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

Mulligan’s Grille in Historic Cottage Row

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

Ocean Boulevard Bistro and Martini Bar

Outer Banks Seafood Specialties & Steam Bars
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

Oceanas Bistro

Outer Banks Seafood Specialties & Steam Bars
40774 N.C. Highway 12, Avon
(252) 995-4991

Oceanas is a casual, cozy restaurant that the locals love. In the heart of Avon, its welcoming atmosphere beckons diners for lunch and dinner daily and...read more

Oceanas is a casual, cozy restaurant that the locals love. In the heart of Avon,...read more

Ocracoke Oyster Company

Outer Banks Seafood Specialties & Steam Bars
Ocracoke Civic & Business Association Contributor
621 Irvin Garrish Highway, Ocracoke
(252) 928-0200

Ocracoke Oyster Company appeals to locals and visitors, featuring plentiful options of local seafood along with a large variety of oysters on the half shell...read more

Ocracoke Oyster Company appeals to locals and visitors, featuring plentiful options of local seafood along...read more

Outer Banks Boil Company

Outer Banks Seafood Specialties & Steam Bars
Multiple locations

Few things capture the country’s Southeastern coast like a classic low-country boil. The traditional meal comes together with ease (and whenever the...read more

Few things capture the country’s Southeastern coast like a classic low-country boil. The traditional meal...read more

Outer Banks Brewing Station

Outer Banks Seafood Specialties & Steam Bars
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

Outland Seafood

Outer Banks Seafood Specialties & Steam Bars
7463 U.S. Highway 64/264, Manns Harbor
(252) 473-2860

A locals' favorite for fresh seafood, Outland Seafood is perfectly situated for picking up fresh, local seafood on your way to the Outer Banks from the west...read more

A locals' favorite for fresh seafood, Outland Seafood is perfectly situated for picking up fresh,...read more

Red Sky

Outer Banks Seafood Specialties & Steam Bars
1197 Duck Road, Duck Landing, Duck
(252) 261-8646

Red Sky is an inviting cafe with a creative menu of contemporary coastal cuisine. Chef Wes Stepp and his team turn out some incredible fare, including filet...read more

Red Sky is an inviting cafe with a creative menu of contemporary coastal cuisine. Chef...read more

Rundown Cafe

Outer Banks Seafood Specialties & Steam Bars
5218 N. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 1, Kitty Hawk
(252) 255-0026

Rundown Cafe serves island cuisine in a casual atmosphere. The food is a fusion of Pacific Rim and Caribbean flavors, and...read more

Rundown Cafe serves island cuisine in a casual atmosphere. The food is a...read more

Rusty’s Surf & Turf

Outer Banks Seafood Specialties & Steam Bars
47355 N.C. Highway 12, Buxton
(252) 995-4184
Experience island cuisine and the vibrant and bold flavors of the tropics at Rusty's Surf and Turf on Hatteras Island. Rusty Midgett, the owner and chef,...read more
Experience island cuisine and the vibrant and bold flavors of the tropics at Rusty's Surf...read more

Stripers Bar and Grille

Outer Banks Seafood Specialties & Steam Bars
1100-A S. Bay Club Drive, Manteo
(252) 475-1021

Stripers has a great waterfront location at Shallowbag Bay Marina, and they offer plenty of opportunities to enjoy the water views. You can eat on the...read more

Stripers has a great waterfront location at Shallowbag Bay Marina, and they offer plenty of...read more