Food scene
This is one of my favorite restaurants on the beach. They do amazing fresh fish specials and if you have a craving for fried seafood, look no further. I usually start with the calamari or mussel appetizer. The fried oyster caesar is anything but boring if you want something on the lighter side. For entrees, I usually go for the seafood bouillabaisse or one of the dinner specials. They also have an awesome Philly that comes with hand cut fries! I never leave here disappointed.
161 locals recommend
Blue Moon Beach Grill
102 S Virginia Dare TrailThis is one of my favorite restaurants on the beach. They do amazing fresh fish specials and if you have a craving for fried seafood, look no further. I usually start with the calamari or mussel appetizer. The fried oyster caesar is anything but boring if you want something on the lighter side. For entrees, I usually go for the seafood bouillabaisse or one of the dinner specials. They also have an awesome Philly that comes with hand cut fries! I never leave here disappointed.
Right around the corner, you can shop their retail section for craft beers or wine to go. You can also dine in with your choice of charcuterie, sandwiches or entrees. My favorite is the brie and prosciutto panini. Don't forget to order a side of onion dip for your chips!
179 locals recommend
TRIO Restaurant & Market
3708 N Croatan HwyRight around the corner, you can shop their retail section for craft beers or wine to go. You can also dine in with your choice of charcuterie, sandwiches or entrees. My favorite is the brie and prosciutto panini. Don't forget to order a side of onion dip for your chips!
If you want something on the healthier side after your fried seafood binge the night before, this place will set you right! You can get fresh juices, smoothies and salads as well as pressed sandwiches here.
43 locals recommend
Outer Bean Cafe
3701 N Croatan HwyIf you want something on the healthier side after your fried seafood binge the night before, this place will set you right! You can get fresh juices, smoothies and salads as well as pressed sandwiches here.
This is off the beaten path, but well worth the drive from the main drag. It is small so make a reservation if you are planning to go for dinner. Everything I have had here has been amazing.
90 locals recommend
The SaltBox Cafe
1469 Colington RdThis is off the beaten path, but well worth the drive from the main drag. It is small so make a reservation if you are planning to go for dinner. Everything I have had here has been amazing.
Kill Devil Grill is a local favorite. They are known for their Grilled Wings and Cheesesteak Eggroll appetizers. Always check the specials here, they are good and they go fast! Their key lime pie is my favorite dessert on the beach. Get one to go if you are too full. Seriously, it's amazing. I've even been known to finish a slice with my coffee the next morning.
226 locals recommend
The Kill Devil Grill
2008 S Virginia Dare TrailKill Devil Grill is a local favorite. They are known for their Grilled Wings and Cheesesteak Eggroll appetizers. Always check the specials here, they are good and they go fast! Their key lime pie is my favorite dessert on the beach. Get one to go if you are too full. Seriously, it's amazing. I've even been known to finish a slice with my coffee the next morning.
The Best Margarita on the Beach. I always get the featured flavored one and have been pleasantly surprised at all the new margarita flavors I've fallen in love with- cantaloupe is my summer fave! Be sure to get the sampler appetizer with guac, queso and 2 kinds of salsa. The tacos are awesome but my go to's are the salads. The garlic fries are addictive, watch out!
128 locals recommend
Bad Bean Baja Grill
4146 N Croatan HwyThe Best Margarita on the Beach. I always get the featured flavored one and have been pleasantly surprised at all the new margarita flavors I've fallen in love with- cantaloupe is my summer fave! Be sure to get the sampler appetizer with guac, queso and 2 kinds of salsa. The tacos are awesome but my go to's are the salads. The garlic fries are addictive, watch out!
An Outer Banks classic- grab a dolphin (mahi) boat and a vanilla milkshake on your way to or from the beach.
89 locals recommend
John's Drive In (Open for 2019 season!)
3716 N Virginia Dare TrailAn Outer Banks classic- grab a dolphin (mahi) boat and a vanilla milkshake on your way to or from the beach.
FRESH, LOCAL SEAFOOD. Open for lunch, you can get a poke bowl, fried baskets or sandwiches and awesome specials. Not really a "dine-in" place, but they do have picnic tables outside. As fresh as it gets if you want some local seafood.
55 locals recommend
Greentails Seafood Market And Kitchen
3022 S Croatan HwyFRESH, LOCAL SEAFOOD. Open for lunch, you can get a poke bowl, fried baskets or sandwiches and awesome specials. Not really a "dine-in" place, but they do have picnic tables outside. As fresh as it gets if you want some local seafood.
A short drive or walk (if you want to have a few drinks) and a burger or a pickle brine chicken sandwich awaits you! They also have a great caesar salad which I get topped with fried oysters or a crab cake!
