Cornelius is officially on the national culinary map. Esquire has named Seaboy, the seafood-forward restaurant on North Main Street near the Davidson line, one of the 25 Best New Restaurants in America — a distinction that highlights some of the most exciting dining experiences in the country.
“These are the places you hate to leave, but when you do, you leave full,” Esquire wrote. “Full of some of the most deeply personal food you can remember eating, full of joy and ideas and hope.”
For Chef Jonathan Cox, owner of Seaboy, the recognition reflects years of passion, training, and a commitment to community. Before opening his first solo restaurant, Cox cooked under restaurateur Jon Dressler of Rare Roots Hospitality and sharpened his skills both in Charlotte and abroad in Sorrento, Italy. Seaboy blends those influences beautifully — coastal Southern comfort meets refined Italian simplicity.
Esquire critic Joshua David Stein praised the restaurant’s depth of flavor and thoughtful restraint, calling attention to dishes like:
Cornmeal-dusted, pan-fried Virginia flounder paired with Louisiana maque choux
Crab-and-chorizo croquettes, described as “bonsai flavor bombs” atop sweet red pepper jam
“Every small plate hums with flavor,” Stein wrote, describing Seaboy as “a roadside restaurant that shines like a beacon.”
The magazine highlighted just two North Carolina restaurants this year: Seaboy and Tamasha in Raleigh, further underscoring how remarkable this recognition is for Lake Norman’s dining scene.
With its focus on sustainability, community, and ingredient-driven cooking, Seaboy has quickly become one of the region’s most exciting culinary destinations — and now the rest of the country knows it too.
