Rating: Will be back for sure! 8/21/2016
Reviewer: Kelleybean88

3 of us went out searching for a dinner on a Saturday night. We stopped somewhere else but it was over an hour wait for a table. Someone had recently told me about The Dunes, so I figured we would give it a try. We were a bit weary after pulling in to a nearly empty parking lot at 8pm. We were pleasantly surprised! Our waitress was friendly and fast! Calamari and Fried Pickles were great! All of our entrees were served quickly! We all had different seafood options from the menu and each one was great! Light batter and not overly fried! Huge portions, we all took some home with us! We will add it to our rotation of places the next time we are down!

Rating: New favorite 8/25/2015
Reviewer: obxmike64

This past June was our first time going there and now it's our new favorite

Rating: Continuing A Family Tradition 5/7/2013
Reviewer: Poppa Bear

We always eat at least one meal at the Dunes and, in 10 years, have never been disappointed. This is coastal comfort food at its best, chicken fried or grilled, thick steaks, etc., prepared well and served by an attentive caring staff. Our traditon will continue.

Rating: Best Breakfast in N.H. 1/24/2013
Reviewer: MongOBX

I always go there once or twice while down at OBX. I love their seafood omlet. Never had lunch or dinner though.

Rating: Not Worth It 9/28/2012
Reviewer: wencarol

overpriced for everyday food--nothing special--salad is extra. Not included in the meal

Rating: Family Favorite 7/10/2012
Reviewer: Meaghen

We love the breakfast buffet! The food is always delicious. They have an adorable gift shop as well. We have been going 20+ years and have never been disappointed.

Rating: EXCELENT! 8/14/2011
Reviewer: MM

Topnotch in every regard!

Rating: LOVE IT 5/27/2011
Reviewer: Georgia and Rich Griffiths

This is one of our favorite restaurants!!! We love the breakfasts! Order from the menu and your breakfast is so large, it comes on a TV tray! Lunch and dinners are good too. They really know how to cook scallops. Don't hesitate to go in if it is crowded. They know how to handle the crowds.

Rating: Southern hospitality at it's finest! 7/25/2010
Reviewer: Lee

We went with a party of 35...yes 35!(We called the day before to warn them:) for breakfast last week. When we arrived we were greeted by a smiling manager/hostess who said "Thank you for coming, I hope you have a great meal!" Everyone raved about the food. I had the shrimp and grits with the biggest fluffiest biscuits ever. Many in our party had the breakfast bar which looked nice and fresh. I was shocked when I saw the omlettes arrive...they were served on a plate the size of a cafeteria tray! Service was outstanding...and I know how hard it is to deal with a large party. I don't know how they managed to keep our orders straight but they did. I can't say enough nice things about the Dunes. Excellent food and service at very reasonable prices. What more can you ask for?

Rating: Lovely Experience 7/20/2010
Reviewer: Sunntee

We stopped on our way to Hatteras Island for lunch.......we had the best Bloody Mary's ever! Po-boy oyster sandwich and NC pulled pork....amazing. Then we stopped for breakfast a week later on our way home. They were very busy, but the staff handled it all with style. The breakfast selections were varied and the food was excellent. Will be a scheduled stop from now on!

Rating: Breakfast 10/23/2009
Reviewer: Anonymous

Love the breakfast, not so crazy about the lunch, haven't tried dinner.
We order breakfast off the menu and pass on the buffet. The food is plentiful enough without the buffet! Usually get the biscuits and sausage gravy, it comes hot and yummy, love the coffee, too.

Rating: Love The Dunes !! 9/28/2009
Reviewer: Robin Stanley

This is our family tradition breakfast restaurant. Kinda liked the old decor better,but I'll adjust. Love this place. Bacon is crunchy not chewy, eggs are delicious.. so much fruit.. five stars !!

Rating: Great 9/28/2009
Reviewer: Justin

Stopped here after being awake 24 hours straight and driving 9 1/2 hours. Long story. Food was great, coffee was great, service was great, and prices were great. This was our first trip to OBX and our first restaurant experience on our first trip. I think it will become an annual stop for us on our way to Hatteras.

Rating: New Decor, New Chef & Great Food 7/29/2009
Reviewer: Joshua Jones

Hi everyone! Thank you for taking the time to check out all of the reviews on the Dunes Restaurant!!! My name is Joshua Jones and I am a server with the Dunes this summer! I just wanted to let everyone know that the Dunes Restaurant has been completely remodeled, from the decor right down to the menu! We still have the same great favorites such as our breakfast bar, southern fried chicken, and our delicious crab cakes, but our new resident chef, Chef Matt Arnold, has added some new future favorites such as his pan seared scallops, bourbon molasses marinated flatiron steak, and shrimp n' grits. We even offer vegetarian friendly entrees such as pasta primavera and blacked-eyed pea cakes.
Another great new and exciting feature that the Dunes now has a completely stocked bar. Come in and enjoy some of the best beer and wine that is offered in the Outer Banks, and also don’t forget to try out our new specialty cocktails like the Nags Head Sweet Tea and our very own Dunes Mojito!
We hope that you, your family and friends will come out and join us for an amazing experience that you will truly never forget!

Rating: Great breakfast bar 6/12/2009
Reviewer: obxgirlwannabe

You cannot beat the breakfast bar. Something for everyones taste buds

Rating: beachgirl 6/12/2009
Reviewer: Missy

My husband and I were out for a walk and stopped for breakfast. Great breakfast bar.
Love the potatoes and sauage gravy. We went back a couple of mornings and enjoyed a nice breakfast.

Rating: Great for Breakfast 12/16/2007
Reviewer: Becca

Huge, yummy breakfasts (served on elementary school-style trays). The breakfast bar always looks great but we always order off of the menu instead. Local PD eats their breakfast here.
Can't comment on dinner as I've never had it there. But breakfast is fantastic

Rating: Bad management 9/10/2007
Reviewer: Ken Beavers

Wait staff was excellent, food was below par but not bad. The hostile and negative attitude from the hosts and management (female) was horrific. We had a group of 9, were told we had a 15 minute wait and then, 40 minutes later, were asked if we minded splitting into 2 booths (which held 4 each -- do the math!). Never going back to that restaurant when we return next year to the OBX. Recommend no one else do either, unless they enjoy stress, inadequate air conditioning and mediocre food at outrageous prices. Much better food and value at plenty of restaurants in a 5 mile radius.

Rating: great breakfast 6/23/2007
Reviewer: Dude

family had gone to Sam & Omie's for many years but the Dunes was a breath of fresh air. Very good.

Rating: Breakfast buffet 4/11/2007
Reviewer: Rob

Breakfast buffet was good, just make sure you get your $8 worth. Okay selection of choices, half fruit, half other breakfast stuff (eggs, sausage, bacon, dry beef, sausage gravy, grits, biscuits, store bought style pecan rolls). Service was good, refilling empty glasses promptly.

Rating: Great breakfast buffet 11/30/2006
Reviewer: sloan

Plenty of fruit, and all the things we shouldn't eat, chipped beef gravy, sausage gravy, etc. Great value

Rating: Enjoyable 10/12/2006
Reviewer: Mary

Food was good...but I was able to decorate my home while I ate. COOL

Rating: Good breakfast buffet 8/5/2006
Reviewer: Pet Doctor

Plenty to eat on the breakfast buffet. Love the creamed chipped beef, plenty of bacon, and fresh pineapple.

Rating: avaid this tourist trap 7/17/2006
Reviewer: Keith and Kate

First off, great hush puppies but the rest of the meal was awful. Our waiter was put out to wait on us but sucked up as he gave us the check looking for a good trip. The chicken fingers were direct from the Tyson box and the shrimp was like plastic. Just avoid this place, we left feeling robbed.

