Nags Head Restaurants and Dining on the Outer Banks

Dare Devil’s Authentic Pizzeria

1112 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 9
Kill Devil Hills
(252) 441-6330

For more than 20 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.

Duck Donuts

5230 N. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 1
Kitty Hawk
(252) 480-3304

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 Kill Devil Hills.

Dune Burger Inc.

7308 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 16.5
Nags Head
(252) 441-2441

At Dune Burger you can enjoy fast food–style favorites like hamburgers, hot dogs, barbecue, French fries and ice cream. What could be better in the summertime? This is a to-go stop only, but they do have a few picnic tables outside if you’d like to eat it there. It’s right across the street from the new Jennette’s Pier. Dune Burger is open for lunch and dinner from March to Thanksgiving.

Dunkin’ Donuts

2424 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 10.5
Nags Head
(252) 480-1629

Visit the two Dunkin’ locations on the Bypass (or their new location in Corolla) for coffee, breakfast/lunch sandwiches and, of course, doughnuts. They serve breakfast all day, and they’re open 24-hours in the summer for all you doughnut die-hards!

Dunkin’ Donuts

3210 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 5.5
Kill Devil Hills
(252) 261-4629

Visit the two Dunkin’ locations on the Bypass (or their new location in Corolla) for coffee, breakfast/lunch sandwiches and, of course, doughnuts of all kinds. They serve breakfast all day, and they’re open 24 hours in the summer for all you doughnut die-hards!

Firefly

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

In its second season, you won’t be able to miss Firefly with its bright coat of sunny yellow paint. Firefly specializes in coastal Southern comfort cuisine, like bacon-wrapped scallops and shrimp and grits, but their menu is so large and varied that those seeking something lighter will be easily satisfied. You can enjoy a full bar, including an extensive martini menu, and they’ve also added a terrific deck. The relaxed atmosphere and kids’ menu also make it great for families. They are open for lunch and dinner every day with late night bar options, too.

Fish Heads Grill & Bar

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

Geared up for their second season, Outer Banks Pier has open-deck dining! A roof over the deck just to the side of the pier house shades bar-style seating all around the edge and tables in the center. They are serving hamburgers, fries, steamed shrimp and veggies, fish tacos (yum!) and more. Wine and beer are available, and they also have some breakfast sandwiches for the early birds and anglers. They’re open every day.

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

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 and chicken, like their seared Filet Mignon with Gorgonzola crust or the free-range chicken breast stuffed with Gruyere. The wine list is extensive, with 40 by-the-glass options and reserve bottle 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.

Good Life Eatery

3712 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 4.5
Kill Devil Hills
(252) 480-2855

The Good Life Eatery has moved! They are now located a few miles north in Kitty Hawk at about MP 4.5, in a bigger space that is great for rehearsal dinners and private parties. With more seating and an expanded menu, the dry bakery case is chock full of delicious bagels, turnovers, cinnamon rolls, croissants, and muffins. Take a look at their cold bakery case where there is something for everyone. Their menu features gourmet salads, sandwiches, wraps, paninis and homemade soups for lunch and dinner. Relax with a glass of house wine or mug of specialty coffee by the fireplace and waterfall. Check out the cold beer case with more than 100 varieties as well as a wide selection of wine for every palate. Custom catering is a big part of their operation. Good Life is open seven days a week at 7 a.m. in season. You can get a full breakfast every day until 1 p.m. You should definitely try one of their featured breakfasts served in a personal frying pan. Free wireless internet is available for customers.

Grits Grill

5000 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 14, Outer Banks Mall
Nags Head
(252) 449-2888

Grits Grill serves up monstrous portions of breakfast foods all day along, with huge fluffy biscuits and all the eggs, bacon and grit combos you can imagine. They also have lunch standards such as hamburgers, sandwiches, soups and salads. They’re open year round, daily from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Henry’s Restaurant

3396 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 5
Kitty Hawk
(252) 261-2025

Henry’s is a family-owned and operated restaurant and has been serving breakfast, lunch and dinner in a family-friendly atmosphere on the Outer Banks since 1989. Breakfast is available until 1 p.m. so if you get up late you won’t miss out on delicious, home-style choices like hot cakes, seafood omelets, and biscuits and gravy. There’s something for everyone on the lunch and dinner menu. Choose from seafood, burgers, sandwiches, salads or, if you’re a young one, the kids’ menu. Beer and wine are served. Henry’s is open year round, but the hours change seasonally so call ahead if you’re visiting in the off-season.

