Flying Melon Café

Stopped on our back to Hatteras and ordered half a pound of steamed shrimp to go. We enjoyed eating…read morethem on the chairs out front. Simple, fresh fare and the best seafood we've had here so far.

The fishing was very slow this weekend because of Hurricane Maria so I can't fault them for not…read morehaving much fish...or really any fish. They do clean and vacuum seal whatever you catch.

See all

Store sign

Howard's Pub & Raw Bar Restaurant

3.6(422 reviews)

Awesome seafood restaurant on Okracoke Island. Efficient staff and great food. A relaxing time…read moreafter a day of traveling. We shared the Seafood Platter, crab legs, burger, and the lobster!

It was our Last night on the island. Everyone says you have to go to Howard's. No you don't. Cool…read morevibe, large space. If you eat like a 10 year old, it's fine. Our waitress was from New England and we couldn't get her to understand the difference between NE clam chowder and anything else. We wanted NE clam chowder. Cream base. The soup of the day was a clam soup with a clear stock. We asked for the cream based clam chowder. She brought the shrimp chowder. Full of corn and potatoes. No shrimp. We asked and she said 'you wanted the cream base' to which all of us relied that we said the cream based CLAM chowder. If they didn't have it, she never said they didn't have it. She brought out the other broth based soup of the day and I cannot believe how BAD it was. It tasted like the stock deglazed a cast iron pot with scorched bacon in it. Sour and metallic. Just foul. The flounder of the day was fine. The Mac n cheese was bland. Husband ordered onion rings but what she brought were seriously overcooked. I can't believe she brought them to the table. Hoping we'd eat them? She took forever to come back and we didn't have to say much. She knew. If that apparent, why serve it?! Pricey crappy dinner. Would have rather spent that or more on better service and food just down the block.

Howard's Pub & Raw Bar Restaurant, Ocracoke

Burger

See all

Bloody Maria

Marauder's Kitchen

4.3(4 reviews)

My pickle sauce hamburger was sooo good. I dont normally eat hamburgers but I was so happy I did…read more My other family members enjoyed their food as well. We felt a little rushed to get dessert since the kitchen was closing earlier but Owner and the Counter girl (i forgot her name) was super nice and friendly.!! Would recommend though menu was limited. Very laid back vibe with wood tables and benches with a card game that everyone could play with lots of laughs. Didn't try the bar but they had daily specials. Would go back too

The shrimp tacos were excellent!!! Great tavern style atmosphere. It helped that we were there…read moreon a beautiful day!

Oyster Po Boy

See all

Ocracoke Oyster Company

3.5(223 reviews)

First meal in town. The chalkboard of specials brought us in. It was close and open on a Sunday…read more Menu looked great. You have to ask for the market prices on some dishes. I had the stuffed flounder with green beans and loaded potato. Huge plate. Definitely shareable but my hubs doesn't do seafood. He had the BBQ pulled pork sandwich with a side of loaded fries. For dessert he ordered a blueberry cobbler. He liked it but it was a pass for me. Very strong almost fake blueberry flavor. We also ordered a spicy margarita and hurricane. Total was $110 plus tip. Server was great. Inside has great air conditioning or sit outside in the shady lean-to.

Great food, service, and Ambiance. What more it there to say…read more Had the very rare "green gill" oysters which can only be found in a couple of locations in the world. One being here off Ocacoke island. They were supper buttery and smooth. Probably the best tasting oysters I have ever had.

General Tso's chicken 5-18-25. There's a thin bed of white rice underneath.

See all

Plum Pointe Kitchen

3.8(47 reviews)

Great food!!!! I couldn't partake in the beer but the food was on point. Different specials daily…read more We found this place while visiting Ocracoke and we were so happy we did. Good service and I was told good beer. We will definitely be back next time we are out that way.

This was our first time there. We ended up getting the crab stuffed pretzel, it was delicious!!!…read moreThey serve it with a side of beer cheese. I highly recommend trying these. We also ordered blacked shrimp tacos that were pretty good!

Order here

Steak night hand cut ribeye baked potato salad

See all

The front of the restaurant

SmacNally's

4.0(301 reviews)

0.5 mi

We enjoy SmacNally's...EVERY time we visit the island we eat there. My wife and I were there for…read morethe last two weeks of July. We ate at SmacNally's twice during our stay (only restaurant we revisited). They were busy both nights, one of which we were told a 25 minute wait...it was less than 10. Food, service, location (waterfront), and pricing were excellent! They have an excellent, courteous, hardworking staff that always go above and beyond for us! 5 STARS!

