Just like the tides, the Outer Banks dining scene is always shifting — and every season brings a new wave of places to discover. Ten restaurants and drink spots have popped up across the barrier islands this year, so you need to get these on your eating and drinking 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.
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.
Photo: Theodosia's cold seafood menu features marvelous takes on locally harvested oysters.
Theodosia
Award-winning chef, restaurateur, PBS TV personality and New York Times bestselling cookbook author Vivian Howard has channeled her seemingly bottomless well of genius, inspiration and talent into this new fine-dining restaurant in Duck. Based at the freshly renovated Sanderling Resort, Theodosia opened in May 2025. In the restaurant that was formerly Kimball’s Kitchen at The Sanderling Resort, Theodosia’s interior has been overhauled in a palette of creams, tans and soft reds. Richly textured drapes and upholstery, modern fixtures, unique accessories, stunning tilework, upholstered and rattan seating, white tablecloths, pops of greenery and smart staff uniforms come together to create a polished setting in perfectly dimmed soft and natural lighting. Every seat in the house enjoys sweeping views of Currituck Sound and its marsh islands from the floor-to-ceiling windows. The menu focus is on locally sourced ingredients and the traditions of Southern and eastern North Carolina cooking. The bar serves innovative cocktails and a fine list of beverages. Reservations are recommended. 1461 Duck Road, The Sanderling Resort, (855) 412-7866
Shore Coffee Roasters
Shore Coffee Roasters is specialty coffee roaster and coastal cafe. The tastefully simple, modern setting is as sublime as the coffee. With plentiful comfortable seating, this a great place to work or relax alone or with friends. Beverage choices include espresso, coffee, nitro, teas and CBD/THC beverages, while food choices include fresh-baked sweet and savory fare, both grab and go and dine in. Fresh-baked pastries, overnight oats, yogurt parfaits, a breakfast frittata and fancy toasts hit the spot. Shore is open daily. 1 Ocean Boulevard, Southern Shores Crossing, Southern Shores
Note: There's a new location of Front Porch Cafe, a longtime favorite Outer Banks coffee shop, in Kitty Hawk right in front of Harris Teeter.
Meowter Outer Banks Cat Cafe
It's the feline-friendly cafe you never knew you needed! If you love cats, this is your place. Not only can you sip coffee and snack on pastries, but also you can visit the Kitty Room to snuggle with cats or adopt a new cat to take home. Call ahead to get a spot to visit with the cats. This is a sanctuary for rescue cats that advocates for animal welfare. It's open Wednesday through Sunday. 3722 N. Croatan Highway, Suite A, Kitty Hawk
(252) 256-9492
Photo: Mixing drinks at 1903 Bar & Kitchen, a new restaurant in Kill Devil Hills
1903 Bar and Kitchen
New from the team behind some of the Outer Banks' favorite restaurants (Sooey's BBQ, Sandtrap Tavern, Shipwrecks Taphouse & Grill and Simply Southern Kitchen), 1903 Bar and Kitchen is the place for great food, drinks and late-night fun. The bar is stocked with whiskeys, wines, beers, cocktails and mocktails, and the menu has all the favorites – think apps, wings, sliders, pizzas, tacos, burgers and sandwiches. The Outer Banks' newest bar and restaurant, 1903 brings entertainment, late-night food and fun with a dive bar atmosphere. Follow them on social media to see the weekly calendar. 3105 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 5.5, Seagate North Shopping Center, Kill Devil Hills, (252) 745-1903
Note: 1903 Kitchen and Bar occupies the former location of Two Roads Tavern, which has moved to a larger location in Kitty Hawk where Longboards used to be.
