Moonrakers

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

Named after the rectangular sail flown at the uppermost height of a three-mast 17th-century ship, Moonrakers brings a fitting sense of elevation to the Beaufort, North Carolina waterfront. Situated in the Beaufort Historical District on Front Street, this upper-casual, full-service restaurant spans three floors overlooking Taylors Creek — each one offering a distinct way to take in the coastal scenery.

The Space

The ground floor dining room sets a confident tone: 14-foot open ceilings, a display kitchen, a wood-fired brick oven, a dedicated wine wall, and a custom mural anchoring the room. Acoustical sails overhead nod to the nautical name, while original artwork of the surrounding area and live local musicians keep the atmosphere grounded in place rather than theme-park coastal. A covered open-air terrace extends the dining room directly over the waterway, and the rooftop Sky Deck adds yet another vantage point above it all.

Chef and Menu

Chef Chris Stephens leads a kitchen focused on seasonal seafood, local produce, and dishes that reflect coastal North Carolina — American cuisine rooted in what the region actually offers. Menus run from lunch and dinner through a dedicated Tacking Menu, a Kids Menu, and a Dessert Menu, with the Sky Deck carrying its own separate offerings. The approach is approachable without being predictable.

The Beverage Program

Moonrakers takes its drinks seriously. Handcrafted cocktails, frozen options, and a selection of local craft beers sit alongside domestic and international choices. The house signature is the Boomkicker™ Kölsch, brewed in Raleigh by R&D Brewing specifically for the restaurant. The wine program, however, is what has drawn sustained outside recognition: Wine Spectator has awarded Moonrakers its Award of Excellence every year from 2019 onward — a distinction given to lists offering at least 90 selections that are well-matched to their cuisine and accessible to a broad range of wine drinkers. The list spans international bottles from light rosés to full California Cabernets. For regulars and serious wine enthusiasts, the restaurant offers twenty private wine lockers on premises, complete with custom owner plaques, discounted purchasing, and invitations to private tasting events throughout the year.

Private Events

The second-floor Concorde Gallery accommodates up to 80 guests for private dining, with sweeping waterfront views and a veranda. For larger gatherings, exclusive use of the full restaurant opens capacity to 140 guests — suited to rehearsal dinners, corporate functions, milestone celebrations, and more. The team works directly with hosts on menu and service style, including gluten-friendly options.

Moonrakers is the kind of American coastal restaurant that earns repeat visits — not through spectacle, but through consistency, a well-considered wine list, and a room that makes the most of one of North Carolina's most scenic waterfronts.