Right on the marina where you can watch the various ships and boats come in while you grab a quick…read morebrunch. Good place to meet some of the locals. I grabbed the local catch of the day platter and a 1/2 lbs of peal and eat shrimp with a beer. enjoyed a peaceful hour. It's located close to the southern ferry. so it's a great place to relax if you're waiting. Staff were quick and efficient. Parking is limited and it is a busy spot. You can see the light house from across the water.

Peel & Eat Shrimp

See all

Silver Lake Harbor

El Mariachi

4.5(362 reviews)

Very delicious food. Best fish tacos and fish bowl…read more Come enjoy. Bike racks available.

Their vegetable burrito is off the hook. Now I'm gonna go fishing on the beach and I hope something…read moregets on my hook. I have eating here three times the best value on the island and I've never been disappointed.

Fish Tacos

See all

Picnic Tables

Dajio

4.1(471 reviews)

Excellent food, service, and vibe! Hands down our favorite…read morerestaurant on Ocracoke Island, NC. My wife and I ate at Dajio twice during our 4-day trip--once for lunch and once for dinner--and both meals were outstanding. For lunch, I ordered the shrimp tacos (three generously filled tacos packed with flavorful shrimp) and my wife got the fish tacos. Both were delicious. She's a bit of a margarita connoisseur, and she gave theirs two enthusiastic thumbs up! Save room for dessert--the fried banana bread is an absolute must. It's incredible. If you're visiting Ocracoke, make sure to put Dajio on your list. Highly recommend!

Cute place across from the water. The vibe was on the louder side with larger groups in house. Poke…read moreNachos were over sauced and made for soggy wrapper chips. Pimento cheese lacked flavor and the oysters were over broiled making them dry and hard to get out the half shell. Fish special was Mahi and I ordered it grilled and it came beyond overcooked. I let the SA know that broil didn't need to kill the fish again. I'm not certian she understood English well, but it was not communicated to kitchen or Patrick our server. Patrick asked why we didn't say anything and got pissy about it, Patrick's check back on the main course was before we had taken a bite and then the next table check was by the young lady. Way too late by the time Patrick came back at the end of the meal. The coleslaw side was inedible, flavor was off. Overall it was just an okay experience and we left hungry.

Fish tacos (blackened mahi mahi)

See all

Margarita was on point, Yuengling beer!

Jason's Restaurant

4.1(172 reviews)

Our hotel clerk recommended this spot, and he was absolutely right! My son had a grilled cheese…read morewith fries, and my husband and I shared a pizza--everything was delicious and really hit the spot. The staff were super friendly and checked on us often. It has a charming beach diner vibe, great food, and even better people. No surprise it's a favorite among locals!

Found ourselves craving fresh seafood and decided to grab lunch at Jason's. Despite the place being…read morequite busy, we were seated within about five minutes--a promising start! We ordered a variety of dishes: the cold Italian sub, spicy chicken wings, Greek salad with blackened shrimp, blackened fresh fish sandwich, and blackened shrimp dinner. COLD ITALIAN SUB The cold Italian sub came with chips and was flavorful and satisfying. Wish it had more seasoning and spice, but it was good nonetheless. SPICY CHICKEN WINGS The spicy chicken wings had a nice kick, but weren't overwhelming. Would've been great if they were more flavorful, but they were fried nicely. GREEK SALAD The Greek salad with blackened shrimp was fresh, with perfectly seasoned shrimp that added a great smoky depth. All the ingredients were fresh and crunchy. Feta wasn't overwhelming, just perfect. FRESH FISH SANDWICH The blackened fresh fish sandwich, also served with chips, was a highlight with its flaky, well-seasoned fish. SHRIMP DINNER The blackened shrimp dinner, which came with garlic bread and cocktail sauce, was another standout--generous portions and bursting with flavor. The garlic bread was delish and went with the shrimp, which was cooked to perfection. Super tender and juicy. Service was fast and friendly, making the experience even better. Overall, Jason's delivered on both taste and efficiency, and it's a spot I'd happily return to for a quick and delicious seafood fix!

