Duck, North Carolina, is a beautiful seashore vacation spot situated among the many barrier islands often known as the Outer Banks. Driving down North Carolina Freeway 12, Duck is the northernmost city in Dare County, which additionally contains the well-known locations of Nags Head, Kill Satan Hills, and Kitty Hawk. Hunters trekked out previous “civilization” for the reason that 1800s to shoot the waterfowl discovered among the many maritime forests and marshes on the distant stretch of land. Within the mid-Seventies, fishermen and looking guides arrange properties after which extra folks moved there. It was included as a city in 2002 and named Duck to honor the birds that also populate the world. The city has 500 full-time residents now.
The extensive sandy seashore stretches 7 miles alongside the Atlantic Ocean on the east facet and the peaceable Currituck Sound runs alongside the west. The situation gives a bounty of recent seafood for hungry diners who take pleasure in each informal and world-class eating institutions. The next eating places vary from very informal to upscale and are in no order. For my part, even when it’s a recent donut, if there’s a surprising view, the donut store is rated 5 stars.
Word: I used to be a visitor of the Outer Banks Guests Bureau whereas visiting Duck, however all opinions are my very own. All of the eating places talked about require reservations for dinner.
1. The Roadside Bar & Grill
The Roadside Bar & Grill is a cool spot open for lunch and dinner six days every week. Positioned in one of many village’s authentic cottages, the within décor jogged my memory of the galley of a small ship with wooden paneling, classic furnishings and indicators, and tons of sea glass decorations. The menu affords recent fish and shellfish in addition to vegan dishes, beef burgers, and conventional sandwiches. I ordered a vegan pad-Thai, a rice noodle dish with julienned veggies, and a peanut sauce however I added grilled shrimp. My husband ordered a shrimp Po’boy, nevertheless it was something however basic. It got here on a toasted sub roll with spicy Asian slaw, blackened shrimp, and a pasta salad facet. We beloved each of our decisions and whereas the Po’boy was spicy, we loved the chef’s tackle a southern staple. It’s a terrific cease on the east facet of Freeway 12.
2. Duck Donuts
You could have a Duck Donuts franchise in your hometown, nevertheless it began in Duck, in 2007. The DiGilio household beloved vacationing on the seashore vacation spot, however there wasn’t an excellent donut place. They began testing recipes, added toppings and opened the primary Duck Donuts on the town. The unique retailer on the Duck boardwalk serves comfortable prospects each day from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Order on-line or stand in line the old school approach.
I arrived on the store at 7 a.m. and a line was forming. I really like the system; you get a paper order sheet and mark off your decisions. There are such a lot of varieties. I picked a curated field loaded with a dozen buyer favorites like cookies and cream — a donut with vanilla icing, Oreo crumbles, and scorching fudge drizzle. To create your personal, begin with a signature vanilla cake donut, and customise with coatings, toppings, and drizzles. When your quantity is known as, you’re taking your field of customized donuts dwelling or eat them there on the boardwalk (I did) with beautiful views of Currituck Sound. The donuts didn’t disappoint as we sampled a couple of. We discovered that whereas scrumptious, some have been extra desert-like. I loved the cinnamon sugar donut and my husband devoured the cookies and cream.
Professional Tip: Use the app or get in line as near 7 a.m. as potential.
3. Kimball’s Kitchen
Kimball’s Kitchen, on the Sanderling Resort, is situated on Currituck Sound and affords wonderful sundown views with an upscale coastal vibe. There’s a whole wall of floor-to-ceiling home windows for diners to benefit from the surroundings whereas sipping a glass of wine from the Wine Spectator award-winning wine checklist.
We began with the Carolina crab soup, a standard bisque made with lump crab, crème Fraiche, chives and sherry, and the steak home wedge. The iceberg salad, dotted with child heirloom tomatoes, bacon lardon, Maytag blue cheese, pickled shallots, and a pink wine French dressing had a satisfying crunch, and each have been scrumptious. I opted for the seafood linguine arrabiata entree. The recent pasta adorned with Carolina wild shrimp, littleneck clams, lobster, artichokes, capers, and toasted ciabatta overflowed on the plate and had nice warmth. My husband ordered horseradish-crusted halibut with lemon risotto. The portion of halibut was huge, and the risotto was delicate, with a light-weight lemon taste. We chosen glasses of wine that paired completely with our dishes and loved each chunk. We didn’t order dessert, however we are going to subsequent go to.
