Corolla Restaurants
Choosing where to dine in Corolla is an enviable task. Discriminating vacationers demand top-quality dining, and Corolla restaurants have stepped up to serve them well. Whether you’re looking for breakfast, lunch or dinner, fast fare or intimate dining, you’ll find it here.
There are three fast-food chains here, but all of the other Corolla restaurants are locally owned, allowing for creativity and individuality you’ll never be able to find at a chain.
Seafood is the main event in almost every restaurant because that’s what is the freshest and that’s what everybody wants. Tuna, mahi mahi, rockfish, flounder and a variety of other fish, plus blue crabs, clams, shrimp, scallops, mussels and oysters are the most popular catches. If you’re here in early summer, don’t miss a chance to taste the regional delicacy of fresh soft-shell crabs. Of course, local chefs also serve meats, pasta, vegetarian offerings and fresh regional produce. Mainland Currituck County is home to many farms, so fresh vegetables are available year round.
Restaurants in Corolla are able to serve liquor in addition to beer and wine, so expect to find a full bar in many establishments. In the height of summer, restaurants can be quite crowded. This is a testament to their quality, but it’s also a sign that you need to make reservations. You should know, too, that dining out in extremely large parties can be taxing to some restaurants, while others can handle it with ease. If you must dine out en masse, always call ahead to make sure your restaurant of choice can accommodate a large party (and to give them a warning that you’re coming).
Dining is casual here, even in the finest restaurants. Dressing up means putting on long pants (or nice shorts) and a collared shirt or a sundress. Most Corolla restaurants close for at least part of the winter and early spring, though a few stay open year round. Call ahead if you’re visiting in the off-season.
Bacchus Wine & Cheese
- Monterey Plaza, Corolla
- (252) 453-4333
Baccus is located on the south end of the plaza and offers wine, cheese and gourmet foods. You can get fantastic deli sandwiches, paninis, subs, wraps and salads for take-out or to eat in. Their sandwiches are made with Boar’s Head meats and cheeses. There are yummy gourmet side items and sinful desserts as well. Order a glass of wine or have a bottle of beer as you enjoy your lunch here. They also have an amazing wine selection – more than 4,000 bottles in every price range! Combine that with a variety of hand-cut domestic and imported cheeses and it’s one-stop happy-hour shopping. They are open every day in season. Ask about the daily and weekly wine tastings, catering services and gift baskets. See Shopping for more about the wine and gourmet foods.
Bad Bean Taqueria
- TimBuck II Shopping Village, Corolla
- (252) 453-4380
Bad Bean strives to redefine Mexican cuisine on the Outer Banks in this cool, comfortable taqueria. With special cooking techniques and flavors, the owner, Rob, turns fresh, simple ingredients into authentic Mexican food. Try the pan-seared mahi-mahi (fish) tacos topped with Jicama slaw and homemade habanera sauce or a giant burrito, prepared just the way you want. Fresh-made salsas and guacamole help separate the Bad Bean Taqueria from the rest of the crowd. There’s a casual, family atmosphere where you can watch a surf video on a large flat screen TV and listen to music. Catering and take-out are also available.
Big Buck’s Ice Cream
- TimBuck II Shopping Village, Corolla
- (252) 453-3188
When all that shopping starts to wear you down, head to Big Buck’s Ice Cream in the West building for a treat. Choose from more than 50 flavors of made from scratch ice cream plus sherbet, sorbet, yogurt, soft serve and frozen custard. You can get any flavor made into a shake, split, sundae or float, even a brownie sundae — yum! They have an espresso bar for a real pick-me-up. Candies, homemade chocolates and taffy are also available. Check out the Big Buck’s T’s.
Big Mama’s
- Austin Complex, 1152 Ocean Trail, Corolla
- (252) 453-4960
Big Mama’s serves up an unusual combination of North Carolina favorites such as home-made breakfast biscuits with sausage and eggs, sweet tea, local fresh-caught seafood and, of course, Edy’s ice cream and soft serve. This is a take-out only establishment, and it’s closed in the off-season.
Bunkers Grill and Bar at The Currituck Club
- 620 Currituck Clubhouse Drive, Corolla
- (252) 453-0926
Whether or not you’re golfing, make time for a meal at Bunkers. Located inside the beautiful clubhouse on the spectacular Currituck Club grounds, they offer lunch daily from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. with chef specials and house-made soups. The menu features a variety of appetizers, salads and sandwiches, and they are kid friendly with a special menu, high chairs and booster seats. Full bar service is also available. Bunkers is open year round, every day but Christmas.
China King
- Monterey Plaza, across from Food Lion, Corolla
- (252) 457-0158
China King offers all the Chinese favorites in a bright, clean atmosphere. Order at the counter or partake of the popular daily buffet. China King is perfect for take-out for large crowds.
