2025 Burger Guide

Beach fans don’t have to venture very far to enjoy a big meal on or off the shoreline, thanks to this small addition to the Outer Banks dining scene that is brimming with flavor. Located in the local's favorite breakfast spot parking lot, Stack Em’ High in Kitty Hawk, Anchor Grill OBX is a fast and fresh food truck destination that has plenty of variety and easy-going fare to go around.

Aqua Restaurant and Spa in Duck, like the ocean its name represents, aims to provide a place of healing and rejuvenation. Aqua offers not only nourishment for the body, but the for soul and the environment as well.Along with providing the best quality foods and products for its patrons, the restaurant’s goal is to help strengthen local relationships by supporting regional sustainable farms and local fishermen. For their savory menu, Aqua’s chefs focus on the freshest ingredients and always local, fresh-caught fish. Likewise Aqua Spa offers “earth friendly products, organic serums and rejuvenating treatments.” In addition to gourmet dinners that include vegetarian options, Aqua’s lunch menu offers the same excellent quality at very affordable prices. Along with soups and sandwiches are gourmet salads and fries with their own “secret” sauce. Even Aqua’s BLT is made with heirloom tomatoes, just like “mama used to make.” The restaurant also adds a creative selection of sushis and sakis.During the season, patrons are treated to live music nightly and yoga, Tuesday and Thursday mornings on the lawn. Throughout the year, Aqua serves as a perfect wedding destination and rehearsal dinner venue.Aqua means water, island and of course the light green blue you’ll see splashed throughout the restaurant’s décor. It’s a place where you can count on culinary masterpieces made with the best ingredients available - where you can relax and enjoy local music in the evenings or just sit back and soak in the peaceful serenity of an Outer Banks sunset.

Don’t be intimidated by Art’s Place’s slogan, “Locals Welcomed, Tourists Tolerated...sometimes.” Art’s Place is as laid back and friendly as it gets. It’s true this restaurant and bar is one that OBX locals have loved since it opened here in 1979, but tourists also will find it charming 

A pleasant, casual cafe with two locations offering seafood, sandwiches, salads, and coffee and frozen drinks.

Specializing in exquisite and refreshing island cuisine in a classy yet casual tropical ambience, Barefoot Bernie's Tropical Grill & Bar has become a true destination on the Outer Banks restaurant circuit. The bright and welcoming family environment is filled with vintage travel posters and tropical decorations, giving diners the sensation of being on a tropical island. Colorful walls and unique light fixtures create the perfect ambience for a tasty meal and a tropical cocktail. The owner having grown up on the Outer Banks has traveled the tropics to taste and learn the exquisite flavors these destinations have to offer. Now he is back to bring you the best dishes from the world best beaches.  

Blue Moon is one of the hottest new restaurants on the Outer Banks. Scott and Melissa Shields opened the Blue Moon in the dead of the winter of 2009, when everyone else was running worried over the shaky economy. But the restaurant has proved to be a good bet, which anyone on a winter weekend waiting list to get into the eatery can testify. Barely visible from the U.S. 158 Bypass, the Blue Moon is tucked into the corner of Surfside Plaza at Milepost 13,  but just follow all the cars parked out in front.  It didn’t take long for word-of-mouth buzz to get around about the congenial atmosphere, cool bar and interesting and creative menu at Blue Moon.  Billed as “Southern comfort food,” the offerings include fish tacos with cilantro citrus cream; shrimp and grits sautéed with Vidalia onions and roasted red peppers;  veggie voodoo pasta with optional blackened shrimp or chargrilled pork loin;  braised Portobello stuffed with spinach, arugula and goat cheese risotto. And how about some jerk marinated chargrilled wings, or buffalo shrimp, or oysters Rockefeller to start? There are also soups and salads to fill out the menu. A variety of draft and bottled beer, and wine by the glass or bottle are available for the asking.   Full take out service is also available.  The Shields close up for a month in the winter, but it varies, so call first. 

The most laid back beach grill on the Outer Banks featuring bistro quality Coastal Comfort Food all with a throwback to the surfboard shapers and wave riders on the break! The Shack has an inviting and warm old school driftwood atmosphere with an awesome yard with outdoor games and tables located right on the Beach Road at Mile Post 9, just across from the Sand and Surf.

Saddle up to a huge burger or a hearty sandwich with a visit to Hatteras Island’s Bros Sandwich Shack. Located in the central town of Avon, this casual burger joint has a polished atmosphere and plenty of filling fare to satisfy any burger or sandwich craving.   

Chilli Peppers Grill & Pupuseria is a local favorite for great food and a fun nightlife. The restaurant serves great food from around the world with a southwestern influence and sandwiches for lunch, as well as seafood and hearty entrees for dinner.

Whether you’re in the mood for an easy-going breakfast, lunch, or dinner in the heart of Duck, or are looking for a big feast to enjoy at the vacation rental home, there’s a lot to crave at this eatery that has plenty of variety, and plenty of Outer Banks flavor. Featured on the Food Network’s popular television show “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives,” this full-service restaurant has a little something for everyone, from filling breakfasts to live evening entertainment, and everything in between.

