The North Carolina Coast Restaurants
We’ve compiled the best of the best in The North Carolina Coast - browse our top choices for Restaurants during your stay.
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12 Recommendations
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1. John's Drive In
$ | |When a large milk shake is the only thing that will do on a hot summer day, this is the place to head for—locals say they are the best on the Outer Banks, or even on the planet. And when you just can't take one more night out at a fancy restaurant, John's will come to the rescue with the best handheld food on the Outer Banks: burgers, subs, sandwiches (including grouper), all-beef hot dogs, and sides. The Dolphin Boat is a must: pieces of mahimahi (dolphinfish) on a bun, served in a boat (basket), with fries or slaw, sauce, and hush puppies. Hours vary seasonally, so call ahead on the day you plan to visit.
3716 N. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head, North Carolina, 27949, USA252-261–6227Known For
- The Dolphin Boat mahi sandwich
- Laid-back beachfront drive-in vibes
- 24-ounce milk shakes
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Dec.–Feb., Reservations not accepted -
2. Poor Richard's Sandwich Shop
$ | |Open since 1984, there is often a long line at the rear of this downtown Manteo institution serving gourmet classics like BLTs, Reubens, tuna melts, and pimento cheese sandwiches. Enjoy your snacks up front in the friendly, honey-blond wood bar or on the waterfront deck around back. Poor Richard's After Hours bar serves pub food in the evening, and live music rocks the house on some weekends.
303 Queen Elizabeth Ave., Manteo, North Carolina, 27954, USA252-473–3333Known For
- Hearty, inexpensive sandwiches
- After-hours pub scene
- Battered rockfish wrap
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted -
3. Basnight's Lone Cedar Café
$$$$ | |Despite a modern rebuild after a fire, this classic seafood house directly on the water (there's an osprey nest mere feet from the dining-room window) feels old-school, thanks to nautical decor and the laid-back atmosphere. North Carolina produce and seafood star here, including OBX-style clear clam chowder and whole fried flounder. Soft-shell crabs come from an on-site shedding facility, and an extensive herb garden provides fresh seasoning.
7623 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head, North Carolina, 27959, USA252-441–5405Known For
- Local seafood and produce
- Extra-friendly service
- Massive glass-walled wine rack
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon., Credit cards accepted, Reservations not accepted -
4. Buxton Munch Company
$ | |This casual lunch spot, tucked away in a strip center, has been going strong for over 20 years, specializing in fish and shrimp tacos, wraps, burgers, salads, and sandwiches. There's nothing fancy here, but prices are reasonable, and there may be a line at peak times.
47359 NC 12, Buxton, North Carolina, USA252-995–5502Known For
- Crabby pattie crab cakes
- Inexpensive and fairly quick
- Local institution
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. -
5. Clawson's 1905 Restaurant and Pub
$$ | |A combination of fresh seafood, local beers, and live music make this a Front Street staple, especially for lunch. Housed in a 1900s grocery building, Clawson's is stuffed with memorabilia dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of Beaufort. Hearty food such as ribs, steaks, pasta, and seafood are part of the attraction, and ask about blue-plate lunch specials. The pub highlights a selection of North Carolina microbrews and schedules regular Friday Night Flights tastings.
425 Front St., Beaufort, North Carolina, 28516, USA252-728–2133Known For
- Casual atmosphere for lunch or a hearty dinner
- Good selection of microbrews
- Historic memorabilia about Beaufort
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun., Credit cards accepted -
Recommended Fodor’s Video
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6. Cow Café
$ | |This black-and-white-spotted café and ice cream parlor is popular with families. Sandwiches, "cowlossal" all-beef hot dogs, "cowsadillas," house-made caramel corn, and apple pie "à la moo" are served, too.
319 Middle St., New Bern, North Carolina, 28560, USA252-672–9269Known For
- Many varieties of ice cream
- Black-and-white cow toys, gifts, and memorabilia
- Kid-friendly fun
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, Reservations not accepted -
7. MJ's Raw Bar and Grille
$$ | |This little downtown seafood joint with sidewalk and indoor seating serves fresh coastal food in a setting full of local charm. You'll see plenty of fried seafood on the menu, but reasonably priced plates from the raw bar (combination platters of oysters, clams, steamed shrimp, and crab) do not disappoint. Daily specials include deals on whole Maine lobsters, peel-and-eat Carolina shrimp, and beach-friendly cocktails.
216 Middle St., New Bern, North Carolina, USA252-635–6890Known For
- Crab cakes
- Steamed seafood platters
- Bloody Marys
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. -
8. Orange Blossom Bakery & Cafe
$ | |There's a line out the door during summer for this bakery's "Apple Uglies," fried amalgams of doughnut dough and apples. There's also a full menu of breakfast burritos and egg sandwiches to enjoy on the patio out front.
47206 NC 12, Buxton, North Carolina, 27920, USAKnown For
- Pastries doused in chocolate
- Homemade biscuit sandwiches
- Breakfast burritos
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed weekdays Jan.–mid-Mar. -
9. Outer Banks Brewing Station
$$$ | |Craft beer rules at this wind turbine--powered brewery and British Isles--style pub. Upscale pub fare complements the beer—opt for seared local tuna atop a garden salad or noodle bowl, or go for a bratwurst sausage plate. Cooper accents, lots of wood, and fun, retro touches (a Superman doll denotes the men's room; Wonder Woman, the ladies' room) characterize this huge white building, modeled after a turn-of-the-19th-century lifesaving station. Regularly scheduled live music adds to the festive atmosphere.
600 S. Croatan Hwy. (U.S. 158, MM 8.5), Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, 27948, USA252-449–2739Known For
- The bison, elk, pork, and Wagyu beef combo Beast Burger
- Full bands inside and singer-songwriters outside
- Big backyard with picnic tables
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues., Credit cards accepted, Reservations not accepted -
10. Owens' Restaurant
$$$$ | |Family owned since 1946, this restaurant, housed in a replica of an early-19th-century Outer Banks Lifesaving Station, feels like dining in a nautical museum: classic clapboard construction, pine paneling, and walls of maritime artifacts. The traditional crab cakes are popular, and the 14-layer chocolate cake is a long-standing favorite.
7114 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head, North Carolina, 27959, USA252-441–7309Known For
- Fresh-off-the-boat local seafood
- Filet mignon topped with lump crabmeat and asparagus with béarnaise sauce
- History as a Nags Head institution
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues., Credit cards accepted, Reservations not accepted -
11. Provision Company
$$ | |This laid-back, colorful joint right on the water is the place to enjoy the day's catch with zero pretension, prepared to simple perfection, from steamed local shrimp and clams to a 10-ounce yellowfin tuna steak.
130 Yacht Basin Dr., Southport, North Carolina, 28461, USA910-457--0654Known For
- Grouper salad
- Peel-and-eat shrimp
- Waterfront dining
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12. Sam and Omie's
$$$ | |Named after two fishermen, father and son, this no-nonsense shack opened in 1937 and is one of the Outer Banks' oldest restaurants. Fishing photos hang between mounted catches on the walls, and classic country music twangs in the background. Locals flock here, especially for breakfast or a lunch of Hatteras-style clear clam chowder and fried seafood.
7228 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head, North Carolina, 27959, USA252-441–7366Known For
- Big breakfasts
- Local-style steamed and fried seafood
- Oysters lauded as the best on the beach
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Wed., Credit cards accepted, Reservations not accepted
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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