Rating: We loved it 7/28/2016
Reviewer: Kelbel

Our family of 9 used call ahead seating and were seated within 10 mins of our planned time. Our waitress (sorry, I don't know her name), was amazing with all our individual requests, making sure we were all taken care of in a timely fashion. We all agree the food was excellent. The sound views are amazing. I highly recommend.

Rating: I love this place 11/13/2015
Reviewer: Tim-OBX

6 of us locals eat here at least once a month and often more. The owners have become good friends and we just love the views and the food. They have what they call the Lighter Fare menu which is a smaller portion than their main menu items. For example the main menu flounder are 2 large filets while the lighter fare is just one. Much more to my liking. Our groups favorite is fried shrimp and often the whole table orders the same thing. Great place for larger groups too.

Rating: Excellent Fried Shrimp 9/18/2013
Reviewer: Jstangl

It has been years since we last ate at Tale of the Whale, but I'm very glad we gave it a try during our recent visit. The Lighter Fare Fried Shrimp dinners were delicious and an excellent value for the money - I want to thank Tim-OBX for his recommendation!

Rating: Excellent! 10/6/2010
Reviewer: Lisa

Dinner was delicious. Service great. Atmosphere wonderful. Can't wait to go back!

Rating: Gluten free 8/13/2010
Reviewer: Nick

They always take really good care of my wife who has to eat gluten free. We'v never had a bad experience there.Can't wait till mid Sept to eat there again

Rating: Hands down, best on the Banks! 6/13/2010
Reviewer: Stephanie

We eat here at least once a year and have NEVER been disappointed! Great views, amazing food - Salmon Special is excellent! They have live acoustic music on the gazebo in the summer with a bar outside and the waitstaff has always been fantastic! Best on the Outer Banks!

Rating: Absolute favorite restaurant! My #1 Pick 10/26/2009
Reviewer: Melissa

From amazing food to beautiful sunsets on the water, you will not be dissappointed with this restaurant. It is my absolute favorite restaurant on the Outer Banks and a nice pleasant atmosphere for date night or dinner with the parents. I love this restaurant, never a bad experience.

Rating: Had a steak 10/23/2009
Reviewer: Come Over

Too much flavoring. A good steak can stand alone or let me add my choice

Rating: Knock the rust off 9/29/2009
Reviewer: Rob

Our party of 11 ate at the Tale of the Whale in April, the week it opened. While some of the food, such as the crab legs, were amazing, but the fish special of the day lacked flavor and was over done.

Previously, the Tale has been a great experience. I'm assuming that they needed to knock some rust off when they reopened before they found their normally excellent food preparation and service.

Rating: Simply the best 9/28/2009
Reviewer: marky

always try to stop at least once...great food and atmosphere...fantastic view! pricey but not alot more so than some of the others..great ambaiance especially for couples

Rating: Enjoyable 9/28/2009
Reviewer: Anonymous

Have not been to this resturant in a number of years. Pleasantly surprised to see the interior renovations and the food was delicious. Cannot beat the Early Bird discount of 20% either!

Rating: worth the drive from Corolla 9/28/2009
Reviewer: pghbrgr

Made the drive again this year and it was worth it. The shecrab soup this summer almost made me wish I would have just ordered a bowl or two of it until my dinner came. I did the fish special (monk fish & lump crab) of the evening and enjoyed it very much. Everyone with us enjoyed their meals completely.

Rating: It has always been great 4/19/2009
Reviewer: DeJean

The very first place we eat at at the OBX. Have always had a meal big enough that I felt like they had to roll me to the truck. Always take home the dessert. The 7 layer or more cake is just ahhhh. Great place for big parties. Will always go back until I can't go or they close the doors. My daughter loves to watch the jellies in the water.

Rating: Enjoyed our meal 10/12/2008
Reviewer: Beth

Came for our anniversary, on a budget so did the early bird. (makes me feel old to admit it). Got a table by the window. Service was wonderful. We had the stuffed mushrooms and shrimp and grits as appys, prime rib for main course. They gave us a complimentary cake for dessert for our anniversary. Food was very good and portions quite sizable. Will return.

Rating: Mixed reviews 8/30/2008
Reviewer: eses

Service here was great, but there were mixed reviews on the food in our group of 14. The shrimp and grits were great, ribs were dry and tough, steak was good, seafood and pasta dish lacked any flavor.

