There is one thing almost anyone you meet in New Bern will agree on. The restaurants here are absolutely incredible. Whether you are in the mood for seafood, steak or some good ol’ Southern cookin’, you will be satisfied. I wrote in a previous blog post about the amazing restaurants in town, and below are a few to enjoy for dining outdoors.
Persimmons Restaurant boasts a large deck to enjoy views of the Neuse River.
Riverfront Dining
An ideal outdoor dining option is Persimmons Restaurant, directly on the Neuse River. The restaurant is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. The place is designed to enjoy three experiences—bar seating, main dining and the outside deck overlooking the river. The locally inspired cuisine, such as Carolina crab dip and sausage-stuffed local chicken, are two of my favorites. And the cocktails are not only quenching, the names are genius. It took me a moment to get “Ted Dancin’ in the Moonlight.” Now imagine indulging in those dishes while enjoying the summer weather, river breeze and breathtaking water views. It is a spectacular setting.
Another mention is Lawson’s Landing at Tryon Palace. This cafe is a nice place to enjoy dining while overlooking New Bern’s other river, the Trent.
The patio at Morgan’s Tavern is the perfect setting to enjoy a delicious meal with friends.
Downtown Dining
A downtown outdoor venue is the renovated patio at Morgan’s Tavern and Grill. While you may not feel the river breeze, Morgan’s patio has shades, fans and covered roof, so summer nights are pleasant. Located on Craven Street, Morgan’s offers an extensive menu, especially appetizers for you to sample a few or more for the table. And, their own craft brews are tasty.
MJ’s Raw Bar and Grille offers a few tables outside on Middle Street. While the restaurant doesn’t have a dedicated section of outdoor dining compared to Persimmons and Morgan’s, it is worth mentioning because of its yummy seafood menu and peanut butter pie. It does make for a nice location to see friends walking by in downtown.
With these dining choices, it is good to be outside when you are inside New Bern!