Welcome to Rucker Johns Restaurant
Rucker Johns Restaurant, nestled in the heart of Emerald Isle, NC, offers a delightful blend of New American cuisine with an emphasis on pizza and seafood. Known for its friendly atmosphere, the restaurant ensures a welcoming experience for families and groups alike. With a varied menu that highlights delicious options like seared tuna, shrimp and grits, and honey-glazed croissants, there's something to satisfy every palate. Guests enjoy the spacious, casual setting with outdoor seating and a full bar, making it an ideal spot for lunch, dinner, or special gatherings. Rucker Johns distinguishes itself by prioritizing quality service and a memorable dining experience for all.
- 8700 Emerald Dr Emerald Isle, NC 28594 United States Hotline: (252) 354-2413
Welcome to Rucker Johns Restaurant, a delightful gem nestled in the heart of Emerald Isle, North Carolina. Offering a delicious blend of New American cuisine, pizza, and seafood, this vibrant eatery is the perfect place for casual dining with family and friends. Located at 8700 Emerald Dr, it is easily accessible and provides on-site parking, making it a convenient choice for both locals and visitors.
At Rucker Johns, you’ll find a menu that caters to diverse tastes and dietary preferences. With many vegetarian options available, everyone can enjoy a satisfying meal. Diners rave about the seared tuna and shrimp and grits, celebrating the freshness and flavor that each dish brings. One enthusiastic guest proclaimed, "The shrimp tasted fresh and the sauce was delicious," emphasizing the quality of ingredients.
The atmosphere at Rucker Johns is inviting, characterized by a casual yet lively setting. Ideal for groups, families, or even a romantic date night, the restaurant boasts a unique layout with half-moon tables for intimate dining. A full bar offers a variety of drinks, enhancing the dining experience with a perfect pairing for your meal. Plus, if you're enjoying a sunny day, take advantage of the outdoor seating to soak in the coastal breeze.
Service at Rucker Johns stands out, with staff frequently described as friendly and attentive. One visitor highlighted the exceptional management, saying, "5 stars for him!" after the manager personally addressed an issue, showcasing their commitment to customer satisfaction. Whether you're there for a busy dinner on a Friday night or a relaxed lunch, you can expect to be well taken care of.
As for the dishes, beyond the mentioned favorites, patrons have enjoyed items like buffalo bites, honey rolls, and the hearty Hickory Tuna. You might also want to try the cajun shrimp wrap or the chicken florentine flatbread, both of which have received high praise for their flavors and presentation. The kid-friendly menu ensures that the little ones are well-fed, while the variety of appetizers means there’s something for everyone to share.
Rucker Johns Restaurant not only offers great food but also meets diverse dining needs by accepting reservations, providing takeout, and catering services. With free Wi-Fi and options to settle your bill via credit cards or Apple Pay, it’s a modern establishment that makes every visit pleasurable.
Overall, Rucker Johns is more than just a restaurant; it's a dining experience that brings people together over delicious food and excellent service. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore this coastal treasure during your next visit to Emerald Isle!

Solid restaurant. Great atmosphere and friendly service. Food was good all around from the appetizers to the steaks and seafood. Very busy on our Friday night dinner but management was great at handling the crowd and staff. Had a small issue and the manager personally came by and corrected things. 5 stars for him! I Will always come back when in town.

This was our first visit and we loved it. Every employee we encountered was very friendly and our waitress was phenomenal. I had the seared tuna and while it was cooked more done than the rare that I asked for, it was still good. My son had the chicken tenders and they looked yummy and he said they were. He ate every last bit. My husband and other son had the ribs and they definitely needed more sauce to be baby back ribs. Others at our table had the nachos, shrimp and grits, salmon salad and house salad and all loved their meals. We will definitely be back and my husband plans to order the nachos on his next visit.

the boneless buffalo bites, honey rolls and chicken tenders were great and high recommended! Our waitress was very nice and frequently checked on my party. The restaurant was also clean

Great food. Highly recommend the Hickory Tuna, chicken florentine flatbread, shrimp, and the croissant basket. Our waitress was a champ- they were busy but she was hustling. Call ahead seating is a nice option to offer for a beach community. Dining room layout is comfortable and spacious. Unique half moon tables for private:intimate dining is nice as well. It is located towards the back of the Emerald Plantation shopping plaza. Parking can be a bit crazy in the evening hours.

Food was great! We had the Thai sweet chili shrimp and we liked them, it was sweeter than spicy. I got the shrimp and grits and it wasn't too salty and the grits were not too mushy! She shrimp tasted fresh and the sauce was delicious. My husband had the chicken and sweet potato fries which he enjoyed. My husband and I will be coming again.

Wonderful experience. They had quick and friendly service. The setting is a perfect mood for a date night. We got the honey glazed croissants to start and they were so fluffy and sweet. We also got the cajun shrimp wrap with a loaded baked potato which I had absolutely no complaints about.

We came with a group of 10 and sat separately with 4 and 6 so that we didn't have to wait a half hour. I was on the four top while the rest of the family got a cozy round booth. We had calamari which was large but not chewy. Not the best I've ever had but it was good and served with marinara. 3 of us had salads which came with egg, bacon, tomatoes and croutons. I had the prime rib which was great. It came with an au jus. I asked for horseradish to add to it since it didn't have the normal creamy horseradish. Someone else had whiskey ribeye. My hubby had a Hawaiian chicken with black beans and coleslaw. There were little side cups. My sister had fried shrimp with sweet potato fries. The service was good. Everyone was mostly happy with their meals.