Hatteras Island Restaurants
Dining on Hatteras Island means that you can expect restaurants with originality, personality, fresh ingredients and even some secret family recipes.
The best thing about dining on Cape Hatteras is that there are no chain restaurants with predictable atmosphere and bland fare. All Hatteras Island restaurants reflect the laid-back personality of the island lifestyle in a variety of ways, but you can rest assured that the owners, chefs and staff are quite serious and very professional about the fare they serve and the experience they offer.
Most Cape Hatteras restaurants put a major focus on the bounty of the sea. Local menus tout such specialties as Gulf Stream fish (yellowfin tuna, wahoo and mahi-mahi), inshore fish (trout, flounder and drum), succulent crab meat, oysters, clams, scallops, mussels and more. Restaurants will let you know what’s in season, and therefore the freshest, when you’re on the island. If it’s soft-shell crabs, don’t miss a chance to taste these delicacies! Fried seafood is no longer the staple of local menus, but you can get it if you want it. Most Hatteras restaurants feature more healthy preparations, like steaming, grilling, sautéing, blackening or broiling. If you want to cook seafood yourself, there are several Hatteras Island seafood markets; those are included in the listings in our Hatteras Shopping page.
If you’re not a seafood lover, don’t worry. Even the Hatteras Island seafood restaurants offer a wealth of other options like beef, pasta, chicken, pork and vegetarian entrees. And not every restaurant is seafood-oriented. You’ll find down-home North Carolina barbecue, Italian restaurants, plus pizza places, delis, ice cream shops and bakeries.
Meals are fairly priced on Hatteras Island, and dress is very casual. At this writing, Cape Hatteras restaurants can only serve beer and wine. Most Hatteras eateries close for some portion of the winter, though there is always something open, even in the dead of winter, to serve the growing population of locals. If you’re dining out from November through March, it’s best to call ahead to make sure your restaurant of choice is open. We have listed the Hatteras Island restaurants alphabetically within their respective villages, from north to south, starting in Rodanthe and ending in Hatteras Village.
Pop’s Raw Bar
- 48967 N.C. Highway 12
- Buxton
- (252) 995-7734
Pop’s is frequented by a lot of locals -– a sign that the seafood meets local standards of excellence. Across from Buxton Harbor, Pop’s specializes in steamed seafood, including shrimp, clams, oysters and crab legs. They also have more hearty fare, like burgers, subs, barbecue, seafood platters and a lot more. They’re open for lunch and dinner year-round, and they sometimes close on Sundays so call ahead.
Quarterdeck Restaurant
- 54214 N.C. Highway 12
- Frisco
- (252) 986-2425
Established in 1978, the Quarterdeck has been serving Hatteras Islanders for 30 years. This is a locally owned, casual, family-oriented restaurant specializing in seafood (try the crab cakes and stuffed flounder), char-grilled steaks and homemade desserts. A kids’ menu, beer and wine are available. It’s open for lunch and dinner every day in season; the only exception is Saturday lunch, when they take a break.
Rocco’s Pizza
- 57331 N.C. Highway 12
- Hatteras Village
- (252) 986-2150
Rocco’s is a great, time-tested place in Hatteras Village for pizza and Italian dishes. For lunch or dinner you can order Italian specialties, pizza, subs, salads and steamed shrimp. This is a casual, family-oriented restaurant with delicious food. They do not deliver. Rocco’s is open every day in season, and it closes in the winter.
Rusty’s Surf and Turf
- 47355 N.C. Highway 12
- Buxton
- (252) 995-4184
Rusty’s Surf and Turf brings the bold flavors and colors of the tropics to Hatteras Island. Owner and chef Rusty Midgett, a native who left the island and honed his restaurant and kitchen experience in some of Philadelphia’s top restaurants, is inspired in the kitchen by the places he has traveled on surf trips – the Caribbean, the Mexican Riviera, the Pacific Rim. Let him surprise you with his creative preparations of local seafood and premium beef. The restaurant is fun and colorful with bright but warm high-energy colors and cheerful local artwork. Beer and wine are served. All ages are welcome. Rusty’s serves lunch and dinner seven days a week in the summer; call for off-season hours. It’s located between Natural Art Surf Shop and the ABC Store.
