You’re driving over the Wright Memorial Bridge, the salt air hits your face, and suddenly, you’re starving. It happens every single time. Kitty Hawk is the gateway to the Outer Banks, but for too many people, it’s just a stretch of asphalt they race through to get to Nags Head or Duck. That is a massive mistake. Honestly, some of the best food on the entire barrier island is tucked away right here between the dunes and the soundside woods. If you want to Kitty Hawk eat drink like someone who actually lives here, you have to look past the neon signs and find the spots where the floorboards creak and the fish was swimming six hours ago.
The dining scene here isn't about white tablecloths. It’s about sand on your flip-flops. It’s about condensation dripping off a cold glass of local beer while you watch the sunset over Kitty Hawk Bay.
The Breakfast Staples You Can't Skip
Forget the hotel continental breakfast. Seriously. If you aren't starting your day at Stack’em High Pancakes and So Forth, you’re doing it wrong. It’s a family-run institution that’s been around since the early 80s. You walk in, grab a tray, and get in line. It’s fast. It’s loud. The blueberry pancakes are legendary, but the real ones know to order the Greek omelet because the Kikiros family brings those authentic Mediterranean flavors to the beach.
Then there’s Art’s Place. It’s tiny. It looks like a beach shack because it is a beach shack. While most people flock there for the burgers at night—which we will get to, don't worry—the breakfast is the best-kept secret in Kitty Hawk. Sitting on that top deck with a coffee and a breakfast sandwich while the Atlantic crashes across the street is basically a religious experience.
Why the Kitty Hawk Eat Drink Scene is Changing
For a long time, the Outer Banks was strictly fried shrimp baskets and hushpuppies. Don't get me wrong, I love a good hushpuppy. But things have shifted. We’re seeing a surge in "OBX Catch" certified restaurants. This isn't just a marketing buzzword; it’s a legitimate movement to ensure that the seafood on your plate actually came from North Carolina waters and not a freezer bag from overseas.
When you’re looking for a place to Kitty Hawk eat drink, look for that logo. It means the scallops were likely harvested by a boat out of Wanchese. It means the tuna is local. Black Pelican Oceanfront Restaurant is a prime example. It’s housed in a former United States Lifesaving Station built in 1874. You’re literally eating in a piece of maritime history. They have these wood-fired pizzas that are great, sure, but the pan-seared scallops or the fresh catch of the day is where the kitchen really shines.
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Midday Refueling and Hidden Sandwiches
Lunch in Kitty Hawk should be quick so you can get back to the water. Bad Bean Baja Grill is a personal favorite. It’s "Outer Banks style" Tex-Mex, which sounds weird until you try the fish tacos. They use fresh local mahi or shrimp, and the salsas are made in-house. It’s bright, acidic, and exactly what you want when it’s 90 degrees outside.
If you’re feeling more "traditional deli," you head to TRiO Restaurant & Market. This place is a triple threat: a restaurant, a cheese shop, and a massive wine/beer cellar. It’s probably the most sophisticated spot in town. You can grab a charcuterie board and a flight of craft beers. They have an automated wine tasting machine that lets you try high-end pours by the ounce. It’s dangerous for your wallet but great for your palate.
The Burger Debate: Art's vs. The World
We have to talk about the burgers. If you ask ten locals where to get the best burger in Kitty Hawk, eight of them will say Art’s Place. The "Art’s Burger" is thick, juicy, and served without any pretension. It’s been featured in national magazines, but it still feels like a neighborhood dive.
The other contender? Ocean Boulevard Bistro & Martini Bar. Now, this is a bit more upscale. If Art’s is the backyard BBQ king, Ocean Boulevard is the sophisticated cousin. Their menu changes seasonally, but they always treat ingredients with massive respect. It’s located in an old 1940s hardware store building. The vibe is "upscale coastal," and their martini list is extensive enough to make you forget your own name.
Where to Grab a Drink When the Sun Goes Down
Kitty Hawk isn't a "club" town. Thank goodness for that. The nightlife here is centered around breweries and acoustic sets. Outer Banks Brewing Station is just down the road (technically in Kill Devil Hills, but everyone considers it part of the same circuit). It’s the first wind-powered brewery in the country. Their Lemongrass Wheat ale is a staple of OBX summers.
