First things first, I left my *wallet* here one night, and got it back the next afternoon (when I finally figured out it was really missing)..I called them, they said they had it, and everything was there when I picked it up.The hostess actually saw me pull in to the driveway and brought it out to me. Really CLASSY! Anyway, this place is very good. It appears that others think so too, as we were there at 7 on a Tues night and they were rocking! I had the fish tacos, and wow!, excellent with the slaw and the remoulade. Others had the tuna rare and the shrimp tacos..all were VERY pleased. Waitress was efficient and service was tight considering the number of large parties to be served. This would be a good restaurant virtually anywhere you put it..so it's a wonderful bonus to the Hatteras area. One for Restaurant Reminder! read more

We visited this restaurant for the first time this evening and we will definitely be back! Keith helped us and he was amazing. Super hilarious. The food was DELICIOUS!!! 10/10 recommend. read more

My meal was outstanding. Our funny and bubbly server Melissa convinced me to try the red drum special with corn, edamame and crab succotash. Oh my goodness, it was perfect. The fish was fantastically seasoned, the succotash was amazing and it was served with crisp seasoned veggies and yum mashed potatoes. I didn't intend to eat the whole thing, but I did. The other members of my party ordered crab cakes, scallops and shrimp from the calabash menu and everyone seemed pleased. They also commented on the bright atmosphere and the friendly and quick service. I couldn't agree more. Rustys is a repeat for us. read more

Didn't have a reservation and had a short wait (20 minutes or so) and sat on the front porch. It's a small place and we were seated at a small table in the bar area. Despite there being several tables in the barroom, it was quiet and fairly intimate. They have a decent wine and beer selection, that is reasonably priced. The Steak frites with white truffle and parmesan dusted fries were amazing. The grilled asparagus was al dente, just the way i like it. There was a delicious sauce on the steak. My boyfriend ordered the fried shrimp and said he wouldn't hesitate to order it again. We would definitely recommend Rusty's! If you have a larger party, definitely call ahead for reservations. read more

the ambiance and prices do not match, however, the food was delicious. I had the swordfish with a butter cilantro sauce and my husband had the spicy red drum fish with habanero mango salsa. very fresh tasting. only downside is that they were out of 5 menu items. read more

Rusty's Surf & Turf - Seafood Near Me - Buxton, North Carolina

I see a lot of reviewers on here saying how good the food and service is but then only giving 4 stars!! The food was delicious, service from Liza was amazing, and an overall excellent dinner. Wonderful restaurant that we will be returning to. I have celiac disease and they were very knowledgeable about gluten-free accommodations. read more

We had dinner at RUSTYS for dinner. The food was excellent. And are waitress was very attentive. Which made our experience amazing. The only problem was the table that was next to us. One lady which was crazy. Complaining about the water being to chlorinated. Her mixed drink tasting different. Which was the spiced rum. . She complained about everything all night long. The poor waiter constantly apologized which she never even accepted. The rest of her table enjoyed the dinner and the the waiter was Keith. Who was great very friendly and attentive. So go to rustys excellent food and service. Great place . THANK YOU TO ALL THE STAFF WHICH NEVER DISAPPOINTS mlm AND PREY THAT CRAZY AREN'T SITTING NEXT TO read more

We went here for the great reviews here and we are glad we did! We asked people coming out of the restaurant how it was? They raved like it was a religious experience! Recommended the flounder and Shrimp & grits. We had a great waitress who when we asked said forget this section of the menu, look here! So being a smartie I had the Shrimp & grits and my wife had the flounder with mashed red potatoes. Booth were outstanding! read more

Awesome food and even better service. They have the best crab cakes I've ever had! I will be back phenomenal food period.

I've been coming to the Outer Banks for a couple summers now, and just went to Rusty's for the first time last night. It was, hands down, the best meal I've ever eaten on the Outer Banks. All the fish was local, the portions were big, and the price was similar to other restaurants in the area that were not even close in quality (appetizers from about $4-9, approx. $20 for a "surf" entree, with other dinner items as little as $10-11). They had a good selection of non-seafood items if you're more into the "turf" part of the menu. I had the Sesame Tuna meal with a chips/salsa appetizer. The tuna was sushi grade, and as I try to think of a place where I've had a better tuna steak, I can't think of one. The fish tasted fantastic, it was perfectly cooked, and the veggies and mashed potatoes on the side were also very good. Our waitress, Dawn, was super-friendly, offered suggestions on the menu items, and was able to describe the different dishes and types of fish to us. Great service. It was a great meal, and I can't think of anything negative about the experience. It's a great place to get a high-end meal in a casual atmosphere. Rusty's is now a place I will visit on every trip down here, and recommend it highly. read more

