Beach Shop & Grill — Restaurant in Topsail Beach

We had high hopes for Beach Shop and Grill, but unfortunately, our experience fell short — with the exception of the cocktails, which were excellent. While quite pricey, the drinks were crafted beautifully and were easily the highlight of our visit.

We started with the shrimp salad and the crudo. The shrimp salad was supposed to include artichoke and goat cheese, but neither ingredient was present, and it was poorly dressed. The crudo was an extremely small portion, and the accompanying straw-like crisps were completely stale.

We mentioned these issues to our server, who was gracious and apologetic. She told us a manager would be by shortly and that we’d be receiving a full refund. However, the manager never came to speak with us, and we were only refunded for the crudo.

We had initially planned to stay for entrees, but given the food quality and steep pricing, we decided to leave and eat elsewhere. It’s disappointing because we weren’t looking for a refund or to make a scene — we simply wanted to give the restaurant a chance to make things right, but that opportunity wasn’t given.

Sadly, I won’t be returning — though I will say, if you’re just stopping in for a cocktail, they’re worth trying.

Response to Manager’s comment: I appreciate the attempt to respond, but I must clarify that much of what you've written is simply untrue and deeply disappointing.

First, yes — my friend did eat most of the shrimp salad, but that was out of medical necessity. She is diabetic, and after waiting over 20 minutes without a check-in from the server, her blood sugar was dropping. Eating something wasn’t optional — it was a matter of her health. That’s not the kind of context you’d know without taking the time to speak to us, which no manager ever did.

As for the crudo, we absolutely did not eat half of it. What we were served was an extremely small portion — and we questioned whether it was even a full serving. Again, we waited over 20 minutes before we were able to flag down our server and express our concerns, which we did calmly and respectfully.

To suggest we were trying to get a free meal is completely false. As I said in my original review, we weren’t looking to make a scene — we wanted to give the restaurant a chance to make it right. But when your manager chose not to engage with us after we were told they would, we were left with no options.

Regarding your claim that we “had to be at another bar” — also false. We left to find another restaurant because we had planned to order entrees but didn’t feel comfortable doing so after the experience we had, and we were also trying to find a meal before kitchens on the island closed.

The “nasty note” you refer to was simply a written message: “Do better.” That was directed to you, the manager, who declined to speak with us. That’s not rude — that’s feedback. And regarding the tip — we had every intention of tipping, and in fact expressed that we didn’t want the food quality to affect our server. But the overall handling of our visit made it very difficult to feel good about contributing further.

To anyone reading this: I encourage you to view my review history. I do not leave negative feedback lightly — most of my reviews are positive. This response from the restaurant is defensive, inaccurate, and frankly, unprofessional.

The only thing we wanted was the food as described and a reasonable level of service, especially given the price point. We were not...

