Nags Head Restaurants and Dining on the Outer Banks

Slice Pizzeria

710 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 8.5
Kill Devil Hills
(252)449-8888

This great pizza joint serves up some of the best pies around. Slice offers the usual array of toppings plus some interesting combinations that are sure to tempt you. They also serve calzones, hot and cold subs, pasta dishes like penne bolognese, wine and beer. There are a few tables and bar seats for dining in, and they offer free delivery in Kill Devil Hills.

Sonic

5205 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 14
Nags Head
(252) 441-9030

You are probably already familiar with this chain restaurant. They have fast-food standards like burgers and hot dogs, but they also have good milkshakes, fruit slushes, breakfast sandwiches and tater tots. There is not an entrance directly off the Bypass, so turn down one of the side streets nearby.

Southern Bean

3701 N. Croatan Highway, Dunes Shops, The Bypass, MP 4.5
Kitty Hawk
(252) 261-JAVA

Southern Bean is a locally owned coffeehouse with coffee and espresso drinks, smoothies and milkshakes. They also offer fresh-squeezed juices, chai and other teas. They have a small menu that is almost entirely vegetarian, with salads, hummus and wraps in addition to muffins, bagels and pastries. There are several options for kids, like hot chocolate, ice cream, PB&J and PB and banana sandwiches. You can sit at a counter with barstools, a few tables or in the comfy chairs if you want to eat in or just sit a spell. Southern Bean is open all year round every day from early morning into the evening.

Spanky’s Grille

4105 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 3.5
Kitty Hawk
(252) 261-1917

Spanky’s Grille is a casual, family-friendly restaurant. It also happens to be very affordable. The locals love the hand-formed burgers, homemade crab cakes, fresh hamburger steaks, grilled chicken, chili-cheese fries and foot-long hot dogs. Spanky’s is open for lunch year round and Wednesday through Saturday nights in the summer season.

Stack ‘em High

1225 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 9
Kill Devil Hills
(252) 441-7064

Stack ‘em High is a great breakfast stop. In this family-friendly restaurant, you’ll go through a line to select your own beverage, fresh fruit, cereal or muffins and a complete line of breakfast items that are then prepared fresh the minute you order. Choose from delicious breakfasts like pancakes — short or high stack — with fresh fruit, pecans or plain. They also have waffles, omelets (try the crabmeat and cheddar or the shaved ham, mushroom and swiss!), bacon, sausage and more. For those looking for lunch, they also have a light sandwich selection like BLTs, hot ham & cheese and even PBJs for the little ones. Find a seat in the dining room and they’ll bring your breakfast to you piping hot. Stack ‘em High is family owned and operated. They serve breakfast every day in season. There is a second Stack ‘em High located in Kitty Hawk.

Stone Oven Pizza

7531 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head/Manteo Causeway, Caribbean Corners
Nags Head
(252) 441-7775

Stone Oven is a convenient stop off the causway and features pizza, calzones, sub sandwiches, a variety of appetizers including chicken wings and mozzarella sticks, plus salads, sodas and beer. They’re open all year for eat-in at their beautiful soundfront location. You can also take it to go. They offer free delivery after 4 p.m. within Nags Head and Pirate’s Cove.

Sugar Shack

7340 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head/Manteo Causeway
Nags Head
(252) 441-3888

Sugar Shack is located right next to Sugar Creek Soundfront Seafood Restaurant. This is the place to pick up the freshest seafood around. Choose from steamed seafood like shrimp, lobster and king crab legs, or pick up a steamer bucket with a variety of steamed seafood. They even serve fried seafood. In fact, the fresh fish sandwiches and boats (including Shack chips and slaw) they make here are some of the best we’ve ever eaten anywhere! Everything is cooked to order. You can dine inside or out, and either way you’ll have a fantastic view of the sound. They also stock beer. The Sugar Shack is a great way to feed a crowd at home, and they deliver within a 6-mile radius.

Taiko Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar

5000 S. Croatan Highway, Outer Banks Mall, The Bypass, MP 14
Nags Head
(252) 449-8895

Taiko serves Japanese food, with lots of healthy and flavorful options. Great sushi, miso soup, tempura, seaweed salad (try it!) and tasty plum wine…yum! They also serve traditional preparations of shrimp, beef, chicken and noodles. This food is fresh and affordable. Taiko is open for lunch and dinner year round.

Tale of the Whale

7575 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head/Manteo Causeway
Nags Head
(252) 441-7332

In its 31st season, Tale of the Whale is a soundfront restaurant offering casual fare with fantastic water views. You can enjoy entrees including seafood, pasta, steaks, chicken and prime rib. Tale of the Whale proudly serves only locally or U.S.-harvested seafood — no imported seafood here! They make their own desserts and have a full bar. The popular early bird specials start at 4 p.m. during the summer season; call for early bird hours other times of the year. You can sit outside on their deck and enjoy a cocktail, and there’s often live music on the waterfront gazebo in season; call for more details. They have an excellent space for private events such as rehearsal dinners, wedding receptions and more. Tale of the Whale is open for dinner daily in the summer; call ahead for off-season hours.

