North Carolina, United States Food Guide: 10 American food Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Nags Head

April 24, 2020 Jacquiline Darosa

Reviews on American food in Nags Head, North Carolina, United States. With eleven miles of sand, it's no surprise the beach is everyone's favorite attraction in Nags Head. This Outer Banks town just south of Kitty Hawk offers ocean fans every sort of shoreline sport, from sailing and kayaking to snorkeling past shipwrecks or hang-gliding over the sand dunes of Jockey's Ridge State Park. Step into the past with a walk through the historic district and enjoy the area’s distinct architecture.
Things to do in Nags Head

10. Basnight's Lone Cedar Cafe

7623 S Virginia Dare Trl Nags Head-Manteo Causeway, Nags Head, NC 27959-9164 American, Seafood Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Late Night Outdoor Seating, Parking Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Takeout, Private Dining, Seating, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Wine and Beer, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Accepts Credit Cards, Table [email protected] +1 252-441-5405 http://lonecedarcafe.com/
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4 based on 1702 reviews

Basnight's Lone Cedar Cafe

At Lone Cedar Café, we specialize in fresh and local Outer Banks seafood. If you're craving the freshest fish, clams, crab, shrimp and oysters from local North Carolina waters, you'll find them at the Lone Cedar Café.

Reviewed By cr w

Had dinner and a wedding there. Dinner was great but there were a lot of fly's in the restaurant. I don't recommend for a wedding. There was a strong Oder of cat poop in the air, the chicken was over cooked and the beef was under cooked. The shrubs needed to be badly trimmed back and were in the way of the ceremony. We thank you for dining with us and for using our wedding space for your ceremony. We are distressed to learn that everything was not perfect. Your concerns will be addressed.Congratulations to you! We wish you a lifetime of happiness!

9. Tortugas' Lie Shellfish Bar

MP 11 on the Beach Rd 3014 S Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head, NC 27959 American, Caribbean, Bar, Seafood, Soups Lunch, Dinner, Late Night Takeout, Seating, Parking Available, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Beach [email protected] +1 252-441-7299 http://www.tortugaslie.com/
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4 based on 1363 reviews

Tortugas' Lie Shellfish Bar

Reviewed By paxa

This is a fun little place, colorfully decorated with beach themed paintings on the walls, hundreds of old license plates on the low ceiling beams, and a fish tank serving as partial wall divider with at least one large gold fish. The front window side has a few booth seats, beyond that a long wrap around bar counter on one side, and half dozen wooden tables on the other. There is also a larger less busily decorated back dining room but didn't seem to be open this evening. Service a bit of a slow start, might be just opened for the evening, since once they took our orders food came super quickly. We had burger and fish tacos. Both excellent - although the tacos had the most plain tortilla, the contents were just about the best, with an abundance of fish chunks, more substantial than any other fish tacos I'd ever had. And both the burger and fish were very spicy - I read some reviews that complained about the excessive cumin used, but since I like cumin I thought it was tasty. My partner however did feel the burger was over seasoned, as he generally prefers minimally seasoned patties - so I guess you gotta love spicy food to love this place. But if you do, definitely check this place out.

8. Owens' Restaurant

Milepost 16 1/2, Beach Rd 7114 South Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head, NC 27959-9126 American, Seafood Drinks, Dinner, Late Night Takeout, Seating, Parking Available, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Private Dining, Full Bar, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service [email protected] +1 252-441-7309 http://www.owensrestaurant.com
Food
Service
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4 based on 1155 reviews

Owens' Restaurant

Since 1946, four generations of locals and visitors have experienced the famous food and hospitality of the Owens and Shannon families.We are celebrating 69 years in business, in the same location, making us the oldest restaurant in the state of North Car

Reviewed By CPRVA

We were greeted right away and seated right away. This restaurant has cloth napkins and tablecloths. There is carpet throughout the dining areas. The dining rooms are decorated very upscale old Nags Head style. We loved the ambiance. Our waitress was not warm and inviting. She never got very close to our table. I would expect in a restaurant with these prices for the service to be with a big smile and that we are special to the waitress. We did not get that at all. The salad was delicious; the dressing amazing. My wine was wonderful. My entree and my friend's entree were just ok. The crackers brought to the table with cheese have to be opened from wrappers and are crumbly and fall all apart; Owens' can do better; maybe just the hush puppies and bread with the cheese would be better. We left the way we came in and nobody at the front said thank you or have a nice evening or thank you for coming in. We felt like we spent too much money for what we got.

7. Country Deli

1900 S Croatan Hwy, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948-8721 American, Deli Lunch Seating, Delivery, Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Parking Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Accepts Discover, Highchairs Available [email protected] +1 252-441-5684 http://www.countrydeliobx.com/
Food
Service
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5 based on 245 reviews

Country Deli

Reviewed By lainez

This is our third visit to Country Deli and we will keep coming back. All our sandwiches have been outstanding! Their BLT was packed with bacon and Bill’s special was amazing. We tried the Granny Brie sandwich too and it was delicious! The staff is very nice too!

6. Fish Heads Bar & Grill

8901 S Old Oregon Inlet Rd 18½ Mile Post, Nags Head, NC 27959-9306 American, Bar, Seafood Lunch, Dinner, Late Night, Drinks Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Television, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Live Music, Waterfront [email protected] +1 252-441-5740 http://fishingunlimited.net/index.html
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4 based on 565 reviews

Fish Heads Bar & Grill

New this season! Brand new Bar & Grill on the Outer Banks Fishing Pier.It offers appetizers, sandwiches, baskets, soft drinks, beer, etc right on the Atlantic Ocean fishing pier. I have photos.

