Spring is in the air which means some of our favorite restaurants are going to be opening back up for the summer season! Check out some restaurants that are coming out of hibernation this 2017 season and dine somewhere new on your next visit to the Outer Banks!

 

Rundown Cafe – Kitty Hawk // Opening March 1st

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courtesy of Rundown Cafe

They serve: island cuisine inspired by Pacific Rim and Caribbean journeys

You have to try: the Tsunami Dinner Salad with Coconut Fried Shrimp and Journeys End Dressing

 

Fish Heads – South Nags Head // Opening April 1st

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courtesy of Fish Heads Bar and Grill

They serve: over 20 draft beers, great appetizers, and great post-beach meals like classic burgers and fish tacos.

You have to try: the conch fritters or happy hour 15 cent shrimp and Larry’s Lemonade on draft

 

John’s Drive-In – Kitty Hawk // Opening March 10th (tentatively)

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courtesy of John’s Drive-In

They serve: cheeseburgers, subs, ice cream, milkshakes, and more.

You have to try: a chocolate strawberry milkshake and a dolphin boat

 

Surfin’ Spoon – Nags Head // Opening March 10th

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courtesy of Surfin’ Spoon

They serve: low-fat and non-fat frozen yogurt and vegan sorbet with an array of toppings for you to choose from.

You have to try: whatever you like! Surfin’ Spoons’ flavors change daily and with all of the different topping choices, possibilities are endless!

 

The Spot – Nags Head // Opening March 22nd

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courtesy of The Spot

They serve: healthy options like acai smoothie bowls and smoothies and ice cream for when you want to treat yourself.

You have to try:  the Loggerhead Bowl blended with banana and vanilla almond milk topped with granola, banana peanut butter, dark chocolate, and honey. (Add a sprinkle of coconut; trust us on this one!)

 

Tale of the Whale – Nags Head  // Opening April 5th

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courtesy of Tale of The Whale

They serve: fresh local seafood, choice steak, chicken, pasta and more

You have to try: their House Specialty Shrimp and Grits

 

Sam and Omie’s – Nags Head // Opening Early March

sam and omies final

courtesy of Sam and Omie’s

They serve: omelets, burgers, club sandwiches, seafood dinners, and more

You have to try: the Sam & Omie’s Crabcake Sandwich

 

Owens’ – Nags Head // Opening Early March

owens final

courtesy of Owens’

They serve: rich, coastal, southern seafood classics with the culinary flare of today in upscale setting

You have to try: the Seafood Mariner featuring a fish filet, jumbo shrimp, scallops, clams, crabmeat Remick and Seabreeze potatoes.

 

Red Drum – Nags Head // Opening March 12th

red drum final

courtesy of Red Drum

They serve: fresh local seafood, steaks, ribs and more in a family-friendly environment.

You have to try: the Mixed Seafood Saute featuring the fish of the day grilled with sauteed shrimp in lemon dill butter

 

Avenue – Manteo // Opening Mid March

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courtesy of Avenue Waterfront Grille

They serve: local seafood, all natural meats and chicken, and a wide variety of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options all in a casual dining setting.

You have to try: the House Specialty Fish Tacos

 

Mimi’s Tiki Hut – Manteo // Opening April 14th

mimis final

courtesy of Matt Lusk & Blue Water

They serve: drinks while you’re waiting for your table at Blue Water or a quick bite to eat while enjoying live entertainment.

You have to try: the Grilled Chicken Sandwich and a Kill Devil Rum “Not So Dark N’ Stormy”.

So which OBX restaurant are you most excited about re-opening? Let us know!

You don’t need a vast knowledge of seafood or to spend a whole afternoon tending to the fire pit to make this iconic summer feast. All you need is a picnic table at your beach house, beautiful Outer Banks weather, and your hungry family and friends. With the steamer pot from Mulligan’s, you can order ahead, pick up, and enjoy! These custom steamer pots are perfect for your next Outer Banks style clambake. Piled high with red bliss potatoes, corn on the cob, and a choice of seafood like lobster, crabs, clams, or mussels, your clambake will feature some of the OBX’s best ingredients. And when you spread all that goodness on a picnic table by the ocean, you’ll have an instant summertime party.

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Casual Clam Bake eating

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The beautiful thing about clambakes is that they can be thrown together for a casual dinner, or planned for a sharp and chic family sit down. Dress up your meal with beautiful dinner details like serving bowls, platters and placemats like these we found at The Cotton Gin, and make your OBX clambake one for the books.

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Formal Dinner Collage

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wine cheers on beach

Make a seaside clambake part of your Outer Banks tradition! With gourmet quality kitchens, oceanfront views, and local seafood pros, any dinner will be special in a Resort Realty rental. Book with Resort Realty today and let us help you get your getaway started!

