Outer Banks Restaurants

One of the most well-known and trusted caterers on the Outer Banks – a legend since 1985 – Kelly’s offers family-style meals as well as individual meals for delivery or pick up. While they still provide customized full-service catering events for any size group, self-directed services are very popular with their vacationing guests. Whether it’s for one night or each night during your stay, Kelly’s can satisfy all your dining needs. No matter how you use their services, don’t forget to add on several dozen of their ever-popular sweet potato ham biscuits.

Award-winning Lost Colony Brewery is one of the most popular local breweries. They brew British and Irish style ales using imported grains, hops and yeast with water that is an exact match to the British Isles, and the results are beyond delicious. Their brewing operations are in Stumpy Point, about a half-hour away on the mainland, but you can enjoy their cold draft beers at their Waterfront Beer Garden in Nags Head. With a view of Roanoke Sound you can sip favorites like Kitty Hawk Blonde, Pamlico Pale Ale, Nags Head IPA, Hatteras Irish Red, Nut Brown Ale, Holy Hand Grenade and more, including seasonal offerings. Or try them all with a couple of rounds of flights. The setting could not be better. You can sit indoors at the bar and chat up the friendly bartender or sit outdoors on the large, pet-friendly patio and watch the water, boats, ospreys and pelicans. The Beer Garden does not serve food, but you are welcome to bring your own. FreshFit Cafe and Waterfront Pizza in the same shopping center make that very easy, and there are other restaurants nearby on the causeway. Lost Colony Waterfront Beer Garden is open from 1 to 9 p.m. daily, and be sure to pick up a t-shirt while you're there. By the way, you can also enjoy Lost Colony Brewery beers at Lost Colony Tavern in downtown Manteo, and be sure to look for canned selections at local stores and bottle shops. 

Mahi Mahi’s Island Grill features American cuisine with a dash of Latin flavor and a strong emphasis on seafood. Owners Andrew and Leslie Mikhail have proudly teamed up with Peruvian-born Chef Alfredo Landazuri to establish this new Outer Banks restaurant where customers can expect an affordable menu, quality ingredients and friendly service. After working in and opening different restaurants along the Outer Banks and winning first-place awards nine times in local competitions, Chef Landazuri is considered one of the Outer Banks' top chefs, and his award-winning Mahi Mahi Chowder and Shrimp & Grits are on the menu here. The menu also includes salads, shareable appetizers, handhelds that include burgers, sandwiches and fish tacos, fried seafood, crab cakes, pork, steak and so much more, and specials are offered daily. Beer, wine and spirits are available at the full bar. Mahi Mahi's serves lunch and dinner for dine-in and take-out.

For more than 20 years, Mulligan’s has served Southern coastal cuisine with incredible views, thanks to its scenic location between Jockey’s Ridge and Historic Cottage Row. Long known for having some of the best burgers on the beach, their masterful chefs recently have been placing a brighter spotlight on local seafood prepared in an authentic Outer Banks style, all with fresh, local ingredients. Dig into a tasty seafood platter, broiled or fried, some good old-fashioned shrimp and grits or the local catch of the day. They also have a steamed and raw bar serving up local bounty including shrimp, clams and Wanchese sea scallops. You can still order their award-winning burgers, along with other landlubber selections, and kids have their own menu. Their two dining rooms can accommodate a range of group sizes, and the upstairs space has its own bar. In the warmer months, you may opt to eat outside on their covered tiki bar with an ocean view or in the designated doggy dining area. The bar downstairs is a popular local hangout with a big-screen TV for catching up on sports. They have live music year-round. Mulligan’s also offers catering from Corolla to Hatteras as buffet, plated or drop-off. The restaurant is open 365 days a year for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch.