Epicurean Journey

Finding a great place to eat on the Outer Banks is as easy as finding the ocean. Delicious coastal cuisine and fresh ingredients are always within reach, making it not only a beach paradise, but a paradise for foodies as well. If you’re looking for the perfect blend of amazing food and experience, we have just the list! Here a week worth of places for the ultimate food connoisseur.

DAY 1: STEAMER POT FROM MULLIGAN’S RAW BAR & GRILLE

Roll out the newspaper and bring on the melted butter…a seafood feast is about to begin! If you love getting your hands dirty, cracking crab legs, and peeling fresh local shrimp, call in a steamer pot from Mulligan’s Raw Bar & Grille. Filled with your choice of seafood and veggies, this steamer pot comes fully assembled for an awesome family feast. Steam at home or have Mulligan’s steam it up for you for a nominal charge.

4005 S Croatan Hwy, Nags Head, NC 27959
(252) 480-2000
Open daily 11 am – 12 am, Kitchen closes at 10 pm

DAY 2: WINE TASTING AT TRIO

Whether you’re a self-proclaimed sommelier or just enjoy trying new things, you will not want to miss an evening at Trio. With an extensive selection of wines, cheeses, and beers, Trio is the place to sample it all. Their wine stations dispense half or full glasses and feature 24 cellar condition wines to choose from. There are also over 250 beer selections and over 50 artisanal cheeses hand cut to order.

3708 N. Croatan Hwy
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
(252) 261.0277
Open Monday – Saturday 11 am – 11 pm
Sunday 12 pm – 11 pm

DAY 3: JOHN’S DRIVE IN

John’s Drive In is an iconic dining destination locals love and visitors highly recommend. Simple and laid-back, this seaside food shack serves up some of the best fried dolphin boats and milkshakes. Park or walk over from the beach for a quick lunch or afternoon pick me up. This place is a no shoes…no shirt….no problem kind of place where delicious food and treats are quick and easy.

3716 N Virginia Dare Trail
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
(252) 261-6227
Summer Hours: Open Saturday – Monday: 11 am – 5 pm, Closed Tuesday – Wednesday, Thursday – Friday 11 am – 9 pm.
Fall Hours: Open Thursday – Monday: 11 am – 5 pm, Closed Tuesday – Wednesday.

DAY 4: FINE DINING AT THE COLINGTON CAFÉ

Dinner at Colington Café is like being invited to the ultimate Southern Belle’s home for dinner. The restaurant is located in a Victorian style home with beautiful oak trees and gardens. The warm and inviting feeling continues as you enter, with each room offering a different dining atmosphere. The seafood entrees come straight from the docks to your table and are beautifully prepared with quality ingredients. The homemade desserts and wine selection are just as impressive.

1029 Colington Road
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
(252) 480-1123 – Please call ahead for dinner reservations

DAY 5: BUFFALO CITY JUG SHOP

Get a taste of what North Carolina is brewing up at the Buffalo City Jug Shop in Nags Head. The first growler store on the OBX, these guys offer 24 craft brew taps and a full selection of bottles and cans. After finding your new favorite brew, fill up your growler jug to take a little sip of Carolina home with you.

4104 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959
(252) 255-2347

Open Monday – Thursday 11:00 am – 7:00 pm, Friday – Saturday 11:00 am – 8:00 pm, Sunday 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm

DAY 6: FROZEN YOGURT AT SURFIN’ SPOON

What do you get when you mix frozen yogurt with a pro surfer and a talented artist? Surfin Spoon! Owned by husband and wife team, Jesse and Whitney Hines, Surfin Spoon’s atmosphere is a fun blend of Whitney’s creativity and Jesse’s laid-back surfer vibe. While you enjoy your frozen yogurt or sorbert, play in the game room or just kick back and enjoy the surf movies and vintage OBX photos displayed around the store.

3408 S. Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959
(252) 441-7873
Open Monday – Saturday 12 pm – 11 pm

DAY 7: SOOEYS CAROLINA BBQ

Sooeys BBQ & Rib Shack offers those staple southern comfort foods to make you feel full and happy. Savory BBQ, ribs, chicken, seafood, London broil, and southern sides are just a few of Sooey’s special menu items. With 3 locations in Corolla, Duck, and Nags Head, it is always easy to get your fill of NC BBQ.

NOT TO MISS EVENTS:

• Outer Banks Seafood Festival – October
  The Outer Banks Seafood Festival is all about celebrating our coastal seafood heritage and community with fresh local food, NC craft beers, and live entertainment on the waterfront. Great food and local vendor booth make for a fun, family-friendly event to enjoy this fall.
• Taste of the Beach – March
  4 days of food, drink, and fun on the Outer Banks! Enjoy specialty menus, cooking and bartending classes, live entertainment, and events throughout the week.
• Duck & Wine Festival – April This popular annual event offers food and wine pairings from some of your favorite OBX restaurants as you enjoy the beautiful soundfront views from the Waterfront Shops in Duck. Vote for your favorites all while supporting Currituck-Dare Grant Program.