No Outer Banks vacation is complete without sampling the extensive restaurants, cafes, food markets, and produce stands that are speckled along the NC coastline from Corolla to Ocracoke Island. With hundreds of eateries to choose from, the Outer Banks can appease just about every palette, and will be a completely delicious destination for foodies of all tastes.
A History of Food in the Outer Banks
Outer Banks locals have been eating well for centuries, and the original Native American tribes were enjoying the regional cuisine for hundreds of years before European explorers first arrived in the late 1500s.
As evidence from recently excavated sites in Buxton, Frisco and Kitty Hawk Woods suggests, the primary diet of these small tribes was the same as modern visitors and residents - seafood. Ample piles of old clam and oyster shells have been found at these sites, leading historians to believe that the first locals thrived on a hearty, salty diet that was plucked from the sound and ocean waters.
As sparse groups of settlers trickled into the region in the 1700s, sustenance farming also became a popular way to produce food. Eventually, each village along the Outer Banks had its own cluster of personal gardens and local livestock, which often freely roamed through the community.
Grocery stores were scattered along the Outer Banks as well as early as the 1800s, and virtually every village had a general store or two to pick up spices, flour, coffee, and canned goods.
It wasn't until the 1930s and 1940s however, when tourism began to boom in Nags Head and neighboring central Outer Banks towns, that restaurants began to pop up along the shoreline. Beginning with a few seafood shacks, hot dog stands, and burger joints, the restaurant scene effectively exploded over the next fifty years, as more tourists, and more entrepreneurs, flocked to the area.
Today, there are hundreds of restaurant options, specialty markets, fish markets, and beverage stores, and visitors in every corner of the OBX will enjoy endless opportunities to sample the local seafood, produce, and specialty dishes that have sustained residents for centuries.
Fresh Seafood
The Outer Banks and fresh seafood go hand in hand, thanks to miles of sound and ocean waters, and a selective but hearty community of commercial fishermen that head out daily to replenish the local restaurants and seafood markets' supply.
Virtually every menu on the beach has a few standard seafood dishes, which are comprised of regular and typically year-round catches along the North Carolina coastline. Mainstay menu items include bluefish, Mahi, Spanish mackerel, Speckled trout, grouper, and Yellowfin tuna, and these tasty fish come from both the inshore sounds and Atlantic waters, and the offshore regions of the Gulf Stream.
Shellfish are always popular as well - either as an appetizer or entree - and virtually every seafood restaurant has clams, oysters, and bay or sea scallops on the menu, all year round. Softshell crabs and blue crabs are also popular with hungry patrons, and many restaurants also import Alaska Crab Legs from the cold West Coast waters, which are considered by many vacationers to be a beach vacation staple.
Of course, when it comes to the freshest seafood, visitors should check out the seasonal daily specials. A number of favorite local catches are only caught during certain times of the year, which makes them especially enticing to restaurant patrons with a taste for the freshest fare. Red and black drum, flounder, Bluefin tuna, and fresh oysters are all at their peak during certain months, (usually in the spring, fall, and wintertime), and may make special appearances on local seasonal menus.
Regardless of what a restaurant patron orders, they'll also have to decide how they want their fresh fish prepared. Most eateries offer multiple options in this arena - including broiled, grilled, fried, or blackened, which allows foodies to sample the local seafood in a wealth of different styles.
For fresh seafood to enjoy at home, food lovers will want to stop by one of the region's many fish markets. With a huge selection of seafood that rivals any restaurant, local fish markets can offer all the ingredients that a visitor needs to create their own seafood feast, from rubs and seasoning to grilling utensils. Best of all, many of these markets can even "pre-cook" the seafood for customers, (by grilling, frying or broiling), which means that all a hungry seafood fan has to do is order, pick-up, and enjoy.
Local Produce
Eastern North Carolina is known for its exceptional farming, and visitors traveling to the Outer Banks via US 64 or US 158 will notice a lot of fertile fields and farm stands along the highway.
