Dr. Unks Oasis
- 803 Albacore Street, 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
- 1159 Austin Street, 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
- 793 Sunset Boulevard, 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. They serve brunch mid-week, and 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
- 798 Sunset Boulevard, 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.
GiGi’s
- 520 G Old Stoney Road
- Corolla
- (252) 453-2929
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.
Good Egg Breakfast
- 813B Ocean Trail, Monteray Shopping Plaza
- Corolla
- (252) 453-GOOD
From the creators of Chilli Peppers and Stripers Bar & Grille comes this new breakfast experience in Corolla. Offering a $9.95 breakfast buffet as well as a full breakfast menu including all the best Benedicts and other creative concoctions, this bright and shiny restaurant is open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily.
Grouper’s Grille and Wine Bar
- 790 Ocean Trail, 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
- 807 Ocean Trail, Monterey Plaza
- 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.
Metropolis
- 520 Old Stoney Road, 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 from around the world. 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.
Mr. Munchies Sandwich Shop & Bar
- 799 Sunset Boulevard, 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
- 106 Corolla Light Village Shops
- 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.
Outer Banks Cheese Steaks
- 1159 Austin Street, 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
- 807 Ocean Trail, Monterey Plaza
- 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.
Outer Banks Seafood Company
- 811 Ocean Trail, Monterey Plaza
- Corolla
- (252) 453-2681
Chef Wes Stepp and his wife, Cindy, the owners of Red Sky Cafe in Duck, present the Outer Banks Seafood Company, a casual dining restaurant that feels like an old family cottage. Just brimming with Outer Banks history, the walls are filled with hundreds of photos from the historical society archives. As you can imagine the menu is loaded with yummy seafood options including crabcakes, shellfish, tuna and nightly fresh local fish specials. They do offer a children’s menu. They also have a full bar. And they’re open daily for lunch and dinner in season. Is it your turn to cook and you’re just not in the mood? Satisfy the masses with one of their family platters that are available for pick-up. Call for details.
Paradise Sweets
- 793 Sunset Boulevard, TimBuck II Shopping Village
- Corolla
- (252) 453-2310
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
- 807 Ocean Trail, Monterey Plaza
- 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
- 345 Audubon Drive
- Corolla
- (252) 453-4828
Pine Island Diner is not your typical diner. The new ownership in 2008 brought 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
- 603 Currituck Clubhouse Drive, 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.
Sharky’s Pub
- 813 OCean Trail, 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.
Subway
- 885 Albacore Street, 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.
The Pizza Guy
- 501 Old Stoney Road
- Corolla
- (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 to all of Corolla and the northern area of Duck.
The Wild Horse Café
- 1210 Ocean Trail, 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.
Tullio’s Pastry Shop
- 798 Sunset Boulevard, TimBuck II Shopping Village, in the front of Gabriella's
- Corolla
- 261-7111, 261-6675
Sticky cinnamon buns, fresh apple turnovers, fruit pies, luscious cakes and cheesecakes, authentic cannolis, fresh baguettes, Italian peasant bread … need we say more? The pastry chefs at Tullio’s make unbelievably irresistible desserts, breads and sweets. Tullio’s also has two other locations in Duck, at Loblolly Pines and Scarborough Faire (on the second level). They serve espresso and coffee drinks, frozen drinks and smoothies to go along with your sweets. If you’re celebrating, Tullio’s can whip up a perfect birthday or anniversary cake, and they’re known for their show-stopping wedding cakes.
Zero’s Subs
- 603 Currituck Clubhouse Drive, The Shoppes at the Currituck Club
- Corolla
- (252) 453-0060
Regionally known for its 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 more. Kids’ meals, pizza, wings and lo-carb wraps are also available