Thai Room

710 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Oceanside Plaza, The Beach Road, MP 8.5
Kill Devil Hills
(252) 441-1180

The Thai Room has been a local’s favorite for more than 20 years for providing affordable, delicious Asian cuisine. They serve Thai, Chinese and American food. They were voted Best Asian Restaurant in a local poll for several years in a row. You can eat in or take out. They have vegetarian selections and a children’s menu. Most of the year, The Thai Room serves lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday and dinner on Sunday.

The Dunes Restaurant

7018 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road and The Bypass, MP 16.5
Nags Head
(252) 441-1600

The Dunes Restaurant is a Nags Head tradition that’s been serving breakfast, lunch and dinner for nearly 30 years. Last year the restaurant went through a fantastic remodel, but it hasn’t changed the award-winning breakfast menu that includes a hearty breakfast and fresh fruit bar daily in season. At both lunch and dinner, there are plentiful salads, sandwiches and of course fresh-cooked, local seafood. If you like Southern fried chicken, try theirs as it is one of their specialties, along with Angus beef steaks, prime rib and pastas. While you wait for a table, or even if you just come in because you love the atmosphere as we do, their “R” Bar is a comfortable spot where you can grab a mixed drink or enjoy wine, beer and lighter fare. For kids, there’s an excellent children’s menu.

The Pearl

1731 N. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 7
Kill Devil Hills
(252) 480-3463

One of the few restaurants on the beach to offer oceanfront dining, The Pearl sits right on the beach in the Sea Ranch Hotel. They offer a varied menu that includes lunch and dinner, and they lean toward French-inspired cuisine such as Coquilles St. Jacque (a baked seafood dish), though they offer many traditional local seafood selections including a delightful she-crab soup. You can also join them for a lovely brunch on Sunday. The atmosphere is upscale but light, and they have a full bar and a gourmet coffee bar. A beachside take-away window is great for lunch service. They provide on- and off-site catering as well and welcome any event from business meetings, to retreats, to weddings.

The Pit Surf Shop & Boardriders’ Grill

1209 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 9
Kill Devil Hills
(252) 480-3128 ext 5

The Boardriders’ Grill (adjacent to The Pit Surf Shop) is a traveling surfer’s dream and a favorite stop for hungry local surfers and whoever is hanging with them! The cozy dining room is an authentic log cabin adorned with tons of surfboards and surf photography, but the real reason this hip spot is a must-stop is the incredible food. With a continually evolving menu, The Boardriders Grill spans the far flung tastes the owners acquired during a lifetime of boardriding travel. From Cali-style (huge) wraps and the Mexi-Cali Burger to gourmet personal pizzas and Steve’s Chicken Sammie (yay, guacamole!), these guys have something tasty for everyone! The who’s who of the summer scene know not to miss $1 Taco Tuesdays—the place is packed but it is worth the wait—or any of the great live music shows and DJs that keep the place grooving from sunset to the wee hours. Most nights are 21+ only after 10 p.m., but The Pit also caters to the not-yet-21 set three nights a week with Teen Night on Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights all summer. Most entertainment on the beach is strictly limited to those 21 and up, so this is a really special offer for local and visiting teens. Although the Boardriders Grill serves lunch and dinner daily, they are closed for part of the winter, so call ahead if you are visiting in the off-season.

The Snowbird

3530 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 12
Nags Head
(252) 441-0000

The Snowbird boasts more than 24 flavors of soft serve ice cream, which is worth looking into. Locals love the burgers, sandwiches and seafood at this drive-in stop. The treats here are served to-go only. One of the best things about this little spot is that it’s open really, really late – we’re talking until after midnight during the summer—in case you just have to have that ice cream well after the hour you should!

Tropical Smoothie Café

2236 S. Croatan Highway, Plaza del Sol, The Bypass, MP 10
Nags Head
(252) 441-3500

We love the fruit smoothies here, and there’s a ton to choose from—low fat, weight gain, power, even smart smoothies! The café offers healthy breakfasts, salads, wraps and hoagies. Sandwiches are made with Boar’s Head deli meats. Have a sweet tooth? Then try a dessert smoothie with Ghirardelli chocolate. Tropical Smoothie is open year round.

Vilai Thai Kitchen

5230 N. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 1
Kitty Hawk
(252) 441-8424

A great new Thai take-out place opened in Kitty Hawk this spring. They are open for lunch and serve food all day through dinner. If you just can’t wait to dig in to their yummy soups, pad thai, spring rolls or any of their other offerings, they have a few seats outside so you can enjoy your food while it’s hot.

Viva Mexican Grill

2424 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 10.5
Nags Head
(252) 441-1601

If you’re a fan of build-your-own Mexican taco bars, you’ll love this new spot. You go down the line, telling them what you want—be it burrito, taco, taco salad—then specify the toppings you’d like. It’s fast and fresh and good. The interior is punctuated with bright colors that complement the south of the border food. And best of all, a meal here is definitely in the economic-friendly range.

Yellow Submarine

5000 S. Croatan Highway, Outer Banks Mall, The Bypass, MP 14
Nags Head
(252) 441-3511

The Yellow Submarine features hot and cold specialty subs and wraps featuring Boars Head meats. Definitely try their Philly Cheese Steak sub, it’s great! Plus, they offer pizza, stromboli, calzones and fresh salads as well. Kids dig the chicken tenders and their own specialty pizzas and will stay entertained with the video games they offer. Beverages include beer on tap, soft drinks, coffee and tea. Eat-in or take-out service is available, as is free delivery within a specific area.