The Sandspur

We picked the Sandspur because we had never been here, and the reviews were good. Immediate regret. $9 just to park, then we walked into a warm barely air-conditioned dive bar atmosphere. Outside seating had little shade and a view of shipping containers, so we stayed inside. I figured there would at least be some great, reasonably priced bar food. Hole in the wall places around here usually do. I was wrong. The menu is tiny, and most of it says "NC fish," so it depends on the day which kind of fish is on their sandwich, salad, tacos, or nachos. In an attempt to make the food worth the price, they put radish and "remulode" on things. Their website menu prices are not current. Nor are the pictures. It seems like this was a nice place but has gone downhill. It's probably a good place to drink, but it's a bad place to eat. Service was okay. Food was okay but nowhere near what I'd expect at those prices.

We LOVED The Sandspur! Great vibes, great tunes, great service, GREAT food. Serving fresh ingredients and focusing on quality over quantity, I was incredibly impressed with this sweet little spot. Can't wait to come back. Will be dreaming of the tuna nachos until then...

Just tried the sandspur for the first time and it was amazing!! We got their pork bucatini and the hot honey butter chicken biscuit!! Both were amazing, the chef Dalton knocked it out of the park. Definitely give them a try!

Delicious! Cannot recommend enough. The menu being small means everything is sooo good. Great vegetarian options!

The chorizo chili burger, while filling, did not have a particularly strong flavor. However, the shrimp wrap was much more enjoyable.

Located right on Lake Park Blvd. S. in Carolina Beach, The Sandspur has been the find of our visit. The food and services were flawless. We sat on the front porch with our tiny dog. I ordered a tasty beer and the chicken sandwich without the bun. My wife ordered a tasty beer as well and the tuna sandwich. Jordan took such good care of us. Delicious and fresh, the food was wonderful. A “must return”.

The tuna nachos are the best nachos I have ever had in my life!! Great staff. Great atmosphere. It’s one of our favorite Carolina Beach spots.

Wow!! The fish tacos are amazing! Stopped in during a band. Had a fantastic time on the back patio.

Their food is delicious. The chef clearly takes pride in his craft. Way better than one would expect from bar food, even better than many restaurants that just specialize in food. The staff were super friendly and accommodating of food allergies and moving tables around to fit our group. The inner seating area is small but cozy with great decorations to look at. Altogether a great vibe. I look forward to going back!

The Sandspur has a lovely atmosphere- it's a pretty small place with an equally small menu. I was surprised at that. But I always say a small menu indicates they do a few things exceptionally well. I had a hard time deciding bc nothing really jumped out at me at the current moment. I honestly don't remember at this point what I ate, but I think it was a grilled chicken sandwich. I ended up loving it. Perfectly grilled chicken with an exciting sauce. I love my sauces. Fries were good too. The salad was good and I like that they'll dress it with whatever extra veggies they have around. This was a very thoughtful menu with local components, when possible. You often just get 'beach vacation food' in a locale like Carolina Beach, but the Sandspur was refreshingly different.

BE MINDFUL: Parking is outrageous! $8/hr. Not their fault. Blame Carolina Beach. Small spot. Nostalgic decor. Friendly staff. Had the pepper jack burger. Cooked to perfection. Thick patty. Served Wilmington Brew Co beer. Timely service. Close to the beach.

This place is small so get here early or make a reservation. The food is good. I had the tacos. Seemed a little pricey for just a couple tacos but oh well.

Great location, quaint decor, excellent food, and super friendly service. Fish taps were delicious and the tuna nachos a great blend of flavors and twist on nachos! Must try this place if you're here at the beach.

We've visited the Wilmington area twice before and I knew this last time I had to look up what local's recommended. I was blown away by this unassuming bar and their fresh offerings. Previously, we didn't love the food and I questioned if we could live somewhere the food was just ok. But this trip changed my opinion. Sandspur is outstanding fresh food. I came with my family and we all enjoyed. The service was good but it didn't matter. Happy to have a meal I still think about!

Surprised this isn't the top rated restaurant in the area. This was the most fresh fish I've had since living in North Carolina. If there's Tuna on the menu, then you should definitely get it. We didn't order any alcohol but I did spy some Chartreuse and Campari which are always a good sign. Can't wait to come back and make this a go-to.

