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  5. Beaufort / Morehead City
Circa 81 Tapas & Cocktaileria, Morehead City, NC

Circa 81 Tapas & Cocktaileria

4.9
4.9
1198 Reviews
$30 and under
Tapas / Small Plates

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 7 times today
  • Great for creative cocktails
  • Good for special occasions
  • Neighbourhood gem
Clarke Merrell's (Circa 81 Executive Chef/Proprietor) goal is for Circa 81 to provide creative, quality, & delicious food in a beautiful setting. Offering small plates that are perfect for passing around the table in true tapas style, our dishes are meant to inspire and engage our diners. So, start a conversation, relax, and enjoy a fresh take on cuisine. Clarke developed Circa 81 in hopes that guests will try something new and different and truly have a dining experience. Circa 81 offers great wine and cocktails too, with more than 30 specialty drinks on our cocktaileria menu. Our menu also includes medium and large plate selections - delicious sandwiches, homemade soups, local seafood and fresh-made desserts.

Circa 81 also offers take-out and catering - just contact us for more details.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Tapas / Small Plates, Seafood, Southern
  • Hours of Operation
    Brunch Sun 10:30–14:00 Lunch Wed–Sat 11:30–14:00 Dinner Wed–Sat 17:00–21:00 Sun 17:00–20:00
  • Phone number
    (252) 648-8300
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive Chef
    Clarke Merrell
  • Catering
    Circa 81 offers full service catering. Let us cater your next event. Think of us when you are planning your next, wedding, rehearsal dinner, bridal luncheon, office party, dinner party, baby shower. Also popular is our drop off menu. Email Clarke@81hospitality.com or call 252.648.8300 for your catering needs.
  • Private party facilities
    Circa 81 can be used for semi-private events or rented out and closed to the public for events. Contact us for details on special event bookings.
  • Area
    Beaufort / Morehead City
  • Cross Street
    Across from EJW Outdoors
  • Parking details
    Big private lot. Will accommodate large vehicles
  • Public transit
    Taxi Cabs (sorry MHC does not offer public transportation)We are located 2.5 miles west of the Atlantic Beach bridge in Carteret Village Shopping Center.
  • Additional
    Gluten-free Options

What 1,198 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.9
4.9 based on recent ratings
  • 4.9Food
  • 4.9Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.6Value

NoiseModerate

Diners' Choice Awards

  • Coastal North Carolina

    Great for brunch

  • Coastal North Carolina

    Lively

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Circa 81 Tapas & Cocktaileria is a coastal gem, renowned for its exceptional brunch and tapas. Guests praise the "fantastic food and impeccable service," highlighting dishes like eggs Benedict and creamy grits. The cozy atmosphere and attentive staff make it perfect for special occasions. Reservations are recommended for a seamless experience.

1,198 Reviews
  1. Cathi

    Raleigh

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This is one of our favorite restaurants. The food is always great and we love the tapas experience! The staff are always welcoming. Never change, Circa!

    Is this helpful?

  2. Wayne

    Raleigh

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 21 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Awesome meal. Always a top choice for us. Decorated beautifully for Christmas.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Myles Michael

    VIP

    Wilmington

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on 18 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    As a local, this is our "go to" place. The food is excellent; the wine selection is long and well priced. Circa has a very nice bar for pre dinner socializing. The staff is great...very attentive and personable.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Mike

    Wilmington

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on 8 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The cocktails (Old Fashions), appetizers (She Crab Soup and Corn Chowder), Tapas (Tuna and Rosemary Beef), and desert (Maple Bacon Cheescake) were outstanding. Our waiter and the bartender were great. Everything was fabulous as usual! Best food in Carteret County!

    Is this helpful?

  5. Bonnie

    Wilmington

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 6 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Cocktails and tapas were delicious, and atmosphere was really nice. A great experience!

    Is this helpful?

  6. Laura

    VIP

    Richmond

    25 reviews

    5.0

    25 reviews

    Dined on 28 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great as always! The food, service and atmosphere was outstanding!!

    Is this helpful?

  7. Lynn

    Wilmington

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on 22 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food and great service. One of our favorite places to eat.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Sandi

    Greensboro

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 17 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The Maitre D’ was exceptional. He went out of his way to help my friend who is in a wheelchair and had our table all set up for her as well. I am sorry that I did not get his name. The extra attention made everything very special.

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  9. Phyllis

    Wilmington

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 16 November 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food and service was amazing! Paul and Peter were our servers. They are always delightful and so attentive. I rated the value a 3 because a small wedge salad was $16 and my husband's chocolate molten dessert was $12.99. This seemed a bit pricey to me.

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  10. Holly

    Coastal Georgia

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 16 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful experience! Will definitely return. Food and service was exceptional!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Circa 81 Tapas & Cocktaileria offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (252) 648-8300.

Circa 81 Tapas & Cocktaileria is rated 4.9 stars by 1198 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 7 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Circa 81 Tapas & Cocktaileria

4650 C Arendell Street, Morehead City, NC 28557

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Across from EJW Outdoors
  • Area
    Beaufort / Morehead City
  • Hours of Operation
    Brunch Sun 10:30–14:00 Lunch Wed–Sat 11:30–14:00 Dinner Wed–Sat 17:00–21:00 Sun 17:00–20:00
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Tapas / Small Plates, Seafood, Southern
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Big private lot. Will accommodate large vehicles
  • Public transit
    Taxi Cabs (sorry MHC does not offer public transportation)We are located 2.5 miles west of the Atlantic Beach bridge in Carteret Village Shopping Center.
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Clarke Merrell
  • Additional
    Gluten-free Options
  • Phone number
    (252) 648-8300
  • Catering
    Circa 81 offers full service catering. Let us cater your next event. Think of us when you are planning your next, wedding, rehearsal dinner, bridal luncheon, office party, dinner party, baby shower. Also popular is our drop off menu. Email Clarke@81hospitality.com or call 252.648.8300 for your catering needs.
  • Private party facilities
    Circa 81 can be used for semi-private events or rented out and closed to the public for events. Contact us for details on special event bookings.
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