2025 Nags Head Burger Guide

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.