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✔️Breakfast ✔️Brunch ✔️Lunch ✔️Dinner ✔️Dine in ✔️Take out
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Discover the heart of Southern-style food at Purple Onion Cafe, your go-to destination for breakfast and lunch at 4647 Main St #1 in downtown Shallotte. Renowned for its extensive menu of freshly baked goods, crisp salads, and American classics, our cafe combines tradition with gourmet perfection. Relish breakfast delights from 6:30 a.m., or savor handcrafted sandwiches and decadent desserts until 3:00 p.m., and 2:00 p.m. on Sundays. Whether you’re searching for breakfast near me or restaurants near me, you’ll find an experience steeped in Southern hospitality! Visit us to enjoy an exquisite culinary journey or inquire about our full-service catering for any special occasion.
American breakfast, burgers & sandwiches, plus baked goods, in a simple, upbeat setting.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 4647 Main St STE 1, Shallotte, NC 28470
Phone: (910) 755-6071
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Reviews
Pam Hondros
A friend recommended breakfast.
Only complaint was the acoustics. No sound buffer, and you could hear every conversation all at once.
Excellent eggs benny, fresh and large cuts of home fries.
Pancake bigger than my head! Nice texture and delicious. I’m a pancake snob!
Had the fried green tomato blt with pimento cheese. Apparently, it had been made before my hibs breakfast was ready. The tomato was over breaded. Otherwise, I’d give it another chance, for sure!
… moreOnly complaint was the acoustics. No sound buffer, and you could hear every conversation all at once.
Excellent eggs benny, fresh and large cuts of home fries.
Pancake bigger than my head! Nice texture and delicious. I’m a pancake snob!
Had the fried green tomato blt with pimento cheese. Apparently, it had been made before my hibs breakfast was ready. The tomato was over breaded. Otherwise, I’d give it another chance, for sure!
Charli Virginia
Based on breakfast recommendations, we visited. The Crab Cake sandwich was phenomenal as well as the sweet potato fries! The Mediterranean chicken wrap with homemade potato chips were wonderful too. I would definitely come back for these meals and to try some more fan-favorites.
However, we ordered a croissant lightly toasted for my three year old and it came out drenched in butter with clumps of butter throughout. Upon ordering a new one after having to find our server for help, I asked that it be done without butter. It came out microwaved. It was completely wasted.
Our experience could have been better. However, this place has much to offer and you should definitely consider trying them out.
… moreHowever, we ordered a croissant lightly toasted for my three year old and it came out drenched in butter with clumps of butter throughout. Upon ordering a new one after having to find our server for help, I asked that it be done without butter. It came out microwaved. It was completely wasted.
Our experience could have been better. However, this place has much to offer and you should definitely consider trying them out.
nicholas jones
Saw this place doing catering at a wedding and told my wife “it must be good”! I wasn’t wrong. They take everything up a notch and make everything in house. So delicious with great portions.
… moreJayna Kitner
Five of us dined in for brunch a little after 11 a.m. We were seated right away and warmly greeted by a kind and helpful waitress. Our drinks arrived promptly, and the food was absolutely delicious!
The pasta salad stood out as a unique and tasty blend, like a cross between the creaminess of a classic broccoli salad and the satisfying addition of noodles. There are plenty of sandwiches, wraps, and more to choose from. I built my own wrap, and it turned out even better than I imagined.
Of course, you have to try the signature Purple Onion, so good! And don’t forget to grab something sweet on your way out. There’s a wide variety of pastries, cookies, bars, cakes, and more. We were pleasantly surprised by both the prices and the quality of everything we tried! Kodos to the kitchen staff, as well!
… moreThe pasta salad stood out as a unique and tasty blend, like a cross between the creaminess of a classic broccoli salad and the satisfying addition of noodles. There are plenty of sandwiches, wraps, and more to choose from. I built my own wrap, and it turned out even better than I imagined.
Of course, you have to try the signature Purple Onion, so good! And don’t forget to grab something sweet on your way out. There’s a wide variety of pastries, cookies, bars, cakes, and more. We were pleasantly surprised by both the prices and the quality of everything we tried! Kodos to the kitchen staff, as well!
R B
It’s your generic breakfast-lunch diner that serves mediocre meals that are uninspired. I feel that its a little overpriced for what they serve. The menu hasn’t changed much in the 20 something years that they’ve been open. The service is usually terrific, and in my opinion the bakery selections are better than their breakfast menu. I don’t believe that anything here is terrible, but nothing on the menu stands out or is a must have.
… moreMary F. Smith
This is one of the best little restaurants I’ve ever been to. As of November, 2025 I have visited the purple onion four times. Each time, went the food was hot, fresh and fantastic. My particular order is the Southwest Burger adding a little jalapenos on top with fries, wonderful.
On top of all that, the ladies that work here are amazing; always pleasant, very attentive but not too attentive.
I’m not 100% sure but I believe they only serve breakfast and lunch. If you give them a try I don’t think you will be disappointed!
… moreOn top of all that, the ladies that work here are amazing; always pleasant, very attentive but not too attentive.
I’m not 100% sure but I believe they only serve breakfast and lunch. If you give them a try I don’t think you will be disappointed!
Wiser Guy
Great place with friendly employees and excellent service. A welcoming atmosphere with delicious food. I definitely will come back again.
… moreMatt Flintrop
Nice little place. I was a little disappointed that the eggs were fried rather than poached on the Eggs Benedict. The potatoes were fried well, but under seasoned.
I didn’t try the baked goods, but everything in the bakery cabinet looked excellent!
… moreI didn’t try the baked goods, but everything in the bakery cabinet looked excellent!
Danielle Bryant
The Purple Onion in Shallotte, NC absolutely deserves all five stars! The food was amazing — full of flavor, fresh, and honestly way better than I even expected. The staff was so friendly and welcoming, which always makes the experience even better.
What really impressed me was how short the wait time was. We were seated quickly, and the food came out fast without feeling rushed. Everything just flowed smoothly, and you can tell they really take pride in their service.
I left full, happy, and already planning my next visit. If you’re anywhere near Shallotte, do yourself a favor and stop by!
… moreWhat really impressed me was how short the wait time was. We were seated quickly, and the food came out fast without feeling rushed. Everything just flowed smoothly, and you can tell they really take pride in their service.
I left full, happy, and already planning my next visit. If you’re anywhere near Shallotte, do yourself a favor and stop by!
Judy Irving
ago
I have eaten at the Purple Onion many times, and it’s usually very good.
We visited around 1:15 pm Sunday. They close at 2:00 pm. The restaurant was at 50% capacity.
I ordered a BLT on multigrain bread with chips. The BLT only had two slices of bacon!!! What a disappointment! Chips were good, and plentiful.
I would not order this particular item again.
They have the BEST oatmeal raisin cookies but were out this visit.
Service was average.
… moreI have eaten at the Purple Onion many times, and it’s usually very good.
We visited around 1:15 pm Sunday. They close at 2:00 pm. The restaurant was at 50% capacity.
I ordered a BLT on multigrain bread with chips. The BLT only had two slices of bacon!!! What a disappointment! Chips were good, and plentiful.
I would not order this particular item again.
They have the BEST oatmeal raisin cookies but were out this visit.
Service was average.