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20 Jun 2022
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Outer Banks Seafood

Seafood Markets vs. Restaurants

One of the best things about an Outer Banks vacation is the ability to enjoy fresh-caught local seafood right off the boat at any number of fantastic local restaurants. But when you’re ready to purchase fresh, local seafood to whip up your own masterpiece, the Outer Banks also has a wide variety of local Outer Banks seafood markets that will ensure you’ve got the freshest catch available for your vacation meal. 

But what’s the difference between a Seafood Market and a Seafood Restaurant? 

Seafood markets focus on serving fish and other seafood, often specializing in trading directly with fishermen and merchants. While some markets will occasionally offer prepared or semi-prepared seafood, many markets that you find on the Outer Banks will be selling seafood fresh, on ice, directly from the fishermen who caught it. This is great when you have your own recipe that you want to try or you simply prepare cooking the seafood yourself from the comfort of home. The types of seafood that you can expect to find at a seafood market will often depend on seasonality and local availability.

Seafood restaurants, on the other hand, are dining establishments that specialize in seafood dishes. While they also often offer non-seafood dishes, like hamburgers or chicken, their primary appeal is the preparation and service of fresh seafood to enjoy in the restaurant or in the comfort of your home, with extremely popular to-go services. Meals tend to rely on seasonal availability, similar to seafood markets. Here on the Outer Banks, you’ll also find that some restaurants offer somewhat blended services like Coastal Cravings, in Duck, which specializes in not only offering steak and seafood in their full-service restaurant but also offer To-Go Seafood Pots filled with fresh seafood and seasonings that you take back home with you to steam yourself. And sometimes, restaraunts can also double as seafood markets, so wherever you are on the Outer Banks, you’re sure to be able to find what you need for an amazing seafood experience.

 If you’re looking for seafood in the Outer Banks, keep reading to find the closest seafood market to your vacation home, listed by town, as well as popular seafood restaurants to enjoy during your stay!

Seafood Markets on the Outer Banks

Here on the Outer Banks, you’ll almost always have access to fresh, locally-sourced seafood on a regular basis. Shrimp is relatively inexpensive but in the grocery stores, it’s usually frozen and often farm-raised and imported. The best place to get fresh NC shrimp is from one of the local seafood markets. The OBX has dozens and chances are that there is one just a few minutes away from your vacation rental. Since local seafood markets depend on a fresh catch, price, size availability, and quantity may vary throughout the year.  Here’s a list of local seafood markets, listed by town:

Corolla 

Bluewater Market

501 Old Stoney Rd., Corolla, NC 27927
(252) 453-221
Bluewater Market in Corolla offers fresh local seafood, buckets to go, and completely prepared fried or steamed seafood dinner options. In addition to fresh local catch, they also carry the core ingredients such as spices and breadings that you’ll need to make your perfect seafood masterpiece.

Seaside Farm Market

787 Sunset Boulevard, Corolla, NC 
(252) 453-8285 27927
This market has an appealing selection of fresh, local produce, homemade breads and pies, fudge, ice cream, jams, and a fresh selection of local Outer Banks seafood, often brought from right off the boat.

Dockside North

819 C Ocean Trl., Corolla, NC 27927
(252) 453-8112
Dockside offers fresh and local seafood like shrimp, fresh fish, live Maine lobsters, oysters, scallops, and crabs. They can also steam live lobster, shrimp, Alaskan King Crab, and Snow Crab to order!

Duck

Dockside ‘N Duck Seafood Market

1216 Duck Rd., Duck, NC 27949
(252) 261-8687
Locally-owned seafood market with changing daily local seafood, homemade breads, hush puppies, and pies.

Tommy’s Natural Foods Market & Wine Shop

1242 Duck Rd., Duck, NC 27949
(252) 261-8990
High-quality market with a wide selection of natural and organic foods in addition to wine and microbrews, grass-fed beef, and local seafood.

Kitty Hawk

Carawans Seafood Co.

5424 N. Croatan Hwy., Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
(252) 261-2120
Family-owned business offering fresh, local seafood with both prepared and fresh whole fish available daily.

Kill Devil Hills

Billy’s Seafood

1314 Colington Rd., Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
(252) 441-5978
This locally-owned seafood market offers fresh-off-the-boat seafood with the catch often including crabs, clams, shrimp, oysters, and fish.

Nags Head

Whalebone Seafood Market

101 E. Gray Eagle St., Nags Head, NC 27959
(252) 441-8808
Whalebone offers top quality seafood with a selection that changes daily based on the morning catch. Every morning, Whalebone’s fishermen bring in a collection of seafood that they prepare in-house to ensure that you are receiving the freshest and best-quality seafood around.

