Nags Head Restaurants

When visitors ask locals for Nags Head restaurant recommendations, they’re usually greeted with a moment of hesitation. That doesn’t mean you should be worried about the restaurants’ food. Far from it in fact, as it usually means that the local is deciding where to even begin their suggested places for Nags Head. Countless options flood the brain, ranging from creative cuisine to international fare and down-home country cooking.

Two important considerations include what you’re craving and the sort of setting you’re in the mood for. Start your day in Nags Head with a biscuit sandwich and bold coffee. If you want a picnic on the beach, grab a towering deli sandwich. Award-winning Nags Head restaurants are available for anything from a casual burger and shake to dinners worthy of special occasions. Satisfy your sweet tooth with frozen yogurt or hand-dipped ice cream.

As you might imagine, seafood is the star of the scene on most menus at Nags Head restaurants. Local chefs take a lot of pride in their signature preparations, and you’ll see it served up casually in fried fish baskets, fancily as seared fresh catches of the day, creatively as island-inspired poke bowls and locally with classics like Hatteras clam chowder.

Looking Beyond the Atlantic at Nags Head Restaurants

That said, seafood is by no means the only stuff to eat around here. You can also enjoy local flavors found in seasonal fruits and vegetables from the area’s farmers. There are also mom and pop establishments that are destinations for visitors to return to year after year – or for some locals, day after day! Going out to eat in Nags Head is also a chance to take a tasty world tour too. Flavors from Mexico, Italy, Thailand, China, Japan, the Caribbean and beyond come together on this short stretch of coastline. If you have a hankering for anything in particular, use the toggle to search the Nags Head restaurants by category. Those up for a bit of adventure, on the other hand, can head out and try whatever catches their eye. For the latest dishes featured at Nags Head restaurants, don’t forget to check out our Daily Specials page too.

Nags Head Restaurants by Area

All of the Nags Head Area | Kill Devil Hills Restaurants | Kitty Hawk Restaurants

Nags Head Restaurants by Location or Category

Basnight’s Lone Cedar

Nags Head Restaurant
7623 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head/Manteo Causeway, Nags Head
(252) 441-5405

This Outer Banks landmark restaurant at the top of many locals’ lists of favorite places. The service is genuinely friendly, and the portions are more than generous. You’ll enjoy views of Roanoke Sound on both sides of the restaurant, including nightly sunsets. They feature only local, fresh North Carolina seafood that comes in whole and is cleaned in their state-certified fish-cleaning house, located onsite. They...read more

This Outer Banks landmark restaurant at the top of many locals’ lists of favorite places....read more

Cookshak Fried Chicken

Nags Head Restaurant
1187 Duck Road, Loblolly Pines Shopping Plaza, Duck
(252) 261-1156
2515 S. Croatan Highway Unit A, Nags Head
(252) 441-1156

If it’s Southern chicken, then it’d better be fried. At least, that’s what they believe at The Cookshak Fried Chicken. Their small menu lets them focus on preparing fried chicken and its fixings right, crafting each meal to feel like you’re sitting down to a big chicken dinner at Grandma’s country farmhouse. The restaurant serves food in family-size servings, and you can order half or whole birds and pair them with sides of fries,...read more

If it’s Southern chicken, then it’d better be fried. At least, that’s what they believe at The Cookshak Fried Chicken....read more

Dunes Restaurant

Nags Head Restaurant
7013 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Between The Bypass and The Beach Road, MP 16.5, Nags Head
(252) 441-1600

Dunes Restaurant has been a breakfast and dinner favorite among Outer Banks locals and visitors for more than four decades. Breakfast here is a certifiable Nags Head tradition. Their hearty meals and platters are a huge draw, and their breakfast menu is one of the biggest on the beach, with choices like shrimp and grits, creamed chipped beef, N.C. country ham, a crab and shrimp...read more

Dunes Restaurant has been a breakfast and dinner favorite among Outer Banks locals and visitors...read more

Fishheads Bar & Grill

Nags Head Restaurant
8901 S. Old Oregon Inlet Road, MP 18.5, Nags Head
(252) 441-5740

You can't eat and drink any closer to the ocean than this. Fishheads at Outer Banks Pier offers a restaurant and bar with seating on the deck in the sun or moon or under a roof with open-air curtains. They serve fish tacos, steamed shrimp, fresh hamburgers, crab cakes, tuna bites, fries and more. And they also have some breakfast sandwiches for the early birds...read more

You can't eat and drink any closer to the ocean than this. Fishheads at Outer...read more

FreshFit Cafe

Nags Head Restaurant
7531 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head-Manteo Causeway, Nags Head
(252) 715-6444

