The 10 Best Outerbanks Restaurants for Dining | Love the OBX (2024)

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Posted on April 12, 2023 by OBX Team

The 10 Best Outerbanks Restaurants for Dining | Love the OBX (3)

Dining out is one of the highlights of visiting the Outer Banks in North Carolina so it’s important that we identify the best Outerbanks restaurants for visitors to try. With a range of restaurants offering fresh seafood, Southern comfort food, and farm-to-table cuisine, visitors can expect a variety of delicious dining options. From upscale fine dining experiences to casual beachside eateries, there is something for everyone. Visitors can savor local specialties such as fried oysters, clam chowder, and shrimp and grits, and enjoy breathtaking ocean or sound views. With the abundance of dining options, visitors are sure to find a restaurant that fits their taste and budget. Whether you are looking for a romantic dinner or a fun family outing, dining out in the Outer Banks is an unforgettable experience.

Here are some of the Best OuterBanks Restaurants:

  1. Blue Water Grill and Raw Bar – Located in Manteo, Blue Water Grill and Raw Bar is known for its fresh seafood and breathtaking views of the Roanoke Sound.
  2. The Black Pelican Seafood Co. – Situated in Kitty Hawk, this restaurant boasts of stunning ocean views and a menu full of delicious seafood, sandwiches, and burgers.
  3. The Paper Canoe – Located in Duck, this restaurant offers a coastal-inspired menu featuring locally sourced ingredients in a relaxed atmosphere.
  4. The Colington Cafe – This intimate restaurant in Kill Devil Hills offers upscale dining experiences with a rotating seasonal menu.
  5. Bad Bean Baja Grill – For those looking for a casual dining experience, this restaurant in Nags Head offers a tasty selection of Baja-style tacos, burritos, and margaritas.
  6. The SaltBox Cafe – Located in Colington Harbor, this restaurant is a farm-to-table gem that offers a menu featuring locally sourced ingredients in a cozy setting.
  7. The Kill Devil Grill – This classic diner in Kill Devil Hills is a local favorite that serves up comfort food with a twist, including breakfast all day.
  8. Awful Arthur’s Oyster Bar – This restaurant with locations in both Kill Devil Hills and Kitty Hawk offers delicious oysters and other seafood in a casual atmosphere.
  9. Basnight’s Lone Cedar Cafe – Located in Nags Head, Basnight’s Lone Cedar Cafe is an iconic restaurant that has been serving fresh seafood since 1996.
  10. Hurricane Mo’s Beachside Bar & Grill – For those looking for a beachfront dining experience, Hurricane Mo’s Beachside Bar & Grill in Kitty Hawk offers a menu of seafood, sandwiches, and salads.

Fresh Seafood is Best on the Coast

Fresh seafood is a hallmark of the Outer Banks culinary scene. Visitors can expect a variety of seafood options from the Atlantic Ocean and Pamlico Sound, such as shrimp, clams, oysters, crab, and fish like flounder, tuna, and Mahi-Mahi. The catch of the day can be found in many local restaurants, and many offer the option to choose how the seafood is cooked, such as grilled, fried, or steamed. Seafood markets are also scattered throughout the area, selling fresh seafood for those who prefer to cook at home. The Outer Banks is a prime destination for seafood lovers, and the abundance of fresh, locally sourced seafood makes dining here an unforgettable experience. Seafood is served at the best outerbanks restaurants.

The 10 Best Outerbanks Restaurants for Dining | Love the OBX (4)

What Makes a Great Restaurant Experience in OBX?

The Outer Banks of North Carolina is known for its diverse culinary scene, which features fresh seafood, local produce, and farm-to-table cuisine. With so many dining options, it can be challenging to choose where to eat. Here are some criteria that make a great restaurant in the Outer Banks.

  1. Freshness and Quality of Ingredients: A great Outer Banks restaurant should serve fresh and high-quality ingredients that are sourced locally whenever possible. Many restaurants in the area offer a farm-to-table menu that showcases seasonal and sustainable ingredients.
  2. Unique and Creative Menu: A great Outer Banks restaurant should have a menu that stands out from the rest. The dishes should be creative, unique, and offer a taste of the local cuisine. A restaurant that offers a unique and creative menu is a great option for foodies looking to try something new.
  3. Stellar Service: The best restaurants in the Outer Banks have exceptional service. From the moment you walk in, you should feel welcomed and taken care of. The staff should be knowledgeable about the menu and provide recommendations based on your preferences.
  4. Ambiance and Atmosphere: A great Outer Banks restaurant should have a pleasant ambiance and atmosphere. The decor should reflect the local area, and the restaurant should have an inviting atmosphere that makes diners feel comfortable and relaxed.
  5. Value: A great Outer Banks restaurant should provide good value for the price. While fine dining restaurants in the area can be expensive, there are plenty of casual eateries that offer affordable and delicious meals.

In summary, a great Outer Banks restaurant should have fresh and high-quality ingredients, a unique and creative menu, exceptional service, a pleasant ambiance and atmosphere, and provide good value for the price. By considering these criteria, you can find the best restaurants in the Outer Banks for your next culinary adventure.

