Good Times, Good Food
Finally I have had time to dedicate to what is most probably the most important section of my mini-guide- the places I look forward to visiting every time I go to the Outer Banks. Over the five odd years my family has been visiting, we've always found a couple places each time that made the entire trip for us. Since the guidebooks have not been particularly helpful at pointing us in the direction of good times, it's often taken a while to find places like these. True to one of the main purposes of writings- making sure others don't have to spend as much time driving up and down the Beach road and Bypass to find these places - the following is a list of places that my family and I have the fondest memories.
This list is certainly not exhaustive; it is limited by my own recollections and certainly should not be taken as a list of the only places to have a good time on the Outer Banks. I haven't been there often enough to be able to say anything like that (though I hope to).
This is where you, the readers, come in. I'd like to ask anyone- locals particularly but visitors also- who has a particular place (not just restaurants, either!) that they'd like to nominate to this list, email me with the name of the place and a brief description, particular fond memory, menu recommendation, etc.
I'd also like to give my thanks to obxqueers for letting me use this space and for recommending some of the places I've listed. The best piece of advice I have: ask people who live here.
Enough preliminary matters, onward to the list!
The List:
Daredevil's:
Reasonably priced, nice pizza place with a bar and neighborhood meeting place atmosphere, specializing in deep-dish pizza with plenty of cheese. We make a point of going here everytime we're on the Outer Banks, and it never disappoints.
New York Pizza Pub:
Another moderately priced (One thing I've noticed: the best places to eat are all inexpensive) restaurant with a full menu of pizza, pasta, and other specialties, as well as its own excellent microbrew. (obxqueers note: Weeping Radish is the area's first producer of its own microbrew- Bavarian style food, located in Manteo. The Outer Banks Brew Pub is a pretty recent addition however, and they also make their own beer. Rumored to be a good nightlife spot as well.) The pizza is deep-dish, with a great sauce, and the overall atmosphere is excellent. Souvenirs are available. It is interesting to note that NY Pizza Pub was not included in the most recent edition of the Insider's Guide to the Outer Banks, which once again proves that relying on the guidebooks is not the way to go.
Duck Deli:
Moving away from things pizza, this deli located (surprisingly) in Duck is a great place for eating in or carrying out a picnic lunch. A wide variety of subs and other sandwiches are available. Duck Deli also boasts the largest selection of hot sauces that I've ever seen. Highlights also include the Deli's excellent, thin, smoky barbeque and their delicious bagels with cream cheese and lox (but large bits of smoked salmon, yum). If you're staying in Nags Head or KDH it is a bit of a drive (30-45 minutes +, depending on traffic) but is well worth it!
Big Al's:
A nice fifties-style diner in Manteo. Pleasant atmosphere and friendly service, with great sandwiches and desserts. Also mentioned in the hangouts section of the OBXqueers page.
Sam and Omie's:
A casual restaurant with a bar, specializing in seafood and sandwiches. Their she-crab soup is worthy of a special note.(obxqueers note: Green Dolphin Pub in Manteo also has great she-crab soup. It runs about 5 bucks but is so rich you barely need the rest of the meal.) Also mentioned on the hangouts page.
Shopping and Other Activities:
Scarborough Faire:
A pleasant shopping area in Duck featuring craft shops, bookstores, clothing and bath goods stores, and pastry shops. A great place to spend a few hours.
Carolina Moon:
Two locations. A store specializing in crafts, vintage clothing, candles, incense, oils, inspirational books. Friendly service and creative gift ideas make both locations worth visting.
Coquina Beach:
In the Hatteras National Seashore. Wide expanses of beach, fine sand, well-equipped bathouses and plenty of seashells and waves makes this a great place to swim, sun, picnic, and otherwise spend the day.
The Nags Head Fishing Pier:
A triple attraction. Th diner serves a great breakfast as well as a full-service bait and tackle shop. But the best reason to go there, IMHO, is the view. The pier stretches for more than 100 feet onto the ocean, and is well-lit. At night, the view from the pier is simply spectacular. The bright lighting of the pier, alongside the darkness of the ocean, gives teh feeling of being in a planetarium. I've never been anywhere where the stars seemed as close as they do on the pier at night. (obxqueers note: Also try Kitty Hawk FP for the same!)
Jet Boat Rides in Manteo:
Out of all the boat rides we've tried out, probably the most enjoyable. You tour the sounds at high speeds, stoping to view the various points of interest, including the most dolphins I've seen in one place. Hold on to your hat - last year, someone lost a baseball cap, which the boat turned around to recover, (successfully, I might add) I don't know if everyone's always that lucky :-) A great way to spend a few hours and cool off.
The Elizabethan Gardens:
A must for nature lovers. Beautifully tended flower gardens combined with well-placed statuary.
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