Restaurants - Rodanthe, Waves & Salvo
This page provides information for restaurants in Rodanthe, Waves & Salvo, NC on the Outer Banks.
Atlantic Coast Café
- 25150 N.C. Highway 12, across from the KOA Campground
- Waves
- (252) 987-1200
Serving delicious food for a reasonable price in a comfortable, family-friendly casual setting, “ACC” serves breakfast, lunch or dinner on Hatteras Island, either in Waves or the new location in Avon. Stop in for great breakfasts and fresh coffee (breakfast sandwiches are served all day), amazing grilled wraps, great burgers, unique Reubens (crabcake, turkey, classic), their famous marinated or Cajun grilled tuna, possibly the best chicken strips east of the Mississippi, delicately fried seafood baskets, mac-n-cheese to die for, peppery shrimp salad, a hefty chef salad, a fresh seafood quesadilla, creamy shrimp & grits and lots more. There are also smoothies, coffees, fresh muffins, killer desserts, lattes, teas and a variety of sodas, juices, beer and wine. Friendly and efficient staff, great food and free WiFi make for a great experience. The full menu is available for take-out. ACC opens at 7 a.m. daily.
Top Dog Café
- 25202 Island Pine Drive and N.C. Highway 12
- Waves
- (252) 987-1272
Top Dog Cafe has been a local icon serving great food for more than 12 years on Hatteras Island. They’re reputed to have the some of the biggest and best burgers on the Banks, the largest of which is the two-pound Cyclone. Top Dog also offers innovative appetizers, salads, wraps, burgers, seafood, sandwiches and dinner entrees. Some of the favorite items are the Cajun crab wrap, fish tacos, Jamaican tuna wrap, golden lump crab cakes, bacon-wrapped scallops, fresh mushroom and Swiss burger, Parrothead Salad and Paradise Pasta. The atmosphere is a relaxed and rustic “Keys style” casual — perfect for the whole family. Kids’ meals are available, and beer and wine are served. Top Dog is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week in the summer and is closed on Tuesdays in the spring and fall.
Beach Mugs
- 24267 N.C. Highway 12, Pamlico Station
- Rodanthe
- (252) 987-2005
Beach Mugs serves coffee and all sorts of espresso-based drinks, tea and delicious smoothies and baked goods. Internet access is available on your computer or theirs. This shop also houses The Glass Bead 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.
Big Waves Market
- 26006 N.C. Highway 12, St. Waves Plaza
- Waves
- (252) 987-2352
When hunger calls, head to Big Waves, which is a deli and small market. The deli is for take-out only, and it’s a great place to pick up a picnic for the beach. The deli offers gourmet sandwiches and subs, deli salads, prepared foods and ice cream. The market sells fresh produce, beer and wine (including build-your-own six packs from a great selection of beer) fresh bread, meats, condiments, necessities, organic products, salsas and sauces and much more.
Boardwok South
- 24267 N.C. Highway 12, Pamlico Station
- Rodanthe
- (252) 987-1080
Boardwok South brings something for the adventurous palates of Hatteras Island. Billing itself as an Asian-American eatery, it offers delicious entrees from the wok, incorporating fresh vegetables, seafood, chicken, rice and noodles into flavorful, healthful dishes. There’s also an Americanized side to the menu with surf and turf entrees (try the “steak and cake”), crab cakes, scallops, kids’ offerings and excellent sides. Boardwok South’s atmosphere is clean, comfortably spartan and relaxing, and there’s a bar in back. Boardwok serves dinner Monday through Saturday nights and is closed Sunday.
Dairy Queen
- 25199 N.C. Highway 12
- Waves
- (252) 987-1228
This location offers a pick-up window and drive-thru for ice cream and all of Dairy Queen’s frozen treats as well as hot dogs and drinks.
Down Under Restaurant and Lounge
- 25920 N.C. Highway 12
- Waves
- (252) 987-2277
Down Under is a longtime favorite family restaurant on northern Hatteras Island. Adventurous eaters might want to try the Australian specialties, including kangaroo burgers and Aussie-inspired sandwiches. But Down Under is really known for its seafood. The menu also includes chicken, pasta, steaks and kids’ offerings. The view of the sound and sunsets is fantastic, and large parties are welcome. It’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Forbes Candies HWY 12 Coffee and Tea Company
- 24502 N.C. Highway 12, Waves Village Kiteboarding Resort
- Rodanthe
- (252) 987-2320
Here’s a new place to take a break. Forbes Candies HWY 12 Coffee and Tea Company offers the sweets that Forbes Candy in Nags Head is known for — saltwater taffy, fresh fudge and chocolates. At this location they also offer coffee, including a full espresso bar offering specialty coffee and espresso drinks. The blended frappuccinos are a customer favorite. They mix up smoothies and sell 20 varieties of loose tea. In the bakery case are cinnamon rolls, muffin tops, New York Bagels and a variety of other treats. Summer hours are 6:30 a.m. until 10 p.m.