Sunset on Ocracoke Beach

Dinner

See all

Pizza!

Old Salt Sandwich And Such

4.8(6 reviews)

Old Salt Sandwiches & Such in Ocracoke is absolutely worth the wait! This little food truck, set up…read morein a parking lot on the way to the beach, may have a long line, but once you taste the food you understand why everyone is willing to stand around for it. We had the shrimp sandwich and fries, and both were fantastic -- fresh, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. The shrimp were generous and tasted incredibly fresh, exactly what you hope for on the North Carolina coast. The fries were hot, crispy, and the perfect side. There are tables and chairs with umbrellas outside, making it a great spot to relax and enjoy lunch before heading to the beach. They're open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 2 PM and closed Sunday and Monday, so plan ahead because this popular spot definitely draws a crowd. The whole experience felt laid-back and authentic to Ocracoke. If you're visiting the island, don't let the line scare you away -- this place is a must-try!

Fish was really good along with the service. The lady told me that the trout was caught this…read moremorning. Try Darrel's Fill sauce which is scrumptious The only downside is that I didn't enjoy the taste of the frying oil. But that could be something personal

See all

Fried trout sandwich

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

11 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Michael P.

5 months ago

The Flying Melon Cafe is a standout dining spot on Ocracoke Island, offering an upscale fusion of Creole, French, and Southern cuisine in a relaxed but thoughtfully refined setting that feels perfectly suited to a coastal evening out. During our visit, we started with the fried green tomatoes topped with shrimp remoulade--a highlight right away. The tomatoes were crisp with just the right tang, and the remoulade added a rich, flavorful seafood kick that tied everything together nicely. For the main course, the parmesan crusted flounder was excellent: delicately cooked, lightly crisp on the outside, and tender and flaky inside, with a savory crust that didn't overpower the fish. Dessert was the flourless chocolate torte, which delivered a dense, rich chocolate finish without being overly sweet--an ideal way to close the meal. Beyond the food, the restaurant also impresses with its extensive and interesting wine list, offering plenty of thoughtful pairings for seafood and richer dishes alike. The innovative cocktails are another strong point, with creative combinations that feel carefully crafted rather than gimmicky. Service was friendly and attentive, and the pacing of the meal felt relaxed in a way that matches the island setting. The restaurant operates seasonally and typically closes for the winter off-season, which makes it feel like a bit of a special opportunity when it's open. Hours of Operation: Tuesday through Saturday, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM (Closed Sunday & Monday). read more

Natalie R.

148

12 years ago

This was one of the best places to eat on the island. For dinner we arrived a bit late and found quite a wait. So we relaxed at the bar. I had a cucumber consmo and wow was it good. For dinner we ordered the appetizer gumbo to share. Let me tell you. Someone knows their gumbo. Seasoned well and no fishy taste. I had the parmesean crusted mahi. Again the fish was not fishy and cooked very well. It was a good cut of fish which was great since the prices are a high here. The next morning we had breakfast here. We only had omletes, but they were good. The toast was delicious. Not sure what kind of wheat it was but I loved it. Overall a very average breakfast. The food quality was good so everything tasted pretty fresh. The only downside to this place was the staff. Now I can imagine that summer is insane especially weekends. Some staff members seemed put out and it made it a bit awkward to interact with them. However, this was not indicative of all the staff. The bartenders were super nice. The breakfast shift was where we noticed it the most. Maybe they woke up too early :) This alone would not deter me from returning or rate them too low. Overall this is a good place with great food and great drinks. Not to mention its decor is super cute and inviting. read more

Alan J.

12 years ago

Not sure what the other reviews were saying. This is the best quality restaurant on the island. It is also very reasonable for the quality of food, presentation, and service. This is not a five star restaurant on little Ocracoke Island. It is five stars on this island. The food variety, freshness, and the quality of the preparation, was certainly worth my returning there again, and again. We wanted to try brunch, but with the heat, we didn't want to leave the dog in the car on our way out of town. We would certainly try it next time we are in Ocracoke. The wine list is also worth checking out, and also quite reasonable. read more

Austin O.

