NC Coast Grill & Bar: Waterfront Dining in Duck Village

NC Coast Grill & Bar’s Start

NC Coast Grill & Bar may be a newcomer to the Duck restaurant scene, but Head Chef Wes Stepp has been cooking on the Outer Banks for 30 years. Originally from West Virginia, Wes cooked his way through college and during summers on the OBX. His culinary skills are self-taught, as he worked with some great chefs over the years and learned through experience. After cooking at Kelly’s Restaurant in Nags Head for 15 years, Wes opened Red Sky Cafe in Duck. Due to the great success and popularity of Red Sky Cafe, Wes decided to open another restaurant in Duck.

NC Coast Grill & Bar was newly constructed on the waterfront in Duck in 2019 in a modern coastal theme. The restaurant opened its doors on November 16, 2019, and was instantly popular with locals and visitors alike. Once the word got around about the amazing Chef’s Boards at NC Coast Grill & Bar, everyone wanted to try one.

Opening a restaurant on the Outer Banks during the off-season is challenging in normal years, but the COVID-19 pandemic amplified the challenges. Instead of closing the restaurant when the pandemic hit, NC Coast Grill & Bar adapted to the situation and got creative. While the bridges to the OBX were closed, NC Coast Grill & Bar was the first restaurant in Duck to offer take-out and delivery when other restaurants were closed. They also created a virtual market, which was a favorite among non-resident property owners that were quarantining on the Outer Banks. In addition, they found ways to assist the Outer Banks community, by feeding the entire Outer Banks Hospital staff for free, as well as feeding 600 children in three days when the local schools closed. When many OBX restaurants were closed, NC Coast Grill & Bar pivoted their entire operation and was open 7 days per week until 8:00 pm.

“The friends that we’ve met (through this year) makes us realize just how important it is to do what we do.”

Eat and Drink at NC Coast Grill & Bar

The cuisine at NC Coast Grill & Bar is coastal Southern with influences from around the world. On the menu, Carolina Crab Dip appears alongside a Coconut Curry Bowl. Steamed seafood and creative salads are also available. Can’t decide what to order? Try an NC Coast Grill & Bar’s Chef’s Board. The board features small bites of the chef’s choices, which vary depending on the day. The board is as beautiful as it is delicious. It gained popularity when some of the first patrons to the restaurant shared photos of the gorgeous boards on social media.

“It is an event dining situation.”

Enjoy the View with Your Meal

Since NC Coast Grill & Bar is right on the soundfront, gorgeous sound views and stunning sunsets are on tap. In addition to the waterfront outdoor dining available, you can make a reservation to dine on the water at the end of their pier, which seats up to 10 people. The restaurant can be accessed via the Duck boardwalk, and boat docking is available for those that arrive by water.

COVID Precautions at NC Coast Grill & Bar

NC Coast Grill & Bar has worked hard to create a safe environment for their employees and guests. They are doing 50% capacity for indoor dining, and they have added a tent outside for additional outdoor dining. They are following all sanitation standards and employees and patrons wear masks.

Chef Wes’ OBX Recommendations

Wes recommends experiencing all of the flavors of the Outer Banks, by visiting as many OBX restaurants as possible. He also recommends a wild horse tour on the 4×4 beaches, as it is an amazing experience for all ages. Wes encourages visitors to the Outer Banks to take advantage of the wide-open spaces that our area has to offer. Taking a walk on the beach is extra special now since everyone has been inside so much this year.

“Here at NC Coast, we feel very grateful for all the support.”