Professional Tip: Ask for a window seat.
4. Aqua Restaurant
The Aqua Restaurant menu is impressed by native components from the water and land. It’s an off-the-cuff spot with reside music most nights, nice sundown views, a curated wine checklist, craft cocktails, and distinctive reminiscences.
Our starter, a cheese and charcuterie slate of two sorts of cheese, cheddar, and triple cream and Jambon de Bayonne and Italiana candy Coppa with fruit, toast, and spreads was scrumptious. It was beneficiant, so we stored it apart to complete later. Our entrees of lobster fettuccine, recent pasta with Maine lobster, and a roasted tomato alfredo sauce have been surprisingly gentle and filled with knuckle and claw meat. The pistachio-crusted Scottish salmon served with lemon rosemary quinoa and petit peas in a brown butter balsamic sauce was flavorful and cooked to order. The meals was incredible, and I’d advocate a go to to this native favourite.
Professional Tip: Seize a chair outdoors and a drink to catch the sundown.
5. Eventide
Eventide is a singular idea in informal consuming and alfresco eating on Duck’s portion of lovely Currituck Sound. It’s a cheese and sandwich store with curated wine and beers. Its Duck boardwalk location is the right setting for lunch or a sundown glass of bubbly and a light-weight meal. The menu consists of cheese boards, sandwiches, salads, and snacks. There have been at the least 16 totally different beer choices starting from stouts, IPA’s, pilsners, lagers, and ales, in addition to 16 unbelievable wine choices both by the glass or the bottle.
I visited for lunch and ordered a sandwich, a lunch salad, and a glass of Maison Foucher Brut Cremant from the Loire Valley. The sandwich was a basic rooster salad on a big part of baguette, and the salad, dotted with toasted pecans, dollops of goat cheese and sliced honey crisp apples with crisp discipline greens was a murals. I loved my sip, savored my sandwich and salad, and took within the view.
Professional Tip: Order a cheese board to take dwelling.
6. The Blue Level Restaurant
The Blue Point Restaurant on Currituck Sound is celebrating 30 years for a cause, it’s that good. Seats are exhausting to come back by as a result of the meals is up to date, recent, and has a Southern vibe, the bar is incredible, and the views are gorgeous.
Our starter of candy potato biscuits & Edwards Surry ham, shallot marmalade, and watercress have been creative and addictive. The teeny biscuits have been candy whereas the ham and marmalade have been savory. Subsequent, our salad of North Carolina peaches over recent, creamy ricotta, greens, pickled pink onions, and Marcona almonds topped with a sherry French dressing was out of this world. Our entrees of a grilled bone-in pork chop and beef tenderloin have been cooked to order with excellent accompaniments. Dessert, key lime pie over raspberry coulis with recent whipped cream despatched us dwelling full however glad. The bar is energetic and enjoyable with craft cocktails and phenomenal wines.
7. Lifesaving Station
The Lifesaving Station, on the Sanderling Resort, has one of many “Greatest breakfasts on the Outer Banks.” It resides within the outdated Caffey’s Inlet Lifesaving Station No. 5, and the nautical theme is current all through the charming inside. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served each day within the informal indoor/out of doors house which has a seasonal, southern coastal menu.
We loved lunch on the patio and shared two sandwiches: a blackened tuna BLT served on a brioche bun with pickled cucumbers with wasabi aioli and the fried rooster sandwich topped with gruyere cheese, pickles, on a brioche bun with a facet of sriracha mayonnaise. Each sandwiches have been unbelievable. The parts have been large, particularly the tuna, and although it was blackened, it was not too spicy. The rooster was tender and crisp, and the cheese made an surprising topping. We each bought the housemade chips which have been incredible. It was the right lunch for a seashore trip.
North Carolina cities and cities are blessed with a wide range of nice eating places, some mother and pop, and a few characteristic world-class cooks:
