Literally one of the best restaurants on the OBX. Every dish I have ever eaten here was amazing. I try to go at least once every time I am in town. The chefs who also own the restaurant are well traveled and classically trained, they have some of the greatest flavor profiles I have ever tried. Everything on the ever changing menu is phenomenal. The staff are friendly, and the restaurant is quaint and usually filled with OBX locals and tourists. It is a small restaurant, so be sure to make a reservation or you won't get a seat. Some of my favorites include the Shrimp and Grits, NY Strip, Lamb, crispy brussel sprouts, cheese curds, etc!! Be sure to check this place out! read more

Had another outstanding dinner at the Saltbox on The 24th of August. As always made a reservation ahead of time and we were seated within 5 minutes of arrival. Our table was crisp and clean with water already waiting for us. Our waitress was amazing; I could kick myself for not remembering her name . We ordered an appetizer and drinks to start. My hubs had a beer while I ordered the Sangria, delicious! We both settled on the Pan Seared Crab cake. The waitress had heard me mention my husband not liking Brussels sprouts when we ordered our appetizers (WOW!) and suggested a substitution of asparagus for him when we both ordered the crab cake for dinner. That is top shelf service there! Both our meals were scrumptious!!! I did have the crispy Brussel sprouts and they were delicious! For dessert we had a slice of German chocolate and a slice of coconut cream pie, so good! Could not have been a better meal or dining experience. The Saltbox always hits it out of the park every time. I love having our very own 5 Star Restaurant close by! Sorry about not getting pics, left my phone in the car . read more

An unexpected place in an unmarked house. The vibe of the restaurant was elegant and eclectic with an interesting menu. We started with the Crispy Brussel Spouts in Sriracha Agave Sauce. The problem with saucing roasted brussel sprouts is they lose their crispiness. They did taste good though. We also had the Cheese Curds with Spicy Pepper Jam and they were good also. The soup of the day was a tomato based seafood soup and it was delicious. I wish I could remember what it was exactly. Soooo, good. I had the crab cake which was good, and hubby had the charred poblano gnocchi which sounded amazing (charred poblano, green chili and coconut cream/tajin pineaple and mango salsa. It really didn't have all that much flavor. It was good, but we couldn't taste the individual flavors. Our server was great, he was attentive and amazingly so with him seemingly handling the whole dining room. They have a great wine list with something for every wine drinker. read more

This place was great on a recent visit for brunch. Both my husband and I loved our meals and prices and service both super. I had salad with a crab cake that was gluten free:) I have celiac. read more

A little out of the way place that requires reservations if you aren't a regular. Tried it once. No reason to return. Food is good but a little pricey. read more

Quite literally the best food I've had ever in my life. Thank you Chef Randolph. April was an amazing waitress. Honestly, just go, order anything, and thank me later! You'll be amazed. One tip: call and make a reservation -- you don't want to be turned away... trust me. read more

This restaurant is my fave in OBX!! The menu is outstanding, food is delicious, excellent service, beautiful decor, fun ambiance, and we were lucky to hear great live music during our dinner!! Also, love the big front porch with chairs and swing to hang out on! Highly recommend!! read more

Recommended by some locals and had a great dinner there last night. It has 8 tables in a cute house so definitely make reservations. Our server April was great and owners were on site speaking to everyone. I had the sea bass which was delicious and my hubby had the brisket which he enjoyed but not the best he's had. The smoked Gouda Mac and cheese was fantastic. We will definitely be back when in the area! read more

Bottom Line: A small, quaint cafe with quality food and great service. The Salt Box Cafe is tucked away on Collington Island alongside a canal that is the home port to a crabbing boat and another small fishing vessel. The restaurant, including the adjacent screened in porch, has a very quaint feel to it. The restaurant feels casual but the flavors are definitely sophisticated and the service is on point. The menu describes the dishes accurately and the preparation is exactly what you'd expect. I thoroughly enjoyed the New Orleans Shrimp and Grits and my bf had an authentic Maryland Crab Cake stack. The shrimp and grits had large shrimp in it and the Cajun spice had a little kick but wasn't over powering. The crab cake stack consisted of two all-crab, no-filler, no joke crab cakes and gorgeous deep red tomatoes with arugula on top and pesto around the rim. The presentation of both dishes was lovely. Service here was great. I didn't have a reservation and the hostesses was great about studying the reservation book to see how best to accommodate us. While we sat in the waiting area they gave us drinks and menus to peruse. I was glad to be seated in about 20 minutes for a Thursday night dinner. Our waitress was also the bartender and she was a super efficient, attentive, friendly multi-tasker. I definitely recommend making a dinner reservation during the summer beach season at least a few days in advance. Lunch is less busy than dinner so a reservation might not be needed. Also, many local magazines have a coupon for lunch. If you don't have a reservation your only options might be the five-seat bar or the screened in porch. read more

