Owens’ Restaurant

Nags Head, United States

4.1

Closed now

20 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

Contacts

QR code, vCard

Telephone:
+1 252-441-7309
Website:
www.owensrestaurant.com
Address:
7114 S Virginia Dare Trl, Nags Head, NC, 27959
Categories:
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Bussiness info

Takes Reservations
No
Delivery
No
Take-out
Yes
Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Accepts Apple Pay
No
Accepts Bitcoin
No
Good For
Dinner
Parking
Private Lot
Bike Parking
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Good for Kids
Yes
Good for Groups
Yes
Attire
Casual
Ambience
Classy
Noise Level
Average
Alcohol
Full Bar
Outdoor Seating
No
Wi-Fi
No
Has TV
Yes
Dogs Allowed
No
Waiter Service
Yes
Caters
Yes

Today

Today 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Closed now
Local time (Nags Head) 16:57 Wednesday, 11 June 2025

Business hours

Monday 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Tuesday 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Wednesday 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Thursday 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Friday 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Saturday 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Sunday 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Description

Specialties

Enjoy fresh fish and shellfish from local watermen, whole Maine lobster, pasta, tender aged prime Midwestern beef, and outrageous house-​made desserts. Exceptional wine list. All seasoned with the famous hospitality of the same family for over 69 years. Generous portions and all entrees include a traditional crock of cheese and bread and hushpuppies. History buffs will marvel at the Owens’ collection of museum-​quality artifacts dedicated to the maritime history of the Outer Banks.

History

Established in 1946.

We are excited to welcome you to our 69th season at this same location on the Outer Banks, still owned and operated by the same family.

Owens’ Restaurant began as a 24 seat café in 1946. It was founded by Bob & Clara Owens who moved from a small hot dog stand in Manteo which they had operated from 1933 until 1946. At the time, the local sages shook their heads and allowed as how they had «lost their minds, movin’ over on that bald beach like that, when everybody knows that the business is in Manteo.»

Our goal is to please you…

We at Owens’ are always conscious of Value and Quality. We purchase the highest quality seafood, beef, etc. available, and at the same time strive to keep our prices to a minimum– our ultimate goal being to give you, the customer, your money’s worth.

If you have any suggestions to help us to better serve you, please do not hesitate to let us know. We value your input.

While here, we invite you to take your time and view our outstanding display of origi

Meet the Business Owner

Clara S.

Business Owner

Clara Owens Shannon and her husband Lionel Shannon are the couple at the helm Owens Restaurant. Owens is celebrating 69 years in business, making it the oldest restaurant in North Carolina still owned and operated by the same family. It was started by her parents in 1946, and run for many years by their son and his wife, Bobby and Sarah Owens, until their retirement. Clara has worked at Owens her whole life and is now the Matriarch of this historic restaurant in Nags Head, N.C. She and her husband Lionel oversee every aspect of the restaurant as well as a 62 room motel, Owens Motel. Today, Owens is a 260 seat capacity establishment that is filled with a lengthy roster of loyal customers. She is most proud that their family-​operated structure that makes people feel at home at Owens. It has created an atmosphere, which has spilled over to the staff, that we are all a big family. That is what makes Owens home for so many diners in North Carolina.

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20 reviews of Owens’ Restaurant

