Black Flag Galley

Black Flag Galley occupies a unit in a small plaza along N Croatan Highway in Kitty Hawk, right on the corridor that carries most of the northern Outer Banks' through traffic between Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, and Nags Head. It's a straightforward, casual stop — the kind of place you notice from the road and pull into rather than plan a whole evening around, and the name plays off the coast's long pirate lore without over-explaining itself.

• Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Sunday and Monday.
• Price: Moderate ($$).
• Address: 3701 N Croatan Hwy, Unit 10 J, Kitty Hawk, NC.

The closing time means this reads more as a lunch-and-early-dinner spot than a late-night destination — worth timing around if you're coming off the beach in the afternoon rather than after dark. Being on Croatan Highway puts it within easy reach of anywhere in the Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, and Nags Head stretch, making it a convenient stop between beach time and whatever's next on the agenda. As with any spot in a fast-moving beach-town restaurant scene, it's worth calling ahead or checking the website for the latest hours before you go.