24 Restaurants Where Outer Banks Locals Eat (2024)

This post presents a list of 24 restaurants on the Outer Banks that the locals would recommend. This standout group of restaurants reflects some of the best culinary offerings coastal North Carolina offers.

This list will cover restaurants spanning from Corolla to Ocracoke Island - and everywhere in between.

So if you stop along NC Highway 12 and ask a local, "Can you recommend a restaurant?" chances are one of these restaurants will be included on their shortlist of Outer Banks eateries.

24 Restaurants Where Outer Banks Locals Eat (1)

The Kill Devil Grill

The food. The service. The laid-back atmosphere. Kill Devil Grill has it all. Daily specials that are always delicious and are never available for long. The dining room isn't big, so arrive either early or late for lunch or dinner. Open most nights of the week during the peak season with limited hours during the off-season. Top your meal off with key lime pie or apple crisp for dessert. If softshell crabs are ever on the specials menu, don't hesitate and try whatever the chefs have created.

2008 S Virginia Dare Trail in Kill Devil Hills
(252) 449-8181 | $$ | Menu

24 Restaurants Where Outer Banks Locals Eat (2)Facebook / Blue Moon Beach Grill

Blue Moon Beach Grill

Another standout in Nags Head, seafood, is the star of the menu at Blue Moon Beach Grill. Locally-sourced ingredients are used throughout the menu. Many local brews are on the menu to pair with your entree. Cozy dining room with friendly staff and experienced chefs. Local art that's available for purchase lines the walls. Open year-round for lunch and dinner. Very, very busy during the summer. No reservations are available, so plan accordingly!

4104 S Virginia Dare Trail #16 in Nags Head
(252) 261-2583 | $$ | Menu

24 Restaurants Where Outer Banks Locals Eat (3)Facebook / Country Deli

Country Deli

Arguably the best sandwiches on the Outer Banks are created in the kitchen at Country Deli. This family-owned and family-operated shop make everything with care. Turkey reuben, brisket, meatballs, cheesesteak, grilled cheese with bacon, the list goes on. Order ahead by phone or online—minimal seating inside. Best enjoyed at the nearby public beach access.

1900 S Croatan Highway in Kill Devil Hills
(252) 441-5684 | $$ | Menu

24 Restaurants Where Outer Banks Locals Eat (4)Facebook / John's Drive-In

John's Drive-In

This Outer Banks eatery opened in 1977 and has been a local favorite ever since. So order ahead, park your car, and pick up your order at the walk-up window. John's is located on the beach road in Kitty Hawk. The dolphin boat is probably the most popular item on the menu - order it. Soft serve ice cream after your fill up on fried fish. Just steps away from the Atlantic Ocean. John’s is closed during the off-season.

3716 N Virginia Dare Trail in Kitty Hawk
(252) 261-6227 | $ | Menu

24 Restaurants Where Outer Banks Locals Eat (5)

Art's Place

Art's is a no-frills eatery located just off beach road in Kitty Hawk. With simple food prepared well. Portions are very generous, and prices are even better. Huge, huge burgers are the most popular choiceon the menu. Many people rave about the Kitty Hawk Crush, whichwill get you in the vacation mindset. Rooftop hangout with unobstructed views of the Atlantic Ocean. Corn hole boards in the front are where the locals in Kitty Hawk like to hang out, and you should stop by Art's too.

4624 N Virginia Dare Trail in Kitty Hawk
(252) 261-3233 | $ | Menu

24 Restaurants Where Outer Banks Locals Eat (6)Facebook / Spanky's Grill

Spanky's Grille

Hot dogs bigger than your dad's foot loaded with chili and cheese. Spanky's hot dogs are probably the best on the Outer Banks. There is a Sonic not far from the restaurant, but it doesn't compare. Also, the prices are very reasonable. Spanky's is a clear choice if you need something quick that's delicious and available at an affordable price. Are you feeling extra hungry? Ask for the Viking Burger; it's 2 pounds of ground beef goodness!

