Calabash Seafood: Your summer guide to NC’s seafood capital

Calabash seafood put this small fishing town on the North Carolina map in a big way. Learn more about this style of seafood and where to find it.

Many people across the U.S. claim that New England has the best seafood in the country, but those of us in North Carolina know that we hold our own in the kitchen. This is especially true in Calabash, the small fishing town that pioneered a style of fried seafood that’s become synonymous with the region.

Seafood is good all on its own, but part of the fun of getting elbow-deep in fried fish and shrimp is enjoying it with others in a lively environment. Naturally, this makes summer the best time to get your hands dirty and socialize over seriously good grub—and Calabash is exactly the place to be if this is what you’re looking for.

Calabash is a tight-knit community with fewer than 3,000 residents (via U.S. Census data), but it’s welcoming to outsiders. The more people there are to celebrate its signature seafood, the better. It’s not called North Carolina’s seafood capital for no reason! With so much to do and taste, you’re going to need a handy-dandy guide to Calabash seafood, and that’s where we come in. We’re about to break down what exactly Calabash seafood is, where you should try it while you’re in town, and what other summer shenanigans you can get up to while bashing in Calabash.

What exactly is Calabash seafood?

There are so many ways to cook seafood that it can get overwhelming. There are seafood boils, and then there’s baked seafood. On the fried front, there are batters, and then there are crunchy breadings. And don’t get us started on coconut shrimp! Of course, there are also sauces, glazes, and marinades to contend with. But what exactly is the way of Calabash seafood?

Calabash seafood refers to lightly breaded and fried seafood, and it’s naturally named after the town thanks to the ample fresh seafood that’s caught off its shores. The seafood is brought to the city’s restaurants incredibly fresh, which helps Calabash-style seafood have a fresher taste than anywhere else inland.

Instead of a heavy batter, which can mask the ultra-fresh flavor of the seafood, the Calabash method sees chefs dredging their catches of the day in a light, airy cornmeal (or corn flour) coating. This style often doesn’t include eggs in the breading process, either, which is a big departure from classic breading conventions around the world. With just a light breading and a quick fry—seafood cooks quicker than many people realize—diners are delivered a plate of seafood that tastes completely unique to this coastal city.

Which fish and crustaceans are common in Calabash seafood?

Now that you know the basics of what Calabash seafood means, you’re likely wondering precisely what seafood you can expect to eat when visiting this charming locale. The basis of Calabash’s cuisine lines up with much of what the South has to offer: locally caught shrimp, oysters, scallops, and flounder.

These seafood items are prepared in Calabash’s melt-in-your-mouth method, and while the side dishes and accompaniments can vary from restaurant to restaurant, many serve other classic Southern staples. Namely, hushpuppies and coleslaw are go-to sides for seafood because they complement its delicate flavor palette perfectly. Plus, in tried-and-true quick-service fashion, French fries are typically always available. In the summer, an ice-cold bottle of beer is the perfect beverage, both refreshing under the summer sun and a classic pairing with fried food.

You can’t forget about deviled crab, though. This regional dish is beloved by many across North Carolina, especially those who live closer to the water, and it’s found at many restaurants that serve traditional Calabash seafood. It’s not fried like Calabash seafood, but it’s a luscious alternative to crab cakes that’s served in a unique vessel: crab shells. You see, this dish uses the same veggies, binding ingredients like eggs and mayo, and spices as crab cakes, but instead of forming the cakes, you mix everything together and spoon it into the crab shells. Top with breadcrumbs, bake, and dig into a steaming mound of seafood bliss. You can even go crabbing yourself if you want a true summer adventure that ends with the freshest-possible dinner.

The best Calabash seafood restaurants in the summer

Calabash seafood is enjoyed year-round—after all, the boats don’t stop bringing in new hauls once the autumnal equinox arrives. But there’s something extra magical about enjoying this style of fried seafood in the summer. Picture a briny breeze keeping you cool while you sit with friends and family, music playing in the background, drinks sweating and refracting the sunset, and the water grounding you in the moment as you savor each bite of lightly fried seafood.

It’s not a dream; this can be your reality if you check out one of the town’s premier restaurants. The Oyster Rock Waterfront Seafood, for one, is situated on the Calabash River, giving diners a beautiful view of the water as they chow down on the freshest seafood. On the menu, guests will find traditional Calabash seafood, but non-fried options are available as well, including seared ahi tuna, oysters Rockefeller, boiled shrimp, shrimp scampi, and more. “The food was beyond amazing — everything we ordered was packed with flavor and beautifully presented. …. and the waterfront atmosphere made the whole night feel special,” one visitor shared in a Google review after their visit.

