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Circa 81 — Restaurant in Morehead City

Name
Circa 81
Description
Locally sourced small plates & cocktails served in a chic, minimalist setting.
Nearby attractions
Seahorse Cove
4636 Arendell St, Morehead City, NC 28557
Nearby restaurants
Captain Jim's Seafood Market
4665 Arendell St, Morehead City, NC 28557
Domino's Pizza
4917 Arendell St, Morehead City, NC 28557
Thai Sticky Rice
4426 Arendell St #9, Morehead City, NC 28557
IHOP
4950 Arendell St, Morehead City, NC 28557
Musashi Japanese Steak-Seafood
4330 Arendell St, Morehead City, NC 28557
Sagebrush Steakhouse Morehead City
5025 Executive Dr, Morehead City, NC 28557
Zaxbys Chicken Fingers & Buffalo Wings
4970 Arendell St, Morehead City, NC 28557
Jersey Mike's Subs
Marketplace Center, 4950 Arendell St, Morehead City, NC 28557
Corbett's Burgers & Soda Bar
5000 US-70, Morehead City, NC 28557
Filet 'n' Fin
5000 US-70 Suite 112, Morehead City, NC 28557
Nearby hotels
Related posts
Keywords
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Circa 81 things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
Circa 81
United StatesNorth CarolinaMorehead CityCirca 81

Basic Info

Circa 81

4650 Arendell St, Morehead City, NC 28557
4.7(421)$$$$
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spot

Ratings & Description

Info

Locally sourced small plates & cocktails served in a chic, minimalist setting.

attractions: Seahorse Cove, restaurants: Captain Jim's Seafood Market, Domino's Pizza, Thai Sticky Rice, IHOP, Musashi Japanese Steak-Seafood, Sagebrush Steakhouse Morehead City, Zaxbys Chicken Fingers & Buffalo Wings, Jersey Mike's Subs, Corbett's Burgers & Soda Bar, Filet 'n' Fin
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Phone
(252) 648-8300
Website
circa81.com

Plan your stay

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Featured dishes

View full menu
Eggs Benedict
Poached eggs, over thinly sliced hickory smoked ham, served on an english muffin & topped with homemade hollandaise sauce, served with homefries
Circa 81 Benedict
Poached eggs, over handmade crab cakes made with a blend of crabmeat lump, served on a fried grit cake, & topped with homemade hollandaise sauce, served with homefries
Benedict Florentine
Poached eggs, over sautéed spinach, served on an english muffin & topped with homemade hollandaise sauce, served with homefries
Steak & Eggs
Two eggs any style, marinated tenderloin, homefries, & toast
Breakfast Scramble
Blackened chicken, scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, black beans, pico de gallo, sour cream, over homefries

Reviews

Nearby attractions of Circa 81

Seahorse Cove

Seahorse Cove

Seahorse Cove

4.6

(132)

Closed
Click for details

Things to do nearby

Star Hill Golf Clubs Annual Christmas Party
Star Hill Golf Clubs Annual Christmas Party
Fri, Dec 12 • 6:30 PM
202 Club House Drive, Cape Carteret, NC 28584
View details
Concealed Carry Handgun Class Newport, Morehead City, Havelock,New Bern $70
Concealed Carry Handgun Class Newport, Morehead City, Havelock,New Bern $70
Sat, Dec 13 • 7:45 AM
245 Howard Blvd. Rotary Club, Newport, NC 28570
View details
Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus
Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus
Sat, Dec 13 • 9:00 AM
9106 COAST GUARD ROAD SUITE A, Emerald Isle, NC 28594
View details

Nearby restaurants of Circa 81

Captain Jim's Seafood Market

Domino's Pizza

Thai Sticky Rice

IHOP

Musashi Japanese Steak-Seafood

Sagebrush Steakhouse Morehead City

Zaxbys Chicken Fingers & Buffalo Wings

Jersey Mike's Subs

Corbett's Burgers & Soda Bar

Filet 'n' Fin

Captain Jim's Seafood Market

Captain Jim's Seafood Market

4.7

(106)

