Nestled between Nags Head and Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills is the largest town in the Outer Banks.
This family-friendly location is the perfect place to spend a week away in North Carolina, with stunning beaches, waterfront rentals, attractions, and delicious restaurants all tucked away in this small beach town.
After a day out shelling or golfing along the Outer Banks, you are bound to work up an appetite! Kill Devil Hills is known for some of the best restaurants in OBX, so you don’t have to travel all the way up to Duck or Corolla in order to get a delicious bite to eat!
From mouthwatering fresh seafood to Italian and Mexican restaurants and even joints with a Caribbean flare, you have ample choices for a night out or a meal in while staying in Kill Devil Hills. Some of our favorites, located near our stunning vacation rentals, are shared below!
1. Captain George’s Seafood Restaurant
- Address: 705 S Croatan Highway, Kill Devil Hills, NC
- Cost: $$$
- Open Year Round
If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing local seafood buffet, Captain George’s Seafood Restaurant is where you want to be!
For decades, Captain George’s has been serving up secret family recipes to fanatics in OBX. With everything house-made daily and more than 70 choices of appetizers, entrees, side dishes, and desserts, you’ll leave feeling stuffed.
The famous snow crab legs, stuffed clams, and she-crab soup are some of the most popular buffet items. If you have room, finish with their special handmade Greek desserts!
2. Food Dude’s Kitchen
- Address: 1216 S Virginia Dare Trail, Kill Devil Hills, NC
- Cost: $$
- Open Year Round
“Surf-shack vibes” are the best vibes in OBX, and they can be found at Food Dude’s Kitchen.
Located just off Beach Road, you’ll want to stop here for a bite during your vacation. According to locals, Food Dude’s Kitchen is one of the best restaurants. This family-friendly spot mixes special dishes that combine Caribbean and Mexican notes to create a surprising and delicious menu.
You’ll find everything from quesadillas to sandwiches and even macaroni and cheese topped with crackers in this laid-back bistro.
However, there are only a few tables available at the restaurant. If you’re traveling with a larger group, this is a great place to grab takeout!
3. Goombays Grille & Raw
- Address: 1608 N Virginia Dare Trail, Kill Devil Hills, NC
- Cost: $$
- Open Seasonally
Goombays Grille & Raw in downtown Kill Devil Hills has served up OBX favorites since 1992. Locals love this laid-back restaurant.
Caribbean-style dishes paired with unique cocktails and specialty drinks are the perfect way to end your day on the beach.
Try exciting entrees like gator (alligator) tail, steamed snow crab legs, or even crab cakes from the raw bar. Or, if you’re traveling with kids and less-adventurous eaters, traditional American food like their burger or chicken mains.
Make sure to try the restaurant special- the Kill Devil Smash, a drink made with the local Kill Devil Rum that the town is named after. Best of all, you can continue relaxing in Goombay’s bright beach grille atmosphere or on the outdoor seating patio after your meal.
4. Plaza Azteca
- Address: 1502 S Croatan Hwy, Kill Devil Hills, NC
- Cost: $$
- Open Year Round
A local favorite when it comes to Mexican restaurants, Plaza Azteca is known for its fish tacos, enchiladas, and fresh guacamole- which is made right at your table!
If you’re looking for something unique to try, a large Mexican bowl of molcajete- vegetables, rice, and cheese topped with meat- could be just the experience you’re looking for!
Plaza Azteca is a great place to grab a quick meal, but takeout service is also an option and might be something to consider-especially during the high season.
5. Awful Arthur’s Oyster Bar
- Address: 2106 N Virginia Dare Trail, Kill Devil Hills, NC
- Cost: $$
- Open Seasonally
Fresh oysters are a must-try during your time in the Outer Banks, mainly because local seafood is so widely available in the area!
The raw oysters you’ll have at Awful Arthur’s are locally sourced from the waters nearby, some coming from the ocean just across from the restaurant. While the area’s best oyster bar is mainly known for its seafood offerings, the menu here holds much more than that! Daily specials include classics like pasta, burgers, and steaks.
What really sets Awful Arthur’s apart from the rest is the oceanview lounge. It is one of the only restaurants on OBX that has this kind of space to relax and take in the beautiful water as you’re enjoying a beverage.
6. Saltbox Cafe
- Address: 1469 Colington Road, Kill Devil Hills, NC
- Cost: $$
- Open Year Round
American favorites are the star at Saltbox Cafe, where you want to be sure to enjoy a meal during your vacation to the Outer Banks.
