1. Rundown Cafe
City: Kitty Hawk, NC
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (252) 255-0026
Address: NC 12, MP 1
Insider Pick:
Description: Open since 1993, this Caribbean-style cafe has been a big hit with locals, offering spicy, unusual alternatives to traditional Outer Banks seafood. Named for a Jamaican stew, Rundown serves island entrees flavored with African and Indian accents.There’s a full bar, and the bartenders can come up with some pretty potent concoctions. Guinness stout, Bass, Pyramid, and Harp beers are on tap. The upstairs bar is a great place to soak in the sunset, catch a few rays, or linger over a cool cocktail after a hot day in the sun. The downstairs dining area is smoke free. Lunch and dinner are served seven days a week. A kid’s menu is available, and takeout orders are welcome. Rundown is closed in Dec and Jan.
2. Southern Bean
City: Kitty Hawk, NC
Category: Restaurants
Address: Dunes Shoppes, US 158
Description: This comfortable, gourmet coffee shop caters to folks looking for healthful light meals with a great cup of java. Three types of just-brewed coffee always simmer, filling the air with tantalizing aromas. They serve every type of specialty coffee drink imaginable, from espresso and cappuccino to iced lattes—even in decaf varieties. More than 30 flavors of freshly roasted coffee beans are sold by the pound. Inexpensive fresh lunch items are served throughout the day. Southern Bean is also one of the few places on the Outer Banks where you can get freshly squeezed juices and a wide variety of fruit smoothies. Open daily year-round from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the summer, and from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the off-season.
3. Seaside Gourmet To Go
City: Kitty Hawk, NC
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (252) 261-2546
Address: Dunes Shoppes, US 158
Insider Pick:
Description: This takeout restaurant is tucked away within the Dunes Shoppes. Finding it will be worthwhile because insiders try their fresh locally originated food and always return. Seaside makes healthy and delicious food convenient and affordable. Vegetarian and seafood entrees are available as well as sandwiches, wraps, and kid-friendly foods. Menu items are original and healthy. Seaside is open for lunch and dinner.
City: Kitty Hawk, NC
Category: Restaurants
Address: NC 12, MP 2
5. Jimmy’S Seafood Buffet
City: Kitty Hawk, NC
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (252) 261-4973
Address: US 158, MP 4
Description: Jimmy’s Seafood Buffet specializes in food and fun. Some say that the only thing more exciting than the food is the atmosphere. Start your evening off on the open-air thatched-roof porch, where the bar offers eight frozen drinks with a souvenir glass. “Kiddie cocktails” are available for the younger set.Inside this all-you-can-eat tropical paradise you’ll find all of your favorite seafood and all you’ll want of it! Choose from crab, shrimp, oysters, clams, and lobster. Landlubbers can opt for barbecued ribs, chicken, and prime rib, among more than 100 selections. There’s also a soft-serve ice-cream bar.Jimmy’s is open nightly for dinner starting at 2:30 p.m. in season; call for off-season hours and for info on the $100 cash drawing for early birds.
6. Capt’N Frank’S
City: Kitty Hawk, NC
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (252) 261-9923
Address: US 158, MP 4
Description: Capt’n Frank’s is an institution on the Outer Banks, serving all-beef Oscar Mayer hot dogs with a variety of accompaniments. If “going to the dogs” doesn’t appeal to you, Capt’n Frank’s also offers barbecue sandwiches and addictive nacho fries—french fries with chili, cheese, hot peppers, and sour cream. Steamed shrimp is served nightly in season. Wash down the tasty morsels with a cold beer. Capt’n Frank’s serves lunch and dinner daily Memorial Day through Labor Day. Off-season the restaurant is open every day for lunch except Sun.
7. Hurricane Mo’S Restaurant & Raw Bar
City: Kitty Hawk, NC
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (252) 261-0215
Address: MP 4
Description: Hurricane Mo’s has roared into Kitty Hawk. Formerly located at Pirates Cove, this restaurant serves traditional fresh seafood, steaks, pasta, and many island inspired creations in a cozy Tuscan-inspired dining room. Vegetarians have a wide selection, and there is a kid’s menu. Seafood lovers enjoy the steamed and raw shellfish bar. This eatery has a full bar including wine and beer.
8. Black Pelican Oceanfront Cafe
City: Kitty Hawk, NC
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (252) 261-3171
Address: NC 12, MP 4
Insider Pick:
Description: This casual restaurant is in an old Coast Guard station and features an enclosed deck overlooking the Atlantic. It’s roomy and wide, with three separate levels and a huge bar with several TVs. Hardwood floors, tongue-and-groove appointments, light gray accents, burgundy carpeting, and black bentwood chairs all add to the comfortable ambience of this moderately priced eatery. Gourmet pizzas are cooked in a wood-hearth oven. Try the steamed shellfish fresh from the sea. An extensive selection of appetizers is made from scratch. Dinner offerings include pasta and seafood specials, grilled or blackened to suit your taste. A children’s menu is also available. Black Pelican serves lunch and dinner seven days a week year-round.
9. Longboards Island Grill
City: Kitty Hawk, NC
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (252) 261-7833
Address: US 158, MP 4
Description: Entrees include traditional Outer Banks fish, great crab cakes, and shrimp jambalaya. Specials change daily. A children’s menu is available at this kid-friendly restaurant. Dinner is served seven days a week. Open year-round; call for off-season hours. Pool table, games and a large bar round out the offerings,
10. Outer Banks Taco Bar
City: Kitty Hawk, NC
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (252) 261-8226
Address: Ocean Plaza
Description: House-made corn tortillas and a free salsa bar are just two reasons to stop at Outer Banks Taco Bar. The quesadillas and burritos are delicious. Try a mojito or a margarita to round out your meal. Burgers are also served, and catering is available.
11. Henry’S Restaurant
City: Kitty Hawk, NC
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (252) 261-2025
Address: US 158, MP 5
Description: Everyone loves a trip to Henry’s. Easy on the purse, this local favorite serves waffles, pancakes, sausage, and other hearty breakfast favorites until 1 p.m. each day. Lunch is also satisfying here with sandwiches and burgers among the most popular entrees. Dinner includes fresh fish, soups, and salads. A children’s menu is available.