2025 Nags Head Sandwiches Guide

When you ask locals in the Nags Head area where to get local seafood, they’ll almost certainly recommend Austin’s, not only because the market has been in business since 1960, but also because it sells only “fresh from the net” fish at great prices. Owned by a native fishing family, the market is the real deal, not some fancy store that happens to sell fish.  An excellent selection of fresh seasonal fish and shellfish is available to choose from ---- depending on the time of year ---- including shrimp, clams, sea scallops, red snapper, swordfish, rockfish, mahi-mahi, grouper, tuna and flounder. There’s even a lobster tank to pick from for a fresh lobster meal.  An extensive take-out menu offers entire seafood meals of steamed or fried fish with sides of macaroni and cheese,hush puppies,cole slaw and potato salad. Soup, sandwiches, beer and wine are also available. Seafood is inspected regularly by the Health Department and the FDA.

This small convenience store in the heart of Nags Head has become a bit of a local landmark all its own, thanks to its unforgettable name and its coveted merchandise, as well as its selection of great breakfast and deli fare. Biscuits N' Porn may not be a traditional stop on an Outer Banks vacation, but it lures in locals and tourists alike with its distinctive moniker, and its daily helping of homemade biscuits and other tasty grub which is easy to enjoy on the go.

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. 

Since its opening in early January 2012, Café Lachine has become a popular stop for fresh deli sandwiches and salads, and truly delectable homemade baked treats and breads. Better still, the menu, written on chalk on the wall, is interesting, healthy and reasonably priced.  Cold sandwiches include chicken or egg salad, BLT and turkey and guacamole with pepper jack.  Hot sandwiches range from shrimp po’ boy on hoagie, pesto grilled chicken on brioche and Cuban press.  Other choices include orzo pesto salad, fruit salad and tabbouleh salads. All food is made on the premises. Box lunches, which change daily, are also available, with a choice of one sandwich (chicken salad or egg salad croissant or turkey and provolone wrap), and a cup of soup, a side, dessert and a canned drink.  Breakfast is served all day, and coffee and specialty drinks are also offered.  Starting out with just a few tables, this attractive eatery on the north corner of Outer Banks Mall soon expanded next door with a small dining room.

Whether you need a little energy to reel in the big ones, or just want to relax after a long day of fishing with an ice-cold drink, Captain’s Andy is a convenient and fun destination that’s perfect for anglers, sightseers, and anyone who wants to relax with the Atlantic Ocean in the background.

Family owned and operated since 1990 at the same location, this deli is not fancy, but it’s got what counts: good food at good prices.  And since Country Deli has been time-tested on the Outer Banks, where the word of mouth can kill off a business faster than anything, it’s clear these folks know what keeps customers coming back for more. Not only is this take-out deli famous for its “overstuffed” sandwiches and subs, it also delivers --- except on Sunday ----between 3rd Street in Kill Devil Hills and South Nags Head.   If you’re heading out for a fishing trip, call ahead and the order will be waiting for you. Sandwich choices include the basics like tuna salad, roast beef, veggie and honey ham to reubens, grilled cheese and bacon and North Carolina BBQ with coleslaw. There’s also a large selection of specialty sandwiches, made with a variety of meats, cheeses and breads, as well as soups, salads and brownies.  In addition, bagels and toppings are available for breakfast. 

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. 

Seafood fans will find all the seasonal Outer Banks catches of the day at this Nags Head market that offers daily fresh seafood and so much more. Greentail’s Seafood Market and Kitchen is a catch-all for an easy lunch or dinner on-site or on the go, thanks to its fresh fish and other coastal fare, its casual market with a variety of accompaniments, and its creative menu that propels Outer Banks seafood to the next level.

This charming breakfast and lunch restaurant is the Outer Banks version of an old-fashioned diner, complete with a counter and stools, retro pink or green vinyl and metal chairs and tables, and big comfortable booths.   With affordable Southern favorites, Grit’s Grill, situated on the north wing of the Outer Banks Mall,  is usually packed, but the service is fast.  And yes, they have grits, creamy and lump-free, just choose your topping, whether it’s shrimp, sausage gravy, green onions, bacon, or cheddar cheese. There are other standards available like omelets, hash browns, chipped beef over toast, eggs any style and huge fluffy biscuits.  Try the seafood omelet, an Outer Banks specialty. Lunch offers more classic fare, including sandwiches, hamburgers, soups, salads and grilled cheese, of course.  T-shirts and other souvenirs are also available for sale. 

Feeding a large and hungry family is gravy at this unique deli and take-out shop that has huge portions of flavor with every menu item. It’s All Gravy Italian Trattoria is a staple for locals and visitors alike who are craving a little fresh Italian in the comfort of their home, vacation rental, or local beach motel or cottage.

