Even in the height of a North Carolina summer, outside dining is a pleasurable experience in Manteo, NC, restaurants. Enjoy a cold beverage on the docks of a harbor or marina and watch as commercial fishermen come in with their catches. Or enjoy a gourmet preparation of said fresh catch while you dine al fresco and overlook the Shallowbag Bay. Small sandwich shops, cafes and eateries also offer plenty of seating at picnic tables for people grabbing lunch and watching the downtown bustle.
Featured for Your Visit
Manteo, NC, Outdoor Dining
2000 Sailfish Drive, Pirate's Cove, Manteo
Blue Water Grill & Raw Bar is a locally owned restaurant based at Pirate's Cove Marina, giving it a prime location between Manteo and Nags Head with fantastic views of the marina, sound and marsh. Their menu is varied and changes seasonally with a focus on fresh, local seafood. Oysters hailing from local and regional waters are the specialty at the raw bar, along with local seafood. Be sure to try their famous Oyster Shooters! The menus features appetizers, salads, hearty entrees of seafood and select meats and lighter fare. Lunch favorites include Seared Shrimp Pasta and Shrimp and Grits, and popular dinner dishes are the 12 oz. Certified Angus Beef Rib Eye and anything made with the fish of the day. The specials list never disappoints, and there are dedicated kids' and dessert menus. They'll even cook your cleaned fresh catch if you bring it in! The bar offers specialty cocktails and extensive wine and beer lists. The staff is friendly, and you’ll be happy with their service and care. Blue Water also offers Mimi’s Tiki Hut, open spring through fall, located on the docks right below the restaurant. Mimi's is a great place to wait for a table at Blue Water or just to watch the fishing boats come in from a long day, and you can have a drink or grab a bite to eat there. Open year round, Blue Water is popular with visitors and locals so it's always good to make a reservation if possible.
Blue Water Grill & Raw Bar is a locally owned restaurant based at Pirate's Cove Marina, giving it a prime location between Manteo and Nags Head with fantastic views of the marina, sound and marsh. Their menu is varied and changes seasonally with a focus on fresh, local seafood. Oysters hailing from local and regional waters are the specialty at the raw bar, along with local seafood. Be...
read more Blue Water Grill & Raw Bar is a locally owned restaurant based at Pirate's Cove Marina, giving...
read more
7623 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head/Manteo Causeway, Nags Head
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.
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...read more
This Outer Banks landmark restaurant at the top of many locals’ lists of favorite places....read more
Manteo, NC, Outdoor Dining
2000 Sailfish Drive, Pirate's Cove, Manteo
Blue Water Grill & Raw Bar is a locally owned restaurant based at Pirate's Cove Marina, giving it a prime location between Manteo and Nags Head with fantastic views of the marina, sound and marsh. Their menu is varied and changes seasonally with a focus on fresh, local seafood. Oysters hailing from local and regional waters are the specialty at the raw bar, along with local seafood. Be sure to try their famous Oyster Shooters! The menus features appetizers, salads, hearty entrees of seafood and select meats and lighter fare. Lunch favorites include Seared Shrimp Pasta and Shrimp and Grits, and popular dinner dishes are the 12 oz. Certified Angus Beef Rib Eye and anything made with the fish of the day. The specials list never disappoints, and there are dedicated kids' and dessert menus. They'll even cook your cleaned fresh catch if you bring it in! The bar offers specialty cocktails and extensive wine and beer lists. The staff is friendly, and you’ll be happy with their service and care. Blue Water also offers Mimi’s Tiki Hut, open spring through fall, located on the docks right below the restaurant. Mimi's is a great place to wait for a table at Blue Water or just to watch the fishing boats come in from a long day, and you can have a drink or grab a bite to eat there. Open year round, Blue Water is popular with visitors and locals so it's always good to make a reservation if possible.
Blue Water Grill & Raw Bar is a locally owned restaurant based at Pirate's Cove Marina, giving it a prime location between Manteo and Nags Head with fantastic views of the marina, sound and marsh. Their menu is varied and changes seasonally with a focus on fresh, local seafood. Oysters hailing from local and regional waters are the specialty at the raw bar, along with local seafood. Be...
read more Blue Water Grill & Raw Bar is a locally owned restaurant based at Pirate's Cove Marina, giving...
read more
Manteo, NC, Outdoor Dining
105 Budleigh Street, Manteo
Downtown Manteo finally has a wine bar! It's a cozy, comfortable place with the slightly urban feel of a remodeled historic downtown building, in this case the restored Fearing building on Budleigh Street, just across from the old courthouse. It's a nice place for a date, pre-event drinks and bites, a lingering lunch with a friend or even late-night fun (yes, in Manteo being open until 10 p.m. is considered late). The wine list features several reds, whites, roses, a sparkling option and wine cocktails, and wine flights are available if you want to sample a few. The beverage list also includes beers, including several from Lost Colony Brewery around the corner, and nonalcoholic options. Expertly built cheese and charcuterie boards are the perfect accompaniment to your drink selections. NouVines opens at 11:30 daily and closes at 10 p.m. every day except Sunday, when they close at 6 p.m. Ask about events like tastings from specific wineries. Their retail section offers wine by the bottle, jams, chocolates, teas, wine bags, t-shirts and gift items.
