Circa 81

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!

It's a cute little place. The tapas were amazing. I wish I had tried some more, but I filled it to easily. This is definitely a I'd like to visit again the next time I'm in town.

Each plate we had (small bread plate, hot crab dip, sweet potato quesadilla and Caprese salad) was top notch. We tried three different types of martini’s (pomegranate, ginger and salted caramel) and each one was fantastic. Service was great. Desserts (Key Lime Pie and Caramel Bourbon Bacon Cheesecake) were amazing.

Wow, what else can I say. The food is center stage here. The chef hits every single taste bud on every plate. We had the charcuterie board, pot stickers, rosemary beef (amazing) bread service and black bean with chicken added. My wife and I sampled several dishes and none disappointed.

Have been coming here for years with friends for group get-togethers and is always a great time! Friendly staff and delicious food and drinks- highly recommend the sweet potato quesadilla!

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!!

My wife and I really enjoyed the dining experience here for our anniversary dinner last night! The service was great - very friendly, professional, and knowledgeable about the food. And the food was great! My wife is vegetarian and we had plenty of choices. Our favorite dish was the brusel sprouts in harissa emulsion - charred and cooked perfectly and the sauce was unique and flavorful. This restaurant is a gem in a city we didn't expect to find such refined food! Highly recommended and we hope to visit again soon. Thanks Circa 81!

Circa 81: Where Every Bite Tells a Story

Step into the enchanting world of Circa 81, where culinary innovation meets timeless elegance. From the welcoming embrace of our host, Chris, to the impeccable service of their dedicated waitstaff Jared, Peter, Paul, Thomas, among others. Circa 81 promises an unparalleled dining journey.

Upon arrival, our gracious host, Chris, extends a warm greeting, setting the stage for an occasion of refined indulgence. With grace and charm, he guides you to your table, where anticipation for the culinary delights ahead begins to build.

As you settle in, prepare to be enchanted by all the attentive waiters, each a virtuoso in their own right. Our Front waiter Jared expertly navigated the menu to anticipate our every need with precision and flair. He ensured that every moment of our dining experience was nothing short of extraordinary. Peter, our Back waiter, ensured that our drinks were never empty. He made sure our experience was seamless and enjoyable.

And let's not forget Thomas, who ensured that every detail was attended to behind the scenes, allowing for seamless service and uninterrupted enjoyment.

Circa 81 transforms the freshest, locally sourced ingredients into culinary masterpieces that tell a story with every bite. From the delicate balance of flavors in their seafood to the bold, unexpected pairings in their signature tapas selection, each dish is a testament to the artistry and innovation of the restaurant's culinary team.

But Circa 81 is more than just a restaurant—it's an ode to the culinary arts, a celebration of flavor, texture, and tradition. Whether you're indulging in an intimate dinner for two, sharing laughter and stories with friends, or marking a special occasion with loved ones, Circa 81 invites you to savor the moment and revel in the magic of exceptional dining.

In conclusion, Circa 81 isn't just a restaurant—it's an experience, a symphony of flavors and sensations that transport you to a world of culinary bliss. So come experience Circa 81, where every bite tells a story and every visit is a celebration of the extraordinary.

Visited Atlantic Beach in the off-season with some friends at their family home.

They recommended this place, and IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT. All of the food was fantastic and came out in perfect waves. The service was kind, funny / personable, and timely. Great job to the entire staff. We will be returning!

The restaurant is very nice and the atmosphere is great. Elegantly decorated and beautiful details. Customer service form their staff made me feel on the sky. Was a new experience food… we enjoy it but the only one is the portions are small if you at hungry but is ok jajaja I deserve them my best wishes and success .