First launched as a little carry-out joint on the Beach Road in 1995, Dirty Dick’s Crab House quickly become an Outer Banks favorite. With two full-service restaurants here now, there are also two locations recently opened in Panama City, Fla. and Myrtle Beach, SC. T-shirts with depictions of the restaurant's iconic goofy guy and/or somewhat risqué sayings immediately became hot items, and now there’s a whole line of “Dirty Dick’s” merchandise. In 2001, acclaimed New Orleans chef Beany Macgregor became a partner, which explains why the menu includes such Cajun hits as chicken etoufee; shrimp, oyster or pork chop po’ boy; Creole stuffed crabs; Louisiana crawfish; shrimp Creole over cheese grits ; and for the brave, delicacies like fried frog legs and fried gator tail.  There is also more standard fare like crab cakes; linguine and clams; ranch pork chops; ham and swiss Panini; and char-grilled hamburgers. All shrimp is wild-caught and fish is always fresh.  If you have kids, you can’t leave without treating them to the “Shark Attack” drink that includes a small vial of grenadine (“blood”) attached to a souvenir cup of 7-Up. And to top it off, all kids’ meals are served on Frisbees they can take home with them.

Serving Hickory-Smoked Barbecue & Deli Sandwiches for over 25 Years, Duck Deli is as popular and as quaint as its location. The Deli was opened in 1988 by a retired PA dentist, Ronald Forlano, and his son Ken. Today it remains a family venture with Ken, now known as the Deli Llama, still running the business, along with two other brothers and the oldest opening another Duck Deli in PA.Duck Deli boasts “outrageous barbecue” and the “best breakfasts in Duck, which are served every morning of the year from 8-11 am. Available from 11 am to closing are BBQ meals and platters, made with the deli’s own hickory-smoked, pulled chicken, pork or beef. You can also get spicy wings, ribs, crab cakes and ½ or ¼ smoked chicken, as well as meat and veggie subs and sandwiches. All platters come with hushpuppies and a choice of two from a great selection of sides.The owners “take pride” in the smoked meats they cook daily on site. And they “love that you love” their sauces, which are derived from local recipes and enhanced with “Duck Deli flair.” You’ll find that same flair in the deli’s selection of child to adult T-shirts (up to 2X), available in-store..Parking and seating space is limited at this often packed deli, but extra parking across the street and take out are always available. Open ’til 9 pm in-season, the deli closes late afternoon in the fall and spring.Heading north, just past the Duck water tower, on the right, is where you‘ll find this great little deli in the heart of Duck.

Opened since the 1950s at the same Whalebone Junction location,  although no one seems to know exactly when, Dune Burger is one of the oldest drive-up burger joints on the Outer Banks. It’s just a cinder block square, painted red and white, but its no-frills, just the basics approach works because, after all, it’s across the street from the beach. So who cares if you’re in your bathing suit, coated with sand and dripping wet? No one! Get in line to get your burger, fries, onion rings, fish sandwich and various other staples of summer living at the beach.  Of course, you can also snag some ice cream in a cone or cup, or a cool milkshake or sundae. You can eat at one of the picnic tables at the stand, or head back to the beach or your summer digs.

What’s great about Fatboyz is you can stroll over to it from the beach in your bathing suit, get some tasty food and ice cream, and sit right down on their outside porch and enjoy it. No worries about your wet bathing suit or sandy bare feet.  Opened at the same location since 1994, Fatboyz is also a great place to pick up a meal on your way to or from Jennette’s Pier, which is just south of the eatery. Offerings include hand-patted hamburgers, hot dogs, tuna steak sandwiches, fried shrimp or oysters, chicken tenders, Philly steaks, and crabcakes. There’s also sides like cole slaw, fries and onion rings. For treats, you can get ice cream, shakes, malts, hot fudge brownies, slurries and malts. Seating is outside only, but it’s covered, so you don’t have to worry about a summer shower. 

Corolla vacationers can satisfy a huge appetite with a visit to this destination that celebrates both the seafood of the Outer Banks and the southern fare that puts North Carolina on the foodie map. Fatcrabs Rib Company & Seafood Shack is a casual and fun destination that’s known for its heaping portions, its wide array of seafood specialties, and its ample options that can please a crowd.

WELCOME TO OBX’S HOTTEST GATHERING SPOT—a celebration of craft, comfort, community, & conversation. LOCATED IN THE NEWLY RESTORED HOTEL MANTEO, we’re serving up stone-oven pizzas & hearth-fired skillets, along with Weeping Radish craft beers, killer cocktails, & (coming soon) a rollicking beer garden. So come & EAT & DRINK WITH US. LIVE & LAUGH WITH US. At Firetender, every night is a party. And every night is filled with friends …  

Start your day with a tasty breakfast and keep them in mind for lunch and dinner, too. A real mix of American foods. 

