Nags Head Restaurants and Dining on the Outer Banks

MexiCali Brewz

1200 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 9
Kill Devil Hills
(252) 480-0069

With a nod toward the Grateful Dead, this local cantina promises a “Gratefully Good Time,” and they deliver! Created by the owners of Mama Kwan’s, MexiCali Brewz serves up classic southern California/Mexican cuisine like fish tacos and burritos and also a cool spin on some local dishes. Their marinated mahi mahi is excellent. They have a colorful and fun kid-friendly atmosphere, but their late-night menu and outdoor entertainment is a big hit with the party crowd. As one local said, “It’s like playland for grown-ups.” Check out them out!

Miller’s Seafood & Steakhouse

1520 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 9.5
Kill Devil Hills
(252) 441-7674

Miller’s is a family-owned and operated tradition that began in 1978 and is being carried on by a second generation. Breakfast at Miller’s includes a big menu of favorites like homemade buttermilk biscuits, three-egg omelets and a never-ending cup of coffee. Dinner specialties feature Miller’s famous made-from-scratch hush puppies, local seafood, Angus beef and pastas. Miller’s has a children’s menu and a full bar. The restaurant is closed from December through February.

New York Bagels

5000 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 14, Outer Banks Mall,
Nags Head
(252) 480-0106

The bagels are fresh and the fillings are delicious. You must experience their killer egg salad, lox or veggie cream cheese spread. This is a take-out restaurant only. Drinks include sodas, juices, water and, of course, fresh coffee. The hours change seasonally.

New York Bagels

1708 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 7.5, The Dare Center
Kill Devil Hills
(252) 480-0990

The bagels are fresh and the fillings are delicious. You must experience their killer egg salad, lox or veggie cream cheese spread. Drinks include sodas, juices, water and, of course, fresh coffee. The hours change seasonally.

New York Pizza Pub

2217 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 10
Nags Head
(252) 441-2660

Serving lunch and dinner, these folks feature so much more than pizza. They have great Italian entrees such as lasagna, chicken parmigiana and lots of pasta options, plus panini sandwiches, steaks, chicken and vegetarian entrees. Enjoy hearty salads, burgers and appetizers, such as their made-from-scratch potato skins, Buffalo wings and delicious garlic knots. The pub also features a full bar. Having a party or event? They can help you out with trays of their favorites.

Outback Steakhouse

5000 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 14, Outer Banks Mall
Nags Head
(252) 441-3981

You’re most likely familiar with the delicious food Outback serves. Whether you choose the baby back ribs, prime rib, New York strip steak or lobster tails, you can’t go wrong. Plus that Bloomin’ Onion is such a guilty pleasure! Outback Steakhouse is open year round. Take-out is available.

Outer Banks Epicurean

1484 Colington Road
Kill Devil Hills
(252) 480-0005

Outer Banks Epicurean is dedicated to the love of local food. It’s a place to pick up homemade dinner to go, always made from fresh, local food in keeping with the Slow Food movement. There are several heat-and-eat selections ready for pickup at noon each day, including a daily vegan option. Meals are sophisticated and simple; for example, Fresh Local Catch with Oregano Butter, Corn-off-the-Cob and Engelhard Field Peas; Weeping Radish Andouille Sausage with New Potato and Pancetta-Mushroom Hash; or Roasted Organic Patty Pan Squash and Mattamuskeet Onions with Organic Brown and White Basmati-Veggie Pilaf. The menu changes daily and is posted on the website each day. Epicurean is also the place to stock up on freshly baked cupcakes, lemon pound cake, cakes and salty chocolate brownies. It is located on Colington Road, about 2.5 miles off the Bypass.

Outer Banks Restaurant Tours

Various Meeting Places in Kitty Hawk, Duck, Corolla & Roanoke Island
Kitty Hawk
(252) 722-2229

Outer Banks Restaurant Tours offers walking and driving tours to some of the finest restaurants in the Outer Banks. These tours offer participants a one-of-a-kind opportunity to meet restauranteurs and chefs, to learn about what makes each restaurant unique and to taste signature dishes paired with a sampling of wine or beer. Each tour is comprised of three or more restaurants that are in close geographic proximity to each other. Most of their tours are walking tours, but for others the participants will be transported from restaurant to restaurant. Tours run from Memorial Day through Labor Day on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays and prices range from $45 to $60 per person. So, for the price of a dinner at one restaurant you have the opportunity to sample the offerings at three or four! Their website has more information about the specific restaurants and times. Whichever you choose, you will be delighted—just be sure to bring your appetite!

