I hate to admit this, but one of my greatest pleasures of beach life is eating out. In fact, our days often revolve around what restaurant we choose for dinner. For Nancy, a scarlet and cream sunset is more important than the food she will eat. I enjoy a good sunset myself, but good food is also important. We have found a few restaurants where we can have the best of both worlds.
Our favorite beach restaurant?
That’s a tough call, but on our last two visits we have eaten at and really enjoyed Miller’s Waterfront Restaurant at Milepost 13 in Nags Head. The direct views of the sunsets are breathtaking, and the food and service has been first rate. We ate twice at Miller’s on this trip. We ordered platters of Fried Oysters twice, Fried Flounder once and Fried Shrimp as well. Nancy and I usually split our platters and share, though she was reluctant to give me more than a few of her oysters – her favorite seafood entrée. She also has a cup of Corn Chowder and Crawfish Bisque which she lapped up. The fried seafood at Miller’s is always cooked to perfection. One night, despite ourselves, we ordered the Miller’s Special Brownie Platter for dessert. The Brownie was as big as a sheet cake, slathered with whipped cream and ice cream and toffee nuggets. We ate every crumb.
Ranked right with Miller’s is Basnight’s Lone Cedar Café on the Causeway to Mateo. It is also has a wonderful view of the sound and is consistently excellent. These folks know how to serve and prepare seafood. They’ve been at it for years. The Basnight Family has been fishing the Outer Banks for a living since the 1800’s and the family opened the café in 1996. Their specialty is locally caught seafood – their Carolina Shrimp dinners are second to none. They also grow and use locally raised vegetables. Their Creme Brule is the best on the beach. Basnight’s is a Five-star Establishment on my scorecard.
Two other restaurants that are often on our dining out list are Sugar Creek Seafood Restaurant, also on the Manteo Causeway, and the Black Pelican at Milepost 4 in Kitty Hawk. Sugar Creek, formerly Rv’s, has a spectacular view of the sound and food to match. On my last visit to the Black Pelican, we had an entrée of perfectly fried Oysters along with a Fried Mahi-Mahi platter and Fried Okra as a side. Wow is all I can say.
Other can’t-miss restaurant choices included Darrell’s in Manteo, Owen’s at MP 16.5 on the Beach Road in Nags Head and Sam and Omie’s, just down the road, for breakfast.
All year, I cook, and I enjoy cooking, but when we come to the beach, I hand over my spatula and apron to others, those who really know how to cook and prepare seafood. After all, we’re on vacation.