NC is home to the ‘seafood capital of the world,’ Southern Living says
If your idea of a perfect North Carolina beach trip includes “gobbling scrumptious seafood” after a day on the sand, Calabash may be calling your name.
Just inland from Sunset Beach along the Calabash River near the South Carolina border, the small fishing village has become so closely tied to lightly breaded, flash-fried seafood that the style bears its name.
As Southern Living puts it, the town is “so synonymous with lightly breaded and flash-fried seafood that we call it ‘Calabash-style.’” With so many seafood spots, the town has declared itself the “Seafood Capital of the World.”
Beyond the fried shrimp and flounder, visitors can book fishing trips or dolphin cruises with local fleets, tee off at one of four championship golf courses or play a round at Tropical Adventure Mini Golf, Southern Living says. Nearby Sunset Beach offers shelling and a fishing pier for a classic Brunswick Islands beach day.
Shopping is part of the charm, too, with coastal boutiques, art galleries and gift shops lining the village, according to Southern Living.
But the food remains the main draw. Calabash-style seafood traces back to fish camps of the 1930s, and restaurants like Beck’s and Calabash Seafood Hut continue the tradition, Southern Living says. For waterfront views and a raw bar, The Oyster Rock is a popular stop, while Milk & Honey and Bagel Dock Cafe are local favorites for breakfast.
What is Calabash-style seafood?
Calabash-style seafood traces its roots to the town’s early days as a working shrimping village, when boats docked along the waterfront and the day’s catch was fried immediately, establishing a reputation for freshness, The News & Observer reported in 2024. The style is defined by a light dusting of corn flour or cornmeal allowing the natural flavor of shrimp, flounder, scallops and oysters to stand out.
Traditional platters often include deviled crab, fries, coleslaw and hushpuppies, and are known for generous portions. While the name originated in Calabash, that “Calabash-style” is now used widely across the Carolinas to signal abundant fried seafood.
Other top NC travel destinations
Southern Living recently recognized Sunset Beach for its white sand and crystal clear waters, along with Boone as the one place in North Carolina everyone should visit, highlighting it for its outdoor adventures, rich history, walkable downtown, nearby High Country attractions, upgraded lodging and diverse dining scene.
Last year, Oak Island, Hatteras Island, Topsail Beach, Ocracoke, Duck, Beaufort, Emerald Isle, Nags Head and Wrightsville Beach were on Southern Living’s list of 50 best beach towns in the South, The Charlotte Observer reported.
North Carolina swept up several Southern Living’s 2025 South’s Best Awards, including:
- Best Classic Hotels: Old Edwards Inn and Spa in Highlands
- Best Resorts: The Inn on Biltmore Estate and The Omni Grove Park Inn and Spa in Asheville
- Best New Hotels: The Cozy Mountain Retreat in Highlands
- Best Cities: Asheville and Wilmington
You can find the full list of the best beach towns in the South online at southernliving.com.
Portions of this story were previously published in The Charlotte Observer.
