Across the Hatteras restaurants scene in Outer Banks seafood steals the spotlight. As is the custom of Outer Banks cuisine, many places serve up big, broiled or fried platters of fresh seafood – most of which is locally caught. Mahi mahi bites with beach fries, shrimp tacos and fried oyster sandwiches are available in surplus at many restaurants in Hatteras. In fact, it’s often not surprising that several of these eateries are long-standing local establishments where villages and fishermen gather to share stories, have a drink and grab a bite. Hatteras restaurants also include some less-expected players in their seafood dishes. The seafood, which changes by availability and what’s in season – often reflects the chefs’ creativity at these restaurants. They’ll play with different flavors, and diners get to taste the result in innovative preparations of shrimp succotash, artistically seared tuna or flavorful Hawaiian poke.
Featured for Your Visit
Hatteras Seafood Specialties & Steam Bars
47355 N.C. Highway 12, Buxton
Experience island cuisine and the vibrant and bold flavors of the tropics at Rusty's Surf and Turf on Hatteras Island. Rusty Midgett, the owner and chef, is a native of the island who gained valuable experience in some of Philadelphia's top restaurants. Inspired by his travels to surf destinations like the Caribbean, the Mexican Riviera and the Pacific Rim, Midgett creates creative and delicious dishes using fresh seafood and premium beef. The restaurant is adorned with colorful and cheerful local artwork and has a full bar that features North Carolina beers and handcrafted cocktails. Rusty's also offers a fun bar menu with appetizers. In the summer, dinner is served seven days a week, and off-season hours are available upon request. The restaurant is conveniently located between Natural Art Surf Shop and the ABC Store. Get ready to be surprised by the unique flavors and preparations at Rusty's Surf and Turf.
Experience island cuisine and the vibrant and bold flavors of the tropics at Rusty's Surf and Turf on Hatteras Island. Rusty Midgett, the owner and chef, is a native of the island who gained valuable experience in some of Philadelphia's top restaurants. Inspired by his travels to surf destinations like the Caribbean, the Mexican Riviera and the Pacific Rim, Midgett creates creative and delicious dishes...
read moreExperience island cuisine and the vibrant and bold flavors of the tropics at Rusty's Surf...
read more
Hatteras Seafood Specialties & Steam Bars
46843 N.C. Highway 12, Buxton
Diamond Shoals is a family-owned restaurant that has been serving visitors and locals for 30 years. It’s open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner and welcomes large groups. Breakfast is full service and hearty, including omelets, platters, hotcakes and more. At lunch or dinner, be sure to try their award-winning clam chowder and crab bisque. They are well known for having the largest fish selection on Hatteras Island as well as for their large salad bar and full-service sushi bar (call or check the website for sushi bar hours). Since Diamond Shoals Restaurant carries all ABC permits, they have a vast selection of cocktails and favorite draft beers as well as an established sake bar, which makes them unique on Hatteras Island. Their seafood market is open daily with a large selection of fresh, local seafood. Catering for all your events or family gatherings is available; choose from sushi, fresh seafood or from their vast menu of options.
Diamond Shoals is a family-owned restaurant that has been serving visitors and locals for 30 years. It’s open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner and welcomes large groups. Breakfast is full service and hearty, including omelets, platters, hotcakes and more. At lunch or dinner, be sure to try their award-winning clam chowder and crab bisque. They are well known for having the largest fish selection...read more
Diamond Shoals is a family-owned restaurant that has been serving visitors and locals for 30 years. It’s...read more
Hatteras Seafood Specialties & Steam Bars
40050 N.C. Highway 12, Avon
This long-established, seafood-oriented restaurant is committed to serving top-quality, scratch-made fare in a friendly setting. Diners enjoy a lot of seafood, burgers, sandwiches, steaks, pasta dishes, gluten-free items, vegetarian options and kids' offerings. The full bar focuses on craft brews and North Carolina beers, and their in-house sommelier has gathered wines from around the world into an impressive wine selection. On select evenings, they offer a five-course wine-pairing dinner. During the summer season, there is Adult Karaoke (21+) in the pub on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Live music is on Wednesdays and Fridays from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The popular Sunday Brunch with a special menu is offered from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Private dining areas are available for wine dinners, events and celebrations. Froggy Dog is the sister restaurant of the popular Avon restaurants Cups and Cones and Muffins and Scones.
This long-established, seafood-oriented restaurant is committed to serving top-quality, scratch-made fare in a friendly setting. Diners enjoy a lot of seafood, burgers, sandwiches, steaks, pasta dishes, gluten-free items, vegetarian options and kids' offerings. The full bar focuses on craft brews and North Carolina beers, and their in-house sommelier has gathered wines from around the world into an impressive wine selection. On select evenings, they offer a...read more
This long-established, seafood-oriented restaurant is committed to serving top-quality, scratch-made fare in a friendly setting....read more
Hatteras Seafood Specialties & Steam Bars
24502 N.C. Highway 12, Waves Village Watersports Resort, Rodanthe
Perched above Kitty Hawk Kites in Waves Village Watersports Resort in Rodanthe, Good Winds Restaurant is the perfect day or evening stop for delicious beach cuisine and stunning views. Good Winds dishes out the freshest local seafood, a creative and updated menu and the broadest selection of wines and craft beers in the Tri-Villages. Known for their delicious meals at friendly prices, Good Winds also offers the ultimate sunset views on the Outer Banks. With a prime spot right on the waterfront, overlooking a top kiteboarding location, this is the ideal choice for a romantic dinner, a fun evening with friends or a relaxing family meal.