2 months ago

The Flying Melon was absolutely top notch! Easily one of the best meals we've had in Ocracoke. The steaks were some of the best we've ever had--perfectly cooked, incredibly flavorful, and seriously impressive. And the bigeye tuna was next level. Everything was fresh, beautifully prepared, and you could tell there was a lot of care put into every dish. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, the service was fantastic, and the entire experience exceeded our expectations. If you're in Ocracoke, The Flying Melon is an absolute must. We'll definitely be back! read more

Con B.

10 years ago

Horrible service by guy with black curly hair he only likes rich/upperclass people don't get apps the are small recommend somebody that looks ten or younger to get something from the kids food and real expensive read more

Virginia G.

7 years ago

This is the best food in Ocracoke. Make sure you get the fig appetizer! The trigger fish was fresh and cooked to perfection. Savanna , Peyton and Molly are the friendliest bar tenders around! read more

C W.

12 years ago

Cool space and the best meal that i have had in a while (service could be a bit better though)

Diana W.

108

7 years ago

Food and cocktails are always amazing, as well as wonderful service! A great place for dinner!

Jack H.

11 years ago

Delicious. I go here every time I go to Ocracoke. Love this place. Get the Scallop Omelette!

Amanda B.

14 years ago

Slow service, smartass waiter. GO SOMEWHERE ELSE

Jay T.

12 years ago

Great food!

Flying Melon Café - seafood - Updated October 2026

Browse Nearby

BEST of Ocracoke, North Carolina Coffee near Flying Melon Café

BEST of Ocracoke, North Carolina Restaurants near Flying Melon Café

BEST of Ocracoke, North Carolina Things to Do near Flying Melon Café

BEST of Ocracoke, North Carolina Breakfast near Flying Melon Café

BEST of Ocracoke, North Carolina Dinner near Flying Melon Café

BEST of Ocracoke, North Carolina Desserts near Flying Melon Café

BEST of Ocracoke, North Carolina Pizza near Flying Melon Café

BEST of Ocracoke, North Carolina Shopping near Flying Melon Café

BEST of Ocracoke, North Carolina Thrift Stores near Flying Melon Café

Best of Ocracoke

Things to do in Ocracoke

Browse Brands

Brands by name

Browse Articles

Articles by date

People who viewed Flying Melon Café also viewed

Back Porch Restaurant

3.8

(147 reviews)

Superb food and service! A true MUST DO when in Ocracoke. We will definitely be back!read more

THE RESTAURANT: The restaurant was very busy the day we went, & it was off season. I'm thinking…read morethis is a good sign. The parking is a little hairy but I'm sure you can find a parking spot. Inside the tables have a tablecloth, kinda orange-red with a design. It's different, cool. Even though the place looks busy you are seated quickly. THE STAFF: The night we went, there was this guy & girl serving. Gosh they were quick! Holy moly! I was so impressed! FOOD: We got the special soup, curry sweet potato bisque. Oh man! I'm still salivating over that! It's enough to share!

SmacNally's

4.0

(301 reviews)

Hatteras Sol Waterside Grill

4.4

(260 reviews)

One of the best meals in all of OBX where every part of the meal delivered…read more For starters we had the crispy calamari. The calamari came out hot and tasted so good with the Cajun remoulade to dip in. We also had the special lamb lollipops which were cooked to a perfect medium and were seasoned perfectly. The chopped wedge salad was massive and great to share with another person. The seafood corn chowder is packed with all different kinds of seafood and makes a nice thick chowder. The shrimp and grits is one of the best shrimp and grits I've had. The tomato sauce is full of so much flavor with the large tomato chunks adding some nice texture to the dish. The grits are fried into cakes that have that crispy outside and smooth grits on the inside. On the specials we had the fried soft shell crab. While the crab had a nice light batter the crab shell isn't great but was made up with the lemon remoulade on top. The vegetables were under seasoned lacking salt and any other seasoning. The whole fried fish did stand out as a great dish with the fish cut into large strips, the light fry, and the Cajun remoulade to add some flavor to dip in. For dessert we had the special chocolate mousse cake which was delicious but nothing too special. Overall every item was good and our server was wonderful and I will plan on coming back whenever I'm in the OBX.

Wow. If I could give 6 stars, this would be the place. Hatteras Island. Efficient staff and…read moreprocess. Good bar and wait area. Worth the wait for the excellent menu. Please check this place out. We were both stunned at the brilliant experience. Not exaggerating.

