4 Must-Try Restaurants In New Bern, NC (Day-Trip/Weekend Getaway Ideas)
NEW BERN, NC – The charming riverfront town of New Bern, NC is the first state capital, home to Tryon Palace, and the birthplace of Pepsi Cola. Founded in 1710, New Bern is the second oldest town in North Carolina. This is a place where winding rivers and rich history pull you in.
On a recent weekend getaway to New Bern, rain was forecast for the afternoon I arrived and thunderstorms for the next day. That meant adjusting the outside activities on my itinerary, including a boat tour along the Trent River, which was ultimately canceled. The rain held up long enough to go on a guided tour of Tryon Palace and one on the New Bern Trolley Tour through the Historic District.
Rain or shine, I still had to eat. Several New Bern restaurants were recommended to me and with no outside activities, I had time to try many of them. Here are the four I recommend as a must-try.
Sampson & Son Restaurant
806 Queen St
New Bern, NC 28560
Opened in January 2021, Sampson & Son is a family-owned and -operated Southern soul food restaurant that offers all of your favorites, including everything from turkey BBQ to baked and fried chicken, turkey chops, delicious sides, and much more. No pork products are served nor used in the preparation of their food. They also have several delicious cakes available for dessert which have become a hit among patrons. Sampson & Son offers breakfast and lunch Tuesday through Saturday.
Captain Ratty’s Seafood & Steakhouse
202 Middle Street
New Bern, NC 28562
Since 1999, Captain Ratty’s has served locals and tourists alike on the corner of Middle Street in downtown New Bern. The award-winning establishment has coupled a culinary scene that fosters a diverse menu with a trendy chic atmosphere. In 2021, the legendary Chef Smoke (who also owns The Flame Catering & Event Center in New Bern) became a partner, taking the restaurant to another level with his cuisine. And speaking of levels, Captain Ratty’s has rooftop seating with magnificent views offering the full food and bar menu. Captain Ratty’s serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week.
The Country Biscuit
809 Broad Street
New Bern, NC 28560
The Original Biscuit of New Bern! For over forty years, they have been up before the break of dawn to bake fresh buttermilk biscuits for their guests. The quality southern comfort food has made them famous around Eastern Carolina. The biscuits are huge and the portions are generous. Offering everything from breakfast plates, omelets, biscuit sandwiches, and biscuit donuts, to hamburgers, pork chops, and Calf Liver with Grilled Onions. Trust me when I tell you that you will not leave hungry! The Country Biscuit is open for breakfast or lunch 7 days a week.
Broad Street Takeout
1020 Broad Street
New Bern, NC 28560
Broad Street Takeout opened its doors in April 2021 in New Bern’s historic Five Points community and has experienced tremendous success. Their signature dishes are inspired by past community leaders and historic places in New Bern. The “Five Points Fried Chicken” pays homage to the Five Points area including Broad and Queen Streets, a hub for Black-owned businesses, starting in the early 1950s. Other signature sandwiches include the “Sonny Boy Shrimp”, the “Pembroke Pork Chop”, and “Mayor Morgan Hot Dog.” You’ll have to visit to learn the history behind these eponymous dishes. While there, expect great food and service in ways that uphold the tradition of this historic community. Broad Street Takeout is open Tuesday thru Sunday.
Tryon Palace
529 S Front Street
New Bern, NC 28562
With rain in the forecast, I rearranged my itinerary, making Tryon Palace for a tour my first stop when I arrived in town. I could not complete the tour as I found it insulting and misogynistic. I get the historical period of the former state capital originally built between 1767 and 1770, but our guide in period dress constantly referred to the women in my tour group (in 2021) when he talked about table settings, décor, etc. as if men didn’t appreciate a nicely set table or expensive furnishings. During the portion of the tour that I did attend, there was no mention of the slave labor that was used to build Tryon Palace.
According to their website, many of New Bern’s African American 18th- and 19th-century residents were enslaved. The Governors who lived at the Palace owned slaves, as well as many town merchants and artisans. There were also free people of African ancestry who lived and worked in this region. Some became accomplished artisans while others prospered in the world of business.
North Carolina History Center at Tryon Palace
I recommend beginning (and ending) your Tryon Palace experience at the North Carolina History Center, a modern family-friendly museum with hands-on displays about NC history, a waterfront cafe, and a store. Rotating exhibitions, shopping, rare artifacts, and a wide variety of interactive historical activities keep the experience fresh and exciting with each new visit. There’s a time machine that takes you back to 1835. You can explore the history of North Carolina’s Central Coastal Region and the people who helped shape it through touch-screen interactives. The exhibits feature local history, artifacts from Tryon Palace’s collection, and popular traveling exhibits. The North Carolina History Center is open seven days a week.
New Bern Trolley Tour
Tour begins and ends at 610 Pollock Street
Fortunately, I was able to take a guided tour on the New Bern Trolley Tour. The professional guides were entertaining with fascinating details, historical narratives, and true stories during the 90-minute trolley tour of historic downtown New Bern. I found the Cedar Grove Cemetery and Christ Episcopal Church extremely interesting, although we couldn’t go into the church to see the wonderful stained glass windows due to Covid restrictions. The stories about the homes were enchanting; the prestige of having a corner lot was a focus. We were able to get off the trolley to more closely examine sites such as New Bern Academy Museum. I strongly recommend this tour. The New Bern Trolley Tour operates daily April thru October.
New Bern has been around for over 300 years, so whether you’re a history buff, a day-tripper, or just want to enjoy a mix of outdoor activities, this charming town has something for everyone!
This is a delightful article about the graceful, quaint, historic town of New Bern, N.C. at the intersection of two rivers, the Trent and the Neuse. (My father used to refer to our town as the “Land of Enchanting Waters.”) Thank you for beginning with the newly established Sampson and Son Restaurant; however, Rev. Sampson is not new to this business and is well-known for his cuisine from earlier establishments. Suffice it to say that this chef can “burn!”
Your description of golden-baked hefty biscuits of New Bern’s Broad Street Country Biscuit — made to “melt in your mouth (and only two blocks from my New Bern abode) — brought back delicious memories.
Then you inform us that “Smoke”, who began his fame at a nationally-operated riverside hotel, extended his expertise at noteworthy “The Flame” restaurant, is now offering his skill to “Captain Raty’s.” Explosive information that I just have to experience for myself on my next visit, even though some friends have, pre-Smoke.
From Broad Street to Tryon Palace, and a mention of the Hon. George H. White home, which I have been privileged to enter and meet the new owner when I lived there a couple of decades ago, all made me quite “homesick.” [Next time, visit the combined fresh fish shop and seafood restaurant, where you can pick your fish and have it served to you, just across the street from the North Carolina History Center.] But you covered so many of the New Bern treasures, that we natives have to offer “juicy, splendiferous seafood-aroma, delighted” commendations – the kind that make you “wanta make-up words” to describe it.
Thank you. This was a great article featuring the friends of New Bern diners. I enjoyed hearing from “Chef Smoke” about The Flame, his catering business, and his new venture as partner and consulting chef for “Captain Ratty’s”. And the Sampsons!! Love that this family has opened their restaurant on Queen – Sampson & Son.
I’ll be there and share their stories.