We had a place on the Crystal Coast for a number of years and during that time, Circa 81 was one of our favorites. After 5 years away we finally made it back and took the whole family to experience this gem...and it did not disappoint. Food was wonderful and the service was great...we've missed this spot and so happy we were able to make it back

The food was awesome, we came at lunch time and ordered several small tapas dishes. I highly recommend the duck and the Brie, but as good as the was the service was even better and even before we actually arrived. We called a head of time as some restaurants have limited hours before new years, the gentleman answered our questions about restaurant times and then enthusiastically suggested a reservation just to make sure there was no wait time for us. We had our 16 month old daughter with us and the staff was so interactive with her every time they stopped by. I know some restaurants/staff are wary with small children especially restaurants that are a little more high scale, but she was happy the whole time and the staff was so great during our experience and our daughter was so excited to try so many new foods. We will definitely be returning.

We had a very lovely experience here! Our favorite time while at the beach this weekend! We all agree that it will take quite some time to top the 7 course meal we had here. We are hard to please and were all very impressed with our tapas, our service and ambiance, especially including the company of Peter! What a lovely place from the greeting of the host to the incredibly gracious attitude from all the staff in allowing us to order so late on a Sunday night(last night, 5-23-21). Thank you so much to the kitchen! We had an incredible experience and that food will be so hard to top!

We came in between lunch and dinner. Staff was friendly and attentive. She crab soup was yummy. The shrimp and grits was creamy and the shrimp and garlic was really good too with some spice!

My husband and I decided to try this place after hearing good reviews from a friend. The setting was intimate and romantic but the party next to us was very rude and obnoxious. Their volume was just under yelling, which caused everyone else to speak louder. I know this isn't the fault of the restaurant (and I won't fault them for it) but I do wish the servers had kept that table under control. It ruined our moods and dampened our experience. Now for the food! We started with the bread service and the half chef's tour. We didn't realize it was going to be so much food. Everything on the chef's tour was fantastic! The apple chutney was out of this world. Because it was so filling, we ended up taking our entrees (ribeye and lamb chops) to go. We did have them this morning for brunch and they were great. I imagine they would've been even better fresh. For dessert we had coffee, the vanilla creme brulee, and the raspberry swirl cheesecake. I apologize, I forgot to take pictures before we started eating so there are a few bites missing. For drinks, I had the traditional sangria and the coconut pineapple mojito. I will warn you that their drinks are a little on the strong side, not that I'm complaining. The sangria is made with a dry wine and is not as sweet as most sangrias. I was not a fan of the coconut pineapple mojito. There was way too much coconut rum and the coconut took over the whole drink. It didn't have any of the mojito characteristics, so maybe it should be taken off of the mojito list. All in all, we had a great experience and would definitely go back. Ask for Paul C. He was great! He was very polite and attentive despite having other tables.

I can’t say enough good things about this spot. The menu always has a ton to choose from for any dining preferences (and they’ve never complained about my vegetarian edits requested). The service is friendly and spot on. Their consciousness of COVID and putting in safe practices for all has brought us in for both brunch and dinner since! Sean was our server tonight and we couldn’t have been better taken care of... thanks, y’all!

My favorite restaurant on this part of the beach. Really good food, not your deep fried average - thank you for bringing finesse to this part of the world! Enjoyed every bite 😙

Really enjoyed this place for lunch. Server was very friendly and helpful. The food was amazing l love small plates so I can sample a bunch of stuff. Highly recommend.

This has to be one of the best restaurants on the East Coast. If you don't try it your missing out. I went for my birthday and tried many things. Our server Sonya was beyond FABULOUS. Everything was great! If I had to say one thing negative it's that the Mac & Cheese balls were my least favorite, but the Chocolate Creme Brûlée is a desert worth begging for. You won't be disappointed...

This is our favorite restaurant. We have tried almost the entire menu, and we have never been served anything that wasn't absolutely fantastic. This restaurant sets the bar. Every dish is obviously crafted with care, and the servers are attentive and welcoming. The atmosphere is light and cheery yet romantic. Beware however, eatting here does come with some risks. The first being that no other restaurant will live up to the expectations set here, and the second being that you will literally CRAVE food you've ordered here. It's an addiction.