The Shark Shack

100 S Durham Avenue Atlantic Beach, NC 28512

Hours

Open seasonally starting in March. Check their website for updates and hours.

About

With its vibrant seafoam green facade, tin roof, and walk-up order window, The Shark Shack promises “Great Beach Food, Fast!”

This family-owned and operated eatery began years ago in the Bahamas. Here, Chef Tom was honing his culinary skills, dreaming of opening a quaint seafood restaurant.

An opportunity arose in Atlantic Beach, and Danish-born Chef Tom seized the chance. Right from the start, the place drew a steady crowd, drawn by the fresh seafood, limited menu, and beach vibe of the restaurant.

In 2018, he sold the business to his daughter and son-in-law and began enjoying retirement at the beach! Today, this iconic eatery is renowned for its famous Fish Bites, homemade sauces, outdoor seating, and pet-friendliness.

Additionally, it’s within walking distance of the Atlantic Beach Town Park and the Circle Regional Beach Access. Such proximity equates to delicious food and drinks only steps away from your fun in the sun!

The Shark Shack remains a popular destination, having served crowds of over 2,000 on a single day! Add this local hotspot to your to-do list and discover for yourself why it’s a time-tested classic.

Vibe

While this eatery is small, it’s easy to spot. The turquoise building, yellow picket-fenced yard, and assorted beach-centric flags make it a standout.

The look blends with the sunny, beachside surroundings, while the walk-up window adds to the carefree, vacation vibe.

Rows of picnic tables are in the fenced-in yard, offering sun and shade, allowing guests to choose their preferred spot. Leashed pets are also welcome, and you’ll find treats on the menu along with water bowls. Adding to this beach atmosphere are the corn hole games, making this more than just a place to dine.

The Shark Shack delivers good food, bright skies, and plenty of reasons to take it slow on your AB vacation.

The Shark Shack: Menu & Drinks

What makes dining here a joy is the fresh seafood and the daily specials. Before visiting, check its social media to discover what is being offered.

Let’s start with its trademark dish: the fish bites. This staple features fresh seafood cut into bite-sized pieces and deep-fried to golden brown. It comes with either fries, hushpuppies, coleslaw, potato salad, or summer salad. You also have a choice of two of the nine homemade dipping sauces, like the fan-favorite cilantro lime.

Fish tacos are always in demand and are another popular choice with beachgoers. This handheld features two flour tortillas with fish bites, lettuce, shredded cheese, homemade pico de gallo, and cilantro lime sauce. Add one side, and it’s perfect for a quick bite before cruising the boulevards on an e-bike from Atlantic Bike and Beach Rentals.

Another crowd favorite is the Shrimp Burger. Here, a mountain of crispy, lightly breaded shrimp sits on a soft burger bun, dressed with classic toppings. Add the side of cole slaw, and it’s filling, satisfying, and captures that classic Carolina seafood charm.

For those who don’t enjoy seafood, there are plenty of options. Meat lovers will want to wrap their hands around the double cheeseburger. This enormous handheld features ¼ pound of Angus Beef with lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickle. The crowning achievement is the gooey cheese that drips off the sides of the patties. You may choose American, Swiss, or Cheddar, making this an instant beach classic.

Other non-fish options include salads, hot dogs, and chicken baskets and entrees.

Quench your thirst with any Pepsi product or other soft drink, along with lemonade and house-brewed iced teas. And with free refills, you can head back to the beach or your next sightseeing attraction with a cup in hand.

Every meal at The Shark Shack feels like part of your vacation story. Here, you discover the sun on your face, seafood in hand, and no rush to head anywhere else.

Local Tips

  • Grab one (or all!) of the 12-oz sauces to take home.
  • Watch their social pages for updates and daily specials.
  • Take your order to your Casago rental to enjoy privacy and the AC.
  • Pets must be leashed.
  • Pay it forward by donating a meal to first responders, lifeguards, and active military.

Location

100 S Durham Avenue Atlantic Beach, NC 28512

Frequently Asked Questions

Atlantic Beach, NC is a popular drive-to destination just off the Coastal Highway running along the state’s Outer Banks. There are access points to the barrier island at Morehead City, from NC-24 to the Atlantic Beach Causeway on the eastern end, and Cape Carteret on the western side into Emerald Isle. NC-58 runs along the entire barrier island.

The closest airport to Atlantic Beach, NC is the Coastal Carolina Regional Airport (EWN) located in New Bern, NC about an hour away. Presently, only American Airlines and Breeze Airways provide flight services in/out of New Bern via select limited destinations.

Additional nearby airports in the area include Wilmington International Airport (ILM) about 2 hours away, as well as Raleigh-Durham (RDU) and Norfolk International (ORF), each approximately 3 – 4 hours by car.

The weather is generally warm in Atlantic Beach, with temperatures varying from upper 80s in the summer to low 40s in the winter. Summer visitors can anticipate more humidity from about July – late August, while Spring and Fall offer the best times of the year to visit for outdoor warm-weather fun. Of additional note, turtle nesting season along the Bogue Banks runs from May thru October, with hatchlings appearing about 50-60 days after a nest is made.

There are plenty of events throughout the year on North Carolina’s Crystal Coast, from holiday lights to summer fireworks, fishing tournaments, music festivals, kites, and seafood fests. Many of the main events in and around Atlantic Beach include:

  • Big Rock Blue Marlin Fishing Tournament (June)
  • Atlantic Beach Beach Music Festival (mid-May)
  • Atlantic Beach King Mackeral Tournament (October)
  • Carolina Kite Fest (October)
  • North Carolina Seafood Fest (First full-weekend in October)

Beach driving is allowed in Atlantic Beach from October through mid-March, but only with a permit. ATVs are not allowed on the beach at any time. More information on beach driving permits for Atlantic Beach can be found at: https://atlanticbeach-nc.com/beachdrivingpermits/

More questions

More questions?

Feel free to send us an email with any and all questions you might have regarding the start of a Casago Franchise!

We'd love to help answer your questions!