Corolla Brew Pub
- Monterey Plaza, Corolla
- (252) 453-6355
Stop in and you will find great food, a full bar, wine and of course a vast selection of bottled and draft beers that include your locally brewed favorites. The menu features reasonably priced entrees of steak, chicken, pasta and seafood, along with your usual pub grub such as sandwiches, salads, fish ‘n chips and daily specials. All of this, plus a relaxing family-friendly atmosphere, makes the Corolla Brew Pub a fun place to go. They are open for lunch and dinner and can be found in the courtyard next to the movie theater.
Corolla Pizza and Deli
- Austin Complex, 1152 Ocean Trail, Corolla
- (252) 453-8592
A longtime locals’ favorite, Corolla Pizza and Deli is a take-out restaurant offering New York style pizza by the pie or slice. They also serve up delicious hot and cold subs, sandwiches, Philly cheese steaks and more. They offer free delivery after 5 p.m.; call for details. Open almost all year round for lunch and dinner, they can handle large orders with ease, so feeding the entire (extended) family is no problem!
Corolla Village Barbecue
- 1129 Corolla Village Road, Corolla
- (252) 457-0076
Locals sing the praises of the Carolina pork barbecue sandwiches served at this little restaurant that sits in the heart of old Corolla village. At meal times, the delicious smell of barbecuing pork, ribs and chicken lures customers from all over the village. This is a carry-out restaurant only, but there are a few picnic tables close by. You can also get soft-serve ice cream here, the perfect treat on a hot summer day. It’s open for lunch and dinner, until 8 p.m., in season.
Cosmo’s Pizza
- Corolla Light Town Center, Corolla
- (252) 453-4666
The whole family will love these pies and subs homemade with fresh meats, vegetables, sauces, dough and cheese blends. Try one of the 22 specialty pies or build your own. Open in-season for lunch and dinner, guests will also enjoy super salads, sodas and cold beer.
Dairy Queen
- Monterey Plaza, across from Food Lion, Corolla
- (252) 453-3130
You probably know what to expect from this national chain: soft-serve ice cream, served in cones, cups, shakes, sundaes and a variety of creative concoctions. You can also get hot dogs and other quick food, plus delicious ice cream cakes.
Donkey Hotay’s Mexican Food
- Corolla Light Town Center, Corolla
- (252) 453-8877
Since their opening in 2007, this funky little take-out place has quickly become a local favorite. “The Donkey” does New Mexican-style food prepared fresh from scratch, offering up breakfast burritos, tacos, quesadillas, awesome Carne Adovada and other New Mexican favorites. They have great prices and make feeding a large group easy and affordable. They are open March through December.
Dr. Unks Oasis
- Monterey Plaza, Corolla
- (252) 457-0053
Dr. Unks Bar is a fun Corolla nightspot. Located in the same building as Tomato Patch Pizzeria, Dr. Unks serves a late-night menu. They have a fully stocked bar and feature live music during the summer season — call ahead for a schedule.
Fat Crabs Rib Company
- Corolla Light Town Center, Corolla
- (252) 453-9931
This is a great local take-out restaurant featuring North Carolina barbecue, St. Louis ribs, rotisserie chicken and more. A fun way to feed the whole family is with one of their steamed seafood pots—they call it “the party in a pot”—and it’s loaded with your favorite types of crab or seafood and plenty of seasoned vegetables. Just bring it home, steam it and enjoy! They are open April through October.
First Light Breakfast & Burgers
- TimBuck II Shopping Village, Corolla
- (252) 453-4664
It’s great to have a new little breakfast and burger place! This place feels a bit like Restoration Hardware meets surf shack with reclaimed hardwood floors and cool, red bench seats at the bar. Their handmade biscuits, waffles with fresh fruit and a variety of omelet’s and Benedicts are a special treat for breakfast. Their juicy burgers are made with hand-formed patties, and they serve sandwiches, salads and a kids’ menu. The owners are exactly what you would expect from a Corolla establishment, laid-back and super friendly. First Light serves wine and beer and have a full bar and dinner menu as of summer ‘08. They are closed January though mid-March.
Gabriella’s Italy
- TimBuck II Shopping Village, Corolla
- (252) 453-0069
With recipes handed down from within the family, Gabriella’s serves classic Italian entrees and appetizers as well as pizza and salads. Their restaurant is a celebration of family, friends and good food and they love to share their little piece of the Italian countryside with visitors. They serve lunch and dinner and can also do catering and items to go. Gabriella’s is open daily 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and is located on the soundside of TimBuck II.