Want to share this link with your family & friends to plan your OBX vacation and clambake? Use this link for easy sharing! bit.ly/OBXclambake

Blog Graphic Clambake

Winter on the Outer Banks is something magical. Time seems to slow down but there’s beauty in the stillness. Most local restaurants shut down in the colder months so employees and owners alike can get some much needed rest and relaxation until the warmer, busier season kicks up again. However, when holidays like Valentine’s Day rolls around, it makes it hard to find a restaurant that’s actually open. Luckily, a few Outer Banks eateries do stay open all year-round and some even open back up for you to spend Valentine’s Day with your loved one. Check out some of our favorite spots for your Outer Banks Valentine’s Day dinner.

Basnight’s Lone Cedar Cafe

Nags Head


Enjoy fresh, local seafood at Basnight’s Lone Cedar Cafe. Lone Cedar takes pride in serving some of the freshest seafood and home grown herbs and greens right here on the Outer Banks. They even give you the option to bring in your own, cleaned catch of the day and they’ll prepare it for you however you like! Lone Cedar does not accept reservations so make sure you arrive at 4:30 when dinner starts to get a table and enjoy an out of this world meal with your significant other. Visit Lone Cedars’ website for more information and menu options.

Outer Banks Valentine's Day dinner at Lone Cedar cafe in Nags Head offers exceptional dining with locally sourced ingredients.

Blue Moon Beach Grill

Nags Head

Small, cozy, and quirky, Blue Moon Beach Grill is a local restaurant you don’t want to miss out on this Valentine’s Day. With their specialty being in Southern comfort food (like their famous shrimp and grits) expect nothing less than being treated like family. Blue Moon offers an exceptional dining experience at an affordable price. Blue Moon is open all year-round from 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM. Make sure you get there early to beat the dinner rush; Blue Moon does not accept reservations. Check out Blue Moon’s website for more information and take a peek at their menu.

Blue Moon Beach Grill is a great option for you and your significant other to enjoy a great Valentine's Day dinner on the Outer Banks.

TRiO

Kitty Hawk

For a lighter fare and live entertainment, visit TRiO Bar and Bistro. TRiO hosts an immense selection of wine, beer, and cheese for you and your love to sample and a bistro menu of gourmet sandwiches, salads, desserts, and more. Visit TRiO’s website for more information on the eatery and to plan the perfect night out with your love.

TRiO is located in Kitty Hawk and is a wine bar that would be perfect for those who want a lighter faire for Valentine's Day.

Salt Box Cafe

Kill Devil Hills, Colington Harbor

This cottage style restaurant serves the perfect intimate background for you and your sweetheart. The Salt Box Cafe focuses on locally farmed ingredients, seafood, meat, and vegetables to give you the dining experience you’ve only dreamed of. With options available like maple glazed duck breast and grilled local cobia, you and your love will have the best Valentine’s Day yet. Dinner is 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Salt Box Cafe does recommend making a reservation. Call 252-255-5594 to make your reservation. In the meantime, visit the Salt Box Cafe website to see everything they have to offer.

Salty Box Cafe features handcrafted and locally sourced menu items that will be sure to please for your Outer Banks Valentine's Day Dinner.

Aqua Restaurant

Duck

This Valentine’s Day, take a trip to Aqua and enjoy waterfront dining that’s sure to make sparks fly with your honey. Aqua offers locally farmed ingredients, fish, and meat to ensure a truly local dining experience. Different selections of beer and wine are available to pair with your meal and live music is played while you dine. You’ll find options like Cornish game hen, seafood pasta, and much more on their menu. After dinner, treat your sweetheart to something sweet off of Aqua’s extensive dessert menu. Reservations can be made over the phone by calling 252-261-9700 or online reservations are available on Aqua’s website.

Cafe Pamlico

Buxton

If casual fine dining is what you and your beloved are looking for this Valentine’s Day, look no further than Cafe Pamlico. With fresh local seafood coming from Buxton’s waters, the restaurant garden, Hatteras island or the Tidewater Region, you’ll be no less than impressed with whatever you order. Cafe Pamlico also offers a variety of vegan, vegetarian, and dietary needs options as well. Cafe Pamlico recommends making a reservation. You can call 252-995-4500 or the front desk at 866-PAMLICO (726-5426) for questions and reservations as well. Check out Cafe Pamlico’s website in the meantime to see all they have to offer.

Striper’s Bar and Grille

Manteo

This 3 floor restaurant will offer couples breathtaking views over the Albemarle Sound and appetizing dinner options that will make your Valentine’s Day sizzle. Striper’s Bar and Grille serves local seafood along with freshly made in house sides and dressings to complete your meal. Enjoy a romantic sunset over the sound as you dine with your loved one. Striper’s also offers catch and cook. You can bring in your own fresh caught and cleaned fish and Striper’s chefs will prepare it to your liking! Striper’s does accept reservations at 252-475-1021 or at 252-475-1022. Visit their website to view even more of their menu

Striper's in Manteo is a great option for your Outer Banks Valentine's Day Dinner.

Make your Outer Banks Valentine’s Day dinner special this year with one of these great, local restaurants. Whether you’re visiting or you live here all year-round, plan an Outer Banks get away with you and your valentine in one of our cozier vacation homes!