If you’re looking for a simple and delicious meal to please a variety of palates or if you have children in your party, look to these family-oriented Nags Head, NC, restaurants. These are the places to find crowd-pleasing, American-style favorites like hot dogs, hamburgers, sandwiches, pizza, fried and broiled seafood and other local favorites.
Featured for Your Visit
Nags Head, NC, American & Family Oriented
4005 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 13, Nags Head
For more than 20 years, Mulligan’s has served Southern coastal cuisine with incredible views, thanks to its scenic location between Jockey’s Ridge and Historic Cottage Row. Long known for having some of the best burgers on the beach, their masterful chefs recently have been placing a brighter spotlight on local seafood prepared in an authentic Outer Banks style, all with fresh, local ingredients. Dig into a tasty seafood platter, broiled or fried, some good old-fashioned shrimp and grits or the local catch of the day. They also have a steamed and raw bar serving up local bounty including shrimp, clams and Wanchese sea scallops. You can still order their award-winning burgers, along with other landlubber selections, and kids have their own menu. Their two dining rooms can accommodate a range of group sizes, and the upstairs space has its own bar. In the warmer months, you may opt to eat outside on their covered tiki bar with an ocean view or in the designated doggy dining area. The bar downstairs is a popular local hangout with a big-screen TV for catching up on sports. They have live music year-round. Mulligan’s also offers catering from Corolla to Hatteras as buffet, plated or drop-off. The restaurant is open 365 days a year for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch.
For more than 20 years, Mulligan’s has served Southern coastal cuisine with incredible views, thanks to its scenic location between Jockey’s Ridge and Historic Cottage Row. Long known for having some of the best burgers on the beach, their masterful chefs recently have been placing a brighter spotlight on local seafood prepared in an authentic Outer Banks style, all with fresh, local ingredients....read more
For more than 20 years, Mulligan’s has served Southern coastal cuisine with incredible...read more
Nags Head, NC, American & Family Oriented
You're most likely familiar with the food Outback serves. Whether you choose the baby back ribs, prime rib, New York strip steak or lobster tails, you can't go wrong. Plus that Bloomin' Onion is such a guilty pleasure! Outback also offers a wide variety of crisp salads and freshly made soups and sides. Outback Steakhouse is open year round. Take-out is available.read more
Nags Head, NC, American & Family Oriented
Pier House Restaurant at Nags Head Fishing Pier is a favorite location for an oceanfront meal, and it's especially popular at breakfast. You can sit inside in the cozy old-school restaurant or out on the famous enclosed porch (now air-conditioned) that's perched right over the beach and offers amazing views of the ocean waves and all the beachgoers. In either area you can enjoy breakfast,...read more
Nags Head, NC, American & Family Oriented
Pizzazz is a pizza favorite on the Outer Banks. They’ve been around since 1986 because they make consistently great pizza with generous toppings and the service is friendly. Choose from gourmet menu creations or stick with the traditional. Pizzazz also makes hot subs, salads and wings. You can eat in for lunch or dinner or have your pizza delivered. Call for off-season hours. And, if...read more
Nags Head, NC, American & Family Oriented
Originally opened in 1937 by Sam Tillett and his son, Omie, both fishermen, this was the original place to book Oregon Inlet fishing charters and get a filling, pre-fishing breakfast. Sam & Omie's shows no signs of stopping as they head toward the century mark! Stop here for a tried and true Nags Head eating experience. The place exudes a traditional beach atmosphere and serves...read more
Nags Head, NC, American & Family Oriented
Sea Chef Dockside Kitchen is the house restaurant at Oregon Inlet Fishing Center. It's a laid-back traditional fish shack run by a father-son duo of professional chefs – one of whom is a James Beard Award winner. The modern fish-shack menu includes soups and salads, shareables, burgers, shrimp burgers, fried platters, hushpuppies and specialties like an Outer Banks boil and seared rare tuna steak. Desserts...read more
Nags Head, NC, American & Family Oriented
This cozy Nags Head eatery serves barista-quality coffee and espresso, teas, craft cocktails and inspired food for breakfast, brunch and lunch. The star of the breakfast menu is the Crispy Honey-Dipped Chicken Biscuit, but there are other breakfast sandwiches, bowls, burritos and hashes. Lunch includes a fried-chicken sandwich, a blackened fish BLT or fish burrito with a local fish of the day, bowls, salads and...read more
Nags Head, NC, American & Family Oriented
Shaka’s Beach Bar & Grill is all about good-time beach vibes and bold tropical flavors. Experienced restaurateurs from California and Virginia opened this restaurant in early 2025, bringing a fun and flavorful dining option to Nags Head. Shaka’s offers plentiful seating at indoor and outdoor dining and bar areas, and while the atmosphere is relaxed and casual, the service is on point. The bar is...read more
Nags Head, NC, American & Family Oriented
Snow Bird has been serving burgers and ice cream on the Beach Road in Nags Head since 1954. Burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, fish tacos, a Greek gyro, boats and baskets are available for take-out or to eat at their outdoor picnic tables. Soft-serve ice cream, hand-scooped ice cream, sundaes, milkshakes, snow cones and slushees are popular on hot summer days. Bring your pooch and ask...read more
Nags Head, NC, American & Family Oriented
If you’re looking for delicious and traditional Southern fare on the Outer Banks, stop by Sooey’s BBQ & Rib Shack. With locations in Corolla and Nags Head, they're proud to offer their famous Carolina barbecue. They specialize in authentic Eastern North Carolina-style pulled pork barbecue, slow-smoked ribs, beef brisket and Southern fried chicken. You’ll find all your favorite homemade sides here too, including potato salad,...read more
Nags Head, NC, American & Family Oriented
The South Beach brand has been a family-owned and -operated restaurant on the Outer Banks for more than 30 years. After they closed their full-service restaurant in Nags Head they opened South Beach Takeout, Catering & Delivery in Surfside Plaza. They prepare creative appetizers, sandwiches, salads, soups, wraps, tacos, salads, bowls and sides, focusing on fresh, local ingredients, including seafood. Outer Banks diners have come...read more
Nags Head, NC, American & Family Oriented
Kill Devil Grill, a longtime favorite Kill Devil Hills restaurant, has expanded with a second location in Nags Head. South of KDG is a casual, neighborhood restaurant that dives deep into the culinary traditions of the American South and South America. The menu includes favorites from Kill Devil Grill (their Backyard Wings, Cheese Steak Egg Rolls, Southern Fried Chicken, Southern Fried Salad and Key Lime...read more
Kitty Hawk and Nags Head, NC, American & Family Oriented
It is presumed that you know all the attributes of Subway, with its nationally recognized made-to-order subs, wraps and salads. Subway is perfect for fueling up during a busy day of shopping or ordering lunch to go for a picnic on the beach.read more
