The 10 Best Healthy Eats on the Outer Banks

Nestled off the coast of North Carolina, the Outer Banks are a series of barrier islands stretching more than 175 miles south from the Virginian border. Known for its pristine beaches, unique wildlife, historical significance and a general sense of privacy and seclusion, the Outer Banks have long been a coveted destination for people from both North Carolina and all across the country.

While it’s no surprise that the string of islands is renowned for its seafood, restaurants like High Cotton and the infamous Duck Donuts have helped establish the area as a hotbed for the prototypical southern comfort food that is so easy to indulge in, especially while on vacation.

But what if you’re trying to fight the culinary temptations that come with traveling? Are there any healthy restaurants in the Outer Banks that can accommodate the growing list of dietary restrictions that exist these days?

A decade ago the simple answer may have been no. However, the past 5 or 10 years have seen an emergence of healthy options popping up all across the Outer Banks.

Here are 10 restaurants, cafes, breweries and shops that are serving up some of the healthiest options the Outer Banks has to offer.

1. Mom’s Sweet Shop (Kill Devil Hills)

First on the list is Mom’s Sweet Shop in Kill Devil Hills. Despite the name, Mom’s might be home to the healthiest food in the Outer Banks. All of their acai bowls are made with pure, organic acai and can be swapped for organic pitaya (dragonfruit) at no extra charge. Mom’s also offers an extensive variety of vegan and dairy free smoothies that are packed with an array of supplements, superfoods and other add-ons like CBD and bee pollen. True to its name, Mom’s Sweet Shop manages to create options that are just as tasty as they are nutritious and honestly might have the best acai bowls and smoothies in the entire state.

Although it top’s our list, Mom’s isn’t solely focused on healthy food. They’ve also got an assortment of soft serve ice cream, milkshakes, truffles and candy when you’re in the mood for a cheat day. The experience also goes beyond food with a storefront that carries a blend of modern and vintage clothing and two luxury vacation rentals.

• Best Healthy Picks: Acai & pitaya bowls, dairy-free smoothies, add-on superfoods
• Bonus: They also serve soft-serve ice cream, truffles, and candy for cheat days.

2. The Spot (Kitty Hawk & Nags Head)

Less than a two minute drive down the road from Mom’s is The Spot’s Kitty Hawk location. The other dedicated smoothie and acai bowl option on the list, The Spot has a second location in Nags Head that’s only five minutes from Jockey’s Ridge State Park. While they aren’t nearly as ingredient cosnciuous as Mom’s, The Spot’s Nag’s Head location is still a healthy, refreshing escape from the sun after exploring the great sand dunes at Jockey’s Ridge.

• Best Healthy Picks: Acai bowls, smoothies, fresh fruit options
• Locations: Kitty Hawk & Nags Head

3. Freshfit Café (Nags Head)

Similar to Outer Bean, Freshfit Cafe in Nags Head also offers a wonderful variety of delicious nutrition focused options for breakfast and lunch that are designed to help you meet your fitness goals. Freshfit’s menu sources ingredients like local seafood and seasonal fruits and vegetables to deliver everything from smoothies, juices, detox drinks, and organic coffee to wraps, sandwiches, salads, power bowls, pancakes, breakfast platters and tofu scrambles. With such a plethora of options, it’s no surprise that the kitchen can easily accommodate vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets. Their espresso overnight oats, pancakes (gluten-free & vegan options available) and shrimp toast with feta cheese and balsamic drizzle are delicious breakfast options while the build your own protein bowls and varietal salads with fresh seafood are our go to’s for lunch.

Best Healthy Picks:

• Espresso overnight oats
• Gluten-free pancakes
• Build-your-own protein bowls
• Shrimp toast with feta and balsamic drizzle

4. Outer Bean Café (Kitty Hawk)

If you’re looking for delicious smoothies and acai bowls, but also want a little more variety on the menu, Outer Bean Cafe might be the place for you. A staple of the Kitty Hawk community, the cafe has been serving vegetarian and vegan friendly dishes for breakfast and lunch for years now. Locals gravitate towards their hearty salads and sandwiches, as well as their nutrient rich fresh pressed juices. They even offer three day and week long juice and smoothie based detoxes.

• Best Healthy Picks: Hearty salads, veggie sandwiches, fresh juices
• Bonus: Smoothie detoxes available for 3 to 7 days.

5. The Salad Bowl (Kitty Hawk)

If salads are what you’re after, then look no further than the Salad Bowl in Kitty Hawk. As their name suggests, they offer a variety of signature salads and a rotating monthly salad, as well as the ability to build your own salad bowl. In addition to leafy greens, the Salad Bowl’s menu also features plenty of healthy juices, smoothies and wraps to choose from and sources ingredients from local and / or organic farmers when possible.

