Nags Head Restaurants and Dining on the Outer Banks

Art’s Place

4624 N. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 2.5
Kitty Hawk
(252) 261-3233

Art’s Place is famous among locals for their hamburgers served with hand-cut French fries. The tiny restaurant has been a fixture on the Beach Road for 30 years and is a local’s favorite for the extremely affordable menu. Some favorites include chicken filets, steak and cheese sandwiches, breaded and fried mushrooms and sweet potato sticks, plus plenty of options for kids. Breakfast at Art’s includes eggs, bacon, corned beef hash, homemade biscuits with sausage gravy and creamed chipped beef. They have a full bar and a small roof deck, and they’re open for breakfast, lunch and dinner all year round. Stop in for happy hour from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. every night.

Asian Bistro

3919 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 4
Kitty Hawk
(252) 261-1946

Brand new this season, Asian Bistro is the newest offering from the owner of Fuji and Taiko. They serve regional Chinese cuisine, have a traditional sushi bar and offer a nice selection of vegetarian items. Wine and beer are also offered. They are open for lunch and dinner.

Awful Arthur’s Oyster Bar & Restaurant

2106 N. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 6
Kill Devil Hills
(252) 441-5955

Awful Arthur’s Oyster Bar is world-famous for their casual, raw bar atmosphere and great local seafood. The steamed shrimp are so good that they were featured in Esquire magazine. The menu features lots of seafood, but there are also burgers, pastas, steaks and chicken. The chef creates specials every day. They have a full bar and an upstairs lounge with an ocean view. Awful Arthur’s is open year round for lunch and dinner.

Barefoot Bernie’s Tropical Grill & Bar

3730 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 4.5
Kitty Hawk
(252) 261-1008

Barefoot Bernie’s is open year round for lunch and dinner. They pride themselves on offering big portions at reasonable prices. Menu items include seafood, steaks, chicken, pastas, large salads, sandwiches and gourmet pizzas. A kid’s menu is also available. Check out their specialty frozen drinks, martinis or have your own favorite wine, beer or spirits with their full ABC permit. Large party reservations are always welcome. In the summer they have late-night food and live entertainment; call ahead for details.

Beach Bread Company

3712 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 4.5
Kitty Hawk
(252) 261-1604

The Beach Bread Company is filled with everything good to eat. We can’t possibly describe it all here; you must see it for yourself. They have a full-scale bakery with pastries of all sorts and fresh-baked breads. For breakfast, enjoy baked goods or waffles. On Sundays they serve an expanded breakfast menu, including omelets and French toast. At lunch, enjoy a selection from their deli such as sandwiches, salads, soups and quiche. Don’t forget to sample one of their homemade desserts. Dinner is served in the bistro, which is more upscale but still casual. The menu changes seasonally to keep it fresh. You’ll find selections like seafood, steaks and pasta. The bistro features a martini bar and often has live entertainment, so call for a schedule. They have a kid’s menu in both the deli and bistro. They also offer catering and wedding cakes. The Beach Bread Company is open year round and serves breakfast on Saturday and Sunday, lunch daily and dinner Thursday through Saturday.

Beach Road Grill

2519 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 10.5
Nags Head
(252) 480-2228

Offering lunch and dinner year round, the Beach Road Grill’s menu features steamed seafood, wraps, sandwiches, soups and salads. The cozy atmosphere is a local favorite for a delicious, casual meal. Favorite appetizers include coconut shrimp, build-your-own quesadillas and stuffed jalapenos. The chef whips up daily lunch and dinner specials. Beach Road Grill has a full bar, and they offer live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights all year long.

Big Eye Seafood

3213 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 5
Kill Devil Hills
(252) 441-5755

Big Eye Seafood brings fresh Outer Banks seafood directly to you. Pick up local shrimp, scallops, tuna, flounder, mahi-mahi and hard shell and soft shells crabs in season. They have everything you need to prepare a delicious seafood dinner as well as lots of take-out items like sandwiches, dolphin boats and homemade crabcakes with hand-picked jumbo lump and back fin crab meat served with a cool lime sauce. A favorite item is their tuna sandwich done either grilled, jerk or blackened with wasabi mayonnaise. Everything here is handmade and local. Try their homemade remoullade sauce (or any of their others). They’re so good. Call ahead so it’s ready when you are!

Blue Moon Beach Grill

4104 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Surfside Plaza, The Beach Road, MP 13
Nags Head
(252) 261-BLUE

The Blue Moon Beach Grill is, in their own words, “a quirky, fun-filled dining experience,” and we couldn’t agree more, except to add the descriptions delicious, friendly and affordable. Family owned, they serve a great mix of Southern comfort food and creative lunch and dinner specials, like Caribbean pulled pork sandwiches and shrimp and grits. New in 2009, this small restaurant is a huge hit with the locals and continues to grow in popularity. They’re open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner with daily specials created by Chef Scott Shields. Wine and beer are served, and outside seating is available. A kid’s menu is also available.