Austin Fish Company

3711 S. Croatan Hwy., Nags Head, NC 27959
(252) 441-7412
Austin Fish Company is located at MP 12.5 on the US 158 By-Pass and offers a wide variety of fresh, fried, and steamed seafood that arrives daily from the Atlantic Ocean and the Pamlico Sound. Their market menu often includes crabs, clams, crawfish, mahi, tuna, flounder, and more.

Greentails

3022 S. Croatan Hwy., Nags Head, NC 27959
(252) 715-6300
Located in Pirates’ Quay Shopping Center just south of the Outer Banks YMCA, Greentails supports local fishermen by selling a wide variety of fresh seafood and delicious seafood dishes like soft-shell crabs and fish baskets. Market offerings change daily based on availability but often include shrimp, salmon, pompano, grouper, mahi, and lobster. 

The Sugar Shack Fish Market & Restaurant

7344 S. Virginia Dare Trl, Nags Head, NC 27959
(252) 441-3888
Also a restaurant that offering soundfront dining or carryout, The Sugar Shack Fish Market offers a wide variety of the day’s fresh local catch. 

Wanchese

O’Neals Sea Harvest

618 Harbor Rd., Wanchese, NC 27981
(252) 473-4535
O’Neals Sea Harvest offers a wide selection of seafood from right off the boat. They offer blue crabs, both inshore and deep sea fish, as well as North Carolina shrimp and scallops. Located directly on the Wanchese harbor, O’Neals is a family owned and operated seafood wholesaler that hand carefully chooses only the freshest seafood to sell to the general public.

Fresh Catch Seafood & Packaging

4331 Mill Land Rd., Wanchese, NC 27981
(252) 475-9888
Owned and operated by local Outer Banks fisherman, Fresh Catch is the place to pick up some of the highest quality seafood on the beach. Offerings are dependant on the catch, but often include tuna, mahi, swordfish, craokers, bluefish, sea mullet, and shrimp.

Hatteras Island

Austin’s South Island Seafood & Vacuum Packing

24202 B Hwy 12., Rodanthe, NC 27968
(252) 987-1352
Local market offering a wide variety of freshly-caught local seafood in addition to steamed seafood, steamer pots, fried seafood sandwiches, and seafood baskets to go.

Buxton Seafood

49799 NC-12 Buxton, NC 27920
(252) 995-5085
Local shop offering fresh local seafood, coffee and danishes, souvenirs, sushi products, breads, marinades, and bait. Also offers specialty seafood orders in case there is something in particular that you’d like to enjoy while on vacation!

Harbor House Seafood Market

58129 NC Hwy 12, Hatteras, NC 27943
(252) 986-2039
Family owned and operated Hatteras Village seafood market offering wild caught seafood, a steam bar, and several housemade seafood specialties including seafood enchiladas and fresh yellowfin tuna salad.

Risky Business Seafood Market

Oden’s Dock, Hatteras, NC 27943
(252) 986-2117
If you’re looking for fresh seafood right from the dock, look no further than Risky Business Seafood Market where you can watch the catch come in before buying some to take home with you!

Surf’s Up Seafood Market

41838 NC-12, Avon, NC 27915
(252) 995-3432
Visit Surf’s Up to experience their warm customer service and fresh seafood coming straight from the waters surrounding the Outer Banks. Enjoy fresh local blue crabs, fish, shrimp, oysters, and more!

Seafood Restaurants on the Outer Banks

Cooking your own seafood from the comfort of your vacation home is great, but sometimes you just want to go out and let someone else do the work. Fortunately, there are plenty of amazing restaurants on the Outer Banks that offer a wide variety of seafood dishes with a fresh catch that is often brought in fresh from the boat by local fishermen or outsourced from nearby regional fisheries. Keep reading below for a list of some of the best seafood restaurants on the Outer Banks, organized by town.

Corolla

Low Tide Bar & Grill

520 Old Stoney Road, Unit H, Corolla
(252) 597-3303
Stop by Low Tide Bar & Grill for a quick and easy lunch with a seafood basket or a fish taco. For dinner, enjoy the convenience of a full bar as well as a wide selection of classic seafood dishes with a low-country island twist.

Outer Banks Boil Company

785 Sunset Blvd., Corolla
(252) 453-6578
If you’re looking for steam pots with fresh seafood, potatoes, and corn, look no further than Outer Banks Boil Company. With locations in Corolla, Kitty Hawk, and Hatteras Island, your easy-to-prepare take-home seafood pot is never too far away.

