07/21/2020
As the Coronavirus continues to sweep across the nation, North Carolina remains in Phase 2 of reopening for the next couple of weeks at a minimum. During this time, restaurants are required to serve at 50% capacity (based on either their fire code or square footage), should they choose to open their doors.
Per NC State Law, masks are required when entering all restaurants (as well as all other public spaces where social distancing can’t be maintained) and while everyone is aware that masking while eating and drinking is certainly not possible, you are required to mask up while moving about the establishment in which you are dining. Due to the nature of the pandemic, Hatteras Island eateries have each taken their own approach to safely and effectively serve their guests. While some offer dine-in seating, many are offering to-go and a select few have the option of outdoor dining as well. For your convenience, we have done a quick round-up of Hatteras Island restaurant options, which are listed below.
Outdoor Dining on Hatteras Island
The Snack Shack | Hatteras Village, NC
The cutest little “shack” in Hatteras packs a whole lot of punch with their freshly cooked menu options. Limited seating is available throughout the campus of Hatteras Landing, with the most noteworthy being the covered deck over Hatteras Landing Marina. Pair one of Miss Kim’s delicious menu items with one of the many selections of single-serve beers from the HLM Ship Store and head out to the blue chairs for lunch on the water. Want to skip the line? Order online or download the ChowNow app!
The Wreck Tiki Bar | Hatteras Village, NC
Perched on the deck at Hatteras Landing, limited outdoor seating is available. Head inside to the “tiki bar” to order and enjoy some snacks on the deck overlooking Hatteras Landing Marina.
Hatteras Sol Waterside Grill | Hatteras Village, NC
Hatteras Sol meals are made with a whole lot of heart and a whole lot of #solvibes. To-go orders can be made by phone (as long as they can comfortably service their dine-in guests) or by walk-in. Self-service outdoor dining is available on their front lawn overlooking Teach’s Lair Marina.
Breakwater Restaurant | Hatteras Village, NC
Breakwater Restaurant offers a wonderful outdoor dining experience. With a downsized menu during COVID-19, they have a full-service and spacious outdoor deck that overlooks Oden’s Dock. Be sure to check their Facebook page for their live music schedule.
Kat’s Deli | Hatteras Village, NC
This cute little deli at Stowe on 12 is an office favorite for a great lunch pick-me-up. Enjoy one of their many delicious creations on the deck or in their courtyard. Outdoor dining is self-service only.
Tavern on 12 | Frisco, NC
While many places are offering outdoor dining in addition to their indoor seating service, Tavern on 12 is outdoor dining only during NC’s Phase 2. Fairly new to the food scene on Hatteras Island this delicious tavern does NOT disappoint with their incredible pizza oven and delicious eats. They have added to their covered outdoor patio with additional tented seating to beat the heat while you eat (and drink).
Café Pamlico | Buxton, NC
Café Pamlico converted their seating space to outdoor dining on their waterfront venue deck. Tented, well-lit and waterfront, they are offering outdoor dining only.
Sandbar & Grille | Buxton, NC
Sandbar & Grill has changed-up their operations to include dine-in as well as seating on their back deck overlooking the Pamlico Sound. Their shaded front-porch will be used as a waiting area and they ask that you send just one person in at a time to check-in at their hostess station.
Rusty’s Surf & Turf | Buxton, NC
Rusty’s Surf & Turf has also changed their procedures to better accommodate the limited capacity restrictions set forth by NC’s Phase 2. With full-service indoor and outdoor deck seating, they are reservation only. Make your reservation on their website, Google, OpenTable, Trip Advisor or Facebook.
Pangea Tavern | Avon, NC
While offering indoor dining, Pangea Tavern also offers outdoor seating in their alluring Beer Garden. Reservations are encouraged and for a little extra fun, take a walk out on the newly reopened Avon Pier to cast a line or catch a glimpse of the shoreline from above.
Oceana’s Bistro | Avon, NC
Located in the heart of Avon, Oceana’s Bistro is offering minimal outdoor seating in addition to their indoor dining.
The Mad Crabber | Avon, NC
The Mad Crabber has taken a different approach to their to-go service with their “Platter in a Pot”, a unique family-style to-go dish that includes fresh crab legs, split lobster, mussels, clams, oysters, scallops, and shrimp all packaged in a steam pot and ready to cook at home! You can order a multitude of other family-style dinners online for pick-up or outdoor dining (if seating is available), or you can head on over for full-service outdoor dining on their spacious new deck!
Po House OBX | Avon, NC
New to the scene on Hatteras Island, if the dishes at Po House taste even half as good as the pics on their Instagram look, you can count us in! Outdoor dining service is available just next door to our Avon office!
Watermen’s Bar & Grill | Waves, NC
Overlooking the sound in Waves, Watermen’s is always a great choice for some delicious eats in the Tri-Village area. During Phase 2 they will be offering outdoor seating only on their spacious covered deck. Indoor dining and live music are on hold until Phase 3.
*Photos courtesy of The Mad Crabber Restaurant
