Outer Banks Restaurants

Don’t worry. It has nothing to do with the food served here. It’s because their brain
immediately floods with countless choices from casual cooking to creative cuisine.

While each town here has its own dining character - for example, Hatteras Island is known as a more casual, laid-back place, Duck has the only "jackets required for the gentlemen" establishment (but all of Duck isn't that formal!), Ocracoke boasts not one chain restaurant! - the overall dining scene is more than fabulous. Honestly, for a resort area on the edge of the continent, the Outer Banks has attracted world-class chefs and imaginative restauranteurs. Creativity reigns, and diners are the happy beneficiaries.

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 that compete with any big-city offering. 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.

What about dining attire? It's not unusual for casual clothing to be worn in fine dining establishments. This is the beach after all! But there are a few places where you'll feel much better a little more gussied up. If in doubt, call and ask!

And here's an important note: Many areas of the Outer Banks - Roanoke, Hatteras and Ocracoke islands - can only serve wine or beer in their dining establishments. Some will allow brown-bagging, so call if you want to do this.

And one more important note: Many restaurants do not take reservations at all, and there are some that absolutely require them. Read the descriptions provided in each section for details. Also, you should know that dining out in extremely large parties can be taxing to some restaurants, while others can handle it with ease. If you must dine out en masse, always call ahead to make sure your restaurant of choice can accommodate a large party (and to give them a warning that you're coming).