I realize I’m lucky to have kids that not only enjoy going out to eat, but are also (relatively) well behaved at restaurants. I chalk it up to exposing them pretty often to dining out when they were young (it was post-covid and we just wanted to get out of the house, lol); we started by going out to breakfast the most. For one thing, kids are usually pretty good with breakfast foods- who doesn’t like pancakes? But most breakfast restaurants are also quick, which is a very good thing when you’re dining with toddlers. Here’s a roundup of our very favorite Outer Banks breakfast spots that are great for kids!
Waveriders coffee & Deli
Located around MP 11 in Nags Head, Waveriders is one we hit up often. We live like a mile away, so it’s super convenient, but even if it wasn’t, we’d still be frequent visitors! Waveriders specializes in breakfast sandwiches, bagels, and wraps (don’t come here looking for traditional pancakes and eggs…). They also have excellent coffee and smoothies. It’s super casual, you order at the counter and they text you when your food is ready. There’s plenty of spots to sit, comfy couches and chairs, regular tables, and tons of outside seating. One real plus is that you can order ahead on their website or app, and have your food waiting when you arrive. This is key, because this place gets BUSY.
Our Faves: The Eddie V wrap (veggie option with eggs, avocado and balsamic) or a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich on wheat.
Drinks? Beer and wine available, and they offer mimosa flights. Good coffee and cold brew!
Insider info: The outside is dog friendly, and there are usually a few four-legged friends around. Breakfast is available all day (they are open until early afternoon and also have great lunch sammies!). They are closed on Tues/Wed, and are great about giving their employees a break, so check their Instagram for random/holiday closings!
The Jolly Roger
“JoRo” is an Outer Banks staple for a couple reasons, one being the fact that they offer karaoke almost every night, the second is their breakfast. This place is weird and wonderful- it is not at ALL upscale, but it is pirate-themed, appropriately dark, slightly seedy, open every day of the year, and can handle big groups. It’s been around since 1972 on the beach road in Kill Devil Hills. If you are looking for breakfast variety, The Jolly Roger has it. Pancakes, eggs any way, french toast or waffles with a smorgasbord of toppings- even something called Pancake Lasagna that I’ve almost mustered up enough curiosity to pull the trigger on, but not quite… there is quite literally something for every taste, and the portions are large. They are great with kids, and give out pirate hats and eye patches to little swashbucklers.
61836 N Virginia Dare Trail, Kill Devil Hills
Our Faves: Too many options to list!
Drinks? Full bar (and there will probably be people drinking at it no matter what time you get there…). Diner-style coffee, they’ll keep you topped off!
Duck Donuts
I’m not the biggest fan of donuts, to be very honest, BUT Duck Donuts are in a class of their own. Clearly they are a hit with the masses, because they’ve been franchised all over the country, but the original locations are right here on the Outer Banks and are definitely worth a stop. No matter where you’re staying, you’re probably within a 10 minute drive of a Duck Donuts which is good, because they come out hot, and you’ll want to get them home and eat them quickly. Or you may not make it home, you may just sit outside the store and eat them there. Whatever works…
Multiple Locations
Our Faves: Lemon, Bacon Maple, anything with sprinkles for my kids
Drinks? Coffee drinks, hot and cold
Insider info: There’s not much/any seating, depending on the location, but you should be able to find somewhere outside to sit and enjoy. The Duck location is on the boardwalk and has tables and benches outside and is a great spot to sit! You get to watch them making the donuts, which is fun and they come out warm… this place gets packed, but the line moves pretty quickly.
The Nags Head Pierhouse Restaurant
The Nags Head Pier has been a go-to OBX breakfast spot for pretty much ever. The food is great, the view is stellar, and it’s usually quick. You get a great old-school Outer Banks vibe and hey, not everyone has eaten a meal on a pier! The menu hits pretty much every standard breakfast option.
3335 S Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head
Our Faves: The EM Special is the thing to get. The pancakes are also great, thin and not too bready, and my home fry-loving kid likes the ones here best.
Drinks? Full bar, diner style coffee
Insider info: You can choose to sit ‘inside’, ‘outside’ or first available. I recommend waiting for outside, which is actually just an enclosed, air-conditioned porch, but that’s where you’ll get the best beach view!
Grits Grill
Located in the Outer Banks Mall in Nags Head, Grits Grill is a diner-style restaurant that pumps out the absolute fastest, but still very good, breakfast I’ve ever had. There’s plenty of seating, a big variety of menu items, and again, it’s lightning-fast. Good for kids who can’t sit still for too long… and you can’t go wrong with diner breakfast!
Our Faves: The bacon, egg and cheese on croissant, and the pancakes
Drinks? Diner style coffee
There are plenty of great Outer Banks breakfast stops, but these are a few of our favorite kid-friendly options. One quick hint- remember that on Sunday, no alcohol can be served before 10am!