My kids picked Rusty's as a spot for my wife and I to have a nice dinner during our vacation to Hatteras Island. They gave us a hand-made (faux) gift certificate and a (real) Visa gift card for Christmas so how could we argue? We weren't disappointed. Our seafood dishes were prepared well and the service was attentive. I also enjoyed the selection of side dishes. It got a bit noisy with a few family groups at adjacent tables but that did little to detract from our experience. The scallops and seafood sampler were good but not terribly inventive compared to some of the other menu offerings. I look forward to returning to try some of the more interesting entrees. read more

Good food but sooo expensive $30 for scallops that were just ok. If I'm paying that much for scallops I really expect them to be amazing. The calamari was interesting it seemed more breaded and crumbly than other calamari I've had in the past and I wouldn't get it again, the flavors were bland. Cute restaurant and nice pictures on the walls (all for sale). The prickly pear margarita was really good (I would recommend :D) and for those that like free things, all you can eat hush puppies! Those were awesome too! Lastly, I get it, it's busy, but geeze the food came out quick but the drinks and the check came out soooooo slowwwww they need to hire more waitstaff or something. read more

Rusty's Surf & Turf - Prickly Pear Margarita! - Seafood Near Me - Buxton, North Carolina

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We did the whole thing. Mahi apps- awesome Broiled crab cakes- awesome Tuna special asian style- really awesome! Fresh bourbon choc pecan pie- put me to bed!!! Brenda was our server. Super awesome ! Thanks brender!!!! read more

Rusty's was one our favorite restaurants on Hatteras, but no longer. Abbreviated, over priced menu, undercooked food, small portions, chilled(?) red wine, all contributed to our disappointing experience. Quite a change from our prior frequent visits. Off our list going forward. read more

Delicious food, great drinks and awesome service all around. We've been here a couple times over the last four years and Rusty's has remained consistent. We will certainly be returning next year. read more

I'm not even done and I'm already starting the review. First, if you come in the busy season call ahead and make a reservation! It was just me and my wife and it was a 30 minute wait. It was worth it though! I ordered hush puppies, which were amazing and arrived startlingly quickly. Had sweet tea too which was made in house and was excellent. I ordered the fish tacos and my wife ordered the crab cakes. The presentation was great and both also arrived quickly. With the tacos came Spanish rice and black beans, which is common with any taco. I actually ate them here though. Everything was delicious and the server and hostess were super-friendly. I will definitely be back here. read more

We just left Rusty's and we're totally disappointed. All of our food was over cooked and just not good.

Made a reservation. Arrived and waited 15 minutes beyond our time while our table was open before being seated ( place was Not busy whatsoever ) Finally got seated but they didn't have any menus . Ten minutes later a menu arrived. After another ten minutes with not even a "hello", ( felt completely abandoned) we made our way to the Buxton Sports Bar. Served within 2 minutes. read more

Great food! Excellent service! I recently went to Rusty's with my family while on vacation. This was my fourth time being there. The server's are very friendly, including the owner Rusty. The food there you can tell is fresh. the hushpuppies are to die for. Everyone in my family always asked for another basket every time we went there. I have gotten their Surf's Man platter a few times before which was excellent. Everything in the platter from the calamari to the fish was lightly breaded and fried perfectly. While on the most recent visit to Rusty's, I tried the rack of ribs. The bbq sauce on the ribs had a slight kick which I loved. The meat on the ribs fell right off the bone. I also would recommend the sweet potato fries. Overall, Rusty's is a great place to take your family to eat. Anybody can pretty much find something they love here. read more

The best restaurant on Hatteras Island, hands down. . The addition of the two experienced chefs this past summer, was a knockout blow to the rest of the food service competition on the island. All the dishes are flavorful, and Rusty's take on saute dishes is something that a five star restaurant would offer. As a trained chef I can tell you Rusty uses fresh ingredients, and all dishes are made in house. His nightly specials change the mood according to season, and if you have a chance to visit the island during the fall, the crispy duck is to die for. The staff is a mix of different generations of island natives, so if you haven't lived on an island like Hatteras Island a person cannot judge. It's a different lifestyle, one that is simple and warm not distracted by the hustle and bustle of the outside world. All the islanders are hardworking no nonsense type of people. The decor of the restaurant is like being in an art gallery, with various artists adding to the stage Rusty has set. In all, if your on Hatteras Island, it is almost cheating yourself not to pay Rusty's Surf and Turf a visit. You will not be disappointed. read more