Serving healthy, clean and fresh foods and drinks, FreshFit Cafe makes it easy to stick to your health and fitness goals. The owners are health-focused and nutrition-oriented and they want to help people eat better so that they have more energy, less stress and fuller lives. FreshFit serves balanced breakfasts and lunches and offers organic coffee, a juice bar, smoothies, detox drinks, a kids' menu...read more

Serving healthy, clean and fresh foods and drinks, FreshFit Cafe makes it easy to stick...read more

Mahi Mahi's Island Grill

Nags Head Restaurant
2217 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 10.5, Nags Head
(252) 715-0106

Mahi Mahi’s Island Grill features American cuisine with a dash of Latin flavor and a strong emphasis on seafood. Owners Andrew and Leslie Mikhail have proudly teamed up with Peruvian-born Chef Alfredo Landazuri to establish this new Outer Banks restaurant where customers can expect an affordable menu, quality ingredients and friendly service. After working in and opening different restaurants along the Outer Banks and winning first-place...read more

Mahi Mahi’s Island Grill features American cuisine with a dash of Latin flavor and a strong...read more

Mulligan’s Grille in Historic Cottage Row

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

For more than 20 years, Mulligan’s has served Southern coastal cuisine with incredible views, thanks to its scenic location between Jockey’s Ridge and Historic Cottage Row. Long known for having some of the best burgers on the beach, their masterful chefs recently have been placing a brighter spotlight on local seafood prepared in an authentic Outer Banks style, all with fresh, local ingredients....read more

For more than 20 years, Mulligan’s has served Southern coastal cuisine with incredible...read more

Owens’ Restaurant

Nags Head Restaurant
7114 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 16.5, Nags Head
(252) 441-7309

Owens’ is a Nags Head institution, featuring a legacy of coastal Southern fine dining by the sea. Diners can enjoy generous portions of fresh fish and shellfish from local watermen, whole Maine lobster, pasta, aged prime beef Southern specialties and house-made desserts. Meals start with a cheese crock and crackers for the table, and the hushpuppies are legendary. The wine list is lengthy,...read more

Owens’ is a Nags Head institution, featuring a legacy of coastal Southern fine...read more

Pizzazz Pizza

Nags Head Restaurant
2515 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 10.5, Nags Head
(252) 261-1111
603 Currituck Clubhouse, The Shoppes at the Currituck Club, Corolla
(252) 261-1111
1187 Duck Road, Loblolly Pines Shopping Center, Duck
(252) 261-1111

Pizzazz is a pizza favorite on the Outer Banks. They’ve been around since 1986 because they make consistently great pizza with generous toppings and the service is friendly. Choose from gourmet menu creations or stick with the traditional. Pizzazz also makes hot subs, salads and wings. You can eat in for lunch or dinner or have your pizza delivered. Call for off-season hours. And, if...read more

Pizzazz is a pizza favorite on the Outer Banks. They’ve been around since 1986 because...read more

Sooey's BBQ and Rib Shack

Nags Head Restaurant
807 Ocean Trail, Monteray Plaza, Corolla
(252) 453-4423
3919 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 12.5, Nags Head
(252) 449-6465

If you’re looking for delicious and traditional Southern fare on the Outer Banks, stop by Sooey’s BBQ & Rib Shack. With locations in Corolla and Nags Head, they're proud to offer their famous Carolina barbecue. They specialize in authentic Eastern North Carolina-style pulled pork barbecue, slow-smoked ribs, beef brisket and Southern fried chicken. You’ll find all your favorite homemade sides here too, including potato salad,...read more

If you’re looking for delicious and traditional Southern fare on the Outer Banks, stop by...read more

Sugar Creek Soundfront Seafood Restaurant

Nags Head Restaurant
7340 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head/Manteo Causeway, Nags Head
(252) 441-4963

Offering a primo location right on the water, Sugar Creek has been serving the freshest seafood available to locals and visitors for years. The views of Sugar Creek and the Roanoke Sound are incredible. The outdoor walkways and decks on the property are great for strolling along and viewing the resident wildlife. Before dinner, enjoy a drink from their outdoor gazebo bar. Folks can also...read more

Offering a primo location right on the water, Sugar Creek has been serving the freshest...read more

The Fudgery

1177 Duck Road, Scarborough Lane Shopping Center, Duck
(252) 255-0993
790-M Ocean Trail, Space A, Corolla
(252) 453-8882
3933 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 12, Nags Head
(252) 480-0163

Don’t you hate it when people say that chocolate fudge is sinful? Sometimes it’s just a necessity. The Fudgery’s creamy concoctions can satisfy any sweet tooth. Your mind will be boggled at the variety of flavors from dark chocolate to peanut butter to rocky road, even New Orleans praline. The fudge is all theatrically prepared right in front of your eyes on marble slabs and...read more

Don’t you hate it when people say that chocolate fudge is sinful? Sometimes it’s just...read more