Top Food and Drink Picks in Manteo and Roanoke Island

By Honest Cooking
Apr. 01, 2022

Manteo, one of North Carolina’s oldest towns, sits on Roanoke Island in the Outer Banks with the feel of a small, historic coastal capital. Its white fences, independent shops, and welcoming restaurants give the town a nostalgic charm, while its connection to The Lost Colony adds one of America’s great unsolved stories to the setting. Together, Manteo and Roanoke Island are ideal fall escape spots for travelers looking to trade city noise for wide beaches, sunset views, historic sites, and memorable food.

For travelers who plan trips around meals, Manteo and the greater Roanoke Island area offer plenty to explore. The region is known for some of the country’s freshest seafood, and several standout seafood spots are included here. Still, the local dining scene reaches well beyond the dock, with sandwich counters, burger stops, casual pubs, and more polished dining rooms that work for different cravings and budgets. These are a few favorite places to eat and drink around Manteo and Roanoke Island.

Blue Water Grill in Manteo

Tuna sashimi from Blue Water Grill.

Blue Water Grill in Manteo is a go-to stop for fresh, wild-caught fish and locally farmed oysters. Guests can settle in for wide-open water views at sunset or grab a bar seat and watch a game on one of the many TVs. The restaurant also has a tiki hut on the docks at Pirate’s Cove Marina, where the same menu is served in a laid-back setting with live entertainment. For anyone hoping to slip quickly into the OBX mood, this is an easy place to start.

1587 Lounge

Take a seat in the 1587 Lounge.

Craft cocktails from the 1587 Lounge.

At the Tranquil House Inn on the Manteo waterfront, the new 1587 Lounge serves local micro-brewed beers, small bites, a full bar, and a great selection of wines. The room has an airy, comfortable living-room feel, and ending a day on Roanoke with a cocktail, a cozy chair, and a water view is hard to beat. Visitors who want to linger can also book time at The Tranquil House Inn, an iconic Nantucket-style property on the Manteo’s historic waterfront with individually decorated rooms.

The Avenue Waterfront Grille

The famous fish tacos at The Avenue Grille.

Set above Shallowbag Bay and the Manteo harbor, The Avenue Waterfront Grille offers a broad menu built around locally caught seafood, steak, and fresh burgers. The team takes pride in creatively accommodating most dietary restrictions, with choices that include vegan and vegetarian, to gluten-free alternatives throughout the menu. Popular orders include Tuna Sushi Style, Fish Tacos, Shrimp and Grits, along with several creative burger options. The sweeping waterfront scenery comes along with the meal.

Ortega'z Southwest Grill and Wine Bar

Welcome to Ortega’z.

Ortega'z Southwest Grill and Wine Bar may look familiar because it appeared on Food Network's Diners, Drive-ins and Dives with Guy Fieri. Still, the appeal here is not limited to celebrity-chef attention. The atmosphere is relaxed and easygoing, which helps explain why both locals and visitors return. The menu brings Southwest flavors together with local ingredients from the OBX, backed by friendly service, solid drinks, and the kind of meal that simply feels like a good time.

Poor Richard’s Sandwich Shop

A dockside sandwich at Poor Richard’s Sandwich Shop.

Among the many restaurants and cafés across the OBX, Poor Richard’s Sandwich Shop has earned iconic status. Part pub and part deli, it has been known for satisfying sandwiches for over 35 years, with many guests repeatedly coming back for the famous Reuben. Naturally, it comes with a dill pickle, plus a view over Shallowbag Bay and the Manteo town Marina.

The Hungry Pelican

The Hungry Pelican in Downtown Manteo.

The Hungry Pelican is another downtown Manteo deli and sandwich-shop favorite, with roots reaching back over 30 years and a place in Manteo since 2002. Its owners are said to have made more than 500,000 sandwiches through the years, and that much repetition helps explain the strong following. While the 25+ sandwich options are the star attraction, The Hungry Pelican also serves a selection of fresh, house-made salads and soups.

O’Neals Sea Harvest

The fish market at O’Neals Sea Harvest.

If seafood runs through the Outer Banks, O’Neals Sea Harvest is part of that story. Tucked away in Wanchese, a quiet fishing village off the main path, it draws plenty of local regulars. Stop for lunch first, then visit the market to pick up seafood for dinner, buying directly where it is caught and cleaned rather than going through a middle-man. The line can stretch and the menu is compact, but the fried soft crab BLT is worth the wait.

El Shaddai Chicken

Welcome to El Shaddai Chicken.

El Shaddai Chicken is a modest roadside international diner where the menu includes familiar choices such as nachos, chicken pasta, and burgers, but the real highlight is its authentic Peruvian dishes. Options include citrus-marinated ceviche, classic lomo saltado, Peruvian style fried “arroz chaufa,” and jalea mixta, or fried seafood, served with fried cassava and salsa criolla. It is a strong way to pair locally sourced fish and seafood with one of the world’s most exciting cuisines.

Lost Colony Brewery

Grab a beer - or 9 - at the Lost Colony Brewery and Café.

Lost Colony Brewery is the place to slow down with local beer and familiar pub food. Long popular with residents and visitors, its ales, stouts, blondes, and IPA’s are available in over 50 restaurants and retail locations across the OBX. This location, though, is the brewery’s home base, where the full range can be tasted in context. Lost Colony Brewery combines a restaurant, pub, café, and taproom in one place. The cooking is unfussy and direct, but done well enough to attract national food media attention for years, making it a strong stop for food-focused travelers.

One advantage for food lovers in Manteo is that many of these restaurants sit within easy walking distance of one another along the compact downtown waterfront. Park once, wander through town, and sample Outer Banks bites and drinks at a relaxed pace.

Author

Honest Cooking is an award winning food, wine and travel magazine featuring mouthwatering content from some of the most exciting creators in the world. Its coverage includes destination dining ideas, recipes, and wine guides created to inform, entertain, and inspire a large readership.

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