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Sandbar and Grille
- 49250 N.C. Highway 12
- Buxton
- (252) 995-3413
Now in its 12th season, Sandbar and Grille, with its fantastic sound view that’s visible from every table, is an island favorite. The menu includes daily specials, homemade soups, great appetizers, sandwiches, burgers, steaks, pastas, fresh seafood and kids’ favorites. Some say their baby back ribs are the best on the island. The full menu is available for lunch and dinner. This is also one of the few late-night spots on the island. Live music, karaoke and a late menu will please all the night owls. Be sure to pick up your Sandbar T-shirts, beach towels, hats and other souvenirs. The Sandbar’s game room will entertain everyone in the family.
Sonny’s Restaurant
- 57947 N.C. Highway 12
- Hatteras Village
- (252) 986-2922
Serving Hatteras for more than 30 years, Sonny’s features breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast is rib-sticking, with fabulous homemade hash browns, omelets, pancakes, homemade biscuits and sausage gravy. Lunch offers burgers, soups and homemade daily specials. Dinner features nightly specials, fresh seafood platters, hand-cut steaks, pasta and mixed grills. Steamer specials include Dungeness crab, Alaskan snow crab legs, shrimp, crawfish, mussels and clams. Sonny’s closes for part of the off-season, so call ahead.
Subway of Avon
- 40548 N.C. Highway 12
- Avon
- (252) 995-6881
Swing by Subway to pick up picnics for the beach or lunch for your fishing trip. You’ll find all the usual Subway offerings –- design-your-own subs on several types of fresh-baked bread, healthy sandwiches, wraps and salads, chips, cookies and drinks. Eat in or take it out. Subway is open year round.
Sweet Jean’s Ice Cream
- 58848 Marina Way, Hatteras Landing
- Hatteras Village
- (252) 986-2179
Sweat Jean’s is a little cool-treat kiosk at Hatteras Landing. They offer soft-serve ice cream cones and cups and sprinkles for the wee ones. Enjoy your ice cream on the deck or take it over to the playground.
Teach’s Island Bar and Grill
- 58646 N.C. Highway 12, Teach’s Lair Marina
- Hatteras Village
- (252) 986-2139
Teach’s Island Bar and Grill has a fun, island-style atmosphere. It’s right on the docks at the harbor, so you can watch the boats come in or enjoy a nice Pamlico Sound sunset. The menu features great appetizers (wings, calamari and the like) plus fresh seafood, grilled fish, fish and chips, burritos, pasta dishes, steaks, homemade Carolina barbecue and much more. The children’s menu has plentiful offerings. Teach’s Island is open for lunch and dinner in season. The bar frequently has live music; call for a schedule.
The Captain’s Table
- 47048 N.C. Highway 12
- Buxton
- (252) 995-3117
The focus of The Captain’s Table is seafood — steamed, broiled, fried — and owner Donna Scarborough knows where to get the freshest fish on the island. Her husband is a commercial fisherman, so you know she has the right connections. The Captain’s Table is a family-style, casual restaurant serving seafood, ribs, steaks, beer and wine and much more. Special menus for children and seniors are available. The restaurant is open from mid-March through Thanksgiving weekend. They serve dinner nightly in season (call for days of operation in the off season) and lunch Monday through Friday.
The Catering Company
- 53674 N.C. Highway 12
- Frisco
- (252) 995-3354
The Catering Company, backed by the state-of-the-art restaurant kitchen at Frisco Sandwich Company, caters events of any size and style, from elaborate weddings to laid-back family reunions to professional corporate events. The professional and courteous staff is led by Tracy Morris, who has 18 years of experience in the catering and restaurant business.
