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Outer Banks Dinner Restaurants

Whether you're ending a beach day with a waterfront feast or planning a romantic night out, dinner on the OBX delivers. From upscale coastal cuisine to laid-back spots with local flavor, the Outer Banks is full of dinner restaurants where good food meets golden hour.

The Best Restaurants for Dinner on the Outer Banks

Dinner is when the Outer Banks shines, think seafood dinners, signature cocktails, and fresh catch served right off the boat. From Corolla to Ocracoke, you’ll find locally owned restaurants serving everything from tuna tartare and house-made pastas to BBQ platters, tacos, steaks, and steamed seafood pots.

Whether you’re looking for a date-night dinner, a family-friendly meal, or a casual bite after the beach, OBX has a table for it.

What to Expect Dining Out for Dinner

Expect local seafood, Southern hospitality, and sunsets that stop you mid-sentence. While some restaurants are open all day for lunch and dinner, many restaurants on the Outer Banks open around 4 or 5 PM and fill up quickly in summer.

Reservations are your friend. Dress is usually coastal casual, and you’ll often find live music, daily specials, or seasonal menus.

Where to Get Dinner on the Outer Banks

Kill Devil Hills FEATURED Dessert
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American Pie Pizza & Homemade Ice Cream

American Pie Pizza & Homemade Ice Cream

Nags Head FEATURED Crab Cakes
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Dirty Dick’s Crab House

Dirty Dick’s Crab House

Southern Shores FEATURED Bar
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Steamers Restaurant & Catering

Steamers Restaurant & Catering

Nags Head FEATURED Catering
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Sugar Creek Seafood Restaurant

Sugar Creek Seafood Restaurant

Kill Devil Hills FEATURED Steakhouse
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JK’s Restaurant

JK’s Restaurant

Nags Head FEATURED Seafood
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Miller’s Waterfront Restaurant

Miller’s Waterfront Restaurant

Nags Head FEATURED Dessert
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Yellow Submarine

Yellow Submarine

Catering
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Basnight’s Lone Cedar Cafe

Crab Cakes
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Awful Arthur’s Oyster Bar

Catering
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Black Pelican Oceanfront Restaurant

Steakhouse
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Mike Dianna’s Grill Room

Barbecue
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High Cotton Barbeque

Pigman’s Bar-B-Que

Seafood
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Captain George’s Seafood Restaurant

American
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The Jolly Roger Restaurant

Kill Devil Hills Asian
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Mama Kwan’s Tiki Bar & Grill

Mama Kwan’s Tiki Bar & Grill

American
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Tortugas Lie

Dinner
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Goombays Grille & Raw Bar

Insider Advice for a Better Meal Out

  • Make reservations when you can. Especially in summer or on weekends, popular spots book up fast.
  • Arrive early for sunset views. Many soundfront restaurants offer unbeatable golden hour dining.
  • Look for nightly specials. OBX chefs love showcasing what’s fresh, check chalkboards or ask your server.
  • Be flexible with timing. Eating early (5–6 PM) or later (after 8 PM) can help you avoid long waits.

The Outer Banks tastes better with friends. Share away!

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