Sand Dollars Bar & Grill — Restaurant in Ocean Isle Beach

We arrived at the Sand Dollar Grill & Bar and immediately noticed there were two separate entrances. We entered through the downstairs entrance marked “Grill” and quickly realized there was no indoor seating available there. I asked if there was indoor seating upstairs and was told that the upstairs area is 21+ only. That struck me as a bit odd for a beach restaurant in such a family-friendly area.

While looking over the limited menu, I stepped aside to discuss with my kids whether there was anything they’d be interested in eating. During that time, my son needed to use the restroom. I asked about it, and although the restroom was clearly marked, it also said “Employees Only,” which was confusing. When I inquired, the staff member informed me that we could only use the restroom after making a purchase — even though we were actively discussing what to order right at that moment.

That policy really turned me off. I understand wanting to limit restroom access, but refusing a child access while we’re deciding what to order just didn’t sit right. We ended up leaving without ordering.

Overall, it was not a great first impression. This is Ocean Isle Beach, not Myrtle Beach — families are the core of this community, especially during dinner hours like 5:45 PM. Having a restaurant where children aren’t allowed in a main seating area just doesn’t make much sense here. With Ocean Isle in need of more dining options, especially family-friendly ones, I’m not sure this approach will work well. Unfortunately, we...

We are in OIB for the first time this week and are staying at the Dunes condos, an easy walk from the pier, mini golf, etc. We were looking for a close, casual but nice restaurant for dinner and Sand Dollars was PERFECT! First of all, the weather couldn't have been any nicer and as it is a second floor bar/restaurant, the views of the ocean were wonderful! We chose to sit "inside" at one of the tables with barstools that have backs (comfy!) but we didn't feel like we were inside because the staff understood the assignment~ had with windows open with an amazing breeze blowing through! The bar is GORGEOUS (I think it's called blue agate, lit from underneath) and the bartender welcomed us right away, told us to sit anywhere and we would order drinks and food from him. The drinks were great and so was the food (bbq chicken wings, coconut shrimp, blackened shrimp quesadilla, and fries), which arrived very quickly. It was an older crowd because kids are back in school (which is fine, because we are older, too!) and there were probably 10-15 other people there. Everyone was chatting and friendly. HIGHLY RECOMMEND! We may go back at the end...

What a breath of fresh air this place is!!

We had a fantastic experience at this new spot in Ocean Isle! I know they’ve gotten some mixed reviews early on, but I genuinely think they’re off to a great start. The food is delicious—the wings were crispy and flavorful, and everything we ordered was fresh and well-prepared.

Katie, the bartender, was an absolute standout. Her positive energy and welcoming vibe really elevated the whole experience. Great music playing, plenty of TVs, and you can see the beach and the park from the outdoor seating—such a perfect setup for a relaxing evening.

They’ve only been open a couple of weeks, so they’re still finding their rhythm. Portion sizes are on the smaller side, but honestly, it worked well for us—we got to try a few different dishes without feeling stuffed.

Cold beer, awesome vibes, and a great addition to the island. Looking forward to...