The Gingerbread House
- 52175 N.C. Highway 12
- Frisco
- (252) 995-5204
The Gingerbread House is famous for its hearty breakfast and specialty pizzas. They’re open for breakfast until 11:30 a.m., serving traditional fare like eggs and omelets and French toast. They start serving pizza for dinner at 4:30 p.m. The pizzas are made on a delicious homemade crust with a great array of toppings. Pizza is available for eat in or take-out. A salad bar with fresh veggies rounds out the dinner offerings. The restaurant is open every day but Sunday. Winter hours are cut back, so call before you go.
The Hatterasman
- 57449 N.C. Highway 12
- Hatteras Village
- (252) 986-1005
For a fast meal that doesn’t taste like fast food, try The Hatterasman’s tasty burgers, hot dogs, fries, sandwiches, fried fish and kids’ meals for lunch or dinner. We recommend a side of their delicious fried vegetables, and their fries really can’t be beat. The Hatterasman now serves breakfast, featuring a variety of breakfast sandwiches. You can eat in or take it out seven days a week in season. They have WiFi service here.
The Mad Crabber
- 40606 N.C. Highway 12
- Avon
- (252) 995-5959
The Mad Crabber has a friendly staff, great food and a fun atmosphere that has built up a loyal following of customers since 1992. The restaurant serves four different types of crab – blue, snow, king and Dungeness. Steamed and grilled seafood is the specialty here, but you can get it fried too. The Mad Platter, a huge pizza pan piled with steamed seafood, is the most popular menu item. Salads and entrees, including steaks, are available as well. Kids like the pool table, video games and crayons, and adults like the top quality, reasonably priced food, plus the beer and wine. It’s open for dinner every night in season, Monday through Saturday in the shoulder seasons, and they close in the winter. They also have a late-night menu on Friday and Saturday.
Topper’s Pizza and Pasta
- 41934 N.C. Highway 12, Hatteras Island Plaza
- Avon
- (252) 995-3109
Topper’s offers pizza with hand-tossed dough and homemade sauces, calzones, pasta entrees, subs, appetizers, salads and desserts and daily specials. The atmosphere is warm and friendly; you’ll want to hang out. There’s a good selection of beer and wine. Lunch and dinner are served, and seasonal delivery is available in Avon.
Uglie Mugs Coffeehouse
- 40534 N.C. Highway 12
- Avon
- (252) 995-5590
Located next to Subway, Uglie Mugs serves coffee and all sorts of espresso-based drinks, tea and delicious baked goods. Internet access is available on your computer or theirs. This shop also houses a bead shop where you can make your own jewelry from thousands of beads. All the jewelry-making supplies you’ll need are available here. They also sell jewelry and photography by local artists.
Uncle Eddy’s Frozen Custard and 18-Hole Minigolf
- 46860 N.C. Highway 12
- Buxton
- (252) 995-4059
This is a great place to stop after a visit to the lighthouse. Uncle Eddy’s serves rich, delicious frozen custard and homemade ice cream, and there are more than 50 homemade flavors. Maybe you’d prefer something from the coffeehouse instead –- fresh-roasted coffee and a variety of espresso-based drinks are available. There are places to sit and relax while you enjoy your coffee and the kids play unlimited rounds of golf.
Uncle Pauly’s @ the East Coast Surf Club
- 24394 N.C. Highway 12
- Rodanthe
- (252) 987-1623
Uncle Pauly’s comfortable island style, lively Caribbean theme and Pamlico Sound views perfectly suit the mood of Hatteras Island. A family-friendly grill by day, Uncle Pauly’s serves lunch and dinner every day in season; call for off-season hours. The menus are eclectic, with Caribbean and Hawaiian island flair, but the emphasis is on fresh seafood. By night, Uncle Pauly’s is northern Hatteras Island’s happening nightclub and live music venue, and some nights there is karaoke. There’s a stage and dance floor, and the bar offers beer and wine.
Village Conery
- N.C. Highway 12
- Salvo
In need of a cool treat? The Village Conery has what you need — ice cream cones (choose from cake, sugar and waffle cones) milk shakes, floats, hurricanes, banana splits and sundaes. They offer soft-serve vanilla and chocolate, seven constantly changing flavors of hand-dipped ice cream, plus healthy frozen yogurt.