Rating: not worth it 6/12/2006
Reviewer: Jerry

save your money the experience at the dunes was less than magical try heading across the street to Millers Waterfront food is great and the View of the water even better,The dunes was recomended but to us but we will not be back.

Rating: 3 star food at a 1 star appearing restaurant 5/30/2006
Reviewer: Rob

The Dunes is old, or rustic if you prefer. Pulling in, my family wondered outloud if the place was a dive or not.
We all left happy. Go elsewhere if nice decor is a requirement for your meal.
Simple place, nothing fancy on the inside.
Good service, friendly, and fast.
Good food, in good quantity.
Had my first true seafood dinner here and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Rating: good 10/10/2005
Reviewer: hutchens

Food was good but for a buffet & the price, we were expecting more. Not a lot of selection really. I've been to cheaper buffets with more items. We would go back; it's good & filling but just not a lot to choose from.

Rating: Not as good as it used to be 6/15/2005
Reviewer: valmouse

Breakfast buffett was not as good this year as it has been in years past when we stopped by here. Breakfast buffett is $7.95 per person. And it wasn't even high season yet....

Rating: A Breakfast Must 6/10/2005
Reviewer: ohiolor

This is on our must do list of places to eat while we are there. We like to stop after a morning of beachcombing. The breakfast buffet is wonderful. Love those grits.

Rating: A Breakfast Must 6/10/2005
Reviewer: ohiolor

This is on our must do list of places to eat while we are there. We like to stop after a morning of beachcombing. The breakfast buffet is wonderful. Love those grits.

Rating: Breakfast... that's it 4/10/2005
Reviewer: Rakbors

And make it the buffet breakfast. It's good, and there is a good variety. I liked the biscuits and gravy. The french toast sticks are good too. There's also fruit for you dieter's. We eat here every year before we leave the OBX to go home. Kind of that "last meal before reality bites"!

Rating: Great Breakfast - OK dinner 3/6/2005
Reviewer: Tim

The breakfast here (and it's sister resturant Keeper's Galley) is wonderful. Too much to eat many times. The dinners are family style food and are OK at best, but priced for the budget minded.

Rating: Not impressed 1/9/2005
Reviewer: Kelly

Breakfast was ok, nothing special. Dinner was ok, basic food you could get anywhere. Not exceptionally good or bad.

Rating: Dunes or Dudds 12/31/2004
Reviewer: Dee

A friend recommended the Dunes to us. Their family always goes there. We were so dissapointed with our visit. We had always gone to Tale of the Whale before. Food at the Dunes doesn't come close to the Whale and is just as expensive. Atmosphere leaves a lot to be desired too. Recommend you save yourself some disappointment and go to the Whale!!!

Rating: Dinner 10/27/2004
Reviewer: Bess

This one of our favorites. Excellent scallops and large portions even for the "Lighter Side". They now charge 1.99 for the salad bar rather than raise prices. Good value and friendly service.

Rating: Breakfast is great 10/26/2004
Reviewer: Anonymous

The evening meals are fairly priced and include a green veggy. Nothing special, but not over priced either.

Rating: Kid Friendly 2/19/2004
Reviewer: Steph

We make this a dinner stop every visit unless it's off season then we go for lunch. I enjoy their crabcakes. They are very meaty. My husband eats the 7 Sisters Chicken which is always tender and juicy. Salad bar is always full of fresh produce and fruit. My daughter loves the kids pizza. The whole family enjoys shopping in the gift shop.

Rating: Dunes-not impressed 1/3/2004
Reviewer: Anonymous

Ate there only once. Evening meal. Was not impressed at all. Would not eat dinner there again, but have heard the breakfast is o.k.

Rating: Annual breakfast stop 11/16/2003
Reviewer: Seadog

This is our annual stop for breakfast on our first day on the Banks before heading for Hatteras. Nice breakfast bar with all the usuals. I always go back for seconds of the baked apples! Good prices. Never been there for dinner.

Rating: Basic seafood 11/8/2003
Reviewer: Ace Mclean

Nothing fancy, good service and salad bar, but nothing special either.