Great food spot with nice outdoor seating area. We went for lunch with my toddler - they have kid menu, a high chair, and he could run around outside while we waited for lunch. Per Yelp reviews, it sounded like they had good tuna options, so I got the quinoa bowl with tuna (cooked medium), which included salad, pickled veggies and cream sauce - it was so good and a nice portion size too! We also split tuna nachos - with fresh raw tuna, cucumber, slaw and sauce / everyone liked their meals! Lot Parking next door included with restaurant purchase. Small bathrooms, no changing tables.

Great spot for lunch. We had the tofu sandwich and bowl with tofu. While I felt the additional +5 for tofu on the bowl was a bit excessive, it was a large portion. I honestly would recommend the bowl by itself for a lunch portion. The interior felt like a vintage beach cottage, and was well kept.

This is the absolute best spot in all Carolina Beach, Wrightsville Beach and Kure, everything is top-notch from the food to the beverages the decor and the live music. The staff and the owner are the epitome of family owned business and it is evident how much they care about their business and their customers. Do yourself a favor and stop in you will not be disappointed. Whether you're local or visiting, they will make you feel. At home

What a nice surprise last nites meal was! Used yelp to find this place, nice atmosphere and sat at a nice table in the corner. After having a cold beer we looked at the menu and it was kind of confusing? Thought about going somewhere else but decided on their burger without the pepper cheese. Came out and was one of the best burgers anywhere. On top the fry's were also perfect. Hats off to the cook...

Not a good place, at all. Greasy tables, nothing healthy & dirty bar They do have a catch of the day But there are multiple options on the menu that appeared to be unavailable because of the catch (which is one position) There was no option to do tuna medium cook! Like the server offered to do it raw or fry it well done, this is ridiculous

Great food, atmosphere and service. Cleanest, newest and nicest 'dive' bar I've ever been in!! Rhonda was awesome!!

Wish I could have given a review of the food. BUT whomever was behind the bar just now drove a large party away with her awful attitude. Try harder.

We were hesitant to try due to the small menu but as it was clearly vegetarian friendly we decided to give it a shot. So glad we did! We came back again during our stay and tried everything. The menu is simple but every single thing is balanced and cooked perfectly. The roasted veg changes daily and both options we had were delicious. The chips are served hot and liberally seasoned. The salad and grain bowl are both examples of making simple food exceptional when cooked well. The tofu sandwich is delicious and whatever they do to the tofu is magic. The service was outstanding both times we were there and there is a QR code for free parking after 4pm on the back of the menu.

It's our favorite spot on the island! Great bartenders the whole crew is awesome! I've never had a bad meal. They always have live entertainment, their backyard is awesome! Take your kids, take your dogs they welcome everybody!

3.5 stars rated up because the restaurant is very cute and we had great service. The duck frites (on special) were amazing, and the tuna was also quite good. Some non-seafood eaters in our party had chicken sandwiches and hamburgers that were fine, but nothing special. Overall, I would recommend as a nicer lunch or dinner out, for the seafood and menu special items!

Fish tacos were excellent. That was about it! We sat inside because it was super hot out today. The burgers tasted rotten and were super dry, they did not have half the things we picked from the menu, so we have to pick alternates. It was my birthday and they did not even offer an extra ice cube, nor acknowledge it. And to top it all there was a COCKROACH running along the wall next to our booth. I killed the roach myself cause the staff was too busy to pay attention. The worst part: when I suggested they should call the exterminator, their answer was "lady all the buildings in the beach are full of them, we exterminate weekly and it does not help". I would have at least expected a "we are so sorry about the ROACH". But no, they were absolutely unapologetic. Disgusting! I don't even want to think about this place again!

great small local restaurant/bar. has 2 hr free parking in lot next door when you validate. they have a large outdoor patio. The food we had today was a hot honey chicken sandwich, a grilled chicken sandwich and tuna tacos. All the food was delicious. I really liked the hot honey chicken

On an island that sometimes feels like there should be fresher food, with a true coastal feel, The Sandspur sticks out as a new establishment that delivers on coastal freshness in all the best ways. We've been back a handful of times after stumbling into the backyard patio space during their soft-opening this past spring. Each time it's been a delightful experience with a staff that's driven to please. Honestly, I would recommend their food and drinks to a wide variety of people because we haven't had anything not worth eating and their drink selection ranges from hand-made cocktails to local craft beers to coors light. Very excited to see how they are able to expand their outside space to include live music and pop-up events with continued business as the summer goes on and they have the chance to grow!

