Duck, NC, Restaurants

Including Southern Shores Restaurants

For such small towns, Southern Shores and Duck, NC, restaurants have some pretty sophisticated dining options.

Whether you want pizza delivery or upscale cuisine matched with a Wine Spectator award-winning wine list, you’ll find what you’re looking for. Most Duck, NC, restaurants, like so many of the Outer Banks restaurants, stick to American fare, with an emphasis on seafood. That doesn’t mean there aren’t creative chefs in Duck, NC; you’ll find some very innovative preparations of seafood, meats, fresh produce and traditional ingredients. Southern Shores restaurants include a couple of chains (ever heard of a little place called Starbucks?), a great pizza place and a wonderful gourmet foods market/cafe.

Duck, NC, restaurants can boast of three of the top food and wine destinations on the Outer Banks. You can sip coffee in a front porch rocker, have a romantic dinner with a sound view, savor wine under a canopy of live oaks, eat al fresco while listening to jazz, catch sports on a bar TV, grab a slice of pizza, lick ice cream while feeding ducks or take the whole family out for a seafood dinner.

Visiting Duck, NC, Restaurants

In the summer, when there are way more people than there are seats at Duck, NC, restaurants, you may want to eat out early or late or make a reservation (where possible). The least crowded nights at the restaurants in Duck and Southern Shores are, maybe surprisingly, Friday and Saturday nights. That’s because of scheduled arrivals and departures at the vacation rental companies. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are typically the busiest nights in the summer, local restaurateurs say. In the off-season, eating out in Duck, NC, is much more relaxed and accessible. Some restaurants close in the dead of winter, but there is always something open. Several Southern Shores and Duck, NC, restaurants are now staying open year round. Both towns have full ABC permits, so you can order beer, wine or liquor at restaurants that have those options.

Duck Restaurants by Location or Category

Duck Restaurants | Southern Shores Restaurants
 

Big Buck's Homemade Ice Cream

Duck, NC, Restaurant
Multiple locations

For a tasty treat, head to Big Buck’s Homemade Ice Cream. Choose from more than 50 flavors of made-from-scratch ice cream plus sorbet and soft serve....read more

For a tasty treat, head to Big Buck’s Homemade Ice Cream. Choose from more than...read more

Cookshak Fried Chicken

Duck, NC, Restaurant
Multiple locations

If it’s Southern chicken, then it’d better be fried. At least, that’s what they believe at The Cookshak Fried Chicken. Their small menu lets them...read more

If it’s Southern chicken, then it’d better be fried. At least, that’s what they believe at The Cookshak Fried Chicken....read more

Cosmo’s Pizzeria

Southern Shores, NC, Restaurant
5591 N. Croatan Highway, The Marketplace, Southern Shores
(252) 261-8388

Cosmo’s offers Italian-style food that’s worth seeking out. The pizza crust is perfect — crisp on the outside and soft on the inside and with just a...read more

Cosmo’s offers Italian-style food that’s worth seeking out. The pizza crust is perfect — crisp...read more

One of the most well-known and trusted caterers on the Outer Banks – a legend since 1985 – Kelly’s offers family-style meals as well as individual meals for...read more

One of the most well-known and trusted caterers on the Outer Banks – a legend...read more

NC Coast Grill & Bar

Duck, NC, Restaurant
1184 Duck Road, Duck
(252) 248-3211

The second restaurant from the team at Duck’s Red Sky Cafe, NC Coast Grill & Bar has an open kitchen, concrete bar, upscale coastal decor and waterfront...read more

The second restaurant from the team at Duck’s Red Sky Cafe, NC Coast Grill &...read more

Pizzazz Pizza

Duck, NC, Restaurant
Multiple locations

Pizzazz is a pizza favorite on the Outer Banks. They’ve been around since 1986 because they make consistently great pizza with generous toppings and...read more

Pizzazz is a pizza favorite on the Outer Banks. They’ve been around since 1986 because...read more

Red Sky

Duck, NC, Restaurant
1197 Duck Road, Duck Landing, Duck
(252) 261-8646

Red Sky is an inviting cafe with a creative menu of contemporary coastal cuisine. Chef Wes Stepp and his team turn out some incredible fare, including filet...read more

Red Sky is an inviting cafe with a creative menu of contemporary coastal cuisine. Chef...read more

The Fudgery

Corolla and Nags Head, NC, Restaurant
Multiple locations

Don’t you hate it when people say that chocolate fudge is sinful? Sometimes it’s just a necessity. The Fudgery’s creamy concoctions can satisfy any sweet...read more

Don’t you hate it when people say that chocolate fudge is sinful? Sometimes it’s just...read more

Aqua Restaurant on the waterfront is a must-stop while out and about in Duck. Serving lunch and dinner, Aqua offers fresh regional cuisine, exquisite wines...read more

Authentic Thai and sushi favorites have finally come to Duck! An exhibition kitchen, fresh-prepared food, an artful setting and a lively staff make a...read more

The Blue Point established Duck as an Outer Banks dining destination when it opened in 1989 and has since put the tiny town on the foodie map. The

...read more

With Hershey's Ice Cream, Dole Whip Soft Serve, Dippin' Dots and frozen yogurt, BLVD Ice Cream Co. creates a huge range of cold and creamy treats. Stop in...read more