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.
North Banks Restaurant and Raw Bar
- TimBuck II Shopping Village, Corolla
- (252) 453-3344
North Banks, in the West building, is casual, contemporary and high-energy. Filet mignon and lobster are the house specialties. They also have several preparations of local fish every night and a raw bar offering up the freshest local delicacies. It’s open for lunch and dinner and has a fully stocked bar featuring specialty drinks. Take-out is available.
Northern Light Pastries and Coffee
- Corolla Light Town Center, Corolla
- (252) 453-0201
Showcasing the talents of Chef Zack Grumet, these authentic, European-style pastries and breads are out of this world. Made fresh daily, everyone will enjoy these donuts, cookies, hot coffee and much more.
Outer Banks Cheese Steaks
- Corolla Light Town Center, Corolla
- (252) 453-0344
Watch owner Nancy Anzalone prepare these awesome cheese steaks on her flat-top grill. With more than 30 years of experience, she whips up these hot, cheesy delights in a flash. Grilled vegetables, Panini bread sandwiches and fried sides complement the steak, pizza, chicken, pork and cheese sandwiches.
Outer Banks Coffee Company
- Monterey Plaza, across from Food Lion, Corolla
- (252) 453-0200
The sunny-orange atmosphere in the coffee shop is enough to wake you up, but you’ll want to try the coffee too — they have quite a variety and it’s roasted in the shop to delight your olfactory senses. All the usual coffee drinks are offered, as are tea and homemade pastries and other sweets, all baked in the Coffee Company’s bakery. For a nominal fee you can get connected here with wireless Internet access. Stop by the mini-newsstand on the corner to get your a.m. paper and you’re all set to go.
Paradise Sweets
- TimBuck II Shopping Village, Corolla
- (252) 453-3500
You can grab just the right treat on any day no matter your sweet tooth preference. Cooling ice cream or shaved ice, warming cappuccino or a healthy and delicious smoothie are just some of the treats you’ll find in this cute little shop. Oh, did we mention candy? Lots and lots of candy.
Philly Steak Subs
- Monterey Plaza, across from Food Lion, Corolla
- (252) 453-4239
You don’t find many authentic Philadelphia cheese steaks in these parts, but this is the real thing. Philly Steak Subs uses marinated lean steak, chipped on the grill and served on a split-top Amoroso roll imported from Philadelphia. You can choose from several varieties of cheese steaks or try an oven-baked sub or burger. Definitely try the French fries or onion rings and put a quarter in the jukebox.
Pine Island Diner
- N.C. Highway 12, Corolla
- (252) 453-4828
Pine Island Diner is not your typical diner. The new ownership in 2008 specializes in Creative American home cooking. They use organic and all-natural products when possible. All meats are roasted in house, and everything on the menu is made from scratch. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served. The breakfast menu consists of a variety of organic three egg omelets, seasonal berry pancakes, waffles and apple smoked meats. OJ is squeezed fresh daily. Fresh fish, signature sandwiches, hand-pattied Angus burgers and hand-crafted salads make up the lunch fare. Dinners are built around local fish, seafood pasta, kabobs, steaks, ribs and jumbo lump crab cakes. Pine Island Diner is an independently owned restaurant located next to the Hampton Inn in Pine Island Corolla.
Pizzazz Pizza Company
- The Shoppes at the Currituck Club, Corolla
- (252) 453-8858
There’s a chance the owner may prepare your pie in this locally owned and operated pizzeria that prides itself on making fresh sauces and dough daily. Excellent, friendly servers ensure you’ll enjoy munching on this homemade, hand-tossed pizza. Try a California White, The Greek or a Traditional Vegetarian. Salads, snacks and hot subs round out the menu. Hungry families on the go will appreciate the daily buffet (dine in only) from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Delivery is also available.
Route 12 Steak and Seafood Co.
- TimBuck II Shopping Village, Corolla
- (252) 453-4644
Route 12 has a casual atmosphere that’s appealing for the whole family. Prepared with flair by Chef Ron Davidson (former owner of Finely Ron’s), you can get fresh seafood, choice grade beef, duck, pasta dishes and ribs. A few of their “must try” selections are the crab bisque and the Ahi tuna pepper filet. Davidson is a veteran of many Outer Banks kitchens and has quite a following. Route 12 is open for lunch and dinner in season, with limited hours and a limited menu in the winter. They feature daily specials and a full ABC license and wine selection. Kids are welcome with a menu of their own. It’s located immediately south of the main Timbuck II complex, next to Brew Thru and the video store. Call ahead for reservations, especially in the busy summer months.
Sharky’s Pub
- Monterey Plaza, Corolla
- (252) 453-2051
A beach casual pub, Sharky’s serves up the traditional pub fare plus steaks and local seafood from the docks in Wanchese. They have a large non-smoking dining room and are happy to accommodate large families and groups, though it would be good of you to call ahead to let them know you are coming. The kids’ menu includes chicken fingers and mac n’ cheese. They are open from Easter through October, and this year they will be having live entertainment in the evenings all summer.
