Hatteras Island Restaurants
Dining on Hatteras Island means that you can expect restaurants with originality, personality, fresh ingredients and even some secret family recipes.
The best thing about dining on Cape Hatteras is that there are no chain restaurants with predictable atmosphere and bland fare. All Hatteras Island restaurants reflect the laid-back personality of the island lifestyle in a variety of ways, but you can rest assured that the owners, chefs and staff are quite serious and very professional about the fare they serve and the experience they offer.
Most Cape Hatteras restaurants put a major focus on the bounty of the sea. Local menus tout such specialties as Gulf Stream fish (yellowfin tuna, wahoo and mahi-mahi), inshore fish (trout, flounder and drum), succulent crab meat, oysters, clams, scallops, mussels and more. Restaurants will let you know what’s in season, and therefore the freshest, when you’re on the island. If it’s soft-shell crabs, don’t miss a chance to taste these delicacies! Fried seafood is no longer the staple of local menus, but you can get it if you want it. Most Hatteras restaurants feature more healthy preparations, like steaming, grilling, sautéing, blackening or broiling. If you want to cook seafood yourself, there are several Hatteras Island seafood markets; those are included in the listings in our Hatteras Shopping page.
If you’re not a seafood lover, don’t worry. Even the Hatteras Island seafood restaurants offer a wealth of other options like beef, pasta, chicken, pork and vegetarian entrees. And not every restaurant is seafood-oriented. You’ll find down-home North Carolina barbecue, Italian restaurants, plus pizza places, delis, ice cream shops and bakeries.
Meals are fairly priced on Hatteras Island, and dress is very casual. At this writing, Cape Hatteras restaurants can only serve beer and wine. Most Hatteras eateries close for some portion of the winter, though there is always something open, even in the dead of winter, to serve the growing population of locals. If you’re dining out from November through March, it’s best to call ahead to make sure your restaurant of choice is open. We have listed the Hatteras Island restaurants alphabetically within their respective villages, from north to south, starting in Rodanthe and ending in Hatteras Village.
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Atlantic Coast Café
- 25150 N.C. Highway 12, across from the KOA Campground
- Waves
Serving delicious food for a reasonable price in a comfortable, family-friendly casual setting, “ACC” serves breakfast, lunch or dinner on Hatteras Island, either in Waves or the new location in Avon. Stop in for great breakfasts and fresh coffee (breakfast sandwiches are served all day), amazing grilled wraps, great burgers, unique Reubens (crabcake, turkey, classic), their famous marinated or Cajun grilled tuna, possibly the best chicken strips east of the Mississippi, delicately fried seafood baskets, mac-n-cheese to die for, peppery shrimp salad, a hefty chef salad, a fresh seafood quesadilla, creamy shrimp & grits and lots more. There are also smoothies, coffees, fresh muffins, killer desserts, lattes, teas and a variety of sodas, juices, beer and wine. Friendly and efficient staff, great food and free WiFi make for a great experience. The full menu is available for take-out. ACC opens at 7 a.m. daily.
Atlantic Coast Cafe
- 41001 N.C. Highway 12, at the Avon Pier
- Avon
Atlantic Coast Cafe is a great addition to the restaurant scene in Avon for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Great food, friendly staff, reasonable prices and free WiFi make for a great experience. Stop in for their full breakfast menu and fresh coffee (breakfast sandwiches are served all day), amazing grilled wraps, great burgers, unique Reubens (crabcake, turkey, classic), their famous marinated or Cajun grilled tuna, possibly the best chicken strips east of the Mississippi, delicately fried seafood baskets, mac-n-cheese to die for, peppery shrimp salad, a hefty chef salad, a fresh seafood quesadilla, creamy shrimp & grits and lots more. There are also smoothies, lattes, teas, fresh muffins, killer desserts and the usual variety of beverages, including beer and wine. Large parties are welcome. The full menu is available for take-out. ACC opens at 7 a.m. daily.
Capt’n Rolo’s Raw Bar & Grill
- 53060 N.C. Highway 12
- Frisco
- (252) 995-3663
- map
Fresh local seafood is the catch of the day at Cap’n Rolo’s. From fresh fish to clams, oysters, shrimp and scallops to mussels, crab legs and crawdads, they can satisfy a seafood craving. Fish tacos and great big seafood baskets (served with pasta salad or fries, cole slaw and hushpuppies) are some of the menu favorites. How about a frog leg basket? If you’re not in the mood for seafood, the menu has sandwiches, half-pound burgers, salads and a great selection of appetizers. Cap’n Rolo’s is open for lunch and dinner until 11 p.m. every day, and there’s a kids menu. Take-out orders are welcome. The bar serves beer and wine and is a good place to hang out to watch TV with friends or listen to occasional live music.
