Nags Head Restaurants

This popular take-out food and ice cream stand serves an array of ice cream concoctions – shakes, sundaes, cones – as well as hand-pattied burgers, fresh grilled tuna, french fries, Hebrew National hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, onion rings, fresh-squeezed orange/lime/lemonades and more. Be sure to try their no-filler, all-killer jumbo crabcake. The ice cream is absolutely delectable, and you must try Stacie's delicious ice cream cakes for special occasions (call ahead to order). Fatboyz is across the street from Jennette’s Pier, and you can eat on-site at a handful of tables on the side deck. Though the line is often long at this very popular spot, don’t despair; it moves very quickly.

With locations in Kitty Hawk, Nags Head and Avon, La Fogata is an Outer Banks standby for good, filling, traditional Mexican fare. Locals love it for offering tasty food at a good value. Within minutes of sitting down, you’ll have warm chips and yummy salsa to munch on while you look over the extensive menu. They serve beer and wine and have a full bar (hint: try the margarita!), and they’re open year-round for lunch and dinner every day.

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 the some of the best burgers on the beach, their masterful chefs have recently been placing a brighter spotlight on local seafood prepared in an authentic Outer Banks style, all with fresh, local ingredients. Start off with the Crab Pretzel or some Carolina Lump Crab Bisque. Dig into a tasty seafood platter, broiled or fried, some good old-fashioned shrimp and grits or the Tuscan Baked Rockfish. They also have a steamed and raw bar serving up some ocean 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 to peruse. Mulligan’s two dining rooms can accommodate a range of groups, 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 if you bring along any four-legged friends. 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, customized in three different styles: buffet, plated or drop-off. The restaurant is open 365 days a year for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch.

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 you're driving to the Outer Banks from the north, check out their location in Grandy on the Currituck mainland.

Owned and operated by fifth-generation Dare County locals, Sooey’s BBQ specializes in authentic eastern North Carolina pork barbecue, slow-smoked ribs, beef brisket, pulled barbecue chicken and Southern fried chicken. Their savory pulled-pork barbecue and ribs are made from an Outer Banks recipe with roots as deep as those on their own family tree. All the favorite homemade sides are here, including potato salad, cole slaw, baked beans, mac and cheese, corn bread, onion rings and killer hushpuppies. Appetizers, wings, burgers, sandwiches, salads and kids’ favorites are also available. You can sit down and eat in the restaurant, but Sooey’s excels at take-out, prepared family meals and catered events; call ahead for large orders. Sooey's has full-service locations in Corolla, Duck and Nags Head; however, the Duck location is closed temporarily for repairs. The Wanchese location, Sooey's Dockside, is on the docks at OBX Marina's tiki bar; it is open in the later afternoon and evening and is not full-service, but it offers the same award-winning barbecue and fresh fish.