Breakfast on the Beach: My Favorite Restaurants on the NC Outer Banks

The truth is, my husband doesn't like to take time for breakfast in a restaurant when we head to the North Carolina Outer Banks. "We're here to fish," he always says. But for those times when we don't book a room with a microwave for his frozen Jimmy Dean Sausage biscuits, I have a few favorite breakfast destinations.

The Jolly Roger has a huge breakfast menu, but it's the breakfast beverage that keeps my sisters and me coming back for more. On Sunday mornings, glasses are lined up on the bar waiting for the legal alcohol hour to strike so everyone can partake of that favorite hangover remedy - a perfect Bloody Mary.

The building that houses the Jolly Roger at milepost 6.5 in Kill Devil Hills was built in 1937 as Dean's Place, a gas station and grocery. Some claim the restaurant is haunted with a friendly ghost. The Jolly Roger is the oldest Italian restaurant on the beach. In addition to breakfast, Jolly Roger serves a variety of fresh caught local seafood, steaks, prime rib, and home cooked favorites. Nighttime entertainment includes Alan Ross Karaoke Roadshow seven nights a week.

Sam & Omies is one of the most historic destinations for breakfast, originally opened by a couple of fishermen as a pre-fishing stop more than 70 years ago. In addition to breakfast, Sam & Omies serves a lunch and dinner menu and has a full bar. The restaurant is conveniently located in Nags Head at milepost 6.5 near Whalebone Junction, close to the beach, shopping and sightseeing.

Henry's Family Restaurant

Some of our local friends introduced us to Henry's several years ago. Henry's is a local favorite with three generations of family active in the business. The breakfast menu features omelet specials every day, and lunch and dinner specials feature local seafood, prime rib, chicken and pasta. Henry's is located on the bypass at milepost 5.5 in Kill Devil Hills, which is convenient for us on the way to Avalon Pier.

At Bob's Grill, the theme is "Eat and get the Hell out!" The odd marketing slogan is too funny not to witness in person. I'm told Bob actually yells it out now and then, though I can't say I've personally heard him. Bob's serves a limited breakfast menu all day, and the owner Bob McCoy is said to cook much of the food himself. You can find Bob's at milepost 9 on the Beach Road in Kill Devil Hills.

The Dunes was dubbed "The Best Breakfast Bargain around" by Southern Living Magazine in 1994. In addition to a breakfast buffet, the restaurant boasts an all-you-can-eat seafood feast and salad bar. Located at milepost 16.5 in Nags Head, The Dunes is one of my sister, Julia's favorites.

That's right, Nags Head Fishing Pier. It's hard for me to resist combining fishing and breakfast, since I can eat while my husband gets an early start. Nags Head Fishing Pier offers breakfast with a view. Watch the sunrise before you hit the planks, and you can bring your catch back to the pier restaurant later for lunch or dinner where they will clean and cook it for you. If your luck isn't with you, they also offer a "Carolina Style Cooking" menu. The restaurant is located in the pierhouse at milepost 12 in Nags Head.

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