Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Currituck

Corolla Restaurants

Sundogs Raw Bar & Grill

Monteray Plaza, Corolla
A lively grill featuring seafood, sandwiches, burgers and more in a very casual setting.

• Sundogs has a dedicated kids’ menu and plenty of TVs (often tuned to sports) which means a little noise from the kids won’t bother anyone.
• Families enjoy lunch or dinner here in a beachy, relaxed atmosphere, but note that after 10 p.m. it turns 21+ with late-night music/karaoke (so come early with the kiddos).

Mama Easley’s Grub Hut

Timbuck II Shopping Village, Corolla
An easygoing spot known for fresh seafood baskets and Angus burger.

• Tucked away in Timbuck II, Mama Easleys features a playground and boardwalk, so kids can play before/after eating. Mama Easley’s offers a kid-friendly menu (the shrimp and chicken nugget kids’ meals are a hit).
• The vibe is super casual and welcoming and outdoor seating and laid-back service make families feel right at home.

Cosmo’s Pizza

Corolla Light Town Center, Corolla
A classic pizzeria that’s been a family favorite in Corolla for 15+ years.

• Cosmo’s offers casual family dining with a kid-friendly atmosphere – there’s an outside patio, a walk-up snack bar, and it’s adjacent to an arcade, so kids can have fun while parents relax
• The menu has build-your-own pizzas, subs, salads, and even gluten-free options. Live music some nights adds to the fun, and the come-as-you-are vibe is perfect for noisy children.

Uncle Ike’s Sandbar & Grill

Corolla Light Town Center, Corolla
A popular neighborhood bar & grill that proudly markets itself as “family-friendly”.

• Uncle Ike’s serves lunch and dinner with a broad menu of comfort-food favorites (sandwiches, seafood, steaks, etc.), including vegetarian and kid-friendly options
• Large families are welcomed – they accommodate big groups and have a 100% family-friendly policy
• There’s both a dining room and a covered outdoor deck, so restless kids have space to move around. (By night it doubles as a late-night sports bar with live entertainment, but during meal hours it’s all about friendly service and a casual vibe for all ages.)

Corolla Cantina

Corolla Light Town Center, Corolla
A casual, Baja-inspired eatery serving Mexican cuisine with a coastal twist.

• It’s extremely laid-back and family oriented, with plenty of tables for the whole family and a pet-friendly outdoor deck overlooking the sound
• Explicitly caters to large groups and kids, offers both takeout and table service, and welcomes walk-ins with a smile
• Parents can enjoy a margarita and fish tacos while kids munch on quesadillas – all in a relaxed atmosphere where a little chaos is no problem.

Fat Crabs Rib Company & Seafood Shack

Corolla Light Town Center, Corolla
A no-frills BBQ and seafood joint that’s “fun for the whole family”.

• Fat Crabs combines Eastern NC barbecue with fresh local seafood, all under one roof
• The dining room has bench-style seating and a laid-back, family-friendly atmosphere
• Perfect for kids who might be a bit loud or messy. You can eat in (watching the open kitchen “magic” behind the counter) or take your feast to go. The picnic-style vibe, friendly staff, and moderate prices make it easy on parents, and there are plenty of comfort-food options (from smoked ribs to hush puppies) to satisfy picky eaters.

Whalehead Brewery

Whalehead, Corolla
Part craft brewery, part pizza pub, this new spot is surprisingly family-friendly. It features a welcoming, relaxed taproom with a self-pour beer wall for adults and brick-oven pizzas for everyone.

• The atmosphere is “relaxed [and] family-friendly,” with mouthwatering pizza that kids love
• There are often games and events like bingo or trivia nights that encourage family participation. With its outdoor seating and open layout, kids have space to move around, and the staff are super helpful and accommodating to families (as one review noted, “nice, family-friendly atmosphere, and super helpful staff”
• It’s a great choice if you want a casual meal where parents can enjoy a craft brew while kids stay entertained

Mainland Restaurants

BJ’s Carolina Café

Jarvisburg, NC
A beloved BBQ joint and Southern eatery on Route 158 (about 7 miles before the Wright Memorial Bridge). BJ’s is housed in a newer building and is a true “southern family oriented restaurant,” serving breakfast, lunch and dinner 7 days a week.

