If you're like us, you love seafood because it's delicious and satisfies your craving in a way that few other foods can. Not only is seafood a tasty fare, but it’s also naturally good for you and requires minimal preparation. The Outer Banks is packed with a countless number of places to get seafood. From restaurants to road stands, finding a way to get your hands on seafood is no hard task. But there are many things to consider on your hunt for the best fresh seafood. Your beach vacation isn’t complete without indulging in fresh seafood caught locally along the Outer Banks. We highly recommend an outing to one of the many Outer Banks seafood markets for fresh seafood you can prepare for the entire family to enjoy! We’ve put together a list of some of the best OBX Seafood Markets to help you decide, or maybe even explore them all!
Austin Fish Company
3711 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 12.5, Nags Head
The Austin Fish Company features a variety of seafood including crab meat, shrimp, oysters, clams, fish, scallops, crabs, live lobsters, lobster tails, and snow crab legs. They’ll steam your shrimp and crabs for you, or you can order steamed seafood buckets, soups, and fried dinners to go. They also sell the condiments you'll need for your seafood. If you start feeling hungry while deciding what fresh seafood you want to cook for dinner, Austin’s has your back! Step on over to their porch for some lunch or a quick bite.
Billy’s Seafood
1341 Colington Road, Kill Devil Hills
This market is a little off of the beaten track on Colington Road but well-known and a favorite of locals. At Billy’s Seafood, they stock plenty of fresh, local seafood, so pick some up to prepare your own feast at home. They’re a great stop for local soft-shell crabs in season, and they also have convenience items, seasonings, beer, and wine. The fresh homemade tuna salad they sell here is some of the best you'll find anywhere. We recommend grabbing a couple of their devilled crabs. Simply pop them in the oven and voila! They are the perfect appetizer or addition to your meal.
Carawan Seafood Co.
5424 N. Croatan Highway, Kitty Hawk
Carawan Seafood has been around since 1980 and is considered a landmark to Kitty Hawk. Offering fresh local seafood, this family-owned shop is known for its friendly service. They offer fresh fish and shellfish at prices within budget. Everything is prepared on-site to bring customers the freshest, cleanest seafood. Choose from local favorites like fresh North Carolina shrimp, or leave with a unique find like one of their local spices or honey. The whole family will enjoy the trip to Carawan; the kids can venture into the gift shop room for seashell displays and souvenir-like gifts. Fresh produce is also offered on-site, making Carawan Seafood a one-stop dinner shopping experience! Call before you head out the door for their daily menu of fresh fish.
Dockside 'N Duck Seafood Market
1216 Duck Road, Wee Winks Square, Duck
Owned and operated by a local family of commercial fishermen and farmers, Dockside has all the fresh seafood you’ll need for an Outer Banks feast. Live and steamed crabs, crabmeat, steamed shrimp, fresh shrimp, clams, scallops, oysters, mussels, fish, and lobsters — they’re all here, along with the condiments you’ll need. They also sell seafood-inspired prepared foods for take-out, such as homemade soups and seafood dips. Homemade pies and fresh bread round out the offerings.
Bluewater Seafood Market
501 Old Stoney Road, Corolla
Bluewater Seafood Market is located at the south entrance of the Currituck Club in Corolla. Choose from a wide variety of “fresh off the hook local seafood,” including blue crabs, halibut, swordfish, oysters, red snapper, flounder, wahoo, rockfish, salmon, soft shell crabs, and sea bass. They also offer various salads and coleslaw, dips, spices, and marinades, plus steak, sausage, beer, wine, and even ice. Bluewater has it all! Be sure to call ahead if you are looking to get one of their steamed or fried seafood buckets. Their seafood buckets are packed with deliciousness including red potatoes, corn on the cob, Vidalia onions, spices, cocktail sauce, butter, lemon, and, of course, your choice of seafood. You can certainly have it your way at Bluewater!
Harbor House Seafood Market
58129 NC-12, Hatteras Village
If you’re in the Hatteras area, don’t miss your chance to stop by Harbor House Seafood Market for some of the best quality in fresh seafood. Everything this family-owned business offers is guaranteed caught local — and by their own boats! The owners have been in the commercial fishing business in Hatteras since 1989, which led them to open this local market for people to enjoy local seafood. Harbor House offers both raw and prepared seafood that’s caught fresh daily! Other offerings include unique items such as shrimp and crab enchiladas, seafood sandwiches, and shrimp pasta salad. You can find out what the catch of the week is, view oven-ready items, and even download the full Harbor House menu on their user-friendly website. It’s safe to say the Harbor House Team goes above and beyond to ensure their customers are happy. Don’t miss your chance at guaranteed satisfaction!
Sunrise Seafood Market
40658 NC-12, Avon
If you’re looking for a wide variety of fresh seafood, head to Sunrise Seafood Market in Avon. You’ll have quite the selection to choose from including tilefish, spicy steamed shrimp, red snapper, fresh and dry sea scallops, middle neck clams, and sheepshead fillets. Sunrise also makes all sauces fresh in-house! Don’t forget to try the fresh potato salad, seaweed salad, smoked tuna bites, or perhaps one of many marinades or dry spice rubs you can find here. Be sure to add Sunrise Seafood Market to your list of places to try for fresh seafood on the Outer Banks!
From a seasoned veteran to a first-time home buyer, Eillu is here to help you navigate the home buying and selling process. With over two decades of experience in the Outer Banks market, we can guide you every step of the way for a smooth experience. We proudly offer exclusive deals that will save you money without sacrificing service. Schedule an appointment with Eillu today.