Downtown Manteo finally has a wine bar! It's a cozy, comfortable place with the slightly urban feel of a remodeled historic downtown building, in this case the restored Fearing building on Budleigh Street, just across from the old courthouse. It's a nice place for a date, pre-event drinks and bites, a lingering lunch with a friend or even late-night fun (yes, in Manteo being open...read more
Downtown Manteo finally has a wine bar! It's a cozy, comfortable place with the slightly...read more
Manteo, NC, Outdoor Dining
1100-A S. Bay Club Drive, Manteo
Salt & Cypress Kitchen + Cocktails is a new restaurant and event space at Shallowbag Bay Club in Manteo, created by brother-and-sister team Ryan and Bridget Karg. With spectacular waterfront views and indoor/outdoor seating, the restaurant blends American-style coastal cuisine with relaxed yet elevated ambiance. The menu features seasonal dishes, inspired salads with house-made dressings and seafood and protein add-ons, soups, entrées and inventive handcrafted cocktails. Salt & Cypress is also available for weddings and special events, and they cater. It’s the perfect spot for sunset drinks, casual dinners and celebrations by the water. Reservations are accepted, and dockage is available for boaters. By car, you'll find Salt & Cypress just off U.S. Highway 64/264, the main highway, not too far from Downtown Manteo. By boat, you'll find it on the west side of Shalowbag Bay.
Salt & Cypress Kitchen + Cocktails is a new restaurant and event space at Shallowbag Bay Club in Manteo, created by brother-and-sister team Ryan and Bridget Karg. With spectacular waterfront views and indoor/outdoor seating, the restaurant blends American-style coastal cuisine with relaxed yet elevated ambiance. The menu features seasonal dishes, inspired salads with house-made dressings and seafood and protein add-ons, soups, entrées and inventive handcrafted...read more
Salt & Cypress Kitchen + Cocktails is a new restaurant and event space at Shallowbag...read more
Manteo, NC, Outdoor Dining
Based at Hotel Manteo, Firetender Stone-Oven Cooking & Bar is one of Manteo's most popular restaurants and gathering spots. The setting is moody and cosmopolitan, with dark walls and sophisticated details, yet it's entirely comfortable and cozy, the perfect place for lingering at the bar, intimate dining and gathering with friends. The restaurant is centered around its custom-built stone oven, the source of its incredible stone-oven...read more
Manteo, NC, Outdoor Dining
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. They now offer Surfin' Spoon ice cream sandwiches too! With a big range of lunch choices, it's a great place to pick...read more
Wanchese, NC, Outdoor Dining
Johanna's, operated by a longtime local restaurateur and caterer, is a food truck based at Wanchese Tiki Hut at Safe Harbor Outer Banks. Open Wednesday through Sunday, Johanna's serves fresh, delicious hot and cold wraps, salads, seafood baskets, sides and a killer tuna poke bowl, plus daily specials. read more
Manteo, NC, Outdoor Dining
For locally brewed beers and perfectly accompanying British pub-style cuisine, head to Lost Colony Tavern in downtown Manteo. The tavern offers a wide range of dishes for all tastes, ranging from British favorites like Welsh Rarebit, Fish & Chips, Scotch Eggs, Bangers & Mash and Cottage Pie to burgers, salads crab cakes and shrimp and grits. The Full Moon Crab Dip from this restaurant's predecessor is,...read more
Manteo, NC, Outdoor Dining
Part of Blue Water Grill and Raw Bar, Mimi's Tiki Hut is located directly on the docks at Pirate's Cove Marina, making it the perfect place to watch the boats return at the end of the day or to enjoy a drink and a bite after a long day of fishing. Open only in the summer months, Mimi's offers live entertainment every night of the...read more
Wanchese, NC, Outdoor Dining
The O’Neal family is known on the Outer Banks for its commitment to harvesting and selling fresh seafood straight out of the sea. At their fish-house docks, where fishermen unload fresh catches nearly every day, the O'Neal's operate a retail and wholesale seafood market and lunch restaurant. Their seafood market is a trusted source for fish, crab meat and crabs, shrimp, scallops, oysters and clams. This...read more
Manteo, NC, Outdoor Dining
Olives A Greek Kitchen brings the flavors and foods of Greece to the Manteo and the northern Outer Banks. The owners, established restaurateurs from New York, offer authentic dishes like tzatziki, hummus, dolmades, saganaki, spanakopita, souvlaki, moussaka, baklava and more. If you're not sure what all that is, don't worry; the menu explains it all very well, and there are hybrid dishes that combine Greek...read more
Manteo, NC, Outdoor Dining
Ortega'z Southwestern Grill brings some cultural spice to downtown Manteo along with a little flash of star quality. The restaurant and its owners, Marcelo and Lisa Ortega, were featured in an episode of the Food Network's popular show Diners, Drive-ins and Dives with Guy Fieri. The specialty of this Southwestern-inspired restaurant is sourcing local ingredients including local catch seafood, produce and even coffee. Large portions...read more