Smokey’s Restaurant
- Ocean Club Centre, Corolla
- (252) 453-4050
Smokey’s has moved to a new location at the Ocean Club Centre across from the southern beach access. They first opened their doors in 1991 and are truly considered a Corolla original. This family-style restaurant is sure to please everyone and their specialties include house-made North Carolina barbecue, Southern fried chicken, barbecued ribs, seafood, burgers and more. A children’s menu is offered. They are open for lunch and dinner seven days a week in season and serve beer and wine as well. All items are available for take-out.
Sooey’s BBQ and Rib Shack
- Monterey Plaza, Corolla
- (252) 453-4423
Sooey’s BBQ and Rib Shack specializes in authentic Eastern North Carolina pork barbecue, slow smoked ribs, sliced beef brisket, pulled barbecue chicken and Southern fried chicken. All the favorite homemade sides are here, too, including potato salad, cole slaw, baked beans, mac and cheese, corn bread, onion rings and killer hushpuppies. Appetizers, wings, burgers, sandwiches, soups, salads and kids’ favorites are also available. You can sit down and eat in the restaurant, but Sooey’s also excels at take-out, prepared family meals and catered events; call ahead for large orders. Beer and wine are served.
Steamers Shellfish To Go
- TimBuck II Shopping Village, Corolla
- (252) 453-3305
Steamers comes to the rescue of Corolla vacationers who want to eat in but don’t want to cook. This establishment offers a variety of home-made entrees, kids’ meals, local seafood, soups, salads, side dishes and desserts. Call ahead for take-out or enjoy your meal at the picnic tables on their waterfront deck. The most popular item here is the original Steamer Pot To Go ®. Corolla’s version of the New England clambake is packed with your choice of shellfish, corn on the cob, red potatoes, onions and all the necessary complements, including claw crackers, butter, cocktail sauce and lemons. All you do is place it on the stove, add water and allow the pot to steam for 20 minutes. Steamers is located on the soundside of TimBuck II.
Subway
- Monterey Plaza, Corolla
- (252) 457-1080
It is presumed that you know all the attributes of Subway, with its nationally recognized made-to-order subs, wraps and salads. The Corolla location is conveniently located in the Monteray Plaza shopping center. Subway is perfect for fueling up during a busy day of shopping or ordering lunch to go for a picnic on the beach.
Sundogs Sports Bar and Grill
- Monterey Plaza, across from Food Lion, Corolla
- (252) 453-GAME (4263)
For lunch and dinner, this is a great family-friendly restaurant. The grill offers an array of appetizers along with steamed seafood, salads, sandwiches, burgers and full entrees like seafood and ribs. A children’s menu is available. Looking for a little action in quiet Corolla? Sundogs is the place. They are open until 2 a.m. in the summer season and have live entertainment seven nights a week. They also have 11 TVs, a pool table, trivia games and a fully stocked bar where you can hang out and shoot the breeze. No one under age 21 is allowed after 10 p.m.
The General Store
- Corolla Light Town Center, Corolla
- (252) 453-0103
As the name suggests, this General Store features a wide variety of everyday vacation needs, but it’s also a good little to-go deli and crab-shack. Check out the eclectic wine collection and fine cigars, too.
The Pizza Guy
- 501 Old Stoney Road, Pine Island
- (252) 453-9976
Those staying in Pine Island will be glad to see The Pizza Guy. This is the only restaurant right at Pine Island, with a location just north of the water tower. Pizzas, subs and appetizers like bread sticks, salads, mozzarella sticks and more are available. You can eat in, take out or call for free delivery. The Pizza Guy offers delivery from the Duck Research Pier to Ocean Hill.
The Wild Horse Café
- Corolla Light Town Center, Corolla
- (252) 453-8463
This family restaurant features plenty of seating and great food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Look for owner John McDonnell to be in the middle of taking an order or ringing up a customer. He’s named some of his favorite dishes after best friends and family. This varied menu offers crab cakes, fresh game fish, pork and several Southwestern dishes. Check out the wildhorse photography too.
Tomato Patch Pizzeria
- Monterey Plaza, Corolla
- (252) 453-4500
A longtime Corolla favorite, Tomato Patch offers gourmet pizzas with a variety of standard and more unusual toppings (like salami, gyro meat, caramelized onion or grilled eggplant). The Tomato Patch also serves calzones, classic pasta dishes and fresh garden salads. Try a seafood basket, fish and chips or a po’ boy sandwich. It’s open for lunch, dinner and even late night. They have a fully stocked bar named Dr. Unks Oasis (see the write-up above).
Zero’s Subs
- The Shoppes at the Currituck Club, Corolla
- (252) 453-0060
Regionally known for it’s made to order hot subs and cold Pepsi, this shop serves oven-baked classics such as the Grinder, the Cosmo Deluxe and a mean Meatball and Cheese. The surfing crowd’s favorite since Zero’s was established in Virginia Beach in 1967, it’s a great place for lunch or dinner. Create a meal deal with any sub for only $1.50. Kids’ meals, pizza, wings and lo-carb wraps are also available