Dancing Turtle Coffee Shop
- 58079 N.C. Highway 12
- Hatteras Village
- (252) 986-4004
- map
The Dancing Turtle is a great neighborhood coffee shop, the kind where you’ll find townspeople and vacationers gathered for conversation along with espresso, lattes, mochas, cappuccinos and just plain wonderful coffee. They also serve fruit smoothies, chai, frozen drinks, organic teas, baked goods and biscotti. The atmosphere is warm and friendly; hang around awhile and meet some of the regulars. Wireless internet service is available. Books and gifts and loads of pottery from North Carolina artists are for sale here too. It’s open almost all year round.
Diamond Shoals Restaurant
- 46843 N.C. Highway 12
- Buxton
- (252) 995-5217
- map
Diamond Shoals is well known for its hearty breakfasts. Get here early for eggs, pancakes, bacon, sausage and all the delicious sides you’d expect. There’s a popular breakfast buffet on weekends. Dinner features steaks, seafood, pasta and a salad bar. Diamond Shoals is a family-style restaurant with a friendly staff and a welcoming atmosphere. The kids will love the big saltwater aquariums. Diamond Shoals serves hand-rolled, fresh sushi in season. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week in season. Diamond Shoals is open on weekends in winter. Also on site are the Diamond Shoals Seafood Market, offering fresh fish and other seafood, and a gift shop.
Dolphin Den
- 40126 N.C. Highway 12
- Avon
- (252) 995-7717
- map
The Dolphin Den is a family restaurant that specializes in locally caught seafood. Seafood entrees are served with the traditional accompaniments — cole slaw, cornbread and fries. Favorites include the coconut shrimp, crab cakes, crab legs, seafood platters and pastas. They also feature hand-cut steaks, a variety of special salads and appetizers, sandwiches, she-crab soup and homemade desserts. The Dolphin Den’s Key lime pie was chosen as the best in North Carolina by the Travel Guide Association, and you can try it for lunch and dinner every day. If you want to feed a crowd at home, Dolphin Den offers a separate menu with family-size meals for take-out; this menu includes full meals of barbecue, ribs, brisket, chicken, seafood and Italian fare.
Froggy Dog Restaurant & Bar
- 40050 N.C. Highway 12
- Avon
- (252) 995-5550
- map
Originally a hot dog stand, the Froggy Dog has grown into Avon’s largest restaurant over the years. The Froggy Dog serves three meals a day. Breakfast features everything from cereal to bagels to crab omelets to homemade biscuits. For lunch, there are burgers, sandwiches, salads and gourmet hot dogs (try the Froggy Dog). The dinner menu has something for everyone, from steaks and seafood to pasta and vegetarian dishes. Kids’ and seniors’ menus are available. Families are welcome at the Froggy Dog, and there’s a Kiddie Corner with toys and a TV to entertain kids while their parents eat. The lounge is a popular late-night hangout with karaoke and acoustic music. Ribbits Gift Shop sells T-shirts and a lot of other Froggy Dog paraphernalia.
Top Dog Café
- 25202 Island Pine Drive and N.C. Highway 12
- Waves
- (252) 987-1272
- map
Top Dog Cafe has been a local icon serving great food for more than 12 years on Hatteras Island. They’re reputed to have the some of the biggest and best burgers on the Banks, the largest of which is the two-pound Cyclone. Top Dog also offers innovative appetizers, salads, wraps, burgers, seafood, sandwiches and dinner entrees. Some of the favorite items are the Cajun crab wrap, fish tacos, Jamaican tuna wrap, golden lump crab cakes, bacon-wrapped scallops, fresh mushroom and Swiss burger, Parrothead Salad and Paradise Pasta. The atmosphere is a relaxed and rustic “Keys style” casual — perfect for the whole family. Kids’ meals are available, and beer and wine are served. Top Dog is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week in the summer and is closed on Tuesdays in the spring and fall.
Angelo’s Pizza
- 46903 N.C. Highway 12
- Buxton
- (252) 995-6364
Angelo’s is a casual eatery that serves Italian-inspired favorites like pizza, calzones, subs, spaghetti, lasagna, a variety of appetizers and daily specials. You order at the counter then find a seat in the dining room, and since they don’t have servers you save a little on tipping. This is a great place to take the family because it’s laid back enough for kids and there is a super-cool game room attached to the seating area. It’s open for lunch and dinner every day except Sunday year-round.