Click for details
Domino's Pizza

Domino's Pizza

4.3

(177)

$

Click for details
Thai Sticky Rice

Thai Sticky Rice

4.4

(242)

Click for details
IHOP

IHOP

3.9

(498)

Click for details
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Reviews of Circa 81

4.7
(421)
avatar
5.0
1y

Circa 81: Where Every Bite Tells a Story

Step into the enchanting world of Circa 81, where culinary innovation meets timeless elegance. From the welcoming embrace of our host, Chris, to the impeccable service of their dedicated waitstaff Jared, Peter, Paul, Thomas, among others. Circa 81 promises an unparalleled dining journey.

Upon arrival, our gracious host, Chris, extends a warm greeting, setting the stage for an occasion of refined indulgence. With grace and charm, he guides you to your table, where anticipation for the culinary delights ahead begins to build.

As you settle in, prepare to be enchanted by all the attentive waiters, each a virtuoso in their own right. Our Front waiter Jared expertly navigated the menu to anticipate our every need with precision and flair. He ensured that every moment of our dining experience was nothing short of extraordinary. Peter, our Back waiter, ensured that our drinks were never empty. He made sure our experience was seamless and enjoyable.

And let's not forget Thomas, who ensured that every detail was attended to behind the scenes, allowing for seamless service and uninterrupted enjoyment.

Circa 81 transforms the freshest, locally sourced ingredients into culinary masterpieces that tell a story with every bite. From the delicate balance of flavors in their seafood to the bold, unexpected pairings in their signature tapas selection, each dish is a testament to the artistry and innovation of the restaurant's culinary team.

But Circa 81 is more than just a restaurant—it's an ode to the culinary arts, a celebration of flavor, texture, and tradition. Whether you're indulging in an intimate dinner for two, sharing laughter and stories with friends, or marking a special occasion with loved ones, Circa 81 invites you to savor the moment and revel in the magic of exceptional dining.

In conclusion, Circa 81 isn't just a restaurant—it's an experience, a symphony of flavors and sensations that transport you to a world of culinary bliss. So come experience Circa 81, where every bite tells a story and every visit is a celebration of the...

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avatar
5.0
4y

God, where to start with this place. Lets start with brunch. We came in for brunch on a whim for our second day here in NC (we had originally merely made a reservation for dinner Friday). We enjoyed some of the most reasonably priced and delicious Eggs Benedict we have had. We were met with warm smiles and even warmer and more attentive service. We ended up coming back Thursday actually and were immediately remembered by our brunch waiter Sean and another staff member named Pete and warmly welcomed back. My boyfriend and I had duck and rare tuna for the first time ever here and were blown away. If you come for anything. the tapas are a must have (other than the services, drinks, atmosphere, well, everything). We ended up returning again today (Friday) to try some remaining tapas we didnt get to try our first go around and were met by the host, our waitress, Sean and Pete with the warmest of smiles under their masks and joyful thanks for returning and even offered the best and most comfy table available. We remarked upon this on our second visit, but the way they make you feel here is almost truly like family or even a best friend. They know the dishes and drinks because they have had them themselves. Anyway, we once again had lovely drinks and amazing dishes made by Josh, a great executive chef that we later met. I can say that not only was visiting Circa 81 on 3 separate occasions the best part of my and my boyfriends trip to NC, but one we will never forget. Honestly, this was not only the best place we have ever had dinner, but also the most fun and memorable. It is not just a wonderful meal: its an entire experience and one we hope if we come through this part of NC to have again. You won't have better food, better drinks, or better service anywhere, that i...