The SaltBox Cafe - A healthy Maryland Crab Cake Stack - crabcakes, tomatoes and arugula. - New American Near Me - Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina

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We shared a small plate of flash fried brussel spouts that was delicious. My main was mushroom ravioli in a pesto-alfredo like-sauce. Mushrooms are a chef favorite here and this dish hit high notes. My spouse had the pork ribs with asparagus and sweet potato fries. The ribs were bbqd and over cooked such that the meat was very tough and difficult to even chew. read more

One of our go-to places for dinner and lunch on a regular basis. You can't go wrong with a single menu item --- but the specials --- just say YES! Tonight we had the Cobia over papparadelle in a chipotle orange cream sauce and the fish was so moist but the cream sauce was LEGIT! Kudos to your creativity in the kitchen Randolph. Well done! Don't be afraid to drive a bit out of the way to go to Colongton. It's a hidden treasure - so worth the drive! We'll be back again and again and again! Don & Kelly read more

Came out for the brunch and was not disappointed ! Small place with a great "shabby sheik" vibe,very friendly staff. I would call the menu gastro pub-ish,looked like they were growing their own spices outside also. Food was visually impressive and tasted good too.I figured my shrimp/andouille grits would be a but spicier but it was still tasty.I've had better mimosas,my wife said the Bloody Mary was great. We sat on the patio which was wonderful.Establishment is pet friendly also,I even saw the waitress bring out a water dish for someone's pooch. read more

The SaltBox Cafe - New American Near Me - Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina

Really good restaurant was bit of a wait, but the host and his assistant helped and made sure we weren't forgotten. Recommended and will be coming back. read more

Friendly staff, great specials, excellent wait staff. A hidden OBX gem. Come early and enjoy the hors d'oeuvres.

E x c e l l e n t!!! That says it all! Don't pass this place up! We have for years. So happy we made the stop.

Little hidden treasure!! From the outside doesn't look like much but the food was delicious, and the service was outstanding. My family and I went to OBX this summer for vacation, and this was one of our picks for dinner, out of all the places we ate in OBX this one was for sure the best. Definitely recommend. read more

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You definitely don't want to miss dining at the Salt Box! Food is always delicious Brunch, lunch and dinner! Warm and welcoming atmosphere!

Food was really good. Service good. Parking was a challenge. Busy place so your better off with reservations. I will definitely go back.

Could've been better Parking is atrocious but last time we were there decided worth the trouble. This time sadly it was not. The best thing on the menu that we tried was the ribs. Crab cake ok at best Colington Cafe beats it hands down. The desserts were abysmal. Chocolate peanut butter pie had the texture of slimy goo with undissolved sugar crunch, awful. The chocolate coconut cream pie had no coconut flavor to begin with add a chocolate whipped cream on top and can't find the coconut at all. The Key lime brûlée did taste like lime, did have burnt sugar on top was not creamy or smooth. Wasted 24 dollars on dessert. Was one of my favorite places now don't plan to go back. Sad read more

Cute and casual little restaurant in an old house. Absolutely delicious food, prepared with creativity and care. Be prepared to wait 1-2 hours unless you've booked a table. The seating is limited, but it's worth the wait. We had NOLA BBQ Shrimp served with grilled bread, Spring Rolls, and the flat bread for starter, Local Fresh Catch and Grilled NY Strip Steak for main course, all delicious. This is a must try if you're in OBX. read more

Food was delicious and the staff were so attentive and kind, especially with our 3.5 year old daughter.

Delicious food Only wine and beers Very nice Best crab cakes with potatoes Brussels sprouts and bacon mustard sauce definitely recommend this read more

This was a wonderful restaurant. The inside seemed like a small family owned place with a great atmosphere and the food was high quality restaurant and absolutely delicious. My wife and I had the egg rolls, vegetarian pasta, and vegan tofu dish. All of them were perfect and I was surprised to find such delicious vegan and vegetarian food on the island. read more

So worth venturing off the beaten path for lunch at this little cafe. The BLT and the Shrimp & Grits were culinary delights with layers of flavors. We will definitely make this a destination on our return travels. read more

The SaltBox Cafe - The BLT - New American Near Me - Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina

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Sorry I took a bite before the picture but I was hungry and couldn't wait. This sandwhich was so crispy and so were the tater tots! My only problem was that I didn't have enough remoulade to use as a dipping sauce for my tots. The cole slaw wasn't my favorite but that's because I like my slaw mayo based but I would definitely recommend just ask for extra remoulade. read more

The SaltBox Cafe - Fried Fish Sandwich w/ Tater Tots - New American Near Me - Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina

While this has always been a favorite for us, it was the first time for my adult kids. It was truly amazing and they were mad we had kept this gem for ourselves. We voted this the best dinner in OBX! Save room for dessert! Too many amazing choices...so we picked three. Yummy!! read more

The SaltBox Cafe - Rosemary Lamb chops with brown butter carrots and potatoes. - New American Near Me - Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina

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Wow, this is a great little restaurant nestled in the trees. Very friendly staff and incredible food. I'd come here everyday if I could.

