Ocracoke Island Food Guide for Culinary Adventures

Facebook Tweet Pin LinkedIn

Craving the best places to eat on North Carolina’s Ocracoke Island? I ate my way across Ocracoke Island, and I share this Ocracoke Island food guide to point you to the top restaurants for fresh-caught seafood, hushpuppies and sweet treats, from dockside grills and food trucks to breakfast nooks and date-night gems. With a photographer’s eye and a road-tripper’s appetite, I scout flavor, views and stories in every bite. Use this guide to plan breakfasts, lunches, and dinners you’ll remember forever.

The writer was hosted.

The Best Thing to Eat on Ocracoke Island

Close-up of chilled half-shell oysters with lemon wedges at Ocracoke Oyster Company in the Outer Banks. — Chase coastal flavor with oysters on the half shell at Ocracoke Oyster Company—local, briny, and perfect for an Outer Banks dining guide. Photo credit: Julie Diebolt Price

Oysters are the best thing to eat on Ocracoke Island. They don’t get any fresher and make such an interesting presentation. We tried new-to-us locally-caught white fish, such as sheepshead, tilefish and drum, prepared with a pecan or Parmesan crust, or grilled or blackened. They became our favorites. Fresh and tender scallops, served in a lemon butter sauce, almost melted in our mouths.

Want more culinary travel ideas? Get inspired with our newsletter!

Best Casual Dining Experience on Ocracoke Island

Ocracoke Island in the Outer Banks of North Carolina is on “island time,” where they embrace a casual lifestyle and laid-back attitude. That extends to dining and even the upscale restaurants give a sense of casual elegance. Each one of the restaurants in this Ocracoke Island food guide offer the best casual dining experience.

Ocracoke Oyster Company

The Food – Oysters, fresh seafood and barbecue.
The Vibe – Relaxed and pet-friendly.
Who Best For – Singles, couples, after-work groups.
Food and Drink Favorites – The oysters on the half shell tasted briny and fresh, the cream of crab soup rich and satisfying. Icy cold beers refreshed us after the travel day and ferry ride. Great cocktails, cold beer and live music during the summer.
Facts – $$ ($20-$30), Hours: Monday 3 p.m. to 12 a.m.; Tuesday-Sunday 11 a.m. to 12 a.m., otherwise, on Island time.
Tip – We ate here twice during the day and sat on the patio both times.
Getting There/Parking – On the main drag, big sign, easy parking in front, perfect for golf cart transportation.

Ocracoke Coffee Co.

The Food – Fresh coffee, smoothies, breakfast bagels and pastries.
The Vibe – Relaxed, casual and healthy.
Who Best For – Anyone wanting fresh, healthy breakfast choices and delicious morning beverages.
Food and Drink Favorites – Hummingbird Muffin and Mango Blues smoothie.
Facts – $ ($1-$10), Hours: In season, open daily 7am to 5 pm; Shoulder season, open at 7am, closed Sundays; Off season, CLOSED.
Tip – Dine inside (plenty of tables and easy chairs) or take away.
Getting There/Parking – Plenty of parking in the lot.

Back Porch Restaurant

Screened porch dinner table at dusk with warm light and a faint firefly glow in the yard, Ocracoke Island, North Carolina. — Screened-porch dining at Back Porch Restaurant with golden-hour light, rustic charm, and a firefly flicker in the yard. Photo credit: Julie Diebolt Price

The Food – Seafood, small plates, large plates
The Vibe – Cozy, summer cottage for a quiet date night.
Who Best For – Couples, singles and families
Food and Drink Favorites – We enjoyed the Poké Bowl and Sweet Spicy Shrimp.
Facts – $$ ($30-$50), Hours: 5 to 9 pm; Wednesday through Saturday; closed Sunday through Tuesday.
Tip – Ask for Jennifer, the server. She shares her love of the island, giving your dining experience a local feel.
Getting There/Parking – Street parking in front.

SmacNally’s Waterfront Bar & Grill

Grilled sheepshead fish platter with curly fries, coleslaw, and two hushpuppies on a dockside table overlooking Silver Lake, Ocracoke — Fish and chips dinner at SmacNally’s on Ocracoke Island–grilled sheepshead fish plate piled with curly fries, coleslaw, and hushpuppies on the Silver Lake waterfront. Photo credit: Julie Diebolt Price

The Food – Seafood and burgers
The Vibe – Casual and lively open-air waterfront dining with great cocktails.
Who Best For – Families, couples and singles
Food and Drink Favorites – The Signature Fish dinner. Loved the traditional fish and chips with an icy cold beer.
Facts – $ ($10-$20); Open during the season from April to late October at 11 am. Open until 9 pm during peak season.
Tip – They don’t take reservations. Leashed and friendly dogs are welcome.
Getting There/Parking – Street parking and a parking lot across the street.