Since it first opened in June 1995, Fishbones has offered the best in creative Caribbean style Cuisine combined with fresh local Outer Banks Seafood to complement its upbeat casual dining atmosphere. It is is also the home of the "Best Clam Chowder on the Outer Banks" as judged at the original Clam Chowder Cook off in 1995 where four out of four judges voted it the best among 41 Outer Banks restaurants

This 50's style burger joint is loved by many because it offers simple, delicious, made-to-order burgers, hot dogs and fries. Five Guys Burgers and Fries is well-known for offering some of the best burgers in town, and in many towns for that matter, as this popular franchise has reached almost every state in the U.S. Food quality is what makes Five Guys unique and gives them a cult-like following. The chain uses only fresh (not frozen) ground beef, the fries are cooked in no cholesterol peanut oil and the menu is trans-fat free.Placing your order is simple, as you can select from a variety of burgers, cheeseburgers or hotdogs. Next, you can pile on the toppings, stacking them as high as you want for free. Toppings include classic condiments and lettuce and tomato, as well as a variety of sauces, jalapeno peppers, green peppers, grilled onions and grilled mushrooms. Don’t forget the fresh-cut fries, which come Five Guys Style or Cajun Style.  Add malt vinegar for a kick. You won’t be waiting long for your food, but be sure to take advantage of the free bulk peanuts, which you can scoop up for an all-you-can-eat treat. This kid-friendly restaurant offers ample seating, and it’s the perfect stop for easy fast food on the go. Kids (or your inner child) can leave a doodle or note using an available note pad and pen.

This chilled out surfer restaurant is a hot spot for locals, and for good reason. Food Dudes offers casual dining with a gourmet menu of fresh, local and delicious homemade food. Two chefs/owners are the“food dudes” themselves. They cook up outstanding American cuisine with southern, Mexican and Caribbean flair. The menu covers everything from soups and sandwiches to seafood, tacos, quesadillas, burgers and more. Experience the out-out-of-this-world nachos with white cheese sauce smothered on tortilla chips with corn, beans, tomatoes and sour cream. Meal favorites include the fish tacos, crab cake sandwich, jerk chicken wrap or veggie quesadilla. Don’t miss the specials board for new creations. For dessert, check out their 12-layer cake, a delicious tower of layered yellow cake and chocolate frosting. On Sundays, enjoy their killer brunch menu with favorites such as belgian waffles with fresh fruit or huevos rancheros.At this small and cozy restaurant, you’ll be entertained with surf videos and good music as well as a showcase of incredible local art along the walls. Stop in for lunch or dinner, or order take out. Also, consider Food Dudes for catering your next party or event. You’ll definitely enjoy your experience at Food Dudes. If so, don't forget to buy a t-shirt!Food Dudes is located in a small strip of shops, Sea Shore Shops, along the beach road at milepost 9.

A year-round restaurant, bar and gift shop.

Cruise on into Goombays Grille & Raw Bar for the freshest local seafood, chicken, steaks, and more… Goombays’ casual, family-friendly atmosphere offers cool island decor, a fun kids’ menu, and drinks for both big kids & little kids...complete with a toy surprise! Goombays’ extensive menu offers a selection of specialty items prepared with a unique Caribbean flair as well as a variety of more traditional dishes – guaranteed something delicious to satisfy every taste.

A legendary Ocracoke spot since 1991, Howard's Pub & Raw Bar Restaurant continues to be a favorite destination for longtime visitors thanks to its fun and engaging atmosphere, huge selection of post-beach worthy drinks, and delicious fare that covers all the local staples and then some. Located at the entrance of Ocracoke Village, Howard’s Pub continues to be a favorite go-to eatery for plenty of food, fun, and inherent Ocracoke charm.

Jack Brown's Beer and Burger Joint offers 100 craft beers and an award-winning burger menu. They have beers from around the world. Their burgers feature beef from Snake River Farms in Boise Idaho. The menu features a variety of creative, cravable burgers and fries.

Why scream for ice cream when you can enjoy old-fashioned frozen custard? This wonderfully beachy outdoor take out stand is the perfect stop on a beautiful summer day for delicious frozen custard as well as beach fries, sandwiches, hotdogs and burgers.

New in 2012, King Tut’s offers a casual place to get a tasty meal without having to worry about the kids getting bored. Quality hot dogs can be enjoyed while the young ones --- or adults ---play some arcade games, pool, ping-pong, Wii games, air hockey or darts. You can even grab a hula-hoop and have a spin! The menu features locally-made preservative-and hormone-free Weeping Radish hot dogs, bratwurst and sausage. Natural casing wieners are available in pork or beef, and bratwurst is German-style or beer style. There are also Nathan’s all beef hot dogs and corn dogs on a stick, among other hot dog choices.

A Sicilian-style restaurant with a cozy ambiance. 

Lucky 12 Tavern, located at Milepost 12 Beach Road has everything a great restaurant and bar should have: great food, great beverages, tons of personality and lots of TV's.  Lucky 12 prides itself on serving the freshest North Carolina Seafood and Locally Sourced Produce.  Other dining options include Hand Pattied Burgers, Wings, Cheese steaks and Creative Salads along with a Kids Menu and New York Style Pizza.  This delicious Pizza is served till 2 am Nightly.  Lucky 12 also features 20 Beers on Draft and over 80 Craft beers by the bottle or can.  They also have and extensive Martini menu and a nice Wine Selection.  For sports fans, they offer 20 TV's showcasing the MLB package, NHL Package, NFL Sunday Ticket along with tons of College Sports Packages.  For you late night fans the bar stays open till 2 AM nightly and has a pool table, Golden Tee Golf and pinball machines.  Come see why this Tavern has been a popular destination for Tourists and Locals since 2006.

