When it comes to fueling up for a big day, you have a lot of choices for breakfast on the Outer Banks. From breakfast buffets to bagel shops to juice cafes, there is something for every appetite. Today we’re going to explore some of the tried-and-true favorites, the classic Outer Banks breakfast restaurants that have stood the test of time and have a loyal following of regulars, both locals and visitors. These are 14 places where you can sit down and enjoy the experience of someone bringing you a hot breakfast and refilling your coffee mug every 15 minutes. They are not only ones, of course. For a full list of all the breakfast places from Corolla to Roanoke Island to Ocracoke (all 84+ of them), plus more information on the restaurants I mention below, visit our Outer Banks Breakfast page. And be sure to call ahead for hours and days of operation; some of these places may be closed in the off-season.
Photo: Art's Place on the beach road in Kitty Hawk is a breakfast favorite for those in the know.
Art’s Place
Kill Devil Hills
Art’s has been a beach road fixture in Kitty Hawk for more than 30 years. The food is cooked to order, and you get a ton of it for a reasonable price. The breakfast menu is not huge, but the offerings are all good. It’s one of those dive-type places that you know about if you’re in the know, and if you know it you love it. Go for the Monte Cristo, and you won’t be sorry. (252) 261-3233
Stack ‘Em High
Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills
If longevity and a full parking lot are any indications, either location of Stack ‘Em High is a great stop for a morning meal. They’ve been open since 1981, and the parking lots are always full in the morning. You go through a line to order, then you find a seat and they bring your food out to you. They have all the breakfast favorites, but the pancakes and waffles really are a cut above and must be tried. (252) 261-8221 Kitty Hawk; (252) 441-7064 KDH
Jolly Roger
Kill Devil Hills
Jolly Roger is a beach road legend. In all its quirky/kitschy glory, it’s a love it or leave it kind of place. But those who love it are loyal, keeping the Jolly Roger going strong since 1972. The breakfast menu is huge, as are the portions (I once had to get a doggie bag for a blueberry muffin here because it was so big). Be sure to try one of their over-the-top bloody Marys. (252) 441-6530
Photo: A few of the tasty breakfast menu options at Henry's in KDH.
Henry’s Restaurant
Kill Devil Hills
Family-owned and -operated since 1989, Henry’s is known for doing the simple, no-frills breakfast extremely well, and they serve it until 1 p.m. for the late risers. You'll always find a clientele of regular locals here. The portions are large, and the prices are very reasonable. Their seafood omelets, biscuits and gravy and creamed chip beef are popular. (252) 261-2025
Bob’s Grill
Kill Devil Hills
Bob’s is going on 30 years of serving Outer Banks breakfasts. The atmosphere is casual and fun (hence the "Eat and Get the Hell Out" slogan), and the food is offered at good prices in large portions. Breakfast and brunch include a lot of filling options like shrimp and grits, Benedicts and chicken and waffles. (252) 441-0707
Miller’s Seafood and Steakhouse
Kill Devil Hills
The Miller family has been turning out tasty breakfasts at this beach road establishment since 1978. This big restaurant can seat a lot of people, so they can get you in and out fast while still making your morning meal feel special. Their homemade biscuits are so good. (252) 441-7674
Pier House Restaurant
Nags Head Fishing Pier, Nags Head
Breakfast definitely tastes better with a view of the ocean. Whether you’re inside the cozy restaurant with all the old photos of the Outer Banks to look at or out on the enclosed porch perched right over the beach to watch the waves, this is a great way to start the day (and has been for 37 years). You can get fish roe for breakfast here, along with all the traditional favorites, but most people get the EM Special. (252) 441-4200
Grits Grill
Nags Head
In Outer Banks Mall in Nags Head, Grits Grill serves up monstrous portions of Southern-style breakfast foods all day along, with huge fluffy biscuits and all the eggs, bacon and grits combos you could want. It’s newer as far as most of the restaurants on this list, but it’s so popular I couldn’t leave it off. The diner-style establishment, sister restaurant to The Dunes (below), is open year-round, severing breakfast from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. (252) 449-2888
Photo: The Dunes' seafood omelettes are worth getting up for.
The Dunes
Nags Head
Going on 40 seasons now, The Dunes is the largest Outer Banks breakfast restaurant and serves the only breakfast buffet (daily in summer, weekends in spring and fall). The menu is large and has something for everyone, like omelettes, waffles, hot cakes, shrimp and grits, platters, N.C. country ham biscuits and more. The breakfast bar and fruit bar offer an amazing array of choices. To me, the Crab & Jack Omelette is the best choice. (252) 441-1600
Sam & Omie’s
Nags Head
Open since 1937, Sam & Omie’s takes the prize for oldest restaurant on the Outer Banks. It’s an unbreakable tradition to fill up with a pre-fishing breakfast at this beach road establishment at Whalebone Junction. The setting in an old cottage with sloping floors and wood walls exudes charm, which adds so much appeal that diners will wait up to an hour for a table in the summer. The modern crowd of diners, not so much the salty fishermen of the old days, likes eyeopeners like mimosas and bloody Marys before their Benedict or McOmie sandwich. (252) 441-7366
Darrell’s Restaurant
Manteo
Darrell’s is a family-style locals' favorite and has been operated by the Daniels family for more than five decades. The restaurant is filled with local regulars catching up on gossip any day of the week, but visitors are welcome too. Their biscuits and omelettes are so good, and the Breakfast Bowl is tasty and filling. (252) 473-5366
Diamond Shoals Restaurant
Buxton
Hatteras fisherpeople have been filling up on breakfast at Diamond Shoals before a big day on the water for more than 25 years. Diamond Shoals’ hearty omelettes, steak and eggs and Fisherman’s Favorite will fill a belly all day long. (252) 995-5217
Photo: Sonny's Restaurant is a breakfast favorite in Hatteras.
Sonny’s Restaurant
Hatteras village
For more than 40 years, the Quidley family has been serving Hatteras locals and visitors. If you’re looking for a Hatteras resident in the morning, you’ll probably find them here. Breakfast offerings include hashbrowns, omelettes, pancakes, homemade biscuits and sausage gravy. The Hatteras Scramble is a filling option. (252) 986-2922
Pony Island Restaurant
Ocracoke
Ocracoke’s oldest restaurant, The Pony was opened in 1959. It’s big and casual and family-friendly and is THE place for a sit-down breakfast on the island. The big, Southern breakfasts include both ultra-filling options and lighter choices. Grab a biscuit or English muffin sandwich to go for lunch while you're there. (252) 928-5701
About the Author Molly Harrison
Molly Harrison is managing editor at OneBoat, publisher of OuterBanksThisWeek.com. She moved to Nags Head in 1994 and since then has made her living writing articles and creating publications about the people, places and culture of the Outer Banks.