Experience the Best Outerbanks Restaurants on Your Trip!

These are just a few of the many excellent dining options in the Outer Banks. The Outer Banks in North Carolina is a food lover’s paradise, with its diverse culinary scene that is sure to satisfy every palate. Whether you are looking for casual seafood joints, fine dining experiences, or farm-to-table cuisine, there is no shortage of great dining options. Truly, the Outer Banks have something for everyone.

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The 10 Best Outerbanks Restaurants for Dining | Love the OBX (2024)

FAQs

The 10 Best Outerbanks Restaurants for Dining | Love the OBX? ›

Food is a huge part of the OBX culture, and it's no surprise that seafood takes center stage. The region is renowned for its bounty of shrimp, crab, and oysters, which are considered some of the best in the world.

What food is OBX known for? ›

Food is a huge part of the OBX culture, and it's no surprise that seafood takes center stage. The region is renowned for its bounty of shrimp, crab, and oysters, which are considered some of the best in the world.

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. Guy Fieri made several other stops on the Outer Banks and updates are below!

What is the richest part of the Outer Banks? ›

A new survey has ranked residents of several Greater Outer Banks counties among North Carolina's wealthiest, despite not being located in the state's population centers, and the wide gap between top and bottom earners that live in those counties.

What part of the Outer Banks is the best? ›

The Best Places to Live in the Outer Banks
  • Corolla. The most northern town in the Outer Banks, Corolla is home to miles of beautiful beaches, wild horses, fabulous restaurants, a plethora of outdoor activities, and great golfing. ...
  • Duck. ...
  • Southern Shores. ...
  • Kitty Hawk. ...
  • Kill Devil Hills. ...
  • Nags Head. ...
  • Manteo. ...
  • Rodanthe.

What is the most eaten food in North Carolina? ›

In the state of North Carolina, barbecue is more than a dish – it is a way of life. Except those who self-identify as “barbecue purists,” most North Carolinians would agree that barbecue encompasses more than just pork. It is common for North Carolinians to barbecue chicken, beef, shrimp, and other non-pork items.

What are the locals called in Outer Banks? ›

Outer Banks is set in a coastal town along the Outer Banks of North Carolina, where there is a stark social divide between wealthy seasonal residents and working-class locals, nicknamed the "Kooks" and "Pogues", respectively.

How long does it take to film one 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 season is the hot tub scene in Outer Banks? ›

Outer Banks Season 1 Hot Tub SceneJJ (Rudy Pankow) lets his guard down with Kiara (Madison Bailey) in Season 1, Episode 7. JJ and Kiara's romantic potential really bubbled to the surface for Pate in Season 1, when JJ buys the hot tub for the Pogues using stolen money after his father beats him.

When did they film OBX Season 1? ›

Instead, the first season was shot mainly in Charleston, South Carolina. Filming began on May 1, 2019, and included various picturesque locations like James Island, Johns Island, Kiawah Island, and both the Morris Island and Hunting Island Lighthouses.

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 are the poor called in Outer Banks? ›

The south side, also called the Cut, is where lower income people live; it's where John B (Chase Stokes), JJ (Rudy Pankow) and Pope (Jonathan Daviss) live. This is where you'll find people called Pogues. Simply put, a Pogue is someone who lives in the Cut.

Who is the richest family in the Outer Banks? ›

The Limbrey family are one of the most powerful and wealthiest families in Charleston. As JJ puts it, "they make our Kooks look like Pogues." Herman Limbrey was the captain of the Royal Merchant. The family are also linked to Denmark Tanny, and were responsible for the murder of Tanny's wife Cecilia, and his daughters.

What is the least crowded part of the Outer Banks? ›

Least Crowded Beach in the Outer Banks

For solitude seekers, Hatteras Island is genuinely an Outer Banks Island. It stands out as the least crowded beach, providing ample space for relaxation without the interference of bustling crowds.

What is the least touristy area of the Outer Banks? ›

Visit Currituck NC | Least Crowds in the Outer Banks.

What is OBX known for? ›

Additionally, the Outer Banks is a popular destination for outdoor activities such as surfing, kiteboarding, and fishing, and for its vibrant arts and culture scene, which includes the Lost Colony outdoor drama, the Elizabethan Gardens, and several museums and galleries.

What is NC State national food? ›

List of U.S. state foods
StateFood typeFood name
New YorkState muffinApple muffin
State snackYogurt
North CarolinaState vegetableSweet potato
State blue berryBlueberry
126 more rows

What fish is the Outer Banks known for? ›

The Outer Banks, NC: A True Fishing Paradise. There are very few places that can rival the fishing you'll discover in the Outer Banks. Head offshore and you can battle 500 lb Bluefin Tuna and Blue Marlin. Stay in the sounds to chase giant Red Drum, tasty Flounder, more.

What seafood is North Carolina known for? ›

North Carolina is close to the Gulf Stream, where fisherfolk catch mahi-mahi, tuna, swordfish, and other large migratory species. Coastal species like drum, trout, shrimp, and blue crabs feel at home in the state's extensive network of sounds, rivers, and estuarine environments.

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