Reviewed By 684DonR

Only beer and Saki made mixed drinks. Always crowded but still fast service. Don’t miss the 15 cent shrimp!

5. Kill Devil Grill

2008 S Virginia Dare Trl, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948-7760 American, Bar, Seafood Lunch, Dinner Takeout, Seating, Parking Available, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Beach [email protected] +1 252-449-8181 http://www.thekilldevilgrill.com/
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4 based on 2173 reviews

Kill Devil Grill

Reviewed By AllenH92

The place was packed so we thought it must be good. Did not disappoint! The steak burger with side salad, cheesesteak egg rolls and key lime pie were delicious. Everyone from guests to waitstaff we’re having fun and joking with each other. Great time.

4. Tale of The Whale

7575 S Virginia Dare Trl, Nags Head, NC 27959-9162 American, Seafood Dinner Private Dining, Seating, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Wine and Beer, Live Music, Waterfront [email protected] +1 252-441-7332 http://www.taleofthewhalenagshead.com
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4 based on 1056 reviews

Tale of The Whale

Family owned and operated for 40 years, we serve the finest and freshest local seafood, choice steaks, salads, pastas, chicken and more. We pay attention to every detail to ensure your meal is memorable and delicious! Enjoy casual dining overlooking the R

Reviewed By jhnmszrs

The food was great, and large portions. My wife and I had scallops and crab cakes. The scallops were amazing! The crab cakes were a little mushy for our taste but still decent. The service was great and they have excellent waterfront views. Definitely worth a try!

3. Miller's Waterfront Restaurant

6916 S Croatan Hwy, Nags Head, NC 27959-9053 American, Bar, Seafood Lunch, Dinner, Brunch Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Accepts Discover, Takeout, Private Dining, Accepts C [email protected] +1 252-441-6151 http://www.millerswaterfront.com
Food
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Overall Ratings

4 based on 2724 reviews

Miller's Waterfront Restaurant

Overlooking the beautiful Roanoke Sound, Miller's Waterfront Restaurant has been family owned and operated since 1982. Offering lunch and dinner daily in the restaurant downstairs with early bird specials from 4:00-5:00 pm. New for 2016 is The Waterfront

Reviewed By paxa

Came here for dinner on our first evening in OBX - chose this place as it's convenient, almost right across the highway from our hotel. Restaurant is quite large, with colorful ocean themed paintings, well spaced tables, several dining sections with partial dividers, and bar counter in a separate room. Many tables by the windows, no doubt provide good views during the day. On a Sunday night it was about half full around 6 pm. We had mixed seafood and salad with grilled shrimps, both delicious - the shrimp add-on at $5 was the most reasonable and perfect for a light dinner. The comp hush puppies were really yummy. For dessert had the pecan pie, which regrettably was not as good - very lacking on the pecans, mostly bland filling and for what it was a bit pricey at $8. Overall a good restaurant but based on the pecan pie I wouldn't skip the desserts.

2. Blue Moon Beach Grill

4104 S Virginia Dare Trl # 16, Nags Head, NC 27959-9282 American, Bar, Seafood, Grill Drinks, Lunch, Dinner Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Takeout, Seating, Free Off-Street Parking, Television, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Accepts Discover, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Serv [email protected] +1 252-261-2583 http://www.bluemoonbeachgrill.com/
Food
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4 based on 2494 reviews

Blue Moon Beach Grill is located at MP 13 in sunny, downtown Nags Head. We are just down the road from Jockey's Ridge in Surfside Plaza. We are open 7 days a week from 11:30 AM till 9:00 PM. Our goal is to provide each customer with a "once in a blue moon

Reviewed By Girlraisedinthfsouth

Last week was our third return visit since finding this restaurant and its Shrimp and Grits! Continues to NOT disappoint!Rebecca, a North Carolina/Georgia girl (my license plate states "Grits" on it - Girl Raised in the South) who is "marooned" in Ohio!Our sympathies to the Georgia girl stuck in Ohio. Grits are Southern for sure, and when you add a really great sauce, and some shrimp.........well, the Ohio blues fade away. Glad you like us and our shrimp and grits. Cheers and bon appetit!!

10 Things to Do in Nags Head That You Shouldn't Miss

1. Avenue Waterfront Grille

207 Queen Elizabeth Ave Suite 5, Manteo, Roanoke Island, NC 27954-9282 American, Bar, Seafood, Healthy Lunch, Dinner, Late Night, Drinks Takeout, Television, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Street Parking, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Accepts Discover, Table Service, Wheelchair Accessible, Waterfront [email protected] +1 252-473-4800 http://avenueeventsobx.com
Food
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4 based on 319 reviews

Avenue Waterfront Grille

Avenue Grille is a seasonal waterfront restaurant in downtown Manteo serving local seafood, all natural proteins, pizza, burgers and more! We are closed for the winter and will reopen in March 2018. Avenue Waterfront Grille is situated to handle large par

Reviewed By dochall2015

We tried Avenue for the first time and we were pleasantly surprised. The service was impeccable (too bad our waiter was returning to Appalachian State). The salads were super delicious. I loved the shala shala. The onion rings were crunchy with a yummy sauce. I had the crabcakes and they were tasty. All around great restaurant.

Where to Eat in Nags Head: The Best Restaurants and Bars

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