A traditional seafood restaurant that also serves steak and chicken dishes.

Take a break from a busy day of shopping at Corolla’s Timbuck II Shopping Village and enjoy a casual lunch or dinner at this local destination that has a little something for everyone in the crew. Mama Easley's is a fun and laid-back eatery with plenty to offer every taste, and it features a menu that’s loaded with southern and American favorites that are sure to please a crowd.

Outer Banks visitors on the hunt for something tasty, filling, and unique may want to plan a lunch or dinner stop at McGrath's Burger Shack, an Irish American burger bar that has a hearty menu and a cool and easy-going atmosphere that’s perfect for a casual dining experience. Located in the Outer Banks Mall in the heart of Nags Head, this destination will appease any appetite with big burgers, cold beverages, and a dose of Irish flavor.

Located at Milepost 13 in Nags Head, across from Jockey’s Ridge State Park, we have unbelievable views from our second floor deck of the Atlantic Ocean and the historic Nags Head cottages. As a matter of fact, we don’t believe that you can truly unwind until you’ve ordered an Orange Crush on the deck at Mulligan’s!If you take one look at our menu you will find that we strive to bring the freshest possible products to your table—from locally sourced produce, locally sourced seafood and locally baked breads. From house-made sauces, hand-patted burgers and oysters and shrimp straight from the Pamlico sound, we give a whole new meaning to Southern Coastal Cuisine. So come hang out with the locals at Mulligan’s Raw Bar & Grille!!!Our hours of operation are 11am – 10 pm Monday through FridayAnd                                             10 am -10pm Saturday and Sunday for our Brunch MenuOpen Year Round!!

Located in Kill Devil Hills, Outer Banks, NC, Noosa Beach Grille is the local favorite, serving the freshest locally sourced seafood and innovative cuisine, craft cocktails and more!

 A northern beaches restaurant serving seafood, steaks, sandwiches, salads and more.

Oceana’s serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily year round in Avon on Hattersas Island. For breakfast they offer Southern favorites such as sausage biscuits and gravy and chicken biscuits. Dive into tasty French toast or Belgian waffles, and choose from a variety of coffee and specialty drinks including mimosas and bloody Marys. The lunch and dinner menu is huge and eclectic with plenty of seafood, salad, pasta, sandwich and wraps selections. Enjoy quesadillas, flatbread sandwiches, burgers and delectable stuffed potatoes. Dinner entrees include grilled, blackened and fried food plus snow crab legs, and they also serve steamed and raw seafood such as mussels, shrimp and clams. There are plenty of options for meat and veggie lovers alike including pistachio encrusted goat cheese or Southwestern salads  or juicy prime rib, mushroom smothered chicken and mouth watering ribs. Oceana's has a large full bar with multiple TVs, beautiful wood floors and comfortable seating. 

Though oysters are naturally always on the menu, Ocracoke Oyster Company offers a lot more than locally sourced seafood, and their menu is brimming with exceptional fare that can satisfy the largest of appetites. Located in the heart of Ocracoke Island, this fun destination that has more than enough variety to feed a crowd has a tempting selection of post-beach fare that will leave any hungry patron satisfied.

Off the Wall Tap House brings a fresh blend of technology, community, and great food to the Outer Banks. Our restaurant, located in Corolla, provides an interactive craft beer experience and dining  that is memorable and fun. Our innovative beer wall allows you to personalize your experience and try our 20 craft beers. Taste test just an ounce, fill a pint, or choose anything in between. Our beer wall caters to every beer connoisseur’s tastes. We have IPAs, lagers, porters, and more! Choose your favorite and enjoy it while watching one of our Direct TV sports packages. Not into beer? Have a drink from our wine and cocktail menu! Have a seat at a table or enjoy the fresh Outer Banks air on our outdoor patio. Make new friends at our high-top communal tables or bring your whole group. Refill your drink when you want it. Test out several beers before you commit to a pint. Try something new. The beer wall experience is completely customizable and unlike anything else in the Outer Banks!

Located at the Outer Banks Mall since 2004, Outback is an Australian-themed chain restaurant that offers enough choices to please everyone in the family, served in an attractive atmosphere.  Vegetarians in the crowd can enjoy pasta and salad, and there’s a good choice of side veggies. The Bloomin’ Onion is a not-to-be missed appetizer. But it’s no surprise that cooked-to-order meat is this eatery’s specialty. Favorites include ribs, chicken, pork, lamb and --- of course ---steak, cooked in a variety of styles.  There are also burgers and sandwiches, fish dinners and combination platters. For a treat, try Chocolate Thunder from Down Under, an original dessert, or one of several other sweets. Specialty cocktails like The Wallaby Darned, made with peaches , champagne, vodka and schnapps, are also available. And there’s a good selection of beers, including the Australian favorite, Foster’s.

The Outer Banks Brewing Station, established in 2001, is the first wind powered brewpub in the U.S. and an icon on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Look for the 92 foot wind turbine in the backyard beer garden. A pub by the classic European style of a ‘public house’, the Brewing Station considers itself an important member of the community and is family friendly during lunch and dinner hours. Families can enjoy live music, beer and food inside and out, while the little ones play on the pirate ship and the older ones play a friendly game of corn hole. It’s also a great place to wait for your table during the busy summer season.

