Local’s Family Diner is a welcoming Southport favorite where classic American comfort food meets a warm Southern touch, creating the kind of dining experience that keeps guests coming back from breakfast through dinner.
Located at 832 N Howe St, this casual, cozy, and lively restaurant brings together the charm of a neighborhood diner with the quality and consistency people look for when choosing a reliable place to eat.
Whether you’re stopping in for an early morning coffee, a hearty brunch, a relaxed lunch, or a satisfying dinner, Local’s Family Diner offers a menu built around comfort, flavor, and familiar favorites that feel both satisfying and memorable.
What makes Local’s Family Diner especially appealing is the variety and convenience it brings to every visit. Guests can enjoy dine-in service, takeaway, delivery, or on-site services, making it easy to fit a great meal into any schedule.
The menu includes coffee, comfort food, healthy options, quick bites, and small plates, along with standout breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert offerings. Known for great coffee and local specialties, the diner is also a strong choice for solo diners, counter-service meals, and table service alike.
With a bar on site, restroom access, and the option to accept reservations, it is designed to be comfortable, practical, and ready to serve a wide range of needs with ease.
Accessibility and guest care are also central to the experience at Local’s Family Diner. The restaurant provides wheelchair-accessible parking, entrance, seating, and toilet facilities, helping ensure that more guests can visit with confidence and comfort. Payment is simple and flexible, with credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments accepted.
Backed by an excellent 4.60-star rating from 1,996 reviews, Local’s Family Diner has earned a strong reputation for quality food, dependable service, and a welcoming atmosphere. For anyone looking for a friendly family restaurant in Southport that pairs comfort, convenience, and value in one inviting spot, Local’s Family Diner is a standout choice.
Our Specialties
Every dish tells a story. Explore our carefully curated menu featuring seasonal favorites and signature creations.
Our chef's signature creations featuring locally-sourced ingredients and innovative culinary techniques.
We partner with local farmers and suppliers to bring you the freshest seasonal ingredients every day.
Every plate is prepared with attention to detail, combining traditional recipes with modern presentation.
Our Story
Welcome to a place where great food meets warm hospitality. We believe dining is more than just a meal - it's an experience to be savored and shared.
Our kitchen is dedicated to creating dishes that bring people together, using recipes that honor tradition while embracing innovation.
Photos
A glimpse of our restaurant experience
Food & Drinks
Our own special recipe.
Served with ranch or marinara.
Served with ranch dressing.
Served with ranch dressing.
(When available)
Grilled chicken breast tossed with lettuce, mayon- naise, raisins, almonds, spring onions, pineapple, tomato in a crisp tortilla shell.
Lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, cheese, bacon, ham, turkey, and croutons.
Lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, cheese, croutons, bacon and topped w/ grilled chicken breast.
Lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, cheese, croutons, and bacon.
Lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, onion, and bell pepper.
Mayo, lettuce and tomato.
Mayo, lettuce and tomato.
Mayo, lettuce and tomato.
Grilled onions and peppers.
Turkey, ham, lettuce, tomato, bacon, am. & Swiss cheese.
Sautéed mushrooms, onions, peppers and swiss cheese.
Amer. Cheese, mayo, lettuce, tomato, onion.
Mayo, lettuce, tomato, onion
Fried or grilled chicken breast topped with bacon, swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, mayo.
North carolina style with coleslaw.
Lettuce and tomato on toasted bread.
Shrimp, flounder, oysters, deviled crab and scallops
Crisp filets of cod, homemade chips, coleslaw, hushpuppies.
(2) 5oz. pork chops
(2) 5oz. pork chops
With grilled onions
(2) 5oz. chicken breasts
Free refills
1 refill
No refills
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Hear from our valued guests
I wanted to reach out and share what a wonderful experience I had at your restaurant recently. My friend Missy raves about your establishment, so we decided to stop by for breakfast. I ordered the smoked sausage scrambled eggs with cheese, which was delicious, but the star of the show was definitely the biscuit. It was pillow-soft and fluffy; I honestly could have eaten ten of them. I also want to commend our waitress, who was very helpful and courteous throughout our meal. Everything was fantastic, and I look forward to visiting again soon.
This place is a gem!!! Great food - breakfast, lunch and dinner. Friendly service and you can tell it is loved by the locals because the servers know them by name. We had Valentine's dinner there and the seafood platter was excellent. The prime rib was so tender and had a great flavor. A great place to eat!!!