Had reservations on September 4th. At 6:30pm. We arrived a little early and were promptly seated (party of 9). Drinks were ordered and arrived in a timely manner. Everyone loved their cocktails. I had the Buxton Bourbon Proper. If you like old fashions give it a try. Apps orders calamari, fried green tomatoes, spring rolls and house made hush puppies. Great flavor and all cooked perfectly. Our group loved it all and it was quickly consumed. Entrees ordered and all came out in less than 20 min. Now the restaurant was full at this time and I thought it would be a while before our entrees cam out. Crab cakes, Fried shrimp, Seared Tuna and I think the best dish on the menu the Pamlico Paella, oh the flavors! Then came the homemade desserts, all on point and delicious. Our sever was on point and very attentive. We then went to the bar area for some after dinner drinks. The bar was full and no seats were available. We were still able to order our drinks from the bartender and she accommodated us with no problem. A table finally came available and we enjoyed our cocktails. Such a great atmosphere in the bar with the surfer and beach theme. I would highly recommend Rusty's as the menu has offerings that you don't see on the Island. Plus you can make reservations online,which is a big plus. Don't wait 2 hours for your table. We will be back next year. read more

Large portions! Delicious food, great service! Our waitress was super friendly, the restaurant was super cute. We had the Thai flavored wings and calamari for appetizer, both recommended on the menu and good reason why - excellent! The kids even enjoyed their food and finished their plates (which never happens). Had the fish tacos and snapper for main dishes, which were excellent and huge! read more

Every night is different and special! Rusty is a great chef and he likes to innovate! The Mexican shrimp ceviche is so good, made with local shrimp! The sashimi tuna bites for appetizer are delicious! read more

Wow. Such a pleasure! Get the shrimp. The hush puppies were great. And yes we had Debbie as a waitress. What a great place. read more

Rusty's Surf & Turf - Fried shrimp! - Seafood Near Me - Buxton, North Carolina

Disappointed was my reaction. We were put into a corner table. And we did get our first round of drinks and our food order in. meanwhile the waitress sauntered over to some locals and spoke with them at their table for a spell. Then we waited and waited, finally had to flag down the hostess as she went by to see about getting another round of drinks while we waited some more. I wanted to try one of the micro-brewed beers but every other one was out of stock, so I finally said in disgust, just bring me a Budweiser. And when the food got there - you guessed it, cold. I did not much care for the rice that came with my meal. They offered to take it back but it was late and we wanted to get back as we were leaving the next morning. They did comp us a little on the meal. But it made what should have been a pleasant evening disappointing. read more

The service was excellent. We had the steak skewers that were excellent, 5 pieces cooked a nice medium to medium rare. Wine selection was sufficient for an English person with wine taste. We ordered the seafood platter that came with a crab cake, 4 scallops, 6 shrimp, cod and we opted for the fries. Everything was cooked very nicely (broiled not fried) but it all came on one plate which meant the flavors were a little non-discript. The fries which has had some bad reviews were delish and the key lime pie was ample and flavorful. Only critique is to separate the platter on a larger plate or separate plates to taste the specific seafood and the fries were a little soggy due to being on the same plate and soaked up the seafood juice. Second time in OBX but would go again. read more

Everything was excellent! The service and food (apps to dessert) were wonderful. Mahi mahi bites and maduros (special) appetizers were especially good. Try their homemade cake, if you have room! We will certainly come back the next time we visit. read more

Out for Date Night and picked Rusty's Surf & Turf due to the reviews! If the hush puppies set the stage, I didn't realize I liked hush puppies so much. I still wonder why do they call them hush puppies, I'll check Wikipedia. Fun atmosphere, not dancing fun but nice artsy feel, cocktails are yummy. Jeff ordered shrimp & crab roll and Sesame Tuna entree, I ordered Shrimp & Grits. Food & service was great! Gibbs our server is a lovely light hearted damsel who wants you to enjoy your night and your stay on the island. Fun date night that's not over yet! read more

Rusty's Surf & Turf - Seafood Near Me - Buxton, North Carolina

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We ended up visiting Rusty's twice during our weeklong stay in Avon, which happened to coincide with Hurricane Ted causing road and restaurant closures along with the usual COVID-19 challenges. For our first visit, we had no reservation but were absolutely fine taking a seat at the bar. The hostess was careful to make sure there was only one other couple seated there, at the opposite end of the bar. The bartender was very friendly and listed all the specials. We both ordered the catch-of-the-day (red drum) with mashed potatoes and sautéed vegetables. It was grilled perfectly, nicely seasoned and served hot. By mid-week it was even harder to find a restaurant open or not packed in Avon, so we drove back down to Rusty's. It was pretty busy but they accommodated us outside with an easy 15-minute wait. Again, the drinks, appetizer (fried green tomatoes) and dinners (Paella and the Korean Mahi-mahi special) were excellent! Definitely beyond basic preparation and very friendly service. We would absolutely return on our next OBX visit. We got lucky both times for seating but I would definitely recommend reservations for busy times and larger parties. Oh, and definitely try dessert, even if you have to take it home! read more

