Manteo, NC, Restaurants

This Outer Banks landmark restaurant at the top of many locals’ lists of favorite places. The service is genuinely friendly, and the portions are more than generous. You’ll enjoy views of Roanoke Sound on both sides of the restaurant, including nightly sunsets. They feature only local, fresh North Carolina seafood that comes in whole and is cleaned in their state-certified fish-cleaning house, located onsite. They also serve local produce, all-natural chicken, vegetarian dishes, pasta and USDA Angus steaks. Their dedication to freshness includes their own herb and vegetable garden as well as their own crab shedders. Their wine room features thousands of bottles of wine and accompanies a roomy bar area where you can order from a bar menu, a tapas menu or the full restaurant menu. Their special occasion buffets – Easter, Thanksgiving, Mother's Day, Father's Day – are hugely popular, and they also offer on- and off-premise catering for any size or type of event. In season, Lone Cedar Cafe serves dinner Tuesday through Sunday (closed Mondays), Sunday brunch and lunch at the food truck in the parking lot Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you want a quick and delicious lunch, the Lone Cedar Cafe food truck is your ticket for local seafood sandwiches, fish boats and more (the daily menu is posted on Facebook). Lone Cedar Cafe closes between New Year's and Valentine's Day every year. Call for off-season hours. 

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 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.

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 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.

For award-winning locally brewed beer and creative cuisine, head to Lost Colony Brewery & Cafe. 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 cafe (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 burgers and delicious seafood entrees to tasty vegetarian dishes. A good selection of wines is available. The outside terrace is dog friendly – they even serve your pooch homemade dog chews. The cafe is open for lunch and dinner; call for hours. Dinner reservations are accepted.