Truly a hidden gem in the Manteo area, but once you find it, you will come back again and again.
What makes this an unmistakable classic find for a lunch is the view of the waterfront and the European styled eats.
Undoubtedly one of the best ways to experience the waterfront in downtown Manteo no matter the weather.
If you are visiting the Outer Banks Distillery, you can leave your car parked and walk.
It’s less than 8 minutes walking.
So close and a great way to feel the quaintness of downtown Manteo.
Located on Queen Elizabeth Avenue, up to a set of stairs and to the left, look for the Yellow doors.
Enter. Look out those fabulously large windows, trimmed in wood, affording views of the Pirate ship across the water (on Roanoke Island Festival Park) and the pier.
Sun fills the enchanting old-world decor, and fresh food is moments away.
Come in, choose a table, pick up a menu and prepare to feast.
Enjoy classic old-world cuisine and stay for the view with a side of spirited drinks!
Best Waterfront Cafe in Manteo With European Authentic Eats
For Amee and I, it was about getting away and enjoying our Girlfriend Getaway.
With adventure comes to hunger. NO matter where I travel, I seek out the best of the best in eats.
When in Manteo you need to seek out The Hungry Pirate Cafe. WOW!
The Hungry Pirate Waterfront Cafe delivers big on fresh and quality, hand-crafted, made-from-scratch food.
While the interior decor will have you feeling as though you traveled across the continent and were whisked away to a European alley deli.
Seating ranges from booths combine with tables and chairs to tables accompanied by chairs.
On the outside, you will find additional seating without a view if you choose to eat close to the front door.
The Hungry Pirate Waterfront Cafe & Sip. Sip. Hooray!
An elegantly upscale European dining experience with worldly views of Manteo boardwalk through vintage rounded windows.
Simple. Sophisticated. Refined.
Start off your girlfriend getaway with tall celebratory glasses of cherry Prosecco or hibiscus Prosecco.
Sip. Sip. Hooray.
As you sip, it’s time to make critical decisions, “What To Eat?”
Now it’s down to those famed decisions of how to elegantly feast without looking like you’ve never eaten before.
Then again, after a glass of Prosecco, and a bunch of laughs, and the fact that you and your bestie don’t care how much the other eats, Dig In!
The solution… order one of each and share it all! We did, and we even ordered 2nd helpings because the FOOD is extremely tasteful and authentic European.
Vegetable Panini (Vegetarian Special)
Fresh, pressed bread with roasted portabella mushroom strips.
Picon Bejes-Treviso blue cheese, manchego & cheddar.
Topped off with roasted poblano pepper, red peppers, tomatoes & garlic.
The final spin? 12-year-old balsamic rounding out the taste and keeping it lip-smacking delicious.
The Side That Stole The Show
There’s no way to miss with the panini I ordered, however, the side dish stole the show.
First I ate, my panini, then I dipped my fork tines into this side cup and tasted what I believe is a small sample of potato salad heaven.
Distinctly different potato salad. Let’s just say the house potato salad is the very ‘ best in class’ I’ve ever had.
Crisp roasted potatoes cubes, dressed on demand.
What I can’t divulge because I was not privies to is what the potatoes were dressed in.
If I’m guessing sharp mustard, with white wine, pepper maybe poblano juice and fresh specks of parsley.
The menu states roasted potato pieces, sour cream and mustard powder, fresh rosemary, and parsley.
To be honest a second cup was necessary because it was that foodgasmic. Go for the girlfriend lunch and stay for the potato salad.
Parma Ham & Double Cream Brie
On Amee’s plate … 2 sliced baguette pieces adorned with freshly shaved prosciutto di Parma.
The baguette was lightly covered with a smear of double cream brie, 12-year-old balsamic dressing, and then dressed with both arugula and basil.
The Ending at the Waterfront Cafe in Manteo
Rather than sealing our lunch off with a delicious dessert, we just ordered 2nd cups of the exquisite potato salad and an additional Vegetarian Special Panini:)
That’s how you do a girl’s lunch date.
Waterfront Cafe in Manteo ~ After. Before. During. Location.
The Hungry Pirate is located in the heart of Manteo, steps Way from the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse.
Or, if you are in the area visiting the Outer Banks Distillery, you can literally leave your car parked and walk .4 of a mile.
Additionally, there’s a boardwalk behind the restaurant so you can look up into the restaurant.
The steps to enter the plaza from Queen Elizabeth Street will be on your right if you are approaching from the lighthouse.
There are plenty of food signs on the steps, just walk up. Once up the steps, you will see the yellow doors, an open atrium, shopping, a coffee shop as well as an ice cream shop.
Basically, clearing those steps, let’s hit a home run of everything in ONE place.
The downtown Manteo area is Instagram- worthy so be sure to charge your phone. Stop for the lighthouse images, and stay for the food! ~ Dana XO
My thanks to The Hungry Pirate Waterfront Cafe for hosting me, opinions and story are all my own!