4105 N Croatan Highway in Kitty Hawk
(252) 261-1917 | $ | Menu

24 Restaurants Where Outer Banks Locals Eat (7)Facebook / I Got Your Crabs

I Got Your Crabs Shellfish Market & Oyster Bar

Come here to enjoy a cold beer paired wonderfully with a basket of clams and fresh fish served in a disposable tray. Of course, their steamed crabs are delectable; after all, it's in the restaurant's name. Locals love coming here to enjoy the area's plentiful fresh seafood prepared and available at a great price. Unfortunately, there is limited indoor seating, and there are only so many takeout orders available each day. But, don't let the unassuming exterior of the restaurant deter you! I Got Your Crabs is 100% a spot that the locals celebrate and frequent.

3809 N Croatan Highway in Kitty Hawk
(252) 449-2483 | $ | Menu

24 Restaurants Where Outer Banks Locals Eat (8)Facebook / The Paper Canoe

The Paper Canoe

Fantastic date night spot with dim lighting and food you'll want your partner to let you try. Excellent sound front views and sunsets that are so good the restaurant's owners should charge you extra for them. Highlights from the seasonal menu include steak, fish, scallops, shrimp, and more. Reservations are highly recommended and almost a requirement. However, if you don't call ahead, and it is just a party of two, you may be able to secure a spot at the bar without waiting long—an excellent choice for an anniversary dinner.

1564 Duck Road in Duck
(252) 715-2220 | $$$ | Menu

24 Restaurants Where Outer Banks Locals Eat (9)Facebook / Tortugas' Lie

Tortugas' Lie

Well stated on the restaurant's website, Tortugas' Lie is "a delicious slice of the Caribbean." Burgers, seafood, and sushi are prepared with a Caribbean flair. License plates from all over the country cover the indoor rafters. Surfing videos play on repeat on the TVs - unless a notable sporting event is on. Guy Fieri deemed this the "hotspot of the Outer Banks" when he visited not-so-many years ago. Beach volleyball in the backyard. A laid-back atmosphere that's a perfect ending to a day spent mainly under an umbrella. Tortugas' is located just off the road adjacent to the beach in Nags Head.

3016 S Virginia Dare Trail in Nags Head
(252) 441-7299 | $$ | Menu

24 Restaurants Where Outer Banks Locals Eat (10)Facebook / Fish Heads

Fish Heads Bar & Grill

Fish Heads' is one of the few opportunities to dine on the oceanfront on the Outer Banks. They are headquartered on the deck of the Outer Banks Fishing Pier in South Nags Head. Shrimp is well-prepared, reasonably priced, and plentiful. In addition, locals enjoy coming here for live music on select nights of the week. With no indoor seating and a view as good as here, why would there be? Would an oceanfront pier hangout be complete without a well-stocked bar? Probably not; it's a good thing Fish Heads has every libation you could require. So grab a good friend, order a cold beer and a basket of steamed shrimp, and set yourself up for a memorable and relaxing night on the oceanfront.

8901 S Old Oregon Inlet Road in Nags Head
(252) 441-5740 | $$ | Menu

24 Restaurants Where Outer Banks Locals Eat (11)Facebook / Basnight's Lone Cedar Cafe

Basnight's Lone Cedar Cafe

Basnight's has a vast indoor dining room with almost every seat in the building overlooking the Roanoke Sound. Choose from an array of fresh seafood offerings and southern favorites like mac & cheese, collard greens, and fried chicken on the menu. The bar has an unobstructed view of the osprey nest outside, which is unique. Many soon-to-be brides choose Basnight's as the catering restaurant of choice for their big day. The she-crab soup is jam up! So are the shrimp and grits.

