It’s almost time… and everything is lining up for an incredible day this Saturday at Bites & Blues.
The weather is looking perfect — mid-70s and partly cloudy, ideal for strolling the waterfront with family and friends while enjoying great food, sips, and live music.
This year’s lineup brings together the very best of downtown Morehead City — featuring an incredible mix of local restaurants, chefs, and coastal flavors:
- Amos Mosquitos at Tidal Coworking – braised brisket & cheese ravioli with sauce espagnole
- Beaufort Olive Oil Company – strawberry salad with raspberry & basil vinaigrette
- Blue Ocean Market at Z&Z Designs – black sea bass ceviche
- Bogue Sound Distillery at Arendell Room – chappy chapman bourbon & vitzellen vodka lemon cocktail
- Carteret Catch at the NC Seafood Festival Office – smoked fish dip & bang bang shrimp dip
- Catch 109 – reuben reimagined with short rib marmalade on rye toast points
- Dank Burrito & Circa 81 at Beaufort Olive Oil - local shrimp served over creamy grits
- Jack’s on the Waterfront – pulled pork with creamy mac & cheese
- King Mackerels – coconut shrimp with pineapple chili sauce
- Longleaf Provisions – sampling of a crisp, hemp-derived infused seltzer
- Marker 3 – tempura battered shrimp with bang bang sauce
- Peerless Oysters at Seapaws – mimosa oysters on the half shell
- Promise Land Market – shrimp & lobster mousseline on ritz
- Red Fish Grill – seafood enchiladas with salsa verde & cumin sour cream
- Red Oar / Yellowfin – lump crabcake & avocado panino with roasted poblano
- Reed’s Coffee / The Porch – spiced rum bread pudding
- Rock the Dock – fruit-flavored gelatin shot infused with spirits
- Seashore Oyster Company at Tightlines Pub – local oysters on the half shell with mignonette
- Southern Salt Seafood – fresh local grouper & shrimp bites
- Sunset Slush – refreshing frozen fruit slush
- Tower 7 – flavorful Cabo shrimp roll
Live music! Featuring Patrick Bliss, Nathan Sheppard, and Kelsey Hurley, plus a lively piano bar experience with Tattoo Slover and Jeremy Oren, all set against the backdrop of the waterfront.
Here’s a quick look at what to expect:
- 1:00 PM – 2026 Commemorative NC Seafood Poster Reveal at Jack’s 3rd Floor
- 2:00–5:30 PM – Stroll the waterfront enjoying curated bites & sips
- 5:30 PM – Voting closes for Bite of the Nite
- 6:00 PM – Bite of the Nite winner announced at Promise Land Market
40th Anniversary Poster Special. Stop by the NCSF Office and take home a piece of festival history. The 2026 Poster will be available along with a number of the posters from the past 40 years perfect for collectors and longtime supporters. For Bites and Bues participants buy one poster and receive a second poster for half off.
This event is about more than just great food… It’s about supporting downtown Morehead City businesses and celebrating everything that makes our coastal community special.
Grab your friends for a true celebration of coastal Carolina.