While there are a handful of community gardens on the Outer Banks, which are utilized by local restaurants and residents alike, the majority of fresh produce comes from the coastal mainland and piedmont regions of the state.
The western mountains of North Carolina supplies its own goodies as well to the coast, including farm-raised beef and chicken, handcrafted Ashe County cheese, and dozens of varieties of Mountain Apples in the fall.
Summertime visitors will arguably have the best selection of fresh produce, as the region enjoys an influx of fresh corn, squash, eggplants, fresh herbs, and of course, southern tomatoes. There are an endless range of tomatoes available when the weather heats up, from little yellow cherries to charmingly misshapen heirloom varieties, and visitors are encouraged to sample a number of different kinds to explore the subtle difference between one type of 'mater and the next.
Finding fresh produce is easy, especially in the summer, when a number of fruit and veggie stands set up shop along the main road. Visitors can also check out the weekly farmer's markets, which are held in the summer months in Manteo on Saturday mornings, and in Avon on Hatteras Island on Tuesday mornings.
Local grocery stores are also exceptionally good on acquiring local produce, and many stores also note which fruits and vegetables are locally grown.
Types of Restaurants
With hundreds of restaurants to choose from, visitors can expect plenty of variety when it comes to types of restaurants on the Outer Banks. While the central OBX towns of Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills and Kitty Hawk offer the most restaurants along this stretch of NC shoreline, every village from Corolla to Ocracoke has its own unique sampling of different styles and cuisines.
Casual diners will find a range of hamburger joints, seafood shacks and ice cream stands along the Beach Road, or NC Highway 12, in the central Outer Banks, and in small shopping centers and eateries throughout the OBX region. Nags Head and Kill Devil Hills are also home to a string of fast food restaurants, a region known locally as "Fast Food Alley," which offers nearly a dozen fast and casual eateries that are lined up along US Highway 158.
For a picnic on the beach or a fast meal at the hotel or vacation rental, visitors can also head to one of the many local markets and delis to grab a freshly made sandwich with all the quintessential Southern sides, like potato salad, pasta salad and cole slaw. These grab and go specialty stores offer a wealth of take-out options, as well indulgent condiments, spices, marinades and rubs that typically can't be found anywhere else along the Outer Banks.
Seafood restaurants are easily the most popular, and most abundant, restaurants along the beaches, and generally offer a range of standard and special catches, in addition to steaks, burgers, and other typical American fare. North Carolina Barbecue is also big in the Outer Banks, and each BBQ joint has its own unique spin on Eastern North Carolina's signature vinegar-based barbecue sauce.
For something different, visitors can also opt to dine at one of the many Mexican, Chinese Italian, Japanese and even Thai restaurants that are scattered throughout the OBX, but which are most prominent in Nags Head and Kill Devil Hills. The Outer Banks also has a surprisingly large number of Caribbean restaurants, which perfectly complements the local supply of seafood. (These are fantastic places to try out one the Outer Banks' newest local staples - the fresh fish taco.)
Every community also has its own collection of fine dining establishments, which are often found in pretty settings in the maritime woods, close to the oceanfront, or along the soundfront. For a romantic dinner for two, nothing beats heading to a soundfront restaurant around sunset to enjoy a drink and a decadent meal over the open water.
The Currituck Banks, central Outer Banks, Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island all have a handful of waterfront establishments to choose from, with both indoor and outdoor dining options, and these eateries are the best destinations for enjoying cuisine in an absolutely striking, on-the-water environment.
Of course, enjoying a lazy night in with a hot pizza is always an option too, and there are plenty of local pizza joints that deliver, or can provide perfectly-constructed pies for pick-up.
All in all, there's a restaurant to satisfy every craving on the Outer Banks, ensuring that all a visitor has to do to fully enjoy the dining scene is to bring along a ravenous appetite.
Major Events on the Outer Banks
While there are endless everyday ways for visitors to sample the abundance of fresh seafood on the Outer Banks, there are a few signature local festivals and events that attract foodies from all across the East Coast.
