Outer Banks Restaurants

Seafood Specialties & Steam Bars

We bet you've been dreaming of eating an Outer Banks seafood dinner for months. (We understand. As locals, eating fresh-caught seafood is one of the true pleasures of living here.) Whether it's fried, broiled, blackened, grilled, steamed or raw (as in the oyster or sushi variety), there's a virtual sea of choices. Favorites such as shrimp, flounder, crab cakes and tuna are always found on menus, but seasonal favorites are much anticipated too -- soft shell crabs, oysters, rock fish, puppy drum and blue fish being big ones on the list. As you can imagine, almost every restaurant here serves Outer Banks seafood of some sort, but the ones we're noting in this category are the ones that feature it foremost on their menus and prepare it in imaginative as well as traditional ways. Steamed Outer Banks seafood is offered in many of these restaurants, but unless we specifically note it, you're smart to call ahead to confirm if that's what you're wanting. For diners who are particularly health conscious, steamed shrimp, clams or oysters accompanied by steamed veggies is a meal any trainer would approve of! A select number of Outer Banks restaurants will even cook your catch of the day – what a satisfying end to a successful day of fishing.

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 Seafood Specialties & Steam Bars
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

Billy’s Seafood

Outer Banks Seafood Specialties & Steam Bars
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 Seafood Specialties & Steam Bars
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

Cafe Pamlico

Outer Banks Seafood Specialties & Steam Bars
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

Darrell’s Restaurant

Outer Banks Seafood Specialties & Steam Bars
521 S. U.S. Highway 64, Manteo
(252) 473-5366

Darrell’s is a family-style seafood restaurant that’s a locals' favorite and has been operated by the Daniels family for more than five decades. It...read more

Darrell’s is a family-style seafood restaurant that’s a locals' favorite and has been operated by...read more

Diamond Shoals Restaurant and Seafood Market

Outer Banks Seafood Specialties & Steam Bars
46843 N.C. Highway 12, Buxton
(252) 995-5217

Diamond Shoals is a family-owned restaurant that has been serving visitors and locals for 30 years. It’s open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and...read more

Diamond Shoals is a family-owned restaurant that has been serving visitors and locals for 30 years. It’s...read more

Dunes Restaurant

Outer Banks Seafood Specialties & Steam Bars
7013 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Between The Bypass and The Beach Road, MP 16.5, Nags Head
(252) 441-1600

Dunes Restaurant has been a breakfast and dinner favorite among Outer Banks locals and visitors for more than four decades. Breakfast here is a certifiable...read more

Dunes Restaurant has been a breakfast and dinner favorite among Outer Banks locals and visitors...read more

Fat Crabs Rib Company

Outer Banks Seafood Specialties & Steam Bars
1159 Austin Street, Corolla Light Town Center, Corolla
(252) 453-9931

This is a great local dine-in or take-out restaurant with a very casual family atmosphere. The menu features seafood including soft-shell and hard-...read more

This is a great local dine-in or take-out restaurant with a very casual family atmosphere....read more

Fish Heads Bar & Grill

Outer Banks Seafood Specialties & Steam Bars
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

Froggy Dog Restaurant & Pub

Outer Banks Seafood Specialties & Steam Bars
40050 N.C. Highway 12, Avon
(252) 995-5550

This long-established, freshly updated seafood-oriented restaurant is committed to serving top-quality, scratch-made fare in a friendly setting. In the ship...read more

This long-established, freshly updated seafood-oriented restaurant is committed to serving top-quality, scratch-made fare in a...read more

Good Winds Restaurant

Outer Banks Seafood Specialties & Steam Bars
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

Goombays Grille & Raw Bar

Outer Banks Seafood Specialties & Steam Bars
1608 N. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 7, Kill Devil Hills
(252) 441-6001

Goombays Grille & Raw Bar is a casual restaurant with a colorful and lively island-style atmosphere. The interior decor inspires happiness with...read more

Goombays Grille & Raw Bar is a casual restaurant with a colorful and lively island-style...read more