Travel On The Level

Hatteras Island, Outer Banks, N.C. Photo © by Judy Wells.

Seafood lovers will like it here. So will pizza fans. From gourmet to unadorned oysters on the half shell, local treats abound.

There's nothing like salt air to give you an appetite and there's nothing like the local fare to satisfy it. During a press trip in April I had a chance to try a lot of it. Alas, also during that press trip I broke my ankle which is one reason I've taken so long to share my findings with you.

Most of my time was spent on the Hatteras Island but I did try two good spots to the north.

Roanoke Island

Full Moon Cafe. Photo © by Judy Wells.

The Full Moon Cafe and Brewery, , Manteo, serves up an outstanding lunch. Their burgers are excellent and I can personally recommend the crab and shrimp dip and the buttered pita that accompanies it. You won't want to leave a morsel of the crab and shrimp enchilada behind. The beer's good, too, and all at reasonable prices.

Northern Beaches

Awful Arthur's Oyster Bar, Kill Devil Hills, a congenial, kicked-back watering hole, serves up some outstanding seafood including the best oysters I had anywhere on the Outer Banks.

Hatteras Island

Chef Foutz's sausage, arugula pesto and manchego cheese appetizer. Photo © by Judy Wells.

Ketch 55 Seafood Grill, Avon, garners raves from the locals. I didn't get to dine there because Chef Seth Foutz came to us, preparing supper in our rented beach house. If there is an appetizer with grilled sausage on garlic pita with arugula pesto and smoked manchego cheese, get it.

Just enough nutmeg in the bisque. Photo © by Judy Wells.

Crab cakes a bit overdone for my tastes. Photo © by Judy Wells.

Quarterdeck Restaurant, Frisco, isn't much to look at but locals swear Miss Gina's crab cakes are the best on the island. They are good but I liked the crab bisque better.

View of Pamlico Sound. Photo © by Judy Wells.

Pamlico Cafe's crab cake. Yum. Photo © by Judy Wells.

Pamlico Sound Bouillabaisse. Photo © by Judy Wells.

 Cafe Pamlico, The Inn on Pamlico Sound, Buxton, is one of the few restaurants ever encountered where the view is equaled by the food. By far the most elegant and romantic setting, everything from drinks to desserts in this white linen establishment is memorable. The pan-seared crab cakes are to write home about.

Gidget's specialty pizza. Photo © by Judy Wells.

Gidget's Pizza and Pasta, Avon, is where you'll bump into the locals at lunch and it's easy to see why. Prices are extremely reasonable and the food will quickly win you over. We ordered a variety of pizzas and it was hard to pick a favorite but the Signature pizza - white garlic sauce, sliced tomatoes, fresh spinach, thinly sliced red onion, sweet red and green peppers, mild banana peppers, crisp bacon and a blend of cheeses - received many a vote. You'll need a l-o-n-g walk on the beach after this.

Take that l-o-n-g walk in the morning. Photo © by Judy Wells.