45 locals recommend
Two Roads Tavern
3105 N Croatan HwyA short drive or walk (if you want to have a few drinks) and a burger or a pickle brine chicken sandwich awaits you! They also have a great caesar salad which I get topped with fried oysters or a crab cake!
Casual Oyster Bar vibe for your seafood cravings! The place to go during oyster season or to make a mess eating hard crabs!
46 locals recommend
I Got Your Crabs Shellfish Market and Oyster Bar
3809 N Croatan HwyCasual Oyster Bar vibe for your seafood cravings! The place to go during oyster season or to make a mess eating hard crabs!
Cocktail Hour
Within walking distance, this is a great spot to grab a drink (no liquor) in the evening and watch the sky turn to cotton candy as the sun sets (over the sound).
93 locals recommend
Avalon Pier
2111 N Virginia Dare TrailWithin walking distance, this is a great spot to grab a drink (no liquor) in the evening and watch the sky turn to cotton candy as the sun sets (over the sound).
Visit the Sway Bar upstairs for a cocktail after a day at the beach. You can arrive still sandy or stop on your way out to dinner.
They have an amazing greasy burger if you need to nurse a hangover.
161 locals recommend
Art's Place
4624 N Virginia Dare TrailVisit the Sway Bar upstairs for a cocktail after a day at the beach. You can arrive still sandy or stop on your way out to dinner.
They have an amazing greasy burger if you need to nurse a hangover.
Our very own rum distillery! Stop by the distillery for a delicious craft cocktail made from Kill Devil Rum. Grab yourself some cool merchandise while you're there. Manteo is a cute little waterfront "walking" town with coffee, ice cream, food and an assortment of shopping all within a few blocks.
29 locals recommend
Outer Banks Distilling
510 Budleigh StOur very own rum distillery! Stop by the distillery for a delicious craft cocktail made from Kill Devil Rum. Grab yourself some cool merchandise while you're there. Manteo is a cute little waterfront "walking" town with coffee, ice cream, food and an assortment of shopping all within a few blocks.
We have a brand new brewery on the beach road. It's a whole vibe. They also have outdoor seating if you want to enjoy the weather while you drink.
53 locals recommend
Swels’a Brewing Beer Company
1802 South Virginia Dare TrailWe have a brand new brewery on the beach road. It's a whole vibe. They also have outdoor seating if you want to enjoy the weather while you drink.
One of the coolest hangouts on the beach. This place makes me feel like I'm on vacation. It is in South Nags Head, but it is totally worth the drive. They do have a small food menu available but I'm there for a beer and the breeze off the ocean.
150 locals recommend
Fish Heads Bar & Grill
8901 S Old Oregon Inlet RdOne of the coolest hangouts on the beach. This place makes me feel like I'm on vacation. It is in South Nags Head, but it is totally worth the drive. They do have a small food menu available but I'm there for a beer and the breeze off the ocean.
Coffee
Front Porch is located a short drive away or about a mile walk (take Bay Dr.) if you need to get your steps in. Their West Third is famous if you like a sweet coffee treat. I am a fan of the Cold Brew or their Cafe Frio in the warmer months!
126 locals recommend
Front Porch Cafe-Kill Devil Hills
2200 N Croatan HwyFront Porch is located a short drive away or about a mile walk (take Bay Dr.) if you need to get your steps in. Their West Third is famous if you like a sweet coffee treat. I am a fan of the Cold Brew or their Cafe Frio in the warmer months!
Ashley's is just a couple blocks away across the highway at Helga St. (Please always cross at a crosswalk) You can stop in for a coffee (or beer) on your way to the beach or you can hang out there as they have charming seating areas for chatting or doing a little bit of work.
103 locals recommend
Ashley’s Espresso Parlour & All-Time Roasting Co.
100 E Helga StAshley's is just a couple blocks away across the highway at Helga St. (Please always cross at a crosswalk) You can stop in for a coffee (or beer) on your way to the beach or you can hang out there as they have charming seating areas for chatting or doing a little bit of work.
Breakfast
Henry's is within walking distance and has all the usual breakfast options. Biscuits and gravy or blueberry pancakes, you will not leave hungry.
65 locals recommend
Henry's Restaurant
3396 N Croatan HwyHenry's is within walking distance and has all the usual breakfast options. Biscuits and gravy or blueberry pancakes, you will not leave hungry.
While waiting on your Acai Bowl, smoothie or ice cream, you can shop their wide selection of vintage, clothing, home decor, skateboards and candy! Need a unique gift for your mom and your nephew? You could probably find them both here!
54 locals recommend
Mom's Sweet Shop
3213 N Croatan HwyWhile waiting on your Acai Bowl, smoothie or ice cream, you can shop their wide selection of vintage, clothing, home decor, skateboards and candy! Need a unique gift for your mom and your nephew? You could probably find them both here!
