We will be going for our first visit in September. Any suggestions for good restaurants (especially seafood!) Looking forward to laying on the beach and reading my book, but any other suggestions for activities in the area. Thanks

These are some of my favorites:

1587 (upscale) Manteo, located at the Tranquil House Inn on the waterfront.

Clara's (moderate) Seafood and burgers. Waterfront shops in Manteo.

Blue Point Grille -(moderate). Great food. soundside in Duck

Flying Fish- Casual setting but sophisticated food. MP 10 Business Rd. Not sure if it's Nags Head or Kill Devil Hills.

Carolina Blue (upscale) Southern Shores Business Rd. in the same shopping center as the Food Lion.

Ocean Blvd (upscale) same owner/chef as 1587. MP 2 Beach Rd. Kitty Hawk.

Cap't Franks (best hot dogs and fries on the beach) MP 4 Business Rd. Kill Devil Hills.

Awful Arthur's Oyster Bar - casual seafood MP 6 Beach Rd Kill Devil Hills

Big Al's Soda Fountain & Grill - Diner food, juke box, pin ball machine. Manteo (across from Christmas Shop)

Basnights Lone Cedar (family place) - traditional seafood, huge servings. On the causeway to Manteo

Colington Cafe (moderate) wonderful seafood. On Colington Rd (soundside) in Kill Devil Hills.

There are a lot of restaurants up in the northern beach area (Corolla etc) and some of them are quite good. That area just isn't my thing. Someone else will chime in with this info I'm sure.

Thank you so much! This is so helpful. I think we are actually staying in Kill Devil Hills. Can't wait to try your suggestions.

Since this is your first tripto the Outer Banks, here is a web site that will show you just about everything you need to know about the Outer Banks: http://outerbanks.com/

For dinner, we always like Owens in Nags Head.

Now, something to keep in mind. September is prime Hurricane month in North Carolina. You might want to check on some type of trip insurance just in case. Without it, you will be "out of luck" as many in Florida as well as Ocracoke Island here in NC., found out with Charley.

Curiuos

Ocracoke Island can be a fun daytrip... it's just beautiful there. The drive down is scenic, too. I believe you pass a few lighthouses along the way.

The Back Porch on Ocracoke Island is excellent. I would make the drive/ferry ride just to eat there!

We go to Awful Arthurs once or twice per visit. Though it can be noisy and tends to attract tourists, the seafood is great--very fresh and generous portions. Best flounder I've ever tasted. We always have drinks and shrimp and oysters upstairs while waiting for a seat.

I've eaten at the Rundown Cafe in Kitty Hawk many times. It was "off" once or twice but quite good for the most part.

http://www.insiders.com/outerbanks is the best site on the Web about OBX IMO!

As for activities other than the beach and reading, visit the Wright Memorial/museum and Jockey's Ridge. You're so close. Have a wonderful time.

Thank you again for all the great suggestions. I am concerned about the hurricanes. We'll just keep watching the updates.

Just got back from the outer banks yesterday. If making the trip further south to Hatteras -- I can highly recommend The Pickled Steamer in AVON. It's in the Food Lion Plaza right next to Bubba's BBQ (don't bother). Amazing menu and great food and drinks. Half of the sign is missing since the hurricane so it just says "The Pickled" - -try it - great food.

JKs has fabulous steaks, seafood and pasta. Its at about MP 13 or so as I recall. (They also have a restaurant in Corolla but we did not like the atmosphere there nearly as well.) It's the one place we make sure to visit every year.

And I secondd the suggestions for Owens.

The Black Pelican and Goombays are both great places to eat. They have very good seafood and desserts. I love the Parmesian Scallops at Goombays and the Coconut Shrimp at the Black Pelican. I'm going to the Outer Banks next week and can't wait to visit my favorite restaurants.

topping for a friend - sorry this is really old I know, but it has a great list of restaurants.

Is this list still good? We have a Nags Head condo booked for next June.

The list so far is good. I would add Windmill Inn (upscale),
Chili Peppers (Southwestern) (moderate) and
Fuji Mountain (Sushi and Hibachi) (moderate).

We were in south Nags Head in May. Lone Cedar Grill burnt down while we were there and Claire's on the Manteo Waterfront is closed. Our favorite and always first night stop is Sam and Omie's in Nags Head. It's a real taste of the Outer Banks.

Some further updates from the above list:

Carolina Blue closed.

Basnight's Lone Cedar has rebuilt in record time and is very tentatively scheduled to reopen late this month or early Sept.

Concur with MJOB about Sam and Omies.