Nags Head Restaurants

Dunes Restaurant has been a breakfast and dinner favorite among Outer Banks locals and visitors for nearly four decades (37 years in 2019 to be exact). Breakfast here is a certifiable Nags Head tradition. Their hearty breakfast buffet and fresh fruit bar, offered daily in season, are a huge draw, yet the a la carte breakfast menu is one of the biggest on the beach, with choices like shrimp and grits, creamed chipped beef, N.C. country ham, a crab and shrimp omelet and a waffle platter. At dinnertime, Dunes is known for its Outer Banks-style seafood – shrimp, scallops, oysters and fish served lightly breaded and golden fried or lightly seasoned and broiled, with all the favorite sides. Other favorites include crab cakes, steaks, burgers, seafood pasta, fish tacos and their famous fried chicken. Just be careful not to fill up on the piping hot hushpuppies with honey butter that are served before your meal (trust us, they’re irresistible!). Family-owned and –operated, Dunes welcomes children and large groups to their casually and comfortably elegant restaurant and R-Bar, serving specialty cocktails, wine and beer. A retail area in the front of the store tempts with children’s books and toys, women’s accessories, jewelry, scarves and much more.

Serving healthy, clean and fresh foods and drinks, Freshfit Café makes it easy to stick to your health and fitness goals. The owners are health-focused and nutrition-oriented and they want to help people eat better so that they have more energy, less stress and fuller lives. Freshfit serves balanced breakfasts and lunches and offers organic coffee, a juice bar, smoothies, detox drinks, a kids' menu and healthy desserts. Local seafood, seasonal fruits and vegetables and clean proteins are the basis for the menu offerings. Gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options are available. If you have questions about your diet or nutrition, just ask and they will help you.

This neighborhood tavern serves quality food at great prices. Lucky 12 has fresh local seafood, hand-patted burgers, great New York-style pizza, authentic Buffalo chicken wings and Boardwalk Fries. Everything is fresh and well-prepared, and the chef creates tasty daily specials. There's a menu for kids. The dining room is open for lunch and dinner. The bar is also a popular late-night hangout, and you can order pizza until 2 a.m. Their bartenders are quick on the draw pouring their 20 beers on tap and liquor. For entertainment there is a pool table, a pinball machine and sports on TV, including the popular NFL Sunday ticket the MLB package. Lucky 12 also features an outdoor patio with TVs. 

With their outdoor deck, superb sound system, 28 TVs and a variety of delicious food, New York Pizza Pub features so much more than just pizza! Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, they offer pizzas, whole and by the slice, in addition to great Italian entrees, such as lasagna, chicken parmigiana and fettuccine alfredo. They serve hand-cut Angus rib eye, chicken and vegetarian entrees as well. Enjoy hearty salads, burgers and appetizers, such as their made-from-scratch potato skins, Buffalo wings, delicious garlic knots and even gluten-free pizza. The pub features a fully stocked bar and more than 30 beer choices from drafts to bottles. If you don't feel like dining out, they deliver from Manteo to Kitty Hawk. Having a party or event? They can help you out with trays of your favorite food to go or even host your event. Looking for fun nightlife? New York Pizza Pub has a full stage and schedules great local, regional and national bands and DJs! 

Dine in cozy ambiance and enjoy a variety of lunch and dinner dishes, including sandwiches, burgers, fish and chips, steamed seafood and vegetables, ribs, steaks, vegetarian dishes, seafood pasta and more. Like the setting, the food could be dubbed "comfort with an upscale dash." Most any beer lover will be happy as a clam here with 18 beers on tap. Be sure to check out their weekly changing draft beer and entree pairings. Red Drum is closed in December and January and reopens in February around President's Day weekend. The pool table in the back room is a nice diversion if you have to wait for table.