A tasty, casual lunch and dinner stop.

It is impossible to match the coolness of dining on a fishing pier, and the Pier House Restaurant is one of the few that offers the experience.  What’s great is you can come right off the beach, or the pier, and enjoy a satisfying Outer Banks-style meal. Try to score a window table for the best view, but any place in the restaurant provides a unique experience. The food is classic Carolina, including big breakfasts of eggs or hotcakes. Lunch and dinner selections include burgers, sandwiches, hushpuppies, cole slaw and fresh North Carolina seafood.  And here’s a way to guarantee you’re eating fresh seafood: Catch a fish on the pier, and the restaurant will clean it, cook it for you however way you like it, and serve it up with fries, hushpuppies and slaw.  Dinners even offer an evening stroll on the pier.

Feast on a distinct variety of small plates and appetizers at this unique eatery that’s tucked away in one of Ocracoke’s newest and more popular hang-out spots, the 1718 Brewery.  Plum Pointe Kitchen offers an extensive menu of delicious fare that can’t be found anywhere else, and which pairs perfectly with the brewery’s on-site and rotating selection of craft beers.

Red Drum Tap House has become a Nags Head tradition for locals & visitors alike. For over 10 years, we’ve offered a hearty fare in a casual & relaxed atmosphere complimented by a great selection of 18 micro and domestic beers on tap. Locally owned & operated, we provide only the freshest local seafood steaks, ribs, and much more for the whole family.

For more than 15 years, Red Sky Cafe restaurant in Duck, NC, has been delighting locals and visitors with fresh, creative meals that highlight local Outer Banks seafood, poultry, beef, duck and more. The owner and chef, Wes Stepp, has more than 30 years of culinary experience and is well-known locally and throughout the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. Chef Wes and his team serve up beautiful, generous portions in the casual atmosphere of this Outer Banks restaurant. And, while no one leaves hungry, Chef Wes is also renowned for his attention to a healthy lifestyle that encourages, as its centerpiece, a focus on whole, fresh and locally sourced food. Locals know that if they want to eat well without the guilt, Red Sky is the place to head. Conveniently located beside Carolina Designs in downtown Duck, the year-round restaurant offers a dynamic menu, as well as nightly chef specials fit to delight even the pickiest of palates!

You'll have to peer behind the huge Russian olive hedges to find this popular OBX eatery, tucked away in a renovated and cedar-shaked historic home in the heart of Duck. Open since 1995, Roadside Bar and Grill says the locals will tell you it's "one of the finest establishments on the beach," and it boasts "great southern food and great times." In addition to seven tables in the downstairs dining room and three booths in the upstairs bar and grill, a patio provides plenty of space for outdoor dining and offers live original jazz and acoustic on many evenings during the season. As a delightful addition to Roadside’s cozy décor, there are colorful, artistically recycled windows brightening the walls and deck.Roadside’s dinner specialties include several dishes made with a variety of local, fresh seafood, as well as Maple Leaf Farm’s duck breast, a vegetarian Vegetable Napoleon and Roadside’s own special salad with pistachios and homemade raspberry vinaigrette. On the lunch menu are rare finds like pan-seared salmon filet salad, shrimp & grits and meatloaf with mashed potatoes and gravy. Another specialty, Roadside’s pulled pork barbecue is made on site with its own homemade sauce. Other popular standbys you'll see advertised on the marquee are "Juicy Burgers, Great Salads and Veggie Subs.”

Offering full lunch and dinner menus with American and seafood fare and cocktails. Voted best deck dining on the beach. Relaxed and family friendly atmosphere. The spectacular view from Rundown Café’s newly renovated upstairs Hula bar deck is unrivaled on the beach. The restaurant offers seating on the deck, as well as more intimate seating inside either the upstairs bar or more family oriented downstairs dining room.  

Sam and Omie’s Restaurant is a great place to eat after a day at the beach. Or before you go to the beach. Or, for that matter, before or after a visit to Jennette’s Pier, which is right across the street, on the beach. As authentic Outer Banks as you can get, this small family-run restaurant at Milepost 16.5 off the Beach Road in Nags Head originally opened in 1937 to serve fishermen breakfast before they went fishing. With bead board walls, low wooden ceilings and gleaming wood plank floors, Sam and Omie’s still has the look and feel of the old Outer Banks cottages. Photographs of fishermen displaying their catch and some old Nags Head scenes line the walls. Carolina blue vinyl cushioning in the wooden booths adds to the beachy-y atmosphere, and the polished wood bar is a favorite spot for locals and visitors to socialize over a cold beer.  Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served most of the year, offering favorite Outer Banks seafood dishes, burgers, omelets, salads, sandwiches and barbeque.    Be ready to wait in the summer, but it’s worth it. There’s even a homey screened-in porch with wooden benches to sit on and enjoy the seabreezes while you wait.

Take a break from a day at the beach or the adjacent Sea Scape Golf Course with a visit to this Kitty Hawk restaurant where local flavor and homegrown specialties are always on the menu. The Sandtrap Tavern is a fun and casual destination for visitors of all interests, from folks who want to dive into a big breakfast or lunch, to patrons who want to catch the big game and enjoy a cold drink with this tavern’s seven big screen TVs, and extensive local and regional wine and beer selections.

