More than 71,000 ballots and over half a million individual votes were cast for readers’ favorite restaurants, shops, bartenders, gift shops, fishing charters, surf schools, and much more in our Best of the Beach 2023 contest. Click the links below to see the winners in each group. Thanks to all who participated!
Around The Beach
- Best Radio Station: Radio Free Outer Banks
- Best Podcast: Outer Banks This Week with Autumn And Justin
- Best Place to Work: Southern Shores Realty
- Best Community Activist: Greg Smrdel
- Most Colorful Character: Greg Smrdel
- Best Nonprofit: Corolla Wild Horse Fund
- Best Place to Get Married: Manteo
- Best Local Radio Personality: Lisa Brickhouse
- Best Neighborhood: Manteo
- Best Local Website: OBX Today
- Best Weekend Getaway: Ocracoke
- Best Public School: First Flight High School
- Best Private School: Outer Banks Montessori Collective
- Best Preschool: Little School of Fish
- Best Place to Surf: Jennette’s Pier
- Best Local Author: Suzanne Tate
- Best Scenic Spot: Downtown Manteo Waterfront
- Best Psychic: Donna Perez
Arts & Entertainment
- Best Dance Studio: Outer Banks Dance Academy
- Best/Friendliest Pier Employee: Brandi at Fish Heads
- Best Mobile DJ: John Harper
- Best Museum/Aquarium: North Carolina Aquarium at Roanoke Island
- Best Weekend Getaway: Ocracoke
- Best Annual Event: Outer Banks Seafood Festival
- Best Art Gallery: Swell Ceramics
- Best Tourist Spot: The Beach
- Best Karaoke Place: The Jolly Roger
- Best Local Band/Musician: Ty Fleming Band
Eating & Drinking
- Best Cheap Meal: Fish Heads
- Best Hamburger: Art’s Place
- Best Oyster Bar: Awful Arthur’s
- Best Burrito: Plaza Azteca
- Best Fried Chicken: Publix
- Best Catering: Black Pelican
- Best Cocktails: Mama Kwan’s Tiki Bar
- Best Desserts: The Saltbox Cafe
- Best Family Restaurant: Henry’s
- Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant: The Jolly Roger
- Best Seafood Restaurant: Basnight’s Lone Cedar Cafe
- Best Wait Staff & Service: The Saltbox Cafe
- Best Cookies: Crumbl Cookies
- Best Donuts: Duck Donuts
- Best Bar: Fish Heads
- Best Beer Selection: Fish Heads
- Best Deck Dining: Fish Heads
- Best Happy Hour: Fish Heads
- Best Locals Hangout: Avalon Pier
- Best Outdoor Patio: Lost Colony Brewing
- Best Waterfront Dining: Tale of the Whale
- Best French Fries: Five Guys Burgers and Fries
- Best Food Truck: Eduardo’s Taco Stand
- Best Coffeehouse: Front Porch Cafe
- Best Breakfast: Henry’s
- Best Barbecue: Pigman’s BBQ
- Best Romantic Restaurant: Colington Cafe
- Best Soup: The Saltbox Cafe
- Best Bartender: Dirt Bateman at Lost Colony Brewing
- Best Bagels: Barrier Island Bagels
- Best Brewery: Lost Colony Brewing
- Best Pub Food: Lucky 12 Tavern
- Best Chocolate/Candy Shop: Big Buck’s Ice Cream
- Best Pet Friendly Restaurant: Mulligan’s
- Best New Restaurant: Lost Colony Tavern
- Best Seafood Market: Billy’s Seafood
- Best Bakery: Orange Blossom Bakery and Cafe
- Best Brewery/Restaurant: Outer Banks Brewing Station
- Best Distillery: Outer Banks Distilling/Kill Devil Rum
- Best Mexican Restaurant: Plaza Azteca
- Best Brewery: Lost Colony Brewing
- Best Pub Food: Lucky 12 Tavern
- Best Chocolate/Candy Shop: Big Buck’s Ice Cream
- Best Pet Friendly Restaurant: Mulligan’s
- Best New Restaurant: Lost Colony Tavern
- Best Seafood Market: Billy’s Seafood
- Best Bakery: Orange Blossom Bakery and Cafe
- Best Brewery/Restaurant: Outer Banks Brewing Station
- Best Distillery: Outer Banks Distilling/Kill Devil Rum
- Best Mexican Restaurant: Plaza Azteca
- Best Bed & Breakfast: Colington Creek Inn
- Best Winery: Sanctuary Vineyards
- Best Pizza: Nags Head Pizza Co.
