Your next unforgettable night out is waiting at Morgan’s Tavern & Grill!
Step inside this historic New Bern spot, and you’re instantly greeted by the rich scent of sizzling steaks and fresh seafood. Every dish promises bold flavor and careful craftsmanship that makes ordinary dinners feel like celebrations.
Sink your teeth into a perfectly seared ribeye, or savor scallops so tender they melt on your tongue. Each plate is paired with sides and sauces that elevate the experience, while the full bar tempts you with cocktails and local brews.
Warm lighting, exposed brick, and lively chatter create an atmosphere that’s cozy, inviting, and undeniably special. Morgan’s doesn’t just serve meals—it serves nights you’ll want to relive.
Historic Downtown Setting
Walking into Morgan’s Tavern & Grill feels like stepping back into a piece of New Bern’s living history. Situated on Craven Street in the heart of Old Town, the building wraps you in exposed brick walls, sturdy wooden beams, and warm lighting that instantly sets the mood for a memorable evening.
The decor strikes a balance between rustic charm and refined comfort, making it feel special without feeling stuffy. Whether you’re on a first date or celebrating a big anniversary, the setting does half the work for you.
It’s the kind of place where the atmosphere alone makes the night feel significant.
New Bern itself is one of North Carolina’s oldest cities, rich with colonial history and architectural beauty. Being surrounded by that legacy while enjoying a fantastic meal adds a layer of experience you simply can’t get at a chain restaurant.
Morgan’s doesn’t just serve food — it offers a genuine sense of place that makes every visit feel like a small adventure worth remembering.
Signature Steak Selections
Few things in life compare to cutting into a perfectly cooked steak, and Morgan’s Tavern & Grill knows exactly how to deliver that moment. The steak menu reads like a classic American steakhouse dream, featuring juicy ribeyes, tender filets, and other quality cuts prepared with real care and attention to detail.
Each steak is cooked to your preferred doneness, seasoned thoughtfully, and plated in a way that signals the kitchen takes pride in its craft. The quality of the ingredients is evident from the first bite — these aren’t frozen cuts thawed out of a bag.
Morgan’s sources with intention, and the result lands on your plate with confidence.
For first-timers, the ribeye is a crowd favorite thanks to its rich marbling and bold flavor. The filet, on the other hand, is the go-to choice for those who prefer a leaner, buttery cut that practically melts on the tongue.
Pairing either with one of the restaurant’s sides — think creamy mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables — rounds out a steakhouse experience that rivals any big-city option, right here in coastal North Carolina.
Fresh Seafood Favorites
North Carolina’s coastline is legendary for its seafood, and Morgan’s Tavern & Grill puts that coastal bounty front and center on its menu. Grilled shrimp, plump scallops, golden-brown crab cakes, and rotating seasonal catches give seafood lovers plenty of reasons to celebrate.
What sets Morgan’s seafood apart is freshness. There’s a noticeable difference between seafood that’s been frozen and shipped from far away versus ingredients that reflect the region’s natural abundance.
The coastal proximity means flavors stay bright, clean, and true — exactly what you want when you’re treating yourself to something special.
The crab cakes deserve a special shoutout. Packed with real crab meat and lightly seasoned, they strike that ideal balance between crispy on the outside and tender within.
Whether you order them as a starter or make them your main event, they rarely disappoint. Seafood dishes at Morgan’s feel like a love letter to the Carolina coast — unpretentious, generous, and deeply satisfying.
If you’ve never paired a coastal North Carolina dinner with a lovely waterfront-adjacent atmosphere, this is absolutely the place to start that tradition.
Creative Menu Variety
Not everyone at the table wants a steak, and Morgan’s Tavern & Grill clearly understands that reality. Beyond its flagship steaks and seafood, the menu branches out into creative territory that keeps every guest happy — from picky eaters to adventurous foodies.
Blackened shrimp and scallops bring a bold, spiced twist that fans of Southern cooking will immediately appreciate. The starters menu is equally inventive, offering options that feel thoughtful rather than generic.
Crispy, flavorful, and generously portioned, the appetizers at Morgan’s are worth arriving early to explore before the main event.
Salads and lighter fare round out the menu for those who prefer something less heavy, and comfort classics remind you that this is still a welcoming neighborhood tavern at heart. The variety means you can return multiple times without feeling like you’re repeating yourself.
Groups with mixed preferences — say, one person who loves seafood and another who craves comfort food — will find that Morgan’s handles the diversity gracefully. Nobody gets left out, and that kind of inclusive menu design is genuinely one of the restaurant’s quiet strengths that keeps tables full night after night.
Cozy Yet Energetic Atmosphere
Morgan’s Tavern & Grill has a personality all its own. On any given evening, you’ll find the room buzzing with laughter, conversation, and the satisfying clatter of a busy kitchen operating at full speed.
Yet somehow, it never feels overwhelming — the layout and lighting keep things feeling intimate even when the place is packed.
That balance between casual and upscale is surprisingly hard to get right. Too casual and the evening loses its sense of occasion; too formal and people feel uncomfortable.
Morgan’s lands in that sweet spot where you can wear a nice outfit or come as you are, and both feel completely appropriate.
For couples planning a date night, the atmosphere does a lot of the heavy lifting. Warm lighting, attentive service, and a menu worth lingering over create conditions where good conversations happen naturally.
