2026 Nags Head Southern Guide

When you ask locals in the Nags Head area where to get local seafood, they’ll almost certainly recommend Austin’s, not only because the market has been in business since 1960, but also because it sells only “fresh from the...

This small convenience store in the heart of Nags Head has become a bit of a local landmark all its own, thanks to its unforgettable name and its coveted merchandise, as well as its selection of great breakfast and deli fare. Biscuits N' Porn may...

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...

Whether you need a little energy to reel in the big ones, or just want to relax after a long day of fishing with an ice-cold drink, Captain’s Andy is a convenient and fun destination that’s perfect for anglers, sightseers, and anyone who...

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...

First launched as a little carry-out joint on the Beach Road in 1995, Dirty Dick’s Crab House quickly become an Outer Banks favorite. With two full-service restaurants here now, there are also two locations recently opened in Panama City, Fla...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Located directly across the street from Jockey’s Ridge on one side, and the ocean on the other, Sooey’s is a good casual place to stop for a bite and take in the view. It offers hickory smoke BBQ pork, beef, chicken, ribs and seafood...

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...