Friday Five: Places to Eat on Hatteras Island

For Mothers Day, James and Anouk took me on a short weekend trip to Cape Hatteras for some quality beach time. We had a great weekend in the sun and surf, but the highlight for me might just have been the food. Hatteras Island is home to some of my favorite restaurants, and while we were there, we did our best to hit them all. We've already done a "where to eat" post for Colonial Williamsburg, and I thought I would repeat one for Hatteras, in case you're also planning a trip this summer (and if you're not, you should consider it, Hatteras rules so hard).

1. Captain's Table (Buxton): Outer Banks comfort food! Captain's Table is a hole in the wall with all the staples: fish sandwiches, broiled seafood platters, and fresh, hot hush puppies. A local favorite; everybody is so friendly. TRY: the fried oysters, best on the island (we like the baked apples, too).

2. Uncle Eddy's (Buxton): Uncle Eddy's is part-ice cream parlor, part-mini-golf course. We go for the frozen custard, make on the premises. Thick and gooey and refreshing. TRY: the twisted malt flavor, in a waffle cone.

3. Dancing Turtle Coffee Shop (Hatteras Village): We love stopping here on our way to the beach! A coffee shop with amazing, quality brew and great atmosphere (it's fun to peruse their mini-library of random books). TRY: the iced toasted coconut latte (I crave this when I'm not there).

4. Haole Sushi and Sake Bar (Avon): One of the fun parts of eating in Hatteras is gorging yourself on traditional seafood fare, but after a few meals, you crave something different, and Haole Sushi is the place to go when that happens. The chefs do the traditional nigiri and sashimi extremely well, but they've also created some original rolls that are unlike anything else I've ever experienced. TRY: their spicy tiny roll, topped with house-made guacamole and jalapeños (I'm generally against crossover sushi, but this is an exception).

5. Orange Blossom Cafe (Buxton): I've already written about our love for the Orange Blossom Cafe, but it bears repeating: this is THE breakfast spot if you're in Hatteras. The Orange Blossom folks make some of the best baked goods on the island, pastries that melt in your mouth and doughnuts that are everything doughnuts should be. If you're in the mood for savory, their bagel breakfast sandwiches are also delectable. TRY: the apple uglies, giant fried apple fritters that are chewy on the outside and molten goodness on the inside (but get there early -- they go fast!)

And this one's not on Hatteras Island but it's close: Dajio, on neighboring Ocracoke Island. It's so good that we make the hour-long-each-way ferry trip to Ocracoke just to eat there -- it's maybe my favorite restaurant ever. A charming, rambling spot right in the heart of Ocracoke Village, Dajio does traditional seafood and other bistro fare but always with a twist. TRY: their crab and corn cakes with bacon and red chile remoulade, and their grilled oyster appetizer, served with pickled onions, seaweed salad, and tomato relish. They also have a fabulous brick-oven flatbread pizza place next door.

I'm so hungry right now, you guys, aren't you? After you get something to eat, you should click over to Fun and Free Hampton Roads, where I'm writing about the free Friday Night Hoedowns, happening every week this summer at the Virginia Beach Farmer's Market. Happy weekend!