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
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
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)
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
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
Live music playing in the background, an upbeat, outdoor atmosphere and a delicious meal are the main ingredients to a fun-filled Outer Banks evening. Exploring new areas and discovering local restaurants is one of the highlights of vacationing on the Outer Banks. Luckily, the Outer Banks is bursting with intimate local restaurants that offer their own creative coastal cuisine with great outdoor seating so you can soak up all the OBX scenery that you can.
Ready for some delicious food with a view? Check out our list of OBX Restaurants with Outdoor Seating next time you’re on the Outer Banks. (You can find the price key at the bottom of the blog!)
Address: 4624 Virginia Dare Trail, Kitty Hawk
Atmosphere: Your local neighborhood hangout. Located on the Beach Road in Kitty Hawk, Art’s Place is a quaint, brightly colored restaurant with lots of history. You’ll get a super cool laid back vibe, and an old worn front porch with views of the beautiful blue Atlantic. Oh, and the best burger on the beach.
Menu: Breakfast – pancakes, omelettes, french toast and sides. Lunch – steamers, sandwiches, wraps, and of course Burgers
Price:$$
Address: 8901 S. Old Oregon Inlet Road, Nags Head, NC
Atmosphere: Laid-back and relaxing. Located on the Outer Banks Fishing Pier, you can come straight from a day on the beach for a great meal and craft beer; placing it among one of the most unique Outer Banks restaurants. (Larry’s Lemonade is a MUST try.) Plus, you’ll get an incomparable view of the ocean. Watch beach goers and surfers ride by for lunch and enjoy live music on the pier in the evenings.
Menu: Seafood, sandwiches, burgers, and craft beers.
Price: $
Address: 5218 N. Virginia Dare Trail, Kitty Hawk, NC
Atmosphere: Casual and relaxed with a Caribbean inspiration. Located in Kitty Hawk on the Beach Road, the Tsunami Bar & Deck on the second level offers beautiful views of the ocean and the koi pond below.
Menu: Pacific Rim and Caribbean inspired noodle bowls, seafood entrees, sandwiches, and wraps.
Price: $$
Address: 120 E. Kitty Hawk Road, Kitty Hawk, NC
Atmosphere: Dress up or dress down, whatever you prefer. This place typically has a lively crowd, ready to enjoy the live music and happy hour specials.Hurricane Mo’s also features a covered deck to enjoy your Outer Banks meal – complete with ocean views!
Menu: Seafood entrees, burgers, wraps and sandwiches. 15¢ shrimp, 35¢ wings and $1 tacos at Happy Hour from 3-6 pm.
Price: $$
Address: 1193 Duck Road, Duck, NC
Atmosphere: Roadside Bar & Grill in Duck was originally a home that was converted into a restaurant. They changed the layout, but the at-home, warm and inviting atmosphere is still there. Kick back and enjoy a great meal, live music (on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays & Saturdays), and outdoor games at their backyard bar area.
Menu: Seafood, pasta, steaks, meats, salads, tacos, sandwiches and burgers.
Price: Lunch menu $$, Dinner menu $$$
Address: 25706 NC-12, Waves, NC
Atmosphere: Listen to live music, watch the kiteboarders show off their tricks and catch the sun setting over the sound while you dine at Watermen’s Bar & Grille on Hatteras Island. The atmosphere is casual and easy going. Just relax and enjoy the scenery.
Menu: Sandwiches, wraps, burgers, fajitas, quesadillas, salad, seafood, and meat entrees.
Price: $$
Address: 1174 Duck Road, Duck, NC
Atmosphere: An elegant, yet casual setting on the sound in downtown Duck. A pergola, Adirondack chairs and shaded dining are open for dining. Colorful sunsets and local wildlife passing by will provide serene views as you enjoy a relaxing and upscale meal.
Menu: Lunch – Soups, salads, sandwiches, paninis, wraps, and burgers. Dinner – Sea and land entrees and pastas.
Price: Lunch $$, Dinner $$$
Address: 4005 S. Croatan Highway, Nags Head, NC
Atmosphere: Laid-back, family and pet friendly. Mulligan’s upper deck bar was remodeled over the winter and now offers a large bar and dining area facing the ocean with views of the old Nags Head cottages. The covered deck is perfectly placed for a view of Jockey’s Ridge State Park and the oceanfront. There is even an outdoor doggy dining area for you and your pets. Live music plays throughout the week in the evenings.
Menu: Seafood, steak, lasagna, burgers, fish tacos, sandwiches, and burgers.
Price: $$
Address: 2000 Sailfish Drive, Manteo, NC
Atmosphere: Relaxed and casual. Located in Manteo’s prestigious boating community, Pirate’s Cove, Mimi’s Tiki Hut offers a beautiful outdoor patio, dining area, delicious finger foods, and views of the Outer Banks fishing boats cruising through the harbor. Live music plays every night throughout the summer from 6-9 pm.
Menu: Sandwiches, wings, seafood and appetizers
Price: $
Address: 1197 Franklyn Street, Corolla, NC
Atmosphere: A fun family restaurant with poolside and beach service. This is the only oceanfront dining area in Corolla. The dinner menu offers delectable gourmet land and seafood entrees, while the bar menu offers more laid-back options.
Menu: Seafood and land entrees, sandwiches, burgers, and salads.
Price: Bar Menu $$, Dinner Menu $$$
Address: 600 S. Croatan Highway, Kill Devil Hills
Atmosphere: Looking for a place for adults and kids alike? You’ve found it at the Outer Banks Brewing Station. Tucked away out back is their “outdoor oasis” perfect for the entire family — with picnic table seating, pirate ship playground, corn hole, a bar for ordering drinks, and live music.
Menu: Seafood and land entrees, sandwiches, burgers, salads, and hand crafted brews.
Price: Bar Menu $, Dinner Menu $$
Address: 1200 S Virginia Dare Trail, Kill Devil Hills
Atmosphere:The Outer Banks’ original surf shack hang out, Bonzer Shack welcomes guests with its vintage driftwood decor, laid-back OBX beach atmosphere, and awesome yard with a wide variety of outdoor entertainment. Have fun with their outdoor games and enjoy your meal al fresco at the tables located right on the Beach Road – perfect for people watching.
Menu: Fresh locally caught seafood, land entrees, wings, sandwiches, burgers, salads.
Price: Bar Menu $, Dinner Menu $$
Address: 3716 Virginia Dare Trail, Kitty Hawk
Atmosphere: Legendary. Old school. A true local hangout. It just doesn’t get any more laid back and “come as you are” than John’s Drive In located on the Beach Road in Kitty Hawk. This little beach stand dive with a keeps locals and tourists coming back for more. No trip to the OBX is complete without a stop at John’s.
Menu: Sandwiches, burgers, baskets, boats, and world famous shakes
Price: $
Address: 208 Queen Elizabeth Street, Manteo, NC
Atmosphere: Located in the heart of downtown Manteo, Lost Colony Brewery & Cafe has a lively, happening vibe with relaxed, friendly service. Enjoy a fresh meal outside under a shady umbrella and enjoy the great views of downtown Manteo.
Menu: Seafood, steaks, vegetarian, and kid options
Price: $$
Price Key:
$ – $10 and Under
$$ – $30 and Under
$$$ – $10 – $40 Entrees
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