best places to eat in outer banks
best places to eat in outer banks
One of the best things about living in the Outer Banks of North Carolina is that there are many awesome places to eat. Whether you want comfort food, sushi, or some authentic Italian food, finding a great place to eat is not difficult. There is no doubt about it, getting a fantastic fish sandwich with an ice-cold beer can make all your worries melt away. The flavors, the ambiance and the experience of dining on the outer banks is priceless. There are many great restaurants to choose from while you are looking for fresh seafood, amazing sauces and great service!
The best places to eat in outer banks
Outer Banks, North Carolina is a place where you can really get away from it all. It’s a region that offers plenty of relaxation and excitement in equal measure. One of the things that makes Outer Banks so special is its food scene, which is diverse and delicious. Here are some of our favorite places to eat when visiting this beautiful part of the world:
- The Crab Shack at Rodanthe Pier (Rodanthe, NC)
Known for their famous seafood boils, The Crab Shack at Rodanthe Pier is a must-visit if you’re looking for fresh seafood done right. They’ve got an amazing view too!
- Osprey Tavern (Kill Devil Hills, NC)
If you’re looking for some good drinks with an ocean view, Osprey Tavern should be your first stop! Their staff is friendly and knowledgeable about what they serve—and they’ll tell you all about their history as well as the different flavors available for each drink on their menu.
- The Dunbar Dining Room (Corolla, NC)
The Dunbar Dining Room serves up some of the best southern-style cooking around—and we mean that in
This is a list of the best places to eat in Outer Banks.
1: The Sea Dog Saloon
The Sea Dog Saloon is a restaurant that serves seafood and steaks, and it’s a great place to enjoy a meal with friends or family. It has an open-air atmosphere and a deck overlooking the ocean, so you’ll feel like you’re at the beach even if you’re not! The food is delicious and affordable, but what really sets this place apart from other restaurants is its staff—they’re all friendly and welcoming, which makes for an excellent dining experience.
2: The Rusty Rudder
Another seafood restaurant that offers steak as well as seafood, The Rusty Rudder is known for its live music and fun atmosphere. It has an indoor area where you can sit down to eat, but there’s also an outdoor space where you can enjoy fresh air while listening to live music. This restaurant also has great service and delicious food—it’s one of our favorites!
top restaurants in outer banks
Lighthouse Bagels
It’s no New York, but the Outer Banks has at least one decent destination for bagels. Lighthouse offers the obvious, plus bagel sandwiches stuffed with deli meat or salads. This place is a good option for an early breakfast or a post-bike ride lunch.
Big Buck’s (Multiple locations)
That saying about feeling like a kid in a candy store could easily have been coined by a regular at Big Buck’s. The local sweets shop serves over four dozen flavors of ice cream, ranging from traditional (chocolate, vanilla, rum raisin) to trendy (cookie dough, peanut butter cup, hazelnut capuccino). Still hungry? Try a nut-covered banana split, mango smoothie, coconut-chocolate chip cake, chocolate-dipped strawberries, or any of the other sugary treats offered within.
North Banks Restaurant & Raw Bar
Located inside an expansive shopping center in Corolla, North Banks is kind of a hidden gem. Here, surf and turf, crab mac and cheese, fried oysters, and snow crab legs are on the menu; the setting is casual and nautically themed.
Paper Canoe
This waterfront restaurant feels like a neighborhood haunt, with locals packing into the place just as much as tourists to eat pizzas, shrimp and grits, seared steaks and daily specials. Reservations are recommended since it gets crowded quickly, though the bar can usually accommodate some walk-ins.
unique eats in outer banks
The Blue Point
Inside, find one of Duck’s fancier dining destinations, serving eclectic dishes such as shrimp ramen bowls, grilled pork chops, and braised short ribs. But the outside Backbar is where the party’s at: find live music, a place to watch the sunset, and plenty of cocktails.
Dockside N’ Duck Seafood Market
Most visitors to Outer Banks rent a house for their stay, so odds are they’re cooking some meals at home. A festive approach is to pick up a carryout seafood boil featuring crabs, corn, shrimp: the works. Seafood market Dockside N’ Duck offers these, along with plenty of other fish and shellfish items. Cravings, also in Duck, sells them as well.
Roadside Bar & Grill
A chill place to grab an outdoor drink in downtown Duck, the Roadside also has spicy peel-and-eat shrimp, steamed clams, and some less-expected items like pimento cheese toasts. The front porch is usually hopping; find a fun bar area behind the restaurant with outdoor games and live music during warmer months.
Duck Donuts (Multiple locations)
Due to its massive expansion, Duck Donuts is now practically a household name on the East Coast these days. But it got its start in the Outer Banks, and morning crowds at the original have only grown, so show up early. Fried homemade doughnuts are topped with everything from sprinkles to flavored drizzles, with combinations like lemon-coconut and maple-bacon drawing in fans. There are some seasonal varieties, too.