Stormy Seas Bottle Shop
Keep the cooler and the bar stocked with the wide array of beverages at Stormy Seas Bottle Shop. The retail bottle shop stocks craft beer, wine, THC/CBD beverages, ciders, seltzers and more. In the tasting area, saddle up to the 24-foot tasting bar to sample 12 draft beers, pop open a cold can or bottle, or enjoy wines and bubbles by the glass. Wine and beer flights are a fun way to sample a range of flavor profiles. The knowledgeable staff loves helping their customers find the perfect beverages for all occasions. Ask them about stocking up the bar for your next party or event. 3105 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 5.5, Seagate North Shopping Center, Kill Devil Hills
Photo: Enjoying a wine flight at Stormy Seas Bottle Shop in Kill Devil Hills. Photo by Edible Photography & Marketing OBX (3) Facebook
Haunchaco Lounge
Peruvian-inspired Huanchaco is a bottle shop, bar and lounge in a cozy corner spot along the Beach Road in Kill Devil Hills. You can stock up on beer (including growlers), wines, seltzers, ciders, nonalcoholic beverages and cannabis-infused beverages here, or stay awhile and soak up the sophisticated atmosphere. Sip wines, beers, sake cocktails, seltzers, mocktail made with delicious and healthy elixirs and more while enjoying good company and entertainment a few nights a week. If you're hungry, food is available a few doors down at Tenosix Beach Road Grill. They are open daily. 1006 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Suite 4, Kill Devil Hills
Shaka’s Beach Bar and Grill
Shaka’s Beach Bar & Grill is all about good-time beach vibes and bold tropical flavors. Experienced restaurateurs from California and Virginia opened this restaurant in early 2025, bringing a fun and flavorful dining option to Nags Head. Shaka’s offers plentiful seating at indoor and outdoor dining and bar areas, and while the atmosphere is relaxed and casual, the service is on point. The bar is known for its hand-pressed crushes and margaritas along with creative craft cocktails and 24 beers on tap. The menu offers raw and steamed seafood, creative starters, soups, salads, seafood, fresh-off-the-grill entrees, tacos, burgers and sandwiches – all with a tropical flair. Shaka’s is open for lunch and dinner daily and offers frequent live music (check the schedule online). 2217 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 10, Nags Head, (252) 715-0537
OBX Wake & Take
OBX Wake & Take is a delicious breakfast bakery offering grab and go breakfast items as well as full breakfast catering. The fresh-baked scones in a variety of sweet and savory flavors are to die for, as are the muffins, cinnamon rolls, pecan sticky buns and buttermilk biscuits. Plus they have quiche, whole or by the slice. Ask about the breakfast boxes and coffee boxes if you're feeding a crowd. Online ordering is available. They can cater breakfast at your vacation rental or for events. 2910 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 11, Central Square Shops, Nags Head
South of KDG Kitchen & Bar
Kill Devil Grill, a longtime favorite Kill Devil Hills restaurant, has expanded with a second location in Nags Head. South of KDG is a casual, neighborhood restaurant that dives deep into the culinary traditions of the American South and South America. The menu includes favorites from Kill Devil Grill along with boldy flavored Latin-inspired apps, tacos and quesadillas plus burgers and sandwiches. Each weeknight brings a different special: Steak and Red Wine on Mondays, Tacos and Tequila on Tuesdays, Chicken and Whiskey on Wednesdays and Surfer Soul Food and Cerveza on Thursdays. Friday and Saturday nights are for South American specialties. The full bar specializes in craft cocktails and top-notch beers and wines, and Social Hour specials are offered Monday through Friday from 3 to 5 p.m. They also offer occasional live music starting in the early evening. 4900 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 14, Outer Banks Mall, Nags Head, (252) 581-8500
Photo: Find Sea Level on the Bypass around milepost 15.5 in Nags Head.
Sea Level Coffee + Kitchen
This cozy Nags Head eatery serves barista-quality coffee and espresso, teas, craft cocktails and inspired food for breakfast, brunch and lunch. The star of the breakfast menu is the Crispy Honey-Dipped Chicken Biscuit, but there are other breakfast sandwiches, bowls, burritos and hashes. Lunch includes a fried-chicken sandwich, a blackened fish BLT or fish burrito with a local fish of the day, bowls, salads and a kids' menu. Sit inside or out on the porch. You'll find Sea Level in a cottage-style building on the west side of the Bypass near Soundside Event Site. 6705 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 16, Nags Head, (252) 715-0489
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.
