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If you are planning a visit to the Outer Banks, you will be treated to some of the best views and most delicious food in all of North Carolina. There are amazing Outer Banks restaurants located throughout the area, including in Corolla, Nags Head, Duck, Kitty Hawk, and Kill Devil Hills.
Many of these delicious OBX restaurants have specials that rotate during the course of the year. Regardless of whether you are looking for Caribbean food, Mexican food, or even comfort food that can satisfy your cravings, you will have plenty of choices from which to pick. Of course, you can also enjoy some live music while munching on some delicious local seafood.
Take a look at a few of the top restaurants below, and make sure you plan your visit accordingly the next time you head to the Outer Banks. Of note, the restaurants below are grouped geographically, from North (in Corolla) to South (in Nags Head).
Best Corolla, NC Restaurants
1. North Banks Restaurant & Raw Bar
Price: $$$
Address: 794 Sunset Boulevard G, Corolla, NC 27927
If you are looking for a delicious seafood restaurant with some comfort food to go with it, this is the perfect place to go. This restaurant is easy to overlook because it is located in a busy shopping center, but it is definitely something that you don’t want to miss.
You can choose from macaroni and cheese, your traditional surf and turf, some fresh crab legs, and even your favorite fried oysters. It is sure to hit the spot, so if you find yourself in Corolla, be sure to swing by.
2. Big Buck’s
Price: $
Address: 785 Sunset Boulevard, Suite 794, Corolla, North Carolina 27927
If you find yourself craving some delicious sweets, you will definitely want to swing by Big Buck’s. This is one of the top ice cream shops in the area, but they also serve cake, chocolate-dipped strawberries, smoothies, and more. With numerous sweet, sugary treats, you will definitely have your sweet tooth satisfied. Don’t forget to ask for the specials on the menu! Regardless of whether you want to dine-in or grab some takeout, you can find a special treat here.
3. Lighthouse Bagels
Price: $
Address: 807 Ocean Trail, Corolla, North Carolina 27927
Even though a lot of people associate bagels with the Northeast, you can definitely find amazing Bagels in the Outer Banks as well. This establishment has plenty of fresh bagels and addition to some unique sandwiches.
Regardless of whether you are looking for breakfast early in the morning or a quick sandwich while riding your bike around the beautiful scenes of the Barrier Islands, this place will hit the spot.
4. Corolla Cantina
Price: $$
Address: 1159 NC-12, Corolla, NC
If you are looking for some delicious Mexican food mixed with a bit of seafood, you will definitely be happy here. It has a unique vibe, it is situated in Corolla Historic Village, and there is always something fresh on the menu.
There are plenty of delicious menu items from which to choose, including fresh tacos, chips and salsa, and fresh margaritas. It is also one of the many restaurants in the local area that is dog friendly and pet friendly! If you have children, this restaurant also has a delicious kids’ menu.
Best Duck, NC Restaurants
5. Duck Donuts
Price: $
Address: 1190 Duck Road, Duck, North Carolina
If you are in the mood for some delicious donuts, this could be the best place to go in the entire region. Duck Donuts is known for its delicious cake donuts with a variety of toppings and flavors. Without a doubt, the maple bacon one is the most popular, but all of them are sure to be delicious.
They also have a lot of specials that rotate from time to time, so be sure to pay close attention to the chalkboard or whiteboard they have in the restaurant. The address above is for the location in Duck but there are plenty of locations scattered throughout the Outer Banks.
6. Coastal Cravings
Price: $$
Address: 1209 Duck Road, Duck, North Carolina
If you are looking for outdoor seating, this restaurant might be the top place to go. The patio gives you some unique views, but they also have a drive-thru and to-go menu. You can even get a giant pot of seafood to take back with you!
This restaurant is easy to miss, but you will find it tucked next to a gas station. It is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and this restaurant was even featured on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. Even though it may look a bit unassuming, do not pass on the seafood! It is absolutely delicious.
7. Paper Canoe
Price: $$$
Address: 1564 Duck Road, Duck, North Carolina 27949
If you are looking for a unique dining experience, you should swing by Paper Canoe. It is definitely a local neighborhood haunt, so you should expect to wait on most nights. It is always packed. On the other hand, the wait will definitely be worth it.
You can choose from some delicious steaks cooked to Perfection, daily specials, and your classic shrimp and grits. They also have delicious wood-fired pizzas. If you want to avoid the weight, you may want to make a reservation ahead of time.
