salads. The atmosphere is laid-back, with a lively bar area and attentive, helpful service.

Cow Cafe is a playful, cow-themed spot in New Bern offering sandwiches, casual café fare, and house-made ice cream. The décor features whimsical touches like an overhead train and a cow display from a historic world’s fair. A farm-style play area in the back makes it especially appealing for families with children. Indoor and outdoor seating provide a relaxed setting for lunch or dessert.

Merchant's Grocery and Grill combines a compact neighborhood market with a busy flat-top grill serving classic American comfort food. Guests highlight hand-formed burgers, hearty chili cheeseburgers, and oversized homemade breakfast biscuits with cheese, bacon, or sausage. The setting caters to both locals and visitors arriving by road or by boat, with a straightforward, down-to-earth atmosphere.

Harris Teeter combines a full grocery with an extensive prepared-foods area, making it a convenient spot for a casual meal. Guests find a salad and hot bar with rotating comfort dishes, along with pizza, wings, sushi, and desserts from the deli. A beer and wine bar and occasional cooked-to-order specials add to the variety. Helpful staff contribute to an easygoing, practical atmosphere.

Poppy's Bites & Barrels is a bar and grill-style spot known for smoked meats and hearty American fare. Guests highlight pork tacos smoked over whiskey barrel staves, substantial salads, and bar favorites like jalapeño poppers. A custom-flavored bourbon and a well-appointed bar support a strong cocktail focus. Decor and community events honor military and first responders, creating a distinctly patriotic setting.

Ghent Sandwich Shop, a Family Diner serves classic American breakfast and lunch in a welcoming, family-oriented setting. Diners highlight generous portions, from fluffy omelettes and large pancakes to biscuit plates with a homemade taste. Staff members are attentive and personable, creating a familiar, neighborhood feel that encourages guests to linger and relax.

Panichellis Pizzeria specializes in generously sized, flavorful pizzas, including a popular white pie with spinach and other toppings. Guests praise the quality of the crust, cheese, and sauces, as well as the standout homemade mozzarella sticks and other hearty appetizers. The setting is simple and unpretentious, with straightforward, accommodating service that keeps diners returning.

The Bern Bar and Grill is a casual spot known for juicy, made-to-order burgers, including build-your-own options and choices for vegan diners. Guests highlight the flavorful fries and onion rings, along with a broad beer selection and full bar. Friendly, attentive service and a comfortable dining room create an inviting place for a relaxed meal, though seating for larger groups is limited.

Sara's serves New York–style thin-crust pizza, generous calzones, stromboli, and classic Italian dishes in a casual, cozy setting. Guests highlight the crisp crust, flavorful toppings, and popular garlic knots, as well as the option to enjoy beer or wine with their meal. The welcoming staff and relaxed atmosphere create a neighborhood feel that invites repeat visits.