New American Restaurants in New Bern, NC

“My Fiancé and I had dinner here celebrating our 10th anniversary this past thursday. We showed up slightly early for our reservation, they took us immediately. Sat us in a private intimate booth towards the back of the dining room. We ordered a bottle of wine (Freakshow). presented perfectly by our server Anna. (hopefully i spelled it correctly) who was amazing! She described the daily features gracefully and gave us time to look over the menu. We ordered the shrimp and grits appetizer. The grits were amazing... local, water ground, silky and seasoned perfectly. The shrimp were cooked proper and super hot. and the brown butter bbq was unlike any traditional bbq..so much better. The Chef came out to meet with us and recommended the Wahoo Oscar feature. Which we ended up ordering along with the 14oz Ribeye. The Wahoo was fresh as could be and cooked perfectly. Tasted like the ocean. Topped with a generous portion of lobster, a beautiful satin bernaise and crispy tempura asparagus, served over wild rice. That dish SLAMMED. The ribeye was charred beautifully and cooked to a perfect medium rare. The mashed potatoes were perfectly seasoned and had a nice hint of sour cream. Management touched our table a few times and made us feel welcomed and well taken care of. Everything was perfect. Right down to the espresso creme brulee with chocolate covered espresso beans. Total experience was 11 out of 10. We can't wait to go back! Thank you for being awesome!“

“Absolutely delicious food and friendly servers! There were 6 for lunch. We had chicken & brussell sprouts, strawberry salad, 2 shrimp and fries, and two other entrees. All were delicious and huge servings!“

“Place is really nice but I did walk past it at first not knowing the area. I did make a reservation which is the way to go since parking is limited and so is seating. The food was good and the pizza reminded me of being back in New York. Definitely a place to checkout.“

“first time out since I moved to NC. went to watch home run derby and the bartender Karrie was super friendly and great atmosphere.. food was great. definitely will go back.“

“Was in town for work and just discovered this gem. If you are in town, you have to eat here. The ribeye was delicious! The service is absolutely phenomenal. Everyone is so pleasant and the manager, Randy, personally engages with everyone in a friendly and genuine way. It takes the dining experience up an extra notch. Highly recommend this locally owned restaurant!“

“Persimmons Waterfront Restaurant is a true gem! From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted with a warm welcome and breathtaking water views that set the perfect tone for an unforgettable dining experience. The creative drinks and cocktails are a highlight on their own — beautifully presented, balanced, and bursting with flavor. You can tell the bartenders take real pride in their craft. The food is top-notch — every dish is thoughtfully prepared, fresh, and full of local flavor. Whether it’s seafood, steak, or something seasonal, everything comes out perfectly cooked and plated like art. And the service? Exceptional. The staff is attentive without being intrusive, knowledgeable about the menu, and genuinely eager to make sure you have a wonderful time. Between the stunning waterfront setting, imaginative drinks, and exceptionally crafted dishes, Persimmons is easily one of the best dining experiences anywhere in New Bern. Highly recommend for a romantic dinner, celebration, or just treating yourself to something special!“