8. The Blue Point
Price: $$$
Address: 1240 Duck Road, Duck, North Carolina 27949
Do you find yourself in the mood for some fine dining? If so, this is probably the place to go. You can choose from a variety of delicious meals including braised short ribs, grilled pork chops, and even ramen!
Even though the restaurant is a bit serious in the front, it is definitely a party in the back! You will find a beautiful place to watch the sunset, plenty of delicious cocktails, and some live music. It is easy to see why this is one of the most popular restaurants in the Duck area.
9. Dockside N’ Duck Seafood Market
Price: $$
Address: 1216 Duck Road, Duck, North Carolina 2794
If you find yourself grabbing one of the vacation rentals in the local area, you will still need food to cook for the week. This could be the best place to go. Even though you can certainly get some raw food to take back with you, you may want to get a seafood boil to go as well! You can choose from a wide variety of shellfish, delicious fish, and numerous other options.
This is about as fresh as it gets, so do not hesitate to swing by to see what they have in stock. If you are unsure of exactly what you are looking at, the friendly staff members will be sure to help you out!
Best Southern Shores, NC Restaurant
10. Coastal Provisions Oyster Bar & Wine Cafe
Price: $$$
Address: 1 Ocean Boulevard, Southern Shores, North Carolina 27949
This is one of the older restaurants in the area, and it remains one of the most popular. If you are looking for the freshest oysters in the area, this is probably the place to go.
You can find oysters from all up and down the east coast, and you can choose the exact flavors you are looking for. You can choose to get them raw or steamed, or you may want to get them buried at the bottom of an oyster shooter! The choice is yours.
Best Kitty Hawk, NC Restaurant
11. Got Your Crabs
Price: $$$
Address: 3809 North Croatan Highway, Kitty Hawk, North Carolina
If you find yourself in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, you may want to swing by this restaurant after checking out everything the Wright brothers have done! This is one of the best places in the area for delicious, fresh seafood.
Even though it is definitely busy, it is also family-owned and family-operated. Therefore, you know you are going to get some great customer service. You can even grab a bushel of fresh seafood to go!
12. High Cotton
Price: $$
Address: 5230 North Virginia Dare Trail, Kitty Hawk, North Carolina 27949
Are you in the mood for some barbecue? If so, this is the place to go for mouth-watering BBQ. It is home to some of the freshest, juiciest, and most tender pulled pork that anyone can find in the local area.
All of the meat is cooked over Hickory logs, and they are finished with some delicious, tangy, sweet and spicy sauce. You can also find a wide variety of sides to pair with the meal. Don’t forget to grab a piece of gooey chess pie for dessert!
13. Black Pelican
Price: $$$
Address: 3848 North Virginia Dare Trail, Kitty Hawk, North Carolina 27949
This is a fine dining restaurant located on oceanfront property. If you are looking for something with a beachfront view, this waterfront spot sure is the place to go. It used to be a lifesaving station, but just because it is now a fancy restaurant doesn’t mean you can’t show up in casual clothes!
You can try some bacon-wrapped scallops, ahi tuna, blue cheese-crusted New York strip, and plenty of other delicious menu items. Of course, you can wash it all down with the beer of your choice!
14. Mama Kwan’s Tiki Bar and Grill
Price: $$
Address: 1701 South Croatan Highway, Kitty Hawk, North Carolina
If you find yourself in the mood for some fish tacos, this is definitely the restaurant to choose. Everything is bursting with flavor, but the mahi-mahi tacos are probably at the top of the list.
There are some unique Pacific flavors that you cannot find anywhere else, and don’t forget to try some of the seaweed salad as well! Order your tacos blackened if you want to get the most flavorful meal, and don’t forget to give the Hawaiian ice coffee a try as well!
Best Kill Devil Hills, NC Restaurants
15. Outer Banks Brewing Station
Price: $$
Address: 600 South Croatan Highway, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
Are you looking for the best beer and cider in the area? If so, you want to head to this Kill Devil Hills establishment. There are plenty of funky options from which to choose as well, and you compare every beer with some classic bar food.
If you’re looking for something a bit fancier, you may want to swing by for brunch on Sunday. You can be treated to some live jazz music as well. There are plenty of other bands that will show up throughout the week.
16. Goombays
Price: $$
Address: 1608 N Virginia Dare Trail, Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina
If you are in the mood for some fried seafood, consider swinging by Goombays! Of course, they have plenty of options from which to choose, but this is a restaurant and raw bar that will give you an experience that you will never forget.
Don’t forget to take a look at the unique decor as well! Fall in love with some of the vintage license plates, give the tropical drinks a try, and ask questions about the stuff you see. If you are looking for a nice cocktail to pair with your meal, the staff would be happy to help you out.
