Ortega'z Southwestern Grill and Wine Bar

Ortega'z Southwestern Grill and Wine Bar sits on Sir Walter Raleigh Street in downtown Manteo, pairing Southwestern-style cooking with a dedicated wine list on a stretch of Roanoke Island better known for oysters and shrimp than green chile and margaritas. It's classified as a restaurant, bar, and food establishment all at once, and its moderate ($$) price range puts it in line with the rest of downtown's sit-down spots.

What to Expect

The wine bar side sets it apart from the beer-and-cocktail crowd found elsewhere along Manteo's waterfront, giving it a different feel from the typical Outer Banks dinner spot built around fried seafood. Like most of downtown Manteo, it's an easy walk from the shops and galleries around Shallowbag Bay, so it folds naturally into an evening that starts elsewhere in town before or after dinner.

Good to Know

• Closed Sundays and Mondays; open Tuesday through Saturday
• Moderate ($$) price range
• Combines dining room and wine bar service rather than operating as a straight sit-down restaurant