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
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
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
Manteo, NC, Outdoor Dining
Crabber, restaurateur and wine aficionado, Vicki Basnight is an Outer Banks icon known for her strong commitment to serving local seafood and produce. Her latest venture is Vicki B's, a restaurant, bar, market and outdoor event venue in a former Downtown Manteo home. The lunch menu features cold plates, salads, a smashburger, meat pie, soups and more, while dinner offerings range from appetizers and salads...read more
Wanchese, NC, Outdoor Dining
Wanchese Tiki Bar at Safe Harbor Outer Banks is a locals' favorite for fun directly on the Wanchese docks. They serve cold draft beer and wine. Get here in late afternoon (between 4 and 5 p.m.) and you'll be able to see the charter boats coming in and unloading their catches. There's live music on the weekends in the warm seasons. They are open Tuesday-Saturday,...read more
Roanoke Island, NC, Outdoor Dining
We thought you might enjoy knowing about the locals’ favorite picnic spots. You can get take-out from most the restaurants we list in this section, so why not grab your feast and head out for a true outdoor dining experience?
1) Manteo Waterfront Boardwalk
Manteo Historic Waterfront Area
All along the Manteo Waterfront there are benches and tables that invite an outdoor meal....read more
