Live Oak Cafe
| Address: | 614 N Howe St, Southport, NC 28461, USA |
| Phone: | +1 910-454-4360 |
| Site: | liveoakcafenc.com |
| Rating: | 4.8 |
| Working: | Closed 5–9PM 5–9PM 5–9PM 5–9PM 5–9PM Closed |
Location
Photos 17
Reviews 21
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Charles Vanderford
My wife and I live in Wilmington and have heard of Live Oak Cafe for a number of years, so we decided to go for my birthday dinner. We ordered the Duck Crepe appetizer, my wife ordered the Burgundy Buffalo with risotto and asparagus, and I ordered the Ribeye with gorgonzola, horseradish and balsamic. To break it down by dish: The Duck Crepe was supposed to be served with blood orange according to its description, but it arrived with what was clearly canned mandarin oranges. The plate was presented nicely but the orange flavor overpowered everything else, its all we could taste. It was okay, but we expected the dish to be as described and it wasnt. The Burgundy Buffalo: First, way too much sauce. The plate was filled with so much of the sauce, everything else could be totally submerged beneath it. And when we first tasted it, it had a kind of rancid flavor - but we realized it was the wine we were tasting; it hadnt been cooked out of the sauce. It tasted like they poured wine directly into the sauce instead of built the sauce up from the wine. Once we recognized that, it became more enjoyable but was still off-putting. My wife enjoyed the risotto and the asparagus. The Ribeye: Ordered medium rare, arrived undercooked in some places. A small part of the steak near the center was practically raw, at the most blue-rare; the rest was closer to rare than med-rare, but I didnt mind this too much since I enjoy a rare steak just fine. The sides were a vegetable medley consisting of yellow squash, purple cabbage, broccoli, and carrot. There were also boiled potatoes. I would have preferred the veggies be cooked a little more - the squash particularly was hardly cooked at all. This restaurant has a great rating on Google, so we were kinda surprised that we kept finding things off about our food - the duck crepe especially, using canned mandarin oranges? That was a bummer. Overall the food was okay, nothing spectacular. I dont know if we came on a bad night or what, but I doubt we will re-visit. Also this was on a Saturday night and there were a lot of empty tables, so take that as you will...
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A Private User
My wifes family has been vacationing down here for 15 years and have never found a decent seafood restaurant. Just tourist trap fare. When we first discovered Live Oak they had closed for the night, but the woman was very gracious and apologetic so we came the next night...with my three boys (all under 6). They did not bat an eye, they dont have a kids menu, but brought them pasta made to order. They ate it up. The waitress was calling them all by their name after 10 minutes. The food was amazing. I got shrimp and crab pasta, I could not believe how much crab I got (the real thing, NOT "sealegs") My wife got sea bass (I think), and it had a wonderful flavor. To add to the experience their was a older local couple beside us who we started talking to us and the boys and were very friendly. We were very impressed with food and service. Well be back next year for sure.
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Jonathan Johnson
Ummm yes just yes. For a traveler this place is a gem. Atmosphere...locals and tourist in a small southern coastal town. Small hole in the wall...check.(thats a good thing) Started with Loco crab dip waitress recommended cali chili hot sauce with it ...done and done. Also, yes she has some Southern sass. " Im the worst thing in the restaurant. The hotter it gets the hotter (attitude) I get." Noticed something different than the norm in a southern coastal town. They were serving thin rice wraps. So, I upped the anti and went with the Lemongrass Curry chicken with Jasmine rice. Didnt look back. Loved it! Obviously doesnt look like you can go wrong here. Venture our here and venture on the menu. Youll have a great experience. Excellent food,drinks, and service.
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Steve Sherron
Wow is the first word that comes to mind. Absolutely awesome food. Our first trip and I ordered pecan crusted trout and it was the best Ive ever had. Check the photos, I uploaded a photo of the dish. This restaurant is located in a cozy renovated house. Best to call in a reservation. My wife ordered baked scallops au gratin and claimed it was the best she has ever eaten. We both had a mixed drink and they were not shy on the liquor. If you want a fabulous romantic dinner with your favorite person, I highly recommend. I would not recommend for small rambunctious children because you are dining in rooms and the tables are close to other diners.
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Robin Liles
My husband and I and four of our friends visited Live Oak Cafe last evening for dinner. The food was absolutely fabulous. Most of us had the Mediterranean Seafood Bake with chefs choice of seafood. We had the halibut. Delicious! The other orders (trout and eggplant appetizer) were just as wonderful. For dessert, we shared a Baileys Infused Creme Brulee. The best take away though was one of the houses after dinner drinks - a Lemon Cream Martini - made to diners taste. Danielle, you are a wonderful bartender! When we return, we hope to meet the chef!
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A Private User
On our last night at the coast we were looking for a special place to eat away from the normal "beach food" we had consumed all week. We found such a place at the Live Oak Cafe in Southport. It is a little bit of a drive from Myrtle Beach but worth every mile. We were very pleased with the ambiance, the service and especially the food. We highly recommend you check it out next time you are in the area.
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Michael Fotinatos
Food and service were great. We ordered a bottle of wine, and while it wasnt corked, it was pretty green -- the waitress read our expressions when we tasted it, so she tasted it too, and offered to give us a different bottle as a result. Always really nice when service goes above and beyond.
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Shaun Kneher
Food was great and the atmosphere is really cool. The half portion is very large. My wife and I ordered a salad, soup, crab dip, and a half of the seafood bake and we had way more food then we could eat.
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Mike Travis
The best restaurant in Southport! Highly recommend it for a nice night out, a fantastic and unique meal, and outstanding service. Chef Sean and the whole staff are fantastic.
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Clay Schoeffel
I have worked in DC restaurants for 25+ years...... Sean knows what he is doing. A great experience all around. Oak Island is lucky to have this spot.
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Terri Fisher
Absolutely divine from the cocktails, entree, to the dessert. It is deli cable. You cant go wrong with this choice of restaurant !
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Lisa Lunsford
Nothing will taste the same for several days! The Rainbow trout was so wonderful! My husband said the crab cakes were amazing.
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Gregory Macfarlane
Had a wonderful meal on the porch. Great atmosphere, creative and well prepared food. Definitely a favorite.
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Beth Wallace
Delicious meal and quaint atmosphere. The blue crab dip was my favorite. We will definitely go again.
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Dana Super
Excellent and Angel is amazing! See you at next visit from the north.
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Nicole Kubany
Great food and service, a little pricey. Only 1 high chair.
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AC Chapman
Delicious to say the least! Great date spot in Southport.
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Kim Cuny
Totally made my food allergies dreams come true!
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A Private User
Absolutely fabulous. A very special place.
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Sarah Starck
Cute, good food & good service!
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Catherine Beacham
Great food and service!
