12 New Outer Banks Restaurants & Bars to Try in 2026

Every season brings new restaurants to discover on the Outer Banks. A lot of eating and drinking spots have popped up across the barrier islands in recent years and many of our favorite local establishments have new ownership, so it's always fun to go out and see what's new. In this blog I'll tell you about 12 fresh places to get on your going-out radar.

Of course, these are just a sampling of local restaurants. With close to 400 restaurants across the Outer Banks, local restaurants have something for every craving and budget. Whether you're after fresh-caught seafood, craft cocktails, classic burgers or plant-based bites, there's no shortage of flavor here. See a complete list of local restaurants from Corolla to Ocracoke here.

Photo: Mixing up cocktails at in Manteo at Salt & Cypress Kitchen + Cocktails

A friendly reminder: Summer is peak season, and with that comes wait times, busy staff and packed patios. When dining out, a little patience goes a long way. Show kindness, bring good vibes, and remember — everyone’s doing their best to make your meal memorable. If you have time in your day, lunch is a great way to dine without a wait. Or it’s a great time to go out with a big crew because it will be easier to get a large table.

Corolla

The Local OBX

520 Old Stoney Road, Corolla

The Local is a new restaurant neighboring Northern Outer Banks Brewing Company, so you can enjoy cold local beers and some great food along with them. Along with sandwiches and other handhelds, they serve beer-friendly apps and snacks, soups, salads, burgers and sandwiches, tacos, flatbreads, entrees and fresh catch for lunch and dinner. The menu has something for everyone, and there are also daily specials. Alongside local beer, they have a full bar. Takeout and outdoor seating are available. 

Duck

5 O’Clock Bar at Duck Deli

1200 Duck Road

Duck Deli, situated in the heart of Duck, has a new outside bar area. Stop in for cold local beer from six taps, cocktails, wine and more. There’s outdoor seating, frequent live music and barbecue!

Photo: Black Flag Galley in Kitty Hawk offers quick homemade food for takeout. Photo credit: Black Flag Galley Facebook

Kitty Hawk

Black Flag Galley OBX

3701 N. Croatan Highway, The Shops at Milepost 4.5, Kitty Hawk

New from a couple of longtime locals and the owners of Black Flag Fishing Charters is Black Flag Galley, serving fresh local seafood, sandwiches, apps, salads and bowls. Their daily passport plates feature a special dish with global flavors. Stop in and grab takeout and meals to go.

Kill Devil Hills

OBX Gyro

701 S. Croatan Highway, Kill Devil Hills

OBX Gyro serves authentic Mediterranean street food in the heart of Kill Devil Hills. Enjoy fresh-roasted shawarma that's always fresh-carved, never reheated. Lamb, beef, chicken and falafel are served in wraps, gyros and bowls along with fresh sides, dips and sauces. Save room for baklava for dessert. Online ordering is available, and they offer takeout and in-house dining. 

Nags Head

The Den Coffee Co.

2500 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Beach Road, MP 10, Nags Head

The Den is a new coffee shop situated along the beach road in Nags Head. Locally owned and operated, the shop serves well-crafted coffee and espresso drinks, teas, smoothies and locally made pastries. Stop in for your beverages and stay awhile in the comfortable setting. It shares a space with Farmdog Surf so you can sip coffee while you shop or before you rent a surfboard. 

Photo: Gather is a new oceanfront dining option based at Village Beach Club and open to the public. Photo credit: Village Beach Club Facebook

Gather

5805 S. Seachase Drive, Nags Head

The new oceanfront restaurant at Village Beach Club, Gather offers full-service breakfast, lunch, dinner and bar service with stunning ocean views. The restaurant combines elevated coastal dining and expert hospitality with a relaxed beach club atmosphere and ocean views. Breakfast begins at 9 a.m. The All-Day Menu offers something for everyone, from shareable appetizers to sandwiches and wraps to bowls, salads, flatbread pizzas and kids' meals. Dinner at Gather brings heartier seafood, chicken and beef entrees. The bar offers a range of craft cocktails, canned cocktails and seltzers, beer and wine. While Village Beach Club is a membership-oriented facility with options for public enjoyment, Gather is open to the public all day without the need for a membership. Guests can enjoy indoor or outdoor dining, poolside cabana dining and pickleball courtside dining, family meal packages and to-go options for food and beverages. Reservations are accepted for dinner, large parties and special events. 

