Hampstead is the “Seafood Capital of the Carolinas” and the booming mainland gateway to Topsail Island — a fast-growing community with legendary fish houses, new construction everywhere, and the largest concentration of businesses serving the Topsail area.
Hampstead, North Carolina is an unincorporated community in Pender County (ZIP 28443) with a core population of approximately 8,449 and over 27,000 residents in the broader ZIP code area. Known as the “Seafood Capital of the Carolinas” for its iconic roadside fish houses along US-17, Hampstead is also the fastest-growing community in the Topsail region with new subdivisions under development throughout the area. The community sits on the mainland between Wilmington (17 miles southwest) and Topsail Island, serving as the commercial and service hub for island residents and visitors.
Whether you need a home builder for new construction, the freshest shrimp straight off the boat, a dentist or doctor on the US-17 corridor, or a landscaper for your new subdivision home — Hampstead has the widest variety of businesses and services in the Topsail area. This page features the highest-rated, locally-reviewed businesses serving Hampstead and the surrounding communities.
Video reviews of the best-rated local businesses in Hampstead, NC.
The best-rated businesses serving Hampstead and the Topsail Island area, organized by category.
Hampstead earned its “Seafood Capital of the Carolinas” title through generations of commercial fishing families and the iconic roadside fish houses that line US-17. You can buy fresh-off-the-boat shrimp, flounder, oysters, and blue crab directly from the markets, or sit down at one of several restaurants specializing in locally-caught seafood. Beyond seafood, the US-17 corridor has a growing restaurant scene with Mexican, BBQ, pizza, Chinese, and fast-casual options serving the booming residential population.
Fresh-off-the-boat shrimp, flounder & oysters on US-17
Sit-down dining featuring locally-caught seafood
Local pizza shops & Italian restaurants
BBQ, Mexican, Chinese & more along US-17
Hampstead is experiencing a construction boom with new residential subdivisions developing rapidly throughout the area. The US-17 corridor is home to dozens of general contractors, custom home builders, and specialty trades. Whether you're building a new home in one of Hampstead's expanding communities, renovating an existing property, or need emergency repair work, you'll find more contractor options based in Hampstead than anywhere else in the Topsail area.
New construction specialists for growing subdivisions
Renovations, additions & custom projects
Residential & commercial electrical services
New installation & emergency plumbing
As the largest mainland community near Topsail Island, Hampstead has the area's highest concentration of medical, dental, and professional services. The US-17 corridor hosts family practice clinics, dental offices, veterinary clinics, optometrists, physical therapists, and urgent care facilities. This is where most Topsail Island residents go for healthcare and professional services that aren't available on the island itself.
Family practice, dentists & specialists
Pet care, emergency vet & grooming
Hair salons, barbershops & gyms
Mechanics, tire shops & auto services
Hampstead's waterfront location on the Intracoastal Waterway and its proximity to both Topsail Island and Holly Shelter Game Land make it a hub for outdoor recreation services. Harbour Village Marina offers boat slips and access to the waterway, while landscaping companies serve the hundreds of new homes being built in the area. Marine service shops handle boat repair, detailing, and storage for the active boating community.
Hampstead's real estate market is driven by rapid residential growth, with new subdivisions expanding the community in every direction. Real estate agents here specialize in new construction, family homes, and the growing number of 55+ communities. HVAC companies, landscapers, and home cleaning services are in high demand to support the influx of new homeowners moving to the area.
Hampstead is a mainland community on US-17 between Wilmington and Topsail Island. From Wilmington, take US-17 North — about 20 minutes. Hampstead serves as the gateway to Topsail Island via NC-210 East, which takes you across the bridge to Surf City. The nearest commercial airport is Wilmington International Airport (ILM), approximately 25 minutes south.
Hampstead has been a seafood community for generations, earning the title “Seafood Capital of the Carolinas” for its roadside fish houses where commercial fishermen sell their catch directly to the public. Sloop Point Plantation, built in 1726, is the oldest documented coastal home in North Carolina and still stands in the Hampstead area. The annual NC Spot Festival celebrates the community's working waterfront heritage. Today, Hampstead is experiencing explosive residential growth, transforming from a quiet fishing community into one of the fastest-growing areas in southeastern North Carolina.
Hampstead is known as the Seafood Capital of the Carolinas for good reason. The iconic roadside fish houses along US-17 sell fresh-off-the-boat shrimp, flounder, oysters, and blue crab directly from local commercial fishermen. For sit-down seafood dining, several restaurants along the US-17 corridor serve locally-caught fish and shellfish. The NC Spot Festival celebrates Hampstead's fishing heritage annually.
Hampstead is one of the fastest-growing communities in southeastern North Carolina, and the US-17 corridor is home to dozens of home builders, general contractors, and specialty trades. Builders specialize in new subdivision construction, custom homes, and the expanding residential developments throughout the area. Since Hampstead is unincorporated, building permits are handled through Pender County.
Hampstead is in Pender County, North Carolina. It is an unincorporated community, meaning there is no town government, mayor, or town council. Government services like building permits, zoning, and law enforcement are provided by Pender County. The ZIP code is 28443. The broader Hampstead ZIP code area has over 27,000 residents, making it one of the largest communities in the county.
Visit Poplar Grove Plantation for a Wednesday farmers market (April through October) and tours of the 19th-century estate. See Sloop Point Plantation, built in 1726 and the oldest coastal home in NC. Play golf at Castle Bay Country Club's Scottish-links course. Explore Holly Shelter Game Land for hiking and wildlife. Launch a boat from Harbour Village Marina. And of course, taste the famous roadside seafood along US-17.
The Poplar Grove Plantation Farmers Market runs on Wednesdays from April through October. Vendors offer local produce, baked goods, crafts, plants, and artisan products. Poplar Grove Plantation is located on US-17 in Hampstead and hosts tours, seasonal festivals, craft fairs, and educational programs throughout the year.
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