The Boro Restaurant Bar - Swansboro

8/15/24: Need to add on to my previous positive review after a **** experience tonight. We are courteous and took the time to make a reservation. Got there and they had a reserved table in the sun amongst a million flies for us when they had lots of space under shade that was open, we were almost the only ones eating outside except for one couple. We asked if we could move to a table under their sunshade (had a breeze too so would of been less flies. They said no and gave some BS excuse why they couldn't pull two tables together under the shade when there was almost no one outside so no one needed the space. 20 minutes later a group was seated in the same space...and they pulled two tables together for them. Such BS. I know that group didn't even make a reservation because as soon as they sat down they realized they went to the wrong restaurant and got up and left for the Ice House Restaurant next door. Never going back. Get a hostess who knows what she is doing and a manger who doesn't treat people like ****. We laid down over $240 to be treated like that. We won't be back. Annual trip usually includes a visit to Boro.. Won't be back. Terrific food. I eat out a lot with family and Boro was amongst the best I've been too. Had the Mediterranean salad with Ahi Tuna and the tuna tonight was cooked perfectly, very fresh and flavored so well it was the best I ever had. Natalie was a great server. She was very professional and very kind in dealing with our many requests. Wife really liked the shrimp and grits and my mother thought their scallops were top notch. Atmosphere is great with great lighting and plenty of outdoor seating. My new favorite restaurant on the coast.

This was our second time here. The first time approx 2yrs ago the food was pretty good. This year my wife and I decided to go for our anniversary dinner as we heard they had a new Chef who was bringing a new flair to the food. This time around it was horrible. First we ordered fried calamari, it came out way over done and burnt. We sent it back and they gave us a new one...it was better but super rubbery...didnt finish it. I ordered a clam chowder and my wife ordered a salad....both were amazing (which is why the 2 stars). For main course my wife ordered a simple fried Drum with fries and Hushpuppies and slaw. The Drum was again over cooked and the breading was burnt as well as the hushpuppies. The slaw tasted like it was going bad and stored in a damp basement. I ordered the swordfish with Penne, sundried tomatoes, olives, capers and goats cheese. sounds good right? the first two bites were great after mixing it all together....whoa was it salty (I like salt), like eye twitching, mouth twisting couldnt eat salty. The swordfish was really good though. then to top it off my wife otrdered a margarita with the rim sugared instead of salted...and it was salted. The server was nice and took my wifes entree off the bill. But even with that $118 bill was definitely not worth our experience. Hopefully it was just an off night for the kitchen crew. But, we wont be going back. Left a bad taste in our mouths (literally).

My partner and I are vegan and haven’t had the best luck with finding meals we can eat on our beach trips. We went in to Boro today expecting the usual beach/seafood menu but were pleasantly surprised by the number of vegetarian options. Our waitress was very helpful and talked to the chef, they let us know they could modify some things that are already on the menu (black bean burger, curry) but she also mentioned the chef could make an off menu vegan Alfredo! I really appreciate the creativity and willingness to accommodate. This was the best meal we’ve had on our vacation so far! We sat in the front half of the building but will definitely go back to sit near the water. Dietary restrictions: Able to make vegetarian items vegan. Offered off menu items to accommodate restrictions.

Excellent food, nice location and views. Service was friendly. Flies got a bit out of hand on the patio.

We ate here a while ago and couldn't stop raving about the food. We went yesterday for our anniversary dinner and it was horrible. We had to send the calamari back due to it being burnt. I got the special that was the drum, again in the fryer way too long so, I, of course, didn't eat it. My husband had the swordfish special. The swordfish was great, but the dish itself was so salty, he could only eat a couple bites of the pasta. I got a margarita and asked for a sugared rim and it came salted. I know these are little things, but when the whole meal is gross, it makes for a bad dinner. We will not be back.