Perched above Kitty Hawk Kites in Waves Village Watersports Resort in Rodanthe, Good Winds Restaurant is the perfect day or evening stop for delicious beach cuisine and stunning views. Good Winds dishes out the freshest local seafood, a creative and updated menu and the broadest selection of wines and craft beers in the Tri-Villages. Known for their delicious meals at friendly
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read more Perched above Kitty Hawk Kites in Waves Village Watersports Resort in
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Hatteras Seafood Specialties & Steam Bars
40774 N.C. Highway 12, Avon
Oceanas is a casual, cozy restaurant that the locals love. In the heart of Avon, its welcoming atmosphere beckons diners for lunch and dinner daily and breakfast on the weekends. The lunch and dinner menu features freshly made, well-seasoned burgers, fresh local fish and seafood, crab cakes, a variety of sandwiches and wraps, salads and the very popular fish tacos and grillers, which are like an open-face quesadilla. They also have some fancier offerings like prime rib, NY strip, sesame-seared tuna steaks (the house favorite) pasta dishes, chicken, daily specials and a very nice wine selection. Weekend breakfast brings omelettes, Benedicts, biscuits, wraps, bowls, pancakes, avocado toast and more. True to Hatteras style, Oceanas is a place where everyone feels at home. Relax in the bar with your favorite drink and watch the big-screen TVs or gather with friends and family for an enjoyable dining experience. Outdoor seating is available on the porch. Oceanas is open every day year-round.
Oceanas is a casual, cozy restaurant that the locals love. In the heart of Avon, its welcoming atmosphere beckons diners for lunch and dinner daily and breakfast on the weekends. The lunch and dinner menu features freshly made, well-seasoned burgers, fresh local fish and seafood, crab cakes, a variety of sandwiches and wraps, salads and the very popular fish tacos and grillers, which are like an...read more
Oceanas is a casual, cozy restaurant that the locals love. In the heart of Avon,...read more
Hatteras Seafood Specialties & Steam Bars
47355 N.C. Highway 12, Buxton
Experience island cuisine and the vibrant and bold flavors of the tropics at Rusty's Surf and Turf on Hatteras Island. Rusty Midgett, the owner and chef, is a native of the island who gained valuable experience in some of Philadelphia's top restaurants. Inspired by his travels to surf destinations like the Caribbean, the Mexican Riviera and the Pacific Rim, Midgett creates creative and delicious dishes using fresh seafood and premium beef. The restaurant is adorned with colorful and cheerful local artwork and has a full bar that features North Carolina beers and handcrafted cocktails. Rusty's also offers a fun bar menu with appetizers. In the summer, dinner is served seven days a week, and off-season hours are available upon request. The restaurant is conveniently located between Natural Art Surf Shop and the ABC Store. Get ready to be surprised by the unique flavors and preparations at Rusty's Surf and Turf.
Experience island cuisine and the vibrant and bold flavors of the tropics at Rusty's Surf and Turf on Hatteras Island. Rusty Midgett, the owner and chef, is a native of the island who gained valuable experience in some of Philadelphia's top restaurants. Inspired by his travels to surf destinations like the Caribbean, the Mexican Riviera and the Pacific Rim, Midgett creates creative and delicious dishes...
read moreExperience island cuisine and the vibrant and bold flavors of the tropics at Rusty's Surf...
read more
Hatteras Seafood Specialties & Steam Bars
Boardwok South brings something for the adventurous palates of Hatteras Island. Boardwok offers delicious Asian-style 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 land and sea specialties (try the “steak and cake”), crab cakes, scallops, kids’ offerings and excellent sides. The steaks are hand cut and the seafood...read more
Hatteras Seafood Specialties & Steam Bars
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 nightly in season starting at...read more
Hatteras Seafood Specialties & Steam Bars
Buxton Munch has been rockin’ Hatteras Island lunches since 1999. Located next to the ABC store in the Osprey Shopping Center, Buxton Munch Company serves big portions of good eats at great prices. The fish tacos, shrimp tacos and crab cakes are stand outs, and there are also gourmet salads, munchies, quesadillas, wraps, sandwiches, subs, Angus burgers, seafood and excellent vegetarian fare. They serve coffee,...read more
Hatteras Seafood Specialties & Steam Bars
An intimate restaurant, Cafe Pamlico is The Inn on Pamlico Sound’s signature eatery, offering gourmet cuisine overlooking the waters of the sound. Cafe Pamlico’s casual fine dining features local seafood, vegetables grown on-site, organic beef and poultry, homemade soups, appetizers, desserts and an extensive wine and beer list. You can opt for a multi-course meal or stop in and grab appetizers at their well-stocked bar....read more
Hatteras Seafood Specialties & Steam Bars
The newest establishment from a longtime Hatteras restaurateur, Cockeyed Clam focuses on locally sourced seafood and New American cuisine. The setting is island-style with a casually elegant, spacious interior and outdoor seating on covered porches. The daily specialty cocktails from the Clam Bar are always worth a try, or you can choose from their thoughtfully chosen wine and beer list. Start with appetizers like Hatteras...read more
Hatteras Seafood Specialties & Steam Bars
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 to enjoy beer, wine and a full spirits menu. Dinky’s serves dinner only year-round. The fare is traditional...read more
Hatteras Seafood Specialties & Steam Bars
New in 2023, Frisco Bay Coastal Gril is open for lunch and dinner daily. They serve a big menu with something for everyone, from shareables and personal pizzas to steamers, seafood baskets, sandwiches and entrees featuring local seafood. The fish tacos are a big hit.read more
