2026 Nags Head American Guide

Blue Moon is one of the hottest new restaurants on the Outer Banks. Scott and Melissa Shields opened the Blue Moon in the dead of the winter of 2009, when everyone else was running worried over the shaky economy. But the restaurant has...

Since its opening in early January 2012, Café Lachine has become a popular stop for fresh deli sandwiches and salads, and truly delectable homemade baked treats and breads. Better still, the menu, written on chalk on the wall, is interesting...

There’s an art to doing a home-style chicken dinner right in the South. You need a chicken fried to golden, crispy perfection obviously. Then you need the appropriate fixings, like mac and cheese and coleslaw. Finally, you need that familial...

Family owned and operated since 1990 at the same location, this deli is not fancy, but it’s got what counts: good food at good prices.  And since Country Deli has been time-tested on the Outer Banks, where the word of mouth can kill off a...

Opened since the 1950s at the same Whalebone Junction location,  although no one seems to know exactly when, Dune Burger is one of the oldest drive-up burger joints on the Outer Banks. It’s just a cinder block square, painted red and...

What’s great about Fatboyz is you can stroll over to it from the beach in your bathing suit, get some tasty food and ice cream, and sit right down on their outside porch and enjoy it. No worries about your wet bathing suit or sandy bare feet...

A past winner of the Outer Banks Food Truck Showdown, this takeout, catering, and delivery establishment proves that great things can come in small packages. Fork'et Me Not has more than 30 years of experience and a new mobile kitchen to call home...

This charming breakfast and lunch restaurant is the Outer Banks version of an old-fashioned diner, complete with a counter and stools, retro pink or green vinyl and metal chairs and tables, and big comfortable booths.   With affordable...

New in 2012, King Tut’s offers a casual place to get a tasty meal without having to worry about the kids getting bored. Quality hot dogs can be enjoyed while the young ones --- or adults ---play some arcade games, pool, ping-pong, Wii games...

Lucky 12 Tavern, located at Milepost 12 Beach Road has everything a great restaurant and bar should have: great food, great beverages, tons of personality and lots of TV's.  Lucky 12 prides itself on serving the freshest North Carolina Seafood...

Mahi Mahi’s Island Grill started as a dream of building something amazing for both the Outer Banks community and visitors alike. Mahi Mah's serves fresh, classic seafood dishes, as well as plenty of classic American options for landlovers.

Outer Banks visitors on the hunt for something tasty, filling, and unique may want to plan a lunch or dinner stop at McGrath's Burger Shack, an Irish American burger bar that has a hearty menu and a cool and easy-going atmosphere that’s...

Located at Milepost 13 in Nags Head, across from Jockey’s Ridge State Park, we have unbelievable views from our second floor deck of the Atlantic Ocean and the historic Nags Head cottages. As a matter of fact, we don’t believe that you...

Nags Head Pier offers some of the best fishing on the east coast. Its proximity to the Gulf Stream provides access to a great variety of inshore fish, and the Pier Shop furnishes all the equipment needed to catch them. The Shop’s experts can...

Located at the Outer Banks Mall since 2004, Outback is an Australian-themed chain restaurant that offers enough choices to please everyone in the family, served in an attractive atmosphere.  Vegetarians in the crowd can enjoy pasta and salad...

It is impossible to match the coolness of dining on a fishing pier, and the Pier House Restaurant is one of the few that offers the experience.  What’s great is you can come right off the beach, or the pier, and enjoy a satisfying Outer...

Pizzazz Pizza now has FOUR convenient Outer Banks locations in Grandy, Corolla, Duck & Nags Head. Made with only the freshest ingredients and finest meat toppings! Dine in, carry out or delivery (from Corolla to South Nags Head; from...

Located at the Nags Head Golf Links, Player’s Grille is not just for golfers. Anyone is welcome to dine at this classy, but comfortable restaurant with a full bar.  Not only does it have a lovely setting, the Grille itself is open and...

Red Drum Tap House has become a Nags Head tradition for locals & visitors alike. For over 10 years, we’ve offered a hearty fare in a casual & relaxed atmosphere complimented by a great selection of 18 micro and domestic beers on tap...

Sam and Omie’s Restaurant is a great place to eat after a day at the beach. Or before you go to the beach. Or, for that matter, before or after a visit to Jennette’s Pier, which is right across the street, on the beach. As authentic...

A combination mini-lunch counter and ice cream shop, Scoops offers a break from shopping with homemade ice cream, cold drinks and sandwiches. The ice cream, with 34 flavors, really is homemade, and is available ---of course --- by the scoop in...

Located at Oregon Inlet in Nags Head, Sea Chef Dockside Kitchen serves up fresh, flavorful seafood with a side of waterfront charm. This chef-driven, locally owned restaurant celebrates the coastal bounty of the Outer Banks with a menu full of bold...

Tucked away in the heart of Kill Devil Hills, Sea Level Coffee and Kitchen is a cozy, feel-good café where great coffee, fresh food, and friendly vibes come together. Whether you’re kicking off a beach day or looking for a relaxed spot...

Located in Nags Head, Shaka’s Beach Bar & Grill is a laid-back tropical hangout where beach vibes meet bold flavors. With its breezy outdoor patio, surf-inspired décor, and island-style cocktails, Shaka’s is the perfect place...

Painted in bright primary color stripes, this little ice cream & food stand on the Beach Road has a long history in Nags Head. Until 1954, it was located near the spot where a kid-sized castle still stands at Jockey’s Ridge. Depending on...

When you’re too tired to get out of your car, or you just are too sandy and wet, Sonic is the answer. Famous for it’s car-side service,  drivers can just pull up to the menu at one of the stalls, review the choices and then order...

South of KDG in Nags Head is a vibrant, chef-driven eatery that brings bold American and Latin flavors and creative coastal cuisine to the Outer Banks. A stylish spinoff of the beloved Kill Devil Grill (KDG), this fresh new spot offers a playful...

This modest deli and convenience store at Milepost 10 off the U.S. 158 Bypass is not just any Citgo gas station stop. As the sign in the window boasts, it’s the “Best Lunch Deli on the Beach,” and many locals would agree. Their...

Most days, this restaurant along the Roanoke Sound is bustling, with vehicles spilling out of the parking lot into the street.  With an outdoor gazebo and views of gorgeous sunsets nearly every evening, Sugar Creek is a popular destination to...

With its fabulous setting on the Roanoke Sound and a mouth-watering menu, Tale of the Whale Restaurant is one of those places on the Outer Banks that visitors flock to year after year.  The family-owned business prides itself on making each...

The Dunes Restaraunt is a favorite local restaurant that’s been in business since 1982 and focuses on local, southern cooking. It has embraced the local food movement, and always tries to use local seasonal produce, regionally sourced eggs (we...