Catch, Clean, and Cook Fresh Seafood on the Outer Banks

By Robert Liberatore on Apr. 06, 2022

The Outer Banks rank among the premiere coastal destinations in the United States, drawing visitors nationwide for famously fresh seafood. These barrier islands sit within one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the East Coast, creating a wide selection of classic ocean fare alongside local specialties. From Hatteras to Jockey’s Ridge, restaurants, diners, and crab shacks serve abundant seafood caught close to home.

The waters that supply those menus also attract thousands of recreational fishers each year. Local anglers and visitors alike may dine at traditional seafood restaurants, while others look for a meal that lets them enjoy what they caught themselves.

What “Catch, Clean and Cook” Means

Outer Banks menus sometimes advertise “Catch, Clean and Cook” or “You Hook It, We Cook It!”. Also known as Hook Em & Cook Em, this coastal dining service is found in seaside communities around the world. The arrangement is simple: the angler catches and cleans the fish, then the restaurant cooks and serves it. In North Carolina, the usual format is a deep fried basket accompanied by several sides, although each restaurant follows its own approach.

Eating something you worked to bring home is rewarding, whether you are preparing for your first charter or regularly fishing from a local pier. Cooking your own catch is one option, but allowing experienced restaurant professionals to prepare it offers its own appeal.

The following are several fan favorites for Catch, Clean and Cook experiences in the Outer Banks.

Nags Head Fishing Pier

The iconic Nags Head Fishing Pier is among the oldest and longest piers in the Outer Banks, welcoming anglers of every age. At the start of the pier, Pier House Restaurant overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and serves some of the freshest seafood in the area.

The restaurant offers Carolina style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Its “You Hook ‘Em - We Cook ‘Em” special can be fried, grilled, or blackened and includes french fries, slaw, and hushpuppies. For a beverage with the catch, Captain Andy’s—the adjoining tiki bar expansion—offers more than 30 beers on tap, outdoor seating, and expansive views.

Jennette’s Pier and Sam & Omie’s

Jennette’s Pier sits only 5 miles away and extends 1,000 feet into the ocean, making it the largest fishing pier in the Outer Banks and providing ample opportunities to land a fresh catch. Jennette’s formerly offered Catch, Clean and Cook services, including classes with rental gear, but those offerings ended several years ago.

Sam & Omie’s is located across the street from the pier entrance. Established in 1937, the restaurant originally served as both one of the first fishing charters in Dare County and a gathering place for commercial fishermen. Today, Sam & Omie’s operates solely as a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, with the ability to prepare your catch of the day. It is only a 3 min walk from the pier and is a convenient Catch, Clean and Cook choice after fishing at Jeanette’s.

Pirate’s Cove Marina and Blue Water Grill & Raw Bar

Travel west from Jennette’s across the US 64 bridge over the Roanoke Sound, and Pirate’s Cove Marina is among the first places you encounter. Its yacht club, swimming pools, wedding and event pavilion, and state of the art fitness center make the marina complex anything but ordinary. Its dining options are similarly distinctive.

Although Blue Water Grill & Raw Bar is technically outside the marina itself, it occupies a prime position within the complex, offering views of boats moving through the marina throughout the day.

The menu announces “We’ll Cook Your Catch!!”. With so many privately owned boats and fishing charters operating from the marina, the offering is a natural favorite. Blue Water Grill also provides an extensive range of preparation options for catch served as an appetizer or entree. Choices include fish bites, cast-iron seared fish over crisp mixed greens, a house sashimi setup with wasabi coleslaw and crisp wontons, family style service with plenty of sides, and chef’s choice. For anyone fishing near Manteo, it is a must try destination.

Wanchese Marina

Farther south on Roanoke Island, Wanchese Marina is equipped with diesel and non-ethanol fuel boats. Its docks support ordinary deep sea fishing days as well as dolphin tours, diving, shrimp charters, and crabbing charters. Alongside its professional fish cleaning facility, the Wanchese Marina Rental Home is available through Airbnb for visitors who want to stay beside the activity.

The Landing Grill

The Landing Grill calls itself the heartbeat of Wanchese Marina. The restaurant operates from 5 am to 9 pm, giving customers a place to fuel up before excursions and prepare whatever they bring back.

The grill’s hook it and cook it basket costs $9.99 and includes french fries, coleslaw, hush puppies, and the sauces needed to enjoy the meal you earned.

Fresh Catch Seafood

When a catch exceeds what can be eaten in one sitting, Fresh Catch Seafood’s processing facility in Wanchese can package the remaining fish for the trip home. Local fishermen operate the business, trimming, portioning, vacuum sealing, and freezing each customer’s catch.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore

The final destinations are in the villages of Cape Hatteras National Seashore, where restaurants are locally rooted and there are no franchise establishments.

Avon

Avon occupies the central portion of Hatteras Island and is the largest of the seven villages on Hatteras Island, with just several hundred year round residents. Its relative remoteness helps draw visitors during the busy season for a secluded beach experience.

Anglers can fish from Avon Pier, marked prominently as America’s Pier on arrival. After cleaning a catch from a productive day on the pier, visitors can take it down the road to Oceana’s Bistro. This casual American restaurant serves affordable food around the clock. Bloody Mary’s and mimosas are available from 8 am throughout the week and from noon on Sundays.

Hatteras

Approximately thirty minutes farther along the road from Avon, the village of Hatteras sits at the island’s southernmost tip. The namesake village has long been home to commercial and recreational fishing families, and that history has produced deep local expertise in seafood preparation.

Hatteras Sol Waterside Grill

Hatteras Sol Waterside Grill rises above Teach’s Lair Marina, with striking sunset views across the Pamlico Sound and plates to match for lunch and dinner. Guests may bring their own catch or order one of the restaurant’s creations. Hatteras Sol is a must visit after an afternoon of island fishing, particularly when live music is playing on the deck.

About the Author

Robert Liberatore is an adventure, travel and lifestyle photographer, writer and cinematographer based out of Durham, North Carolina.

Related Outer Banks Food Guides

The source page also points readers toward guides covering a Three Day Foodie Trip to the Outer Banks, the Outer Banks Brewery & Spirits Trail, Farm to Table Dining on the Outer Banks, and the Outer Banks Ice Cream Trail.