• It’s famed for its award-winning chopped pork BBQ and down-home country cooking
• Families are very welcome – the menu is huge (BBQ, fried chicken, seafood, steaks, plus daily specials) so there’s something for all ages and appetites
• The atmosphere is informal and friendly (think vinyl tablecloths and sweet tea on the table), and the staff treats you like neighbors. Highchairs are available and kids can make a bit of noise here without worry. Don’t be surprised if you leave feeling like “part of the family” – as their motto suggests: “Come as a stranger, leave as a local.”

Barry’s Walnut Island Restaurant

Grandy, NC
A waterfront restaurant and lodge that has been a fixture in Currituck for decades. Barry’s is an “island paradise” on a small island in the sound, with a full-service family-friendly restaurant featuring two indoor waterfront dining rooms and a covered outdoor deck

• The menu leans toward seafood (fresh crabs, shrimp, fish) and classic American fare, all in generous portions. Parents appreciate the gorgeous Currituck Sound views – you can see the Corolla lighthouse in the distance – and kids love watching boats and ducks by the dock. The vibe is super casual: picnic tables, nautical decor, and often live music or a dance floor in the adjoining sports bar area
• Barry’s is known for its warm, welcoming service to families. It’s the kind of place where kids can get a simple hot dog or popcorn shrimp while adults enjoy local seafood baskets. (They even have an on-site motel and campground, underscoring the family road-trip friendliness.)

Pass the Salt Café

Historic Currituck Courthouse area, NC
A charming local café set in a converted historic home

• Pass the Salt offers a quieter, more quaint dining experience – think gourmet sandwiches, salads, and southern-style daily specials listed on a chalkboard
• It’s casual and cozy inside, with plenty of southern hospitality from the owners. While it doesn’t have a playground or loud atmosphere, it is very welcoming to families. There’s ample seating (highchairs available) and even a selection of house-made pastries and desserts that kids adore
• The cafe’s atmosphere (antique décor, board games on a shelf, etc.) can make dining with kids feel like visiting someone’s home. It’s a great lunch or early dinner stop if you’re exploring the Currituck mainland or taking the ferry — and yes, kids are definitely allowed to be kids here.

Digger’s Diner

Poplar Branch, NC
A true hidden gem for families, especially those with little boys or girls obsessed with trucks! Digger’s Diner is located right beside the famous Grave Digger’s Dungeon (home base of the Grave Digger monster truck) and capitalizes on that fun theme

• The diner itself is casual and affordable, offering about 20 different “Main Event” sandwiches (many with racing- or monster-truck-themed names) and classic diner fare
• It’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner – basically “open when we start, closed when we crash,” as the owners joke
• Kids will be in heaven: they can check out the real monster trucks and memorabilia next door, and then grab a burger or chicken tenders at the diner. The seating is indoor picnic style and there are often monster trucks parked outside – a built-in play/photo area that keeps children entertained. Overall, it’s loud, fun, and super kid-friendly, with a unique OBX flair. (Expect some souvenir shopping for toy trucks after your meal!)

Coinjock Marina Restaurant

Coinjock, NC
A casual waterfront restaurant on the Intracoastal Waterway that’s incredibly popular with both traveling boaters and local families.

• Coinjock Marina is known for its fresh seafood and legendary 32 oz. prime rib, but it also prides itself on a family-friendly atmosphere. There’s indoor dining with water views and a big outdoor deck where kids can watch yachts and sailboats cruise by
• The staff here are friendly and accustomed to serving families (highchairs available, crayons for coloring, etc.), and there’s often live entertainment on weekends (like karaoke on Thursdays and music on the deck) which adds to the fun
• The restaurant explicitly markets itself as perfect for groups and kids alike – they have free Wi-Fi and plenty of outdoor seating, so noisy groups won’t feel out of place
• The menu even has a sizable kids’ section (with favorites like fish nuggets, grilled cheese, and “Little Pirate” ribeye)
• Parents can enjoy local oysters or that famous prime rib while the children are mesmerized by the boats or playing cornhole on the lawn. In short, it’s upscale dining in feel, but with a casual, come-as-you-are policy that welcomes families