Outer Banks Taco Bar

3723 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 4.5, Ocean Plaza
Kitty Hawk
(252) 261-8226

The Outer Banks Taco Bar is an authentic Mexican taco bar with lots of fresh flavors, all made from scratch. Owner Gabe Stabley prides himself on offering high quality, fresh food like corn tortilla tacos hand-pressed to order, crunchy tacos fried in house, burritos, quesadillas, tacquitos and empanadas as well as some hard-to-find treats like house-spiced yucca fries, sweet plantains, local fresh fish tacos and more. The space features an all-wood bar with lots of draft beer choices as well as Central American and domestic bottles. The free fix-it-yourself salsa bar features homemade salsa, sauces, condiments and veggies.

Papa John’s Pizza

3809 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 4.5
Kitty Hawk
(252) 261-2389

This popular pizza chain has made a name for itself by using high-quality ingredients to make their pies. They offer all the favorite toppings, plus specialty pizzas like spinach alfredo and barbecue chicken and bacon. Also on the menu are side dishes like wings, cheese sticks and chicken strips. You can pick up an order at their Kitty Hawk location. Papa John’s delivers within Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills, and they are open for lunch and dinner.

Pete’s Pour House & Ocean Cafe

4020 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 3.5‬
Kitty Hawk
(252) 255-1808

Everyone is welcome at Pete’s, so come right off the beach to this family-oriented restaurant and enjoy burgers and fries, fresh seafood, salads and more. Though they have a large wine selection and a full bar, they are way more about the family atmosphere and the sports. You’ll be entertained by 20 flat-screen TVs! Bring your family with you to watch the Sunday games. Feeling indulgent? There’s an ice-cream stand right inside the restaurant serving Hershey’s hand-dipped flavors. Watch for happy hour specials and live entertainment over the summer. You can get lunch and dinner here as they are open daily from 11 a.m. until they’re closed. Oh, and definitely try their wings. So good.

Pier House Restaurant

3335 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head Fishing Pier, The Beach Road, MP 11.5
Nags Head
(252) 441-4200

Here’s a great combination — food with a view. You can watch the surf pound from your seat on the porch, try the air-conditioned dining area that sits right over the beach, or sit inside and enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner selections including fresh steamed seafood, fried seafood sandwiches, steaks and chicken served up with optional sides such as cole slaw, hush puppies and fries. They’ll even cook your own catch if you like. They have a full bar and serve cocktails, wine and beer. The Pier House is open daily April through November with dinner served through mid-October.

Pizzazz Pizza Company

4146 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 3.5
Kitty Hawk
(252) 255-0050

Pizza is the perfect food when you’re feeding a crowd, and Pizzazz even offers free delivery to get it to your crowd quickly and without hassle. In addition to pizza, they also feature subs, wings and salads. If you’re eating in, enjoy the buffet, including a huge salad bar, at lunch and dinner.

Pizzazz Pizza Company

2515 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 10.5
Nags Head
(252) 261-1111

Pizza is the perfect food when you’re feeding a crowd, and Pizzazz even offers free delivery to get it to your crowd without any hassle. In addition to pizza, they also feature subs, wings and salads. If you’re eating in, enjoy the buffet, including a huge salad bar, at lunch and dinner.

Plaza Azteca Restaurante Mexicano

1502 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, Milepost 9.5
Kill Devil Hills
(252) 255-1060

You may have heard of Plaza Azteca, a Virginia Beach–based chain of restaurants. The restaurants serve upscale Mexican food, and they’re known for their many flavors of margaritas, sizzling fajitas and fresh guacamole, made right at your table. The extensive menu features all the traditional favorites — quesadillas, nachos, burritos, enchiladas and tacos — along with some nice surprises, specials and combinations. Vegetarian items and a kids’ menu are available. The atmosphere is lively and family friendly.

Port O’ Call Restaurant & Gaslight Saloon

504 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Beach Road, MP 8.5
Kill Devil Hills
(252) 441-7484

Port O’ Call has been a great dining choice for families on the Outer Banks for many years, known for its large and interesting menu and Victorian-style decor. The menu changes seasonally but always includes lots of fresh seafood prepared in a variety of ways: steamed, broiled, blackened, fried, seared or grilled. They also serve steaks, ribs, chicken and pastas. On holidays Port O’ Call prepares a special buffet. Kids have their own extensive menu. The restaurant accepts reservations and can easily handle large parties. Port O’ Call serves dinner nightly. Ask about their early bird specials. They also do special events such as weddings, rehearsal dinners, reunions, fraternity and sorority parties and office and holiday parties that can be planned as sit-down dinners or buffets. In the gift gallery you’ll find a little bit of everything, like antiques, lamps, glassware, jewelry, collectibles and more. At night, Port O’ Call’s Gaslight Saloon hosts live music and dancing.

