Black Pelican Oceanfront Restaurant on Virginia Dare Trail in Kitty Hawk has been an Outer Banks dining institution since it opened in a building that has its own history — a former U.S. Life-Saving Service station that has been welcoming the Outer Banks community and its visitors since long before it became a restaurant. It appeared in Season 16, Episode 7 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, “Land to Sea,” which aired February 11, 2013. Guy Fieri found an Outer Banks kitchen doing fresh Atlantic seafood and scratch-made American comfort food from a historic oceanfront building that makes the dining experience as memorable as the food.
Quick Facts
Restaurant: Black Pelican Oceanfront Restaurant
City: Kitty Hawk, North Carolina
Cuisine: Seafood / American
DDD Season: 16
DDD Episode: 7
Episode Title: Land to Sea
Original Air Date: February 11, 2013
Address: 3848 Virginia Dare Trail, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
Phone: 252-261-3171
Website: https://www.blackpelican.com
Status: Open
What to Eat
The Local Crab Cakes with North Carolina Blue crab are the Outer Banks signature — made properly with more crab than filler in the coastal tradition. The Fresh Fish Specials built around whatever came off the boats that morning reflect the oceanfront location in the most direct way possible. The Shrimp and Grits with local Carolina shrimp and stone-ground grits is the Southern coastal classic worth ordering on any first visit. The Wood-Fired Pizza is the menu option that expands the Black Pelican beyond a standard seafood house and earns its own loyal following. Find an Outer Banks hotel on Travelocity.
Plan Your Visit
Check the website for current hours. The historic building and oceanfront location make Black Pelican worth visiting for the setting alone.
Address: 3848 Virginia Dare Trail, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
Phone: 252-261-3171
Website: https://www.blackpelican.com
Status: Open
Triple D Essentials
Stream the Land to Sea episode on Amazon. Black Pelican is one of the most atmospheric dining spots on the Outer Banks.
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Black Pelican Oceanfront Restaurant appeared in Season 16, Episode 7 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, “Land to Sea,” originally aired February 11, 2013.