No registration required
Place rating: 5
Hilliard, OH
This was the second visit to Owens. We forgot how much food they give with the entrée orders. Definitely consider ordering light as they first bring out Wisconsin cheese crocks and crackers. Then they bring out hot bread and hush puppies. My family said the bread was great, but I can’t believe it would beat the hush puppies. All of our meals were fantastic and they didn’t blink an eye at menu revisions. We were a group of 11 on a Friday night at 7 pm. We had a 20 minute wait and it was well worth every minute!
Place rating: 5
Daytona Beach, FL
Small but comfortable. Sat at the bar on a Saturday night and received great service.
Place rating: 5
Greenville, NC
I’ve been vacationing in Nags head for 25 years, and just discovered this place a couple of months ago. Hands down, best meal I’ve ever had on the Outer Banks. My family has a new favorite!
Place rating: 1
Georgetown, KY
This is the kinda place a grandparent would go and say the food is spectacular. My wife and I both left dissatisfied with seafood 50 feet from the Atlantic Ocean that did not taste fresh.
My daughter had the pasta and hit the nail on the head when she said it was yucky. We took a bite and figured out real quick they just opened up a can of ragu.
The price is ridiculous and the décor is dreadful. Avoid this place unless you want to fall into a tourist trap and get suckered out of your money like we did because of word of mouth.
Place rating: 5
Fredericksburg, VA
Perfect for date night. My girlfriend and I went for our 5 years and it was perfect. We got seated quickly and we had great service. The prices are high but worth it. I’m definitely going back next year.
Place rating: 5
Apex, NC
My husband and I had a delicious meal here. The staff is well trained and knowledgable and our meal came out delicious. My husband had a steak which he said was well cooked and I had one of the seafood meals. Would definitely recommend if you want a nice meal at the beach.
Place rating: 5
Santa Cruz, CA
Wow, this was just amazing. The service was spot on and the food was amazing. The staff was well versed in the dishes, and the food was 100% perfect. What a great experience.
Place rating: 5
Newport News, VA
This was our third time here. The chefs never disappoint. We’ll be back on our next vacation. Thanks!
The food is class, don’t let the outside fool you.
Place rating: 5
Frederick, MD
Old school fancy beach restaurant.
Sometimes you just want to go get a nice meal– and this is the place to do it. And not a restaurant with new fangled fusion dishes, or anything with a double entendre in its name. Just a good old fashioned plate of seafood, in a nice dimly lit restaurant.
every table starts the meal at Owens with crackers and Wisconsin cheddar spreadable cheese to start. And also bread and hush puppies.
Daily specials include freshly caught fish as well as seasonal specialties like soft shells… And most items are offered broiled or fried.
And they know their way around a fryer– the French fries and hush puppies were soooooo crispy and perfectly done.
My crab cakes were almost all lump crabmeat, with just enough filler to hold them together. Broiled. I asked for a side of broccolini, which was the veggie of the day. The default was coleslaw and rice. If I could do it again if sub the rice for mashed potatoes, which were amazing.
But really, you don’t have to get seafood here. A look at the ribeye revealed a perfectly cooked, buttery steak– absolutely perfect. And large.
Ribs were also stellar.
And one of the specials last night was half a lobster, stuffed with crab, shrimp and other seafood deliciousness. For $ 31.95– which is less than the ribeye and crab cake platters. So we thought it would be small.
But no, it was huge!!! What a great surprise. Perhaps the best splurge and best value of the night.
When I go back, I’m doing the surf and turf ;). I can’t wait.
Desserts looked amazing– they have a real dessert tray– but alas we were too full.
Our waiter Cody 1– because there is another Cody serving in the dining room– was great– friendly personable and went out of his way to take care of us (particularly my four year old)
This restaurant has been around for 70 years, and I can see why. This will be a new must visit when we are in OBX.
Place rating: 5
Painesville, OH
I guess this place would be considered a «destination restaurant». A place for a special occasion, or such.
First, they do not take reservations, at least in the off season.
Second, the prices are a little high.
Third, you get what you pay for.
We have had many outstanding meals in this restaurant, our last being May of 2016. Our server, Lauren, was a beautiful, polite, helpful young woman, who did not come around to ask how we were doing, while we had a mouthful of food. This is the kind of intuitive service that used to be the norm in a higher end restaurant. Her timing in bringing our food and drinks was perfect.
They make the best hushpuppies that I have ever eaten. Their lobster bisque is liquid joy. They actually serve escargot (out of the shell) in a rich garlic butter.
My husband, who is very particular, ordered prime rib, rare. It was beautiful and melt in your mouth delicious. I had stuffed flounder. It was just perfect.
While some are off put by the décor, it is very clean and has more of a New England feel. The white tablecloths and napkins give it a nice feel, and not once have we encountered the stuffiness that others have Unilocaled about. We have always felt very welcome, even by the hostess who accompanies you to your table. She always will ask how we are, and if we have had a good day.
This is our experience with Owen’s, which is why we continue to return.
Place rating: 1
State College, PA
This place is terrible. Ordered the Cobb salad with a crabcake, the crabcake was undercooked and the salad was disgusting. It tasted like a bag of lawn clippings. Service was very disrespectful. Also don’t expect actual bread to be on the table before you get your food because they give you saltine crackers in wrappers to put what tasted like cheese whiz on. Not what you’d expect from a restaurant that at the same time has the audacity to charge on average $ 30 a plate.
Place rating: 5
Danville, VA
Definitely the best meal we have ever had in the OBX! Free cheese spread and crackers, great mixed cocktails, and perfectly prepared seafood. Scallops at that — my favorite! also the waiter was precious and I was stuffed so I took my dessert home. The key lime pie was excellent at home as well!
Place rating: 5
Chapel Hill, NC
Upscale dining but not pretentious on the OBX. Delicious food from the hush puppies to the desserts.
Place rating: 1
Great Falls, VA
So here we are again. I keep wanting to love this place. It’s close to our house and has plenty of protein to choose from. Man this place is dated. I don’t think they’ve decorated or changed a thing in 20 years.
