Some of the best meals in North Carolina hide in places you would walk right past without a second look. Picture a small cottage-style building, a gravel yard with sails overhead, and the smell of warm crust drifting out the door.
You step inside expecting a quick slice and walk out already planning your next visit. That is exactly the kind of happy surprise waiting at this little coastal pizza stop.
A Small Pizza Place Just Off the Main Road
Tucked at 101 E Brown St, Dry Street Pub & Pizza sits just off the main street leading into Southport. Visitors often describe finding it while strolling the historic waterfront town, shopping bags in hand and stomachs starting to grumble.
From the outside, it looks modest. The building is small, the dining room is cozy, and nothing about it screams for attention.
That humble first impression is part of the fun, because the food inside tends to leave a much bigger mark than the building suggests.
The menu covers pizzas, sandwiches, subs, and salads, so it works for a fast lunch or a relaxed early dinner. Families, couples on day trips, and longtime regulars all end up here for different reasons.
Some folks even arrive on a tip from locals around town, including a thrift store volunteer who pointed one hungry visitor straight to its door.
Local Art and a Quaint Cafe Feel
Walls covered in paintings by local artists give the dining room its personality. Instead of generic decor, you get pieces that feel rooted in the coastal community, which makes the space feel more like a neighbor’s cafe than a chain restaurant.
Guests regularly call the room quaint, and that word fits. Tables sit close together, the lighting is warm, and the whole setup has an easygoing, unhurried charm.
One guest noted that it can get a little toasty inside on warm days, so dress lightly in the summer months.
Small spaces come with a tradeoff. When the lunch crowd rolls in, seats fill quickly and a short wait is possible.
Still, many visitors say the snug setting is part of what makes the meal memorable. It feels personal, a little quirky, and very Southport, the kind of room where you linger over the last slice without anyone rushing you.
Sail Shades, Side Porches, and Gravel Yard Seating
Step outside and the restaurant roughly doubles in size. A gravel eating area spreads across the yard, with seating on both sides of the walkway and large sails stretched overhead for shade.
Outdoor seating comes up again and again when guests talk about this spot. One family arrived a few minutes before opening and was waved onto an enclosed, air-conditioned side porch built just for customers.
On a rainy weekend, another group found tents set up with dry chairs, which made their short wait painless.
Sunny days are when the yard really shines. Even on a chilly snow day, one couple asked for a sunny table and the staff happily set them up outside.
Whether you want breeze, shade, or climate control, there is usually a corner that fits your mood. Bring sunglasses for spring and fall afternoons, when coastal North Carolina weather is at its sweetest.
The Famous Crab Dip
Ask around and one appetizer rises above the rest. The crab dip is the most talked-about item on the menu, and guests do not hold back their excitement about it.
One visitor practically begged readers to order it, and plenty of others agree.
It arrives piping hot, rich, and creamy, perfect for sharing while you wait on your pizza. A couple visiting with their dog on a snow day said it hit the spot, and even a guest who had a slow service night still called the dip fantastic.
Crab has deep roots along the Carolina coast, so finding a standout version in a waterfront town like Southport feels fitting. Think of it as a warm welcome to the table.
Order one for the group, then maybe a second, because dips this popular have a way of disappearing fast once the spoons start moving.
Tomato Bread That Steals the Show
Out of this world. That is how one weekend visitor described the tomato bread, and it is far from the only glowing mention.
This starter has built its own little fan club among guests who come back specifically for it.
It makes a smart pick if you want something lighter than the crab dip but still packed with flavor. Tomato and toasted bread is a simple pairing, yet here it earns a spot as one of the most recommended items on the table.
A repeat visitor who stopped by twice in one week called it fantastic both times.
Families like it because kids can grab a piece while waiting for their personal pizzas. Couples like it because it is easy to split.
And first-timers like it because it gives a tasty preview of what the kitchen can do. Order it early, since good bread sets the tone for the entire meal.
Thin, Seasoned Crusts and Specialty Pies
Crispy, thin, and seasoned just right, the crust here gets a lot of love. Guests describe a perfect thinner base that holds sauce and toppings without getting soggy, and both the red and white sauces earn equal praise.
Specialty pies are where things get creative. The Spinach Salad Pizza is a crowd favorite, while one visitor called a pesto, olive oil, tomato, and mozzarella pie one of the best pizzas of their life.
