Restaurants - Kill Devil Hills
If you love dining out, then you’ll love the town of Kill Devil Hills. Within the town limits, you’ll find more than 30 different restaurants. Each has a distinct specialty, but of course fresh seafood from local waters is the main dish at most restaurants.
One thing that may surprise you is the creativity of the cuisine. There are many talented local chefs who develop imaginative fusion dishes, sampling international flavors with delicious results. You’ll find a great variety of cuisine, like Pacific Rim, Southwestern, Italian and good old Southern home cooking. Top it off with specialties like home-brewed beers, fresh-roasted coffees and luscious desserts, and you’ll see why locals tend to eat out a lot too.
A great fact of Kill Devil Hills restaurants is that most are locally owned and operated. Visitors can branch out from the familiar chain restaurants they find at home and discover something new. (If you must have a fast food fix, however, Kill Devil Hills is home to French fry alley, which is what the locals call the area along the Bypass around Milepost 9 where several fast food chains are located.) We haven’t included them here because everyone is familiar with what they offer. Wherever you go in this town, you’ll find that casual attire is perfectly acceptable, even in fine dining establishments.
Remember that locals call Croatan Highway—aka U.S. Highway 158—The Bypass, and they refer to Virginia Dare Trail—aka N.C. Highway 12—as the Beach Road. Those simple names are just easier to remember!
Bad Bean Baja Grill & Cantina
- 3105 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 5, Seagate North Shopping Center
- Kill Devil Hills
Although Bad Bean Baja Grill and Cantina offers some Mexican favorites, it’s far from your typical Mexican restaurant. Techniques and flavors from all across Latin America, California and the Baja Peninsula are utilized to create a unique dining experience. The fresh-made salsas and guacamole are perfect with the house-made corn tortilla chips. And they’ve added in some extras at this location, too — daily lunch specials year round, full-service wait staff and a full-service bar featuring one of the best Ultimate Margaritas on the beach. They’ve taken the fish taco idea and expanded it to the Nth degree, using only fresh local fish, shrimp and even softshell crab in season. Their Carne Asada is a must have as well. Bad Bean was a triple award winner in the 2013 Taste of the Beach festival, receiving Best in Show, the Chefs’ Choice Award and Best Seafood Dish. Bad Bean was also voted Best Mexican Restaurant on the Beach in the WVOD 99.1 The Sound Best of the Beach Awards. The bar has been completely renovated, expanding from 14 seats to 27 and featuring great local artwork to spice up the walls. Bad Bean is open to 12 a.m. all summer. Every Saturday night, the bar stays open late with beer specials and a late night menu. Take-out is available and large parties are welcome.
Beachside Bistro
- 1731 N. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 7
- Kill Devil Hills
Under new ownership, the Sea Ranch Resort promises a lot of great new things including the Beachside Bistro. Serving American coastal cuisine, guests can relax inside or hang out on the beachside deck and enjoy a cold drink, listen to live entertainment and revel in the oceanfront setting. As members of Outer Banks Catch, their fresh seafood offerings will include mahi-mahi, tuna and other delightful dishes. The Beachside Bistro serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily beginning in early April and features a full bar. They also have a convenient take-out window accessible from the Third Street beach access.
Brewing Station
- 600 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 8.5
- Kill Devil Hills
Featuring the talents of national and international award-winning Brewmaster Scott Meyer, the Brewing Station has an ever-changing list of house-made beers and sodas that serve as the cornerstone of the Brewing Station’s innovative style. Chef Phongkrit “Pok” Choeichom — who won the 2009 Taste of the Beach Chefs Award and the 2011 and 2012 Taste of the Beach People’s Choice Award — has created an Outer Banks–inspired fusion menu using regionally available products from local fish and produce to North Carolina meats. Pastry chef Tina Mackenzie bakes the house bread and has created a tempting dessert menu. Friendly and casual but with a metropolitan flair, the Brewing Station has a full bar, dining on two levels and the biggest outdoor area on the Outer Banks featuring a pirate ship playground for the kids, picnic table seating, outdoor entertainment during the summer season and the 92-foot wind turbine that powers part of the brewing operation. Half-liter bottle conditioned beer and two-liter growlers are sold to go at the bar. The Brewing Station accommodates large parties and is open year round for both lunch and dinner. Lest we forget, they are also highly regarded as a go-to place to see regional and national music acts across a wide variety of genres.