Giant Slice Pizza
- TimBuck II Shopping Village, Corolla
- (252) 453-3199
Giant Slice Pizza has been a Corolla favorite for more than 13 years. Located in the South building at TimBuck II, Giant Slice bakes hand-tossed New York-style pizza with your choice of more than 18 toppings. The pies are baked to perfection in their stone ovens. Other popular choices are their appetizers, Stromboli, calzones, baked wings and Italian desserts. This pizza restaurant is for carry out or delivery only. They offer free delivery from Pine Island through Ocean Hill and can accommodate any large orders.
GiGi’s
- 520 G Old Stoney Road, Corolla
Gigi’s is a little taste of Italy on the Outer Banks! This restaurant has a menu that boasts a sampling of Italy, with the chef’s own family recipes. Under new ownership, GiGi’s strives to offer a five star, fine-dinning experience the whole family can enjoy. The homemade tiramisu is delicious! As you dine and sip wine, beautiful murals of Italian landscapes hand-painted by area artist Elizabeth Kays surround you. GiGi’s is open year round for dinner only. Reservations are recommended, especially in season, and like most places on the Outer Banks, casual attire is welcome.
Grouper’s Grille and Wine Bar
- TimBuck II Shopping Village, Corolla
- (252) 453-4077
Grouper’s, in the East building, is a Corolla favorite that’s been pleasing diners since 1996. The menu offers Angus beef, lean-generation pork, regional and international seafood, pasta, vegetarian entrees, creative salads and house-made desserts, all prepared with distinctive flair. Grouper’s wine list is extensive and offers a large by-the-glass selection. The restaurant has even won the Wine Spectator award seven years in a row! The atmosphere is upscale but casual and is entirely smoke-free. Reservations are recommended.
Lighthouse Bagels , Deli & More
- Monterey Plaza, across from Food Lion, Corolla
- (252) 453-9998
Start the day at Lighthouse Bagels, Deli & More with fresh-brewed coffee and fresh-baked bagels, pastries and muffins. You can also enjoy a breakfast sandwich cooked on the grill with eggs, bacon, sausage or pork roll. For lunch or dinner they have subs and sandwiches featuring Boars Head meats and fresh-baked bread. You can always order ahead to have your lunch ready or your deli meats sliced so you don’t need to wait line. In season, enjoy their real fruit smoothies (not from concentrate) plus those summer staples of burgers and hotdogs. Lighthouse Bagels is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner in season.
Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffees and Smoothies
- The Shoppes at the Currituck Club, Corolla
- (252) 457-0222
“Aloha” is the greeting visitors receive when they pass through the door of this colorful, Hawaiian-themed coffee and smoothie shop. Sit and sip a hot Kona Espresso or savor a smooth fresh fruit drink such as Passion Papaya in a Tiki cup. Throw in some surf music and art – wowi, what a ride!
Metropolis
- Ocean Club Centre, Corolla
- (252) 453-6167
Metropolis is a great spot for an evening out at the beach if you want something different from a grill and bar atmosphere. This contemporary tapas and martini bar offers an environment as urban and chic as the name suggests. The chef describes the menu as American fusion, and they borrow exotic flavors of Asia. Metropolis has an extensive beer, wine and liquor menu. They’re open until 2 a.m. and don’t have booster seats or a kids’ menu.
Mike Dianna’s Grill Room
- TimBuck II Shopping Village, Corolla
- (252) 453-4336
Mike Dianna’s Grill Room is quickly becoming a legendary Outer Banks restaurant. Fine dining with a casual atmosphere, it is most well known for its excellently prepared meats — USDA Prime beef, lamb, chicken and veal — cooked over a mesquite grill. Seafood is treated just as beautifully, and there are daily pasta specials. The distinctive wine selection has won Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence for the past three years. They have an outdoor deck and bar where you can enjoy a sunset view through the trees and live music in season. Open for dinner only, the restaurant is kid friendly and offers a kids’ menu. Mike Dianna’s Grill Room can accommodate rehearsal dinners, small intimate weddings and other family gatherings. Reservations are recommended.
Mr. Munchies Sandwich Shop & Bar
- TimBuck II Shopping Village, Corolla
- (252) 453-6607
As the name suggests, Mr. Munchies has every kind of snack imaginable, from jalapeno poppers to burgers to a crazily named sandwich selection…would you like to try the Hogzilla, anyone? They have summer evening special entrées and are open all year for lunch and dinner. They serve wine and beer and have six picnic tables on the back deck that allow you to take in the gorgeous sound and sunset view.
Nicoletta’s Italian Café
- Corolla Light Town Center, Corolla
- (252) 453-4004
Let Naples, Italy, native Pasquale Anzalone prepare a fine Italian treat like the ones he loved back home. With white linen table cloths and fine wines, this comfortable café features such dishes as Lasagna Napolitano, Chicken Parmigiana and Linguine Pescatore. Call for reservations.
