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    The SaltBox Cafe

    4.7 (455 reviews)
    ModerateNew American, Cafes
    Open 11:30 am - 2:30 pm, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

    The SaltBox Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    THE SALTBOX CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Dogs allowed
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - The SaltBox Cafe

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    Reviews With Photos

    Grilled Elk Chop
    Jordan J.

    The best quality food on the OBX. Make sure you call and reserve prior to your trip. The food is phenomenal and unique and service is friendly and personal. I can't wait to come back year after year.

    Mediterranean salad
    Meredith C.

    Food is very good here. We ordered two salads that were delicious and a semi generous portion. Service was attentive. The only thing I should point out is there is only a small amount of parking spaces.

    Pan Seared Crab Cake
    Athena B.

    Came here as a recommendation from our bed and breakfast, and this did not disappoint! Reservations go fast as it's a small place, but the bar and outside is open seating. We were told to go right as they open at 5pm to get a seat, and luckily we got the last 2 seats at the bar; however, by the time we left (7 or 7:30-ish), there were several empty seats at the bar and it probably wouldn't have been an issue coming later (unless that's not normal for them?). This was on a Saturday as well. Moving onto the food, we shared the jalapeno popper dip appetizer which came with homemade kettle chips and it was delicious, but it definitely could've been spicier for our palette. My boyfriend had a crabcake for the first time as the waitress highly recommended it. He has nothing to compare it to but he enjoyed it. I was between 2 items and the waitress recommended the arancini entree to me and it was also amazing. I am iffy on gorgonzola sauces because gorgonzola sometimes has a goat cheese taste to it which I don't like, but this didn't give off that nasty taste. I would 1000% eat here again on our next trip to OBX!

    Side orders of eggs, smoked bacon, toast

    Found this place on the way back from a ride in the Outer Banks, came here because of the good reviews. This place did not disappoint. However, if you don't want to sit at the bar or outside, call and make a reservation in advance. The food is outstanding. The service is very quick, and the inside has a Beach theme, which is really nice.

    That curry pumpkin soup

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    6 months ago

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    1 month ago

    Good quality reasonably priced food. Brunch on Sundays a must. Service very good. Although a bit of a drive from Corolla, worth the drive.

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    1 year ago

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    1 month ago

    Always reliable and a fantastic lunch spot. Portions are fair and delicious! Looking forward to going back for dinner.

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    8 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    26 days ago

    Terrific food and service. Vegetarian friendly and a very cozy atmosphere. Highly recommend!

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    11 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    10 months ago

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    4 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    3 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    4 months ago

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    2 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    4 months ago

    Amazing food and excellent service in a very welcoming environment . The wine dinners are exceptional and not to be missed

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    4 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    10 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    11 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

    Had a wonderful experience and dinner here on my honeymoon. You must have the crab cakes!

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    8 months ago

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    1 year ago

    Good service but unfortunately the food was not up to the ratings on line. It was just O K not outstanding.

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    10 months ago

    Not just your fry and dine establishment. Nice atmosphere and good food. Even accompanied allergies

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    2 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Amanda S.

    Amanda S.

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    2 years ago

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    Page 1 of 12

    Ask the Community - The SaltBox Cafe

    Are you pet friendly?

    Hi Dave! Yes, our outdoor porch is pet friendly. It is walk-in only but open for the season. :)

    Do we need reservations for a Sunday evening?

    Good idea to do that. It does get busy. You may have to wait quite a bit otherwise.

    Kid friendly? We have 5 ranging from 15-4...?

    It is a small place so if they are well behaved it would be ok. Be sure to call ahead for reservations. There is seating inside fro maybe 30-40 people and out door seating for 20+. Out doors (its under roof) would be better for kids maybe.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Steamers

    Steamers

    4.4
    (711 reviews)
    6.2 mi
    $$$
    Locally owned & operated
    31 years in business

    Fantastic seafood place with a classy feel. We had a party of 6 on a Friday in April during…read moreoff-season. I imagine lines are crazy during season, but I can't say for sure. Dining extends to 2nd floor, which is where we sat. Nice menu with higher-end choices. The menu says no subs, but some of the entrees come with accouterments for advanced palettes, so I would ask about substitutions (squid ink pasta w/rockfish , for example). The Fish & Chips were among the best I've ever had. I'm very picky about slaw, and this was perfect. More pickly than sweet. We did see young children in a party, but I would not say this is a great family-friendly option.