Bob’s Grill

1219 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 9
Kill Devil Hills
(252) 441-0707

You have to love a place where you can get breakfast into the afternoon. Bob’s is casual, with reasonable prices and large portions. Breakfast includes huge hot cakes, three-egg omelets, French toast and waffles. At lunch, try Bob’s burger, Philly steak and cheese, a fried chicken sandwich or a fresh salad. Dinner at Bob’s includes lots of seafood specials like tuna, shrimp and scallops or grilled chicken, ribs, Prime Rib and rib eye steak. They also do all-you-can-eat crab legs with steamed shrimp, fried shrimp, hush puppies and two sides of your choice. Cold beer and wine is also available. Try their homemade carrot cake or any of their other yummy desserts. The restaurant is open year round for breakfast and lunch, and dinner is also available during the summer season.

Capt’n Frank’s

3800 N. Croatian Highway, The Bypass, MP 4.5
Kitty Hawk
(252) 261-9923

You might guess from the name what this restaurant is all about: hot dogs. The same family has been serving Oscar Meyer’s here since 1975. They have foot-long, quarter-pound and, for the less adventurous, regular dogs. We like the Junkyard Dog, which is topped with just about everything. Every meal is made to order, and the service is fast and friendly. Besides hot dogs, they also have barbecue, chicken fingers, chicken filets and steak sandwiches. The cheese fries are out of this world. In the summer months you can chow down on steamed shrimp in the evenings. Capt’n Franks is open for lunch year round, and they stay open until 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday in season. Off-season they are closed on Sunday.

Captain George’s Seafood

645 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 8.5
Kill Devil Hills
(252) 480-6677

A Virginia Beach favorite that opened in Kill Devil Hills last year, Captain George’s serves an all-you-can-eat seafood buffet with more than 70 items including Alaskan Snow Crab legs, savory prime rib and fresh steamed shrimp. They offer made-to-order entrée items as well and prepare everything in-house daily. Their Oysters Rockefeller is a secret family recipe that you won’t want to miss. They are open for dinner every day except Christmas. On Sunday, they begin serving at noon and offer an early-bird discount until 4 p.m. with the exception of holidays. The buffet costs $28.99, with a half-price deal for kids 5-12. Kids 4 and younger eat free with the purchase of a beverage. Just George’s Bar and Grill is located inside Captain George’s and has a fun menu and great atmosphere.

Carolina Seafood

2042 N. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 6.5
Kill Devil Hills
(252) 441-6851

Carolina Seafood is a buffet-style restaurant with lots of fresh seafood, roast beef, hushpuppies, veggies and more. They have a big salad bar and lots of dessert selections. They have a full bar, take out and children’s menus. In season they open at 3:30 p.m. and offer free lobster tail until 5:30 p.m. with an adult buffet. They also offer carry-out and crabs by the bushel. Call for off-season hours.

Chilli Peppers

3001 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 5
Kill Devil Hills
(252) 441-8081

Chilli Peppers is famous on the Outer Banks for their Southwestern cuisine, fresh seafood, great steaks and award-winning soups and sauces. Everything is made from scratch. The dining room is casual and colorful. Every day the chef’s lunch specials include a bamboo steamer pot creation, a pasta dish, burrito, sandwich and soup, so there’s lots of delicious choices. Chilli Peppers has a full bar, and there’s always something special happening. Whether it’s an open mike night, live music or steamed seafood served late every night, you’ll find the kind of fun you’re looking for. Check them out on Wednesdays for their Hot Summer Nights events with music by Revenge Of… and giveaways and raffles from Outer Banks Boarding Company, The Mystic Jewel and big name surf brands. In the off-season, don’t miss the popular tapas nights on Thursdays. Each week the chef devotes the entire tapas menu to a different country’s cuisine, and the results are always original and delicious. The Sunday brunch is a local’s favorite (and voted Best on the Beach by the Virginian Pilot), with selections like Bananas Foster French toast, eggs Benedict with lump crabmeat and build-your-own omelets. Chilli Peppers is open year round, serving breakfast Monday through Saturday starting at 8 a.m., lunch and dinner every day and brunch on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Colington Cafe

1029 Colington Road
Kill Devil Hills
(252) 480-1123

Colington Café is located on Colington Road in a Victorian-style home. This is a great place for a special night out and has received accolades from Southern Living magazine. The chefs are skilled at preparing outstanding dishes with fresh local ingredients. They are famous for their she-crab bisque and crab cakes. Nightly specials always offer a unique take on dishes such as fresh local seafood or quality steaks. The desserts are incredible and include a white chocolate crème brulee, triple chocolate mousse cake and coconut cream pie. The wine list is long. Reservations are recommended. Colington Café is open for dinner from late March through Thanksgiving and then reopens for the Christmas holidays and the week surrounding Valentines Day.

