Emerald Isle | Where to Eat | Best Restaurants | Trading Post | Rucker Johns | Village Market | Flip

In the spring we visited Emerald Isle, a small town part of North Carolina’s Crystal Coast. Located entirely on the Bogue Banks island, it has absolutely beautiful beaches within easy reach of its primarily residential community. The family-friendly and dog-friendly beaches have many public entry points - but they don’t have the hustle and bustle of more popular coastal spots. It is home to the Bogue Inlet Pier as well Emerald Isle Woods Park, a nearby beach reprieve with a wooded disc golf course, shorelines, and forest trails. But bring out your flashlights at night - so you can catch ghost crabs - or an occasional blue or red crab. And for the best in foodie restaurants, look no further than the recommendations we make right here: for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
CONTENTS
00:00 Intro Teaser
00:44 Emerald Isle Overview
02:46 The Village Market
04:32 Flip Flops Donut Shop
05:44 Rucker John's
07:34 The Trading Post
12:28 Outtro
The Village Market is a locally owned gourmet deli that serves up inviting breakfasts, delicious coffee and a wide variety of treats to satisfy your sweet tooth. If you stick around for lunch, handcrafted sandwiches as well as craft beers and wines await you.
Flip Flops Donut Shop makes a wide variety of hand made yeast and cake donuts each and every day. The owner, Denis, has crafted a recipe with potato flour, which is sweeter than wheat and gluten free. His donut recipe has been perfected over decades to create the lightest, fluffiest, best-tasting donut you can sink your teeth into.
Rucker Johns, a family-owned restaurant with plenty of outdoor seating, opened in Emerald Isle back in 1988 and has been wowing customers with their fresh food ever since. They cut their own fries, prepare their own salad greens and make their own dressings. This stop for lunch or dinner is top notch!
The Trading Post is family owned and run, serving up dishes with southern flavors and hospitality. Their outdoor patio and music venue provides a family fun experience with fireplaces, cornhole boards and hula hoops. Their fried green tomatoes and fried chicken is best served up with a cocktail or local brew - but they also have breakfast plates that rival grandma’s cooking.

[@brandoncallahan3047]

Last year was our first time to Emerald Isle. We loved every place we ate at except the trading post. We had a disappointing visit there. My mother n father in-laws entrees were cold. My hamburger was way overcooked and my wife’s chicken salad didn’t even have chicken on it. We definitely won’t be going back. But everywhere else was fantastic and we dined out every night and day we were there.

[@criscale3667]

Sorry that you had a bad experience at the Trading Post. But we are happy that we were able to assist with some other dining options. We need to get back there this year. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.

[@sweetspot5510]

Awesome video! Next time you come to Emerald Isle we hope for a chance to serve you at Sweet Spot, the Crystal Coast's longest running ice cream, candy, and gift shop! With over 50 flavors of ice cream to choose from, and 72 flavors of salt water taffy you can't go wrong!

[@criscale3667]

Thanks for watching and commenting. We'll give Sweet Spot a shot!

[@saraha2816]

Thank you for sharing! Those donuts are calling me hehe

[@criscale3667]

Unfortunately those donuts know my name very well - and have a habit of calling it, too. I appreciate your dropping a comment.

[@USNBLUE]

I was thinking of moving there. Thanks for the tour.

[@criscale3667]

Thanks for your comment. Emerald Isle has such a nice, easy-going vibe, it is very likely you will enjoy it.

[@Lol-fe4sw]

I really like the video. It sends me good vibes watching this. I go here with my family every year and it is super chill and fun.

[@criscale3667]

That's one of the best compliments we can receive. Thanks so much for the comment. We are glad to send "good vibes"! Emerald Isle is incredible!

[@Lol-fe4sw]

Yep

[@elisabethsmith1448]

You missed Amos Mosquitos and Kathryn's, which are two of the best places on the island!

[@CryssyC1775]

Emerald Isle is my favorite place on earth

[@criscale3667]

I can understand why. Lately we have been returning every year - and I see that trend continuing. Thanks for the comment.

[@Ukulelekidreal]

@@criscale3667 I wanna meet you I live there!!

[@indigodande4345]

Muttigan's coffee is good. Lazzara's pizza is awesome. Hiking Hammock's beach trail is good. There is also a nice trail area behind Neuse sporting goods. I think its called Gaffer's normally has live music in the summer on the weekends. Fort Macon has a beach trail that is good for walking but those mosquitos will eat you up. There is a gym that is reasonably priced near by and roller skating in Jacksonville, NC. Giovanni's bagels by the go carts is good for a quick breakfast. Mythical brewing in cedar point is good.

[@criscale3667]

Those are some great additions! We will definitely have to check out Hammock's beach trail or Fort Macon because we love to spend time out hiking around (as long as we are "protected").

[@indigodande4345]

Carolina Home and Garden out in town is amazing. they have food, a small arcade, an out door garden, nursery for plants. It's good for an atmospheric lunch. I would caution its hard to make friends here. There arent many people in the 25-40 age range for dating. Most people are retirees and come for the season so the island is mostly empty during off season. I haven't really excelled at meeting people here for friendships and common interests. People who are pagan, liberal, democratic, or LGBTQIA+ may have a very hard time fitting in here. - truth from a local.

[@criscale3667]

Thank you sooo much for thoughtful comment. Now, I really want to check out the Home and Garden place!

[@johnmorris5201]

Flip Flop donuts are NOT gluten free. The owner said he could make a gluten free product in a gluten filled environment. So all of you Celiac people will be disappointed.

[@stealthmode9086]

Amos mosquitoes HANDS DOWN.!!! Best food in Emerald Isle.

[@criscale3667]

I would consider that Atlantic Beach, but it looks absolutely fantastic. Will have to visit during our next beach trip. Thanks for the tip!

[@glazedndazedofnc]

And those Jumbo Amish Style Glazed N Dazed Donuts

[@criscale3667]

Most certainly!

[@legouncured4123]

1:24 What is that?

[@criscale3667]

It is a small sand crab.

[@brandyrobbins6576]

Were you staying at Blue Turtle Landing?

[@criscale3667]

No, we actually stayed in a place called Top Notch West. Great home in a great location! Thanks for the question.

[@zeroes107]

The croissant is frozen...

[@elisabethsmith1448]

No, it's not.

[@bethanybrown9528]

Don’t eat yellow snow? Really? Like is that supposed to be funny 🧐 Hope you left a real tip.

[@criscale3667]

Some say that a pun is the lowest form of humor. A play on words like "tip" may not be funny to everyone. Think of it more like a "dad joke". I definitely left a generous real tip. With kids that have recently worked in restaurants, I'm very sympathetic to the wait staff efforts - and the customers they must endure (customers like me). It was just meant to provoke a smile (or at least a roll of the eyes). Thanks for commenting.