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Email UsWhen you choose to vacation on the Outer Banks, NC, you’ll find there’s no shortage of things to do, like fishing in the outer banks, and places to eat; most particularly, you’ll find there are many Outer Banks seafood restaurants to choose from. Which are the best seafood restaurants on the Outer Banks?
You’ll find several great local restaurants in Nags Head, one of the top towns on the Outer Banks, that are sure to appeal to your palate. Besides the mouth-watering cuisine, another plus is that these establishments are in close proximity to many Outer Banks vacation rentals, so you’ll never be far from the best seafood in Nags Head no matter where you’re staying.
Miller’s Waterfront Restaurant
Overlooking the Roanoke Sound, Miller’s Waterfront Restaurant matches the picturesque view with high quality traditional seafood dishes such as flounder, scallops, shrimp, oysters, tuna, crab cakes, and soft-shell crab, caught mainly in the waters of the Outer Banks.
Enjoy your meal in a casual dining atmosphere and, if you’re lucky enough to be having a late dinner, experience the stunning sunset from your table. There’s also a lunch menu featuring fish sandwiches, fried baskets (flounder, shrimp, oysters, and scallops), and fish tacos in addition to burgers, chicken sandwiches, and salads.
Miller’s has been family owned/operated since 1982. The restaurant adjusts hours seasonally.
Blue Moon Beach Grill
Striving to make sure you have a “once in a Blue Moon” experience, the Blue Moon Beach Grill prides itself on its hospitality, affordability, and of course creative seafood dishes. At Blue Moon, diners come first: if the restaurant is busy, no “to-go” orders are taken so those dining in are not met with long waits when being seated or served.
Succulent seafood dinner entrees include bouillabaisse (scallops, shrimp, calamari, mussels, clams, and Mahi Mahi simmered in a lightly spiced, saffron-scented white wine tomato broth plus Parmesan cheese) and Seaside Bucatini (Bucatini pasta in a pesto sauce with sautéed shrimp and scallops, artichoke hearts, roasted Roma tomatoes, and baby spinach – with shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese topping).
Pair your dinner with the right beverage: Blue Moon has an extensive wine menu, cocktails, and craft and big brand beers. A lunch menu offers a wide range of fish and non-fish sandwiches, burgers, and salads, in addition to some entrees found on the dinner menu.
A spacious dining room, sea-themed décor, and outdoor dining are some of the aspects that underscore the “Blue Moon” experience.
NO seasonal hours: Blue Moon is open year-round 11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday – Saturday.
Basnight’s Lone Cedar Café
A proud “green” restaurant, Basnight’s Lone Cedar Café specializes in dishes made from fresh and locally caught fish, crabs, clams, and oysters, and has been doing so as part of the local fishing tradition of the Outer Banks for a long time.
All local seafood is cleaned on premises, all vegetables are selected from local farms, beef and poultry are all-natural, and herbs and greens used in prepared dishes and salads are grown chemical-free on-site.
Listed on the dinner menu is local green tail shrimp, fresh flounder, fresh 100% local NC blue crab jumbo lump crab cakes, and shrimp and scallops with the Catch of the Day. You can start with scrumptious offerings of crab dip, she crab soup, or Wanchese clam chowder. There’s also Friday night dinner specials, Sushi Sundays, and a buffet Thanksgiving menu. With such delectable menu, this is definitely a must visit when staying in our Nags Head vacation rentals.
Basnight’s is open Tuesday – Thursday and Sunday 4:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. and until 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Tale of the Whale
For 42 years, Tale of the Whale has been delighting both vacationers and residents with recipes collected from around the world. Delicious dishes include blackened fish & grits and blackened fish with pineapple salsa; stuffed flounder; steak and grilled shrimp; and stuffed lobster.
Tale of the Whale is all about choices: diners can choose any of its fresh fish, and they will marinate and grill it; any fish blackened and grilled and served over creamy cheese grits; and choice of grilled fish covered with a creamy tarragon sauce.
In addition, you can choose any two fresh fish under the Fish Duo selection, and it will be grilled and topped with jumbo lump crabmeat and lightly covered with a choice of lobster cream sherry sauce or creamy lemon dill sauce, or any fresh fish (expect flounder) under the Grilled Fish Trio offering that is prepared three ways: blackened with fresh pineapple salsa, marinated with pico de gallo, and glazed with the restaurant’s own chipotle BBQ sauce.
