One of my favorite things about exploring new places is sampling the local cuisine. When I was invited on a press trip to the Outer Banks, I was excited about the selection of restaurants we would be trying. I was not disappointed! The week I spent on the Outer Banks of North Carolina proved to be a culinary smorgasbord. Staying on the coast I expected to sample delicious seafood, but I was surprised to find a variety of other options. Our first stop was the Full Moon Cafe and Brewery in Manteo. Located on bustling Queen Elizabeth Street, we arrived to find a full house, always a good sign! They’re known for their steaks and seafood, so we started with the recommended Baked Crab Dip. Oh my, yum! This was a creamy au gratin sauce topped with a portion of lump crab. I could have made a meal on this, but added a wrap, called “The Hunter” to my order. Filled with grilled Angus beef strips, baked with onions, tomatoes, white cheddar and horseradish, this was the perfect lunch choice. Be warned, their portions are huge, so you’ll probably need a to go box!
Naturally, we couldn’t visit the Outer Banks without sampling the seafood. Our next stop was Diamond Shoals Restaurant in nearby Buxton. Located adjacent to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Diamond Shoals was relaxed, family-friendly place. Although they’ve received an award for their chowder, I perused their Daily Specials and Lunch Menu until I found the oysters. Assured by the waitress they were fresh, I took a chance and was glad I did. Served with sweet potato fries and freshly made coleslaw, the oysters were the perfect combo of crispy and chewy. Be sure to try their fried hush puppies and homemade tartar sauce too.
I believe dessert should be a food group, so I was excited to discover we would be sampling “apple uglies” from the Orange Blossom Bakery and Cafe, also located in Buxton. Although they serve a variety of breakfast sandwiches, they are famous for their pastries, including the signature “apple uglie,” a massive fritter, filled with spiced apples and topped with icing. One of these fritters could easily serve two to three people. As we watched the pastry chef prepared the fritters and told us a little of the history. They’ve been around since the 1950’s and still have people forming a line that snakes outside the building to get a chance to try these fritters.
One of my biggest regrets about visiting new areas is I am unable to sample all the restaurants the locals recommend. After all, I can’t eat all the time! Thankfully, this year I was able to visit the Outer Banks Seafood Festival in Nags Head, North Carolina. Featuring over fifteen restaurants, we were able to purchase “seafood bucks” and use these bucks to purchase samples. The festival included fun for the entire family with everything from a “mullet throwing contest” to a local crafts section to a variety of demonstrations on how to properly prepare seafood. Did you know you should never use basic table salt when preparing seafood? I didn’t either.
Have you visited the Outer Banks? What are your favorite restaurants?
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The grilled rockfish tacos at Buxton Munch and burgers at Bros Sandwich Shop in Avon are my favorites. We own a home in Avon so I visit often!
That’s awesome! I will have to try those restaurants the next time I am in Avon!
Those blue crabs are soo cool! I would love to check this place out
Yum! I have always wanted to go to the Outer Banks!
Wow, what an amazing variety of foods! I totally want to try some apple uglies
All that seafood looks incredible! I need to plan a trip to the Outer Banks quick.
I havne’t eaten in that area before but the food looks great! Thanks for the info.
I’ve never visited the Outer Banks but it sounds like you had an interesting dining experience! Sweet potato fries are my favorite! I could eat them from anywhere and enjoy them.
This looks like an awesome place to visit! I would love to visit here someday.
THOSE FRITTERS! Okay, now I am starving and dying to eat my way around the outer banks too!
You can’t go wrong with seafood when you visit the Outer Banks. Of course, a trip to Duck Donuts is also a must!
They were closed on the day we were there. I wanted to try them too!
YUM YUM YUM! Those pastries look delicious!
I have always felt that the local food should be an important part of every trip. Ilove the looks of the dishes there.
I have never visited North Carolina but your food photos definitely make me want to plan a trip. I love seafood, especially when it’s super fresh, and would have a total field day at the Seafood Festival.
This is really neat. I have never been to the Outer Banks but the food looks amazing.
I know, isn’t a shame we can’t eat all of the time w/o feeling full/getting chubby/ not being well, lol. Especially when there are so many choices. 😉
This is one area I have not been to a vacation. By the looks of your trip, I have to put this on my must visit list
Oh man, this is making me hungry! I love traveling and the food is the best part.
The food looks amazing at Outer Banks, I am definitely going to have to make my way there some time.
I’ve never visited the outer banks but I would love to. The food looks amazing and I would love to sample everything.
Nope, I’ve never been to the outer banks. I’d like to go. I also did not know about the salt. I guess you are supposed to use sea salt???
There’s plenty to see! I’m hoping to go back sometime and bring some family along.
You can use any salt as long as it doesn’t contain iodine, they said in the demo.
I’ve never visited the Outer Banks but I definitely want to now! I would eat my way around there, too!
I have never visited the Outer Banks but have heard so many positive things about it. Bookmarking your post for a hopeful future visit!
I love seafood and wish a Diamond Shoals Restaurant was close to me. I might have to plan a trip to to this seafood festival.
Oh I need to travel in the South. All that food looks delicious
I love the Outer Banks! We vacationed there a couple of years ago – SO MUCH FUN! So beautiful there. This looks like a great place to visit if we ever make it back there
Food pics during travel get me every time. Those crabs on the last pic look too pretty to eat!
I’ve never been but my parents were talking about a big family reunion there next summer. If so, I’m definitely checking out your restaurants! Yes to seafood. I mean.. when in Rome.
This was so much fun. I loved the apple uglies. I really need to get my family out there sometime!
I’d love to visit North Carolina someday. Those restaurants sound worthy of trip, everything looks so good!
OMG, I would love to take a trip like this. The Outer Banks are beautiful, and the food… Yum. Just yum.
I visited the Outer Banks many moons ago but need to go back and go on a culinary adventure after seeing your post! Those sweet potato fries look so good.
This looks delicious! We have not had the opportunity to visit the Outer Banks yet, but it is definitely on my list of places I want to go to!
I’m saving this post to reference next summer! We go to the Outer Banks every year, but we stay in Duck, so most of the restaurants I’ve visited have been there. We’d love to branch out, though!
I seriously LOVE seafood! that looks amazing 😀 I can’t wait to visit NC and find this gem. Great pics!
I have eaten at Diamond Shoals. I loved the drive through fried hoagie shop.
I am not sure what a hoagie is, but I bet they are awesome 😉
One of my favourite things about travelling is trying new foods.
I have actually never tried a fried hush puppy but it looks so good especially with a side of sweet potato fries!
I’ve never been to the Outer Banks, but I’ve heard it’s heaven! Looks like the food is divine too!
I want one of those apple uglies right about now. OMG, it looks ah-mazing.