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

Home of the "Saltiest Gagger You'll Ever Swaller," Sticky Bottom Oyster Company is the storefront of an oyster farm of the same name that's located in Sandy...read more

Sugar Shack is located right next to Sugar Creek Soundfront Seafood Restaurant. You can eat here or you can pick up seafood to take home. Choose from raw...read more

With a lively, fun-filled family atmosphere, eclectic decor and a focus on fresh seafood, Sun Fish Grill is Corolla's happy seafood shack. The kitchen whips...read more

This restaurant comes by its name honestly. It’s on the Currituck Sound, perfectly oriented to those nightly sunset shows. To better enjoy the setting sun,...read more

Serving breakfast all day long plus lunch and dinner, T.L.'s offers home-style food and attracts its fair share of regular customers. The menu...read more

Owned and operated by the same family since 1980, Tale of the Whale has made a legendary name for itself on the Outer Banks dining scene. On a beautiful...read more

In the heart of Frisco close to Frisco Woods Campground, Tavern on 12 is a great year-round stop for lunch and dinner or drinks and apps. They serve...read more

With 50 years of experience as a chef in New Orleans and Ocracoke, Michael Schramel brings great talent to The Flying Melon. The very popular cafe serves...read more

The Mad Crabber is Hatteras Island’s original crab house; they’ve been specializing in crab legs and steamed seafood for more than 25 years. They also offer...read more

Not only are they known for their delectable menu, but the Oceanfront Grille is also the only place in Corolla where you can dine outdoors while overlooking...read more

The Paper Canoe features fresh, simple food in a polished, casual atmosphere with a stunning waterfront view. Entrees and Old World wood-oven pizzas are...read more

Located at the heart of Colington Island (just a few miles down Colington Road), The Saltbox Café is a charming cottage-style restaurant with a menu...read more