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.

Enjoy a crowd-pleasing meal that everyone can dive into with a quick stop at this Nags Head *take out only* eatery that has plenty of traditional and specialty pies to suit all tastes. Madisons Pizza has a lengthy menu that is chock full of delicious items, ensuring that every hungry visitor can find something to easily enjoy with every visit.

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.

Nags Head Pier offers some of the best fishing on the east coast. Its proximity to the Gulf Stream provides access to a great variety of inshore fish, and the Pier Shop furnishes all the equipment needed to catch them. The Shop’s experts can even offer a few tips, along with the bait, tackle and rod and reel rentals.Not only will the pier help you catch the fish, the Nags Head Pier Restaurant with cook them up - fried, grilled or blackened - and serve them to you with fries, cole slaw and hushpuppies. The restaurant is a great place to come early for breakfast and watch the sunrise and specializes in Carolina-style cooking, offering fresh seafood and other dishes for lunch and dinner, with entrees priced from $7.95 to $24.95.But you don’t have to fish to enjoy the pier. After a filling dinner, you can take the kids or that special someone for a lazy stroll down the pier for only $1.50 per person, with kids sightseeing at half price. Day and season passes for fishing are also available.The Pier Shop also sells souvenirs and Nags Head Pier caps and T-shirts that can be ordered online as well. The pier is at milepost 12, has ample parking and is open to fishin 24 hours a day throughout the spring, summer and fall. The Pier House is open from 6 a.m. to midnight.

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.

Pizzazz Pizza now has FOUR convenient Outer Banks locations in Grandy, Corolla, Duck & Nags Head. Made with only the freshest ingredients and finest meat toppings! Dine in, carry out or delivery (from Corolla to South Nags Head; from Powell's Point to Aydlett).

Located at the Nags Head Golf Links, Player’s Grille is not just for golfers. Anyone is welcome to dine at this classy, but comfortable restaurant with a full bar.  Not only does it have a lovely setting, the Grille itself is open and airy, with large windows that provide great views of the sunset over Roanoke Sound.  The extensive menu includes a good variety of sandwiches and wraps and the ever-popular fish tacos. 

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.

A combination mini-lunch counter and ice cream shop, Scoops offers a break from shopping with homemade ice cream, cold drinks and sandwiches. The ice cream, with 34 flavors, really is homemade, and is available ---of course --- by the scoop in cones, or in sundaes, smoothies, shakes, malts and floats. There’s not a whole lot of food available, but it’s got the basics that will fill your stomach and taste good. Sandwich choices include turkey and cheese, grilled cheese with ham and peanut butter and jelly. There are also burritos and hot dogs.  Enjoy your meal and/or your treat outside at one of the small tables lining the covered top deck. If you time it right, you’ll be able to savor a gorgeous sunset over Jockey’s Ridge, which is directly across the street. 

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.

Tucked away in the heart of Kill Devil Hills, Sea Level Coffee and Kitchen is a cozy, feel-good café where great coffee, fresh food, and friendly vibes come together. Whether you’re kicking off a beach day or looking for a relaxed spot to unwind, this locally loved gem serves up everything you need to fuel your Outer Banks adventures.

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. 

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 Beach prepares unique and fresh sandwiches, wraps, salads, and bowls, with separate gluten free and vegan menus. To Go, Catering and Delivery. Beach Delivery. Beer and Wine Delivery. Family owned and operated, serving the Outer Banks for 30 years.

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.

When you need a fresh and custom sub sandwich your way, you can always rely on Subway. With more than 34,000 locations around the world, you no doubt have experienced this successful fast food chain and no why it’s so popular. Quality food at a great price is what customer s have come to expect from this sandwich chain.

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.

With a mission to provide a meal made with fresh, natural and premium ingredients, the eatery offers a range of interesting and delicious gourmet salads, bistro sandwiches, grilled flatbreads and toasted wraps, all made with a flair for international flavors.

Established in 1976 in Nags Head, Yellow Submarine was the first eatery on the Outer Banks to offer oven-baked subs. Since then, the menu has expanded considerably to include hand-tossed pizza with fresh sauce and Philly or chicken cheesesteaks. Pizzas range from veggie to classic white, Greek, Buffalo chicken, Meat Monster and Hawaiian White. Various flavored of wings offered. Deli subs made with fresh Boars Head meats & cheeses. Located at Outer Banks Mall at Milepost 14 off the Bypass, this comfortable restaurant also offers Caesar, Greek, Buffalo Chicken and Chef salads, numerous snacks and draft beer. Want something sweet? Have some N.Y. style cheesecake. Kids menu, for dine-in only, includes chicken tenders and pizza. Delivery is available between Mileposts 10 and 21 with a minimum order of $15.