Outer Banks Restaurants

Creativity Reigns in Outer Banks Restaurants

Outer Banks restaurants reflect these islands' personality perfectly – individual, not cookie-cutter, reflective of the town they're located in, a blend of uptown culinary tastes and easily comfortable atmospheres. The number and character of Outer Banks restaurants is amazing for such a relatively small geographic area. Gone are the days when most establishments focused on fried seafood served with a side of hushpuppies. Now, many Outer Banks restaurants rival any top spot found in cities.  

Each town here has its own dining character. Corolla restaurants, for example, have a lot of variety to mirror the mixture of developments in the area. Hatteras restaurants are more casual and laid back just like Hatteras Island is; Duck restaurants can claim some of the most highly regarded eateries in the area. Ocracoke restaurants rightfully boasts that there’s not one chain restaurant on the island, which makes the overall dining scene so much more interesting. Roanoke Island restaurants reflect a vibrant dining scene and even the smallest brewery in North Carolina. Honestly, for a resort area on the edge of the continent, the Outer Banks has attracted world-class chefs and imaginative restaurateurs. Creativity reigns, and diners are the happy beneficiaries. And Nags Head restaurants include so many award-winning establishments, you’d need a year of constant dining out to take advantage of them.

It's All Good at Outer Banks Restaurants

Outer Banks restaurant choices range from drop-in burger joints to award-winning, fine-dining restaurants. As the popular saying goes, “It’s all good.” Naturally you’ll discover plenty of seafood selections varying from traditional fried fish with slaw to eel-filled Japanese dragon rolls to magnificent concoctions of seafood as good as any you've experienced. And most of the seafood you eat was caught just that morning. Now that’s fresh! You can warm up with Hatteras clam chowder, savor mesquite grilled tuna or fill up on steamers. Meat lovers will appreciate the local barbecue haunts and plentiful prime rib specials. From pizza to lobster, you’ll satisfy any morning, noon or night craving.

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

Ocean Boulevard Bistro and Martini Bar

Outer Banks Restaurant
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 Restaurant
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 Restaurant
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 Brewing Station

Outer Banks Restaurant
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 Restaurant
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

Philly Steak Subs

Outer Banks Restaurant
807-F Ocean Trail, Corolla
(252) 453-4239

You don’t have to go to Philadelphia to get an authentic Philly cheesesteak. You can get one right here in Corolla at Philly Steak Subs. This casual eatery...read more

You don’t have to go to Philadelphia to get an authentic Philly cheesesteak. You can...read more

Pizzazz Pizza

Outer Banks Restaurant
Multiple locations

Pizzazz is a pizza favorite on the Outer Banks. They’ve been around since 1986 because they make consistently great pizza with generous toppings and...read more

Pizzazz is a pizza favorite on the Outer Banks. They’ve been around since 1986 because...read more

Plaza Azteca Restaurante Mexicano

Outer Banks Restaurant
1502 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, Milepost 9.5, Kill Devil Hills
(252) 255-1060

You may have heard of Plaza Azteca, a Virginia Beach–based chain of Mexican restaurants. The restaurants serve upscale Mexican food, and they're known for...read more

You may have heard of Plaza Azteca, a Virginia Beach–based chain of Mexican restaurants. The...read more

Red Sky

Outer Banks Restaurant
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 Restaurant
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 Restaurant
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

Sandtrap Tavern

Outer Banks Restaurant
300 W. Eckner Street, Sea Scape Golf Links, Kitty Hawk
(252) 261-2243

Nothing brings people together quite like great food and drinks. Sandtrap Tavern is a neighborhood restaurant, bar and grill located in Kitty Hawk. Its...read more

Nothing brings people together quite like great food and drinks. Sandtrap Tavern is a neighborhood...read more