Corolla Restaurants in the Outer Banks of North Carolina

Fat Crabs Rib Company

1159 Austin Street, Corolla Light Town Center
Corolla
(252) 453-9931

This is a great local take-out restaurant featuring all kinds of seafood including steamed crabs and crab legs, shrimp, scallops, clams, mussels and oysters. Plus you can get 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

With a new owner, a local with years of restaurant experience, First Light has expanded its offerings. The place feels a bit like Restoration Hardware meets surf shack with reclaimed hardwood floors and cool, red bench seats at the bar. In addition to lunch and dinner, they serve brunch mid-week. Their handmade biscuits, waffles with fresh fruit and a variety of omelets and Benedicts are a special treat for breakfast. Their juicy burgers are made with hand-formed patties, and they also have sandwiches, salads, entree items and a kids’ menu. This is exactly what you would expect from a Corolla establishment—laid-back and super friendly. First Light serves liquor, wine and beer. They are closed January though mid-February.

La Dolce Vita

798 Sunset Boulevard, TimBuck II Shopping Village
Corolla
(252) 453-0069

With recipes handed down from within the family, La Dolce Vita is a celebration of family, friends and coastal Italian cuisine. Favorite items from their menu are their mussels, seafood diablo pasta, hand-tossed thin-crust pizza and crab stuffed mushrooms, and they offer nightly seasonal specials as well. They have a few tables on their sound view deck so get there in time to catch the sunset. They do have a kids menu and welcome the whole family. Join them for lunch, dinner or a cocktail at their full bar. They’re open daily at 11:30 a.m. for lunch and with dinner served until 10 p.m. Have an event? They’re happy to help you with catering and can also host intimate parties, rehearsal dinners or weddings.

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, cappuccino, 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 in line. In season, enjoy their real fruit smoothies (not from concentrate) and delicious house-made gelato. Lighthouse Bagels is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner in season.

Lovie’s Kitchen Table

1130-E Corolla Village Road
Corolla
(252) 453-0912

Set in an historic Corolla home, Lovie’s is a sweet place to find refreshment. Stop in for coffee and homemade pastries in the morning or for locally made salads, sandwiches and wraps at lunch. Freshly baked breads, cheeses, chocolates and homemade desserts will satisfy your afternoon cravings. Enjoy a cold beer or glass of wine on the screened porch. Lovie’s is a welcoming spot. It’s situated between the bookstore and the chapel in Corolla village.

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. They 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 a whole host of burgers and crazily named sandwiches…would you like to take on the Godfather, 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. The deck is also dog-friendly, so walk your furry friend around back and enjoy your meal together.

Ned’s Ice Cream

Corolla Light Town Center
Corolla
(252) 453-8821

Ned’s serves cool, tasty Edy’s hand-scooped ice cream in cones or cups, milkshakes or sundaes. Ned’s also offers numerous types of candies, sold individually or by the pound. In season, it’s open from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m.

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, Chicken Campagnolo and Linguine Golfo Napoli plus beef, pork, and salmon entrees. 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 available for pick-up. Call for details.

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 (Next to the Hampton Inn)
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.

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.

Sun Fish Grill

813B Ocean Trail, Monteray Shopping Plaza
Corolla
(252) 453 – 4663

New this year, Sun Fish Grill is a fun, family dining establishment specializing in—you guessed it—seafood! Restaurateurs from Maine, John and Donna are excited about bringing you their take on a seafood shack. They’re happy to welcome large groups and kids and will begin serving breakfast and brunch at 7 a.m. Happy Hour runs from 3 to 5 p.m. with drink specials from their full bar, and dinner service begins at 5 p.m. Stop in and welcome them to the beach.

The Fin & Claw Sea Grill

790 Ocean Trail, TimBuck II Shopping Village
Corolla
(252) 453-4077

Tommy Karole, the original owner of Grouper’s Grill, returned to Corolla in 2009 with a fresh concept and newly remodeled restaurant. The Fin & Claw Sea Grill specializes in a seasonally inspired menu with selections of seafood, beef, chicken and pork. Dishes are made up of familiar American ingredients with savory flavors from many countries. Selections change often as the chef insists on serving only available fresh seafood and produce. They are open for dinner nightly, with a good solid wine list and full bar. Reservations are accepted.

The Flying Dutchman

520 G Old Stoney Road
Corolla
(252) 453-2959

With a philosophy of home-cooking from scratch with the freshest ingredients, Chef Doug has combined the best of comfort food and coastal cuisine in his new spot in Corolla. Enjoy shrimp & grits, seafood boil, pot roast, meatloaf, cracklin’ pork shank and many more dishes surrounded by an inviting Carolina blue atmosphere. For those seeking something lighter there are nightly seafood specials, roasted chicken and a lovely seared tuna entrée. For lunch there are also plenty of interesting sandwich options and a number of salads that can also be served as wraps. They are family friendly with a 12-item kids menu and are happy to host larger parties with advance reservations. Their full bar features liquor, wine, beer and frozen drinks as well. Flying Dutchman is open every day at 11:30 for lunch and dinner.

Tomato Patch Pizzeria

802 Albacore Street, Monterey Plaza
Corolla
(252) 453-4500

Operating since 1993 with the same Greek family, 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. Tuesday nights they do something really fun—it’s Kids’ Night, and the small fry get to make their own pizzas! They also have a fully stocked bar named Dr. Unks Oasis (see separate write-up).