1. Diamond Shoals Restaurant
City: Buxton, NC
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (252) 995-5217
Address: NC 12
Description: The parking lot at this eatery, which is within walking distance of several Buxton motels, always seems to be crowded around breakfast time. Here you’ll find one of the best breakfasts on Hatteras Island, featuring all your early-morning favorites. Diamond Shoals is also open for lunch and dinner, with plenty of local seafood choices, a salad bar, and some good nightly specials. Steaks and other landlubber specials are available. A remarkable 200-gallon saltwater aquarium is stocked with tropical and Gulf Stream sea life. Diners can get an up-close-and-personal look at corals, anemones, and a variety of fascinating marine creatures. Diamond Shoals is open from Mar through Dec and weekends throughout the winter.
2. Orange Blossom Cafe And Bakery
City: Buxton, NC
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (252) 995-4109
Address: NC 12
Insider Pick:
Description: The Orange Blossom starts the day with delicious baked goods for breakfast. The famous Apple Uglies—huge apple fritter–style pastries piled high with fruit—are favorite early-morning treats. This restaurant is open year-round, except for a spell during the winter, for takeout or eat in. Open Wed through Sun for breakfast 6:30 to 11 a.m. An array of organic coffees is also available here.
3. Rusty’S Surf & Turf
City: Buxton, NC
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (252) 995-4184
Address: NC 12
Description: Chef and owner Rusty Midgett brings global styles of preparation to local seafood. Located between Natural Art Surf Shop and the ABC Store, this fun and cheerful restaurant has local artwork adorning the colorful walls. Delicious burgers, fish, and barbecue sandwiches please diners of all ages. Beer and wine served on premise.
4. Fish House Restaurant
City: Buxton, NC
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (252) 995-5151
Address: NC 12
Description: Can you tell that this always-bustling eatery occupies a former fish house? If the simple wooden architecture and wharf-front location didn’t give it away, you might notice something fishy when you glimpse down and see the concrete floors sloped for easy washing so the fish scales flow back into the sound. The Fish House is now a comfortable restaurant where everything is casual and easygoing. Overlooking Buxton Harbor, it serves some of the best Outer Banks seafood prepared with traditional, local recipes. The tilefish is a popular choice, as are the homemade crab cakes. Everything is served on disposable plates with plastic utensils. Beer and wine are served. Fish House is open for lunch and dinner daily from Mar through Thanksgiving. A kid’s menu is available.