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I would like to be able to review the food, the menu looked like it would be good. But after waiting 30 minutes on a table, which is no big deal. We were seated, waited 20 minutes, no server came to the table. We asked the hostess about our server. She apologized and went to find the server. We watched her tell the server about us. She never looked over to our table. We waited 5 more minutes, still no acknowledgement that we were there. So we left. read more

Nice selection of food for young, old, seafood-lovers or not. Food is well-prepared, with some interesting preparations--I had caribbean-style red drum. This was definitely a step above your typical fried-fish beach place or a chain restaurant. Very family-friendly, pleasant, efficient service, large portions, unpretentious and a reasonable price. On the downside, food was just a little bland, and I sure would have liked more of the fresh chutney with my red drum; without it the fish didn't have much seasoning. read more

This is our favorite restaurant on Hatteras Island; we make sure to have dinner at Rusty's at least once - this week it was twice. The dishes include local seafood with a twist. First meal we ordered calamari and empanadas as appetizers. My husband loves their calamari - it is his absolute favorite place to have it. We all loved the empanadas - flaky pastry with steak inside. I had the banana leaf wrapped wahoo with red beans & rice, plantains and veggies for meal #1 and the seasoned red drum with the same sides (minus the plantains) when we returned for meal #2. The wahoo was very good, but the seasoned drum was fantastic - best fish I have ever had! Between the two visits the family had the fajitas, fish tacos, fish sandwich, the pamlico platter, steak - all fabulous. Rusty's will continue to be our "must go" place during our OBX vacation. read more

We stopped in for dinner one night while in town for vacation. We sat in the bar area and we're greeted right away by the bartender. She was friendly and attentive. Food was delicious! I had the Kahuku shrimp and my fiancé had one of the specials, seared ahi tuna. Both dishes were cooked well and very tasty. I also had a garden side salad that was fresh. They are taking proper precautions with Covid-19 and have limited indoor seating. We were thankful to stumble upon this restaurant. read more

We are traveling across the US in a motorhome and most often we prepare our own meals. Tonight we wanted to sample local food and chose Rusty's based on great Yelp reviews. We throughly enjoyed the excellent food and ambiance. I had the blackened fish sandwich, which was blackened but not burnt, while my wife had the roasted Brussel sprouts and coconut crusted Maui Maui. The entire meal was under $40. The service was excellent including the restaurant's owner coming to table to ensure all was right read more

Highly recommend this place! My boyfriend and I came here for dinner around 6pm, and we were immediately seated. Our waitress Brenda was super friendly and thoughtful. For me, it's always the small touches that make the difference between good service and great service, like asking if I'd like a lime with the diet coke I ordered and pointing out the quirky and interesting designs on the can of Aviator beer we ordered too. All in all, our food came out quickly and presentation was very nicely done. The hush puppies were delicious and felt like they just came straight out of the fryer! The calamari appetizer was amazing, batter was nice and crispy. Loved the zingy sauce and the drizzle of sriracha on the side, which gave it a good kick. I had the oysters and my boyfriend had the swordfish, both of which were absolutely delicious! And the key lime pie was phenomenal. Also, we had no issues splitting our bill. Definitely would come here again! read more

My husband and I visit Hatteras every year and each time we look forward to visiting RUSTY'S. We have never been disappointed with a meal and especially their deserts. Their seafood is always top notch and never disappoints. I love their scallops and my husband usually goes for one of their fish specials, but don't fill up on appetisers and entrees because the deserts are to die for!! Their key lime pie by far the best on the island and my husband gets their pecan pie which he claims if he leaves any on the plate it's a sin!! read more

Rusty's Surf & Turf - Yum! RUSTY'S mermaid - Seafood Near Me - Buxton, North Carolina

The food and service we're awesome. We tried the smoked tuna dip, fabulous. I had the pork tenderloin (enough sea food for the day). Delicious! He had the fried flounder excellent. Glad to have found this place and would definitely come back!!! read more

Rusty's Surf & Turf - Seafood Near Me - Buxton, North Carolina

Highly recommend. Rustys is a great break from the "fried everything" seafood places that seem to be hit or miss. A little on the pricey side but for a great "date night" dinner, look no further. The atmosphere is delightfully festive without being obnoxious and the food is excellent. Try the shrimp and grits and don't forget the awesome hishpuppies. read more

An amazing evening for the family. Came to OBX for an extended family vaca including a 50th bday this particular evening. Found Rusty's online and decided to give it a try. The ambience... Service... And especially the food were on point for this party of 15. Some flew.. Some drove 10 hours but regardless of how we all got here.. We all enjoyed Rusty's. Could not have asked for anything better! read more

Rusty's Surf & Turf - Seafood Near Me - Buxton, North Carolina

Fantastic Covid dining experience for a large family of 13!!! Service was excellent, kitchen accommodated special off menu requests and food was fantastic. Highly recommend and will be back again in the next vacation read more