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avatar
5.0
6y

My husband and I decided to try this place after hearing good reviews from a friend. The setting was intimate and romantic but the party next to us was very rude and obnoxious. Their volume was just under yelling, which caused everyone else to speak louder. I know this isn't the fault of the restaurant (and I won't fault them for it) but I do wish the servers had kept that table under control. It ruined our moods and dampened our experience. Now for the food! We started with the bread service and the half chef's tour. We didn't realize it was going to be so much food. Everything on the chef's tour was fantastic! The apple chutney was out of this world. Because it was so filling, we ended up taking our entrees (ribeye and lamb chops) to go. We did have them this morning for brunch and they were great. I imagine they would've been even better fresh. For dessert we had coffee, the vanilla creme brulee, and the raspberry swirl cheesecake. I apologize, I forgot to take pictures before we started eating so there are a few bites missing. For drinks, I had the traditional sangria and the coconut pineapple mojito. I will warn you that their drinks are a little on the strong side, not that I'm complaining. The sangria is made with a dry wine and is not as sweet as most sangrias. I was not a fan of the coconut pineapple mojito. There was way too much coconut rum and the coconut took over the whole drink. It didn't have any of the mojito characteristics, so maybe it should be taken off of the mojito list. All in all, we had a great experience and would definitely go back. Ask for Paul C. He was great! He was very polite and attentive despite having...

   Read more
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Posts

Bethany LiefeldBethany Liefeld
My husband and I decided to try this place after hearing good reviews from a friend. The setting was intimate and romantic but the party next to us was very rude and obnoxious. Their volume was just under yelling, which caused everyone else to speak louder. I know this isn't the fault of the restaurant (and I won't fault them for it) but I do wish the servers had kept that table under control. It ruined our moods and dampened our experience. Now for the food! We started with the bread service and the half chef's tour. We didn't realize it was going to be so much food. Everything on the chef's tour was fantastic! The apple chutney was out of this world. Because it was so filling, we ended up taking our entrees (ribeye and lamb chops) to go. We did have them this morning for brunch and they were great. I imagine they would've been even better fresh. For dessert we had coffee, the vanilla creme brulee, and the raspberry swirl cheesecake. I apologize, I forgot to take pictures before we started eating so there are a few bites missing. For drinks, I had the traditional sangria and the coconut pineapple mojito. I will warn you that their drinks are a little on the strong side, not that I'm complaining. The sangria is made with a dry wine and is not as sweet as most sangrias. I was not a fan of the coconut pineapple mojito. There was way too much coconut rum and the coconut took over the whole drink. It didn't have any of the mojito characteristics, so maybe it should be taken off of the mojito list. All in all, we had a great experience and would definitely go back. Ask for Paul C. He was great! He was very polite and attentive despite having other tables.
Jackie Marzano-LopezJackie Marzano-Lopez
I was very glad I was able to get last minute reservations to Circa 81 before leaning town. The staff is very friendly. There was one gentleman who later introduced himself as Peter that walked around with a smile lending a helping hand to the service staff. Seems everyone pitches in here. The ambiance of the restaurant was overall very dimly lit with warm colors all around… definitely a great date night spot. We started with cocktails. We ordered a pomegranate (mojito?) drink, a peach tea cocktail and a coconut drink…. ALL WERE AMAZING! We ordered so much food but our absolute favorite was the “Rustics Bruschetta”!!! We substituted goat cheese with fresh mozzarella! This is an absolute must dish! But as with most restaurants there is always going to be one dish you don’t approve of and the consensus was the sweet potatoes quesadillas… they truly tasted like a concoction of bad ingredients. The sweet potatoes inside were the consistency of baby food loaded with cumin. They were a hard NO for all of us. Despite that single dish, our overall experience was great! We will definitely be returning the next time we are in town!
C. JulesC. Jules
Circa 81 just may be my new favorite restaurant in the area. Highlights: Tapas menu selection is diverse. Everything was fresh and perfectly prepared. Service was professional. (Jared was our waiter). Appropriately priced. Best dish we ordered was the Garlic & Shrimp. It was divine! The garlic sauce was rich & velvety while the shrimp were expertly cleaned & prepared and cooked to perfection! Everything we ordered was great. As for the service, everyone (from the hostess, to the manager) was friendly and attentive. Even showing initiative when something was needed. You can tell that this restaurant is extremely well run & that the people who make this delicious food take pride in what they are doing. Decor is a bit dated & could use an update. Avoid the booth seating to the right when you walk in the front door. It's at a slightly downward slope so I felt like I was slipping out of my seat for the entire meal. Otherwise all was perfect and we'll definitely be back!
See more posts
See more posts
hotel
Find your stay

Pet-friendly Hotels in Morehead City

Find a cozy hotel nearby and make it a full experience.