A waterfront gazebo featuring live music and outdoor dining makes Tale of the Whale a memorable experience! The restaurant closes for the season during the winter months.
Tortugas’ Lie Shellfish Bar
Described as a quaint Outer Banks seafood restaurant, Tortugas’ Lie Shellfish Bar is known for its Caribbean cuisine, such as skewered shrimp Barbados (Thai chili glazed shrimp skewered with fresh pineapple, sweet pepper, and red onion), St. Martin shrimp, and Jamaican “jerk” beef.
The restaurant is also known for its beach volleyball court in its backyard!
Join locals and vacationers for great food and fun Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday 11:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. (bar 10 p.m. – 11 p.m. every night except Sunday).
Mulligan’s Grille
Known for more than two decades as having the “Best Burger on the Beach”, Mulligan’s Grille is quickly becoming noticed among the best Nags Head seafood restaurants as well. Selections include fried and boiled seafood platters (shrimp, flounder, and crab cake), Wanchese sea scallops, Coastal Carolina shrimp & grits, Thai chili shrimp tacos, blackened Mahi BLT, and coconut shrimp.
Mulligan’s buys sustainable seafood from local fishermen and waters. As another “green” restaurant, Mulligan’s boasts of recycling their vegetable frying oil and oyster shells as well as glass bottles and cardboard delivery boxes. They also use biodegradable carryout bags and carryout containers made of recycled paper. All produce used on the menu is locally grown.
Mulligan’s is open 365 days/year from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sugar Creek Seafood
Outdoor deck dining and large windows in two dining rooms allow full view of the Sound at Sugar Creek Seafood, a family-owned restaurant serving seafood in Nags Head since 1989. Dining at sunset at Sugar Creek is a spectacular highlight for many vacationers as well as locals!
Some tasty seafood entrees include grilled Atlantic salmon, seafood quesadillas (with Bay scallops and shrimp), broiled yellowfin tuna marinated in tropical teriyaki, and golden fried popcorn shrimp. Be sure to check out specials, which could feature seafood dishes with innovative twists! If you’re looking for something sweet to wrap up your dinner, there are several places to find desserts on the Outer Banks!
Dine Monday – Tuesday 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. and Friday – Sunday 11:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sam & Omie’s
What began as a seaside pre-fishing breakfast spot for local Outer Banks fishermen in the 1930s has become one of the top Nags Head seafood restaurants serving shrimp burgers, clam burgers, crab cakes, fresh sea scallops, grilled marinated tuna steak sandwiches, clam strips, flounder, and shrimp on their lunch and dinner menus (breakfast also served!).
You’re sure to love the laid-back “beachy” feel to the restaurant’s interior and its long history of serving tasty meals with top-notch service.
Closed Wednesdays, Sam & Omie’s (named after original owner Sambo Tillet and his son Omie) opens every other day of the week at 8 a.m. and closes at 9 p.m. (3 p.m. on Sundays).
Lucky 12
This is a wonderful little vintage tavern where cast iron and horseshoes are the main aesthetic. The Lucky 12 menu is full of old school American cooking, and of course with some seafood flare. Known mostly for their pizzas, and some of their Carolina coastal classics, Lucky 12 also has burgers, and even a philly steak on the lunch and dinner menus. If you’re looking for classic American bar food, this is your spot!
Open Monday through Saturday – 11:30am – Midnight
Woo Casa Kitchen
The owners of this Outer Banks restaurant have traveled the world, visiting and learning from other countries, and it shows in their food! On the menu you will find several spices of spanish and asian influences. From the Casa Banh Mi, to the Tuna Poke, to the Woo Wings, everyone can find something they enjoy at Woo Casa Kitchen!
Open Monday through Saturday 10am – 6pm
Greentails Seafood Market & Kitchen
Greentails is a classic Outer Banks seafood market with all the staples, oysters, shrimp, even grouper! The twist is they are also a kitchen, cooking up the freshest seafood around. You can get the old school classic, like a fried fish basket, or you can check out their new school menu that includes tacos, noodles, even poke! If your family enjoys seafood, greentails is definitely the place to go.
Open Wednesday to Sunday
- Market: 11am – 5pm
- Kitchen 11am till sold out
Is your mouth watering for some delicious local seafood now? Plan your next vacation in one of our Outer Banks oceanfront rentals and soundfront Nags Head vacation rentals and stop by some of these wonderful local spots to get your fix.
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