Restaurants

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 breakfast, lunch with homemade specials daily, and dinner. If you get there early enough you can take advantage of true early bird specials. At breakfast they serve huge pancakes, chipped beef and eggs any way you like them and offer it all with great service.

Sonic

• 5205 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 14
• Nags Head
• (252) 441-9030

You are probably already familiar with this chain restaurant. They have fast-food standards like burgers and hot dogs, but they also have good milk shakes, fruit slushes, breakfast sandwiches and tater tots. There is not an entrance directly off The Bypass, so turn down one of the side streets nearby.

South Beach Grille

• 6806 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 16
• Nags Head
• (252) 449-9313

With a truly affordable menu consisting of local seafood, lots of signature salads, sandwiches, lettuce wraps, pasta dinners, Caribbean-inspired entrees, steaks and terrific homemade desserts, South Beach Grille is a great place to eat on the beach. Deck-top dining is available, with views of both the ocean and the sound, and you can enjoy a smoothie or a specialty drink from their full bar. Like wings? Then stop in on Friday and get wings in a variety of flavors for 25 cents each and wash them down with their domestic beer special of the day. South Beach has a good kids’ selection and offers extensive gluten-free choices and lots of options for vegetarians too. Your meal is prepared fresh to order; if you have any special dietary needs please inform your server.

Southern Bean

• 3701 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 4.5, Dunes Shops
• Kitty Hawk
• (252) 261-JAVA

Southern Bean is a locally owned coffeehouse with coffee and espresso drinks, smoothies and milkshakes. They also offer fresh-squeezed juices, chai and other teas. Southern Bean has a small menu that is almost entirely vegetarian, with salads, hummus and wraps in addition to muffins, bagels and pastries. There are several options for kids, like hot chocolate, ice cream, PB&J and PB and banana sandwiches. You can sit at a counter, at one of a few tables or in the comfy chairs if you want to eat in or just sit a spell. Southern Bean is open all year round every day from early morning into the evening.

Spanky’s Grille

• 4105 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 3.5
• Kitty Hawk
• (252) 261-1917

Spanky’s Grille is a casual, family-friendly restaurant. It also happens to be very affordable. The locals love the hand-formed burgers, homemade crab cakes, fresh hamburger steaks, grilled chicken, chili-cheese fries and foot-long hot dogs. Spanky’s is open for lunch year round and Wednesday through Saturday nights in the summer season.

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 filled with everything you could ever want for breakfast. 2011 marks their 30th anniversary. 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 crab meat and cheddar or the shaved ham), bacon, sausage and more. For those looking for lunch, they also have a light sandwich selection like BLTs, hot ham & cheese and even PB&Js 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 all-year round. There is a second Stack ‘em High located in Kitty Hawk.

Stack ‘em High

• 3801 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 4.5
• Kitty Hawk
• (252) 261-8221

Stack ‘em High is a great breakfast stop filled with everything you could ever want for breakfast. 2011 marks their 30th anniversary. 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 crab meat and cheddar or the shaved ham), bacon, sausage and more. For those looking for lunch, they also have a light sandwich selection like BLTs, hot ham & cheese and even PB&Js 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 all-year round. There is a second Stack ‘em High located in Kill Devil Hills.

Stone Oven Pizza

• 7531 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head/Manteo Causeway, Caribbean Corners
• Nags Head
• (252) 441-7775

Stone Oven is a convenient stop on the causeway and features pizza, calzones, sub sandwiches and a variety of appetizers including chicken wings and mozzarella sticks, plus salads, sodas and beer. They’re open all year for eat-in at their beautiful soundfront location with outside waterfront seating on their deck. You can also take it to go. They offer free delivery after 4 p.m. within Nags Head and Pirate’s Cove.

