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
Hungry? Look for the red food truck next to the Ocracoke Variety Store. While you are working up an appetite for lunch, they are busy inside making hand-...read more
Olives A Greek Kitchen brings the flavors and foods of Greece to the Manteo and the northern Outer Banks. The owners, established restaurateurs from...read more
Named for the orange trees that once grew on the property, Orange Blossom is a Hatteras Island favorite for breakfast. Everyone loves the Apple Uglies and...read more
Ortega'z Southwestern Grill brings some cultural spice to downtown Manteo along with a little flash of star quality. The restaurant and its owners,...read more
Pier House Restaurant at Nags Head Fishing Pier is a favorite location for an oceanfront meal, and it's especially popular at breakfast. You can sit inside...read more
On the northern end of Avon next to OceanAir Sports, Po House is a casual waterfront restaurant with great views of the soundside activities and those...read more
The Pony, as the locals call this restaurant, was opened in 1959 as the Ocracoke Restaurant and is the island's oldest eating establishment. It is casual,...read more
Poor Richard's is the local meet-and-greet neighborhood sandwich shop by day and bar by night. It has two doors, one leading from the Manteo boardwalk...read more
Established in 1978, Quarterdeck has been proudly serving the Hatteras Island community for 40 years! It's a locally owned, casual, family-oriented...read more
In a charming 1930s cottage right along N.C. Highway 12, The Roadside is a Duck institution. You can dine al fresco on the...read more
Sea Chef Dockside Kitchen is the house restaurant at Oregon Inlet Fishing Center. It's a laid-back traditional fish shack run by a father-son duo of...read more