Avon Café
- 40774 N.C. Highway 12
- Avon
- (252) 995-7866
“Fine dining in your flip flops.” That’s the slogan at Avon Café. It’s upscale dining, Hatteras style, where you’ll enjoy great service and a nice meal without having to dress up. The atmosphere is fun, with good music for good times. Avon Café serves dinner only, focusing on prime steaks, hand-cut to order, and fresh seafood. An award-winning chef from D.C. brings special flair to the entrees, and a good wine and beer list complements the offerings. There’s a bar area, and they have live acoustic entertainment a couple of nights a week in the summer. It’s open nightly for dinner and closes in the winter.
Beach Mugs
- 24267 N.C. Highway 12, Pamlico Station
- Rodanthe
- (252) 987-2005
Beach Mugs serves coffee and all sorts of espresso-based drinks, tea and delicious smoothies and baked goods. Internet access is available on your computer or theirs. This shop also houses The Glass Bead bead shop, where you can make your own jewelry from thousands of beads. All the jewelry-making supplies you’ll need are available here. They also sell jewelry and photography by local artists.
Big Waves Market
- 26006 N.C. Highway 12, St. Waves Plaza
- Waves
- (252) 987-2352
When hunger calls, head to Big Waves, which is a deli and small market. The deli is for take-out only, and it’s a great place to pick up a picnic for the beach. The deli offers gourmet sandwiches and subs, deli salads, prepared foods and ice cream. The market sells fresh produce, beer and wine (including build-your-own six packs from a great selection of beer) fresh bread, meats, condiments, necessities, organic products, salsas and sauces and much more.
Boardwok South
- 24267 N.C. Highway 12, Pamlico Station
- Rodanthe
- (252) 987-1080
Boardwok South brings something for the adventurous palates of Hatteras Island. Billing itself as an Asian-American eatery, it offers delicious entrees from the wok, incorporating fresh vegetables, seafood, chicken, rice and noodles into flavorful, healthful dishes. There’s also an Americanized side to the menu with surf and turf entrees (try the “steak and cake”), crab cakes, scallops, kids’ offerings and excellent sides. Boardwok South’s atmosphere is clean, comfortably spartan and relaxing, and there’s a bar in back. Boardwok serves dinner Monday through Saturday nights and is closed Sunday.
Breakwater Restaurant
- 57896 N.C. Highway 12 at Oden’s Dock
- Hatteras Village
- (252) 986-2733
Run by Hatteras Island’s native Oden family, The Breakwater at Oden’s Dock offers the village’s most upscale atmosphere for dinner and a long-standing tradition of excellent meals. The second-story restaurant and bar overlook the harbor and its stone breakwater, from which the restaurant gets its name. The view of the sound and the sunsets is breathtaking. The restaurant serves dinner only, featuring creative, contemporary preparations of seafood, beef, chicken, pork and pasta. The fresh-baked bread and desserts are delicious. The atmosphere is sophisticated yet casual. Live acoustic entertainment is offered on the deck on some summer evenings. You’ll love the old photos of Hatteras Village on the dining room walls.
Burger Burger
- 46903 N.C. Highway 12
- Buxton
- (252) 995-0065
Burger Burger specializes in freshly ground, hand-shaped burgers. There’s a variety of burgers to choose from, but the local’s favorite seems to be the Smile Burger with cheese that’s been crisped on the grill. They also offer seafood sandwiches, wings, fresh salads, fries, onion hoops, sweet potato fries and hand-dipped and hand-spun milkshakes.
Burger Burger and Angelo’s Pizza share a building, and together they make a real crowd-pleasing combo. You order at either counter and your meal is served at the seating area. There’s an arcade here, too.
Buxton Munch Company
- 47365 N.C. Highway 12, Osprey Shopping Center
- Buxton
- (252) 995-5502
Buxton Munch has been rockin’ the island’s lunch boxes since 1999. Buxton Munch Company serves big portions of good eats at great prices. The wraps and quesadillas are stand outs, and real fruit smoothies are so good it’s hard to choose. There are also gourmet salads, munchies (beer-battered onion rings, egg rolls, wings), sandwiches, burgers, seafood, fish tacos and excellent vegetarian fare. From March through New Year’s Eve, Buxton Munch is open for lunch Monday through Friday for take-out or to eat in. They open on Saturdays in June, July and August. And they’re open for dinner from mid-June to mid-September. Eating in is fun because this place is lively, the background music is good and the people are friendly.
