Eating Local On The Outer Banks

Experiencing the food of a region is a big part of any travel experience. While there are many restaurants to enjoy the local fare and seafood, the local, fresh-grown produce found at many roadside farm stands are a must-taste experience on the Outer Banks. Fruits and vegetables and country-made jams, jellies and bakery items bring a comforting and delicious down-home experience to your table. Driving into town from the north on US-158 on your way to the Wright Memorial Bridge, you will find many local farm stand stops in Currituck before you make it to the Outer Banks. Stock up there if you just cant wait, but there are many markets on the island that you should visit once you are enjoying your beach time. Driving up and down the bypass you will see many locations to buy fresh summertime fruits, veggies, and goods. Keep an eye out for the locally-grown items for the freshest experience. Some of the local summer fruits include strawberries, blackberries, peaches, cantaloupe, watermelon and muscadine grapes (Yes, you need to try them! No, you don't eat the skins!). For local vegetables, you will generally find a variety of lettuce, tomatoes, squash, sweet potatoes, sweet corn, eggplant and peppers among other items. Honey, jams and jellies and bakery goods round out the selection at many farm stands. Its a good idea to check out a few stands, just to enjoy a variety of bountiful options. Roadside stands are easy to spot, but here is a short list of where you can find delicious locally grown fare (open seasonally):Seaside Farm Market, Corolla NC - Located at the corner of the TimBuck II Shopping Center.Tomato Shack, Duck - Located between Red Sky Café and the Roadside Grill on the east side of N.C. Highway 12.Tarheel Too, Kill Devil Hills - Located in the Seagate North Shopping Center. Milepost 5.5 on the 158 Bypass.The Vegetable Bin, Nags Head - Located next to Austin Fish Company (a good stop to buy seafood as well!), 3711 S. Croatan Highway, on the Bypass at milepost 12.5.