When you think about dining out on the Outer Banks, you probably imagine luxurious seafood spreads with every dish you could possibly fit into one steamer pot. We get it—there’s nothing better than a fresh clambake for dinner. However, you don’t need to limit your dining out to evening meals alone. If you're looking for breakfast places in the Outer Banks- we've got you covered! The Outer Banks is known for having some of the best breakfast restaurants that you and your family will love! Here are our suggestions for 10 Outer Banks breakfast restaurants:
Bob’s Grill OBX — Kill Devil Hills
Stop by Bob’s Grill to “eat and get the hell out” as their sign famously states! Located at 1219 S. Croatan Hwy. in Kill Devil Hills, Bob’s is open for breakfast 7 days a week beginning at 7AM. Choose from a selection of specials including Pecan Waffles, Blueberry French Toast, and Omelettes stuffed with anything you could possibly want. Don’t forget to ask about their daily drink specials including Bloody Marys and flavored Mimosas! View the full menu.
Darrell's Seafood Restaurant — Manteo
If you're looking for something a little further south, Darrell's Seafood Restaurant in Manteo has been drawing in locals and visitors alike since the 1960s. Darrell's is open for breakfast Monday through Saturday starting a 7AM. You can never go wrong with their selection of fresh biscuits and hearty breakfast platters. Try their sweet potato hotcakes or enjoy breakfast like you can only at the beach and grab a delicious crabmeat omelette. And don't forget to choose from their wide variety of traditional country breakfast sides including corned beef hash, spiced apples, grits, and sausage gravy. View the full menu.
Front Porch Café — Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head & Manteo
There’s nothing like fresh coffee in the morning to get you going and Front Porch Café has you covered! With three convenient locations in Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, and Manteo, Front Porch Café offers your caffeine fix and a selection of delicious, fresh baked goods like muffins, scones, cinnamon rolls, croissants, granola and more! You can also order from a fine selection of fresh ground coffees and even buy different blends to take home for later! View the full menu.
Grits Grill — Nags Head
Stop by Grits Grill at 5000 S. Croatan Hwy. in Nags Head for a classic old-fashioned diner experience with delicious breakfast items! Breakfast is served any time of the day and the large menu guarantees everyone in your family will be satisfied. Try a seafood omelette with shrimp and crabmeat to really embrace the coastal lifestyle or stick with breakfast favorites like hot cakes, gourmet grits or creamed chipped beef! View full menu.
Henry’s Restaurant — Kill Devil Hills
For a tasty sit-down family breakfast, stop by Henry’s Restaurant at 3396 N. Croatan Hwy. in Kill Devil Hills between 7AM and 1PM. Open year-round, Henry’s has a menu selection that will satisfy even the pickiest palate. Try “The Captain” which offers 2 eggs cooked to your preference, grits or home fries, toast or biscuits, and your choice of protein (like country ham, pork chop, ham, sausage, and bacon!) You can also order breakfast sandwiches, omelettes, hot cakes and more! View full menu.
Jolly Roger Restaurant — Kill Devil Hills
Known as a local’s favorite for a delicious breakfast, stop by Jolly Roger at 1836 N. Virginia Dare Trail in Kill Devil Hills between 6:30AM and 2PM. Build your own omelette, try the French Toast with applewood bacon, order a hearty breakfast sandwich, or even try “Pancake Lasagna!” The kids will love the pirate-themed décor! View full menu.
Lighthouse Bagels — Duck & Corolla
If you’re staying up in Duck or Corolla, Lighthouse Bagels at 807 Ocean Trail in Corolla is the perfect stop for a great breakfast! Known for their amazing bagels, choose between flavors like plain, onion, sriracha everything, blueberry, rosemary olive oil and more! They also have several flavors of cream cheese so you can try more than one combination! If you prefer a breakfast sandwich, try a sausage, egg & cheese or a fresh slice of coffee cake to go! View full menu.
Saltbox Café — Kill Devil Hills
Less than 2 miles from the bypass and nestled among the trees, the Saltbox Café at 1469 Colington Road in Kill Devil Hills is the go-to place for a delicious Sunday Brunch! Between 9AM and 2PM, enjoy a delectable menu with items like fresh buttermilk pancakes, stuffed berry French toast, a garden frittata, or our personal favorite, the crabby benedict made with fresh crab and a delicious hollandaise sauce. Don’t forget to order a Bloody Mary or Mimosa with your meal! View full menu.
Sam & Omie's Restaurant — Nags Head
Less than 0.5 mile south of the Outlets at Nags Head, Sam & Omie's is the local early morning breakfast spot that you do not want to miss! Originally created as a pre-fishing breakfast stop by a couple of local fisherman, Sam & Omie's Restaurant offers many different delicious breakfast choices including "Sam & Omie's Favorites" like Crab Benedict and the Mc"Omie," with ham, egg, and cheddar cheese on an English Muffin. Enjoy a wide variety of pancake and French Toast options, signature "Omie"lettes, and breakfast sandwiches. For the adults in your party, be sure to enjoy a Mimosa or a Bloody Mary with your breakfast. View full menu.
Stack’em High Pancakes & So Forth — Kitty Hawk & Kill Devil Hills
Locally owned and operated since 1981, Stack ‘Em High Pancakes & So Forth has two conveient locations to stop by for breakfast! At 1225 S. Croatan Hwy. in Kill Devil Hills, through a cafeteria style line and grab some fresh fruit, hot coffee, and order your favorite breakfast dish, which a friendly server will bring to your table in record time. Try a short stack of pancakes with your favorite side items, Belgian waffles, egg platters, or made-to-order omelettes! View full menu.
For those vacationing in the nothern beaches, the Kitty Hawk location is located at 3801 N. Croatan Hwy. Open at 7AM Monday – Friday and 6:30AM – 2PM on summer weekends for eat-in or takeout, enjoy a choice of specialty pancakes, Belgian waffles, various omelette flavors, and plenty of sides like eggs, bacon and country ham. View full menu.
Bonus: Orange Blossom Bakery & Cafe — Buxton
Any list of fantastic local breakfast spots would be amiss without mentioning the Orange Blossom Bakery & Cafe, so we're adding this recommendation as our bonus staff local favorite! Located just off Highway 12 in Buxton on Hatteras Island, this bakery and cafe has been serving up their famous "Apple Uglies" for over 40 years. Be sure to get in line early for one of these famous fritters and while you're there, stock up on some delicious pasteries, muffins, and specialty breads. They also offer a wide selection of breakfast sandwiches and burritos, making it easy to pick up something for the whole family. View full menu here.
Now that you have planned out your outer banks dining itinerary, it’s time to book your accommodations! Explore our outer banks vacation rentals today.
*2020 Disclaimer: all operating hours are subject to change based on local and state restrictions due to COVID-19. Call restaurants individually with specific questions.
About the Author: Jessie has been coming to the Outer Banks since she was just 5 years old. She loved it here so much that she finally relocated in 2018. Now her mission is to show the world that the Outer Banks is an incredible place that everyone should experience. When she isn't working, you can find Jessie hanging out with her friends, chilling at home with a good book, or discovering a new Outer Banks adventure.
