Dock and Dine: Restaurants to Visit Via Boat in the Outer Banks

The Outer Banks, known for its scenic coastline and relaxing vibe, offers various waterfront dining options. After a day of fishing or cruising, it’s nice to pull up to a dock and share a great meal with family and friends before sailing back to a private boat lift rental or marina. 

Dock and dine restaurants in the Outer Banks will be found on the sound side of the waterway. Let’s check out some of them.

The Town of Duck

Photo: AQUA Restaurant/Facebook

Part of Duck Town Park, the Duck Boardwalk runs for about a mile along Currituck Sound. Along this path, you’ll find shops and scenic views. The park has a small amphitheater, a kayak/canoe launch, water fountains, a gazebo and a playground. There are a few transient slips at the northern and southern ends of the boardwalk. 

Photo: Town of Duck/Facebook

If you don’t mind walking, this is a great place to tie up your boat and head to restaurants such as AQUA Restaurant, NC Coast Grill & Bar, the Blue Point, Duck Donuts and various ice cream, candy and snack shops at the Soundside Shops and Scarborough Lane Shoppes (which offers Fishbones Raw Bar and Duck Pizza Company).

Blue Crab Tavern

Photo: Blue Crab Tavern/Facebook

Located in Colington, where all the Sounds converge and flow through (Albemarle, Currituck, Croatan and Roanoke), Blue Crab Tavern is an excellent choice for sunset viewing over Colington Creek. You’ll find the typical bar food and cold beverages. Enjoy live music and outdoor dining on the docks. There are plenty of slips, making it an excellent choice to visit from private boat lifts for rent. 

Blue Water Grill & Raw Bar

Photo: Blue Water Grill & Raw Bar/Facebook

The Blue Water Grill & Raw Bar is situated in the Pirate's Cove Marina on Roanoke Sound in Manteo and provides picturesque waterfront dining combined with yacht gazing. Choose from Baja fish tacos, bison burgers, fried oysters and Angus beef ribeye. Pirate’s Cove has both privately owned and transient slips. 

If you’re looking for a more casual dining experience, check out Mimi’s Tiki Hut, which is also located at Pirate’s Cove Marina and accessible from private boat docks for rent. 

Poor Richard’s Sandwich Shop

Photo: Sandy Allen

Open since 1984, Poor Richard’s is situated along the docks at Manteo’s Waterfront Marina. It’s one of the best spots to relax with a beverage or bite into a variety of grilled and cold sandwiches, including tuna melts, Reubens, Cubans, clubs and wraps. 

Photo: Sandy Allen

The Waterfront Marina has several transient slips, which makes it convenient to dock and dine from private boat slip rentals in the Outer Banks area. Other Manteo restaurants within walking distance to the Waterfront Marina include Ortega’z Southwestern Grill, Big Buck’s Ice Cream and the Hungry Pelican. Check out the 1587 Restaurant and Lounge at The Tranquil House Inn for a casually elegant dining experience.

Waterman’s Bar & Grill

Photo: Sandy Allen

Part of the REAL Watersports complex, Waterman’s Bar & Grill has a prime spot on Pamlico Sound. Enjoy a meal while watching the sunset or kiteboarders out on the sound. 

Dinky’s Waterfront Restaurant

Photo: Dinky's Waterfront Restaurant/Facebook

Dinky’s Waterfront Restaurant, on Hatteras Island at the Village Marina, serves blue crab ravioli, steamed platters, jumbo lump crab cakes, ginger chicken, New York strip and burgers. There’s even a bring-your-own fish option.  

Pencil some of these eateries into your Outer Banks itinerary the next time you’re in the area.