• Best Healthy Picks: Signature salads, fresh juices, smoothies, wraps
• Bonus: Monthly rotating salad specials!

6. Bad Bean Baja Grill (Kitty Hawk)

Bad Bean Baja Grill is far from the typical healthy food stop. A unique blend of Latin American, Coastal Carolinian, Tex-Mex and Asian culinary influences, this multicultural fusion restaurant is unlike any other in the Outer Banks. Focused on delivering flavor first, the chef incorporates plenty of guilt free and vegetarian friendly options, such as black bean quinoa burgers and marinated grilled tofu, that have health conscious foodies flocking to Kitty Hawk.

• Best Healthy Picks:
  • Black bean quinoa burgers
  • Marinated grilled tofu
  • Fresh Baja-style seafood

7. Outer Banks Brewing Station (Kill Devil Hills)

Another potentially unexpected option on the list, the Outer Banks Brewing Station is another go to for healthy food in Kill Devil Hills. While it certainly has its fair share of comfort food and craft beer, the Brewing Station also rotates a variety of vegan and vegetarian specials and even bolsters a dedicated gluten free menu. Given the recent national food supply chain challenges that came about from the pandemic, they’ve also committed to getting creative with local sources of seafood and other ingredients to create uniquely tantalizing plates like the Tuna Brewdah Bowl that’s made with fresh local seared tuna over Asian noodle salad with edamame, Tokyo collards, roasted red pepper salad & miso roasted sweet potatoes.

• Best Healthy Picks:
  • Tuna Brewdah Bowl (local seared tuna with Asian noodle salad & miso roasted sweet potatoes)
  • Vegan & gluten-free daily specials

8. Red Sky Café (Duck)

Red Sky Cafe in Duck, NC is another restaurant committed to incorporating locally sourced ingredients. In fact, they’ve been cooking with seafood, poultry, beef, duck and other ingredients directly from the Outer Banks for over 15 years now. The owner and chef, Wes Stepp, is also the author of the Tastefully Fit recipe book and takes pride in transforming traditional southern and seafood plates into healthy, hearty portions that satisfy foodies and picky eaters alike. These healthy dishes have become so popular amongst locals that they even hire Wes and Chefs on Call team for in home private dining and catered events.

• Best Healthy Picks: Fresh seafood dishes, veggie-heavy entrées
• Bonus: Owner Wes Stepp is the author of Tastefully Fit and offers private chef services for healthy, catered meals.

9. Single Fin (Nags Head)

Another culinary artist known for his personal chef services, Pok Choeichom, better known as Chef Pok, is the chef owner of both Single Fin in Nags Head and Pok’s Art in Kitty Hawk. Single Fin was the first Thai-Sushi hybrid restaurant in the Outer Banks and is home to an incredible assortment of tastefully simple and wildly extravagant sushi rolls, nigiri and sashimi.

• Best Healthy Picks:
  • Simple sushi rolls, nigiri, sashimi
  • Thai-inspired salads and rice bowls

10. Avenue Waterfront Grille (Manteo)

The Avenue Waterfront Grille in downtown Manteo doesn’t have the robust sushi menu that Single Fin offers, but it’s Tuna Sushi Style is certainly a crowd favorite. This sushi inspired plate is constructed with perfectly seared tuna that can be substituted for crispy tofu, a jasmine rice cake, seaweed salad and wasabi cream sauce. The Avenue Grille was one of the first restaurants in the area to creatively accommodate dietary restrictions  and the Tuna Sushi Style is just one of the many dishes that can be modified with substitutions for vegan, vegetarian and / or gluten free patrons. As you may have guessed from the name, dining here also involves a spectacular waterfront view that also makes it incredibly easy for the chef to incorporate a diverse selection of fresh seafood from their own backyard.

• Best Healthy Picks: Tuna Sushi Style (seared tuna with jasmine rice cake & seaweed salad)
• Bonus: Substitutions available for vegan & gluten-free diners.

Bonus: The Paper Canoe (Duck)

Last on the list, The Paper Canoe is a mainstay in Duck that also prides itself in offering a memorable dining experience with an incredible waterfront view and locally caught seafood from the Outer Banks. Owner and restaurateur Tommy Karole handpicks the catches of the day that will be featured in dishes like the Chef’s Whim, a menu item that changes daily based on locally sourced ingredients. While some of the sides lean more towards decadence than the health food end of the spectrum, there are gluten free options at every stage of the meal. Make a reservation for sunset well in advance for one of the finest dining experiences the Outer Banks has to offer.

It’s also worth noting that Karole recently opened a new elevated comfort food culinary concept in Kitty Hawk called The Pony and the Boat that’s certainly not focused on health food, but is probably still good for the soul.

FAQs About Healthy Eats on the Outer Banks

1. Are there vegetarian and vegan-friendly restaurants on the Outer Banks?
Yes! Outer Bean Café, Freshfit Café, and The Salad Bowl offer some of the best plant-based and vegetarian options in the OBX.

