The best restaurants in Outer Banks

31 restaurants we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

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Restaurants · 31 places · showing the latest additions first

Chilli Peppers Coastal Grill

Restaurants

Chilli Peppers Coastal Grill keeps locals fed and happy with globe-trotting plates, a rotating off-season tapas lineup, and ingredients…

3001 N Croatan Hwy (Kill Devil Hills)

“Chilli Peppers Coastal Grill keeps locals fed and happy with globe-trotting plates, a rotating off-season tapas lineup, and ingredients pulled from their own backyard garden. Swing by for their award-winning Sunday brunch or slide in for late-night eats and a proper cocktail when the day runs long.”

From the Outer Banks newsletter, August 3, 2026

The Dunes Restaurant

Restaurants

Family-owned for four decades, The Dunes Restaurant keeps mornings honest with scratch-made Southern breakfasts, eggs cooked to perfection,…

7013 S Croatan Hwy (Nags Head)

“Family-owned for four decades, The Dunes Restaurant keeps mornings honest with scratch-made Southern breakfasts, eggs cooked to perfection, crispy bacon, creamy grits, and famous homemade biscuits, then flips to seafood suppers with a full bar.”

From the Outer Banks newsletter, August 7, 2026

The SaltBox Cafe

Restaurants

Chefs/owners Randolph and Amanda Sprinkle turn local seafood and fresh meats into plates that feel equal parts creative and comforting, and…

1469 Colington Rd (Kill Devil Hills)

“Chefs/owners Randolph and Amanda Sprinkle turn local seafood and fresh meats into plates that feel equal parts creative and comforting, and The SaltBox Cafe pours a solid craft beer to match. Slip onto the porch for those Colington Island creek views, then let the cottage vibes do the rest.”

High Cotton Barbeque

Restaurants

Casual roadside stop for Eastern NC-style pulled pork, Texas-style brisket, fried chicken & more.

5230 N Virginia Dare Trail (Kitty Hawk)

“Casual roadside stop for Eastern NC-style pulled pork, Texas-style brisket, fried chicken & more.”

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Vilai's Thai Kitchen

Restaurants

Compact eatery providing familiar Thai fare, including curry, rice & noodle entrees.

5230 N Virginia Dare Trail (Kitty Hawk)

“Compact eatery providing familiar Thai fare, including curry, rice & noodle entrees.”

Spanky's Grille

Restaurants

A no-frills comfort-food stop featuring footlong hot dogs & burgers ranging from 1/4 to 2 lbs.

4105 N Croatan Hwy (Kitty Hawk)

“A no-frills comfort-food stop featuring footlong hot dogs & burgers ranging from 1/4 to 2 lbs.”

Vinny's Pizza Joint

Restaurants

Cozy pizza joint turning out New York-style pies, plus lasagna and meat subs.

3701 N Croatan Hwy (Kitty Hawk)

“Cozy pizza joint turning out New York-style pies, plus lasagna and meat subs.”

JK's Restaurant

Restaurants

Classy spot serving premium, wood-fired land & sea fare in a cozy, wood-finished beach house.

1106 S Croatan Hwy (Kill Devil Hills)

“Classy spot serving premium, wood-fired land & sea fare in a cozy, wood-finished beach house.”

Miller's Seafood & Steak House

Restaurants

Family-run spot serving seafood, steaks & breakfasts in a casual, aquatic-themed setting with a bar.

1520 S Virginia Dare Trail (Kill Devil Hills)

“Family-run spot serving seafood, steaks & breakfasts in a casual, aquatic-themed setting with a bar.”

Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint Kill Devil Hills

Restaurants

Bar chain serving creative burgers & a lengthy list of beers in a casual, funky space.

800 S Virginia Dare Trail (Kill Devil Hills)

“Bar chain serving creative burgers & a lengthy list of beers in a casual, funky space.”

Beachside Bistro

Restaurants

Bright, casual hotel cafe featuring fried & steamed seafood, plus breakfast, burgers & ocean views.

1731 N Virginia Dare Trail MP7 (Kill Devil Hills)

“Bright, casual hotel cafe featuring fried & steamed seafood, plus breakfast, burgers & ocean views.”

The Colington Cafe

Restaurants

Upscale, eclectic dinner-only destination set in a tree-shaded Victorian house with a garden.

1029 Colington Rd (Kill Devil Hills)

“Upscale, eclectic dinner-only destination set in a tree-shaded Victorian house with a garden.”

Food Dudes Kitchen

Restaurants

Mellow eatery with a surf-shack vibe, serving Caribbean- & Mexican-inspired seafood & burgers.

1216 S Virginia Dare Trail (Kill Devil Hills)

“Mellow eatery with a surf-shack vibe, serving Caribbean- & Mexican-inspired seafood & burgers.”

Treehouse Cafe & Coffee

Restaurants

Hip, local cafe offering breakfast favorites with a modern twist, plus espresso drinks & cold brews.

1177 Duck Rd #34 (Duck)

“Hip, local cafe offering breakfast favorites with a modern twist, plus espresso drinks & cold brews.”

Pok's Art Catering

Restaurants

Modest operation offering a mix of classic Chinese, Thai, Japanese & Vietnamese dishes.

3701 N Croatan Hwy (Kitty Hawk)

“Modest operation offering a mix of classic Chinese, Thai, Japanese & Vietnamese dishes.”

The Pony and The Boat

Restaurants

Laid-back destination serving biscuits, seafood and brunch staples alongside classic breakfast items.

3712 N Croatan Hwy Unit A (Kitty Hawk)

“Laid-back destination serving biscuits, seafood and brunch staples alongside classic breakfast items.”

The Blue Point

Restaurants

Mellow spot for locally sourced, high-end seafood & Southern fare, with occasional live music.

1240 Duck Rd (Duck)

“Mellow spot for locally sourced, high-end seafood & Southern fare, with occasional live music.”

Stack'em High Pancakes MP 4.5

Restaurants

Diner-style breakfast & lunch fare ordered at the counter & brought to table in no-frills quarters.

3801 N Croatan Hwy (Kitty Hawk)

“Diner-style breakfast & lunch fare ordered at the counter & brought to table in no-frills quarters.”

Black Pelican Oceanfront Restaurant

Restaurants

Laid-back eatery in a circa-1874 former lifesaving station serving seafood, steaks, pizzas & more.

3848 N Virginia Dare Trail (Kitty Hawk)

“Laid-back eatery in a circa-1874 former lifesaving station serving seafood, steaks, pizzas & more.”

Josephine's Sicilian Kitchen

Restaurants

Cozy place serving familiar Italian fare such as meatballs, pasta & veal, plus tiramisu & cannoli.

3701 N Croatan Hwy (Kitty Hawk)

“Cozy place serving familiar Italian fare such as meatballs, pasta & veal, plus tiramisu & cannoli.”

TRIO Restaurant & Market

Restaurants

Neighborhood bistro featuring New American fare & live music, plus a store with wine, beer & cheese.

3708 N Croatan Hwy (Kitty Hawk)

“Neighborhood bistro featuring New American fare & live music, plus a store with wine, beer & cheese.”

Dare Devil's Pizzeria

Restaurants

Longtime spot for pizzas & stromboli from housemade dough & sauces, served in a homey setting.

1112 S Virginia Dare Trail (Kill Devil Hills)

“Longtime spot for pizzas & stromboli from housemade dough & sauces, served in a homey setting.”

John's Drive In

Restaurants

Classic drive-in shack (open May-October) specializing in thick milkshakes & fried fish sandwiches.

3716 N Virginia Dare Trail (Kitty Hawk)

“Classic drive-in shack (open May-October) specializing in thick milkshakes & fried fish sandwiches.”

Two Roads Tavern

Restaurants

Coastal eatery for burgers, oysters and classic American eats, plus beer on tap and wine.

3833 N Croatan Hwy (Kitty Hawk)

“Coastal eatery for burgers, oysters and classic American eats, plus beer on tap and wine.”

Southern Shores Pizza & Deli

Restaurants

Compact counter serve turning out hand-tossed NY pizzas, plus hot/cold subs, burgers & wine or beer.

1 Ocean Blvd Ste 106 (Southern Shores)

“Compact counter serve turning out hand-tossed NY pizzas, plus hot/cold subs, burgers & wine or beer.”

Stack'em High Pancakes and So Forth

Restaurants

Seasonal, homestyle breakfast joint fixing up pancakes & biscuits in a modest, colorful setting.

1225 S Croatan Hwy (Kill Devil Hills)

“Seasonal, homestyle breakfast joint fixing up pancakes & biscuits in a modest, colorful setting.”

Goombays Grille & Raw Bar

Restaurants

Vibrant, kid-friendly seafood place with Caribbean-accented dishes, tropical drinks & island decor.

1608 N Virginia Dare Trail (Kill Devil Hills)

“Vibrant, kid-friendly seafood place with Caribbean-accented dishes, tropical drinks & island decor.”

Mama Kwan's Tiki Bar & Grill

Restaurants

Splashy & festive eatery with Pacific Rim flavors & renowned mahi mahi tacos, plus tropical drinks

1701 S Croatan Hwy (Kill Devil Hills)

“Splashy & festive eatery with Pacific Rim flavors & renowned mahi mahi tacos, plus tropical drinks”

Pizzazz Pizza of Duck

Restaurants

No-frills operation for pies, subs & wings for dine-in, plus takeout & delivery.

1187 Duck Rd (Kitty Hawk)

“No-frills operation for pies, subs & wings for dine-in, plus takeout & delivery.”

Rundown

Restaurants

A family-oriented, island-themed spot serving Caribbean & Pacific Rim dishes.

5218 N Va Dare Trail (Kitty Hawk)

“A family-oriented, island-themed spot serving Caribbean & Pacific Rim dishes.”

Even•Tide

Restaurants

Laid-back waterfront restaurant with a terrace serving sharing boards, sandwiches & snacks.

1190 Duck Rd (Kitty Hawk)

“Laid-back waterfront restaurant with a terrace serving sharing boards, sandwiches & snacks.”

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