- Best Takeout: Food Dudes
- Best Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt: The Chill Spot
- Best Sushi: Single Fin
- Best Asian/Thai: Thai Room
- Best Lunch: Barefoot Bernie’s
- Best Salad: Barefoot Bernie’s
- Best Brunch: The Saltbox Cafe
- Best Vegetarian Restaurant: The Saltbox Cafe
- Best Smoothies/Acai Bowls: The Spot
- Best Chef: Randolph Sprinkle at The Saltbox Cafe
- Best Wine Bar: Trio
- Best Wine Selection: Trio
- Best Wine Shop: Trio
- Best Restaurant Server: April at The Saltbox Cafe
Health & Fitness
- Best Dental Office: Atlantic Dentistry
- Best Hearing Center: Outer Banks Ears Nose and Throat
- Best Doctor: Dr. Cara A. Sumners
- Best Chiropractor: Dr. Tuttle Hall
- Best Massage: Mystic Roots Massage
- Best Health & Wellness Center: OBX Martial Arts
- Best Yoga Studio: Kind Yoga
- Best Martial Arts Studio: OBX Martial Arts
- Best Health & Fitness Club: Outer Banks Sports Club
- Best Personal Trainer: Rick Bateman
Recreation & Fishing
- Best Fishing Charter: C Legs Sportfishing
- Best Fishing Headboat: Miss Oregon Inlet II
- Best Campground/RV Park: Frisco Woods
- Best Pier: Jennette’s Pier
- Best Watersports Company: Kitty Hawk Kites
- Best Surfing Lessons: Outer Banks Surf School
- Best Marina: Shallowbag Bay Marina
- Best Golf Course: The Pointe Golf Club
- Best Wild Horse Tour: Wild Horse Adventure Tours
Services
- Best Plumber: Absolute Plumbing
- Best Home Improvement/Handyman Company: Wake Zone Services
- Best Hardware Store: Ace Hardware
- Best Landscaper: OBX Tree Doc
- Best Tree Care Company: OBX Tree Doc
- Best Heating & Air Conditioning Company: Anderson Heating & Cooling
- Best Association Management Company: Signature Touch Property Management
- Best Carpet Cleaners: Atlantic Carpet Cleaning
- Best Large Boat Builder: Bayliss Boatworks
- Best Towing Company: Setos
Best Real Estate Sales Agent: Cory Taylor
Best Residential Real Estate Company: Carolina Designs Realty - Best Vacation Rental Company: Carolina Designs Realty
- Best Commercial Real Estate Company: Southern Shores Realty
- Best Customer Service: Carolina Designs Realty
- Best Housekeepers/Cleaners: Davis Cleaning
- Best Property Management Company: Carolina Designs Realty
- Best Auto Service/Repair: Coastal Fast Lube
- Best Kitchen & Bath Remodeler: Cozy Kitchens
- Best Jeweler: Creative Jewelers
- Best Spa Skincare Esthetician: Aqua Spa
- Best Church: Lighthouse
- Best Propane Company: Suburban
- Best Hotel: Outer Banks Motor Lodge
- Best Cab Company: Lady Jane
- Best Appliance Repair: Manteo Furniture Appliance
- Best Photographer: OBX Family Photography
- Best Computer & IT Services: Outer Banks Computer Repair
- Best Vehicle Rental Company: Enterprise
- Best Digital Marketing: Bright And Social Co.
- Best Pest Control: Outer Banks Pest Control
- Best Local Construction Company: Premiere Contracting Inc
- Best Pet Boarding / Grooming / Daycare: Hatteras Island Pet Resort
- Best Veterinarian/Vet Clinic: Coastal Animal Hospital
- Best Paramedic/EMS: Joe Hilger
- Best Pool and Spa Services: Riptide Pool & Spa
- Best Long-term Rental Company: Southern Shores Realty
- Best Insurance Agency/Agent: State Farm Steven Gillis
- Best Hair Salon: Salon Sage
- Best Hairstylist: Panda
- Best Electrician: Suburban Electric
- Best Generator Installation & Service: Obx Generator Services
- Best Firefighter: Omareon Combs
- Best Tattoo Studio: Vertigo
- Best Law Enforcement Officer: Rodney Rawls
Shopping
- Best Hardware Store: Ace Hardware
- Best Wedding Boutique: I Do OBX
- Best Antique Store: Class And Trash
- Best Florist: OBX Florist
- Best Bookstore: Island Bookstore
- Best Boutique Store: Foxy Flamingo
- Best Clothing Store: T.J. Maxx
- Best Department Store: Target
- Best Thrift Store: Hotline
- Best Vape Shop: Outer Vapes
- Best Flooring/Carpet Store: Kitty Hawk Carpets
- Best Boat Sales/Service: Manteo Marine
- Best Furniture Store: Manteo Furniture
- Best Home Appliance Store: Manteo Furniture and Appliance
- Best Garden Store/Nursery: Nature’s Harmony
- Best Auto Dealership: Outer Banks Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram
- Best Auto Salesperson: Cory Piddington at Outer Banks Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram
- Best Beach Equipment Rental Company: Ocean Atlantic Rentals
- Best Bicycle Shop: Outer Banks Bicycles
- Best Grocery Store: Publix
- Best Gun Store: OBX Guns
- Best Baby Store: Rock A Bye Baby OBX
- Best Toy Store: Kitty Hawk Kites
- Best Surf Shop: WRV
- Best Shoe Store: Sound Feet Shoes
- Best Sporting Goods Store: Kitty Hawk Kites
- Best Tackle/Bait Shop: T.W.’s Bait and Tackle
- Best Pet Store: PetSmart
- Best Mall/Shopping Center: Outer Banks Mall
Editor’s note: An earlier version of the 2023 Best of the Beach winners list listed the incorrect winner for the Best Salon category. We have made a correction and regret the error.