If you have ever planned your vacation around a really good meal (or three), this one’s for you. Outer Banks Taste of the Beach returns March 13 to 15, which just so happens to coincide with St. Patrick’s Day weekend and the ever-popular Outer Banks St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Nags Head.
With Taste of the Beach, Outer Banks Restaurant Association serves up a full slate of food-and-drink experiences. Each spring, Taste of the Beach brings together locals and visitors for a multi-day culinary event designed to uplift our restaurant and hospitality community in the off-season. It’s all about eating well, having fun and supporting the people who keep the Outer Banks delicious year-round.
Creativity reigns at Taste of the Beach. From tapas crawls and prix fixe dinners to themed supper clubs, wine pairings and playful pop-culture dinners, the 2026 Taste of the Beach lineup proves that our local restaurants are thinking outside the box.
Taste of the Beach is produced by the Outer Banks Restaurant Association (OBRA), a nonprofit made up of local restaurant owners, managers and businesses that support the restaurant industry. OBRA’s mission is to celebrate, educate and promote the diverse culinary and hospitality community that makes the Outer Banks such a special place.
Taste of the Beach is not just one event. It includes dozens of unique experiences spread across the Outer Banks. Event announcements started rolling out gradually in December, and they are all posted now. Some events have already sold out, and others are selling quickly, so if you’re interested, don’t hesitate to start planning your foodie adventure and buy tickets to one or more events.
The types of events vary widely. You can sip, savor and stroll during the Kitty Hawk Land & Sea Tapas Crawl, hopping between Barefoot Bernie’s, Black Pelican and Shipwrecks Taphouse & Grill for small plates and perfectly paired drinks. Or settle in for an elevated night out at 1903 Bar & Kitchen’s Sea to Sky Prix Fixe Flight Experience, featuring appetizer, entree and dessert flights with optional whiskey or beer pairings for the full experience.
Down in Rodanthe, Good Winds Restaurant brings Mediterranean flair with a Southern twist during its Chiringuito Supper Club, complete with chef-curated menus, margarita flights and an interactive dining vibe.
Craving classic Outer Banks flavor? Basnight’s Lone Cedar Café is offering a three-course experience highlighting traditional fresh local seafood and soundside views. TRiO’s Southern Cookin’ Loves Wine pairs comfort-food favorites with wines from around the world.
If you like a playful experience, this year’s lineup includes immersive themed dinners that turn a night out into a full-on experience.
For example, Red Sky Casual Dining’s Alice Returns event takes guests down the rabbit hole with a whimsical, multi-course journey inspired by Alice in Wonderland. (This one sold out fast, so look for it again next year.)
Mystery lovers can don their masks at Outer Banks Brewing Station’s Midnight at the Masquerade Murder Dinner, where professional actors, a tasting menu and an interactive storyline combine for a truly unforgettable night.
History and romance collide at Salt & Cypress Kitchen and Cocktails with an Outlander-inspired dinner featuring hearth-driven cooking, game meats and period-inspired libations, perfect for anyone who loves food that tells a story.
Taste of the Beach has events happening all day long, not just for dinner.
The annual Outer Banks Chowder Cook-Off returns to the backyard of Outer Banks Brewing Station, where local restaurants compete for bragging rights and cash prizes and guests enjoy unlimited chowder samples, People’s Choice voting and live entertainment. It’s family-friendly and always sells out.
Lunch With the Chef at NC Coast Grill & Bar offers an interactive midday experience focused on clean eating, wellness and conversation. Friends in Merlot Places at Sanctuary Vineyards mixes line dancing, barbecue and local wine for a high-energy night out.
St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, jazz brunches, Derby-themed luncheons and authentic Irish dining experiences round out the weekend.
Taste of the Beach is a favorite for a reason, and many events have limited seating. If there’s something on your must-do list, don’t wait. Grab your tickets, invite your friends and make a plan to eat your way across the Outer Banks.
Outer Banks Taste of the Beach
March 13 to 15
See the schedule of events and sign up at Taste of the Beach | Food. Drink. Fun.
Follow them on Facebook and Instagram for updates and information.
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.