Sugar Creek Soundfront Seafood 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 — or, new this year, enjoy the outdoor dining deck. The fresh, local tuna, shrimp and scallops are expertly prepared at Sugar Creek and keep seafood lovers happy. Also on the menu are favorites like steaks, prime rib, chicken, ribs, pasta, salads, soups, burgers and sandwiches. Sugar Creek won the 2010 Taste of the Beach People’s Choice award for their Shrimp & Grits. They have a children’s menu. The newly expanded dining room easily accommodates large parties and special events like rehearsal dinners. Sugar Creek serves lunch and dinner daily in season and is open from March through December. Check out The Sugar Shack, located next door, for great take-out seafood and a quick bite.

Sugar Shack

• 7340 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head/Manteo Causeway
• Nags Head
• (252) 441-3888

Sugar Shack is located right next to Sugar Creek Soundfront Seafood Restaurant. This is the place to pick up the freshest seafood around. Choose from steamed seafood like shrimp, lobster and king crab legs, or pick up a steamer bucket with a variety of steamed seafood. They even serve fried seafood. In fact, the fresh fish sandwiches and boats (including Shack chips and slaw) they make here are some of the best we’ve ever eaten anywhere! Everything is cooked to order. You can dine inside or out, and either way you’ll have a fantastic view of the sound. They also stock beer. The Sugar Shack is a great way to feed a crowd at home, and they deliver within a 6-mile radius

Sweet Frog Premium Frozen Yogurt

• 3700 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 5
• Kitty Hawk
• (252) 715-1965

Sweet Frog Premium Frozen Yogurt has a novel concept: pick your soft-serve yogurt flavors, dispense as much as you want, top it the way you want it from the topping bar. The cashier weighs your creation and you pay by the weight. The yogurt is all natural, low fat and healthy, and you can choose toppings that are healthy too, like nuts and real fruit. Of course, they have candy toppings too. Sweet Frog is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily in the summer months; call for off-season hours. Look for the pink building in Kitty Hawk.

Taiko Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar

• 5000 S. Croatan Highway, Outer Banks Mall, The Bypass, MP 14
• Nags Head
• (252) 449-8895

Taiko serves Japanese food, with lots of healthy and flavorful options. Great sushi, miso soup, tempura, seaweed salad (try it!) and tasty plum wine…yum! They also serve traditional preparations of shrimp, beef, chicken and noodles. This food is fresh and affordable. Taiko is open for lunch and dinner year round.

Thai Room

• 710 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 8.5, Oceanside Plaza
• Kill Devil Hills
• (252) 441-1180

The Thai Room has been a local’s favorite for more than 25 years. They provide affordable, delicious Asian cuisine, serving Thai, Chinese and American food. Thai Room was 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. The Thai Room is open year-round, serving lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday and dinner on Sunday.

The Dunes Restaurant

• 7018 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Bypass, MP 16.5
• Nags Head
• (252) 441-1600

The Dunes Restaurant is a Nags Head tradition that’s been serving breakfast, lunch and dinner for nearly 30 years. They have an award-winning breakfast menu that includes a hearty breakfast and fresh fruit bar daily in season. At both lunch and dinner, there are plentiful salads, sandwiches and, of course, fresh-cooked, local seafood. If you like Southern fried chicken, this is one of their specialties, along with Angus beef steaks, prime rib and pastas. While you wait for a table, or even if you just come in because you love the atmosphere, their “R” Bar is a comfortable spot where you can grab a mixed drink or enjoy wine, beer and lighter fare. The Dunes has an excellent children’s menu.

The Pearl

• 1731 N. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 7
• Kill Devil Hills
• (252) 480-3463

One of the few restaurants to offer oceanfront dining, The Pearl sits right on the beach in the Sea Ranch Hotel. The chef offers a varied menu that includes lunch and dinner and leans toward French-inspired cuisine such as Coquilles St. Jacques, but there are many traditional local seafood selections as well, including a delightful she-crab soup. There’s also a lovely brunch on Sunday. The atmosphere is upscale and light, and there’s a full bar and a gourmet coffee bar. A beachside take-away window is great for lunch service. The Pearl provides on-site and off-site catering and welcomes 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 age 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 older, 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.

