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!
Goombays Grille & Raw Bar
- 1608 N. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 7
- Kill Devil Hills
- (252) 441-6001
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 or Caribbean Creole Pasta. They have a full steamed or raw seafood bar. Goombays is family friendly with a colorful dining room and a special menu for kids. They have a full bar, including lots of imported and microbrew beers. Goombays serves lunch and dinner with daily specials.
Island Deli
- 1314 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 9
- Kill Devil Hills
- (252) 715-0710
From the Island Dyes guys comes this great little deli. It’s bright and sunny in both atmosphere and personality. They have continental breakfast offerings plus a huge lunch selection of cool deli sandwiches of their own invention, all using Boars Head meats. A nice salad bar (and the chef offers a healthy piece of local fish to top it off), coffee, cappuccino, wine and ice cream round out the offerings. Eat-in, take-out and delivery are available.
JK’s
- 1106 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 9
- Kill Devil Hills
- (252) 441-9555
JK’s is famous for their steaks and fresh seafood, all cooked over a mesquite wood grill. The steaks are of exceptional quality and are prepared by their in-house butcher. They have several cuts of steak on the menu, and many steak dinners are complemented with fresh local seafood. All entrees are served with the fresh vegetable of the day and either rice pilaf or their perfect mashed potatoes. Top off your meal with a homemade dessert. JK’s is a very consistent restaurant with high-quality fare. They have a full bar where they serve cocktails, wine, beer and their full menu. They are open year round for dinner. In the off-season, JK’s is closed on Sundays, but in season they are open every day.
Jolly Roger Restaurant
- 1836 N. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 6.5
- Kill Devil Hills
- (252) 441-6530
The Jolly Roger has been an Outer Banks fixture for years. You can’t miss the pirate out front, and you shouldn’t miss the big breakfasts that are served here until 2 p.m. They have some of the biggest biscuits on the beach, and their rye toast is incredible. They also serve lunch and dinner, with a big menu of seafood, pastas, steaks and Italian specialties. The Jolly Roger is open every day, all year round, with entertainment nightly; call for details.
Kill Devil’s Frozen Custard
- 1002 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 8.5
- Kill Devil Hills
- (252) 441-5900
The specialty here is authentic frozen custard: a thick, delicious concoction of cream, milk, egg yolk, sugar and vanilla and they make it fresh hourly. Whether you call it ice cream or frozen custard, we just like to call it delicious. They offer the frozen custard in cups or on cones and also create awesome sundaes, shakes, waffle sundaes, floats, hurricanes and more. On the menu are better burgers, Coney Island dogs, NC barbecue sandwiches, wraps and veggie burgers. The specialty beach fries are hand cut every morning. Kill Devil’s is open for lunch and dinner from April to December.
Krave Grill & Games
- 710 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Oceanside Plaza, The Beach Road, MP 8.5
- Kill Devil Hills
- (252) 480-1010
With affordable food and games for all ages this is a great new place for those who want to do more than just eat and drink. They have nine-foot billiards tables, shuffleboard, arcade games, foosball and more! Their menu includes deli sandwiches, awesome NY-style pizza and calzones, big burgers and yummy cheesesteaks. But also, there is always something going on here like live entertainment on the weekends, Texas Hold Em’ tournaments, pool tournaments or rock video laser light shows.They are open all year and offer lunch, dinner, a late-night menu and a children’s menu.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