Browse from store to store under covered porches and a grove of shady live oaks! Along the meandering Duck Road that runs through the village of Duck, NC, you’ll find the Scarborough Lane Shoppes, a collection of cool clothing boutiques and restaurants, shops that help you make your house a home, fun food stores, a place to relax, to taste and buy wine and craft beer, art to express your taste in living and jewelry to express yourself.Outer Banks shopping aficionados know that Scarborough Lane Shoppes puts them in Duck NC Shopping Central where they can find…well, practically anything they want. Browsing from store to store is comfortable under the covered porches that connect the shops, no matter what the weather. So, when the sun’s too hot or the rain is pouring (the best Outer Banks shopping days, by the way!), Scarborough Lane is the place. And, when it’s time to take a pause, or if you’re simply starving, two of Duck NC’s most-liked restaurants are right here.   Also on this site is our Specials sections where Outer Banks shopping experts know they can get valuable coupons and learn about the offers from each of our stores. If you’re not familiar with the area, you can go to our Directions tab to see a map and get oriented to the lay of the land for Duck, NC.

Located at Oregon Inlet in Nags Head, Sea Chef Dockside Kitchen serves up fresh, flavorful seafood with a side of waterfront charm. This chef-driven, locally owned restaurant celebrates the coastal bounty of the Outer Banks with a menu full of bold flavors, creative dishes, and laid-back vibes.

Located in Nags Head, Shaka’s Beach Bar & Grill is a laid-back tropical hangout where beach vibes meet bold flavors. With its breezy outdoor patio, surf-inspired décor, and island-style cocktails, Shaka’s is the perfect place to unwind after a day in the sun.

The colorful Shipwrecks Taphouse & Grill is a crowd-pleasing destination in the heart of Kitty Hawk which features a lengthy menu of lunch, dinner, and drinks that is sure to please everyone in the crowd. Expansive and inviting, Shipwrecks Taphouse & Grill is a fun spot for a big and filling meal, as well as a casual destination to enjoy a cold drink and cap off another great day of enjoying the Outer Banks.

SmacNally’s Raw Bar & Grill boasts the “best damn burger in Ocracoke” and “Food so good, it’ll make ya wanna smack yo mama.”Located right on Silver Lake in the heart of Ocracoke Village, it’s a place that’s all about fun and good food, with an added bonus of beautiful sunsets, lake views and live entertainment during the season.The burgers on which the restaurant banks its reputation feature a half pound of grilled Angus beef on a toasted bun with cheese and/or bacon toppings and Smacnally’s famous curly fries. Along with this basic burger, the grill serves several specialty versions, including  BBQ, Chili, Cajun and even a pesto, tomato and provolone burger. And you can get all the same flavor choices with chicken instead.SmacNally’s seafood selection includes grilled or fried fresh-catch fish sandwiches or dinners, buttered shrimp and beer-battered fish ‘n’ chips.  Also available are the typical pub appetizers - with great ratings on the onion rings - a kids menu, beer and wine.SmackNally’s gets high ratings online for its atmosphere, good food, cold beer and especially its friendly service. The restaurant welcomes take-out orders as well.

Painted in bright primary color stripes, this little ice cream & food stand on the Beach Road has a long history in Nags Head. Until 1954, it was located near the spot where a kid-sized castle still stands at Jockey’s Ridge. Depending on the direction of the wind, the castle disappears under sand for years at a time, and then re-emerges. That may explain why Snow Bird was moved to a less volatile area on the west side of the Beach Road. It’s easy to see the reason the stand has stood the test of time: It’s perfect for getting a quick meal or cool ice cream treat when you're going to and from the beach, with no worries about your sand-covered attire and bare feet.  And it’s open late to satisfy last-minute munchies. The menu is surprisingly complete for an ice cream stand, including appetizers like grilled veggies and wings; baskets of corn dogs, clams, shrimp or chicken with fries; a variety of hotdogs and burgers; and wraps or sandwiches. Ice cream, of course, is offered in all its favorite ways: waffle cone or cup; milkshakes,floats, malts and flurries; and a variety of sundaes. There is also a kids' menu. 

When you’re too tired to get out of your car, or you just are too sandy and wet, Sonic is the answer. Famous for it’s car-side service,  drivers can just pull up to the menu at one of the stalls, review the choices and then order with the push of a button. Before you know it, a carhop delivers the meals right to the drivers’ side of your vehicle, and you pay the carhop with cash, or pay the machine with your credit or debit cards. Offerings are typical fast food: cheeseburgers, fries and chicken, but some loyal customers swear it’s better than most.  And there is also a hot dog menu, with several regional choices and corn dogs. And there’s a kids’ menu, and breakfast burritos, French toast and egg and cheese sandwiches are available any time. Sweet tooth’s can be satisfied with a vast number of ice creams options in the Frozen Zone,  including sundaes, shakes and mixed-up “blasts.” And after 8 p.m., a menu of shakes can be had for half the price! Then there is the vast menu of Sonic specialties that cool you from the inside out: six flavors of limeades, including cherry, cranberry and strawberry; six flavors of fruit slushes, a mix of fruit and slush, including pineapple island breeze and lemonberry fruit; and seven flavors of the famous slushes, including cherry, orange and watermelon. 