Quiznos Sub Sandwiches

710 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass MP 8.5
Kill Devil Hills
(252) 441-3837

Oven-toasted goodness in every bite, Quiznos piles freshly sliced meats and veggies onto their fresh-baked bread and toasts it all to a golden brown. This is a good, quick stop for lunch or dinner.

Red Drum Grille and Taphouse

2412 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 10
Nags Head
(252) 480-1095

Dine in cozy ambiance and enjoy a variety of lunch and dinner dishes, including sandwiches, burgers, fish and chips and steamed seafood and vegetables plus ribs, steaks, vegetarian dishes, seafood pasta and more. Like the setting, the food could be dubbed “comfort with an upscale dash.” Most any beer lover will be happy as a clam here with 18 beers on tap. Red Drum is closed December and January and reopens in February around President’s Day weekend.

Rita’s Water Ice

710 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 8.5
Kill Devil Hills
(252) 449-2653

Rita’s serves Italian ice, custard and an array of interesting combinations, including mixes, shakes, frozen coffee drinks and fat-free treats. Stop in and cool off.

Rundown Cafe

5218 N. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 1
Kitty Hawk
(252) 255-0026

Rundown Cafe serves island cuisine in a casual atmosphere. The food is a fusion of Pacific Rim and Caribbean flavors, and they have a substantial menu of vegetarian options. Upstairs you’ll find an authentic surf bar with an ocean view. This is a great family-friendly restaurant since the menu is very affordable and there are lots of choices for kids. Rundown serves lunch and dinner seven days a week in the summer. You can also order take-out here. They are closed from the end of November until mid-February.

Sam & Omie’s

7228 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Beach Road, MP 16.5
Nags Head
(252) 441-7366

Originally opened by a couple of fishermen as a pre-fishing breakfast stop, Sam & Omie’s maintains its seaside flavor more than 70 years later. Stop here for a true Nags Head eating experience. The place exudes a beachy atmosphere and serves up plenty of tasty dishes morning, noon and night, including omelets, hamburgers, club sandwiches and prime rib and seafood dinners. Try the shrimp burger — it’s popular for a reason! A full bar makes this a social stop for locals and visitors alike. They are closed December through February.

Sand Dollar Ice Cream & Coffee

4104 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 13, Surfside Plaza
Nags Head
(252) 715-1865

Situated on The Beach Road in the historic part of Nags Head, Sand Dollar has all the hot and cold, frozen and blended coffee drinks you can imagine. With a mixologist’s array of syrups, the shop has many creative concoctions to warm you up or cool you down. They also offer Maola hand-dipped ice cream, and reverse osmosis filtered water for your coffee or to drink. Their coffee beans are artisan roasted in Virginia, and the free WiFi and a friendly atmosphere sweeten an already sweet deal.

Scammell’s Corner Surf Shop & Ice Cream Parlor

6406 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 15.5
Nags Head
(252) 715-1727

Scammell’s, a family-owned and -operated shop, offers 48 hand-dipped Hershey ice cream flavors in cups, cones, sundaes, banana splits, shakes or floats. It’s a surf shop, too — a new shop that feels like it’s been here forever. They have custom boards hand-shaped by Tom Neilson, plus custom board fins, and they also rent boards and do surf lessons. Not a surfer but love the waves? You’ll find boogie boards and skim boards too. Scammell’s sells clothing and swimsuits from Lucy Love, Body Glove and Synergy. You’ll find great handmade Island sandals from Hawaii, teak tables and chairs, tie-dye items, custom-designed T-shirts, Himalayan rock salt lamps and lots of gifts for your friends back home.

Seaside Gourmet To Go

3701 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 4.5, Dunes Shops
Kitty Hawk
(252) 255-5330

Seaside Gourmet To Go serves great local seafood and ethnic-inspired, healthful cuisine. Every day they have vegan, vegetarian and seafood specials in addition to their regular menu. You can call the number above to hear about the day’s specials and order ahead. Whenever possible, the chef uses local and organic produce. You’ll find some of the best seafood dishes on the beach at Seaside. As the name implies, this is a take-out stop only. While you’re waiting, pick out a bottle of wine from their boutique selection and enjoy the local artwork. Seaside Gourmet To Go is open for lunch and dinner year round every day but Sunday, and they’ll also cater your event. Check their website for daily specials.

Ship’s Wheel Restaurant

2028 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 9.5
Kill Devil Hills
(252) 441-2906

The Ship’s Wheel at the Ebb Tide Family Motel serves breakfast, lunch with homemade specials daily, and dinner. If you get there early enough you can take advantage of true early bird specials. At breakfast they serve huge pancakes, chipped beef and eggs any way you like them and offer it all with great service.