This local joint creates made-from-scratch, farm-to-table dishes, using local ingredients for the freshest, most tantalizing takes on popular dishes.
It is difficult to say whether you should grab brunch, lunch, or dinner here, but, whatever you do, try the shrimp and grits or the crab benedict. They are both amazing!
Reservations are recommended, as the “cottage-like” space is tiny, but the outdoor seating area is first-come, first served!
7. Miller’s Seafood & Steak House
- Address: 1520 S Virginia Dare Trail, Kill Devil Hills, NC
- Cost: $$$
- Open Year Round
Miller’s Seafood & Steak House is the best place to go if you’re looking for great food, a fantastic atmosphere, and a restaurant that can accommodate large parties.
Miller’s has built a reputation around fine dining, fresh local seafood, and steaks. But regardless of whether or not you’re a lover of seafood, everyone loves a meal that begins with a fresh basket of hushpuppies, right?
The menu here is extensive, offering anything from pasta to chicken, desserts to mahi mahi, and even broccoli salad and coleslaw. There is truly something for everyone at Miller’s Seafood & Steak House.
8. JK’s Restaurant
- Address: 1106 S Croatan Highway, Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina
- Cost: $$$
- Open Year Round
JK’s was one of the first restaurants to really hit it off in the Outer Banks of North Carolina and is often the number one place locals will recommend you try during your vacation here!
Since 1984, this local favorite has been winning awards and hypnotizing palates with their perfectly-cut steaks. Paired with French bread, sides like mashed potatoes and veggies, and a peach cobbler that is to die for, you’re sure to have a sinfully delicious meal here.
This fine dining establishment is popular all year-round, and they don’t take reservations. So be sure to arrive early and enjoy a cocktail while you wait for a table!
9. Jolly Roger
- Address: 1836 N. Virginia Dare Trail, Kill Devil Hills, NC
- Cost: $$
- Open Year Round
After a day out fishing in the Outer Banks, it’s time for some sunset nosh. Down on Beach Road in Kill Devil Hills, you’ll find the Jolly Roger, an Outer Banks staple for over 50 years.
Jolly Roger is a legend in OBX- a one-of-a-kind, diner-like restaurant that blends a wacky atmosphere with Christmas, pirates, and old-time charm.
No matter what you’re in the mood for, it’s on the menu. Asian chicken salad, spaghetti, and even fried shrimp. Plus, there are daily specials and entertainment in the evening.
There’s a little bit of everything at the one and only Jolly Rogers.
10. Mama Kwan’s Tiki Bar & Grill
- Address: 1701 S Croatan Hwy, Kill Devil Hills, NC
- Cost: $$
- Open Year Round
Welcome to the Tiki Hut at Mama Kwan’s- one of OBX’s most delicious restaurants.
Fish tacos are the hit here at Mama Kwan’s- especially the blackened mahi mahi ones- but the menu expands far past just seafood. From drink specials to daily lunch platters,
This small restaurant has won multiple awards for its grub, staff, and restaurant. They were named Best Chowder at the Outer Banks Chowder Cookoff and voted the best bar in the area.
Mama Kwan’s has even been dubbed the “Best Kept Secret Restaurant” at the beach, but now you can enjoy it, too!
11. Outer Banks Brewing Station
- Address: 600 South Croatan Highway, Kill Devil Hills, NC
- Cost: $$
- Open Year Round
Outer Banks Brewing Station has been making history as the first wind-powered brewery in America!
This popular OBX brewery focuses on sustainability and being eco-friendly. Plus, everything they do is a nod to the culture and impact of the sea and the beach in North Carolina.
Any day at the beach is the perfect time to try their refreshing Lemon Grass Wheat Ale or Hugh Hefeweizen. These are just two of the more than ten beers on tap!
The Outer Banks Brewing Station is not just a great place to go for a brew. Chefs here serve locally-caught fish in addition to your traditional American pub menu- with a twist! From delicious pizzas to burgers and even strip steaks. Everyone is included at this local favorite, as there’s even an entirely separate menu dedicated to those with gluten-free dietary needs.
You won’t be sorry you grabbed a table at this amazing brewery.
Eat and Stay in Kill Devil Hills
This list should keep you full for your entire stay in the Outer Banks. Kill Devil Hills truly has everything from breakfast and brunch to Mexican and fine dining and a giant dose of local seafood and craft brews!
Between these popular spots and under-the-radar local haunts, you’re sure to find something to satisfy your taste buds. So let First Flight Rentals find you the perfect vacation rental in Kill Devil Hills near your favorite restaurant!