Cafe 12
- 41934 N.C. Highway 12, Hatteras Island Plaza
- Avon
- (252) 995-3602
Cafe 12 is an awesome spot to satisfy everyone’s craving for a big, hearty lunch or casual dinner. The specialty of the house is the Hatteras Flat, an herb tortilla crisped on the grill, topped with blended cheeses and a choice of toppings — it’s like a California pizza and so delicious. The menu also offers tons of options for wraps, sandwiches, salads, burgers and appetizers, ranging from familiar comfort foods to the chef’s creative inspirations. Children have their own menu here. Beer and wine are served, and you can eat in or take it out. Cafe 12 is open for lunch and dinner every day; call ahead in the off-season.
Chinatown Chinese Restaurant
- 41934 N.C. Highway 12, Hatteras Island Plaza
- Avon
- (252) 995-0118
Specializing in Szechuan, Hunan and Cantonese fare, Chinatown offers all the Chinese favorites and then some. The menu is so long you’ll have trouble making up your mind, and there is also a buffet. You can’t go wrong with daily specials. Lunch and dinner are offered, and you can eat in or take it out.
Coastal Blue Waterfront Dining Restaurant
- 39450 N.C. Highway 12
- Avon
- (252) 995-3800
Winner of 2008’s Hatteras Island Chowder Cook-Off, Chef Cleat Van Meter features simply prepared, elegantly presented dishes that are surprisingly affordable. Van Meter describes his style as “Coastal Fusion” and “Seasonally Southern,” and his range extends from shrimp and grits to molasses-glazed pork tenderloin to dry-rubbed NY strip to all kinds of creative renditions of local seafood. The menu changes seasonally, there are chalkboard specials every night, and an impressive wine selection is available. With its nice atmosphere and expert service, you might be tempted to describe Coastal Blue as fine dining, but the owner says it’s more casual than that, and the entree prices won’t set you back too much. Coastal Blue is open for dinner only every night except Sunday. Call for reservations, especially if you want to be there for the sunset view.
Coffee Shop at Indian Town Gallery
- 50840 N.C. Highway 12
- Frisco
- (252) 995-4044
Inside Frisco’s beloved Indian Town Gallery, the Coffee Shop offers expertly made espresso and coffee drinks, including cappuccino, lattes, mochas and more, plus delicious chai and tea. Heavenly smelling homemade scones and cookies are available too. They have WiFi, and you can bring your own computer or rent theirs. The Coffee Shop is open every day in season, weekdays starting at 6:30 a.m. and weekends starting at 7:30 a.m.
Cool Wave Ice Cream Shoppe
- 47095 Buxton Back Road
- Buxton
- (252) 995-6628
Cool Wave has it all when it comes to cool treats. They offer soft-serve ice cream and hand-scooped ice cream and all the good things that can be made with those — sundaes, banana splits, milk shakes and more. You can play Corn Hole for free outside.
Dairy Queen
- 25199 N.C. Highway 12
- Waves
- (252) 987-1228
This location offers a pick-up window and drive-thru for ice cream and all of Dairy Queen’s frozen treats as well as hot dogs and drinks.
Dairy Queen
- 39774 N.C. Highway 12
- Avon
- (252) 995-5624
You probably know what to expect from the Avon Dairy Queen. Stop here for delicious soft-serve ice cream, old-fashioned dip tops, Blizzards, sundaes, cool drinks and other eats.
Dinky’s Waterfront Restaurant
- 57980 N.C. Highway 12, Village Marina
- Hatteras Village
- (252) 986-2020
Dinky’s name stems from the fact that the folks at the Village Marina call their small marina “the best little dink marina in town.” This is a cozy, 68-seat restaurant with a great big view. At sunset, make time to sit at the beautiful African mahogany bar with a cold beer before dinner. Dinky’s serves dinner only year-round. The fare is traditional American with a creative flair and includes local fresh seafood, beef, poultry, appetizers and lots of specials. Families are welcome, brown bagging is permitted and everything is available for take-out.
Dirty Dick’s Crab House
- 41934 N.C. Highway 12, Hatteras Island Plaza
- Avon
- (252) 995-DICK (3425)
A longtime Hatteras Island and Nags Head restaurant, Dirty Dick’s has a brand-new building (opening in June 2010) in the same shopping center as Food Lion in Avon. Judging by the name, this might sound like a simple seafood shack, but Dirty Dick’s is actually a nice restaurant with a fun-loving atmosphere and seriously good food. The menu pays homage to New Orleans and Louisiana cuisine with dishes such as seafood gumbo, jambalaya and Po Boys, but it also offers a vast array of classic seafood favorites, including the biggest variety of crab preparations we’ve ever seen. Steaks, chicken, pork, burgers, ribs, salads, unusual sides and appetizers and sandwiches round out the offerings. Check out their popular T-shirts and other merchandise.
