Floyd’s 1921 Restaurant is the perfect place for a classy dinner after a long day on the water. Located right outside the Morehead City Yacht Basin in Morehead City, North Carolina, the restaurant’s deep Southern roots and French-inspired cuisine, plus its historic spot on the inside of the harbor, means there is a lot to love at this locally famous eatery.
In 2005, Chef Floyd Olmstead and his wife, Shana, purchased the 1921-built former house and opened their restaurant. The patio has been refurbished into an area for local musicians to entertain and for patrons to enjoy a cold drink or sit with friends by the firepit.
Today, the restaurant is known for serving a fusion of Asian, Latin and Caribbean flavors. However, Chef Floyd’s roots and his culinary training are based on the 20th-century French master, Georges Auguste Escoffier, whose culinary techniques remain a gold standard.
“To be an Escoffier chef means to be set apart from other chefs,” says Jason Eure, front-of-house manager. “It’s a society of chefs rooted in France that is focused on teaching people how to cook and how to make things from scratch. It’s something that we take great pride in and is unique to Floyd’s.” Shana is the chair of the local culinary school. Together, the Olmstead’s have put time and energy into sharing their culinary skills to educate the next generation of chefs.
This is an especially important credo for Escoffier chefs such as Floyd. Southern-style selections on Floyd’s 2021’s dinner menu include Shrimp & Grits, Low Country Meatloaf, and Shrimp Etouffee & Cajun Fried Flounder. Crab Cakes are a signature entrée. There are also special featured dishes. Examples may be grouper and scallops with champagne sauce or halibut with shrimp and lobster sauce. The Olmstead’s source ingredients locally as much as possible, according to Eure.
There are specialty cocktails, such as the Blue Marlin (made with vodka, coconut and pineapple), and the Nauti Mermaid (vodka, orange juice and prosecco), along with a wide selection of wine and beer.
In addition to menu items, the chefs are happy to customize offerings for special events like weddings, birthdays and anniversary parties. With a full catering staff and different desserts on the menu, they enjoy the culinary challenge and delighting customers.
Every summer, the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament is held right across the street from Floyd’s. Several local teams can be found frequenting the patio area after a long day of fishing. There are also several smaller tournaments throughout the year that attract fishermen. And, of course, some yachts stop in as they travel up and down the coast.
Even though this is a locally owned eatery, this restaurant has been critically acclaimed and endorsed by culinary experts. Considered a landmark of the Crystal Coast, Floyd’s 1921 Restaurant is not to be missed next time you’re in Morehead City.