Goombays Grille & Raw Bar
- 1608 N. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 7
- Kill Devil Hills
Goombays is a casual restaurant with an island feel. The food is fresh and creative with a Caribbean spin on Outer Banks seafood favorites. Try the Rasta Pasta, fresh seafood tacos, Tuna Reuben, Jazzy Coconut Chicken, Tuna Oscar, daily specials or a selection from the full steamed or raw seafood bar. Goombays is family friendly with a colorful dining room and a special menu for kids. The full bar includes lots of imported and microbrewed beers. Goombays serves lunch and dinner every day.
Kill Devil Grill
- 2008 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 9.5
- Kill Devil Hills
Kill Devil Grill may look like a diner, but step inside and you’ll be treated to a gourmet meal that is miles ahead of typical diner fare. It starts with a great menu of dishes that are all made from scratch. Choose from creative daily specials, fresh fish and other seafood, steaks, ribs, sandwiches and killer salads. The chicken wings have become legendary: They’re marinated for two days, smoked, roasted, finished on the grill and tossed in a homemade wing sauce. The Grill has a kids’ menu and outstanding homemade desserts. There are a few menu items you’d expect to find in a diner, like blue-plate specials, root beer floats and apple crisp that’s served warm with vanilla ice cream. Kill Devil Grill has a full bar and is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday. They are only closed for a short time in the winter.
Kill Devil’s Frozen Custard
- 1002 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 8.5
- Kill Devil Hills
The specialty here is authentic frozen custard: a thick, delicious concoction of fresh cream, milk, egg yolk, sugar and imported vanilla. They make it fresh hourly, and whether you call it ice cream or frozen custard, we just like to call it delicious. Their frozen custard is offered in cups, cones or homemade waffle cones. They also create awesome sundaes and shakes, or you can create your own concoctions with one of their blended hurricanes. On the menu are better burgers, Coney Island dogs, N.C. barbecue sandwiches, wraps and veggie burgers. The specialty beach fries are hand cut every day from select Idaho potatoes. Now in their 11th season, Kill Devil’s is a locals’ favorite and is open for lunch and dinner from April through October.
Mako Mike’s
- 1630 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 7
- Kill Devil Hills
The menu at Mako Mike’s is filled with fresh seafood, with choices ranging from mako shark to crab legs. The menu also includes excellent crab cakes, pasta dishes and Angus beef. The chef creates lots of specials every night, and a kids’ menu makes the tykes happy. When it comes to dessert, there are many delicious choices. Catch one of the early bird specials; they’re offered daily. Large parties can be accommodated easily, and they have private dining rooms for special events. Mako Mike’s is part of the Kellys Hospitality Group, is open for dinner year round and has a full bar.
Peppercorns Restaurant and Lounge
- 1701 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 9.5, Ramada Plaza
- Kill Devil Hills
The newly redecorated Peppercorns overlooks the ocean from its location inside the Ramada Plaza Nags Head (yes, the name says Nags Head, but they’re located in Kill Devil Hills). The menu features fresh seafood, pasta dishes, surf and turf and chef’s specials. Peppercorns serves breakfast and dinner every day. They are open year round, welcome large parties and accept reservations to make your dining more enjoyable without the long wait. The deck bar is open in season and features its own lunch menu and live entertainment on the weekends; call for a schedule.
Pigman’s Bar-B-Que
- 1606 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 9.5
- Kill Devil Hills
At Pigman’s you’ll find several types of barbecue. In addition to the traditional pork, they have beef, tuna and turkey. They also have slow-smoked chicken, St. Louis ribs and fried shrimp. Side dishes include baked beans, cole slaw, hush puppies (yum! some of the best!), French fries and sweet potato fries. You can dine in or carry out. They have a children’s menu. Pigman’s even does catering. They are closed January and February.
Slice Pizzeria
- 710 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 8.5
- Kill Devil Hills
- (252)449-8888
- map
This great pizza place serves up some of the best pies around, and you can get individual slices of a variety of pies anytime of day. Slice offers the usual array of toppings plus some interesting combinations that are sure to tempt you. They also serve salads, calzones, hot and cold subs, pasta dishes like penne bolognese, wine and beer. There are a few tables and bar seats for dining both inside and out, and they offer delivery starting at 5 p.m.
American Pie
- 1600 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 9.5
- Kill Devil Hills
- (252) 441-3332
American Pie serves two vacation favorites: pizza and ice cream. Enjoy hand-tossed New York–style pizza, subs, wings and salads. For dessert enjoy homemade, hand-dipped ice cream. They also have fresh smoothies on the menu. This restaurant is right across the street from the beach and offers both indoor and outdoor seating. You can take your food to go or have it delivered.
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 its 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. Awful Arthurs has a full bar and an upstairs lounge with an ocean view. It is open most of the year for lunch and dinner.