Pony Island Restaurant

Plate of classic Southern breakfast at Ocracoke Island’s oldest restaurant with U.S. Coast Guard bagpipers dining nearby before the British Cemetery Ceremony. — Classic Ocracoke breakfast at Pony Island Restaurant, the island’s oldest restaurant. We shared the meal with the Coast Guard bagpipers on the morning of the British Cemetery Ceremony. Photo credit: Julie Diebolt Price

The Food – Big Southern breakfasts and seafood.
The Vibe – Casual, family run and friendly.
Who Best For – Anyone who is hungry and loves a big breakfast.
Food and Drink Favorites – Pancakes and hot chocolate
Facts – $ ($10-$20), Open 7 am to 11 am, Wednesday through Monday; closed Tuesday.
Tip – It’s where the locals go.
Getting There/Parking – Parking in front of the restaurant. Handicapped-accessible long ramp for access.

Eduardo’s Regional Mexican Cuisine

Ocracoke food truck run by Chef Eduardo Chavez; menu board highlights seafood tacos, burrito bowls, and house salsas. — Ocracoke Island favorite: Chef Eduardo Chavez blends his mother’s Mexican recipes with fresh NC seafood from his award-winning food truck. Photo credit: Julie Diebolt Price

The Food – Authentic Mexican like mom used to make; vegan options.
The Vibe – Casual, food truck
Who Best For – Families, travelers, locals and anyone who likes Mexican food.
Food and Drink Favorites – Homemade guacamole using fresh avocados, cilantro, lime, onion, tomato and seasoning.
Facts – $ ($10-$20), serves breakfast and lunch from 8 am to 2 pm, Monday through Saturday.
Tip – Closing November 29, 2025, for good.
Getting There/Parking – Parking in front of the food truck and seating area.

Dajio

The Food – New American and elevated Southern fusion, vegetarian options.
The Vibe – Bistro style, lively gathering place, casually sophisticated; elegant inside dining.
Who Best For – Singles, couples, mature adults and families.
Food and Drink Favorites – X-15 with Roku gin, a popular signature drink before dinner, and the cauliflower steak, a vegetarian option.
Facts – $$ ($20-$50), Open for lunch and dinner, 11 am to 9 pm. Bar open to 11 pm or later. Shrimp Hour between 3 and 5 pm daily.
Tip – They don’t take reservations, but proudly display their A-100.0 Sanitation rating.
Getting There/Parking – Off-street parking in front and side street parking

The Flying Melon

The Food – Cajun-flavored
The Vibe – Subdued, intimate and cozy, “old island home” atmosphere..
Who Best For – Upscale diners, great for date night.
Food and Drink Favorites – Sazerac, made with Redemption rye, Peychaud’s bitters and light sugar. Chilled and strained into an absinthe-rinsed glass with a lemon twist. It sounded as good as it tasted. A perfect accompaniment to pecan-crusted sheepshead fish, scallops and flourless chocolate torte.
Facts – $$ ($30-$50), outdoor seating, kids menu, dogs welcome outside.
Tip – Kevin, our waiter, made excellent recommendations and explained the local fish on the menu.
Getting There/Parking – Large parking lot on a back street beside the restaurant. Long handicapped-accessible ramp to the entrance.

Vegan and Vegetarian Dining on Ocracoke Island

While there are no strictly vegan and vegetarian restaurants on Ocracoke Island, several restaurants offer vegan or vegetarian options on the menu. Eduardo’s offers veggie burritos; at Dajio’s, I ordered the cauliflower steak; Ocracoke Oyster Company serves Portabello mushroom sandwiches; and Flying Melon tempts the palate with a vegetable curry dish.

Getting To The Outer Banks

Outer Banks ferry from Ocracoke to Hatteras in the Pamlico Sound — The Ocracoke to Hatteras ferry glides across the Pamlico Sound, linking two Outer Banks islands with sweeping coastal views and a free, scenic ride. Photo credit: Julie Diebolt Price

Flying In

Two major airports serve North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Norfolk International Airport (ORF) offers daily flights and rental car options for the approximate two-hour drive to the Outer Banks. Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) is another option, although it’s about a four-hour drive from the Outer Banks.

Ferry

North Carolina operates one of the largest state-run ferry systems in the United States. Ocracoke and Hatteras are the busiest, connecting the Outer Banks. Swan Quarter and Cedar Island connect Ocracoke to the mainland.

She Buys Travel Tip: North Carolina ferries do not provide food service, but vending machines may be available. Buy food at terminals or nearby restaurants.