2. Where can I find the best acai bowls in the Outer Banks?
Mom’s Sweet Shop in Kill Devil Hills and The Spot (Kitty Hawk & Nags Head) serve fresh, organic acai bowls packed with superfoods.

3. Are there gluten-free dining options on the Outer Banks?
Yes! Restaurants like Outer Banks Brewing Station, Avenue Grille, and Red Sky Café have gluten-free menus and dedicated GF options.

4. What are the best healthy breakfast spots in the Outer Banks?
Check out Freshfit Café, Outer Bean Café, and Mom’s Sweet Shop for smoothies, overnight oats, gluten-free pancakes, and healthy power bowls.

5. Can I find fresh seafood that’s also healthy?
Absolutely! Avenue Waterfront Grille, Red Sky Café, and Single Fin serve locally caught seafood with light, nutritious preparations.

6. Where can I get fresh juices and detox drinks?
Outer Bean Café offers fresh-pressed juices and multi-day detox programs for those looking to reset.

7. Are there healthy restaurants near the beach?
Yes! The Spot (Nags Head), Freshfit Café, are steps from the sand.

8. What’s the best Outer Banks restaurant for healthy tacos and burritos?
Try Bad Bean Baja Grill, which offers fresh, guilt-free Mexican-inspired dishes.

9. Where can I find high-protein meals on the Outer Banks?
Freshfit Café and Outer Bean Café both serve protein-packed bowls, smoothies, and wraps.

10. What’s the best healthy restaurant in Duck, NC?
Red Sky Café is a local favorite for fresh seafood, farm-to-table meals, and healthy Southern cuisine.

Know Before You Go: Tips for a Perfect Outer Banks Trip

Planning a trip to the Outer Banks (OBX)? Whether it’s your first time or you’re a seasoned visitor, these tips will help you enjoy the best of OBX life, from dining and beach fun to local etiquette and insider travel hacks.

1. Make Dining Reservations in Advance

• The Outer Banks is home to incredible local restaurants, and many fill up fast—especially in Duck, Nags Head, and Manteo.
• If you’re eyeing a sunset dinner at The Paper Canoe, Avenue Grille, or Red Sky Café, booking ahead ensures the best experience.
• Prefer a picnic on the beach? Many places offer easy takeout and curbside pickup.

2. Grocery Shopping? Plan Smart!

• Grocery stores can get busy on weekends, especially when vacation rentals turn over. Arriving with a few essentials can make things easier.
• For fresh, local seafood and produce, check out the Outer Banks Farmers Market (Manteo) or Coastal Provisions Market (Southern Shores).

3. Getting Around: Car, Bike, or Golf Cart?

• A car is the best way to explore, as public transportation is limited.
• In charming areas like Duck, Corolla, and Ocracoke, renting a bike or golf cart is a fun, laid-back way to get around.

4. Enjoy the Beach Safely

• Rip currents can be strong, so always check beach conditions and lifeguard flags before swimming.
• The OBX sun is bright year-round—pack reef-safe sunscreen, sunglasses, and a wide-brim hat for full beach days.
• Setting up an umbrella? The coastal winds can be strong, so bring sand anchors to keep it in place.

5. Beach Driving & Off-Road Adventures

• Driving on the beach in Corolla or Cape Hatteras National Seashore? A 4WD permit may be required, and airing down your tires helps on soft sand.
• Exploring wild horse country in Corolla? Guided tours are a great way to see them safely and responsibly.

6. Experience Local Wildlife Respectfully

• Wild horses roam freely in Corolla—admire them from a distance and never feed them.
• Visiting during sea turtle nesting season (May to September)? Keep an eye out for protected nests along the beach.

7. Visit Year-Round, But Check Seasonal Hours

• The OBX is gorgeous in all seasons, but some restaurants and shops adjust hours in the winter months (November to March).
• If visiting in the off-season, you’ll enjoy fewer crowds, quiet beaches, and great local charm—just double-check restaurant and activity schedules in advance.

8. Keep the Beaches Beautiful

• The Outer Banks follows a “Leave No Trace” policy—pack out whatever you bring in.
• Digging in the sand? Fill in any holes before leaving to keep beaches safe for sea turtles and other visitors.

9. Pack for Changing Weather

• Coastal weather can be breezy and unpredictable, so a light jacket or sweater is handy for cool evenings.
• Bug spray is a must, especially near marshy areas or after sunset.

10. Slow Down & Enjoy the OBX Way of Life

• The Outer Banks has a relaxed, easygoing atmosphere—take time to savor the scenery, the fresh seafood, and the warm hospitality.
• Whether you’re kayaking at sunrise, enjoying a beachfront bonfire, or just watching the waves roll in, OBX is all about unplugging and making memories.