Diverse Restaurants Serve up Tempting Tastes

DIVERSE RESTAURANTS SERVE UP TEMPTING TASTES
Outer Banks' Eclectic Mix of Eateries Provides Something for Every Taste, Budget

OUTER BANKS, N.C. - Not only is the Outer Banks known for its beautiful beaches, quaint villages and historic and cultural attractions, the area also boasts many fabulous restaurants. With nearly 200 from which to choose, vacationers will find everything from a casual, fun atmosphere with moderately priced fare to upscale, luxurious, fine dining.

And, depending upon one's culinary mood, diners can treat themselves to everything from the excellent local seafood one would expect from a renowned beach destination, to Italian, Mexican, Southwestern, French and more. There are even the traditional fast-food outlets for diners on the go.

Casual Favorites
Vacationers coming and going off the beach, history buffs touring the area's unique museums, and outdoor lovers spending the day exploring the area's lighthouses and national parks will find plenty of choices for casual dining at breakfast, lunch and dinner time. Most of the destination's restaurants welcome visitors as they are dressed, but most do require shirts and shoes, even if the shoes are flip-flops! Following is just a small sampling of the diverse choices:

Slammin' Sammy's Offshore Grill and Stillery located in Nags Head is not just your average sports bar and restaurant. Featuring 38 televisions with four big screens, pool and table-top shuffleboard, Sammy's serves seafood, sandwiches and pizza and is open daily for lunch and dinner. Visitors can find out more and get their own Slammin' Sammy's gear at www.slamminsammys.com

Flying Fish Café, located in Kill Devil Hills, is known for its fantastic food. From casual to sophisticated fare, this café offers daily specials and an eclectic menu for those with sea legs and land lovers. For more information, visit www.flyingfishcafe.net

There are many casual dining options on the Northern Beaches in Nags Head. Sam & Omie's, a locals' favorite and the oldest restaurant in the Outer Banks, is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. RV's has a great view and serves seafood and steaks. Basnight's Lone Cedar Café also has a terrific view and great food, offering fresh seafood, pasta dishes, chicken, beef and homemade soups. Both are open for lunch and dinner.

Owens' Restaurant boasts a rich maritime heritage and is open nightly for dinner from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. Since its inception in 1946, Owens' has specialized in seafood; but it also offers an extensive menu with a great variety of pastas, beef, veal and poultry. To find out more, visit www.owensrestaurant.com

On Hatteras Island, Hodad's Café, with its classic surf décor and great food, is open daily for lunch and dinner, serving fresh local seafood, pasta, burgers and vegetarian dishes. Tides Restaurant also is located on Hatteras Island and offers local seafood, steaks and chicken for dinner and homemade biscuits, omelets and pancakes for breakfast.

Upscale Dining
While most restaurants on the Outer Banks are casual in nature, fit for anyone coming right off the beach, there are options for those seeking a special night out. Whether it be a birthday or anniversary celebration or simply a need for an upscale environment, visitors have many choices in fine dining establishments. Here are just a few:

The Left Bank is located in The Sanderling Resort and Spa in the town of Duck on Highway 12. Known for its great martinis and spectacular views of the Currituck Sound, The Left Bank serves French-inspired contemporary cuisine. Named for its location on the Outer Banks, the restaurant offers a three-course option for $55 per person and a five-course meal for $75 per person. Reservations are requested three days prior to dining, and coats are required for men. The restaurant is open for dinner only, with the bar opening at 5 p.m. and the dining room, at 5:30 p.m. Ages 13 and older are welcome to enjoy this decadent experience. For more information, visit www.thesanderling.com

Penguin Isle Soundside Grill and Bar is located in Nags Head and known for its incredible sunset views. The restaurant serves fresh local seafood directly from the Wanchese fish market six miles away and aged-choice Angus beef. It also offers a variety of exceptional wines, which has earned Penguin Isle the Wine Spectators "Award of Excellence" since 1992. Open at 5 p.m. for dinner daily, the acclaimed restaurant gives visitors much more than great views. For details, visit www.kellysrestaurant.com/penguin

Another upscale dining favorite is Austin Creek Grill on Hatteras Island at Hatteras Landing next to the ferry docks. Serving contemporary Carolina seafood and Southern specialties, the waterfront bistro is open for dinner daily. For more information, visit www.hatteraslanding.com/austincreekgrill

Sweet Retreats
Vacationers with a sweet tooth will relish the Outer Banks' many ice cream parlors and candy shops. One of the best known, Forbes Candies has two "family-fun" shops in Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head, from which they've served vacationers for more than 40 years. The company's original recipes are still used to make its famous salt water taffy, decadent fudge, pecan delights and delicious candies. Forbes also offers a large selection of gifts, shell items, toys and souvenirs from the Outer Banks.

Seasonal Savings
Vacationers may frequently check out www.outerbanks.org for information and specials on seasonal savings, in addition to enjoying savings with the Outer Banks Getaway Card. The card entitles guests to many values and deals throughout the area at local restaurants, accommodations and shops. For more information or to get a card to enjoy savings on a trip to the Outer Banks, call (877) OBX-4FUN (629-4386) or visit the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau web site at www.outerbanks.org

The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau, a public authority, is the lead marketing and promotional agency for The Outer Banks of North Carolina® and is funded by 1% occupancy and 1% prepared meals tax, collected in Dare County.

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