Others rave about sausage and mushroom, garlic spinach combos, and the Joshy pizza.
Here is a fun insider tip: regulars mention a Blue Cow pizza that shows up as a secret menu item and is not always listed. Ask your server if it is available.
Personal pan sizes make it easy for everyone in the family to get their own favorite, which means fewer debates over toppings and more time enjoying every bite.
A Gluten-Free Crust People Travel For
Finding truly good gluten-free pizza can feel like hunting for buried treasure. For many visitors, this little Southport kitchen is where the search ends.
A family vacationing on nearby Oak Island researched gluten-free options and chose this spot based on its reputation. Both the mom and her five-year-old daughter eat gluten-free, and they called it the best they had ever tasted.
Another guest whose wife has celiac said it beat every cauliflower crust he had tried.
Even people who do not need it are impressed. One diner picked up a gluten-free pie for a child with celiac, sneaked a slice, and was surprised by how delicious it was.
Gluten-free subs also get plenty of mentions, so the options stretch beyond pizza. For families managing food needs on a beach trip, having a place where everyone can eat happily together makes a real difference.
Subs, Wraps, and Salads Built for Big Appetites
Not in a pizza mood? No problem.
The menu is big enough that one guest said there is something for everyone, and the sandwiches and salads hold their own.
Bread gets special attention. A visitor who ordered the roast beef and cheese described fresh toasted bread, juicy beef, gooey mozzarella, and a zingy dijonnaise, served with greens, tomatoes, and crisp chips.
She was already dreaming about the meatball sub for next time, another item regulars mention fondly.
Salads come in generous portions. The Greek salad is piled high with olives, feta, red onions, and tomato, and one diner said it could easily feed two.
Shrimp salad, a shrimp sub, blackened shrimp, a chicken wrap, and a Caesar salad round out the lineup. Save room if you can, since homemade desserts like blackberry cobbler with fresh whipped cream sometimes make an appearance.
Friendly Faces and Four-Legged Guests
Picture your pup getting a bandanna with lunch. That is exactly what happened when one couple brought their dog on a day trip, and they happily gave the experience five paws.
Dogs are welcome in the roomy outdoor area, and guests often mention petting pups at nearby tables. Longtime fans say they love relaxing on the gravel patio with their dogs on nice days.
The warmth extends to people too. One regular described it as a place where locals get greeted with hugs, and servers by name earn shout-outs for being attentive and kind.
Service can slow down on busy days, and a few guests noted wait times, especially after an ownership change. Still, most visitors describe a staff that is friendly and eager to help.
Kids, couples, and dog lovers all seem to feel right at home in this laid-back, neighborly atmosphere.
Hours, Timing, and Planning Your Stop
Good news for early eaters: doors open at 11 am Monday through Saturday and close at 8 pm. Sunday is a day off, so plan your beach weekend accordingly.
Timing matters because the space is small. Arriving right at opening, as several guests did, often means walking straight to a table.
Busy days like Mondays in season can bring longer waits for food, while quieter afternoons move faster. If you are hungry after exploring the waterfront with little ones, a lunch visit is usually a smart move.
Takeout is also an option, and one guest who tried both said dining in was even better. To call ahead, dial 910-457-5994, or check drystreetpizza.com for the latest menu.
Personal pizzas and shareable starters help keep a family meal affordable, making it an easy add-on to a budget-friendly day trip to Southport.
Why It Belongs on Your Southport Day Trip
Small places sometimes leave the biggest impressions. Plenty of guests arrived on a whim, expecting nothing special, and walked away calling it a little gem.
What makes it work is the mix. You get thin, flavorful pizzas, a crab dip people rave about, gluten-free crust that wins over skeptics, and sandwiches on bread worth daydreaming about.
Add shaded outdoor seating, dog-friendly tables, and local art, and the whole visit feels relaxed and welcoming.
It is not flawless. Service can lag on crowded days, and the dining room runs cozy.
Yet the flavor keeps longtime fans coming back year after year. If you are wandering Southport this spring, summer, or fall, save an hour for a table here.
Grab a personal pie, share the tomato bread, and let a simple lunch turn into one of the best memories of your coastal North Carolina getaway.
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