Whiskey, Wine & Wonderful Eats

Adventure awaits, as you make your way to North Carolina's central coast and Onslow's Great Outdoors.  Travel through the rural and picturesque coastal plains region along the Whiskey, Wine & Wonderul Eats Trail all the way through Onslow County and to the beach while you discover the charming and unique small towns that are home to many hidden treasures and undiscovered attractions that will surprise and delight you and your travel buddies!  There's enough things to do to add a day or two onto your beach getaway, or make a day trip of your own and pick one or two stops along the way.  Just take the exit 373 off of I-40 headed towards Jacksonville and you'll find yourself adventuring off the beaten track to savor some local favorite dining spots, taste some great NC wines, visit a distillery and sample the moonshine, and also enjoy the historic waterfront town of Swansboro!

For more than 50 years, The Country Squire Restaurant & Vintage Inn has been a landmark dining spot and country inn on N.C. Highway 50 (Bus. NC 24), between Kenansville and Warsaw. In keeping with this tradition of excellence, The Country Squire has its own working winery in the 18th Century portion of the restaurant. The Country Squire Winery’s Tartan Tasting Room & Gift Shop is a wonderful addition to The Country Squire Restaurant, open to visitors from Tuesday to Saturday.

Map Location:  748 NC 50, Kenansville
Website:  countrysquirewinery.com

As the oldest and largest winery in the south, Duplin Winery has been producing award winning wines for over three generations.  Enjoy free daily tours of the production facility along with their newly remodeled tasting bar, a gift shop, gourmet foods that make perfect pairings and fun at the Bistro Restaurant located onsite in Rose Hill.

Map Location:  505 North Sycamore Street, Rose Hill
Website:  duplinwinery.com

The Mad Boar provides an upscale yet casual place for lunch and dinner. The atmosphere is relaxed and quiet. We excel in the preparation and serving of regional American cuisine as well as the fresh seafood selections from the nearby Carolina Coast. The famously popular Mad Boar’s salad bar is always filled with the most tempting selections.

Map Location:  111 River Village Place, Wallace
Website:  madboar.com

Located in rural eastern North Carolina, with easy access to Interstate 40 and NC Hwy. 24. There’s nothing like finding that old tobacco cart that reminds you of grandpa’s barn, or that metal toy tractor just like the one you had as a kid, or falling in love with a turn of the century piece made from tiger oak wood, or glass that glows green under black-light. If you love a little bit of everything, this is the place to shop!  Over 5,000 square feet of inventory. Browse through a diverse and unique collection of antiques, vintage, mid-century and modern pieces, with a great selection of glassware, toys, tools, art and vintage signs. Be sure to stop by to see their large collection of duck decoys, most of them made by NC carvers. They specialize in the unique, so there are plenty of rare pieces to be found!  The inventory changes weekly, so be sure to visit often, you’ll never know what you’ll see next!

Huffman Vineyards is a local vineyard making award-winning wines that are handcrafted in small batches. Wine lovers enjoy relaxing at the tasting bar and sampling Huffman’s muscadine, viniferous and fruit wines ranging from sweet to dry. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres are served with wine on Friday and Saturday evenings.  The winery has gift shop for visitors to find that something special, as well as an outdoor patio which is very nice seasonally.

Map Location:  221 Haw Branch Road, Richlands
Website:  huffmanvineyards.com

Walton’s Distillery is a craft distillery manufacturing corn whiskey and moonshine in a variety of delicious flavors - like apple, salted caramel, pine shine colada and peach. Explore the facility and enjoy a free tour, tastings and hear how this family tradition has become the top distillery in Southeast North Carolina.  Check their website for dates to their Open Houses (aka “Distillery Sessions”) held in the seasonable months of the year that include live blue grass music, food, tastings and a really good time.

Map Location:  261 Ben Williams Road, Jacksonville
Website:  waltonsdistillery.com

Mike’s Farm, is a locally renowned rural farming, dining, shopping, and family-friendly attraction. Visitors enjoy events and agri-tours all year round.  If you are hungry for a true southern homestyle dinner and an amazing bakery, this is the place.  In late 2019, they opened the "NC Product Barn," home to the largest variety of products that are all produced, manufactured and crafted right here in the Tarheel State. From the Mountains, Piedmont, and the Coastal Plains, they hope to have all 100 North Carolina counties represented.  You will be as surprised at what you can find that is actually made in NC...from suspenders, pottery and mismatched socks to specialty coffee, handcrafted foods and unique wines there truly will be something for everyone!

