They don’t take reservations, so either get there early or be prepared to wait. The bread they bring is SO good…don’t eat too much! They make great cocktails, or the wine selection is also good. The appetizers are to die for, entrees are delicious. Try to save room for dessert, but they’ll make it to go if you can’t manage. Overall a great dining experience. It’s on the top of our list every time we come to Oak Island.
*Update* so it’s been a while but I went back to Joseph’s. Still good as ever. I had the Lasagna again and it’s the best I’ve ever had. Service and atmosphere perfect. Do yourself a favor and visit. End of update* A fantastic restaurant. Great atmosphere and the staff is excellent. I have only had the Lasagne while dining here because it's the best I've ever had. I can't make myself order anything else. My wife loves Joseph's as well. I highly recommend.
Wow! This restaurant, on the marina just before the causeway to Oak Island, is worth the trip. The ambiance is fantastic - classic American Italian restaurant feel, but not stuffy or dated. The menu is to die for - so many things, what to choose? A fantastic wine list as well. Service is excellent. We were greeted and seated quickly and our server was friendly. Fresh bread with extra virgin olive oil with shredded cheese in it greets you, and we shared a bowl of mussels to start. They were cooked perfectly. I had the osso bucco, and my friend had a bone-in veal chop that was a really good size. Everything was perfect and we left stuffed and happy.
Italian food with good specials. Great service.
After closing on our home July 3rd and then unpacking for a couple of days we needed a break. Decided to try Joseph’s and We were very surprised when we didn’t have to wait for a table. Our server was amazing and the food was delicious!
Lamb was out of this world! Veal was tender , everything tasted great. Service was impeccable (marquis was so attentive!) outdoor and indoor seating but get there early a line starts forming at 440pm for when they open at 5! No reservations but we’ll worth the wait
Joseph's is phenomenal, but make sure to arrive at 5PM when they open. With no reservations or call-ahead seating, you can find yourself in an hour+ wait quickly. Their food is worth every minute, though. They have the best bread starter in the Oak Island area. Their lobster ravioli is 10/10 if you're looking for an appetizer. We have tried and been impressed with half of the menu for entrees. And make sure to save room for dessert! They have a wonderful tableside selection that includes a classic key lime and a super unique blueberry cheesecake with a granola topping. We come here every year when we visit the island and always enjoy ourselves.
We were looking for a place that could accommodate us for a party of 8 for a birthday dinner while we were visiting the area and after we tried to get in at several other places we landed here. It did not disappoint! Food and service were stellar and the atmosphere was great. We loved it and we all agreed that we were glad that we weren't able to get in the other places!
Having lived here many years, I don't know why we haven't tried this place before but now that I have, it will certainly be a top choice in our dining rotation. Or server was Andrew, quite young but he took care of us like he owned the place. Knew his wines, had sampled the entire menu and was extremely personable. The food was exactly as you would expect - which is to say on par with the ambiance and service, all of which among the best we've experienced. It's easy to burn through a Franklin, but we think we got our money's worth!
If you’re looking for the best overall fine dining experience in the Oak Island/Southport area, Joseph’s is the place. Simple Italian/chop house options that are done spectacularly well. You can tell all of the little things are done right. The entire staff is well versed on the menu, have great attitudes, and they truly care about your experience. Ashley was tremendous and really made our night great. It’s obvious Joseph’s is a well run restaurant that delivers and is very much worth it.
Joseph's has been a hit or miss restaurant. Sometimes you have a great meal and then other times not so great . Service is always terrific. One aspect of their service, is that they do not take reservations. This somewhat baffling. In general I would say this is a good Italian restaurant.
Delicious duck, friendly service, able to quickly accommodate a party of 8 on the fly on a busy summer night. Maybe we just got lucky with our timing, but our table was ready before we finished our drink from the bar. Great experience.
We did not have reservations but we were seated right away outside as we requested. My grand daughter was treated so well. She is only 2! Marques offered great menu advise. Daughter ordered fruitt de mar with Alfredo sauce, I ordered cheese ravioli with shrimp and scallops. Both were delicious!
The food was excellent! And the service by Marquise was even better! He displayed service that should be in every restaurant around!! Very personable and fun to chat with! We will definitely be back!!
Excellent food, and we loved that every entree came with a delicious and fresh salad! You can't go wrong with seafood, pasta, steak, or all of them. Their desserts are also wonderful, and they have quite a variety. Service was helpful and friendly, but it could have been a bit more attentive and consistent. We waited a long time for water refills, for example.
Visited Joseph's for dinner. Started with the calamari and lobster ravioli as appetizers. My wife ordered the carbonara and enjoyed it - lots of bacon.
I ordered the veal chop and it was juicy and cooked perfectly. Very tasty.
Waiter didn't seem to know what beer was on tap, and made little effort to try and find out and/or explain. Otherwise, service was prompt.
I'd certainly go back again. Nice atmosphere, good food.
My husband and I were discussing where to go for dinner. We haven't been to Joseph's in a while. The pasta dishes are pretty standard but I'm picky about red sauce - most has a metallic taste to me. I love their red sauce. I had the shrimp and scallop dish. My husband had the fruiti de mar. Both were delicious. It was expensive but for what we got I didn't feel it was out of line.
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