Welcome to Circa 81
Circa 81 is a charming, family-owned restaurant located in Morehead City, NC, known for its exceptional tapas menu. With a cozy atmosphere and friendly service, this eatery has quickly become a local favorite. The standout dishes include delightful options like crispy Brussels sprouts and savory pork belly, all crafted with quality ingredients. Guests appreciate the ability to share various small plates, making it perfect for group dining or intimate meals. The restaurant's reasonable prices and accommodating environment ensure a memorable dining experience for everyone, from meat lovers to vegans. Circa 81 invites you to savor a culinary journey.
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4650 Arendell St, Morehead City, NC 28557, United States Hotline: +1 252-648-8300
Welcome to Circa 81, a culinary gem nestled in the heart of Morehead City, North Carolina. This quaint and charming restaurant, located at 4650 Arendell St, offers a remarkable dining experience that combines delectable flavors with a cozy atmosphere. Renowned for its vibrant tapas menu, Circa 81 showcases a variety of small plates that cater to every palate, whether you’re a meat lover or following a vegan lifestyle.
As you step into Circa 81, you’ll be greeted by friendly staff members eager to ensure your dining experience is exceptional. The warm, inviting ambiance is perfect for a casual meal with friends or a special occasion with family. Local patrons like Jeff Yelverton emphasize the exceptional service and the authentically crafted dishes, while others like David Heath rave about the standout items, such as the brussel sprouts and the chef’s tour—a fantastic way to sample a bit of everything.
What truly sets Circa 81 apart is its focus on sharing and community. The philosophy of sharing small plates encourages diners to explore a variety of flavors together, making each visit an opportunity for culinary adventure. This sentiment is echoed by Marisella Russell, who reflects on her wish to have tried even more from the tapas selection. With dishes often priced around $10, indulging in multiple plates becomes a tempting reality.
If you’re looking for recommendations, don’t miss the pork belly or the mussels, both praised for their depth of flavor. The daily specials also provide fresh, inventive options that shouldn't be overlooked—Paul Giralt's crab cake BLT is a must-try! For those seeking a casual drink, enjoy the cozy bar environment, where you'll find an array of cocktails that perfectly complement the tapas offerings.
Circa 81 shines not only in its culinary offerings but also in its commitment to accommodating families and creating a welcoming atmosphere. As highlighted by Craig Schnappinger, the restaurant's ability to cater to families with children while maintaining exceptional service speaks volumes about their dedication to hospitality.
In a town where charm meets culinary excellence, Circa 81 stands out as a must-visit destination for delightful dining. With a focus on tapas and a vibe that makes you want to linger, it’s the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy great food in good company. Be sure to plan ahead, especially during the busy season, to secure a table and prepare for an unforgettable experience!
For reservations or inquiries, call (+1) 252-648-8300. Discover the delightful cuisine at Circa 81, where every plate tells a story and every meal is a celebration.
It's a cute little place. The tapas were amazing. I wish I had tried some more, but I filled it to easily. This is definitely a I'd like to visit again the next time I'm in town.
What a great place!! The tapas menu is varied and the food is superb! This was my second time and it is awesome! I’m used to places like this in bigger cities. I didn’t expect it in MHC. Circa 81 is a quaint and charming restaurant. The staff was pleasant and helpful. The service was excellent. The food was top notch - the brussel sprouts are amazing! Only order the half Chef’s Tour! An army couldn’t finish the full. We shared several plates! Definitely the way to do it. Stay away from the “large plates”. No need to dabble there! Stick with the specialty - stick with the small plates - and share around. You can place order after order and they keep coming - reasonably priced around 10 per plate. I promise you’ll love it. They have the food for everyone - from meat lover to vegan! Come give it a try - you won’t be disappointed, I promise!!
Had a great experience at this restaurant today. Family owned local restaurant. Very good food and excellent service.
Call ahead during season or if you want an outside table. There are only a few tables on the front porch but are dog friendly. Cozy bar inside. The wait staff is super friendly and professional. We had the Brussel sprouts, mussels and pork belly and they were all on point! Highly recommend!
Just finished a meal here for Mother’s Day. Could not give it a more enthusiastic recommendation. We had two little children and they were unbelievably accommodated. The food was outrageously good. The service even better. Restaurant was exceptionally clean and accommodating.. definitely go visit
Stopped here for lunch and I can't wait to come back for dinner service. The food and service were both excellent. I like how they have a nice lunch menu and the prices great considering the quality. On my visit I had the daily special which was a crab cake BLT. Both the sandwich and the side of potato salad were excellent. My son had a steak sandwich with sweet potato fries which was also great. Can't wait to come back for some tapas!
Great experience. Be ready to spend at least 80. Especially if U have a cocktail. Food was excellent.
I had the crabcake and it was delicious. I do wish that it could have been two instead of one but it was really good. The sauce it came with definitely compliments it well. My co worker enjoyed the pork belly. The environment was very nice and quiet.