Photo: Paperback Pours' pink Jeep and trailer have been a popular coffee stop in Nags Head this summer. Photo credit: Paperback Pours Facebook

Paperback Pours Coffee Co.

2808 S. Croatan Highway, Nags Head (in the DMV parking lot next to Ace Hardware)

The most adorable pink coffee trailer has popped up in Nags Head this summer. The trailer offers coffee, cold brew, lattes and homemade syrups inspired by books the owner loves. It’s only here for the summer as the owner has to get back home to her job as an English teacher soon. 

Coming Soon

A completely upgraded and revamped Nags Head Pier is reopening soon with new owners and greatly updated space. We will keep you posted!

Photo: Salt & Cypress Kitchen + Cocktails is a new coastal-inspired waterfront restaurant in Manteo. Photo credit: Salt & Cypress Kitchen + Cocktails

Manteo

Salt & Cypress Kitchen + Cocktails

1100-A S. Bay Club Drive, Manteo

Salt & Cypress Kitchen + Cocktails is a new restaurant and event space at Shallowbag Bay Club in Manteo, created by brother-and-sister team Ryan and Bridget Karg. With spectacular waterfront views and indoor/outdoor seating, the restaurant blends American-style coastal cuisine with relaxed yet elevated ambiance. Reservations are accepted, and dockage is available for boaters. Event spaces are available here. 

Vicki B’s Restaurant & Market

301 Budleigh Street, Manteo

Crabber, restaurateur and wine aficionado, Vicki Basnight of Basnight's Lone Cedar Cafe is an Outer Banks icon known for her strong commitment to serving local seafood and produce. Her latest venture is Vicki B's, a restaurant, bar, market and outdoor event venue in a former Downtown Manteo home. Lunch is served weekdays except Wednesday, and dinner is served nightly except Wednesday and Sunday. Brunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays. The bar offers creative seasonal cocktails along with wine and beer. Grab & Go sandwiches, wraps and bites are perfect for picking up a quick meal to eat at the bar or for a Downtown picnic. Takeout is available, and reservations are accepted. 

Hatteras Island

Sip Shack Drinks and Jewelry

25410 N.C. Highway 12, Waves

Tucked away at Hatteras Island Surf Shop is the Sip Shack, a cute coffee shop serving coffee, matcha, refreshers and dirty sodas. With the menu on surfboards and the seating outside in lounge chairs, it's the perfect coastal-vibe hangout with tasty drinks. There is also some jewelry for sale. 

Tugs Soundside Taphouse and Brewery

29450-A N.C. Highway 12, Avon

The first brewery on Hatteras Island opened this year in Avon – sort of. While they are awaiting permits to begin brewing their own beer, the brand-new Tugs Soundside is already a thriving taphouse serving a curated lineup of local, NC and Virginia beers. In the former Po House restaurant, it is situated directly on the Pamlico Sound next to Ocean Air Sports, making it sunset central and the perfect spot to enjoy a beer after a day on the water. For now, the Tugs Taphouse serves 20 guest beers on draft. When they are fully legal to brew their own beer, probably early in 2027, they’ll serve their own beers alongside some guest beers. The taphouse is hub of social activity in Avon, from live music to music bingo, an arts market to community seafood boils with Outer Banks Boil Company. You can bring your own food. 

Photo: The brand-new Jolly Roger Pub & Marina in Ocracoke features double-decker dining overlooking Silver Lake. Photo credit: Jolly Roger Pub & Marina Facebook

Ocracoke Island

Jolly Roger Pub & Marina

410 Irvin Garrish Highway, Ocracoke

A landmark restaurant and watering hole on Silver Lake, Jolly Roger was closed for many years but has now been restored and reimagined by new ownership. The all-new double-decker Jolly Roger offers plentiful open-air dockside seating on lower and upper-level decks. Incredible sunset views, beers on tap, cocktails and live music make this a waterside hotspot starting in the late afternoon. The menu includes coastal-inspired shareable apps, burgers and sandwiches and main dishes of seafood, protein-topped salads and a short rib steak. Dockage is available for boat-up dining.