Dining alfresco in historic downtown New Bern offers coastal river breezes, passing sailboats, and chef-inspired Southern cuisine. Whether you are looking for golden-hour sunset cocktails or a shaded courtyard lunch, here are 5 top-rated outdoor patio and riverview dining destinations.
1. Persimmons Waterfront Restaurant
Situated directly on the banks of the Neuse River, Persimmons features a multi-level waterfront deck with sweeping views. Signature dishes include pan-seared sea scallops over stone-ground cheddar grits and fresh lump crab cakes.
2. Morgan’s Tavern & Grill
Housed in a restored 1912 automotive landmark, Morgan’s Tavern offers an enclosed ivy-lined outdoor patio. Enjoy tavern-style prime rib and French Dip sandwiches with hot honey-butter croissants.
3. Cypress Hall Kitchen + Bar
Located on Middle Street, Cypress Hall provides sidewalk bistro seating where guests can enjoy artisanal brick-oven flatbreads, heritage pork belly, and regional craft cocktails right in the heart of downtown.
For a complete breakdown of waterfront decks and outdoor seating, view our Best Outdoor & Waterfront Patio Dining in Downtown New Bern Guide.
Are You the Owner of a Local New Bern Business?
Join 5,000+ monthly Craven County shoppers. Claim your verified profile to capture direct customer quotes, publish local coupons, and boost your local SEO presence.
Join The Craven County Insider
Get our free Thursday edition featuring upcoming weekend events, dining secret specials, and local business news delivered to your inbox.
Get Free Weekly Updates →Know an Amazing Local Business?
Have a local shop, restaurant, or trade specialist we should feature? Submit a community shoutout or claim an official sponsor spot.