My husband and I decided to try this place after hearing good reviews from a friend. The setting was intimate and romantic but the party next to us was very rude and obnoxious. Their volume was just under yelling, which caused everyone else to speak louder. I know this isn't the fault of the restaurant (and I won't fault them for it) but I do wish the servers had kept that table under control. It ruined our moods and dampened our experience. Now for the food! We started with the bread service and the half chef's tour. We didn't realize it was going to be so much food. Everything on the chef's tour was fantastic! The apple chutney was out of this world. Because it was so filling, we ended up taking our entrees (ribeye and lamb chops) to go. We did have them this morning for brunch and they were great. I imagine they would've been even better fresh. For dessert we had coffee, the vanilla creme brulee, and the raspberry swirl cheesecake. I apologize, I forgot to take pictures before we started eating so there are a few bites missing. For drinks, I had the traditional sangria and the coconut pineapple mojito. I will warn you that their drinks are a little on the strong side, not that I'm complaining. The sangria is made with a dry wine and is not as sweet as most sangrias. I was not a fan of the coconut pineapple mojito. There was way too much coconut rum and the coconut took over the whole drink. It didn't have any of the mojito characteristics, so maybe it should be taken off of the mojito list. All in all, we had a great experience and would definitely go back. Ask for Paul C. He was great! He was very polite and attentive despite having other tables.
Bethany Liefeld

Bethany Liefeld

hotel
Find your stay

Affordable Hotels in Morehead City

Find a cozy hotel nearby and make it a full experience.

Get the Appoverlay
Get the AppOne tap to find yournext favorite spots!
I was very glad I was able to get last minute reservations to Circa 81 before leaning town. The staff is very friendly. There was one gentleman who later introduced himself as Peter that walked around with a smile lending a helping hand to the service staff. Seems everyone pitches in here. The ambiance of the restaurant was overall very dimly lit with warm colors all around… definitely a great date night spot. We started with cocktails. We ordered a pomegranate (mojito?) drink, a peach tea cocktail and a coconut drink…. ALL WERE AMAZING! We ordered so much food but our absolute favorite was the “Rustics Bruschetta”!!! We substituted goat cheese with fresh mozzarella! This is an absolute must dish! But as with most restaurants there is always going to be one dish you don’t approve of and the consensus was the sweet potatoes quesadillas… they truly tasted like a concoction of bad ingredients. The sweet potatoes inside were the consistency of baby food loaded with cumin. They were a hard NO for all of us. Despite that single dish, our overall experience was great! We will definitely be returning the next time we are in town!
Jackie Marzano-Lopez

Jackie Marzano-Lopez

hotel
Find your stay

The Coolest Hotels You Haven't Heard Of (Yet)

Find a cozy hotel nearby and make it a full experience.

hotel
Find your stay

Trending Stays Worth the Hype in Morehead City

Find a cozy hotel nearby and make it a full experience.

Circa 81 just may be my new favorite restaurant in the area. Highlights: Tapas menu selection is diverse. Everything was fresh and perfectly prepared. Service was professional. (Jared was our waiter). Appropriately priced. Best dish we ordered was the Garlic & Shrimp. It was divine! The garlic sauce was rich & velvety while the shrimp were expertly cleaned & prepared and cooked to perfection! Everything we ordered was great. As for the service, everyone (from the hostess, to the manager) was friendly and attentive. Even showing initiative when something was needed. You can tell that this restaurant is extremely well run & that the people who make this delicious food take pride in what they are doing. Decor is a bit dated & could use an update. Avoid the booth seating to the right when you walk in the front door. It's at a slightly downward slope so I felt like I was slipping out of my seat for the entire meal. Otherwise all was perfect and we'll definitely be back!
C. Jules

C. Jules

See more posts
See more posts