Located directly across the street from Jockey’s Ridge on one side, and the ocean on the other, Sooey’s is a good casual place to stop for a bite and take in the view. It offers hickory smoke BBQ pork, beef, chicken, ribs and seafood, and one side even sells ice cream and Italian ices. Appetizers include buffalo wings, beer battered onion rings and a basket of cornbread or hushpuppies. Sides are good Southern offerings like collards, mac ‘n’ cheese, cole slaw and fried okra.  Meals can be in the form of a sandwich or a platter, with choices ranging from hand pulled pork or chicken BBQ to Southern fried chicken to crabcakes to a half rack of ribs. Menu choices can be eaten inside or made to go. There are tables inside, but if the weather permits, sitting outside at the shaded picnic tables, or upstairs on top of the roof, is the best way to enjoy the meal. Sooey's also offers catering service year-round. 

South of KDG in Nags Head is a vibrant, chef-driven eatery that brings bold American and Latin flavors and creative coastal cuisine to the Outer Banks. A stylish spinoff of the beloved Kill Devil Grill (KDG), this fresh new spot offers a playful, upscale dining experience rooted in high-quality ingredients and adventurous tastes.

Making breakfast for families visiting and living on the Outer Banks is something we've done since 1981. Our tradition of serving great breakfast: pancakes, waffles, french toast, omelets and homemade biscuits is something we take seriously. We do what we do because it makes you smile, and it makes us smile. We believe that cooking with love is the only way to go. Stop in and see for yourself!

Start your morning with a hot, made-from-scratch breakfast at Stack’em  High Pancakes. This cozy pancake house offers a variety of omelets and pancakes, as well as all your breakfast favorites. If you’re ready to eat, you’ll love Stack’em High Pancakes’ fast service. You place your order at the counter as you walk in, and then get seated by wait staff, who will bring your food out to you.

Most days, this restaurant along the Roanoke Sound is bustling, with vehicles spilling out of the parking lot into the street.  With an outdoor gazebo and views of gorgeous sunsets nearly every evening, Sugar Creek is a popular destination to enjoy fresh Outer Banks seafood for lunch or dinner. Formerly RVs Restaurant, the owner had worked at RVs for 22 years before buying the business. Since then, the restaurant has doubled in size, with a new dining room for large groups and a new bar. A new dining deck facing the sound was also recently added. Next door, the year-round Sugar Shack Seafood Market offers fresh seafood to go, or to eat inside. They’ll even deliver in the area in one of two refurbished VW Beetles! At the main restaurant, shrimp, crab, tuna, scallops and clams are served in all the favorite varieties ---fried, steamed, broiled or grilled.  Oysters are also served in season.  Other choices include beef, chicken, pork and pasta dishes.  There is also an extensive selection of appetizers, salads and soups, a childrens’ menu and some yummy desserts to top off the meal.

Sunset Grille & Raw Bar brings the Carribbean and New Orleans to the Outer Banks with its wide variety of spicy seafood dishes, its tropical setting with Tiki Bars and its Cajun style chicken, fish and burgers.The Sushi Bar opens every day at 4 pm, offering 17 varieties of seafood and veggie rolls, and the Tiki Bars are open late night, with live entertainment during the season and karaoke on fall weekends. Breakfast is served until 11 am, and for lunch there are seafood baskets and a variety of specialty sandwiches, enhanced by flavorings of Jamaican and Carribbean jerk, mango mayos and Calypso Barbeque sauce. Along with Sunset’s island-style burgers is a vegetarian version, made with spicy black beans.The dinner menu offers an ample choice of grilled or fried seafood and steak entrees, along with the very popular Lump Crab Macaroni and Cheese and vegetarian choices. Available for both lunch and dinner, Sunset’s Raw and Steam Bar serves shellfish and lobster separately or in combos, and also on both menus is the restaurant’s award-winning, creamy-style Clam Chowder, voted the best on the OBX.For a perfect completion to your meal you might like to linger over a slice of Sunset’s luscious homemade key lime pie or dive into its Chocolate Bomb mousse while sipping on one of its specialty liqueur coffees.Sunset also provides catering for special events and business occasions. The restaurant closes from October to March, and has an altered fall schedule. It also opens back up for a week during both Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

Big on breakfast and homestyle cooking in a family-style restaurant.

Tavern on 12 in Frisco is a fun and friendly restaurant with lots of homemade fare that is sure to please everyone in the crowd. From fresh seafood specials to hand-tossed pizzas with a range of specialty toppings, Tavern on 12 is a great destination for a little homegrown flavor on Hatteras Island.

The Carolina Club is located on the mainland of Currituck County, just minutes from the Outer Banks beaches.  With a beautiful par-3 island green signature hole, fun layout, and superb bentgrass greens that have been rated as some of the finest putting surfaces in the Southeastern US, the Carolina Club is sure to provide a memorable Outer Banks golf experience.  After your round, be sure to visit 'Tuckers Bar & Grille located in the clubhouse.  Enjoy a delicious burger and an ice cold beverage in a relaxing, casual atmosphere.  Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner (seasonally), 'Tuckers is proud to be a locals' favorite.  

