The restaurants below all serve great food and are all recommended highly.  Several of these are off the beaten path and none of them are chains.  Bon Apettite!

A Duck favorite, The Blue Point offers outstanding food and waterfront dining.  Reservations are needed in the summer. 
 

While in Duck you may also want to consider the Roadside Bar and Grill (252-261-5729) or The Redsky Cafe. Both offer inspired lunch and dinner menus in a casual and cozy atmosphere.
 

Baldies in Duck (252-261-2660) is the place to go for a hamburger, fries, or an ice cream cone.   The Coastal Cantina in the Waterfront Shops in Duck offers outside waterfront dining with a Tex-Mex menu and cold drinks.
 

In Kitty Hawk, High Cotton BBQ has the best BBQ on the beach and is a pleasant and delicious place for lunch or dinner

Ocean Boulevard on the beach road in Kitty Hawk offers upscale dining and is known for its martinis. 

Max's Pizza in Kitty Hawk at milepost 4.5 is the best bet for pizza and they feature a nice selection of cold beer.  Also at milepost 4.5 you will find Seaside Vegetarian (take out seafood and vegetarian dishes) and the Good Life Gourmet.  Both offer delicious food and are highly recommended.  Art’s Place on the beach road is a tiny local restaurant with ocean views and standard American fare.
 

Food Dudes Kitchen (252-441 7994) at mile post 9.5 on the beach road in Kill Devil Hills may only have 4 or 5 tables and a surfy atmosphere, but watch these guys because if the quality of the food is any indication, they will be growing in the years to come.
 

The Kill Devil Grill (252-449-8181) on the beach road at milepost 10 in Kill Devil Hills is a consistent favorite with an enlightened menu.  This is a must-do for food connoisseurs. 

Tortugas Lie in Nags Head on the beach road offers great food for lunch and dinner in Nags Head.   Viva Mexican Grill at MP 10.5 on the bypass is and Outer Banks version of Chipotle grill and features fresh Mexican food.

If you are in Corolla, the Bad Bean Taqueria for lunch and Metropolis for dinner are the best of several good choices.