BUT, this «family run» business is clearly so very successful, they feel no need to care about serving customers.
Again, I’m here with my family of 8. I’m not a vegetable-​lover. I ordered their largest, most expensive prime rib. I simply asked to substitute a small side salad for green beans. «No. We don’t allow substitutions.» Not even an up charge. Just a cold «no» from the waitress. I made my displeasure very clear. My only option would be double potato, according to her.
Did a manager come over to try to remedy this? No way. They’re too snooty and high-​brow at this joint.
What a shame. We live here all summer and come and go in the winter. Instead of getting one visit a year from us, they could easily get ten. But not with this incredibly arrogant and horrible service.
They’ve been like this for years. Prices keep going up. Service stays horrible.
Too many other local restaurants here work hard to appreciate their customers. Suggest you try others that care about you as a customer. These guys don’t. They’re rich enough, and each customer no longer matters to them.
Shameful.
Place rating: 3
Philadelphia, PA
Things I loved:
–The crackers & cheese (because cheese, duh)
–The hush puppies
Things I liked:
–The shrimp skewers small plate (the shrimp were well seasoned, but the rice and veggies that came with them left a little to be desired)
Things I didn’t like:
–The sad tank of lobsters in the front of the restaurant just waiting to be boiled and eaten (this is just a weird personal hang up– not the restaurant’s fault)
–The general feeling/​atmosphere (was quiet like a funeral parlor and is kind of decorated like old Aunt Lizzie’s house who has 17 cats)
Disclaimer: my parents and aunt are ALL ABOUT this place, they love it. They had steak, a seafood combo platter, and… something else that escapes me. The general atmosphere of the place didn’t seem to bother them one bit but. they are old. Take that as you will.
Place rating: 4
Cornelius, NC
Long day trying to cram as much as possible into a long weekend and we find Owen’s.
After having had to cancel vaciation because of work, decided to take a long weekend at the Outer Banks. Granted I am a native North Carolinian and live Mid-​State, the Outer Banks are still 350+ miles away.
Last day, we drove down from Corolla to Hatteras to take in the lighthouse and coming back, we decided on Owen’s.
Exellent choice and even better because it was Restaurant Week in Dare County.
Pre Fixe at two levels and both my wife and I went for the $ 35 level. I had the ½ lobster and she opted for the filet mignon. Both were excellent and she even gave me a taste of her filet and I will admit it was excellent.
Service was great as is the atmosphere. Would strongly recommend to anyone visiting the Banks.
Place rating: 5
Marina del Rey, CA
My family has been coming to Nagg’s Head for many years. My dad, a major foodie, was super excited to eat at Owen’s, .Please understand that I am a 15-​year restaurant manager and caterer from LA… so believe it!!!
#1 Our Hostess was Immediate and Friendly
#2 Our Server, Desmond McMurran, was incredibly friendly, attentive, and most of all… inspiring. He is a local man, who really loves his job. If I had to hire a server in CA, he would be my number one choice… he was just phenomenal… top grades!
3# My mother ordered Prime Rib and the other four of us ordered the Maine Lobster entrée. All of us were super happy!
4# As a recommendation, I think a vegetable or salad component to the Maine Lobster or crab entrees would be refreshing. The corn hash and potatoes on top of crustaceans with butter are pretty heavy… Again, just a recommendation… lighten things up.
We will be be back. Best wishes
Place rating: 5
Raleigh, NC
My husband and I both grew up near beaches on the east and west coast of the United States. That being said, Owens was one of the best beach restaurants I have ever been to. Their food was excellent, their staff was wonderful and atmosphere is everything you want out of a classic beach restaurant. The atmosphere was perfect. My crab was cooked to perfection and there was so much of it I could barely finish it. My husbands fish was the same. When we finished the waitress suggested we take a look around. We snooped through all of the rooms to admire the artwork and displays only to be met by some staff upstairs at a piano bar that we talked to for easily 40 minutes. Everyone was so friendly, we will be visiting Owens on every family trip we take to the Outer Banks.
Place rating: 2
Philadelphia, PA
This restaurant was just okay. Although the waiter Cody was very nice, helpful accommodating. He was great. The décor is very old and outdated, and the menu was just okay. There weren’t many different options.
Mostly meat and seafood so it makes it somewhat difficult for vegetarians and the health conscious. What was very strange was they brought a container of prepackaged crackers and cheese with the water glasses. Then later brought out a couple pieces of bread and hushpuppies with butter.
For my entrée I settled on a salad, again there weren’t many other healthy options and nothing that sounded that appealing. All in all, the place was just okay, not my favorite.
Place rating: 5
Annapolis, MD
Bottom Line: A classy restaurant in Nags Head serving beloved Outer Banks seafood dishes by amazing staff.
Owens’ never disappoints and remains one of my all time favorite restaurants. Owens’ has been in business for over 69 years and is a very classic restaurant with top notch staff, fresh seafood and lovely white tablecloths.
Meals here start out with a crock of cheese and crackers. When entrees arrive, so will a warm basket of hush puppies and fresh bread. All of these carbs are delicious but don’t overlook the wonderful selection of appetizers and soups. The Hatteras Clam Chowder is as good as it gets and the calamari is always fried to perfection. If you add a salad to your entrée know that it will be fresh and the raspberry vinaigrette dressing is delicious. My favorite entrée here is Filet Oscar (steak topped with crabmeat) accompanied by mashed potatoes and seasonal veggies. Pursuing the dessert tray is a must and I usually split a sundae with others.
Owens’ does not take reservations and will not seat your party until all are present but there is a small lounge upstairs with the occasional piano player. During the summer season, expect waits on Fridays and Saturdays for sure. Sunday is the least busiest day of the week. There is a gift shop too with nice, classy items but you can only kill but so much time there while you wait.
As this is a nice restaurant decorated with original oil paintings and nautical antiques, please leave your t-​shirts and ball caps at home. Shorts, collared shirts and sundresses are great though because after all, it is at the beach.