Best Seafood Restaurants on the Outer Banks

Our favorites in each town

“Fisherman Approved Seafood” is a term that best describes the incredible variety of fresh seafood harvested from the waters surrounding the Outer Banks.  

Twiddy Pro Tip: When dining out, remember to ask your server which menu entrees feature fresh local seasonal offerings. Lake Mattamuskeet crab meat, Pamlico Sound flounder, local green tail shrimp, Crab Slough oysters, soft shell crabs (a local delicacy!), fresh tuna, mahi-mahi, cobia, drum, and tilefish, to name a few. When it comes to fresh seafood, timing is everything. There’s always something fresh and in season at any time of year on the OBX! Check out our top picks for the best seafood restaurants on the Outer Banks, organized by town.

Blue Moon tuna

Best in Nags Head NC

Where: Blue Moon Beach Grill

Good For: Southern comfort food with a creative flair. A true OBX dining experience!

Price: $$

Menu: Blue Moon Menus

Address: 102 E. Dove St., Nags Head, NC  27959

Phone Number: (252) 261-BLUE

An absolute local favorite, whether celebrating a special event or a family dinner, you will never be disappointed. Creative meals feature a variety of fresh local seafood entrees, as well as salads, sandwiches, chicken, steak, and mouthwatering vegetarian options. A kids menu is available for the little ones in your family. If you’re staying in Duck or Corolla, Blue Moon Beach Grill is definitely worth the drive to Nags Head

Miller's Seafood Restaurant

Best in Kill Devil Hills NC

Where: Miller’s Seafood and Steak House

Good For: Unique dishes & chef made Sushi

Price: $$

Menu: Miller’s Menus

Address: 1520 S. Virginia Dare Trail,  Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Phone Number: (252) 441-7674

Miller’s Seafood and Steakhouse, located on the beach road in Kill Devil Hills, is an Outer Banks locals’ favorite hidden gem.  Tasteful nautical-inspired dining with plenty of room for just the two of you or a large family of 12 or more. Entrees featuring fresh, locally caught seafood, a huge selection of chef-created sushi, as well as chicken, steaks, and burgers.  Bacon Wrapped Scallops, She Crab Soup, or Hot Crab Dip from the appetizer menu are among our favorites. We particularly love the Choose Two Platter, which allows you to create your own combo. You will leave happy and stuffed!

Black Pelican Seafood

Best in Kitty Hawk NC

Where: Black Pelican

Good For: Amazing food with a touch of Outer Banks history!

Price: $$

Menu: Black Pelican Menu

Address: 3848 N. Virginia Dare Trail, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949

Phone Number:  (252) 261-3171

Constructed in 1874, the Kitty Hawk Life Saving Station was one of the seven facilities of its kind existent on the North Carolina Coast. Later it was renamed The Black Pelican due to legends of sightings of a black pelican during many of the deadly storms that rolled into the Outer Banks.

You can’t go wrong choosing the fresh catch of the night, whether it be the tuna, flounder, or mahi. The filets are freshly cut and served with seasonal vegetables and garden rice. Another crowd favorite, which is a little more friendly on your wallet, is the white seafood pizza. Their pizzas are made from scratch and cooked to perfection in their wood-fired oven. A local favorite located on the oceanfront in Kitty Hawk!

Steamers Seafood

Best in Southern Shores NC

Where: Steamers

Good For: Gathering with family and friends

Price: $$

Menu: Steamers Menus

Address: 1 Ocean Blvd. Unit 115, Southern Shores, NC 27949 (Southern Shores Crossing Shopping Center)

Phone Number:  (252) 261-0224

Enjoy a fresh, gourmet seafood meal in the light and airy dining room. Southern Hospitality is served with Outer Banks Flavor during lunch and dinner hours. Seasonal food and drink specials keep the locals coming back again and again, but we know a few locals that order the Shrimp & Lobster Bisque and Steamers Classic Caesar Salad at every visit. Don’t feel like going out to dinner during your vacation? Steamers also offers take-out and catering, including steamer pots.

Sunset at NC Coast

Best Seafood in Duck NC

Best in Duck, NC

Where: NC Coast Grill & Bar

Good For: Southern Coastal cuisine with a water view

Price: $$

Menu: NC Coast Menus

Address: 1184 Duck Road, Duck, NC 27949, on the soundfront

Phone: (252) 715-5532

Looking for a unique, and different type of seafood experience? NC Coast Grill & Bar on the soundfront in Duck offers amazing food with a stunning view of the Currituck Sound. Offering cutting-edge Southern coastal cuisine, NC Coast Grill & Bar offers many Outer Banks seafood favorites with a flavorful twist. Plant-based proteins and vegan dishes are also available. Our favorite is the chef’s board, which is a little bit of everything for the table to share. 

cooking seafood at NC Coast
North Banks Seafood

Best in Corolla NC

Where: North Banks Restaurant & Raw Bar

Good For: Fresh local ingredients

Price: $$$

Menu: North Banks Menu

Address: 794-G Sunset Blvd Corolla, NC 27927 (in Timbuck II Shopping Center)

The line at the door says it all. From the moment you walk in, you can feel the energy in this room is addictive. Delicious choices for everyone in your group, served in a timely manner by a vibrant, friendly, and efficient staff. They use only the freshest local ingredients available. Start your meal off with any of the steamed platters, from oysters to snow crab legs to a little bit of everything.  You won’t regret indulging in the Mixed Grill with a signature cocktail on the side. Go experience the seafood haven that all the locals are talking about!

Best For Take out or Catering

Where: The Outer Banks Boil Company

Good For: Catering or take-out

Price: $$

Menu: The Outer Banks Boil Company Menu

Address: 785 Sunset Blvd., Corolla, NC 27927 (in Timbuck II Shopping Center)
3701 N. Croatan Hwy. Unit F, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
41934 NC Hwy. 12, Avon, NC 27915

Phone Number: (252) 453-6578

Wishing for some good seafood but can’t get the kids out of the pool? Consider a Coastal Low Country Boil from The Outer Banks Boil Company. Say what?! A traditional OBX seafood boil includes red bliss potatoes, sweet corn, spicy andouille sausage, sweet onions, and jumbo shrimp, seasoned and cooked all together. 

You can do take out or to truly relax and have them cater your boil – let them do it all! They will set up the equipment and cook for your whole group. The Outer Banks Boil Company will clean up, including taking out the trash! And they will come to you if you are staying in a home on the 4×4 beaches. For non-seafood eaters, other menu options are available.

Captain George's Seafood Restaurant

Best Seafood Buffet 

Where: Captain George’s Seafood Restaurant

Good For: Really hungry people

Price: $$$

Menu: Captain George’s Menu

Address: 705 S. Croatan Hwy, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Phone Number: (252) 480-6677

Bring your appetite because the Captain George’s Seafood Restaurant buffet is fully stocked with all your seafood favorites! Seafood items covering the entire spectrum are prepared in a variety of ways. This is the perfect way to sample many different types of seafood in one sitting. Many kinds of fish and shellfish are joined by seasonal seafood, like soft shell crabs, hard blue crabs, and raw oysters, when the time is right. Several side items and an impressive selection of homemade desserts are also available. 

After enjoying your delicious Outer Banks seafood meal, it’s time to shop! We have local Outer Banks shop owners in each town to help find the perfect OBX vacation souvenirs. Whether you are looking for an OBX t-shirt or a unique, hand-crafted piece of jewelry, local Outer Banks shop owners have something for everyone.


Twiddy & Company

Twiddy & Company

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