35 Best Restaurants in The North Carolina Coast, North Carolina

“Once in a blue moon, you have to taste life on a sandbar," says the sign over the bar at this small, quirky, and locally popular restaurant set in a small strip center. The generously portioned fresh seafood and Southern comfort food, lively vibe, friendly bartenders, and an open kitchen make first-timers feel at home and keep regulars returning. There's no ocean view, but it won't matter when you bite into a mahi taco or perfect fillet of flounder. Try the Truckstop, panfried pork loin with potatoes and gravy.

This is one of the few OBX restaurants open every day, all year long.

When a large milk shake is the only thing that will do on a hot summer day, this is the place to head for—locals say they are the best on the Outer Banks, or even on the planet. And when you just can't take one more night out at a fancy restaurant, John's will come to the rescue with the best handheld food on the Outer Banks: burgers, subs, sandwiches (including grouper), all-beef hot dogs, and sides. The Dolphin Boat is a must: pieces of mahimahi (dolphinfish) on a bun, served in a boat (basket), with fries or slaw, sauce, and hush puppies.

Hours vary seasonally, so call ahead on the day you plan to visit.

Sleek design, creative lighting, and carefully orchestrated music provide a mesmerizing backdrop to chef Carson Jewell's locally sourced ingredients and culinary artistry and the talented mixologists who create cocktails using seasonal ingredients and house-made bitters. Try the braised pork shank with sweet-potato puree, collards, and radish pico de gallo, or the pan-seared Virginia scallops with parsnip puree, braised leeks, and apple salsa. You're made to feel very special here, and there's great attention to detail.

There's a lot to love at this gorgeous three-story destination restaurant, from the blackened grouper that emeges from the open kitchen's wood-fired grill, to the sunset views, enjoyed with a signature mai tai on the appropriately named Sky Deck.

Order liberally from the small plates—amidst all the seafood of coastal North Carolina, this is the spot for next-level crab dip and calamari.

The small plates and seafood that emerge from the open kitchen at this bold and bright waterfront eatery are a lot more creative than the name, although it is fitting—sunsets from the dining room or the outdoor tables along the deck are truly stunning. If there's a long wait or you'd like more of a great experience, the same chef owns Red Sky Cafe across the street.

Open since 1984, there is often a long line at the rear of this downtown Manteo institution serving gourmet classics like BLTs, Reubens, tuna melts, and pimento cheese sandwiches. Enjoy your snacks up front in the friendly, honey-blond wood bar or on the waterfront deck around back. Poor Richard's After Hours bar serves pub food in the evening, and live music rocks the house on some weekends.

The Outer Banks' first farm-to-table restaurant, this upscale foodie haven marries Southern roots with contemporary flair and Currituck Sound views. During its three decades of existence, the Blue Point has maintained a commitment to a sustainable menu sourced as locally as possible, with seafood, beef, and other dishes prepared to highlight their texture and flavor. Try the seared Outer Banks scallops with quinoa and turnips or the fish of the day. Blue Point has upped its bar game, offering a nice selection of creative craft cocktails. Waterfront tables are limited, so make reservations early.

This cozy little cottage under a stand of pines serves stellar seafood like crab cakes and fresh diver sea scallops. Other highlights include a pecan-crusted chicken breast in bourbon sauce and the seasonal veggie Dragon Bowl. Enjoy your meal indoors or on a screened porch. If you need picnic fare, the Back Porch Lunchbox, just a block away on North Carolina Highway 12, has sandwiches, snacks, and sweets to go.

Despite a modern rebuild after a fire, this classic seafood house directly on the water (there's an osprey nest mere feet from the dining-room window) feels old-school, thanks to nautical decor and the laid-back atmosphere. North Carolina produce and seafood star here, including OBX-style clear clam chowder and whole fried flounder. Soft-shell crabs come from an on-site shedding facility, and an extensive herb garden provides fresh seasoning.

Perched atop Oden's Dock with views across the sound, this midpriced, seafood-oriented spot serves broiled and fried shrimp and fish, and plenty of specialty entrées like Cajun scallop tortellini and veggie options like coconut-curry stir-fry. The dining room is a bit small, but waiting for a table in comfortable chairs on the deck overlooking Pamlico Sound is not a chore.

Native Wilmingtonian chef Keith Rhodes is a James Beard Award finalist who sources local seafood for inspired, beautifully plated Asian- and Southern-influenced dishes. Copper fish sculptures decorate the dining room's sky-blue walls and watch you enjoy lump crab cakes, blackened swordfish, pan-roasted grouper, and other seafood dishes.

A combination of fresh seafood, local beers, and live music make this a Front Street staple, especially for lunch. Housed in a 1900s grocery building, Clawson's is stuffed with memorabilia dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of Beaufort. Hearty food such as ribs, steaks, pasta, and seafood are part of the attraction, and ask about blue-plate lunch specials. The pub highlights a selection of North Carolina microbrews and schedules regular Friday Night Flights tastings.

Craft beer rules at this wind turbine--powered brewery and British Isles--style pub. Upscale pub fare complements the beer—opt for seared local tuna atop a garden salad or noodle bowl, or go for a bratwurst sausage plate. Cooper accents, lots of wood, and fun, retro touches (a Superman doll denotes the men's room; Wonder Woman, the ladies' room) characterize this huge white building, modeled after a turn-of-the-19th-century lifesaving station.

Regularly scheduled live music adds to the festive atmosphere.

Family owned since 1946, this restaurant, housed in a replica of an early-19th-century Outer Banks Lifesaving Station, feels like dining in a nautical museum: classic clapboard construction, pine paneling, and walls of maritime artifacts. The traditional crab cakes are popular, and the 14-layer chocolate cake is a long-standing favorite.