Outer Banks Seafood Restaurant on the Nags Head Waterfront
Basnight’s Lone Cedar Cafe is a true Outer Banks original, blending breathtaking waterfront views with a deep-rooted commitment to fresh, local food. Perched along the Nags Head–Manteo Causeway, every seat in the house offers sweeping vistas of the Roanoke Sound, where sunsets paint the sky and ospreys—nicknamed Lucy and Ricky—tend to their nest right outside the windows. The atmosphere alone is reason to visit, but it’s the food that keeps locals and visitors coming back year after year.
Since opening in 1996, the Basnight family has remained dedicated to serving only the freshest North Carolina seafood, caught daily in local waters. No frozen imports, no shortcuts—just fish, shrimp, crab, and oysters brought in by local boats. Complementing the seafood are seasonal vegetables sourced from nearby farms and even their own chemical-free garden, while meats are antibiotic- and hormone-free. The result is a menu that honors coastal tradition while celebrating the flavors of the season.
Signature dishes include their famous she-crab soup, jumbo lump crab cakes, fried green tail shrimp, and classic seafood platters. Land lovers aren’t forgotten either, with hand-cut steaks, chicken, and Southern staples like shrimp and grits rounding out the menu. Beyond dining, Lone Cedar is a premier event destination, offering catering both on- and off-site, with a panoramic covered patio that has hosted countless weddings and celebrations.
Family-run, locally focused, and community-minded, Lone Cedar is more than just a restaurant—it’s an Outer Banks tradition where “boat to table” isn’t a slogan, it’s a way of life.
