Rusty Hooks Dockside Grill: Waterfront Dining in Southport

If you're looking for great waterfront dining near Oak Island, North Carolina, Rusty Hooks Dockside Grill needs to be on your list.

We discovered Rusty Hooks last year while vacationing at Oak Island and enjoyed it so much that we made it a point to come back this year. In fact, I even made a YouTube video about our first visit. Last year, I ordered the grilled chicken sandwich and it was excellent. This time around, I wanted to dive into some local seafood and see if the restaurant could impress me a second time.

Spoiler alert—it absolutely did.

Where is Rusty Hooks Dockside Grill Located?

Rusty Hooks Dockside Grill is located at:

4907 Fish Factory Road SE
Southport, NC 28461

Tucked away at the end of Fish Factory Road, Rusty Hooks is one of those places that feels like a hidden gem. Unless you're a local or have done a little exploring around Southport, you might never know it's there.

What's interesting is that there are several great restaurants clustered around the Fish Factory area. Many visitors drive right past them on their way to Oak Island without realizing some of the best waterfront dining in the area is hidden down this road.

I've been coming to Oak Island since I was a kid because my aunt owned a place here, and somehow I never discovered Rusty Hooks until last year. Now it's become one of our favorite stops whenever we're in town.

One of the things I enjoy most about traveling across North Carolina is finding these lesser-known local restaurants. Whether it's a waterfront seafood spot in Southport or a family-owned restaurant in the mountains, some of the best meals are found off the beaten path. If you're planning a mountain getaway, be sure to check out my guide to 7 Restaurants to Try in Waynesville, NC.

One of the Best Waterfront Views in Southport

The setting is a huge part of what makes Rusty Hooks Dockside Grill special.

The restaurant sits directly on the Intracoastal Waterway overlooking the marsh and water. Boats cruise up and down the channel while diners enjoy some of the best views around.

If the weather is nice, I highly recommend sitting outside on the deck. It's the perfect place to relax and take in everything that makes coastal North Carolina so beautiful.

You also get a great view of the G.V. Barbee Bridge, which many locals still refer to as the "old bridge." The bridge carries traffic across the Intracoastal Waterway into Oak Island and serves as a beautiful backdrop while you're enjoying dinner.

There is plenty of outdoor seating available, and on many weekends you'll find live music playing outside. The combination of the waterfront setting, local atmosphere, and live entertainment creates the kind of dining experience that keeps people coming back.

If you prefer to stay cool during the summer months, Rusty Hooks also offers screened porch seating along with indoor air-conditioned dining upstairs and in the bar area.

Beating the Crowd

One thing we've learned over the years is that if a restaurant is really good, showing up between 4:00 and 5:00 PM is usually a smart move.

We arrived early and still ended up waiting about 10 to 15 minutes, which wasn't bad at all considering how popular this place has become.

Before long, more people started arriving and the restaurant began filling up. That's usually a pretty good sign.

Don't Skip the Fried Pickles

After being seated upstairs, we ordered drinks and started looking over the Southport menu.

My mother-in-law decided to order the fried pickles as an appetizer, and I'm glad she did.

If you've never tried fried pickles before, Rusty Hooks is a great place to start.

The tang from the pickle brine combined with the crispy seasoned batter creates the perfect balance of flavors. Dip them into the cool ranch dressing and it's easy to see why they're such a popular appetizer.

They disappeared from the table pretty quickly.

A Southport Menu Full of Seafood Favorites

One thing I appreciate about Rusty Hooks Dockside Grill is the variety on the menu.

Whether you're craving burgers, chicken sandwiches, shrimp tacos, fish tacos, or fresh local seafood, there's something here for almost everyone.

As I looked over the menu, our server mentioned that the catch of the day was blackened flounder. She also told me I could get it in the fish tacos.

That immediately got my attention.

The Best Fish Tacos I've Had in Years

It's been close to ten years since I've had a fish taco that really impressed me.

The last memorable ones I had were at Cabo Fish Taco in Charlotte's NoDa district. Since then, I've tried fish tacos at several restaurants, but none of them stood out enough to remember.

That changed at Rusty Hooks.

When the food arrived, the tacos were loaded with blackened flounder and topped with jicama slaw, cotija cheese, mango salsa, and fresh cilantro. They were served with tortilla chips and Texas caviar on the side.

After the first bite, I knew these were something special.

The blackened flounder was perfectly cooked and packed with flavor. The sweetness from the mango salsa paired beautifully with the fresh slaw and salty cotija cheese. Every ingredient worked together.

Honestly, if these fish tacos weren't better than the ones I had at Cabo Fish Taco years ago, they were right there with them.

That's about as high of a compliment as I can give.

Why We Keep Coming Back

This was our second visit to Rusty Hooks Dockside Grill, and both experiences have been excellent.

The first visit was all about the grilled chicken sandwich.

The second visit was all about the fish tacos.

When a restaurant consistently delivers great food, friendly service, beautiful waterfront views, and a relaxed atmosphere, it's easy to understand why it continues to receive strong reviews from locals and visitors alike.

Final Thoughts on Rusty Hooks Dockside Grill

If you're searching for a seafood restaurant in Southport that offers great food, waterfront views, live music, and a laid-back coastal atmosphere, Rusty Hooks Dockside Grill is well worth the visit.

The combination of fresh local seafood, beautiful dockside views, and friendly service makes it one of our favorite restaurants near Oak Island.

Whether you're a local looking for a great meal or a visitor exploring the Southport area, Rusty Hooks is the kind of place you'll want to visit more than once.

After two excellent meals in two different years, I can confidently say we'll be back again.

And next time, I may have an even harder time deciding what to order.

More Places We Enjoy Near Oak Island

While Rusty Hooks Dockside Grill has become one of our favorite seafood restaurants in the area, it's not the only local spot we enjoy. If you're looking for a great cup of coffee or a light breakfast before a day at the beach, be sure to check out our review of Island Jo Coffee and Cafe in Oak Island, NC.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rusty Hooks Dockside Grill