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Back in Kitty Hawk proper, Barefoot Bernie’s Tropical Grill & Bar is the go-to for a relaxed drink. It’s got a bit of a sports bar vibe but with a heavy island influence. The drink menu is full of things that come with umbrellas, but they also have a solid tap list.
- Pony and the Boat: Comfort food done with high-end technique. Their pot pies are the stuff of legends.
- Vineyards on the Scuppernong: If you want to try wine made from North Carolina’s native grapes, this is the spot. It’s sweet, it’s different, and it’s very "local."
- The Rundown Cafe: Pacific Rim meets the Outer Banks. Sit on the "Tsunami Bar" upstairs for a view of the ocean.
The Logistics of Eating in a Seasonal Town
Here is the truth: Kitty Hawk gets crowded. Between June and August, wait times can be brutal. Most of the best spots for Kitty Hawk eat drink don't take reservations. You show up, put your name on a list, and wait.
- Eat Early or Late: If you try to eat at 6:30 PM on a Tuesday in July, you’re looking at a two-hour wait. Go at 4:45 PM or after 8:30 PM.
- The "Soundside" Advantage: Everyone wants to look at the ocean. The restaurants on the soundside (the west side of the bypass) often have shorter waits and better sunset views.
- Check the Days: Many local spots close on Mondays or Tuesdays, especially in the "shoulder season" (Spring and Fall). Always check their social media before driving over.
Seafood Misconceptions
People think because they are at the beach, all seafood is "fresh." That’s not how the supply chain works. If you see "Calabash Style" everywhere, it usually means it's breaded and deep-fried. While delicious, it can mask the quality of the fish. In Kitty Hawk, look for restaurants that specify "Day Boat" fish. This means the boat went out and came back the same day. The texture of a day-boat scallop vs. a frozen one is night and day. It’s buttery, not rubbery.
Also, don't sleep on the She-Crab soup. It’s a regional staple. I Got Your Crabs (yes, that’s the name) is actually just across the line in KDH but is the gold standard for blue crabs. In Kitty Hawk, the Black Pelican version is consistently creamy and loaded with roe.
Craft Beer and Local Spirits
The North Carolina craft beer scene is exploding, and Kitty Hawk is a great place to sample it. You don't have to go to a brewery to get the good stuff. Most local spots carry cans from Mother Earth Brewing (Kinston, NC) or Weeping Radish (the oldest microbrewery in the state, located nearby in Grandy).
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If you're more of a spirit person, look for Kill Devil Rum. It’s distilled right down the road. It’s harsh in the best way possible—authentic maritime rum that hasn't been over-sugared like the big commercial brands. Mixing that with some local ginger ale while sitting on a porch is the peak Kitty Hawk experience.
Sustainable Dining and the Environment
The Outer Banks is a fragile ecosystem. You’ll notice many places in Kitty Hawk have moved away from plastic straws and styrofoam. The Surfrider Foundation has a "Ocean Friendly Restaurant" certification that many local owners have fought to earn. When you support these businesses, you’re helping ensure that the beach you’re enjoying stays clean. It’s a small thing, but it matters when you’re part of a community that lives and dies by the health of the ocean.
What to Do Now
Don't just stick to the place across the street from your rental.
Start your morning at Stack’em High for a dose of local chaos and great pancakes. For lunch, grab tacos at Bad Bean and take them to the Kitty Hawk Pier. When dinner rolls around, make a choice: go casual at Art’s Place for a burger that will change your life, or aim for a slightly more refined evening at TRiO with a bottle of wine and a cheese board.
If you're looking for the ultimate sunset, head to the soundside docks near the bridge. There are small kiosks and spots where you can grab a drink and just watch the sky turn orange.
The "Kitty Hawk eat drink" experience is whatever you make of it—just make sure it involves fresh salt air and at least one piece of fish that was in the water this morning. Check the seasonal hours for these spots on their official websites, as the Outer Banks "hibernates" significantly between January and March, with many places closing for renovations or staff breaks.
Plan your route along the Beach Road (NC 12) rather than the Bypass (US 158) whenever possible. It’s slower, sure, but you’ll spot the small, "hole-in-the-wall" eateries that don't have the marketing budget for big billboards but have the best food in the zip code. Stop at the local seafood markets like Carawan Seafood if you have a kitchen in your rental; grabbing a bushel of oysters or a few pounds of shrimp to steam yourself is the most authentic way to cap off a week on the banks.