Map Location:  1600 Haw Branch Rd, Beulaville
Website:  mikesfarm.com

Serving hungry visitors and residents in Sneads Ferry for over 50 years, the Riverview Cafe claims to be one of the oldest restaurants in Onslow County. Stop in and check out the recent renovations and enjoy some home-cooked food!  Menu highlights include everything from steak to local seafood like fried shrimp and steamed oysters.

Map Location:  119 Hall Point Road, Sneads Ferry

Located just 2 miles from the Bear Island Ferry terminal at Hammocks Beach State Park and convenient to Historic Downtown Swansboro.  All rooms include free WiFi and custom-designed beds, plus both full and lap desks (for working on the bed), flat-screen TVs with HD channels, minifridges, microwaves and coffeemakers. The suites offer kitchenettes and sofabeds.  Free parking, hot breakfast or weekday breakfast bags to go are offered, as well as an exercise room and an outdoor pool.  Additional amenities include 2 meeting rooms and a 24/7 business center.

Map Location:  215 Old Hammock Rd, Swansboro
Hotel Availability and Rates

Welcome aboard the 40' US Coast Guard inspected vessel, Lady Swan. The Lady Swan departs on cruises throughout the season to view the natural surroundings and explore the unspoiled beauty of the areas of Swansboro, Hammocks Beach, and Jones Island. This 40' vessel is handicap accessible, and the full shade top, padded seats and onboard restroom will insure comfort during your cruise.  Their newest addition is the Carolina Swan, a 27 ft, 20 passenger, USCG inspected Carolina Skiff that offers visitors to our beautiful Crystal Coast a unique adventure opportunity.  As a shallow draft vessel, Carolina Swan can take you to remote places that other boats can't go. Padded seats offer visitor extra comfort along the way! Departing throughout the day, Carolina Swan will transport you from the mainland to one of several beach locations where you will enjoy shelling, beach combing, hunting for sharks teeth, bird watching, or even private trips!

Map Location:  139 Front Street, Swansboro
Website:  ladyswantours.com

Known for their award-winning clam chowder, the Swansboro Food & Beverage Company serves up tempting Southern cuisine with a distinctive coastal flair. Foodies especially rave about these two Southern classics; the Poppin’ Pimento Cheese (homemade, of course) and the Shrimp & Grits, the classic Southern dish served here Swansboro Food & Beverage Company’s extra cheesy Pimento Cheese grits. Seafood, steaks, and salads round out the popular menu. Located in historic downtown Swansboro, the Swansboro Food & Beverage is open for lunch and dinner daily.

Map Location:  106 N. Front Street, Swansboro
Website:  swansborofoodandbeverage.com

In addition to being the vortex for some amazing water recreation, outdoor adventure and family fun, Historic Downtown Swansboro is renowned for its over forty unique shops, boutiques and restaurants.  Visit the Town of Swansboro Page on our site for a host of information on things to do along with places to eat and shop!

Map Location:  Downtown Swansboro

Bogue Sound Distillery offers premium quality, gluten-free vodka, white whiskey, single malt whiskey, and Gin.  Born from a passion for quality liquors, a love of local stillin’ lore, and a rich family history, Bogue Sound Distiller houses a museum showing how stills and spirits were made in the late 1700s and early 1800s.  On display is a restored 1923 Ford Model-T pickup, complete with whiskey barrels, a working grist mill from the 1900’s and local family history are part of the family story.

This traditional, family-friendly barbeque and seafood restaurant aims to please even the pickiest eaters with a wide variety of Southern offerings. Pork barbeque and ribs are served up in their own special Southern-style, complete with their popular hush puppies. If you’re hungry, try a combination platter. Or slide on up to the oyster bar and stuff yourself with as many salty oysters as you can stand!  Either way, you’ll go home happy!  Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day except Sunday. Group seating is available.

Map Location:  129 Phillips Loop Road, Swansboro
Facebook Page:  @jordanssmokehouse