The food in OBX, specifically the restaurants in Nags Head and Kitty Hawk will always hold a special place in my heart. Andrew and I have so many wonderful memories of the area around Kitty Hawk and Nags Head. Our oldest will even tell you that Bodie Island Lighthouse is OUR lighthouse. Every time I come over the Washington Baum Bridge into Nags Head I breathe a sigh of relief…we’re here! We’ve made it to the beach!
While I didn’t grow up frequenting the Outer Banks (most native North Carolinians visit more southern NC beaches) I have grown to love it just as much as someone who did. Andrew, who’s from Tidewater Area Virginia, grew up vacationing on the Outer Banks. I love driving around hearing all of his childhood stories. Much of the Outer Banks has stayed the same as it was twenty years ago, this includes the food!
Fish Heads
Address: 8901 S. Old Oregon Inlet Rd. Nags Head, NC
Fish Heads, without a doubt, is the restaurant with the best view on the OBX! I will fight you over this! Located on the Outer Banks Fishing Pier, this locally owned OBX restaurant is always busting out amazing OBX Seafood. They even have their own house craft beer called “Pier Jumper” (created by Mother Earth Brewing out of Kinston, NC).
Fish Heads began in 2010 and has grown into a favorite with tourists and locals alike. Their shrimp happy hour from 4-6 every evening is very popular. Most weekends you can find local musicians singing their tunes in the Fish Heads dining area. Overall, Fish Heads is a must stop when visiting Nags Head!
Some of our favorite menu items are the Southwest Egg Rolls, Coconut Shrimp, Grilled Tuna Steak (blackened), Grilled Crab Cake and our girls love their hamburgers!
South Beach Grill
Address: 4104 S. Virginia Dare Trail #10, Nags Head, NC
We found this little hole in the wall restaurant on our last trip to Nags Head. South Beach Grill began as a food truck and in the past year become a brick and mortar restaurant. Not only is South Beach family owned, but it’s also family operated as well!
They have a great variety of menu items, but I was super impressed to see such an extensive vegan and vegetarian section as well. So if you are looking for vegan food on OBX this is your spot! We really enjoyed our visit to South Beach and can’t wait to try many more menu items in the future!
We enjoyed the South Beach Grill’s Chicken Yum Yum Tacos and the Philly Cheesesteak!
Blue Moon Beach Grill
Address: 102 E. Dove St. Nags Head, NC
This locally owned and operated restaurant in Nags Head, NC is one of our favorites! We found it one day while driving around looking for the perfect burger for me and something different for Andrew. Thus we found the Blue Moon Beach Grill! It was decorated with beautiful local art (that you can purchase!) and they had the sweetest staff. The owners, Scott and Melissa, have created such a wonderful atmosphere and AMAZING food on the Outer Banks.
One of the wonderful things we also love about the Blue Moon Beach Grill is how active they are in their community. They have participated in multiple charities throughout the years and will continue to do so. You can learn more about their past charities by clicking here.
I have many friends and family members who are gluten free so when I see that a restaurant is willing to accommodate for this I want to scream it from the roof top! You will need to talk to your server about what can be made gluten free before ordering. Plus, another thing we love is that the Blue Moon Beach Grill is open ALL YEAR! So remember next time you visit the Outer Banks in the off season that the Blue Moon Beach Grill has your back!
Named for the saying, “Once in a blue moon!” This is definitely a “once in a blue moon” food experience! Our favorites include the Beach Burger, the Crab Cake Dinner and of course the Shrimp & Grits!
Booty Treats
Lil Booty Address: 2600 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head, NC
Big Booty Address: 6404 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head, NC
A friend of ours on our last trip to OBX insisted that we visit Booty Treats. I had never heard of Booty Treats, but I was always down to try a new ice cream place! It was delicious.
Booty Treats opened it’s doors in 2010 and since then visitors to the OBX have been lining up for their delicious hand shaved ice and yummy milkshakes.
Try their famous Booty Freeze which is a blend of their hand shaved ice and mini melts!
John’s Drive In
Address: 3716 N Virginia Dare Trail, Kitty Hawk, NC
My brother, who has worked on the Outer Banks for the past ten or so years, first told me about John’s Drive In a few years ago. I had asked where could we find a delicious cold treat on a hot summer day and he said we needed to try John’s Drive In’s milkshakes. Oh my goodness! Was he ever right. They were amazing!
John’s Drive In opened in 1977 making it a generational favorite! This Kitty Hawk Restaurant is a walk up style restaurant so be prepared to grab this amazing OBX food to go. There are a few picnic tables located next to the building, but those are almost always full during the Summer season.
My favorite is hands down their famous chocolate milkshake. It is super chocolatey and creamy. Absolutely perfect on a hot North Carolina day. If you’re there for lunch be sure to try their dolphin bites or the crab cakes. You won’t be disappointed!
Overview of the Food in OBX – Restaurants in Nags Head and Kitty Hawk
“Oh, Alyssa,” you’re probably thinking. “You didn’t include my favorite restaurants in Nags Head or Kitty Hawk!” Well, it could be that I haven’t been there yet. If you have any recommendations please leave them in the comments below or message me over on Instagram (@ncfunfoodfamily). We love to try new places and have quite a few we want to try on our next visit to the beaches of the Outer Banks.
Please remember that this list is nowhere near complete and will be forever changing, but we can guarantee you will love each of these fun restaurants in Nags Head and Kitty Hawk, NC.
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