Manteo, NC, Restaurants

If you want to see the water while you dine, Avenue Waterfront Grille is a good place to do it. Shallowbag Bay and Roanoke Sound are visible from every seat in the house, and their patio seating overlooks the Manteo docks. Whether you boat up to the Manteo docks or walk up from the waterfront, Avenue is all about maintaining the relaxed and fun attitude of an Outer Banks vacation, yet the quality of the food and service will match your highest expectations. The food is sourced locally whenever possible, and it's always fresh and chef-prepared. The menu lends itself to seafood prepared with a modern touch and a nod to the classics. And there are many options other than seafood. The menu offers a wide variety, from pizza, burgers and fish tacos to fancier things, and the dinner specials focus on artisanal-style dishes with meticulous attention to detail. What this restaurant offers above and beyond most others on the entire Outer Banks is a legitimate selection of healthy dishes as well as vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free meals. The separate bar and lounge area offers mixed drinks, eight beers on tap, microbrews, bottled beers and an outstanding selection of wine. They also have locally brewed root beer on tap. Look for live music on the patio in the summer. Avenue Waterfront Grille is well-prepared for in-house events like wedding receptions, rehearsal dinners and private parties, and they offer both in-house and off-premise catering. Reservations are not required but are accepted. Call ahead for hours of operation.

For a tasty treat, head to Big Buck’s Homemade Ice Cream. Choose from more than 50 flavors of made-from-scratch ice cream plus sherbet, sorbet and soft serve. You can get any flavor made into a shake, split, sundae or float, even a brownie sundae – yum! Big Buck’s has an espresso bar and all the espresso-based coffee drinks you need to pick up your day. Handmade Belgian chocolate and fudge are made fresh daily, and they also accept custom orders for wedding favors, baby showers and other events. And don't forget the ice cream cake! They have a flavor for every occasion. One of their locations, The Coffeehouse, is right in the middle of downtown Manteo and offers all the same great things as the other Big Buck's plus an expanded selection of fresh coffees, pastries and muffins.

For a tasty treat, head to Big Buck’s Homemade Ice Cream. Choose from more than 50 flavors of made-from-scratch ice cream plus sherbet, sorbet and soft serve. You can get any flavor made into a shake, split, sundae or float, even a brownie sundae – yum! Big Buck’s has an espresso bar and all the espresso-based coffee drinks you need to pick up your day. Handmade Belgian chocolate and fudge are made fresh daily, and they also accept custom orders for wedding favors, baby showers and other events. And don't forget the ice cream cake! They have a flavor for every occasion. One of their locations, The Coffeehouse, is right in the middle of downtown Manteo and offers all the same great things as the other Big Buck's plus an expanded selection of fresh coffees, pastries and muffins.

Darrell’s is a family-style seafood restaurant that’s a locals' favorite and has been operated by the Daniels family for more than five decades. It dates back to 1960, when Darrell Daniels started the Polar Bear Drive-In. When the second generation came on board in 1972, the family changed the focus to a seafood restaurant and renamed it Darrell's Seafood Restaurant. Now the third generation is working here. Seafood is still the specialty, and locals know that Darrell’s does seafood right. The fried oysters, served with the traditional fixings of cole slaw, French fries and hush puppies, are widely touted as the best anywhere. The blackened tuna over black beans and rice is both healthy and delicious. Land food, children’s fare and light dishes are also available. Darrell's also has a wood-fired grill for barbecue. Helpings are heaping, and the desserts are delicious, if you have room. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served Monday through Saturday, and on-site and off-site catering for groups and events of 20 people or more are available. Darrell's has a second location, Darrell's 2 BBQ & Seafood, at Outer Banks Mall in Nags Head.

For award-winning locally brewed beer and creative cuisine, head to Lost Colony Brewery & Café. This longtime local restaurant has the chops of any urban gastropub but with the friendliness and welcoming atmosphere of small-town Manteo. Notable for bringing a touch of city style to the downtown Manteo waterfront, the restaurant and pub are located at the intersection of Queen Elizabeth Avenue and Sir Walter Raleigh Street.

The beer, all of it brewed in nearby Stumpy Point, has gained national and international awards and fame over the past few years. Patrons can enjoy all eight of their regular beers plus other seasonal offerings in both the tasting room/pub and in the café (as well as at other bars and bottle shops around town). The cafe has long been a locals’ favorite for its relaxed atmosphere, friendly service and eclectic eats. Take a seat at one of the umbrella-covered outdoor tables on a warm day or night, or sit inside in the intimate restaurant with a similar view of the streetscape. The menu offers something for everyone, from grilled Angus steaks and delicious seafood entrees to tasty vegetarian dishes. The wine list is extensive, with more than 50 choices available. The outside terrace is dog friendly – they even serve your pooch homemade dog chews.

The cafe is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week in-season. Call for off-season hours. Dinner reservations are accepted. Trivia night is held in the pub on Mondays, and brewery tours are offered in Stumpy Point on Wednesdays (call for information).

Stripers has a great waterfront location at Shallowbag Bay Marina, and they offer plenty of opportunities to enjoy the water views. You can eat on the screened-in deck, on the outdoor patio, in the first-floor bar or in the second-floor restaurant. The views get better the higher you go. Stripers menu includes fresh local seafood, steaks, sandwiches, burgers, salads, pastas and appetizers. The seafood is guaranteed fresh, as the owner has good connections with local fishermen. Some favorites on the menu include lobster bisque, oyster stew, crab dip, crab cakes, cheese-steak egg rolls and sliders. Small and large portion sizes are available. Stripers offers a happy hour with half-price steamed shrimp and crab legs every day from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., and they have a full liquor license and offer beer, wine and mixed drinks. It's open every day for lunch and dinner, with no break between the two. On Sundays they open at 11 a.m. for brunch. In the summer months they offer live music on the weekends. Take-out and catering are available. To find Stripers, turn off Highway 64 in Manteo behind McDonald's.