17. Kill Devil Grill
Price: $$
Address: 2008 South Virginia Dare Trail, Kill Devil Hills, NC
If you are looking for a family-friendly restaurant, this is definitely the place to go. It has a large menu including soups, hush puppies, burritos, clams, and more. Many of the items rotate from time to time, so be sure to ask the staff members what they think!
It is one of the most popular restaurants in the local area, and it is the perfect place to go after a long day out on the water.
Best Nags Head, NC Restaurants
18. Biscuits N’ P*rn
Price: $
Address: 2112 South Croatan Highway, Nags Head, North Carolina
Yes, this restaurant has a creative pun for its name, but it is definitely something you don’t want to miss. They have so many delicious biscuits on the menu that you will fall in love with it the second you walk in.
You can choose whatever meat you want to go on your biscuit, and they have plenty of eggs and cheese to add to the mix.
19. Black Pelican
Price: $$$
Address: Milepost 4 in Nags Head
Without a doubt, Black Pelican is one of the most popular restaurants in the entire Outer Banks region. It is a former life saving station, and it is the perfect restaurant if you are looking for something with a beach view.
It is recommended by just about everyone who goes to the OBX area, and it is definitely not something that you want to miss either. If you are looking for some delicious Outer Banks Seafood, it doesn’t get much fresher than right off the beach!
20. Owens
Price: $$
Address: 7114 South Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head, North Carolina 27959
This is a family-owned and family-operated restaurant that has developed a reputation as one of the best restaurants in the area. It has been open for more than 70 years, and even though the menu has evolved during that time, it has stayed true to its roots.
You can find a wide variety of delicious menu options, including shrimp, crab cakes, grits, and gumbo. They also have some specials that rotate from time to time, so don’t forget to talk to the waiters about what they recommend.
21. Tortugas’ Lie
Price: $$
Address: 3016 South Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head, North Carolina 27959
If you are in the mood for some delicious Caribbean food, this is definitely where you want to go. This bar combines traditional North Carolina seafood with that unique Caribbean flair.
You can choose from shrimp kabobs, fresh conch, fried chicken, mixed peppers, and jerk dishes. Then, you can combine these delicious dishes with some fresh drinks as well. It is easy to see why this restaurant comes so highly recommended.
22. Miller’s Waterfront Restaurant
Price: $$$
Address: 6916 South Croatan Highway, Nags Head, North Carolina
If you need some fine dining in the southern area of the Outer Banks, you may want to swing by this restaurant. It has some unparalleled views, amazing meals, and exceptional customer service. Oh, there is also plenty of parking in the area, so you don’t have to worry about driving around for a long time looking for a parking spot.
Even though just about everything on the menu is going to be amazing, you should try to reach for the grilled seafood. They usually have a catch of the day they recommend as well. If you swing by this restaurant, it will be difficult to go wrong.
23. Waverider’s Coffee, Deli, & Pub
Price: $
Address: 3022 South Croatan Highway, Nags Head, North Carolina
If you are looking for a local coffee shop and Pub, you may want to check out this restaurant. This is a great spot to grab your bagel and coffee in the morning, or you may want to swing by in the afternoon for a fresh drink. If you plan to do so, just keep in mind that it will get very busy.
You can find it very close to the Baltic Street Beach Access Point, and it is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Therefore, you should expect to see a bit of a line. The weight is definitely worth it!
Best Manteo, NC Restaurants
24. Lost Colony Brewery
Price: $$
Address: 208 Queen Elizabeth Avenue, Manteo, NC
If you find yourself in the Manteo area, you may want to swing by this brewery to grab a beer. It is popular among people of all ages, and it has been open for more than 20 years. Even though they are known for their delicious beer, they also have some great entrees on the menu as well.
There are lots of delicious appetizers, plenty of unique sandwiches, and fresh seafood. Finally, you can wash everything down with a beer! If you are having a difficult time deciding what type of beer you want to try, consider asking for a flight!
Ultimately, there are a lot of amazing restaurants in the Outer Banks area from which to choose. Even though the names will change depending on where in the region you are located, the delicious food will stay the same.
You will definitely want to try the fresh seafood, no matter where you are, but don’t forget to talk to the staff about what they recommend. This is a great way to taste all of the flavors in the area. This area is definitely a melting pot, with a lot of different cultures coming together, so you should be able to try a wide variety of cuisines.
The next time you plan a visit to the Ocracoke area, consider marking down a few of these restaurants to try for yourself!