Sundogs Raw Bar & Grill

807 Ocean Trail M, Corolla
(252) 453-4263
If you’re looking for sports, beer, and casual seafood dining, Sundogs Raw Bar & Grill is the place for you. With everything from shrimp and grits to lobster mac & cheese, you’ll find a little bit of something for everyone at Sundogs.

Sun Fish Grill

813 B Ocean Trail, Corolla
(252) 453-4663
With a warm, welcoming atmosphere, visit this family-owned restaurant for delicious fresh, local seafood, creative choices, and a casual dining experience sure to delight.

Duck

Coastal Cravings

(252) 480-0032
1209 Duck Rd., Duck
Known for being featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, Coastal Cravings is a full-service restaurant in Duck that also offers drive-thru seafood steamer posts as well as both indoor and outdoor seating!

Southern Shores

Steamers OBX

(252) 261-0224
1 Ocean Blvd. Unit 115, Southern Shores
Steamers offers a wide variety of specialty seafood dishes, from their Seafood Bisque to their Yellow Fin Tuna & Oysters. Enjoy inside fine dining in the evening or choose from their Steamer Pots To Go, Takeout Menu, or Catering Menu for the important events in your life.

Kitty Hawk

Black Pelican

MP4 on the Beach Road, Kitty Hawk
(252) 261-3171
For a classic Outer Banks dining experience with woodfired pizzas, fresh seafood, and plenty of delicious vegetarian options, the Black Pelican is a wonderful place to take a break from the surf and sand and enjoy some of the most delicious food that the beach has to offer.

I Got Your Crabs Shellfish Marker & Oyster Bar

3809 N. Croatan Highway, Kitty Hawk
(252) 449-2483
Locally owned and supplied by a 3rd-generation commercial fisherman, I Got Your Crabs is the quintessential place to stop for dine-in or carry out seafood in Kitty Hawk. Choose from platters, sandwiches, or steamer baskets as well as a variety of seafood tacos and a la carte options like crab cakes and scallops. Quick, affordable, local, and easy, I Got Your Grabs is the one-stop shop for seafood after a day at the beach.

Rundown Cafe

5218 Virginia Dare Trl N., Kitty Hawk
(252) 255-0026
Located at MP 1.5 on the Beach Road, Rundown Cafe is known for serving up local seafood with an international fair. And while you’re in town, be  sure to get one of their famous Bloody Mary’s with a softshell crab on top!

Kill Devil Hills

Awful Arthur’s Oyster Bar

2106 N. Virginia Dare Trail, Kill Devil Hills
(252) 441-5955
Despite the name, Awful Arthur’s is anything but! Awful Arthur’s Oyster Bar has been rated one of the Top 10 Oysters Bars in the Nation by Coast Living Magazine. With a variety of seafood specialties like Shrimp Cocktail, Tuna Bites, and delicious seafood dinners, Awful Arthur’s Oyster Bar is a favorite of visitors and locals alike. Be sure to stop by their famous Beach Shop for a sweatshirt or t-shirt!

Henry’s Restaurant

3396 N. Croatan Hwy., Kill Devil Hills
(252) 261-2025
Henry’s Restaurant has been serving up delicious seafood and affordable fare on the Outer Banks since 1989. They offer a delicious breakfast menu that includes Fried Catfish and Eggs as well as Crab Benedict and lunch and dinner menus filled with fantastic seafood sandwiches, steamer platters, and appetizers that are perfect after a long day at the beach.

Jolly Roger

1836 N. Virginia Dare Trail, Kill Devil Hills
(252) 441-6530
Another local’s favorite, the Jolly Roger is a converted gas station/grocery store that has been serving up delicious seafood and a family atmosphere since 1972. Choose from a wide selection of seafood specialties like Seafood Marinara, Seafood Lasagna, or the Catch of the Day that’s sure to satisfy your OBX seafood cravings.

Miller’s Seafood and Steakhouse

1520 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Kill Devil Hills
(252) 441-7674
Miller’s Seafood and Steakhouse prides itself on delicious breakfasts with a seafood twist and authentic sushi and sushi fusion creations that set Miller’s apart. Check out their Hot Crab Dip or Stuffed Flounder for a yummy taste of the sea.

Nags Head

Basnight’s Lone Cedar Cafe

7623 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head
(252) 441-5405
Enjoy waterfront dining with local flair at Basnight’s Lone Cedar Cafe. Originally opened in 1996, Basnight’s is known for serving fresh, local seafood with panoramic views of the Roanoke Sound and southern hospitality will keep you coming back again and again.

Blue Moon Beach Grill

4104 S. Virginia Dare Trail, #16, Nags Head
(252) 261-2583
At Blue Moon Beach Grill, enjoy a tastefully beachy atmosphere with a delicious menu full of seafood starters like Mussels Fromage Bleu and entrees like Seared Fish of the Day and Seaside Bucatini. Spend the evening in a cozy, Southern atmosphere with a creative, oceanside twist.