Cockeyed Clam

4.2

(156 reviews)

Everything we tried was great. Good selection of on tap beer, nice drink menu…read more Hubby has grouper and scallops, I had fried chicken. All sides were nice. Appetizer of hush puppies were excellent a little sweet, served with honey butter. We were able to sit outside - which made things better as well.

Went out for a seafood dinner and found the cockeyed clam. The hostess was good hearted and made…read moreus laugh. Our server was friendly as well as was the rest of the restaurant as we were a little loud not obnoxious loud, but having a good time loud. Overall the food was really good. I tried the fillet which was cooked perfectly and the shrimp nicely done. My risotto was a little firm but had good flavor. I was told that the softshell crabs were excellent.. We also enjoyed the desserts but the chocolate lava cake didn't have any lava and the crème Brûlée could have used some berries.

The Mad Crabber

4.1

(300 reviews)

We were seated right away, the service was amazing! The drinks and food were incredible. There were…read more6 adults in our party and everyone enjoyed their appetizers and main entrees. -Fish tacos were huge and tasty. -The corn on the cob was delicious. -Seafood was cooked to perfection. -Our waiter was attentive and helpful. Highly recommend, we plan on coming back later this week.

Great staff and wonderful apps and food! Drinks and food were delicious!…read moreGreat value for the money!

Jolly Roger Pub & Marina

4.2

(15 reviews)

We have been waiting since 2019 for the rebuild and reopening of the Jolly Roger on Ocracoke. It…read moreis located on prime real estate, with the best views of Silver Lake, the light house and sunsets. We have been coming to the island for 37 years and the Jolly Roger has always been our favorite hang out. Well, today was the day and we were among the first customers to experience this modern era of the Jolly Roger. It did not disappoint. Beautiful. Spacious. Nicely decorated. Fantastic staff and a great starting menu that will slowly expand. You'll likely see John, the owner, greeting customers, helping staff and getting hands-on with what needs to be done. That's how to run a great restaurant. Let's get to the most important part first: the food. Our party of four ordered the grilled tacos, calamari and grilled shrimp and avocado salad. We were very pleased with each dish. Fresh, flavorful, filling and reasonably priced. The calamari was perfectly crisp and had wonderful flavor with added jalapeños and seasoning. On our taco dish, the jasmine rice was unique and delicious. The tacos and shrimp were perfectly prepared. A big shout out to our server, Ashley L., who was attentive, kept us posted on the status of our meals and provided fun stories about the preparations, behind-the-scene, for opening day. We bumped into Alex Garrish, a resident of Ocracoke and past employee at the Jolly Roger. Always good to see his friendly face. We know the kitchen is in good hands with Alex around. The opening days, as expected, will include glitches, waits and a whole lot of motivated people learning lots of new stuff and learning to work as a team. Please be patient, enjoy the views and become part of the Jolly Roger family.

A perfectly fine, serviceable meal and a menu similar to every other restaurant on Ocracoke:…read moreSpanish mackerel, drum, etc, fried, grilled or blackened. Strange that. Every fish is either fried, grilled or blackened. The blackened trend ended ages ago, but things change slowly here on the island. This was a favorite before Dorian washed this cafe into Silver Lake. It has been rebuilt and is lovely if you know how to navigate steps (no ramps to the bar.) Dogs and their owners, along with the disabled are relegated to picnic tables down by the water, where the servers are hard to track down because out of sight, out of mind. Not very attentive. The water and sunsets are lovely, but it also is difficult to hear the music down there and sometimes they have lively bands. All in all, it is serviceable, not fantastic but not bad.

Marauder's Kitchen

4.3

(4 reviews)

The shrimp tacos were excellent!!! Great tavern style atmosphere. It helped that we were there…read moreon a beautiful day!

Pangea Tavern

4.3

(343 reviews)

The food, service and ambiance were all great! Food came…read moreout in a timely manner. Mixed drinks were made with perfection! No issues with the order. Everyone were very friendly and respectfu. I highly recommend trying the Seafood Alfredo, Calamari and Coco Loco Shrimp. You will thank me later.

The food was amazing. We had very friendly staff, food was served quickly, and we got seated right…read moreaway. We happily would come back again! Everything was fair priced and so fresh.

The Froggy Dog

3.2

(521 reviews)