The Best Restaurants on the Outer Banks, in no particular order

           At the top of the list is The Salt Box Café. A quaint little restaurant nestled on the S turns of Collington Road. What makes The Salt Box Café so distinctly charming is the passion that is put into it by the owners and head chefs, Randolph and Amanda Sprinkle. The joy they have for cooking is so prominent in the food they make that I always get a three-course meal when taking my lady out to dinner for a special evening. They change the menu weekly with some staple dishes making more frequent appearances. Sitting outside really is the icing on one of Mrs. Amanda’s cakes, with a cool ocean breeze in the evening and the soothing sounds of the adjacent waterway. Dining at the Salt Box is full indulgence of the senses and I will always enjoy eating there with my favorite people.

The Tale of the Whale serves dishes as big as it’s bay windows overlooking the Roanoke sound. An islanders favorite for fine dining located on the south side of the causeway. After working here for several years I was happy to see the same couples every few weeks, months, and even years. The dining experience here is good enough to come back to again and again. Perfect for large groups with varying levels of appetite too as it was not uncommon for me to see people walk out with a doggie bag in tow. Not only is the food tremendous but they accompany the dining experience with live music at an outdoor bar and gazebo on the water. To be out there on a calm summer's evening with your favorite person in one hand and drink in the other is truly blissful. Tale of the Whale is also home to Island Connection Jewelry, a partnership that started in 1985 if you can believe it. A myriad of beautiful sterling silver and 14k gold jewelry lies just inside the doors across from the hostess stand. Tale of the Whale offers the most complete evening dining experience you could hope for. 

The Thai Room Restaurant is special to me for a few reasons. When I was rather young, my mother traveled to Thailand with the restaurant owners to attend their wedding. She brought back so many stories and things she learned. From visiting a floating market to learning about a required cultural budhist practice. She brought back crazy photos of her petting tigers, riding elephants, and visiting awe inspiring temples. It absolutely baffled me when I was a kid and opened my eyes to what the outside world could be like. I think the restaurant is a perfect little sliver of that outside world brought to the beach. While they don’t have a ludicrous wild animal exhibit for obvious health and safety reasons, they do have real authenticity about the eatery. My most memorable experience at the restaurant was one I was fortunate enough to share with my lovely girlfriend, Lindsay. The dining experience was a smorgasbord of about thirty different things to eat. It wasn’t a serve yourself buffet however, they brought you everything to try. From whole cooked fish and complex curries to things that were off the menu like a robust and aromatic liver dish to a savory coconut purple rice dish for desert. I would give anything to get that eating experience another go. I still love eating here, as the staff is so kind and excited to see us. I often get the same Thai Omelet and Green Papaya Salad as they’ve quickly become my favorites. But nothing compares to the theater of getting an entire red snapper served to you on a plate bigger than your head!

Nags Head Pizza Co is so charming and you absolutely feel the love when you order from here. A young couple started the business and it put the string of shops it’s in on the map. The place feels youthful, with creative menu items and the amount of care that goes into each order to make it personal. My favorite bit about ordering pizza from here is how they write a lovely quote on the inside of the box. It just fills you with a warm feeling inside to get you ready for the space that the first slice of pizza will soon occupy, followed by a second, third, fourth, and fifth. 

Wave Riders Coffee & Deli is a staple for my breakfast on the go. Fast and delicious, with plenty of offerings for those with different dietary choices. For me, the location is what helps this place stand out. They share the plaza with other great little places to stop. Greentails has expertly cut fish and great deals on seafood. Cloud Nine is such a fun and eclectic jewelry store that is a must stop to indulge in your inner creative. During the summer months in Nags Head there is a local farmers market that takes place right across the street at 9AM in Dowdy Park. If you’re highly motivated to make the most of your trip, you could catch a few waves at the Bonnett Street Beach Access, walk to wave riders for your morning coffee and breakfast sandwich, and pop over to shop for local foods and artistic creations. WARNING that this place is so good and so popular during the busiest summer months that in person ordering can take a while. Placing your order online can save you the wait time and help you keep moving during your vacation, if that is your intention. 

Lighthouse Bagels - to be writen by Lindsay =) 

Eduardo’s Taco Stand is located on Ocracoke Island. A beautiful getaway for those looking for a sweet escape from their daily rituals. You can’t miss Eduardo’s when driving into town as it’s one of the first places you see on the east side of the main road. They have a beautiful and distinctive mural painted on the side of their once mobile food truck. It’s the food you want after a long day exploring the island. The best way to get around Ocracoke is via a bicycle and a 4x4 vehicle so you can drive on the beach. It’s an intimate place. It can be a lot of fun going from one end to the other to check out the neighborhoods and the ocracoke lighthouse.