The Taste of The Beach is arguably the biggest food-centric festival on the Outer Banks, and is a four day celebration of local eating. Typically held in mid to late March, the Taste of the Beach features more than 60 food events at nearly 40 different venues, including a Grand Tasting which brings together the talents of dozens of local Outer Banks chefs.
The Taste of the Beach's sister event, the Outer Banks Restaurant Week, is held in the fall (usually early October) and gives hungry visitors a chance to sample dozens of different restaurants from Corolla to Hatteras Island. Each participating restaurant offers a special event menu which features their best fare, and which is offered at a reduced rate to restaurant Week participants.
The Outer Banks Seafood Festival, one of the NC coastline's newest events, gives October visitors an all-encompassing opportunity to sample a wealth of different fresh seafood dishes. With a lineup of restaurants, vendors, and local commercial fishermen on hand, this popular Nags Head festival celebrates all-things-seafood in a gorgeous setting along the open Albemarle and Roanoke Sound waters.
Hatteras Island fans will want to plan a trip in late September to check out the 10+ year running Day at the Docks. This day-long festival pays homage to the local commercial fishermen of the Outer Banks, and features a full schedule of live fishing demonstrations, kids' activities, and the island's largest Clam Chowder contest. Visitors are welcome to sample the dozens of different chowders, supplied by local restaurants and chefs, and vote on their favorites for a small fee.
Ocracoke Island celebrates the holidays with an annual, community-wide Oyster Roast, which is held in the week between Christmas and New Year's, and which benefits the Ocracoke Working Watermen's Association. This afternoon celebration features piles of fresh oysters, steamed shrimp, seafood stew, and all the fixins' to the delight of hungry patrons.
Remember that in addition to these favorite events, there's almost always a seasonal fish fry, oyster roast, or other fundraising event at the Outer Banks' local schools, churches, and community centers. Look for the homemade signs that are stationed along US Highway 158 and NC Highway 12, and make a plan to pick up a fresh (and often cheap) platter of locally prepared Outer Banks seafood.
In-Season Dining tips
Visitors who are heading to the Outer Banks in the summertime will want to keep these dining tips in mind to ensure that everyone in the party can enjoy a delightful and easy-going meal.
- Friday nights are the most popular nights on the Outer Banks for dining out, and 7:00 p.m. is the most popular dinner time. Visitors who don't want to wait are advised to call ahead and ask for reservations, or avoid these prime times at their favorite restaurants when possible.
- Larger parties of 8 people or more may want to call ahead and make a reservation, or at least notify the restaurant that they are coming, and their estimated time of arrival. This way, restaurants can make any accommodations required to fit and cater to a large group.
- Many restaurants on the Outer Banks close earlier than more cosmopolitan regions, especially on Hatteras Island, the Currituck Beaches, and Ocracoke Island. Expect more restaurants to stop food service at 9:00 p.m. or 10:00 p.m., and plan accordingly.
- For the freshest seafood, pay attention to the specials menu or marquis. The daily special at most restaurants typically features fresh catches that are in-season, and / or have been caught just hours before landing on the plate.
- On the southern Outer Banks, try the Hatteras Clam Chowder. This unique version of chowder features a clear broth, a heap of potatoes and onions, and plenty of local clams.
- Many local restaurants that are open for lunch and dinner feature "Happy Hour" specials between 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. or so. With discounts on steamed shrimp, hot wings, clams, oysters, and other delicacies, Happy Hour is a perfect time for food lovers to sample the local cuisine on a budget.
- Don't forget the drinks! North Carolina is rapidly becoming one of the most renowned and popular states for homegrown local breweries, and Eastern North Carolina is distinctive for its growing supply of vineyards that specialize in Scuppernong-based wine.
- Above all else, bring an appetite. With nearly 500 restaurants on the Outer Banks that range from donut shops to waterfront bistros, it's no secret that the OBX is the vacation destination of choice for beach-loving food fans.