Frank’s OBX Dog House
- 25972 N.C. Highway 12
- Waves
- No phone
Across from the Waves Post Office, you’ll find Frank’s OBX Dog House, serving all-beef hot dogs piled with delicious toppings including sauerkraut and NY sweet onion sauce. Feel free to make your own combination or choose one of theirs. They also serve brats with spicy brown mustard, potato salad, nachos piled high with chili, onions, jalapenos and cheese, Coney Island Potato Knish, a slightly seasoned mashed potato pie and specials in the summer. This restaurant is for take-out only, but they have picnic tables in the yard.
Good Winds Seafood & Wine Bar
- 24502 N.C. Highway 12, Waves Village Kiteboarding Resort
- Rodanthe
- (252) 987-1100
Whether you’ve worked up an appetite kite-boarding on site or you just want a meal with a water view, Good Winds is a good choice on northern Hatteras Island. With its second-floor perch over the Pamlico Sound and a deck for outdoor dining, it’s the place to watch the sunset. The menus feature familiar local seafood — tuna, grouper, shrimp, crab cakes — along with some more exotic offerings like an alligator burger and conch fritters. Appetizers, grilled pizzas, wraps, burgers, fish tacos and salads are offered for lunch, while dinner goes a little fancier with finely crafted seafood entrees, steaks, pasta chicken and chops. Everything is chef-prepared and made from scratch. A kids’ menu is available. The bar has one of the most extensive wine and beer selections on Hatteras Island, and it’s a good place to hang out after a ride in the wind or until midnight on the weekends. Lunch and dinner are served every day.
Hot Tuna Grub & Pub
- 23500 N.C. Highway 12
- Rodanthe
- (252) 987-2266
When the meal calls for good, reasonably priced, casual fare, Hot Tuna Pub & Grub has what you need. Kicked back in the beach-tiki atmosphere, at the bar or in the dining room, you can enjoy steamed seafood, fried seafood baskets, burgers, sandwiches, pizza and more. Lunch and dinner are served daily. This restaurant is definitely family friendly, and kids’ meals are on the menu. Pool tables and Foosball games are in the bar area, where you’ll also find karaoke and entertainment on occasion. Hot Tuna offers take-out. The restaurant is next to Island Convenience in Rodanthe.
Leonardo’s Pizza
- 11000 N.C. Highway 12, Reef Store
- Rodanthe
- (252) 987-6522
Leonardo’s offers delicious, fresh-made, New York-style pizza with a variety of toppings, plus salads, calzones and hearty subs stuffed with all the favorite fillings. It’s located at the Reef beach supplies store in Rodanthe. You can pick up your order or have it delivered in Rodanthe, Waves or Salvo. They’re closed on Mondays.
Lisa’s Pizzeria
- 24158 N.C. Highway 12
- Rodanthe
- (252) 987-2525
Lisa’s, in business for nearly 25 years, is legendary on Hatteras Island. Come here for lunch or dinner to chow down on Italian favorites like hand-tossed pizza, calzones, lasagna, manicotti and spaghetti. Submarine sandwiches, wraps and burgers are also on the menu. The side dishes are excellent, including salads, fried mushrooms and broccoli, chicken wings and outstanding garlic cheese bread. They serve beer and wine. Small and casual, Lisa’s is great for eating in, but they also offer take-out and free delivery.
Marilyn’s Deli
- 23532 N.C. Highway 12, Island Convenience
- Rodanthe
- (252) 987-2239
There’s a constant flow of customers at this convenience store deli counter, so you know that’s a sign that the food is delicious. The deli’s breakfast offerings include fresh-made biscuits and breakfast platters, breakfast sandwiches on croissants, muffins, bagels, toast or biscuits and more. For lunch you can get deli sandwiches, hot meats and vegetables, fried chicken, fries and ice cream. The service is quick, and you can eat inside or out. This is a great place to pick up a quick meal and all the ice, drinks, tackle and supplies you’ll need for a fishing trip or beach day.
MOJO’s Sunset Cafe
- 25676 N.C. Highway 12
- Waves
- (252) 987-1600
MOJO’s Sunset Café is a waterfront restaurant located in the big red building directly behind the REAL Flagship Store in Waves. MOJO’s serves award-winning cuisine including breakfast, lunch and dinner, beer, wine and coffee, plus fresh juices, teas, fruit, baked goods and more. Enjoy fresh fish, pulled pork and chicken tacos at Taco Tuesday every week. Happy Hour at MOJO’s often finds groups of people watching the sunset over the Pamlico Sound with live entertainment and beautiful views of the kiteboarders in action. MOJO’s Sunset Café has eat-in and take-out service as well as deliveries.
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, sundaes and coffee coolers. They offer soft-serve vanilla and chocolate, constantly changing flavors of hand-dipped ice cream, plus healthy frozen yogurt. They’ve recently added more outdoor seating. There’s no phone so just stop by.
