Breakfast on the sound side of Buxton, mornings only at the Inn on Pamlico Sound
Cafe Pamlico is the breakfast restaurant at the Inn on Pamlico Sound, a soundside inn on NC-12 in Buxton. It runs a single, consistent window seven days a week — 8am to 1pm — with no separate lunch or dinner service listed, so plan on a morning visit rather than an evening one.
The setting does a lot of the work here: Buxton sits on the sound side of Hatteras Island, across the island from the open Atlantic, and the inn looks out over Pamlico Sound rather than the ocean. That makes Cafe Pamlico a convenient stop if you're staying nearby and want breakfast with water views before heading out to the beach, down to the ferry docks in Hatteras village, or over to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse elsewhere in Buxton.
Cafe Pamlico doesn't have Google reviews on file yet, which isn't a sign of anything new or untested — plenty of Hatteras Island restaurants attached to inns and small businesses fly under the radar review-wise while still running a steady daily service. Worth a call ahead or a check of the inn's website for current details, especially in shoulder season when hours at smaller Hatteras Island spots can shift.
817 reviews
3 weeks ago
Everything was so good! I ordered the avocado toast and really enjoyed it. My daughter got the yogurt parfait and loved it too, and my husband ordered the Café Chicken Waffle. OMG, this deserves a standing ovation. It was absolutely delicious! We were a party of 10, and everyone at our table loved their food! Even though we were a large group, the service was still great. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming. We had such a wonderful experience!!!
3 months ago
We cannot say enough wonderful things about the food and dining experience at our wedding venue. From the rehearsal dinner to the wedding reception, every meal exceeded expectations and had our guests raving all weekend long. The taco bar at our rehearsal dinner was a huge hit and set the perfect relaxed, fun tone for the celebration. For the wedding dinner, guests had options of fish, filet, and chicken, and every entrée was cooked to perfection. One of the standout favorites was the smoked gouda mashed potatoes—they were absolutely delicious! The entire meal was flavorful, beautifully presented, and gave everyone plenty of energy to keep the celebration going and dance the night away. Beyond the incredible food, the dining room atmosphere was simply stunning. The beautiful views created such a memorable backdrop for dinner and made the entire evening feel even more special. The combination of exceptional cuisine, breathtaking scenery, and attentive service made our wedding feel truly unforgettable. We are so grateful to the entire team for helping create such an amazing experience for us and our guests. Every detail was thoughtfully executed, and we would highly recommend this venue to anyone looking for a wedding experience that is as delicious as it is beautiful.
a month ago
Absolutely ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 STARS — CAFÉ PAMLICO IS AN OBX MUST! If you're anywhere near Avon, Buxton, or anywhere on Hatteras Island, do yourself a favor and put Café Pamlico on your list. This amazing little place is tucked back off NC Highway 12, and once you find it, you feel like you've discovered one of the Outer Banks' best-kept secrets. The atmosphere is absolutely out of this world — cozy, beautiful, relaxing, and full of that special Outer Banks charm that makes you want to sit back and stay awhile. The wait staff was fantastic: friendly, attentive, welcoming, and genuinely made us feel at home. And then came the FOOD... I had the Monte Cristo — ham and cheese on French toast served with an incredible medley of berry compote. Sweet, savory, rich, and absolutely delicious. One of those dishes where you take the first bite and immediately know you ordered the right thing. We also had "THE CURE" — fried chicken on a biscuit covered in gravy, topped with a fried egg and Buffalo sauce. GOOD LORD. That thing was OUT OF THIS WORLD. Crispy chicken, flaky biscuit, rich gravy, fried egg, and just the right kick from the Buffalo sauce. Every bite was ridiculous. And according to my wife — who takes her sausage gravy very seriously — Café Pamlico has the BEST sausage gravy she has ever had. That's a pretty bold statement, but after tasting it, I can't argue with her! I have close to 7.5 MILLION views on my Google contributions, and I'm telling every single person who comes across this review: DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH HATTERAS ISLAND WITHOUT TRYING CAFÉ PAMLICO. Whether you're vacationing in Avon, staying in Buxton, visiting Cape Hatteras, or just cruising down Highway 12, make the stop. Amazing food. Amazing staff. Incredible atmosphere. Hidden gem. Five stars without hesitation. Café Pamlico — you absolutely knocked it out of the park. We WILL be back!
a month ago
This is a very fun place to eat. The view of the ocean is just gorgeous. It is very high end, the kind of place where no one wears tshirts. The atmosphere is very classy, with tables preset, and a tablecloth. The servers are phenomenal, so sweet and knowledgeable. I will say, the menu is not ideal for picky eaters or people who don't enjoy a culinary adventure. Things are well prepared, but they aren't your basic seafood plates. Highly recommend the salads, and the shrimp and grits. The shrimp and grits is a Cajun party in your mouth.
a month ago
This beach vacation included two birthday celebrations, making the trip even more memorable. The Inn is one of the few Hatteras Island restaurants that accepts reservations, which made it an easy choice for our larger group. Having enjoyed an exceptional meal here a few years ago, we were excited to return and share the experience with family. Once again, the Inn exceeded our expectations. Our party of five was warmly welcomed and quickly seated at a table overlooking the sound. The view alone set the stage for a wonderful evening. Our server was outstanding. Despite balancing tables both inside and outside, she remained attentive, personable, and on top of every detail throughout the meal. We followed her recommendations, starting with the octopus appetizer and fresh red snapper entrée, both of which were excellent. Paired with a great bottle of wine and capped off by the banana caramel cheesecake, arguably the best dessert of our trip, the meal left nothing to be desired. We took plenty of photos to capture the beautiful setting and celebrate the birthdays, but it was the combination of exceptional food, service, and atmosphere that made the evening so special. We're already looking forward to our return visit next week.