    We were seated immediately, so off to a good start…read more After waiting a bit, our server finally stopped by and dropped off water, with a promise to return. Again, we waited a bit for his return. He explained the special's and took our drink and appetizer order. It took quite a while for an alcoholic drink to arrive. As a matter of fact, the appetizer showed up first. He apologized and said if it wasn't ready soon, he'd stare at the bartender until it was made. Keep in mind, we were sitting at a high top across from the bar. While I was waiting for my drink, I saw one of the two bartenders come from the bar and take an order at the table that sat a good 10 minutes after us. Note, still no drink. Fast forward to the food. It was great! Everything was prepared well and tasted great. Oh, and yes my drink finally arrived. My biggest issue with this place is the credit card fee. I understand seeing this in some places, but when you charge $36 bucks for a double shot of bourbon, there shouldn't be an additional fee applied! To be fair to the server, he did stay on top of things, once we received everything, and he was a nice guy.

    Photos
    Steamers
    SoSho Crush
    SoSho Crush
    Steamers

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    Hurricane Mo's

    Hurricane Mo's

    4.0
    (511 reviews)
    3.6 mi
    $$

    Stopped in for lunch and was greeted by an unfriendly, somewhat nasty attitude hostess. Service…read moredidn't get much better at the table. Our party of 6 split up to avoid having to wait 45 minutes for a single table to sit us all. We were a party of 4 and another table of 2. We had different waitress and the one table was almost finished their meal before the other table was served even though we sat down at the same time. I was informed the scallops were chewy due to being over cooked and the soft shell crab was fishy tasty like they were not fresh and they cut a small one into two not coming close to filling the taco shell. The peel your own shrimp were also over cooked making it difficult to get the shell off. I will however say the clam chowder was delicious, the she crab soup was a little too rich for me to finish my bowl but was very tasty. The blackened tuna bites were amazing. However despite my meal being good the over consensus was not good.

    Casual restaurant and we went for happy hour. The server was great and everyone was friendly. The…read morerestaurant wasn't dirty. We went for happy hour. I didn't taste a lot of alcohol in the painkiller, but it was delicious! I did feel the three I drank! At happy hour you fill out a card with how many of each special you want and then you order more as you go. The wings were VERY good! We got them naked and couldn't stop eating them. The shrimp were good, though work for peeling and cleaning. We didn't care for the beef in the tacos. We also got crab dip, a small side salad and onion rings. Everyone enjoyed all of it. The side salad was a good size as well. I will go back and try other food. It was a lot of fun and yummy.

    Photos
    Nice vibe
    Nice vibe
    Seared Shrimp Platter
    Seared Shrimp Platter
    Hurricane Mo's

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    Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint - KDH

    Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint - KDH

    4.3
    (482 reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $

    Staff, 11/10. Friendliest most attentive people I've ever met. Shout out Brady, Jordan and Larry…read more Thank you for being so lovely. PATRONS (9-10pm) 2/10. The absolute rudest, entitled, oblivious and demanding people I've ever seen. (Aka the just turned 21 crowd). For people looking for a more "already know bar rules" definitely go around 11:30. Still 5/5 stars. Can't beat how amazing the staff was. Updated menu w/prices in pictures.

    Lots of curiosity regarding their Wagyu burgers, well we took care of that today!…read more Located around MP 8 just off the beach road with plenty of on site parking. It's off season so getting table at lunch was easy. Staff seated us and took our order quickly. They were super friendly and gave us the "pointers" on food( no lettuce or tomatoe here). Draft beer and cocktails available. Food was super delicious and not overly gigantic. Our burgers were grilled perfectly with just a minimum amount of condiments(.50) for shrooms, grilled onions and mayo(yup, mayo costs money). The tots are a seasonal thing so I got that. Delicious as tots are usually a staple in my diet. Sodas are free refills and our server even gave me a to-go cup. I live a refreshing fountain soda. The indoor dining area has lots of beach themed decor. There is a full bar at the front. I think on the weekends and summer season they also have outdoor music.

    Photos
    Funky ceiling
    Funky ceiling
    The Cowboy burger
    The Cowboy burger
    Live music!

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    Live music!

    The SaltBox Cafe - newamerican - Updated June 2026

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