The Snowbird

• 3530 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 12
• Nags Head
• (252) 441-0000

The Snowbird boasts more than 24 flavors of soft-serve ice cream, which is a really popular feature with kids. Locals and vacationers love the burgers, sandwiches and seafood at this drive-up stop. The treats here are served to-go only, but there are a few picnic tables and seats if you want to eat here. One of the best things about this little spot is that it’s open really, really late — we’re talking until after midnight during the summer — in case you just have to have that ice cream well after the hour you should!

Trio

• 3708 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 4.5, Harbor Bay Shops
• Kitty Hawk
• (252) 261-0277

Your can taste the world at Trio, an exciting new retail and tasting destination that gathers the best of the vast worlds of wine, handcrafted beer and artisinal cheese into one lovely space. Trio offers more than 2,000 wines and beers from around the world ranging in price from $4.99 to $1,000, as well as more than 30 artisanal cheeses and a selection of cured meats. Also a tap house, Trio features 24 craft beers on tap. Wines can be sampled from wine dispensing machines using smart cards that allow you to choose the wine and amount you want to try. Taste a wide variety of wines priced from $10 to $100 per bottle starting at just $1 per taste! The cheese shop offers cheeses hand-cut to order and a menu featuring cheese plates, gourmet sandwiches, salads and small bites. Upstairs on the balcony you’ll find a tasting bar featuring award-winning wines from around North Carolina. An extension of Native Vine Cellars and Tasting Room in Point Harbor, Trio is a place to have some fun while you are shopping, or to shop while you’re having fun!

Tropical Smoothie Café

• 2236 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 10, Plaza del Sol
• Nags Head
• (252) 441-3500

We love the fruit smoothies here, and there are many to choose from — low fat, weight gain (as if!), power, even smart smoothies! The cafe offers healthy breakfasts, salads, wraps and hoagies. Sandwiches are made with Boar’s Head deli meats. Have a sweet tooth? Try a dessert smoothie with Ghirardelli chocolate. Tropical Smoothie is open year round.

Vilai Thai Kitchen

• 5230 N. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 1
• Kitty Hawk
• (252) 441-8424

This is a great new Thai take-out place. They are open for lunch and serve food all day through dinner. If you just can’t wait to dig in to their yummy soups, pad thai, spring rolls or any of their other offerings, they have a few seats outside so you can enjoy your food while it’s hot.

Viva Mexican Grill

• 2424 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 10.5
• Nags Head
• (252) 441-1601

If you’re a fan of build-your-own Mexican taco bars, you’ll love this new spot. You go down the line, telling them what you want — be it burrito, taco, taco salad — then specify the ingredients of your choice, including several meats and sauteed fresh veggies. It’s fast and fresh and good. The interior is punctuated with bright colors that complement the south of the border food. Best of all, a meal here is definitely in the wallet-friendly range.

Waveriders Coffee & Deli

• 6705-A S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 16
• Nags Head
• (252) 715-1880

The only coffee shop on the southern end of Nags Head, Waveriders is a good stop for breakfast or lunch. For breakfast, there are muffins and pastries, bagels, hearty breakfast sandwiches and health-conscious choices such as plain yogurt with fresh fruit (yay!). The lunch selections include a variety of soups and sandwiches, all made with the trusted Boar’s Head brand. Anytime of day, enjoy brewed coffee or coffee drinks with a sweet treat like a brownie or muffin. Waveriders has WiFi, of course. The shop offers bistro seating, leather chairs and couches and outdoor seating on the porch. It’s open 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (though hours may be extended in summer).

Yellow Submarine

• 5000 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 14, Outer Banks Mall
• Nags Head
• (252) 441-3511

Yellow Submarine features hot and cold specialty subs featuring Boars Head meats. Definitely try their Philly Cheese Steak Sub — it’s great! Plus, they offer pizza, stromboli, calzones and fresh salads as well. Kids dig the chicken tenders and their own specialty pizzas and will stay entertained with the video games. Beverages include beer on tap, soft drinks and tea. Eat-in or take-out service is available, as is free delivery within a specific area.