Circa 81

David Heath

3 years ago

What a great place!! The tapas menu is varied and the food is superb! This was my second time and it is awesome! I’m used to places like this in bigger cities. I didn’t expect it in MHC. Circa 81 is a quaint and charming restaurant. The staff was pleasant and helpful. The service was excellent. The food was top notch - the brussel sprouts are amazing! Only order the half Chef’s Tour! An army couldn’t finish the full. We shared several plates! Definitely the way to do it. Stay away from the “large plates”. No need to dabble there! Stick with the specialty - stick with the small plates - and share around. You can place order after order and they keep coming - reasonably priced around $10 per plate. I promise you’ll love it. They have the food for everyone - from meat lover to vegan! Come give it a try - you won’t be disappointed, I promise!!

brooke hathaway

year ago

Call ahead during season or if you want an outside table. There are only a few tables on the front porch but are dog friendly. Cozy bar inside. The wait staff is super friendly and professional. We had the Brussel sprouts, mussels and pork belly and they were all on point! Highly recommend!

Carrilee Spence

5 months ago

Highly recommend Circa 81! Robbin and I love it and had the pleasure of introducing two new people for an outstanding dinner. Food, service and atmosphere all exceeded expectations! Visiting again with consistent excellence!

Ashley D.

10 months ago

Tried Circa 81 for the first time tonight and we loved it. The staff were all welcoming and attentive, the food was fantastic (the brussels, omg) and the drinks were delicious. We have a new “must-visit” next time we’re in town.

Paul Giralt

2 years ago

Stopped here for lunch and I can't wait to come back for dinner service. The food and service were both excellent. I like how they have a nice lunch menu and the prices great considering the quality. On my visit I had the daily special which was a crab cake BLT. Both the sandwich and the side of potato salad were excellent. My son had a steak sandwich with sweet potato fries which was also great. Can't wait to come back for some tapas!

Lindsey W

11 months ago

I rarely write reviews, but this restaurant was top notch. The staff, atmosphere, and food were superb. My husband ordered the fried shrimp plate and raved about the coating on the shrimp and the homemade cocktail sauce. I ordered the Parmesan encrusted mahi mahi and found it to be cooked to perfection with powerful flavors throughout. Thank you so much for helping my husband and myself celebrate our anniversary. You all were amazing! Special shout-out to Q for providing us with our dessert to end the most incredible meal.

edmee martinez

year ago

I had the crabcake and it was delicious. I do wish that it could have been two instead of one but it was really good. The sauce it came with definitely compliments it well. My co worker enjoyed the pork belly. The environment was very nice and quiet.

Corin Bartusek

4 months ago

This is a must stop! Everything I’ve ever ordered from here was so delicious. The menu has a really great range of different options so you’ll always be able to find something for everyone to enjoy. The cocktails are also have a great ratio of liquor to whatever additives included. You will be spending some money here though! (Worth it)

keri hill

month ago

We were so grateful to Circa 81 for hosting my Mom’s Celebration of Life. From start to finish, everything was absolutely wonderful. The venue itself is beautiful, warm, and welcoming. The perfect place to gather with family and friends to honor someone so special to us. Communication leading up to the event was excellent as well. The staff were responsive, organized, and so easy to work with, which brought us a great deal of comfort and peace of mind during a very emotional time. Everyone at Circa 81 was incredibly kind, patient, and compassionate throughout the entire process. Their care and support meant more than we can say, and they handled every detail with thoughtfulness and professionalism. The food was amazing, and so many of our guests commented on how delicious everything was. Most importantly, we truly believe Mom would have been so pleased with how lovely everything was. We couldn’t have asked for a better place to celebrate her life and memory. Thank you, Circa 81, for helping make such a difficult day feel beautiful and meaningful.

Kiara Ruth

5 months ago

Circa 81 quickly became one of my most memorable meals along North Carolina’s Crystal Coast: a restaurant that understands both timing and tone. We arrived with a reservation (always a wise move), though we were seated immediately, greeted by a gracious host who set our lunch off on the right note. Once settled, we were welcomed by Philip, whose ease and genuine enthusiasm made the experience feel less transactional and more personal. He spoke about the menu with confidence and curiosity, the mark of someone who truly enjoys being there. Drinks came first: my husband ordered a Painkiller easily one of the best we had during our time on the coast while our son stuck with a classic Coke, and I opted for water. As we ordered, it became clear we were leaning fully into the small plates philosophy. When Philip smiled and dubbed us “tapas aficionados,” it felt like an acknowledgment rather than a joke and in that moment, we felt perfectly at home. The table filled quickly. Spanish lamb meatballs arrived first, glazed with sriracha and paired with whipped feta and cilantro bold, balanced, and deeply satisfying. Pork pot stickers followed, tender and flavorful, with a soy-ginger dipping sauce and sweet Thai chili providing just the right contrast. The Gambas al Ajillo shrimp bathed in extra-virgin olive oil and garlic, served with crostini, was classic and comforting. But the standout was the Potatoes Bravas: sliced potatoes grilled to a crisp and finished with a spicy brava aioli. They were addictive in the best way, the kind of dish you keep thinking about long after the table is cleared. Circa 81 is polished yet relaxed, clean, and thoughtfully maintained, a place where the food arrives hot, the service feels human, and the atmosphere invites you to linger. It’s a restaurant I would happily return to, and one that earned its place among my favorites on the Crystal Coast.