For groups celebrating milestones — birthdays, promotions, graduations — the energy of the room adds to the festivity without feeling forced. The tavern genuinely feels alive, and that vitality is contagious.
You’ll likely leave feeling better than when you arrived, which is the true mark of a restaurant that understands hospitality from the inside out.
Full Bar & Drink Pairings
A great meal deserves a great drink, and Morgan’s Tavern & Grill delivers on that front with a well-stocked full bar that complements the food menu beautifully. Craft cocktails, locally brewed beers, and a curated wine selection give diners plenty of options to enhance their experience from the first sip to the last.
Pairing drinks with food is an art, and the staff at Morgan’s are knowledgeable enough to guide you toward combinations that actually work. A bold red wine alongside a ribeye, a crisp white with pan-seared scallops, or a refreshing craft cocktail to kick off the evening — each pairing feels considered rather than accidental.
For those who enjoy local flavor in their glass as much as on their plate, the selection of North Carolina craft beers adds a regional touch that ties the whole experience together. Non-drinkers aren’t forgotten either — mocktail options and quality non-alcoholic beverages ensure everyone at the table feels included.
The bar at Morgan’s isn’t just functional; it’s genuinely part of what makes a night here feel complete. Raising a well-crafted glass in a historic downtown setting is a small pleasure that adds up to a big memory.
Reservations & Service Details
Planning a special night out is much easier when the restaurant makes it simple to secure your spot in advance. Morgan’s Tavern & Grill accepts reservations, which is genuinely good news for anyone who has ever shown up to a popular restaurant on a Friday night only to face a long, unpredictable wait.
Making a reservation here isn’t just a convenience — it’s a strategy. Weekend evenings, especially around local events in New Bern, can fill up quickly.
Calling ahead or booking online gives you the peace of mind to focus on the occasion itself rather than stressing about table availability.
Once you’re seated, the table service at Morgan’s lives up to the overall quality of the experience. Servers are attentive without hovering, knowledgeable about the menu without being rehearsed, and genuinely friendly in a way that feels authentic rather than scripted.
For group dinners, the staff handles larger tables with ease, making sure everyone gets what they need without the chaos that sometimes accompanies big parties. Good service might seem like a given, but when it’s done well — the way Morgan’s does it — it quietly elevates the entire evening in ways you notice without always being able to name.
Accessibility & Amenities
Good food should be accessible to everyone, and Morgan’s Tavern & Grill takes that idea seriously. The restaurant features wheelchair-accessible seating and parking, ensuring that guests with mobility needs can enjoy the full experience without unnecessary barriers or complications.
Outdoor seating adds another dimension to the dining options. On pleasant Carolina evenings — and there are many — grabbing a table outside gives you fresh air, a taste of downtown New Bern’s charming streetscape, and a slightly different vibe from the cozy interior.
Both settings have their own appeal, and regulars often have a strong opinion about which they prefer.
The staff’s friendliness extends beyond just taking orders. From the moment guests arrive, the atmosphere communicates that everyone is welcome here, regardless of age, occasion, or group size.
Families with young children, older couples celebrating decades together, and groups of friends marking a milestone all find their place at Morgan’s without feeling out of step. That kind of broad, genuine hospitality is harder to manufacture than a good sauce recipe.
It comes from a restaurant culture that values people first — and at Morgan’s, that priority shows up in every small detail of how the place is run.
Hours & Best Times to Visit
Timing your visit to Morgan’s Tavern & Grill can make a real difference in the quality of your experience. The restaurant operates Wednesday through Saturday, typically opening in the late morning and serving guests through dinner until around 9 or 10 PM.
Closed on Sundays and Mondays, so keep that in mind when making plans.
Weekend dinner reservations are the sweet spot for a truly special evening. The restaurant hums with energy on Friday and Saturday nights, creating that lively-yet-intimate atmosphere that makes date nights feel cinematic.
If you prefer a quieter, more relaxed pace, a Wednesday or Thursday dinner gives you a bit more breathing room without sacrificing any of the food quality.
New Bern hosts various local events throughout the year — festivals, waterfront gatherings, and community celebrations — and Morgan’s tends to fill up fast on those nights. Checking the local events calendar before you book your reservation is a smart move.
Arriving a few minutes early also gives you time to settle in, look over the menu without rushing, and maybe enjoy a cocktail at the bar before your table is ready. A little planning goes a long way toward making the evening truly memorable.
Essential Contact & Location Info
Finding Morgan’s Tavern & Grill is straightforward once you know where to look. The restaurant sits at 235 Craven Street, New Bern, NC 28560 — right in the heart of the historic downtown district, making it easy to incorporate into an evening that includes a stroll through one of North Carolina’s most picturesque small cities.
Reaching the team by phone is simple: just dial (252) 636-2430. Whether you’re calling to make a reservation, ask about the current menu, or confirm holiday hours, the staff is responsive and helpful.
For those who prefer planning digitally, the restaurant’s website provides menus, hours, and contact information so you can map out your evening before you even leave the house.
Knowing these details ahead of time removes any last-minute guesswork and lets you focus on what actually matters — enjoying the company of the people you’re with and the incredible food in front of you. Morgan’s Tavern & Grill isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a destination worth planning around.
Whether you’re a New Bern local or a visitor passing through the Crystal Coast region, making time for a meal here is a decision you’re unlikely to regret. Mark it on your list and go soon.