Duck, North Carolina

We can thankfully say the Outer Banks are not a new vacation spot for us. Every time we go, we change the area to expand the locations we can recommend! This time we chose to go further north of Kitty Hawk and Nags Head into Duck, North Carolina.

Lodging:

We stayed at Barrier Island Station. The apartments were dated but clean and well cared for, and the access to the beach is convenient for guests. We recommend this location as a more financially sustainable option while still receiving the private beach access and a comfortable living arrangement.

Restaurants:

If you are not new to the blog, you know by now our focus on vacations is food and drinks, and this trip did not disappoint.

     1.NC Coast Grill & Bar.

Fantastic food and views across the entire board. Of all the locations we ate at on this trip, this is our biggest recommendation. All the food is fresh with some of the nicest stuff we could’ve had. If you do not know what to get, get the chef’s specialty board! (Picture below).

     2. Fishbones Raw Bar & Restaurant

Good food, seafood focused (as all oceanside restaurants tend to be). A recommendation absolutely but try it before you try NC Coast Grill & Bar. Overall, it was pretty good…perhaps after NC Coast Grill & Bar it’s hard to be excited?

     3. Sunset Grill & Raw Bar

Excellent food and views. Beautiful sight over the water, especially at sunset. Tried shrimp pasta, that was very good and light. Also known for their sea bass, prime rib, and shrimp tacos!

     4. Freshfit Café

A lunch place for sure, very convenient with fresh ingredients. This is more south of Nags head, so a little drive from Duck, but not too bad. Lots of vegetarian and vegan options if that is something you are looking for(Personally, my husband and I are happy meat eaters, so I can’t speak for the taste, but lots of options!)

     5. Charis Coffee Company

Not too much to say, but still a recommendation. Great little coffee spot in Manteo. There is this prayer wall inside that is very touching.

     6. The Village Table and Tavern

This is a great option for a date night dinner! Settings are on the fancier side, but for the food and atmosphere, the price is pretty good. Amazing atmosphere and views.

     7. Duck Deli

Cute lunch spot for sandwiches and burgers. Personally, I had a great steak and cheese sub! Warning though, when we went it was all outdoor seating so be prepared.

     8. Josephine’s Sicilian Kitchen

Amazing flavor, perfect. The menu is rotating and restrictive so make sure to call ahead or visit before your planned meal so you know what to expect!

     9. Sweet T’s Coffee Beer & Wine

Great little place to stop and have a drink…or several. Focused more on beverages than food, so make sure to come after a meal or when you aren’t very hungry.

     10. Buffalo City Distillery

As you can tell by the name, it is primarily a drink place. This is definitely another recommendation for a drink, less coffee shop, more distillery atmosphere. The bartender was great!

     11. Red Sky Casual Dining and Cocktails

This could be a lunch or dinner meal for either occasion. Great food and greats, but the presentation was fantastic.

Things to do:

Unfortunately, the week we went, was very cold and rainy with temperatures mostly in the 50s. Despite this, there were a lot of things we could do! There are a lot of drive on beaches or off-road opportunities in the area, we specifically explored off-road from Corolla Beach to Carova Beach. For those for aren’t as interested in the beach (which if that is the case, I wouldn’t particularly recommend this vacation spot, but there are options here too). There is a Wright Brother’s National Memorial. My husband’s retired Air Force, so I'm sure you can guess whose idea this was, but it was a great educational and fun visit which would make anyone excited.

Towards the end of the week, it did start to warm up. We took this opportunity to go to the Elizabethan Gardens. I must say, if you do nothing else in Duck, you have to visit these gardens. They are beautiful and absolutely amazing! We spent our last morning on the beach and that took the cake of the entire trip.

3/23-3/30/2024