Outer Banks Restaurants

Mike Dianna's Grill Room is owned and operated by a true Corolla local who grew up here and has lived in the area since 1984. The restaurant starts with the best raw products they can find, such as USDA Prime beef, fresh and local seafood, all-natural chicken, pork and pasta. The restaurant has a live hardwood grill where they cook all of their steaks and seafood, and it's the only one of its kind on the northern part of the Outer Banks. They have a wonderful children's menu and an ever-changing specials menu, and they cater to gluten-free, dairy-free and allergy-related restrictions. The Grill Room serves brunch complete with homemade buttermilk biscuits, a house-cured lox platter, crabcake sandwiches, deviled eggs, daily omelette specials and more. Indoor and outdoor dining are available, as are curbside pickup and free delivery on the paved roads of Corolla (online ordering available). Reservations are recommended for all party sizes for both brunch and dinner and can be made online.

With more than 17 varieties of fresh New York-style bagels, a huge variety of freshly made pastries, breakfast sandwiches and handcrafted coffee and espresso drinks, Muffins and Scones is the perfect place to start your day. The only thing that would make it better is homemade donuts, which they actually have daily all summer long! But don't overlook Muffins and Scones for lunch sandwiches and soups, afternoon snacks, late-day coffee and a grab-and-go selection of quiches, soups, cake slices and pies available too. If you're looking for a special occasion cake or cupcakes, look no further, as they custom make almost any cake, including wedding cakes. Their lounge area is a comfortable place to hang out at any time of day. Look for the bright purple building in Avon.

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 location that create a lively, hip and low-key atmosphere for gathering with family and friends over drinks, snacks, shareable plates, popular Chef Boards and meals. Owner/Chef Wes Stepp describes NC Coast’s cuisine as celebrating the flavors of the coastal South while bringing in cross-cultural and global influences. The menu features eclectic preparations of local seafood, regional produce and all-natural meats, and vegetarian and vegan options are available. Indoors you’ll find a 15-seat bar, chef’s tasting seating by the kitchen and an open and airy atmosphere with a wall of windows overlooking the sound. Outdoors you’ll find seating and bar tables right on Duck Boardwalk, along with a temperature-controlled tent, perfect for catching sunsets and live music in the warm seasons. Dockage is available for shallow-draft boats. NC Coast serves lunch and dinner and is open seven days a week.

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, just steps away from the ocean. Ocean Boulevard’s culinary team serves an American bistro-style menu that has been praised in Southern Living magazine as well as The Washington Post. The menu changes seasonally but always includes beautiful preparations of local seafood, regional poultry and meats, nightly chef specials and decadent desserts. They have a comprehensive wine list and a full bar with their own martini menu. Their ocean-side patio is one of many unique features; it’s an enjoyable hangout during the summer, and you can often catch some live music during the week. Ocean Boulevard is open nightly for dinner year round. Reservations are suggested.

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. Serving fig wood-smoked barbecue, burgers, ribs, brisket and chicken, they also offer vegetarian options and a kids' menu. They have a nice selection of local beer. The restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner. They often have live music, and the kitchen stays open late in season.