Rating: great food. 12/22/2007
Reviewer: Me

My husband & I have gone to this restaurant the last two times we've been in the Outer Banks. Both times were very good. The place offers soundfront dining w/ live entertainment on the gazebo outside on certain nights. It's a nice restaurant w/ a solid menu. Lots of good seafood & a good atmosphere. It can have a semi-lengthy wait during peak dinner hours as it seems to be a popular place.

Rating: best resteraunt in OBX 12/13/2007
Reviewer: Dave

Exceptional food & lots of it!
Great staff & decor.
They even entertain you while you wait to be seated.

Rating: Always a Treat 7/26/2007
Reviewer: Barb

Being a homeowner for over 15 years as well as a visitor for the last 20, Tale of the Whale is one of our favorites! The atmosphere, wait staff and especially the food has been a welcome change to the "same old same old".

Rating: The food is fantastic 7/30/2006
Reviewer: Dave F

Get there for the early bird! The food is great...the steak, the tuna, the cicken...absolutely fantastic. Try to get a seat near a window to watch the skiers on the sound. Very good service.

Rating: Not up to par 4/25/2006
Reviewer: Ashleyobx

This is the second time I've eaten at Tale of the Whale & it could be that they had new employees or something like that, but between the waiter, the food prep person, & the cook, our meals were overcooked, wrong size, & wrong selection...two of our selections were correct & tasted great, but overall, I would not suggest this place in comparison to Penguin Isle, or Owen's. The manager did remove the price of the dish that was wrong & also overcooked. All the folks there were very friendly & we did enjoy the views of the sound.

Rating: Get There Early. . . 9/13/2005
Reviewer: Neil

. . . and get a window on the Sound. A perfect setting for some really fresh, well-prepared seafood. Start with the coconut shrimp and tell me if you don't think the dipping sauce has a touch of ginger in it. The waitress said it didn't, but she ain't foolin' me -- absolutely delicious!

Rating: Excellent food and value. 5/2/2005
Reviewer: CATFAN

We returned this past weekend and were again pleased with the food and their friendly service. We arrived just before 6 and took advantage of their early bird (20% off the menu prices). Not a bad deal! They also have a lite menu with a good variety, very adequate portions and several dollars off the full fare. We all had different selections of seafood...scallops, shrimp, garlic shrimp and the works. Everyone was more the satisfied with the portions and quality of food. And it comes with a great view of the sound. We have been their during the summer and despite the 30 minute wait, the food was worth it.

Rating: A Tale of the Best Food anywhere!!! 12/31/2004
Reviewer: Dee

My family and I visited The Tale of the Whale 8 years ago. Everything about the restaurant was fabulous. The food was some of the best we had ever eaten and it was reasonably priced. We were unable to return to OBX until last year. Even after 8 years, this was the first place we went. It was as good if not better than we remembered. Our kids were only 8, 9, and 11 the first time we dined here, but they all remembered it and over the years when asked what their favorite restaurant is, would shout The Tale of the Whale!!! This last year we tried several of the popular restaurants on the OBX and were disappointed with them all. Nothing can compare. We are returning in 2005, and will dine there several times.

Rating: Good food - decent prices 7/12/2004
Reviewer: seagurl

I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. The selection is HUGE, you can even create your own combos (seafood, surf n turf). And the portions are HUGE (with choice of sides). Yummy bread too! It was packed when we went there last week, and way too hot and crowded on the deck. They don't take reservations, but if you call ahead on the day of, they will put you on a list ... we only had to wait 20-25 mins .. enough to enjoy a frozen bevvie in the nice, newly remodeld bar area (and it was cool :~)

Rating: Very Nice 7/7/2004
Reviewer: Bob

Very good food and atmosphere, at a fairly reasonable price. One of the better places I have been to at the OBX. Would go there again and would recommend it to friends.

Rating: Very nice food, great sound views 6/7/2004
Reviewer: Tim-OBX

If you want a good meal and LOTS of it while watching the ducks and geese on the sound, then try this place. Located on the causway to Manteo it has been totally remodled last year and they offer good food, good prices and a lot of food on your plate.

Hey locals - you show them you are a local and they give you a 20% local discount. Try to match that at any other resturant here! OK - Burger King offers it too but..........

Rating: Tale of the Whale 1/15/2004
Reviewer: OBX Bev Beverly Rowell

We go here every year- good food, service and great sound views. Go early- especially on summer weekends because there can quite a wait!

Rating: Outstanding 11/28/2003
Reviewer: Rob

Good food, good choice, superior service, good value. One of the best places to eat. For large parties (10+) they allow you to call ahead. We did so and were seated immediately. Outstanding place.