Beach Bum Burgers
- 1901 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 9.5
- Kill Devil Hills
- (252) 255-5540
Looking for a quick, satisfying bite to eat but tired of the typical chain burger fare? Check out Beach Bum Burgers, the newest addition to burger-centric French Fry Alley in Kill Devil Hills. Beach Bum offers four fresh-made to order burger varieties, the Beach Bum, Islander, BBQ Bacon, and Fire It Up spicy burger and each option comes in your choice of a single, double or triple size. Try their tasty chicken sandwiches in regular, BBQ or Fire It Up spicy versions. Other options include Chicken Nuggets and Corn Dog Nuggets, each of which comes in 4-piece, 6-piece or 10-piece servings. For sides, take your pick from crispy on the outside, light and fluffy on the inside French fries or Chili Cheese Fries, each available in your choice of two sizes. For dessert, shakes or pudding will end the meal on a sweet note. Beach Bum offers eat-in, take-out and drive-thru service.
Blue Crab Tavern
- 1180 Colington Road
- Kill Devil Hills
- (252) 441-5919
For a taste of authentic island life, stop by this waterside pub full of local color tucked away on Colington Road. Enjoy magnificent sunsets, cold refreshments including beer and wine, a pool table, live music on the deck and barbecues. Bring the boat and enjoy convenient watercraft access. This is a cash only spot.
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 in 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 eyes. 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 are 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.
Cafe Franco’s
- 1712 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 7, The Dare Center just down from Belk's
- Kill Devil Hills
- (252) 255-2232
This cozy spot has quickly become a local’s favorite. The casual atmosphere is perfect for families and gatherings of friends. You’ll find a nice mix of modern Italian dishes and rustic Italian entrees in the classic Sicilian style on the menu, including hand-tossed pizza (you haven’t lived until you’ve tried their signature figgy pizza), fresh pasta entrees and sandwiches constructed with homemade bread. They offer Segafreddo coffees, espresso and cappuccino, which pair beautifully with their tiramisu and homemade cannoli creme, and they have a great selection of Italian wines and craft beer to pair with everything else. Franco’s is open daily for lunch and dinner.
Captain George’s Seafood Restaurant
- 705 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 8.5
- Kill Devil Hills
- (252) 480-6677
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 entree items and prepare everything in-house daily. Their Oysters Rockefeller is a secret family recipe that you won’t want to miss. Captain George’s is open for dinner every day except Christmas. On Sundays they begin serving at noon and offer a “first catch” discount until 4 p.m., with the exception of holidays. The buffet is half-price for children ages 5 through 12. Children ages 4 and younger can have the buffet for free. Just George’s Sports Bar and Grill is located inside Captain George’s and has a great menu and 28 flat-screen TVs. The kitchen stays open till the bar closes. Captain George’s is family owned and operated and is a proud member of The Outer Banks Catch serving local Carolina seafood.
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 local seafood, prime rib, hushpuppies, soft shell crabs, conch fritters, veggies and more. The buffet has a big salad bar and lots of dessert selections. Carolina Seafood has a full bar and take out menu. In season, they open at 3:30 p.m., and early birds can get soft shell crabs on the buffet until 4:30 p.m. Take-out meals and crabs by the bushel are available. Before or after dinner, the kids can play on their playground, and the adults can play corn hole. Call for off-season hours.
Chilli Peppers Coastal Grill
- 3001 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 5
- Kill Devil Hills
- (252) 441-8081
Chilli Peppers Coastal Grill is famous on the Outer Banks for its Coastal cuisine, fresh seafood and award-winning soups and sauces. Everything is made from scratch, and the dining room bursts with a colorful and casual atmosphere. Every day the chef’s lunch specials include a pasta dish, enchilada of the day, stir-fry and a sandwich and soup combo in variety that could please anyone’s taste buds. Chilli Peppers Coastal Grill also offers a full bar with the biggest margarita list on the beach and various beer options. Whether you come in to enjoy a drink, a game of corn hole in the courtyard or steamed seafood served late every night, you’ll find the kind of fun you’ve been looking for. They occasionally feature live music, so call to see what’s happening. In the off-season, don’t miss their popular tapas nights on Thursday evenings. Each week the chef devotes the entire tapas menu to a different country’s cuisine, and the results are always mouthwatering and delicious. On Saturday and Sunday don’t miss their amazing Bloody Mary Bar and brunch menu – a local’s favorite (and voted Best on the Beach by locals). Chilli Peppers is open year round, serving lunch and dinner daily and brunch on Saturday and Sunday starting at 9 a.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 it has received accolades from Southern Living magazine. The chefs are skilled at preparing outstanding dishes with fresh, local ingredients. The Cafe is famous for its she-crab bisque and crab cakes. Nightly specials always offer a unique take on dishes such as local seafood or quality steaks. The homemade desserts are incredible and include a white chocolate creme brulee, triple chocolate mousse cake and coconut cream pie. The wine list is reasonably priced. Large parties can be accommodated, and reservations are recommended. Colington Café is open for dinner from April through Thanksgiving and then reopens for the Christmas holidays.