Get the grain bowl! I am not a fresh tuna fan (can't help it), which was their local fish protein for the day. I chose the chicken and was thrilled! The chicken was tender and perfectly cooked. The flavors of this dish are vibrant and perfectly balanced. I will order this again, maybe with a different fish next time!

We had a stroller so we went right into the back of the restaurant to their spacious outdoor area since the front only had stairs. Ordered food inside and they brought the food out to us. No free parking. The outdoor area has five wooden bench tables, a table and some lounge chairs with side tables. Inside has a bar and small group seating. We tried the pepper Jack burger ($13) and fish tacos ($16). They both were good, but not the best. The burger does not automatically come with any sides, you'll have to request it for an additional $2 upcharge. The burger meat wasn't juicy, but had a nice smoky flavor. I liked that the bun was grilled. The fish tacos came with medium cooked tuna, tons of fresh radish, red cabbage, cilantro, and crema. My partner enjoyed the Anderson Valley Holy Gose beer. This is a nice addition to Carolina beach and is a good hangout spot, especially in the outdoor area .

The atmosphere, service and food was outstanding. We ate inside and loved the cozy look and feel. Food was very tasty!

I had been wanting to try this spot but never did in the summer due to the amount of people in CB during the on season. It's quite small inside but has a large outdoor area for the summer months. Inside is dark a moody but in a good way. Staff was nice and dinner was out within a reasonable time. The burger was delicious, like one of the best on the island but isn't cheap. You could tell everything was quality and even the ranch was homemade (ranch people we know this is important). 2 burgers, fries, a sweet tea and a mix drink will run you about $60.

Don't let the rustic appearance deter you. The tuna tacos and their grilled chicken were so good. There is a reason this spot is a local favorite. We were given this recommendation by a local shop owner and he was not wrong. The food was tasty! The outside bar is a great place to have drinks and watch the fireworks. The night we went had a DJ playing 80's music and how can you not like that?!?

This place is a gem! Think retro beach dive with a creative gastropub-like menu. We really liked the food, the vibe, and the great outdoor seating area. We got the tuna nachos and the grain bowl, which were both super fresh and flavorful, and they did not skimp on the tuna! Food was fast and delicious and the drinks were generous We actually came back a second night in a row to try to get their soft shell crab sandwich but just missed it, I think for the season. Highly recommend this one!

Absolutely delicious! The goat burger was amazing! I want to take a bowl of that chimichurri home! Server was beyond amazing and the interior/exterior were so cozy! Loved the experience.

Great ambiance, service, and food selection. The shrimp was fresh and so were the fries, everything had the right amount of seasoning and was cooked to perfection.

Great service, excellent food! Love the outdoor seating area. Will definitely be back!

We were pleasantly surprised by this place. It's very unassuming! The pepper jack burger was amazing -- the bun was so soft and the toppings were the perfect proportion to the burger. Their house ranch is so good too to dip the fries in. We would definitely come here again and order the same thing.

Great hometown spot when you're not in a hurry. Drinks and food were tasty and worth the wait, but would not have been happy if we were in a rush!

As usual the food was perfect and service was on the spot. Fish of the day was tuna so my wife had the fish tacos. She reports that they were fantastic. I had the chorizo burger. It was cooked to perfection. Nice laid back vibe. Relaxing interior and best of all friendly staff. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

Great local place near Marriott Courtyard. I had the bologna Reuben. Not your grandmothers bologna! Really good. Thick cut with great sour kraut and toasted bread. My partner had the fish tacos. Also excellent! Service was top notch and ambience is low country rustic. Fun! Looks like great outdoor space for warmer days.

We shared the tuna tacos and speckled trout dish. Both were fabulous. The fish was so fresh. Perfect combination of sides that accompany the fish. There is ample parking lot in which you can get 2 hours free parking using the restaurant QR code. It is casual place but highly recommend this restaurant if you are in the Carolina Beach area.

