Best Seafood Restaurants on the Outer Banks

An absolute local favorite, whether celebrating a special event or a quiet family dinner, you will never be disappointed.  Generous portions prepared to perfection, featuring a variety of fresh local seafood entrees, as well as pasta, ribs, chicken, and mouthwatering Angus beef options.  Crab cakes still prepared from Miss O’s original 1946 recipe, the best hushpuppies you may ever taste, along with a huge choice of always fresh menu entrees sure to satisfy anyone’s appetite.  No one will leave hungry! Family owned and operated for over 72 years.

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 gives you the ability to create your own combo. You will leave happy and stuffed!

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, served with seasonal vegetables and garden rice. Another crowd favorite, which is a little more friendly on your wallet is the white seafood pizza. All of their pizzas are made from scratch and cooked to perfection in their wood-fire oven. A local favorite located on the oceanfront in Kitty Hawk!

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.

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. 

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 four cheese Crab Mac N Cheese, with a signature cocktail on the side. Go experience the seafood heaven that all the locals are talking about!

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.

Bring your appetite, because the buffet at Captain George’s Seafood Restaurant is fully stocked with all of your seafood favorites! Seafood items covering the full spectrum, are prepared in a variety of different ways. This is the perfect way to sample many different types of seafood all in one sitting. Many different types 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.