I am all about the Acai Bowl all summer long for breakfast, lunch or dinner! I love the Loggerhead. They also have smoothies and avocado toast.
67 locals recommend
The Spot
2805 S Croatan HwyI am all about the Acai Bowl all summer long for breakfast, lunch or dinner! I love the Loggerhead. They also have smoothies and avocado toast.
Barrier Island Bagels
4716 N Croatan Hwybreakfast sandwiches nearby- can order online for pick-up
Sightseeing
If you want to learn a bit about Outer Banks history, this is a great spot to add to your list. The Whalehead Club was originally built in the 20s as a lavish duck hunting retreat. I can only imagine the parties that were held there! You can talk a tour through the home and check out the Currituck Lighthouse while you are there in Historic Corolla.
68 locals recommend
Whalehead Club
1100 Club RdIf you want to learn a bit about Outer Banks history, this is a great spot to add to your list. The Whalehead Club was originally built in the 20s as a lavish duck hunting retreat. I can only imagine the parties that were held there! You can talk a tour through the home and check out the Currituck Lighthouse while you are there in Historic Corolla.
The most well known lighthouse in the area, you will often see this landmark representing the Outer Banks. Hatteras Island is a little slower moving than the northern beaches, so it even feels like a vacation for me when I go down there! Take a day to enjoy Hatteras. It's a great drive down and you can enjoy some beach time right near the lighthouse after you visit it!
217 locals recommend
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
46379 Lighthouse RdThe most well known lighthouse in the area, you will often see this landmark representing the Outer Banks. Hatteras Island is a little slower moving than the northern beaches, so it even feels like a vacation for me when I go down there! Take a day to enjoy Hatteras. It's a great drive down and you can enjoy some beach time right near the lighthouse after you visit it!
Ocracoke is truly a unique place. It is definitely an ALLLLLL day adventure if you aren't staying overnight. Start early, pack some snacks in a cooler and hit the road. You get to enjoy the drive through Hatteras Island and end up at a ferry dock. Catch the ferry to Ocracoke and spend the day exploring this little fishing/ tourist village. Check out the Ocracoke Lighthouse, eat some tacos at Eduardo's and buy some local art to commemorate your trip!
91 locals recommend
Ocracoke Island
Ocracoke is truly a unique place. It is definitely an ALLLLLL day adventure if you aren't staying overnight. Start early, pack some snacks in a cooler and hit the road. You get to enjoy the drive through Hatteras Island and end up at a ferry dock. Catch the ferry to Ocracoke and spend the day exploring this little fishing/ tourist village. Check out the Ocracoke Lighthouse, eat some tacos at Eduardo's and buy some local art to commemorate your trip!
Check this place out and catch the sunset! I do not recommend walking to the top in the middle of the day in the summer! Take a water bottle with you.
395 locals recommend
Jockey's Ridge State Park
300 W Carolista DrCheck this place out and catch the sunset! I do not recommend walking to the top in the middle of the day in the summer! Take a water bottle with you.
Historic Old Manteo Candlelight Walking Tour
107 Budleigh StWant to get in some local history while you are here?
Good Clean Fun
My family vacation growing up was a week at the beach (but we went to Holden Beach). The week was not complete without at least 3 trips to play putt-putt. Put on some bug spray and go have some fun!
39 locals recommend
Paradise Golf & Arcade
3300 N Croatan HwyMy family vacation growing up was a week at the beach (but we went to Holden Beach). The week was not complete without at least 3 trips to play putt-putt. Put on some bug spray and go have some fun!
Ice Cream
Custard is a whole other level! I always get vanilla and it is so rich and delicious. They also have burgers and fries if you like salty with your sweet.
53 locals recommend
Kill Devil's Frozen Custard & Beach Fries
1002 S Croatan HwyCustard is a whole other level! I always get vanilla and it is so rich and delicious. They also have burgers and fries if you like salty with your sweet.
A local and tourist favorite. Choose your own toppings. They also make ice cream sandwiches that are out of this world if you want to bring some back for the freezer!
125 locals recommend
Surfin' Spoon Frozen Yogurt Bar
3408 South Virginia Dare TrailA local and tourist favorite. Choose your own toppings. They also make ice cream sandwiches that are out of this world if you want to bring some back for the freezer!
The Spot
2805 S Croatan HwyMultiple flavors of ice cream right around the corner!
Ice cream and milkshakes within walking distance, just make sure to cross at the crosswalk!
54 locals recommend
Mom's Sweet Shop
3213 N Croatan HwyIce cream and milkshakes within walking distance, just make sure to cross at the crosswalk!