Black Pelican Oceanfront Restaurant
3848 N Virginia Dare Trail, Kitty Hawk
(252) 261-3171
Recent Reviews
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Always enjoy eating here with the family when we come to the Outer Banks. Good food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Shrimp and Grits, Seafood
Tried the Black Pelican for lunch during our November vacation. Nice atmosphere, good service and we loved story behind the name. Food was pretty good. Enjoyed the Hatteras style clam chowder. We didn't try them but the desserts looked wonderful. Also had a gift shop with BP and OBX things. I even found a hot air balloon puzzle box which was amazing!.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Desserts
This is a nice place to enjoy a variety of seafood cuisine. Parking is plentiful, and they often have daily specials. Risotto was a highlight. It's worth a try!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Shrimp and Grits, Crab Cakes, Wanchese Fishermans' Risotto
Super friendly waitress and homey atmosphere but VERY disappointing seafood. $55 for a handful of steamed shellfish/crab with absolutely no seasoning and nothing but butter and cocktail sauce.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
Food was awesome
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Coconut Cream Pie, Crab Rangoon, Seafood, Desserts, Blackened Tuna, Snow Crab Legs, Coconut
Kid-friendliness: A full family treat.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seafood, Black Pelican, Crab Cakes, Salad
Really surprised how bad our meal was. Was just here a few months ago and the food was ok. Will never be back. Food was really pricey and almost inedible. Even the kids wouldn't eat the pizza. Apparently they switched to American cheese instead of mozzarella.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 5
Scallops was hard, and didn't taste well And was over priced 5 for 40 dollars and dnt get the crab drip taste like imitation crab, but good service other wise crab legs were excellent but few more dollar can go captain gorges and all u can eat
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Desserts
Great food, as always!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Delicious food, friendly staff. Good pizza, great seafood.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Historic building, interesting stories.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seafood, Desserts
Always a good meal.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Appetizers: Crab and Shrimp Dip, Cajun Fried Fish Bites
The crab and shrimp dip was decent but lacked balance. The flavor was largely dominated by cheese, with only a few scattered pieces of shrimp and crab. However, the biggest disappointment was the use of whole tortilla chips to cover the crumbs at the bottom of the bag. It felt sloppy and unprofessional to serve such an unappetizing presentation.
The Cajun fried fish bites were made with mahi, as the server claimed they were hand-breaded fresh (which I’ll take her word for). Unfortunately, the breading didn’t hold up—it fell off in bits with each bite. The fish itself, typically a flaky white fish, was surprisingly chewy, and the plate arrived sizzling hot. If it had been sitting under a heat lamp for too long, it was likely overcooked.
Shrimp and Scallop Risotto was a highlight. The scallops were cooked to perfection, and the dish had a good balance of flavors. It was the best part of the meal.
Bacon-Wrapped Scallops were a complete letdown. Overcooked, tough, and smothered in an unpleasant, almost unidentifiable sauce. The accompanying vegetables were a disaster—bland and off-putting. The only redeeming feature was the sweet potato, which at least tasted like sweet potato. It seemed like the whole plate had either been microwaved or sat under a heat lamp for far too long.
After mentioning the overcooked Cajun fish bites, I was hoping for a better experience with the scallops, but seeing a dish like that served made me question the overall quality. The Black Pelican may be a high-volume, tourist-driven spot, but when a place fails to execute the basics of seafood, it’s hard to recommend. Either they had an off night, or they’re relying too heavily on their reputation rather than quality. Either way, it was disappointing.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 5
Excellent service! The food was delicious. Would highly recommend
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seafood, Desserts
Absolutely loved our experience at Black Pelican Oceanfront Restaurant in Kitty Hawk! From the moment we walked in, the friendly staff and laid-back beach vibe set the tone for a fantastic meal.
The menu offers a great variety, with fresh seafood that’s cooked to perfection. I highly recommend trying the crab cakes and the wood-fired pizzas, both were absolutely delicious! The portions were generous, and everything tasted incredibly fresh. Our server was attentive and knowledgeable, providing spot-on recommendations that really made the experience memorable.
Overall, Black Pelican Oceanfront Restaurant combines excellent food, a warm atmosphere, and breathtaking views, making it a must-visit if you're in Kitty Hawk. Can't wait to come back next time we’re in town!+++☝?❤️?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seafood
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