7623 S Virginia Dare Trail in Nags Head
(252) 441-5405 | $$$ | Menu

24 Restaurants Where Outer Banks Locals Eat (12)Facebook / The Saltbox Cafe

The Saltbox Cafe

Any self-proclaimed foodie would rejoice at the menu available at The Saltbox Cafe in Kill Devil Hills. Tucked away from the beach in Colington Island amongst the pine and live oak trees. Food is always top-notch, and the staff is on their A-game. Plan and secure a reservation as soon as possible as there is limited seating. Steaks and locally-sourced seafood paired with a craft beer or wine - does it get any better?

1469 Colington Road in Kill Devil Hills
(252) 255-5594 | $$$ | Menu

24 Restaurants Where Outer Banks Locals Eat (13)Facebook / Trio Outer Banks

TRIO Restaurant & Market

TRIO is about the best place on the Outer Banks to order a charcuterie board. And, perhaps, the only place on the barrier islands with a charcuterie board. So come for the wine and cheese, stay for the excellent company and service in an overly comfortable setting.

3708 N Croatan Highway in Kitty Hawk
(252) 261-0277 | $$ | Menu

24 Restaurants Where Outer Banks Locals Eat (14)Facebook / Mama Kwan's

Mama Kwan's Tiki Bar & Grill

Yes, a tiki bar! Mama Kwan's is a Hawaiian-themed restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. Fish tacos are a popular choice on the menu, and the coconut shrimp. Friendly staff that's primarily year-round locals. Lots of exciting mixed drinks on the menu from the restaurant's bartender. Have your drink served in a parrot or tiki man. Locals like to visit Mama Kwan's during the offseason when it's a little less busy. Open late on some occasions.

1701 S Croatan Highway in Kill Devil Hills
(252) 441-7889 | $$ | Menu

24 Restaurants Where Outer Banks Locals Eat (15)Facebook / Barefoot Bernie's

Barefoot Bernie's Tropical Grill & Bar

Popular local spot to watch the big game or enjoy lunch with co-workers. Super laid-back atmosphere with a menu that includes fish tacos, margarita pizza, clams, loaded nachos, and wings. Burger night is once a week, and yes, they are good! Perhaps the best burger on the Outer Banks? At the very least, in the conversation of the top five.

3730 N Croatan Highway in Kitty Hawk
(252) 261-1008 | $$ | Menu

24 Restaurants Where Outer Banks Locals Eat (16)

Rundown Cafe

Rundown offers one of the best views of any restaurant on the Outer Banks. Hawaiian-themed restaurant, some of the lunch and dinner menu starsarethe poke bowl and the coconut shrimp. Unique dishes that you won't find elsewhere on the Outer Banks. Despite the high-quality food, service, and stellar location, the menu prices at Rundown Cafe are very reasonable. Great selection of tropical adult beverages. There's a koi pond right in front of the entrance - bring a quarter to buy some food and feed the hungry fish.

5218 Virginia Dare Trail in Kitty Hawk
(252) 255-0026 | $$ | Menu

24 Restaurants Where Outer Banks Locals Eat (17)Facebook / Hurricane Mo's

Hurricane Mo's Beachside Bar & Grill

Kitty Hawk has more than a handful of stellar restaurants; Hurricane Mo's is one of them. Locally-sourced seafood, pasta, sandwiches, steaks, and an array of mixed drink opportunities. Locals frequent Mo's for lunch and treat their relatives to dinner. Happy Hour every day from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM features 10-cent shrimp, 25-cent wings, and $1 tacos.

120 East W Kitty Hawk Road in Kitty Hawk
(252) 255-0215 | $$ | Menu

24 Restaurants Where Outer Banks Locals Eat (18)Facebook / Waveriders

Waveriders Coffee & Deli

Waveriders is perhaps best described as a coffee shop with sandwiches that are a step - or a few steps - above what you would expect. In addition, an array of craft beers on tap in the event coffee isn't suiting your taste buds—more of a fast-casual dining experience than one involving a waiter/waitress assisting with your order.