The Dunes Restaraunt is a favorite local restaurant that’s been in business since 1982 and focuses on local, southern cooking. It has embraced the local food movement, and always tries to use local seasonal produce, regionally sourced eggs (we use a lot!) and fresh Outer Banks seafood in its dishes.

An island-style setting with a mix of fried, grilled and healthy choices. 

For casual dining, The Lifesaving Station at Sanderling Inn has been a traditional favorite since 1977. The restaurant is housed in what once served as Caffey’s Life Saving Station. Decommisioned in the 1950s, it was the fifth U.S. station built south of the Virginia line and one of a string whose crews saved shipwrecked victims, their cargos and sometimes the ships from the often treacherous waters along the NC coast. Caffey’s nautical artifacts and historic memorabilia now decorate this authentic Outer Banks treasure, listed in the National Register of historic places.The restaurant serves three meals daily, with a rare breakfast menu full of old-fashioned treats, including steel-cut oatmeal, buttermilk biscuits, French toast with real Vermont maple syrup and a smorgasboard of an omelet. For lunch and dinner the Station offers a cuisine that focuses on fresh local seafood and other dishes prepared American-style, some with a Southern slant. Favorites include their signature shrimp, crab and corn chowder, daily specials and their white chocolate raspberry crème brulee for dessert. Also available are vegetarian dishes and a children‘s menu.On the second floor, the Swan Bar and Lounge offers a more relaxed setting where you can enjoy drinks, midday appetizers or a casual meal until 10 p.m. during the season. Hours for the restaurant and the bar vary in the fall and winter months. Dinner reservations are recommended.The Lifesaving Station wants its patrons to know that it prepares it dishes “in ways that celebrate the sustainable, organic, artisanal and local approach of our Southern & American producers who are dedicated to sustaining the cultures and environments that embody the places they call home.”

The Village Table & Tavern serves up crave-worthy fare, delightful drinks, and down-home hospitality to visitors and locals year-round on the shores of the Currituck Sound in Duck, NC. We believe that the best dining experience is always about more than just the food. While we serve creative dishes crafted from fresh, regional ingredients, we believe it’s stellar hospitality and welcoming spaces that set the scene for the most memorable meals. And that’s just what you’ll find at The Village – inspired food and drink served with a side of southern hospitality in an inviting space with the beautiful Currituck Sound as a backdrop. Conveniently located just north of the town of Duck, The Village Table & Tavern is the perfect spot to enjoy a bite to eat, a cocktail, and seasonal live music. We look forward to welcoming you to our table soon!  

Located in a small shopping plaza that straddles the borders of Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills, Two Roads Tavern is a gem of a destination for folks who want to relax and enjoy a cold drink and a big meal after a long day at the beach. Featuring a hearty menu that has plenty of seafood and local specialties, as well as a fun atmosphere with plenty of brews on tap, Two Roads Tavern is a hang-out spot that everyone in the crew can easily enjoy.

A cool pub with good food!

Visitors on the hunt for innovative fare and familiar favorites in a charming Corolla setting will find all that and more at this eatery that takes inspiration from whatever is fresh and in season. Upside Restaurant is a fun destination for drinks, dinner, and conversation, and the inviting setting with waterfront views makes it a great place to relax, feast, and recap the adventures of the day.

Watermen’s Bar & Grill boasts a “unique indoor/outdoor design” with spectacular waterfront views and a friendly staff - and “the best coffee, beers and mixed drinks on the Outer Banks.” This includes an exclusive Rum Bar with rums and rum drinks from around the world.It’s also gotten great online reviews for its dishes, which the grill promises to be freshly prepared. Along with a huge list of coffee and drinks, the menu offers a light, healthy breakfast selection, sandwiches, wraps and Mexican foods for lunch, and lots of seafood entrees and appetizers for dinner. The menu includes deserts, weekly specials and a kids‘ favorites.Featured also are wide screen TVs, internet and live music on the deck several nights during the season, along with other special, family-friendly music events like the Sky Blue Summer Concert Series, which features a week of local and national musicians.An interesting note about the restaurant’s décor is that its wood is salvaged from the original 1921 Coney Island Boardwalk in Brooklyn, New York.At Watermen’s Bar & Grill, you can get your food to go, linger long indoors or go out on the deck and enjoy great sunset views and kiteboarding activity on the sound as you sip one of Watermen’s special drinks. The restaurant is open year-round except for one month off during the winter.

Visitors staying in the tri-village communities of Rodanthe, Waves, and Salvo will be just a stone’s throw away from the unique groceries and great eats they need for a delicious Outer Banks vacation, thanks to Waves Market & Deli. This small shop and eatery features a wealth of goodies to explore, from one of the largest beer and wine selections on northern Hatteras Island to a collection of gourmet sandwiches, burgers, and other fresh fare to go, making it a one-stop shop for visitors with exceptional taste.

30 YEARS IN THE MAKING. Since the beginning, the Weeping Radish has brewed beer according to the Bavarian Reinheitsgebot Purity Law of 1516 which states that beer must be brewed using only four ingredients: Hops, Malt, Yeast and Water. No additives, chemicals or preservatives may be used. Uli Bennewitz came to North Carolina in the early-1980s and decided to open a microbrewery similar to the ones he’d left behind in Bavaria.