Cheap Places to Eat Outer Banks NC

When you add up accommodations, travel expenses, groceries, sunscreen, souvenirs, and activities, vacations can be pretty expensive.

Fortunately, the Outer Banks is a fairly budget-friendly place to visit if you're savvy enough to look for deals and save money where you can.

Below is our list of some of the cheapest places to dine at on the Outer Banks.

All restaurants listed are locally owned and serve up top-notch dishes that are sure to please any palate. Please note that we've arranged this list of OBX eateries from north to south. 

I got your crabs

Locally owned by marine fishermen, I Got Your Crabs is a no-frills spot to enjoy a fresh crab cake sandwich, steamed shrimp basket, or raw oyster plate.

Quote possibility the freshest blue crabs on the Outer Banks. Their menu is full of delectable seafood options that are reasonably priced. 

Take out or dine in, they're open for lunch and dinner year-round. Located in the Sea Scape shopping complex in Kitty Hawk. 

3809 N Croatan Hwy.
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
(252) 449-2483

O'Neal's Sea Harvest 

It's not uncommon for the dining area at O'neill's to be packed with Outer Banks locals during lunch on any given day. This is a good sign for any area visitor because if the locals eat there, that means that the food is good and it's available at a reasonable price.

For under $10, you can enjoy a basket of fresh shrimp that's been fried in a mouthwatering batter and served with coleslaw and fries. Open Mon-Sat for lunch, O'neill's is well worth the trek to Wanchese.

And if you'd rather prepare your own seafood feast, they've got the very best prices on fresh fish, crabs, shrimp, oysters, and more. 

622 Harbor Road
Wanchese, NC 27981
(252) 473-4535

Shaddai Peruvian Restaurant

Latin American cuisine at a great price point, La Cabana is truly one of Roanoke Island's hidden gems. Located near the Piggly Wiggly and adjacent to the island's only laundromat.

A family from Belize opened Shaddai Peruvian Restaurant not so many years ago and since then, the restaurant has been slowly gaining a loyal local customer base.

Try their pork chimichangas or their delicious jalapeño burger. Each meal comes with complimentary chips and salsa. Open for lunch and dinner every day except for Monday. Also, open for brunch on Sundays. 

112 US-64
Manteo, NC 27954
(252) 423-3013

Country Deli

You can't have a list of budget-friendly places to eat on the Outer Banks without including Country Deli. Operated by a husband and wife team, with the help of their sons (and sometimes grandpa!), this place is the epidemy of a small business.

Their menu is predominantly made up of mostly specialty sandwiches which include delicious concoctions like the turkey Reuben, the Wright Brothers Trio, and the oh so delicious I Wouldn't Brisket.

Open for lunch every day of the week during the in-season. Carry out only. Free delivery with purchases of $7 or more. 

1900 S Croatan Hwy
Nags Head, NC 27959
(252) 441-5684

Waveriders 

Open year-round for breakfast and lunch, Waveriders’ menu is filled with amazingly delicious sandwiches that are packed full of high-quality ingredients.

Dine-in or takeout, their seating area is expansive and has a coffee shop vibe. Lunch sandwiches come with a side of either a fruit salad, chips, potato salad or cucumber salad.

Try the Waverider, Mr. B, or The Motz for lunch. Stay awhile and enjoy a craft beer from the bar. 

3022 S Croatan Hwy
Nags Head, NC 27959
(252) 441-5684

Capt Frank's

Serving plump, all-beef hot dogs since 1974, Capt. Frank's is truly an Outer Banks institution. Top your dog with options like chili, baked beans, and bacon, shredded cheese, onions, or salsa to name a few. Capt’n’s footlong is the most expensive item on the menu, and it's only $4.50! Open for lunch and dinner year-round. Save some money without sacrificing on flavor. 

3800 N Croatan Hwy.
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
(252) 261-9923

Bad Bean Baja Grill

Located in the Seagate North Shopping Center and open for lunch and dinner. Chips and salsa are served with every sit-down meal. Daily specials including pork belly tacos, which could very well be the single most delicious taco in the world. If you've never had pork belly before, it's essentially a big piece of the best-tasting bacon you've ever tasted.

Try the pork belly tacos if you get the opportunity. Cali burritos are also a great choice and come in 12’ and 15’ inch sizes. They're dry burritos you eat with your hands that are stuffed full of your choice of meat, rice and beans, lettuce, salsa or guacamole, and cheese. Really good.

Salads here are also great, like the Bad Bean Baja salad and the Baja caesar. Open year-round and very affordable. Don’t want to dine-in? They do takeout as well! 

4146 N Croatan Hwy.
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
(252) 261-1300

Rundown Cafe

Caribbean and Pacific rim inspired dishes. Lunch and dinner here are ultra-delicious, and ultra budget-friendly as well. If the weather is nice, enjoy a meal and a mix drink on the outdoor second-story deck that overlooks the Atlantic Ocean.

Daily specials including the oh so popular fried chicken Friday. If you're super hungry and in the mood for an appetizer, try the buffalo chicken "Crack DIp" & salsa. It's super good and highly addictive.

You can't go wrong with one of the tsunami dinner salads. The Polynesian ginger chicken entree is also very tasty. Closed December, January, and February.

5218 Virginia Dare Trail
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
(252) 255-0026

Outer Bean Juice & Java

A great option for the vegetarian in your group. Outer Bean probably has more non-meat items on its menu than anyone else on the island. Yes, don’t worry, they do have plenty of options for the meat-lover as well.

Located at milepost 4.5 in Kitty Hawk. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, try one of their many salads or scarf down a panini or smoked turkey sandwich. Smoothies here are also very good.

3701 N Croatan Highway
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
(252) 261-6000

Duck Deli

Operating in Duck, NC for more than 25 years, Duck Deli is considered one of the best restaurants within the small coastal town. NC barbeque is their claim to fame, but everything else on the menu is good as well, including the spicy wings, crab cakes, and ribs.

Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Seating is super-limited inside, takeout is probably the best option if you decide to eat here. 

1223 Duck Road
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
(252) 255-0861