Absolutely fabulous food with different specials every night. Breakfast is great as well. The wait staff is wonderful and the service is way above average.
Everything I got here was excellent. It's good home- style cooking. Had spaghetti last night, it was very good. They have specials every night. And you can call ahead and find out what they are. I love their spare ribs, but they don't have them nearly often enough. I go there a couple of times a week and have never been disappointed.
We tried so many different restaurants on our trip this time to Southport and really did not have great luck. Honestly we passed this place sadly so many times and missed it. I’m so glad we finally found it and tried it. We were almost discouraged from going in because the parking lot was so full lol. But when we walked in we were immediately greeted and seated. Our waitress, which sadly I forgot her name, was so friendly and efficient. It’s such a nice change of pace from what tends to go on these days. We were greeted by a man who may have been the owner? Since he went around to several tables. This place functioned like a well oiled machine and it was incredibly appreciated. The food was also tasty. You could tell the efforts put into it all and that things were actually being cooked and not microwaved or mass produced and reheated for us. Thank you for your efforts. After finding you lol everytime we passed by we realized it was packed in the lot and we know why. We’re returning to Southport in 4 months and we will definitely be back! Thanks for all you and your staff do!
We were on a little bit of a time crunch to catch the ferry. The staff directed us to a to go order. The food was really enjoyable. And we made our ferry time. The staff was professional and accommodating. We will definitely be back and would highly recommend local's!
Ate here recently with my family. I had the pork chop special plate and it was delicious and the perfect amount. My mom said they had the best coffee she’s had in a while. I sampled the BBQ too, so good. Our waitress was great and the atmosphere welcoming. Definitely will be back and will recommend.
Locals Restaurant is the cutest little place! Service was fast, staff was friendly, and the food was fantastic! I will definitely be back next time I am in Southport.
Southport is one of our favorite destinations when we vacation in Kure Beach. We rode the ferry over and found it to be exceptionally busy in town, but our party of 11 didn't wait more than 10 minutes for a couple of tables. I didn't catch the name of our waitress, but she was prompt, friendly, and handled our group effortlessly! We came for breakfast, and they did not disappoint. Eveyone enjoyed their food, and I believe we all left full and happy! It's nice to know there are fine "local" places like Local's to count on!
We had an absolutely wonderful experience at Locals Restaurant! From the moment we walked in, Taylor greeted us with the warmest smile and made us feel truly welcomed. The food was absolutely delicious, the atmosphere was pleasant and inviting, and the owner took time to personally connect with guests—which spoke volumes about the heart behind this restaurant. Excellent service, outstanding food, and genuine hospitality all in one place. We highly recommend Locals and look forward to coming back again soon! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Common questions about Local's Family Diner
Local's Family Diner is located at 832 N Howe St, Southport, NC 28461, United States, Southport, NC, United States.
You can reach Local's Family Diner by calling +1 910-457-0444.
Local's Family Diner has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 based on 1996 customer reviews.
Local's Family Diner features the following accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible car park, Wheelchair-accessible entrance, Wheelchair-accessible seating, Wheelchair-accessible toilet.
Local's Family Diner features the following service options: Delivery, On-site services, Takeaway, Dine-in.
Local's Family Diner features the following highlights: Great coffee, Serves local specialty.
Local's Family Diner features the following popular for: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Solo dining.
Local's Family Diner features the following offerings: Coffee, Comfort food, Healthy options, Quick bite, Small plates.
Local's Family Diner features the following dining options: Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Counter service, Dessert, Seating, Table service.
Local's Family Diner features the following amenities: Bar on site, Restroom.
Local's Family Diner features the following atmosphere: Casual, Cozy, Lively.
Local's Family Diner features the following crowd: Groups, Tourists.
Local's Family Diner features the following planning: Accepts reservations.
Local's Family Diner features the following payments: Credit cards, Debit cards, NFC mobile payments.
Local's Family Diner features the following children: Good for kids, High chairs, Kids' menu.
Local's Family Diner features the following parking: Free parking lot, Free street parking, Paid parking lot, Plenty of parking.
Business Features
We look forward to welcoming you. Make a reservation or stop by - walk-ins welcome!
Request a table and we'll confirm your booking shortly.