Fishheads Bar and Grill

8901 S. Old Oregon Inlet Rd., Nags Head
(252) 441-5740
When you’re looking for a fun, beachy atmosphere with locally-sourced seafood, spend the night at oceanfront Fishheads Bar and Grill. This fantastic bar and grill has been a hot destination for fishermen and visitors alike for years, serving up crabcakes and shrimp that is sure to give you and Outer Banks dining experience to remember.

Mahi Mahi’s Island Grill

2217 S. Croatan Hwy, Nags Head
(252) 715-0106
Blending the Outer Banks seafood tradition with Hispanic flavor, Mahi Mahi’s Island Grill specializes in unique seafood dishes that highlight the fresh catch of the day. Be sure to taste some of their signature “Shareables” like Oven Roasted Brussels, Fried Calamri, and Oysters Casino, all of which are sure to delight. 

Miller’s Waterfront Restaurant

MP 16, HWY 158, Nags Head
(252) 441-6151
At Miller’s Waterfront Restaurant, enjoy traditional Outer Banks seafood and beautiful waterfront views. This restaurant has been owned and operated by the Miller Family since 1982 and continues to serve up fabulous evenings of delicious casual dining, unforgettable overlooks, and amazing sunsets over the Roanoke Sound.

The Sugar Shack Fish Market & Restaurant

7344 S. Virginia Dare Trl, Nags Head, NC 27959
(252) 441-3888
Also, a restaurant that offers sound front dining or carryout, The Sugar Shack Fish Market offers a wide variety of the day’s fresh local catch. 

Wanchese

O’Neals Sea Harvest

618 Harbor Rd., Wanchese, NC 27981
(252) 473-4535
O’Neals Sea Harvest offers a wide selection of seafood from right off the boat. They offer blue crabs, both inshore and deep sea fish, as well as North Carolina shrimp and scallops. Located directly on the Wanchese harbor, O’Neals is a family-owned and operated seafood wholesaler that hand carefully chooses only the freshest seafood to sell to the general public.

Hatteras Island

Harbor House Seafood

58129 NC-12, Hatteras
(252) 986-2039
With famous customer service and delicious seafood right off the boat, Harbor House Seafood offers mouthwatering specialties like seafood enchiladas and fresh blue crab dip, in addition to their well-stocked raw counter.

Hatteras Sol Waterside Grill

(252) 986-1414
With a housemade fusion of local Outer Banks seafood and international flavors, Hatteras Sol Waterside Grill has unbeatable views, with a sunrise/sunset clock available on their website, and a menu of spectacular seafood delights. Enjoy their Pan-Fried Carolina Lump Crab Cake, Southern Rockefeller, or Parmesan Clam Strips before diving into a plate of delicious Fried Seafood or Shrimp Carbonara. 

Diamond Shoals Restaurant & Seafood Market

46843 NC Hwy 12, Buxton
(252) 995-5217
Boasting the only sushi bar on Hatteras Island, Diamond Shoals Restaurant sits just a mile north of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and has been serving up delicious seafood and award-winning soups for decades. They offer everything from mussels to Surf and Turf ensuring that everyone will leave full and satisfied.

OBX Seafood Events

Outer Banks Seafood Festival

When it comes to fun events on the Outer Banks, the Outer Banks Seafood Festival is definitely one you don’t want to miss! Held in October, the annual Outer Banks Seafood Festival will take place at The Soundside Event Site in Nags Head and celebrates the history and heritage of the OBX seafood industry while embracing everything incredible about the Outer Banks: fresh seafood, local vendors, and gorgeous water views! Find out more here.

OBX Taste of the Beach

In the spring, visitors and residents of the Outer Banks will have the ability to sample some of the best seafood available at local participating restaurants during this awesome annual food and wine festival! Activities and other events change from year to year and are sure to adhere to ongoing health and local safety guidelines. Find out more here.


Book your OBX Vacation Today

Ready to plan your trip to the Outer Banks? For a delectable adventure trying out the fresh local seafood at one of the Outer Banks’ many wonderful seafood markets and restaurants, check out our available vacation rentals today!

About the Author: Lauren is a longtime writer and travel enthusiast. She grew up on the Outer Banks and only left for a few years to get her degree at UNC-Chapel Hill and complete a tour in the Coast Guard before making her way back to the beach in 2017. When she isn’t writing for the Seaside Vacations Travel Blog, Lauren can usually be found with a book and cup of tea in hand, planning her next travel adventure.