Had a terrible experience here ruined one night of our vacation. This restaurant caters to locals- On arrival the restaurant looked to be well decorated and high end. Unfortunately service did not reflect that ideal. To start with our food took 58 minutes to arrive after ordering. At around 56 minutes we had asked to see a manager because we had noticed 4 tables seated after us had already received their appetizers and food where we had only received our appetizers around 4 minutes after we ordered. We ate our 3 slices of fried green tomatoes and proceeded to watch others eat and leave- leaving us without food for around 50 minutes. When finally seeing a manager she couldn’t give a tiny bit of care we had waited that long and others were served first. She responded with we are giving you a dining experience by making you wait between courses we are not a restaurant that you just hurry in to eat at - it is part of the experience. We then told her that sitting without bread or any type of food for 50 minutes was unacceptable to any restaurant and those tables should not of been served first. She blinks at us like we were idiots and then responded dripping with sarcasm “dully noted” After more sarcasm but never an apology -our food finally arrived but we never had a chance to enjoy it as the manager showed back up to read out the minutes of the poa system so now our food we are paying $200 is getting cold that we we have waited for more then an hour. She snarkely reads it to us showing us it showed up in “reasonable time” just to prove our point. “You arrived at 7:40pm at 7:42 your app order went in was delivered promptly at 7:44 (true it did we thought it was impressive- we the three of us then ate our three slices of tomato in approx 1 minute) then 29 minutes later your order was put in….” That’s when I interrupted ok so there is the problem we didn’t see a waitress for a long time our order was put in way way to late. She then responds well it’s the experience we want you to enjoy your time and not rush food in and out. And more and more and more talking all while we are not eating our now cold food……..all we wanted was a sincere apology and to enjoy eating our expensive food…..we didn’t get either. Then to our surprise after she showed no care to our treatment, never did apologize, she goes to the table seated right next to us where the man who was served timely way before us but seated after us, kisses her hand and says sherry we think your the best! Every Saturday night you make our experience amazing just ignore them! I don’t know if she put in our order later for the locals or it was a look over (leaning more toward local preferences) either way we were treated without care, treated as though we were digging for a handout, and treated as we didn’t understand how “fancy” restaurants worked-which is ridiculous we are major foodies we have eaten many places and reviewed thousands of restaurants this was the most ridiculous experience I have ever had in a restaurant. We paid our $200 and took our cold food home. Worst night of vacation. Save your self some money, enjoy your vacation and go across town to the best fancy restaurant on topsail -Splash by the sea-look at the ocean, enjoy the friendly, timely service and have a wonderful “experience” on your vacation and skip Beach...

Forget any pre-2023 reviews you may have read. First time here in 2023. We commented that the TVs in the bar area were gone as we entered. We were told right off that they wished to serve to a "more upscale clientele" so TVs were removed. Hmmmm. We ordered 2 small plates and 2 glasses of wine. It was 7:00, and they were already out of the salad on menu which we had also wanted as a third dish. We asked if they could make just a plain garden or Caesar salad......no! No substitutions! So we just stuck with our two small plates of Tuna Crudo and Potato Crusted Oysters, thinking dessert. First the tuna. There were about 8 slices of shaved tuna (not near 1/4" thick that is desired) covered with olive oil. Saw some sort of spices floating in the oil, but they had an indiscernible taste as did the tuna. Not a hint of citrus. Entire dish tasted only of olive oil. I could buy an entire pound of tuna for less than $24 they charged and give it to my 8 year daughter who could then make a better rendition if I sliced the tuna for her. Highlight of dish was the three balsamic glazed cherry tomatoes that were halved. As for the oysters, they were quite good, but if there were any chilies there, we missed them. We asked about dessert since we had had only the 2 small plates. We were told there was a coffee cake and peanut butter cheese cake...a little pedestrian for an "upscale" restaurant I think. Mediocre food at inflated prices. Nice decor I might add but so dark that you need a flashlight to read the wine menu. If you desire a bottle of wine in the $100 to $500 range, there are many to choose from. I can honestly say probably the worst $100 I have spent in some time. One person wrote a review referring to $10 to $20 entrees....not sure where they were, but not here. The 14 or so items on the menu were all priced from $14 to $120. Go to Surf City, Porters Neck, or even Wilmington for much better food for much less money. We might go back next year, but we are done for this year...maybe we just don't meet their definition of "upscale clientele" which must mean people who are willing to pay a lot for so so food. Needless to say, not kid friendly.

Sarah Black left a glowing review. Note change is good only if food is better. This restaurant was always expensive, but the new chef seems to be missing something. Serving sizes are extremely small and mostly lacking any pizazz. I live in DC and know what good, creative food tastes like. Excellent food is sometimes expensive but mediocre food should never be. I believe most of these 5 star reviews are from people who have never truly eaten in a fine restaurant or know management. And contrary to management's claim on tuna serving size, I'd say close to 3 oz of tuna based on fact I normally purchase 7 ounce piece for my wife and I so i know about tuna serving size. And my preparation is far superior to that at the Beach Shop (as are my shrimp and grits).

Update: Management responded that this was a repost from a disgruntled employee which they know is blatantly false. This review has never been taken down per their claim. I know no employees, and this was a poor attempt on their part to discredit my view of what an overrated, expensive...