Outer Banks Restaurants

Creativity Reigns in Outer Banks Restaurants

Outer Banks restaurants reflect these islands' personality perfectly – individual, not cookie-cutter, reflective of the town they're located in, a blend of uptown culinary tastes and easily comfortable atmospheres. The number and character of Outer Banks restaurants is amazing for such a relatively small geographic area. Gone are the days when most establishments focused on fried seafood served with a side of hushpuppies. Now, many Outer Banks restaurants rival any top spot found in cities.  

Each town here has its own dining character. Corolla restaurants, for example, have a lot of variety to mirror the mixture of developments in the area. Hatteras restaurants are more casual and laid back just like Hatteras Island is; Duck restaurants can claim some of the most highly regarded eateries in the area. Ocracoke restaurants rightfully boasts that there’s not one chain restaurant on the island, which makes the overall dining scene so much more interesting. Roanoke Island restaurants reflect a vibrant dining scene and even the smallest brewery in North Carolina. Honestly, for a resort area on the edge of the continent, the Outer Banks has attracted world-class chefs and imaginative restaurateurs. Creativity reigns, and diners are the happy beneficiaries. And Nags Head restaurants include so many award-winning establishments, you’d need a year of constant dining out to take advantage of them.

It's All Good at Outer Banks Restaurants

Outer Banks restaurant choices range from drop-in burger joints to award-winning, fine-dining restaurants. As the popular saying goes, “It’s all good.” Naturally you’ll discover plenty of seafood selections varying from traditional fried fish with slaw to eel-filled Japanese dragon rolls to magnificent concoctions of seafood as good as any you've experienced. And most of the seafood you eat was caught just that morning. Now that’s fresh! You can warm up with Hatteras clam chowder, savor mesquite grilled tuna or fill up on steamers. Meat lovers will appreciate the local barbecue haunts and plentiful prime rib specials. From pizza to lobster, you’ll satisfy any morning, noon or night craving.

Outer Banks Restaurants by Area

Corolla | Duck & Southern Shores | Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills & Nags Head
Roanoke Island & Manteo | Hatteras Island | Ocracoke Island

Outer Banks Restaurants by Category

3 Tequilas Restaurante Mexicano

Outer Banks Restaurant
804 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 8.5, Kill Devil Hills
(252) 715-3604

If you're a fan of traditional Mexican food and fresh tableside guacamole, you'll love 3 Tequilas. Start with appetizers like Mexican street corn, taquitos...read more

If you're a fan of traditional Mexican food and fresh tableside guacamole, you'll love 3...read more

Basnight’s Lone Cedar

Outer Banks Restaurant
7623 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head/Manteo Causeway, Nags Head
(252) 441-5405

This Outer Banks landmark restaurant at the top of many locals’ lists of favorite places. The service is genuinely friendly, and the portions are more...read more

This Outer Banks landmark restaurant at the top of many locals’ lists of favorite places....read more

Big Buck's Homemade Ice Cream

Outer Banks Restaurant
Multiple locations

For a tasty treat, head to Big Buck’s Homemade Ice Cream. Choose from more than 50 flavors of made-from-scratch ice cream plus sorbet and soft serve....read more

For a tasty treat, head to Big Buck’s Homemade Ice Cream. Choose from more than...read more

Billy’s Seafood

Outer Banks Restaurant
1341 Colington Road, Kill Devil Hills
(252) 441-5978

At Billy’s Seafood they stock plenty of fresh, local seafood, so pick some up to prepare your own feast at home tonight. They’re a great stop for local soft...read more

At Billy’s Seafood they stock plenty of fresh, local seafood, so pick some up to...read more

Black Pelican Oceanfront Cafe

Outer Banks Restaurant
3848 N.Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 4, Kitty Hawk
(252) 261-3171

Housed in a former U.S. Lifesaving Station and full of character and rustic charm, the Black Pelican is on the Beach Road, directly across from the...read more

Housed in a former U.S. Lifesaving Station and full of character and rustic charm, the...read more

Bonzer Shack

Outer Banks Restaurant
1200 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 9, Kill Devil Hills
(252) 480-1010

Get ready to kick back and relax at Bonzer Shack. With their creative take on Southern and island comfort food in a surf hangout atmosphere, there’s...read more

Get ready to kick back and relax at Bonzer Shack. With their creative take on...read more

Cafe Pamlico

Outer Banks Restaurant
49684 N.C. Highway 12, The Inn on Pamlico Sound, Buxton
(252) 995-7030
(866) 995-7030

An intimate restaurant, Cafe Pamlico is The Inn on Pamlico Sound’s signature eatery, offering gourmet cuisine overlooking the waters of the sound. Cafe...read more

An intimate restaurant, Cafe Pamlico is The Inn on Pamlico Sound’s signature eatery, offering gourmet...read more

Carolina Bar-B-Que Company

Outer Banks Restaurant
908 U.S. Highway 64, Manteo
(252) 305-8844

If you love authentic pit-cooked eastern North Carolina barbecue, this is your place. On Highway 64 close to the Dare County Government Complex,...read more

If you love authentic pit-cooked eastern North Carolina barbecue, this is your place. On Highway...read more

Cookshak Fried Chicken

Outer Banks Restaurant
Multiple locations

If it’s Southern chicken, then it’d better be fried. At least, that’s what they believe at The Cookshak Fried Chicken. Their small menu lets them...read more

If it’s Southern chicken, then it’d better be fried. At least, that’s what they believe at The Cookshak Fried Chicken....read more

Cosmo’s Pizzeria

Outer Banks Restaurant
5591 N. Croatan Highway, The Marketplace, Southern Shores
(252) 261-8388

Cosmo’s offers Italian-style food that’s worth seeking out. The pizza crust is perfect — crisp on the outside and soft on the inside and with just a...read more

Cosmo’s offers Italian-style food that’s worth seeking out. The pizza crust is perfect — crisp...read more

Country Deli

Outer Banks Restaurant
1900 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 9.75, Kill Devil Hills
(252) 441-5684

Country Deli has been an Outer Banks tradition and locals' favorite for more than 30 years. Guests can dine in, enjoy the pet-friendly outside patio...read more

Country Deli has been an Outer Banks tradition and locals' favorite for more than 30 years....read more

Dare Devil's Pizzeria

Outer Banks Restaurant
1112 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 9, Kill Devil Hills
(252) 441-6330

A fixture on the Beach Road in Kill Devil Hills since 1987, Dare Devil’s Pizzeria is an Outer Banks favorite, widely known for its delicious pizzas,...read more

A fixture on the Beach Road in Kill Devil Hills since 1987, Dare Devil’s Pizzeria...read more