Roanoke Island Restaurants

NOTE: Avenue Waterfront Grille is temporarily closed due to a flood in their building. They will reopen this summer as soon as remodeling has been completed.

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 laid back menu offers a wide variety, 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 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 and kombucha available 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.

The Hungry Pelican is known and loved for its fresh deli sandwiches and superb baked goods. In their location on Budleigh Street, beside the Pioneer Theater, the restaurant serves made-to-order sandwiches, salads and kids' fare along with hand-dipped ice cream and baked goods. With a big range of lunch choices, it's a great place to pick up a picnic before a boat tour from the waterfront or a concert at Roanoke Island Festival Park or just to enjoy out on the beautiful Manteo waterfront. This popular eatery has plenty of seating inside, but they've also added picnic tables out front for those sunny days. 

Nestled in downtown Manteo, this spot serves the spectrum of specialty coffee drinks, both hot and cold. Pair your beverage with fresh bakery items such as scones and biscotti or cookies and treats from Sweater Box Confections. Or try a smoothie or some of their homemade cream-cheese spreads on a Barrier Island Bagel. Open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., this cafe offers a quick breakfast on the run or a place to relax while enjoying a muffin and a morning cup. Outdoor seating is available. Vineyards on the Scuppernong from Columbia, N.C., operates a tasting station here, and if you find something you like you can buy a bottle of their wine. The folks who run this little gem are particularly friendly.

Poor Richard's is the local meet-and-greet neighborhood sandwich shop by day and bar by night. It has two doors, one leading from the Manteo boardwalk and another off Queen Elizabeth Avenue. You can eat inside at a booth or table or sit outside on the patio right next to the water. You order at the counter, get your drink and your number then wait for your meal to be delivered to your table. Poor Richard's is a Boar's Head deli serving hot and cold sandwiches made to order and served with chips and a pickle. You can also get burgers, hot dogs, soup, chili, salads, fries and onion rings. Lunch is served every day of the week. In summer, they also offer dinner most nights until 9 p.m. In the evenings, Poor Richard’s After Hours, a pub in the front of the restaurant, is open and serves wine, beer and a full range of bar drinks. The pub opens at 5 p.m. every night. Year round, the pub hosts Trivia Night on Wednesday and live music on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. In the summer there's music on Thursday nights as well.