Country Deli

4104 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Surfside Plaza, The Beach Road, MP 13
Nags Head
(252) 441-5684

This year-round take-out deli features lunch and dinner selections including a variety of sumptuous sandwiches such as grilled cheese and steak sandwiches. To quench your thirst, they also have a good selection of bottled beverages. Delivery is available and free within a specific area.

Crabby Fries

1006 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 9
Kill Devil Hills
(252) 441-9607

Need a quick bite to take to the beach, or looking to feed a group for dinner? This new carry-out place has it for you. Find delicious seafood sandwiches, pressed cuban sandwiches and their specialty, amazing hand-cut beach fries. Yum! They also offer steamed crabs, freshly squeezed lemonade, beer, wine and more!

Dare Devil’s Authentic Pizzeria

1112 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 9
Kill Devil Hills
(252) 441-6330, (252) 441-2353

For more than 20 years, Dare Devil’s has been serving delicious pizzas, strombolis, subs, salads and appetizers. They have a full bar and TVs that are great for watching sports events. You can eat in or take it out. Dare Devil’s is open for dinner at 5 p.m. year round and serves lunch on the weekends.

Dirty Dick’s Crab House

2407 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 10.5
Nags Head
(252) 449-CRAB

Dirty Dick’s is a fun-loving restaurant that serves up seriously good food. The menu pays homage to New Orleans and Louisiana cuisine with dishes such as seafood gumbo and Po Boys, but it also offers a vast array of classic seafood favorites, including the biggest variety of crab preparations we’ve ever seen. Steaks, chicken, pork, burgers, ribs, salads, unusual sides and appetizers and sandwiches round out the offerings. Check out their popular T-shirts and other merchandise. There is also a location in Avon.

Duck Donuts

710 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 8.5
Kill Devil Hills
(252) 480-3320

Here’s a real Outer Banks treat! These donuts are made fresh to order and are served warm. Choose your coating (vanilla, chocolate) and then your topping (peanut, coconut, sprinkles and more). Sinfully good! Order by the dozen to bring home to the family. They also serve locally roasted premium coffees, juice and cold drinks. Be sure to check out their other locations in Duck and Kitty Hawk.

Duck Donuts

5230 N. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 1
Kitty Hawk
(252) 480-3304

Here’s a real Outer Banks treat! These donuts are made fresh to order and are served warm. Choose your coating (vanilla, chocolate) and then your topping (peanut, coconut, sprinkles and more). Sinfully good! Order by the dozen to bring home to the family. They also serve locally roasted premium coffees, juice and cold drinks. Be sure to check out their other locations in Duck and Kill Devil Hills.

Dune Burger Inc.

7308 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 16.5
Nags Head
(252) 441-2441

At Dune Burger you can enjoy fast food-style favorites like hamburgers, hot dogs, BBQ, French fries and ice cream. What could be better in the summertime? This is a to-go stop only, but they do have a few picnic tables outside if you’d like to eat it there. Dune Burger is open for lunch and dinner from March to Thanksgiving.

Dunkin’ Donuts

2424 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 10.5
Nags Head
(252) 480-1629

Visit their two locations on the Bypass for coffee, breakfast/lunch sandwiches and of course…donuts. They serve breakfast all day, and they’re open 24-hours.

Dunkin’ Donuts

3210 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 5.5
Kill Devil Hills
(252) 480-4629

Visit their two locations on the Bypass for coffee, breakfast/lunch sandwiches and of course…donuts. They serve breakfast all day, and they’re open 24-hours for you die-hards!

Five Guys Burgers & Fries

1203 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 9
Kill Devil Hills
(252) 255-0006

Five Guys serves up their famous burgers, hot dogs and, of course, French fries. You can add cheese and bacon to your burger and then choose from a variety of toppings like mushrooms, fried onions and pickles. The “famous fries” are hand-cut and served either Five Guys style or Cajun. Yum!

Flying Fish Cafe

2003 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 10
Kill Devil Hills
(252) 441-6894

Flying Fish Cafe features a Mediterranean-style menu with lots of coastal favorites. The Carolina crab cakes are exceptional, and a fresh fish entrée is offered every evening. You select how it is prepared: grilled, sautéed or blackened. They also have beautiful preparations of beef and chicken, like their seared Filet Mignon with Gorgonzola crust or the free-range chicken breast stuffed with Gruyere cheese. The wine list is extensive, with 40 by-the-glass options and reserve bottle selections. They also have a full bar. Top off your delicious meal with a drink from their cappuccino bar and one of their homemade desserts. We like their signature Chocolate Hurricane, a tower of chocolate five ways, wrapped in a cylinder of white and dark chocolate…heaven! Flying Fish is open for dinner nightly, year round. Reservations are recommended in-season.