Rusty Hooks
When Fresh & Local Matters, You'll Be Hooked!
The Capps Family, led by James and Cindy, opened Rusty Hooks Dockside Grill in April of 2019 with their hearts set on fun waterfront dining, exceptional views, outstanding service, and a menu featuring fresh seafood, local catches, and traditional Maryland crab recipes. Located directly on the water, Rusty Hooks delivers true dockside dining with unbeatable coastal vibes.
Our guests' favorite entrées include fresh-catch preparations, jumbo-lump crab cakes (often called the best crab cakes around), jerked chicken, fried North Carolina shrimp, fish-n-chips, and specialty salads. We also offer great handheld options like our award-winning Cheeseburger in Paradise, Bahamian-style coconut-fried mahi burger, and fan-favorite blackened fish tacos.
Start your meal with our famous cream-of-crab soup or shareable appetizers like Rusty's Crab Dip, Dockside Seafood Fritters, Steamed Peel & Eat Shrimp, and be sure to ask your server about our Castaways. Everything pairs perfectly with the relaxed atmosphere of our waterfront restaurant.
Our extensive gluten-free menu features true Maryland-style crab cakes, fresh-catch preparations, and substitution options on many house favorites. All dishes are prepared fresh daily while you unwind and soak in stunning Intracoastal Waterway views and breathtaking sunsets from our dining rooms and the biggest deck around — where the Big Deck Energy is always strong.
Rusty Hooks is also a favorite live music venue, featuring bands every weekend at The Sunset Tiki Bar from Easter through Halloween. Enjoy talented local and out-of-town musicians while dining dockside with friends and family.
Join us to cheer on your favorite college or professional team — we've got the game on! Ask our bartender about joining Rusty's Mug Club or the Unwind Wine Club during your visit.
As an Untappd venue, Rusty Hooks offers two full-service cocktail bars with daily drink specials, a great wine selection, and the coldest draft beer in town — featuring 23 beers on tap, including rotating local IPAs and craft brews, plus our house-made Lighthouse Lemonade.
Conveniently located in Southport and welcoming guests from Oak Island, Wilmington, St. James, Bolivia, and Boiling Springs, we look forward to serving you dockside at Rusty Hooks Dockside Grill — where fresh seafood, live music, and waterfront vibes come together.