3022 S Croatan Highway in Nags Head
(252) 715-1880 | $ | Menu

24 Restaurants Where Outer Banks Locals Eat (19)Facebook / Gingerbread House Bakery

Gingerbread House Bakery

What if your favorite hometown pizzeria served quality baked goods that you'd only find in an authentic bakery? Gingerbread House Bakery has many pastries to choose from and some of the best pizza Hatteras Island offers! Also, have you ever had seafood on your pizza? Of course, there's a first time for everything; pepperoni and cheese are also options: takeout only, no indoor seating.

52715 NC-12in Frisco
(252) 995-5204 | $$ | Menu

24 Restaurants Where Outer Banks Locals Eat (20)Yelp / Seth S.

Poor Richard's Sandwich Shop

They are located right along the downtown Manteo waterfront. Poor Richard's opened their doors many decades ago, and locals have been frequenting ever since. Open from breakfast in the morning to late-night karaoke during select nights of the week. Prices are super reasonable compared to other local establishments. Eat-in the indoor dining room or outside along the waterfront and admire the million-dollar boats docked at the marina.

305 Queen Elizabeth Avenue in Manteo
(252) 473-3333 | $ | Menu

24 Restaurants Where Outer Banks Locals Eat (21)Facebook / Hatteras Sol Waterside Grill

Hatteras Sol Waterside Grill

Soundfront location that doesn't disappoint when it comes to nightly sunsets. Coined as a "casually sophisticated dining experience" by their owners, which is pretty accurate. Steak, fish, shrimp, and crab entrees sprinkled throughout the dinner menu.

58646 NC-12 in Hatteras
(252) 986-1414 | $$ | Menu

24 Restaurants Where Outer Banks Locals Eat (22)Facebook / Food Dudes Kitchen

Food Dudes Kitchen

Blackened Mahi tacos are their specialty. No frills establishment with reasonable prices. Portions are enormous; you won't leave your dinner table hungry. Small dining room, many locals choose to place an order for takeout and hang out on the beach while enjoying their Food Dudes order.

1216 S Virginia Dare Trail in Kill Devil Hills
(252) 441-7994 | $$ | Menu

24 Restaurants Where Outer Banks Locals Eat (23)

Slice Pizzeria

Great pizza with many, many different topping options. Thin crust and deep dish options. Garlic knots alone are worth giving Slice Pizzeria a try. Professional and polite staff, clean and well-lit dining area that provides ample seating on most nights. Buy your lunch/dinner by the slice or the whole pie. Many, many reasons why Outer Banks locals frequent this pizzeria.

710 South Croatan Highway in Kill Devil Hills
(252) 449-8888 | $$ | Menu

24 Restaurants Where Outer Banks Locals Eat (24)Facebook / Grit's Grill

Grits Grill

High in flavor and low in price. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner—no-frills dining room with an old diner vibe. Booths line the walls and checkerboard flooring. This place hasn't changed in decades, and that's okay. It is located just off the bypass in Nags Head. Arrive at Grits Grill early if you are planning breakfast during the summer.

5000 S. Croatan Highway in Nags Head
(252) 449-2888 | $$ | Menu

24 Restaurants Where Outer Banks Locals Eat (2024)

FAQs

What episode of Diners Drive Ins and Dives is the Outer Banks? ›

The Episode is titled: "Pubs and Grub" and will also highlight in Kill Devil Hills, N.C., the Brewing Station serving "righteous shrimp and grits" as well as the great home-made beers.

What food are the Outer Banks famous for? ›

The Best Seafood in the Outer Banks, NC

The region's specialties vary from flavorful clam chowders and seafood sandwiches to local fresh oysters and the classic Outer Banks Boil, a low country seafood boil with shrimp, clams, potatoes, and sausage — all seasoned and cooked to perfection.

What seafood is local to Outer Banks? ›

The region is renowned for its bounty of shrimp, crab, and oysters, which are considered some of the best in the world. These local delicacies are used in a variety of dishes, from classic comfort food like shrimp and grits to more innovative creations that showcase the chefs' creativity.

Does the Outer Banks get crowded? ›

Crowd Size

Because of the beautiful weather, the OBX draws a lot of tourists from North Carolina and beyond. These crowds will cause delays and traffic, and will most likely create longer wait times at attractions and restaurants.

