Oceanic + Bluewater Waterfront Grill: Waterfront Dining in Wrightsville Beach

Bluewater Waterfront Grill

Fresh local catch, craft cocktails, glorious sunsets across the Intracoastal Waterway, and if you’re lucky, a family of dolphins will grace you with their presence as you dine at Bluewater Waterfront Grill.

Bluewater is one of several local family-owned restaurants operated by LM Restaurants.  Founders Lou and Joy Moshakos opened their first restaurant in Florida four decades ago. Other restaurants in the area include Hops Supply Co., Oceanic, and Carolina Ale House.

From the minute you walk up the stairs from the parking lot across the street, your experience starts with a big dose of “Carolina Hospitality”, a hallmark of the family’s approach to dining out.

“We are a Greek family, and the act of hospitality is highly valued in this culture. In fact, it is an honor and a privilege to offer hospitality to the community,” says Amber Moshakos.

“At LM Restaurants, we describe our core value as serving with a Heart for Hospitality. This means we lead with people in mind, whether it is for our guests or our team members. Treating people as if they were a guest in our personal home is the level of warmth and personal attention we strive to achieve,” she adds.

While the Bluewater menu changes seasonally, guest favorites – the jumbo lump crab dip and roasted oysters – are always available. A large dockside patio allows diners to watch boats – or dolphins – pass by. Folks arrive just in time to watch the sun set over the Intracoastal Waterway. The sun signals the end of the day as your meal begins with crab dip, made only with lump crabmeat and a festive cocktail or glass of wine or beer. The Calabash seafood platter is lightly battered and cooked to perfection, then end your meal with a luscious slice of house-made key lime pie.

Steaks, burgers, and chicken will please the meat eaters in your party. Bluewater offers fresh and local meats and produce to tempt guests’ tastebuds. Menus are thoughtfully created with diners in mind by executive chef Jason Ivady. Many dishes can be made vegan or gluten-free. Cocktails are made with fresh ingredients and fine liquors. House-made syrups and juices secure the craft into their craft cocktails.

This past summer the mixologists created a special cocktail to honor and support the people of Ukraine using traditional flavors – lemon and mint. The original goal was to raise 100,000 for World Central Kitchen’s efforts in supporting the people of Ukraine. Drink sales raised $107,039 and funds raised from the LM family of restaurants, totaled $141,715 surpassing that goal.

Lou and Joy Moshakos have a tradition of giving back to the community through scholarships, supporting youth sports, cancer research, first responders and hurricane relief, and hosting charitable events. Daughter Amber is also on the board and supports a number of community programs and non-profits directly impacting local needs. Fundraising events held as part of their efforts included a summer soiree at Oceanic as part of the Ukraine relief. There will be more events to support Ukraine this fall at the restaurants.

“At LM Restaurants, we believe hospitality is about being an army of goodness,” said Lou and Joy Moshakos, who founded the company in 1978. “Our LM family has a fighting spirit, and we are honored to support World Central Kitchen and their efforts in Ukraine in any way that we can. This company-wide fundraiser is our opportunity to give the gift of hope. Food means hope and the strength for brighter days.”

Bluewater’s outdoor patio livens up with music on Sundays through September from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Local musicians offer a broad selection of musical styles creating a relaxing vibe for a casual evening.

The second-floor private event space is available for business functions, rehearsal dinners, weddings, reunions, fundraisers, galas and anniversary parties. A dedicated events team will assist with planning and ensure all details are executed flawlessly for the event. The space can be configured for an intimate event accommodating up to 200 guests.

https://www.bluewaterdining.com

Sunday

11:00 am – 10:00 pm

Brunch

11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Monday – Thursday

11:00 am – 10:00 pm

Friday – Saturday

11:00 am – 11:00 pm

Oceanic at the Crystal Pier

Sitting on the historic Crystal Pier watching a boat on the horizon, enjoying Sun-kissed shrimp, the balance of sweet and hot resting on your tongue before vanishing with a sip of your cocktail can be your evening experience at the Oceanic on the Crystal Pier.

This storied restaurant pays homage to the history of Wrightsville Beach, the Crystal Pier and the Lumina Pavilion, the popular entertainment site in the early 1900s. A fire in the thirties destroyed numerous buildings, including the popular Oceanic Hotel, from which the restaurant takes its name. The pavilion was spared.

Restaurants came and went over the century each serving fresh local catch. Today’s Oceanic serves fresh coastal dishes, such as their popular Shrimp and Grits, crab cakes, and the Chef’s daily preparation of the fresh catch of the day. A multitude of North Carolina farmers provide produce, poultry and pork for diners’ enjoyment.

Sunday Brunch at the Oceanic, certified as an Ocean-Friendly Restaurant by the Plastic Ocean Project, offers new takes on old favorites like Island French toast made from
Hawaiian Bread with candied pecans, bananas, rum syrup or Breakfast Tacos of chorizo, eggs, pico de gallo, cumin-crema, flour tortillas, and home fries.

If you seek an intimate seaside wedding venue, a bright, third-floor loft space overlooks the ocean and can accommodate 50 guests, or you can hold the ceremony on the pier with the reception inside.

https://www.oceanicrestaurant.com

Sunday 10:00 am – 10:00 pm

Sunday Brunch

10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Monday – Thursday

11:00 am – 10:00 pm

Friday – Saturday

11:00 am – 11:00 pm