Then, there’s Beck’s Restaurant. Founded in 1940—over 30 years before Calabash became officially recognized as a town in ‘73—this eatery is located near The Oyster Rock but isn’t quite on the water. Still, the flavor here doesn’t disappoint, making it a must-stop shop when you’re in the area. Guests can order traditional Calabash seafood in various quantities, but the delicacies don’t end there. Nana’s Fried Okra Basket, Lemon Pepper Calamari, and Dynamite Shrimp are just a few of the other tasty menu items you won’t want to miss at Beck’s. “Beck’s is hands down one of the best dining experiences we’ve had! … Their seafood dishes, in particular, were outstanding—cooked to perfection and full of flavor,” one pleased guest wrote in a Google review.

A final solid option is the aptly named Calabash Seafood Hut. Located a little further inland than the others but fairly close to the water nonetheless, this restaurant is a great spot for affordable seafood that will fill you up on high-quality grub in Calabash’s signature style without breaking the bank. In fact, when you eat here, you’re getting the OG of Calabash seafood. According to the restaurant’s Facebook page, the Coleman family is credited with originating this style of cooking in the 1930s. Then, they brought it to the masses by opening the Calabash Seafood Hut in ‘69. “Every seafood item was fried to perfection and the slaw was perfect. The portions are huge so we took home plenty,” one reviewer wrote after visiting. If that weren’t enticing enough, the Calabash Seafood Hut has a sink outside for outdoor diners who want to freshen up after throwing down their fried morsels.

You can see exactly where your Calabash seafood comes from 

Calabash has a moderate climate that typically doesn’t get too hot or too cold. According to WeatherSpark, the average temperature range in Calabash is 37 degrees to 87 degrees, meaning that both heavy snow and serious scorchers are quite rare. Perhaps this is thanks to being by the coast, but regardless, it’s a blessing for those who want to see exactly where their Calabash seafood comes from.

With such a temperate climate, summer is the perfect time to either get outside if you live in Calabash or visit the quaint town if you don’t. The ocean’s breezes will keep you cool while you perch on the beach and watch the ships come and go, carrying fresh hauls of fish, shrimp, crabs, and more. If you walk around the docks, you may even witness the fishermen unloading the ocean dwellers and sending them to certain restaurants to be prepared fresh for guests like you.

Where to stay for the best summer experience with Calabash seafood

North Carolina’s coast is lined with small, overlapping towns, and the beauty is that you can stay in one while not being far from another. To experience the best Calabash seafood in the summer, we recommend staying at The Sunset Inn.

This hotel is technically in the neighboring town of Sunset Beach, but it’s incredibly close to Calabash. The best part is that it’s on the water, allowing guests to wake up to a view of the ocean. You can sit outside at any time of day to watch the wildlife or observe the boats ebb and flow. It’s the perfect spot for anyone who enjoys charming, unique stays and wants to bask in the summer’s fresh air and glistening sun during their trip. Plus, with a 4.8-star rating, you can rest assured that you’re in good hands.

Can you experience Calabash seafood outside of this specific town?

Calabash seafood is regarded as a treasure and a way of life among Calabash residents, but you actually can experience it outside of the town where it originated. Of course, that might come with claims that only seafood served in Calabash is true Calabash seafood, but nonetheless, there are restaurants in other parts of North Carolina and South Carolina that prepare seafood in the style that Calabash is known for.

The biggest examples are in Raleigh and Myrtle Beach. In Raleigh, you can get Calabash seafood at NC Seafood Restaurant, where one of our absolute favorites is served: catfish. Nestled into the North Carolina Farmers Market, this restaurant has more than three decades of experience under its belt, and you can taste it in each bite.

Meanwhile, Myrtle Beach has several Calabash seafood joints, which may sound surprising at first since it’s a state over. However, Calabash sits right at the border, and the two locales are only about 25 miles apart. One of the highest-rated options is Crabby George’s Calabash Seafood Buffet, a must for anyone who wants a full fill of the finest seafood. In the summertime, a joint trip to Calabash and Myrtle Beach is the perfect getaway with no shortage of yummy food or seaside time. Kick back, let the waves lap on you, and enjoy another round of crisp shrimp.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

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