I Got Your Crabs

3809 North Croatan Highway, The Bypass, Suite A
Kitty Hawk
252-449-BITE (2483)

If you like eating fresh blue crabs, this place is for you. Family-owned and operated, these Currituck crabbers plan to bring the daily catch straight from their boats to your table. Inside, there’s a total of 50-foot of stainless steel bar so you can in or take home a bushel for the family. In addition to crabs, live or steamed, by the dozen, half or full bushel, they also serve whole fried fish such as croaker, spot and white perch. Of course, tender fish filets of fresh local fish are also available. They can cook up crabs three different ways – plain, salted or seasoned. For oyster lovers, look for this family restaurant to switch gears in the fall and winter from crabs to oysters. I Got Your Crabs T-shirts, hats and panties are available!

Island Snowball Company

5000 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 14
Nags Head
(252) 255-1598

Snowballs aren’t just for the kids at this fun tiki hut-themed shop. Choose from 45 mouthwatering flavors poured over finely shaved ice, then pick your own toppings. They even offer sugar-free and dye-free choices. The little ones will like the shop’s chalkboard walls and bright colors, and the adults will enjoy seeing art from local artists.

Jimmy’s Seafood Buffet

4117 N Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 4
Kitty Hawk
(252) 261-4973

Jimmy’s is a family destination offering a variety of Outer Banks seafood and more than 100 tempting dishes from both land and sea, including homemade soups and made-from-scratch desserts. When it comes to seafood, the owner says “size does matter,” so dig in to the largest crab legs and shrimp around town. Early birds get a free lobster tail with their adult buffet, and lobster claws are included in the buffet until 4 p.m. in season. Come right when Jimmy’s opens at 2:30 p.m. to enjoy all-you-can-eat lobster until 4 p.m. On Saturday nights, it’s all you can eat lobster night all night long! Jimmy’s also has many to-go options like fried platters, steamed dinners and the handy carry-out seafood buckets. The clambake-style seafood buckets make enjoying great, steamed seafood at home a snap. Jimmy’s even delivers right to your door, or you can call ahead for convenient curbside pick up. They open for dinner at 2:30 p.m in season and 4 p.m. in the off-season and have live nightly entertainment. While you’re waiting for a table, there are free pony rides for the kids, and you can play cornhole or putt-putt too.

JK’s

1106 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 9
Kill Devil Hills
(252) 441-9555

JK’s is famous for its 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 and serve cocktails, wine and beer. JK’s is open year round for dinner. In the off-season, JK’s is closed on Sundays, but in season they are open every day. Check out their other location in Corolla.

John’s Drive-In

3716 N. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 4.5
Kitty Hawk
(252) 261-6227

John’s Drive-In is famous for its milkshakes and free puppy cups — ice cream for our four-legged friends. Locals and tourists alike are addicted, making this a busy stop, but the speedy service moves things right along. The only thing that might take a while is choosing what kind of shake to have since they have a long list of flavors including fruit and other sweet choices. Try a combination like banana-peanut butter-chocolate, and you might not have room for lunch. But you’ll wish you did, with the fried mahi sandwiches and juicy hamburgers served here. Food is served to-go style, and there are several umbrella-shaded picnic tables. John’s is open every day but Wednesday from spring through fall.

KDH Deli

710 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 8.5
Kill Devil Hills
(252) 255-1720

Let a great selection of subs, sandwiches, soups and salads with fun pirate names (and affordable prices) coax you into this new deli! They also offer kids meals, freshly baked bread and Boar’s Head meats and cheeses by the pound. Feeding a crowd? Call ahead to order a party platter.

Kentucky Fried Chicken / Taco Bell

7328 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Bypass, MP 16.5
Nags Head
(252) 441-3028

Grab a bucket of tried-and-true Kentucky Fried Chicken or some tacos and burritos and head to the beach. The ocean is just across the street. This restaurant is two in one, so it makes pleasing the entire family a breeze. Call for their large group specials.

La Fogata Mexican Restaurant

4933 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 14.5
Nags Head
(252) 441-4179

La Fogata serves traditional Mexican favorites and specialties in a casual atmosphere. Locals love it for offering tasty food at a good value. Within minutes of sitting down, you’ll have warm chips and yummy salsa to munch on while you look over the extensive menu. There’s a full-service bar, and they’re open for lunch and dinner.

La Fogata Mexican Restaurant

3924 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 4.5
Kitty Hawk
(252) 255-0934

The two La Fogata restaurants, one in Nags Head and this one in Kitty Hawk, are locals’ favorites for inexpensive, delicious meals. The exhaustive menu of authentic Mexican specialties is a little overwhelming, but complimentary warm chips and spicy salsa hold you over while you decide. There’s a full bar and a childrens’ menu.