Nags Head Restaurants and Dining on the Outer Banks

Mama Kwan’s

1701 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 9.5
Kill Devil Hills
(252) 441-7889

Mama Kwan’s serves delicious, local Outer Banks seafood with flavors from the Pacific Rim. The chef whips up specials every day, and there are lots of tempting dishes on the menu. Try the pepper-seared tuna dinner; sushi-grade tuna is served rare with wasabi, soy sauce, rice and cucumber salad. The unique flavors of the Special Occasion Pasta make it a local favorite. Mama Kwan’s has a full bar, and you can enjoy a specialty drink in their novelty glassware. The whole family will enjoy the fun, tiki-bar atmosphere of this restaurant. Kids love to eat here. Mama Kwan’s serves lunch and dinner every day year round and a special late-night menu on Friday and Saturday nights. They also have entertainment on certain nights most of the year. As with many local hangouts, they are closed for a few weeks early each winter season, but the exact time may vary. Their sign outside always lets you know what is going on at Mama’s.

Max’s Bagels & Deli

4007 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 3.5
Kitty Hawk
(252) 255-3111

At Max’s you’ll find 14 varieties of fresh-baked bagels and lots of homemade spreads. They also have fresh-cooked breakfast sandwiches with eggs and meats. For lunch, choose from a full line of deli sandwiches, made with quality Thumann’s meats and cheeses. You can eat in or take it out. Max’s is open every day for breakfast and lunch but closed for the month of January.

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, they serve 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 more than family owned and operated; it’s a family 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 are Miller’s famous, made from scratch hushpuppies, fresh, local seafood, Angus beef and pastas. They have a children’s menu. Miller’s has a full bar. The restaurant is closed from December through February.

Mulligan’s Raw Bar and Grille

4005 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 13
Nags Head
(252) 480-2000

Mulilgan’s has a beautiful deck that gives terrific ocean and sound views and plenty of big Adirondack chairs from which to relax and enjoy the sunshine. They features award-winning burgers in a convivial atmosphere and serve lunch and dinner year round. On the menu you’ll also find steamed seafood, steak, sandwiches, wraps, pizza and pasta. Check out the seafood dishes, served with the traditional homemade cole slaw and hushpuppies. Kids will be happy here with their own menu, and they eat free on Sundays after 4 p.m. (one child per adult). Mulligan’s accepts reservations and can accommodate large groups. This fun restaurant has a full bar, and and they often host live entertainment. Friday night is Cheers night with a free taco bar, specials on their specialty Orange Crush drink, other well drinks and domestic beer.

New York Bagels

5000 S. Croatan Highway, Outer Banks Mall, The Bypass, MP 14
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 “to go” stop. Drinks include sodas, juices, water and of course fresh coffee. The hours change seasonally.

New York Bagels

1708 N. Croatan Highway, The Dare Center, The Bypass, MP 7.5
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. This is a “to go” stop. 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, Outer Banks Mall, The Bypass, MP 14
Nags Head
(252) 441-3981

Everyone is familiar with the delicious food Outback serves. Whether you choose the baby back ribs, prime rib, New York strip steak or the 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 Taco Bar

3723 N. Croatan Highway, Ocean Plaza, The Bypass, MP 4.5
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. Owners Eric Drexler and Gabe Stabley pride themselves 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
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 barbeque 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’re are open for lunch and dinner.

Peppercorns

1701 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Ramada Inn, The Beach Road, MP 9.5
Kill Devil Hills
(252) 441-2151

Peppercorns overlooks the ocean from its location inside the Ramada Inn. The menu features fresh seafood, pasta dishes, surf and turf and chef’s specials. Peppercorns serves breakfast, lunch and dinner every day. They are open year round. The deck bar is open in season and features its own, light menu and live entertainment—call for a schedule.

Pier House Restaurant

3335 South 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 the screened 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, hushpuppies 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. In addition to pizza, they also feature subs, wings and salads. If you’re eating in, enjoy the buffet at lunch and dinner, including a huge salad bar.

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. In addition to pizza, they also feature subs, wings and salads. If you’re eating in, enjoy the buffet at lunch and dinner, including a huge salad bar.

Prime Only

2706 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 11
Nags Head
(252) 480-0047

Prime Only has created a nice balance between their fine dining room downstairs and their upscale casual martini bar upstairs. Steaks are their specialty, and they also prepare fresh local seafood, ribs, chicken and delicious pasta and pair it all with a great wine list. In their upstairs martini bar they have a wonderful and creative selection of small plate offerings. The bartenders pour a long list of martinis of their own creation. Be sure to try the blue cheese-stuffed olives! They are open daily for dinner and have live entertainment a few nights a week.

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. Yum.

Red Drum Grille and Taphouse

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

Dine in a 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. The downstairs dining room is smoke-free. 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 70+ years later. Stop here for a true Nags Head eating experience. The place exudes a barefoot and 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 complete bar lines the wooden structure, making this a social stop for locals and visitors alike. They are closed December through February.

Seaside Gourmet To Go

3701 N. Croatan Highway, Dunes Shops, The Bypass, MP 4.5
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 your basic breakfast fare, but they do it very well, from 6 a.m. until noon. If you get there early enough you can take advantage of true early bird specials. They serve huge pancakes, chipped beef, eggs any way you like them and offer it all with great service.

Skeeter’s Grille

1469 Colington Road
Kill Devil Hills
(252) 449-8956

Skeeter’s is a popular Colington gathering spot. It’s situated alongside a canal and offers dockage for small boats (the canal depth depends on which way the wind is blowing, so if you’re unsure, call ahead). The outdoor screened-in gazebo is a nice place for dining. The indoor bar offers beer and wine. Skeeter’s serves dinner only Tuesday through Saturday nights. Asian night on Thursday and Prime Rib night on Friday (10 oz. for $10.95) are the most popular nights here. The standard menu offers steaks, seafood, chicken, sandwiches and homemade desserts.