4 Best Restaurants in The North Carolina Coast, North Carolina

This black-and-white-spotted café and ice cream parlor is popular with families. Sandwiches, "cowlossal" all-beef hot dogs, "cowsadillas," house-made caramel corn, and apple pie "à la moo" are served, too.

In the morning, pick up a bagel, a breakfast burrito, and a latte at this downtown hub that's half coffee shop and half wine bar. Grab a sandwich or wrap to go for lunch, and come back in the evening for ice cream or to enjoy one of the Crystal Coast's best wine selections by the glass or the bottle.

When a large milkshake is the only thing that will do on a hot summer day, this is the place to head for—locals say they are the best on the Outer Banks, or even on the planet. And when you just can't take one more night out at a fancy restaurant, John's will come to the rescue with the best handheld food on the Outer Banks: burgers, subs, sandwiches (including grouper), all-beef hot dogs, and sides. The Dolphin Boat is a must: pieces of mahi (dolphin fish) on a bun, served in a boat (basket), with fries or slaw, sauce, and hush puppies.

Sleek design, creative lighting, and carefully orchestrated music provide a mesmerizing backdrop to chef Carson Jewell's seasonal culinary artistry and the talented mixologists who create cocktails using seasonal ingredients and house-made bitters. Try the braised pork shank with sweet potato puree, collards, and radish pico de gallo, or the pan-seared Virginia scallops with parsnip puree, braised leeks, and apple salsa. The sign by the door reads, "Kindness Is Contagious," and the service reflects that ethos—you're made to feel very special here.