Colington Pizza
- 100 Colingwood Lane
- Kill Devil Hills
- (252) 441-3339
Colington Pizza, voted Best Pizza of the Beach 2012 in a local poll, is a friendly, locally owned neighborhood restaurant on Colington Island. They offer homemade pizzas, appetizers, salads, sandwiches and subs, plus beer and wine at a spot that’s a popular Colington hangout and, with the NFL’s Thursday night and Sunday ticket, it’s also a great place to watch the game! Build your own pizza or try one of their gourmet and specialty pizzas. Eat in, take out or have it delivered; they deliver from Colington Harbour to Bermuda Bay on the east end of Colington Road. They’re open for dinner every night, year round. Look for Colington Pizza on Colington Road, a half-mile outside the entrance of Colington Harbour by the water tower.
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 carry-out place has what you need. Find delicious seafood sandwiches, pressed Cuban sandwiches, the popular Baltimore-style jumbo lump crab cake and their specialty, amazing hand-cut beach fries. Yum! They also offer steamed crabs, freshly squeezed lemonade, beer, wine and more. They’ve also added ice cream to their offerings, so stop in and get cooled off.
Dare Devil’s Pizzeria
- 1112 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 9
- Kill Devil Hills
- (252) 441-6330
For more than 25 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 as well during the summer season.
Dockside Grille
- 1469 Colington Road
- Kill Devil Hills
- (252) 441-0444
Dockside Grille serves eastern North Carolina–style barbecue, smoked chicken, pork spare ribs, a great selection of seafood items and much more. They also run daily home-cooked dinner specials such as pot roast or shirimp and grits. Prime rib is featured on Friday nights. Open for lunch and dinner for dining in or for take-out, Dockside serves beer and wine and has an enclosed porch that overlooks the water. You’ll often find some form of wildlife out there to keep you entertained.
Duck Donuts
- 710 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 8.5
- Kill Devil Hills
- (252) 480-3320
Here’s a real Outer Banks treat, listed by Disney Family Magazine readers as a must-stop while visiting the Outer Banks. These doughnuts are made fresh to order and are served warm. Choose your coating (vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, lemon or peanut butter) and then your topping (peanuts, coconut, sprinkles and more). Sinfully good! Order by the dozen to bring home to the family. They also serve locally roasted premium coffees, juices and cold drinks and are now serving breakfast sandwiches and fresh-baked muffins. Be sure to check out their other locations in Corolla, Duck and Kitty Hawk.
Dunkin’ Donuts
- 3210 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 5.5
- Kill Devil Hills
- (252) 261-4629
Visit the two Dunkin’ Donuts locations on the Bypass (or their new location in Corolla next to Food Lion) for coffee, breakfast/lunch sandwiches and, of course, donuts. They serve breakfast all day, and they’re open 24-hours in the summer for all your coffee and donut desires!
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. This is a bright, clean place, and you can expect fast and friendly service.
Flying Fish Cafe & Wine Bar
- 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 several fish entrees are offered every evening. You select how it is prepared: grilled, sautéed or blackened. They also have beautiful preparations of all natural Brandt beef like their seared Filet Mignon with Gorgonzola crust. The wine list is extensive, with 40 by-the-glass options and 200 bottles of reserve selections. They also have a full bar. Top off your meal with a choice from their cappuccino bar and one of their homemade desserts. Try 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.
Front Porch Cafe
- 2200 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 6, Milepost 6 Plaza
- Kill Devil Hills
- (252) 449-6616
The Front Porch Café roasts its own coffee beans, so the delicious aroma will greet you as soon as you walk in the door. Enjoy a full espresso bar with a wide variety of coffee drinks. They also have a great selection of teas, both loose and bagged. Pastries like croissants, muffins, cinnamon buns and cookies are baked fresh every day. The Front Porch is open year round, every day starting at 6 a.m. Get connected here with free wireless Internet access. Interconnecting to this coffee shop are a bead store and a paint-your-own-pottery store. Visit their other locations in Nags Head and Manteo, too.
Fuji Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar
- 1201 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 9
- Kill Devil Hills
- (252) 449-0628
Fuji is a Japanese steakhouse where Hibachi cooks prepare authentic Japanese food right in front of you. The meals are delicious and the experience is entertaining. They also have a sushi bar in which fresh raw and cooked selections are available. Fuji is open year round for lunch and dinner.