What restaurants did Guy Fieri visit on the Outer Banks? ›

During his trip to the Outer Banks, Guy visited and filmed at six locally-owned restaurants: The Black Pelican, The Outer Banks Brewing Station, Tortugas' Lie Shellfish Bar & Grill, The Brine & Bottle, Ortega'z Southwestern Grill & Wine Bar, The Weeping Radish, and Cravings Steaks & Seafood.

How long does it take to film an episode of Diners Drive-Ins and Dives? ›

The show typically films for two days, although some establishments have said they were closed for as long as four days. During this time, the crew captures B-roll and films the cooking segments with Fieri.

What are the locals called in Outer Banks? ›

Pogues and Kooks

In Outer Banks John B. and his friends refer to themselves as the Pogues. "This is the south side, or the cut," he explains in the first episode, as it shows a more rundown part of town. "Home of the working class, who make a living busing tables, washing yachts, running charters.

What is the nickname for the Outer Banks NC? ›

Kitty Hawk

Some people have suggested alternatives, including the naming of mosquitos as "Skeeter Hawks" or "killy honk" as a local colloquialism for hunting geese. Regardless of its origin, by 1800, Kitty Hawk was being used on maps of the area.

What is the famous house in Outer Banks? ›

The Inn at Rodanthe, as it was named in the 2008 movie based on Nicholas Spark's popular novel, Nights in Rodanthe, starring Richard Gere and Diane Lane, is a beautifully-restored, single family home (not an actual Inn), located in the small Hatteras Island village of Rodanthe on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

What time do the crabs come out in the Outer Banks? ›

Ghost crabbing in the Outer Banks reaches its peak in the summer months between May and early September. The crabs don't enjoy the sun, so during the hot summer days they'll usually burrow up to four feet under the sand. You'll find these crabs at night, when they surface to hunt for food along the sandy beach.

What are the white crabs in Outer Banks? ›

About the Outer Banks Ghost Crabs

Their name derives from their pale, sandy color, which makes them almost invisible against the shoreline until they start moving.

What is the seafood capital of the world NC? ›

The name comes from the nearby fishing village of Calabash, North Carolina, known as the “Seafood Capital of the World.” Calabash is located just over the Carolina border about a half-hour drive north of The Breakers Resort, but guests don't have to travel that far to taste the lightly battered and deep-fried treasures ...

What is the most upscale town in the Outer Banks? ›

Of the three towns that make our list, you could say that Corolla is the “fanciest” of the trio. Known locally for its trendy, upscale shopping and dining, Corolla is a great fit for people and families who enjoy the best of both worlds.

What is the quietest town in Outer Banks? ›

Laid Back Like the Outer Banks of Old

Salvo, NC, is the quietest of the three villages of Rodanthe/Waves/Salvo, known locally as the Tri-Villages. Salvo is predominantly residential and perfect for a quiet vacation.

What episode of Outer Banks does JJ by the hot tub? ›

Outer Banks Season 1 Hot Tub SceneJJ (Rudy Pankow) lets his guard down with Kiara (Madison Bailey) in Season 1, Episode 7.

What is the first episode of Outer Banks called? ›

After a hurricane, John B, JJ, Pope and Kiara plunge headlong into danger and adventure when they find a mysterious sunken wreck.

Where did they film Outer Banks Season 3 Episode 10? ›

While the third season of OBX seems to take viewers to various locations (including the islands of Guadeloupe, Basseterre in St. Kitts, and Venezuela), it was filmed in Barbados and Charleston, South Carolina.

Where was Outer Banks season 3 episode 1? ›

Season 3 was filmed in the most tranquil locations spanning from Barbados to the Hermosa Flagship's backyard of Old Village in Mount Pleasant, SC. Many of the episodes take place in picturesque locations such as Pitt Street Bridge, Old Village, Shem Creek, Lowndes Grove and Downtown Charleston.

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