Nags Head Restaurants

If it’s Southern chicken, then it’d better be fried. At least, that’s what they believe at The Cookshak Fried Chicken. Their small menu lets them focus on preparing fried chicken and its fixings right, crafting each meal to feel like you’re sitting down to a big chicken dinner at Grandma’s country farmhouse. The restaurant serves food in family-size servings, and you can order half or whole birds and pair them with sides of fries, mac and cheese or coleslaw available by the pint or quart. Be sure to check out their daily lunch specials, too, for deals on single-serving meals. Cookshak's Duck location is take-out only, and their Nags Head location offers takeout or dine-in options. They also deliver for free. 

Dunes Restaurant has been a breakfast and dinner favorite among Outer Banks locals and visitors for nearly four decades (39 seasons in 2021 to be exact). Breakfast here is a certifiable Nags Head tradition. Their hearty meals and platters are a huge draw, and their 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. For the 2021 season, the Dunes is staying open for lunch through 2 p.m., with plenty of local seafood, burgers and Southern favorites. At dinnertime, the 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 hush puppies with honey butter that are served before your meal (trust us, they’re irresistible!). Family-owned and –operated, the Dunes welcomes children and large groups to their casually and comfortably elegant restaurant and R-Bar, serving specialty cocktails, wine and beer. And yes, you can eat in or take out – whichever you want. A retail area in the front of the store tempts with children’s toys, women’s accessories, jewelry, scarves, original paintings, photographs, Outer Banks memorabilia and much more. 

You can't eat and drink any closer to the ocean than this. Fishheads at Outer Banks Pier offers a restaurant and bar with seating on the deck in the sun or moon or under a roof with open-air curtains. They serve fish tacos, steamed shrimp, fresh hamburgers, crab cakes, tuna bites, fries and more. And they also have some breakfast sandwiches for the early birds and anglers. Wine and an extensive craft beer menu are available, including a great selection of draft beers and sake cocktails. They also have shrimp happy hour and live music.

Mahi Mahi’s Island Grill features American cuisine with a dash of Latin flavor and a strong emphasis on seafood. Owners Andrew and Leslie Mikhail have proudly partnered with Peruvian-born Chef Alfredo Landazuri to establish this new Outer Banks restaurant where customers can expect an affordable menu, quality ingredients and friendly service. After working in and opening different restaurants along the Outer Banks and winning first-place awards nine times in local competitions, Chef Landazuri is considered one of the Outer Banks' top chefs, and his award-winning Mahi Mahi Chowder and Shrimp & Grits are on the menu here. The menu also includes salads, shareable appetizers, handhelds that include burgers, sandwiches and fish tacos, fried seafood, crab cakes, pork, steak and so much more, and specials are offered daily. Beer, wine and spirits are available at the full bar. Mahi Mahi's serves lunch and dinner for dine-in and take-out.

Nothing beats an affordable meal with a waterfront view! Everyone in the family will find something to love on this menu, and to top it off they offer indoor and pet-friendly outdoor seating with spectacular waterfront views right on the Roanoke Sound. Their large menu offers hand-tossed pizzas, Stromboli, calzones and so much more. You’ll find salads, subs, kids’ favorites and desserts like cannoli and tiramisu. They also serve beer and wine. Waterfront Pizza is open for lunch and dinner with dine in, take-out and delivery available. Look for this restaurant on the Nags Head-Manteo Causeway near Whalebone Junction in Nags Head and close to Manteo and Roanoke Island. The restaurant will host private events on site by request.