Outer Banks Restaurants

Outdoor Dining

From the very first writings about the Outer Banks by 1585 explorers Phillip Amadas and Arthur Barlowe, we've been lauded for our natural surroundings -- "the goodliest land under the cope of heaven." Certainly, anyone who comes here does so mostly because of the gifts Mother Nature has bestowed on the Outer Banks. Where else could you stand on top of a giant sand dune and watch the sun both rise and set? So, it's no wonder that dining under this cope of heaven, without a roof over your head, has been an Outer Banks restaurant tradition since the start of tourism. Outer Banks outdoor dining takes advantage of the magnificent environment that hosts it. There's no way any restaurant lighting can compete with twinkling stars! Lots of the restaurants with open air dining are located on the soundfront, so the scenic beauty is amped up as you watch the different colors of the sunset reflecting on the water. And, as an added benefit, many Outer Banks outdoor dining restaurants also offer live music on their decks. Want a local’s tip: Order a meal for take-out from your favorite restaurant, then go climb to the top of that giant sand dune and have a picnic. It’s a view that you’ve never had before while dining, that’s for sure! 

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

Basnight’s Lone Cedar

Outer Banks Outdoor Dining
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

Fish Heads Bar & Grill

Outer Banks Outdoor Dining
8901 S. Old Oregon Inlet Road, MP 18.5, Nags Head
(252) 441-5740

You can't eat and drink any closer to the ocean than this. Fish Heads at Outer Banks Pier offers a restaurant and bar with seating on the deck in the...read more

You can't eat and drink any closer to the ocean than this. Fish Heads at...read more

Good Winds Restaurant

Outer Banks Outdoor Dining
24502 N.C. Highway 12, Waves Village Watersports Resort, Rodanthe
(252) 987-1100

Whether you’ve worked up an appetite kiteboarding on-site or you just want a meal with a water view, Good Winds Restaurant

...read more

Whether you’ve worked up an appetite kiteboarding on-site or you just

...read more

Howard’s Pub & Raw Bar Restaurant

Outer Banks Outdoor Dining
Ocracoke Civic & Business Association Contributor
1175 Irvin Garrish Hwy, Ocracoke
(252) 928-4441

Fun, eclectic and casual, Howard's Pub serves local fish, oysters, shrimp, juicy chargrilled burgers, salads, sandwiches and more every day from spring...read more

Fun, eclectic and casual, Howard's Pub serves local fish, oysters, shrimp, juicy chargrilled burgers, salads,...read more

Jason’s Restaurant

Outer Banks Outdoor Dining
1110 Irvin Garrish Highway, Ocracoke
(252) 928-3434
Jason's Restaurant has a lot of loyal local customers because it serves tasty, traditional and reasonably priced food in a casual atmosphere. Pizza, pasta...read more
Jason's Restaurant has a lot of loyal local customers because it serves tasty, traditional and...read more

Lost Colony Tavern

Outer Banks Outdoor Dining
208 Queen Elizabeth Avenue, Manteo
(252) 423-3033

For locally brewed beers and perfectly accompanying British pub-style cuisine, head to Lost Colony Tavern in downtown Manteo. The tavern...read more

For locally brewed beers and perfectly accompanying British pub-style cuisine, head to Lost Colony Tavern...read more

Mirro's Cafe

Outer Banks Outdoor Dining
21250 N.C. Highway 12, Waves
(252) 987-1200
Mirro's is a beach-casual café serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with a smile. For breakfast try their omelets, wraps, biscuit sandwiches,...read more
Mirro's is a beach-casual café serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with a smile. For breakfast...read more

Mulligan’s Grille in Historic Cottage Row

Outer Banks Outdoor Dining
4005 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 13, Nags Head
(252) 480-2000

For more than 20 years, Mulligan’s has served Southern coastal cuisine with incredible views, thanks to its scenic location...read more

For more than 20 years, Mulligan’s has served Southern coastal cuisine with incredible...read more

NC Coast Grill & Bar

Outer Banks Outdoor Dining
1184 Duck Road, Duck
(252) 248-3211

The second restaurant from the team at Duck’s Red Sky Cafe, NC Coast Grill & Bar has an open kitchen, concrete bar, upscale coastal decor and waterfront...read more

The second restaurant from the team at Duck’s Red Sky Cafe, NC Coast Grill &...read more

NouVines

Outer Banks Outdoor Dining
105 Budleigh Street, Manteo
(252) 339-1634

Downtown Manteo finally has a wine bar! It's a cozy, comfortable place with the slightly urban feel of a remodeled historic downtown building, in this case...read more

Downtown Manteo finally has a wine bar! It's a cozy, comfortable place with the slightly...read more

Ocean Boulevard Bistro and Martini Bar

Outer Banks Outdoor Dining
4700 N. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 2.5, Kitty Hawk
(252) 261-2546

Ocean Boulevard is a casual yet upscale restaurant, which means you can enjoy a special evening out in the comfort of your sandals. They are, after all,...read more

Ocean Boulevard is a casual yet upscale restaurant, which means you can enjoy a special...read more

Outer Banks Brewing Station

Outer Banks Outdoor Dining
600 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 8.5, Kill Devil Hills
(252) 449-2739

Outer Banks Brewing Station has an ever-changing list of award-winning house-made beers that serve as the cornerstone of their innovative style....read more

Outer Banks Brewing Station has an ever-changing list of award-winning house-made beers that serve as...read more