4 for food; 5 for service and environment. This place is newly-opened since we were here in November. We originally tried to go to another place on a Saturday night, but there was an hour wait. There was no wait here, which means it has yet to be discovered. We sat outside, behind the restaurant, where there are a number of picnic tables and lounge chairs in a wide-open space. (I imagine they have plans for more?) Our server was wonderful - friendly and attentive in the best way. We had burgers, which were good, and fries. Yes, you pay for the fries as a separate side, but who cares. When they come with, you're only paying for them differently. This way you have an option. They also had some local beer on tap, which was nice. I wish this place well so we can stop back next time we're in Carolina Beach.

My wife & I really enjoyed our meal at the Sandspur. Greeted warmly & immediately. Offered a seat inside or out - either would have been fine. Quick, friendly service. We chose a side salad & the tuna nachos. Both had delicious, fresh, whole food ingredients we weren't anticipating. The side salad is anything but mundane & the tuna nachos were so fresh and had so many different flavor profiles. Pricing was modest. Service was excellent. My wife also had a lemon drop martini which she said was delicious. Highly recommended.

Walked in with a large party of 7 people and were seated quickly. The food was great and the drinks too. Definitely a must try if you are in the Carolina/ Kure beach area.

Food was amazing and service was exceptional as well. The salsa...oh the salsa. The best I've ever had. We can't wait to return.

Cute lil restaurant, definitely gives restaurant by the beach vibes! I loved that it had inside & outside seating! The inside was small but I liked it. We didn't eat food there, we just had drinks, of which hit the spot. They didn't serve blue moon, but I found a beer (don't remember the name) and the waiter was willing to give me orange juice to mix in it and an orange to place on the side, worked for me, lol ! Service was good, she was accommodating and pleasant!

It was fresh farm to table food, small intimate location. Service was great. Food was terrific. We were surprised. Not a large menu. What they did, they did well. Burger was best, we had with a homemade bun. French fries were fresh and hot, and I don't usually eat them. Would recommend.

This spot is not so obvious from the outside and inside it is not very big. It has cute outdoor patio with a bar in the back with a bar. And you can park in the public parking lot for free for 2 hrs. You just scan the QR code at the entrance and just enter your license plates tags. We visited on this Sunday evening around 6. And it was busy but not packed and we were seated quickly. We ordered a round of drinks of a frozen concoction of the day which consisted of Tito's vodka and refreshing citrus flavors. Can't remember the name of it and an OJ Crush. The frozen drink was on spot while the Orange Crush was meh. My husband ordered the quinoa bowl with a marinated, grilled chicken breast. I am not a fan of quinoa but this one tasted amazing. I loved all the fresh flavors in the bowl. The dressing was the icing on the cake. I ordered the fish tacos with grilled rare tuna. Phenomenal on every level! And the herbaceous crema was sheer fire! We ended up getting another round of the frozen vodka concoction drink. The place is so eclectic and gives off kumbaya vibes. And very laid back and you will see all walks of life. The service was friendly and quick. All the staff were so nice. Highly recommend you eating here while visiting Carolina Beach. You will be glad you did!

Update: The flavor work in the Mahi tacos is the kind of thing where you close your eyes and think "God, it's okay if you take me, now - I have seen the mountain top." ...so good. Complex but not complicated, if that makes sense. And the tortilla recipe is epic. Strong and soft and a bit of crispy. Servers are great, for sure, but i'm a major fanboy of the kitchen crew.

Food was good, but the service left much to be desired. It's hard to cook good food, but you can easily improve on service. To be fair, they seemed short staffed.

Sat at the bar. The salsa was delicious. Fish tacos were great. Had an old fashioned with local bourbon. Needed a little more orange and muddling. Loved the food and the vibe. Will definitely be back!

Delicious, fresh food & great atmosphere. The outdoor area is fun and great for big groups and families too.

Great location in a stand alone building, good food, nice intimate atmosphere. Outdoor area in back is a nice option.

Amazing food and great service!! I would definitely come back again. If you haven't been here already, it's worth coming to!

Absolutely amazing food. Freshest farm to table food I've had on the beach. Service was hospitable and pleasant. The staff was eager to serve and give good service. Definitely recommending to everyone visiting.

Food was fine nothing special Service was terrible for such a small place. Long time to take order. Forgot French Fries with order then had to wait Server didn't even apologize, just said "I can do that ". Like it was a new order. Had the burger they didn't even provide ketchup They can do better Show you care about your customers