This is off the main drag and hidden backnin Collington. We decided to try it for brunch. It was very good. The menu is a bit eclectic, so I probably would not bring the kids here. My husband got the cocoa and coconut french toast. He was a little worried about what the coconut milk sauce would taste like so he asked them to bring out regular syrup. They brought out both. As it turned out, the coconut sauce was really good! I had a scrambled egg sandwich on brioche with bacon and cheese. I did not read carefully and did not realize that there was a ketchup curry sauce on it. Not a fan of curry but it was my own fault for not reading thoroughly. Scraped it off and it was excellent. The coffee was good as well. The staff and what I assume was the chef/owner were all super nice and friendly. I will go back again. read more

The SaltBox Cafe - French toast with coconut eggnog sauce - New American Near Me - Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina

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Food was great, service was excellent! Seriously, we all loved everything we ordered and the place is super cute!

I am 76 years old and I have traveled a lot. This little restaurant is a hidden gem. Outside, somewhat discrete. Inside is clean, cozy and appealing. Food is great, prepared differently with some unique options. I was told by a local to eat at this restaurant. He was very right. The people were genuinely pleasant. This was one of my very nicest restaurant experiences. read more

Best restaurant in the Outer Banks by far, especially if you want something unique, reasonably priced and not "touristy." So fresh. Something for everyone. Service and ambience are fantastic. Great wine & beer selection. Call at least 2 days before for reservation during the summer. Would eat here everyday if I could. 10/10 read more

Amazing Shrimp n Grits!! The atmosphere is cozy, the staff friendly. I'm from Tennessee but if I could afford it, I'd fly there weekly for the Shrimp n Grits. read more

Small place just off the main strip. We were very happy with the food quality and variety. Prices in line with other restaurants in the area. Pleasant wait staff. Wine / beer only as outside of city limits. read more

Quant little cafe by Collington Harbor. Came for Tapas night. Had a 7:30 reservation and was seated by 7:45. Everyone is really nice and helpful. Really good food and good service. April was awesome! read more

Oh my god, if you go get the autumn ravioli, it was amazing. My boyfriend and I went for an evening date. There was live music, which was beautiful, along with good service. The staff was friendly and very patient (their menu had various options that looked amazing, so it took us a bit to decide). We ended up ordering their blueberry ricotta Flatbread as an appetizer, and it was really good. It's almost like a fancy toast. My boyfriend got their vegetable tiki masala. He enjoyed it quite a bit. The serving was fairly large, so he got to take the rest as lunch for the next day. I'm not a huge fan of some vegetables featured in the dish, but the way they were prepared, I enjoyed it very much. It was likely my favorite way to eat them. I ordered the autumn ravioli. This dish was absolutely amazing. It came out on a beautiful dish with wonderful garnishes of clover and seeds. The flavor was phenomenal. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys sweet, autumn flavor. My experience overall was very nice. read more

The SaltBox Cafe - The Autumnal Ravioli - New American Near Me - Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina

Got a bunch of starters and all were delicious! Didn't eat in but Cute lil place.....

A must in the OBX! We go at least once during our annual visit. The creativity and flavors of all of their dishes is second to none. We had their Vietnamese pumpkin crab soup, tomato basil soup, autumnal ravioli and smoked pork tenderloin. Each was chef's kiss! As usual their service was also impeccable - thanks Brandy!! Don't think of ending your meal without their house-made desserts - even if you get it to go! Thanks Saltbox for your consistent quality and a wonderful experience. We will see you next year! read more

Valentines evening dinner with friends- absolutely wonderful. Braised beef ravioli, short ribs, steak, and tuna all prepared perfectly and served rather quickly on a very busy nite. These folks really know how to make you feel welcome. Kim Kalman for light music in background, nice touch. Carrot cake for dessert may have been one of the best I've ever had, icing was spot on, not too sweet. Cook/owner came around and chatted us up , very much appreciated, and we always know that a dinner here is not only special but delicious!! read more

I'm sorely tempted to give some sort of horrible review in some misguided attempt to keep this place from being at capacity 100% of the time. However I can't bring myself to do so. What would I even say that was negative without being complete bs? The shrubbery out front was losing its leaves? It's Fall. This is the kind of place that lets you, with absolute confidence, order anything at random and expect to be amazed. We've explored most of the menu and have loved everything. Literally the best crab cakes we've ever had, and that wasn't in the top five. Just stellar. read more

i only came in for a caesar salad, but it's the best caesar salad i've ever had in my life. the coconut cake is also very good. not too moist, not too dry, fluffy and light with a dense rich icing. thoroughly enjoyed, i would recommend those items, and i will come back to explore the menu some more. read more

The SaltBox Cafe - New American Near Me - Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina